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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Stat Stuffers

This season, although abbreviated, was quite intriguing with at least one game being played every night. As the 2012 fantasy basketball season draws to a close, the time has come to recognize those who may have helped owners win an ever-elusive championship. Here is the cream of the fantasy crop.

PG
Russell Westbrook (OKC) 23.6 ppg, 82 FT%
Brandon Jennings (Mil) 19.1 ppg, 80 FT%
SG
Kobe Bryant (LAL) 27.9 ppg, 84 FT%
Monte Ellis (Mil) 20.4 ppg, 6 apg
SF
LeBron James (Mia) 27.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6.2 apg, 53 FG%
Kevin Durant (OKC) 28 ppg, 8 rpg, 86 FT%
PF
Blake Griffin (LAC) 20.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 54 FG%
Kevin Love (Min) 26 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 82 FT%
C
Dwight Howard (Orl) 20.6 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Andrew Bynum (LAL) 18.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg

Congratulations to those who made magic happen this season in fantasy. Now, let the playoffs begin.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Drum Roll, Please?

When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell approaches the podium on April 26, it's imperative that the first name he will call is senior quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford. What about the rest of the ordered picks? Here's a sneak peek into the future, Tazsports style. Maestro....

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford

The Colts have glaring issues elsewhere, like defensive tackle, linebacker and secondary. The quarterback position must be addressed first, however.

2. St. Louis Rams (Trade with Washington)

Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma State

Linebacker is a dire need for the Rams, going forward, but Blackmon is one prospect a franchise can't pass on.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil - OT - USC

With big brother Ryan grooming him, Matt has a leg up on the rest of the class at his position.

4. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson - RB - Alabama

With the NFL migrating toward the 'running back by committee' philosophy, franchises are reluctant to draft a running back so early in the first round. The consensus will take Richardson every time.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne - CB - LSU

An aging Ronde Barber lurks in the balance. Why not scoop up the best corner back in the draft and have the wiley veteran take Claiborne under his wing?

6. Washington Redskins (Trade with St. Louis)
Robert Griffin, III - QB - Baylor

Washington may as well get a QB since they traded away first round picks for the next three seasons. The glaring need at the position doesn't hurt.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Floyd - WR - Notre Dame

The Jags lack a big, efficient target at receiver. Floyd will prove to be the best in this year's draft at his position.

8. Miami Dolphins

Riley Reiff - OT - Iowa

Miami may have more serious needs on the defensive side of the ball, but Reiff is a top ten talent.

9. Carolina Panthers

Quinton Coples - DE - North Carolina

A dominant defensive end from North Carolina remindssome of pro bowler Julius Peppers. The proverbial jury is still out.

10. Buffalo Bills
Devon Still - DT - Penn State

The Bills rarely put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, accumulating only 29 sacks (t-30th) in 2011. Still should contribute nicely.

NFL team logos courtesy of NFL.com.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Manning the Brady Bunch

Imagine waking up on an interstate freeway blindfolded. Your senses heighten as your sight is taken from you. Your palms moisten as your brain alarms you to act fast but strategically. For if you stand in one spot too long you're sure to be run over with colossal force. The vehicles represent defenders. The freeway signifies the stage known as Super Bowl forty-six.

New England Patriots

(13-3)

The Baltimore Ravens is the only team with a winning record the Patriots defeated all season. Their defense ranks 31st of 32 teams, allowing 411.1 yards per game. They have a hobbled secondary with safety Patrick Chung nursing a knee injury. He'll play, more than likely, but won't be 100%. Just about every skilled position on offense has some sort of ailment on the injury report including quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. They have question marks heading into Sunday on either side of the ball. They also have....Tom Brady, which is the reason New England will be victorious when the clock reads 0:00.

New York Giants

(9-7)

The Giants are currently the NFL's hottest team, winning their last five straight games. However, after defeating New England on the road on November 6, the Giants lost five of their last eight games to end the regular season. As the Dallas Cowboys self-destructed, the Giants won the NFC East by default. Everything is dependent on which team shows up for the Giants on Sunday.

