Category Archives: Extra Points

Order your copy of the 2012 PFF Fantasy Draft Guide

Introducing the 2012 Pro Football Focus Fantasy Draft Guide!

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Check out the feature’s you’ll find in this year’s guide:

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Inside the Mind of a (so called) Dynasty Expert

It’s been a while since I posted anything here, so to get over some writer’s block – I figured I’d share some of my thoughts about some drafts I am right in the middle of.

Oh, and I’ve probably said it before, but I hate the term ‘expert’. I don’t ever refer myself as one (well except for this post title), and it’s a phrase used way to often in my opinion. If you guys only knew the small differences between you and myself. I am not any smarter than anyone else, but I do invest a lot of time researching and studying – so maybe that’s where I can get an edge.

Anyways, I digress. I did want to post about some of the rookie and start up drafts I am involved in now. I have had one rookie draft wrap up already, another is ongoing, and I am right in the thick of a startup draft:

(So that you can follow along, all my team names are extremely original: Bryan Fontaine) Continue reading →

Bowl Game Impressions Part Two

Dynasty fantasy football never takes a break and neither do I.  For the last few weeks, I have taken a few notes here and there about the college players that have caught my eye while watching the many bowl games.  I have had some great conversations with Joe Everett and Shane Hallam about most of these prospects on my last three podcasts http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/dynasty-blitz/archives/mostrecent/_/_/_/_/

Here are some of my thoughts about these players.  Keep in mind these thoughts are not fully developed; however they might give you a jumping off point if you are trying to get a general feel of these players.  Unless I mention it, these are my thoughts of their bowl game play only.

WR- Joe Adams (Arkansas)-  He showed great acceleration and vision on his long punt return.  Adams reads blocks well and is very smooth/agile.  He also showed the ability to make the tough catch in the slot.  He could develop into a player similar to a Danny Amendola. Continue reading →

Rookie QBs and TEs: A Year in Review

This is the third installment of my 2011 rookie review series. It has been a season filled with great performances in regards to many of the rookie quarterbacks and mostly disappointments from the rookie tight ends. After 15 weeks, this is as good of a time as any to find out what we learned so far. Enjoy!

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

2011 stats through Week 15: 283-475-3,722 yards passing, 17 TDs, 16 interceptions, 114 attempts for 609 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs

Current role: Starter (4th ranked quarterback in leagues that equal passing/rushing TDs the same)

2012 expectations: In my twenty plus years playing fantasy football and forty odd years watching football, I am hard pressed to find many other football players that wanted to win as badly as Cam Newton. Sure guys like Peyton Manning and Brett Favre come to mind, but this is a rookie who everyone, including myself, doubted as a sure-fire quarterback. Now the real question is: how good is he? I am willing to put him in the top six or seven dynasty quarterbacks. Now some may say, hey “dynasty expert”, Newton is a top four quarterback this year, so he can only get better.

Newton can get better, but looking at his surrounding teammates I’m not so sure that his team is built for his long-term success. Newton has two dynamic receiving threats in Steve Smith and Greg Olsen, then below average or aging talent in Brandon LaFell, Legedu Naanee, and Jeremy Shockey. Yes, he has good running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Unfortunately, the three of them (Newton, D-Will, and J-Stew) cancel each other’s rushing skills out. For the rest of the story: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/rookie-qbs-and-tes-a-year-in-review/

Time to Get in Scouting Mode: Players to Watch for 2012 Rookie Drafts

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck at the footba...

Image via Wikipedia

The bowl season is getting ready to start and if you are like me, you want to get a jump on the competition in your dynasty leagues.  Getting familiar with the 2012 rookie class before the rest of your league mates, in my opinion, is very important.  I like to use the bowl games to watch these potential members of “my team” to see them in high pressure situations and hopefully against some of the best competition they have faced all year.

Quarterbacks

Andrew Luck, Stanford

2011 stats: 70% completion rate, 3170 yards passing, 35 passing TDs, 9 interceptions

Andrew Luck is playing in the Fiesta Bowl as Stanford faces Oklahoma State on January 2nd.  Luck is now mentioned in the conversation as the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning and John Elway.  He is a top 2 fantasy rookie pick despite not knowing which team drafts him. For the rest of the article: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/time-to-get-in-scouting-mode-players-to-watch-for-2012-rookie-drafts/

 

Improving your Dynasty League at the End of the Season

Logo of the National Football League Playoffs,...

Image via Wikipedia

Turn out the lights, the party’s over“-Joseph Don “Dandy Don” Meredith

After a busy season, most commissioners and owners alike want to say those very words.  Please don’t let that be you as it is a great time to consider what can make the league better for next year..now.  Take the time to call/email your fellow league mates or post on your league message board with these topics: (click the link for the rest of the article) http://www.fantasyalarm.com/improving-your-dynasty-league-at-the-end-of-the-season/

 

The Demise of a Dynasty League

Today I write this with a very heavy heart.  A dynasty league that I started five years ago will be ending after Week 16.  Wait a minute, I’m a fantasy “expert” and I write commissioner articles.  How did this happen?

I have learned many lessons with this league.  Please make sure you build a dynasty league with a solid group of owners that have a common thread.  Get owners from a message board, a strong group of friends, a softball team, work, etc.  I did not do that with this league. It was a hodgepodge beginning with owners from all different places.  After looking to the other two dynasty leagues I was in at the time, I found several owners interested in playing a league with individual defensive players (IDPs).  Seven owners from those other leagues joined mine.  In my arrogance, http://www.fantasyalarm.com/the-demise-of-a-dynasty-league/  (click there for the rest)

Blitzkrieg Week 12

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker ...

Image via Wikipedia

Back after a one week absence due to my wedding. Every week during the season, I will throw out some quick observations of the previous NFL week. With the invention of the DVR and Directv’s ”Quick Bits”, I am able to watch almost every snap of every game and give you a lightning “blitz” war “krieg” to bring to your fantasy league for domination. Bring on the games!

The Lions met the Packers for the first Thanksgiving game.  The 27-15 score doesn’t tell the entire story.  Green Bay led 24-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter and let off the gas in the 4th quarter.  Matt Stafford’s performance of 32 completions from 45 attempts, 276 yards passing and 1 TD, look good once you remove the 3 interceptions he threw.  Kevin Smith ran well until he suffered an ankle injury (10 touches for 57 yards) and Maurice Morris took over after the injury with 120 total yards, including 9 receptions.  The injury to Smith doesn’t sound very serious at this time, but please continue to hold onto Morris with Jahvid Best now on the IR.  Calvin Johnson had a garbage time TD catch with less than 12 seconds on the clock and only caught 50% of his targets.  Rookie Titus Young had a 13 yard reception and a two point conversion catch, while Nate Burleson added 50 yards on 6 touches.  It is fair to say we all expected more against a poor Green Bay secondary.  The Packers offense, however, was in control the entire game.  Aaron Rodgers threw for a 66% completion rate for 307 yards and 2 TDs.  He didn’t see much pressure even though the Packers running game stunk once again with 54 yards between 4 running backs.  Greg Jennings caught his 5 targets for 74 yards including a 3 yard TD and James Jones took another big play (65 yarder) all the way to