As neither team is a defensive juggernaut by any imaginary stretch, New York has a stronger pass rush which should contribute to getting Tom Brady 'off the spot'. Look for the running game to be a deciding factor on who will hoist the Lombardi as multi-colored confetti falls from the raptors.

New England 24

NY Giants 20 Final

Monday, January 9, 2012

After the Confetti

When all the sparkly, bubbly stuff is gone and the noisemakers and serpentine have been swept up, it's time to show appreciation to the players who made such a championship run possible.

QB

1. Aaron Rodgers - GB
2. Drew Brees - NO
3. Tom Brady - NE
* Sam Bradford - StL

RB

1. Ray Rice - Bal
2. LeSean McCoy - Phi
3. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jac
* Toby Gerhart - Min
* Roy Helu - Was

WR

1. Calvin Johnson - Det
2. Wes Welker - NE
3. Victor Cruz - NYG
* Kenny Britt - Ten
* Pierre Garcon - Ind

TE

1. Rob Gronkowski - NE
2. Jimmy Graham - NO
3. Aaron Hernandez - NE
* Jake Ballard - NYG
* Jermaine Gresham - Cin

DEF

1. San Francisco

2. Chicago

3. Baltimore
* Philadelphia
* Minnesota

* Top sleepers for 2012

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Leap Year: Fantasy Finale

Aaron Rodgers is easily 2011's version of Fantasy Football's MVP. With 4,643 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns on only six interceptions and no established running game to speak of, a pat on the back is well deserved. Rodgers illuminates what a champion is. Here are week 17's champions:

Byes: none

John Skelton (Ari vs Sea)

Matt Flynn (GB vs Det)

Kyle Orton (KC @ Den)

Felix Jones (Dal @ NYG)

Kahlil Bell (Chi @ Min)

Donald Brown (Ind @ Jac)

Damian Willliams (Ten @ Hou)

Torrey Smith (Bal @ Cin)

Malcom Floyd (SD @ Oak)

Joel Dreessen (hou vs Ten)

Ed Dickson (Bal @ Cin)

Brent Celek (Phi vs Was)

DEF

Arizona vs Sea

Atlanta vs TB

Kansas City @ Den

Aaron Rodgers (GB vs Det)

Ben Roethlisberger (Pit @ Cle)

Frank Gore (SF @ StL)

Cedric Benson (Cin vs Bal)

Laurent Robinson (Dal @ NYG)

Marques Colston (NO vs Car)

Jermichael Finley (GB vs Det)

Vernon Davis (SF @ StL)

DEF

Dallas @ NYG

New Orleans vs Car

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Road Birds

Swarming, swooping with wings spread and beaks aimed, the Seahawks played as if they were in a bird bath at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday. Although the injury-laden Bears posted 14 points, Seattle's defense only gave up eight in a 38-14 decimation from hind claw to furry ear. Hibernation may be an option for Chicago as the Seahawks picked off backup quarterback Caleb Hanie four times while sacking him four times, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and forcing and recovering a fumble that sent Bears receiver Johnny Knox to the sideline for the remainder of the season. Perched on a Space Needle, the Seahawks peer at playoff prey in hopes to steal a spot in 2011's version.

Byes: none

QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buf vs Den) If your number one signal caller is out because of injury, the Harvard hurler should be good for double figures for week sixteen.
Kyle Orton (KC vs Oak) Orton will be decent against Oakland's 23rd-ranked pass defense at home.
Charlie Batch (Pit vs StL) With Big Ben out with an ankle sprain, Batch will face a discouraged Rams team (2-12) with a deceivingly solid pass defense. Batch should do well regardless.
RB
Willis McGahee (Den @ Buf) Buffalo is allowing nearly 140 rushing yards per game (29th) through fourteen games. If Willis is cleared to go, he will do just that.
Michael Bush (Oak @ KC) Bush will be facing the 24th defense versus the run. Plus everyone else on Oakland's offense is falling to injury.
Kevin Smith (Det vs SD) Smith should be healthy enough to start on Saturday against a Chargers unit which allows 126.1 per game on the ground.
WR
Santana Moss (Was vs Min) Minnesota has one of the worst pass defenses, having given up a league-high 13 passing plays of 40 yards or more.
James Jones (GB vs Chi) The Bears rank 27th in the NFL against receivers, which is great for Jones while top receiver Greg Jennings sits.
Doug Baldwin (Sea vs SF) Seattle won't be able to run much on the 49ers, so Baldwin should benefit from a high volume of pass attempts on Saturday afternoon.
TE
Joel Dreessen (Hou @ Ind) With Owen Daniels hobbled with injury, Dreessen has a prime opportunity to be a top sleeper on Thursday night against the Colts.
Anthony Fasano (Mia @ NE) Why not? New England hasn't proven worthy of stopping anyone on defense, especially through the air (313.5 rec yds/gm-last in NFL).
Dustin Keller (NYJ vs NYG) Keller will be open all game against the Giants' 29th-ranked receiving defense.
DEF

Washington vs Min
Seattle vs SF
Cleveland @ Bal

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs Ari)
Colt McCoy (Cle @ Bal)
RB
Peyton Hillis (Cle @ Bal)
Steven Jackson (StL @ Pit)
WR
Anquan Boldin (Bal vs Cle)
Nate Washington (Ten vs Jac)
TE
Greg Olsen (Car vs TB)
Brandon Pettigrew (Det vs SD)
DEF
Houston @ Ind
Detroit vs SD

Friday, December 16, 2011

Got MoJo?: Playoff Mode

Immeasurables are obviously invisible and can make the evaluation process rather difficult. Apparently, the eye test puts Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai and LenDale White ahead of a 5' 6" tailback out of UCLA with no dancing skills in the 2006 draft. Yet six running backs and sixty picks later, there remained Maurice Jones Drew for Jacksonville, who passed on him for Marcedes Lewis in the first round. Unfortunately, no tape measure, stopwatch or talking head with a 150 thread-count suit can determine the size of this little giant's heart. Just ask his latest victim, Tampa Bay's defensive unit. The Bucs actually did a good job, containing MJD to only 136 total yards and 4 touchdowns en route to a convincing 41-14 victory on Sunday. The so-called 'Pocket Hercules' currently leads the NFL with 1,324 rushing yards. Not bad for a guy so..... close to the ground.

Byes: none

Matt Hasselbeck (Ten @ Ind) Hasselbeck is nursing a calf injury, but playing the Colts secondary should be an instant anesthetic.

T.J. Yates (Hou vs Car) The rookie from North Carolina should have a decent game by default against one of the league's worst run defenses.

Caleb Hanie (Chi vs Sea) Head coach Lovie Smith said that the training wheels come off against the Seahawks as they attempt to open up the playbook a bit more.

RB
Beanie Wells (Ari vs Cle) The Browns rank 31st against the run (150.9 ypg).
Felix Jones (Dal @ TB) Jones produces a lot more in the first half of games, which will be the case Saturday night against the Bucs who allow 139.7 yards per game on the ground (28th).
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE @ Den) Although Denver's defense is solid at nearly every level, they give up 124.2 rushing yards each game in a match up that more than likely won't be a 10-6 final score.

WR
Jonathan Baldwin (KC vs GB) Like shooting fish in a barrel....a no-brainer.
Kevin Walter (Hou vs Car) The Panthers pass defense is not as bad as its run defense, but yielding more than 250 receiving yards per game plays in Walter's favor.
Jordy Nelson (GB @ KC) With Greg Jennings out of the lineup, Nelson has the spotlight. Only Rob Gronkowski and Calvin Johnson have more receiving touchdowns than Nelson.

TE
Brandon Pettigrew (Det @ Oak) The second-year tight end from Oklahoma State is closing in on 70 catches, as he did last season, and will get red zone looks against Oakland on Sunday.
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ Phi) The Eagles will get things together on defense, just not this week.
Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ StL) Low-hanging fruit is the most attractive, as well as the most risky, but this is the playoffs and Gresham is up against the Rams, after all.

DEF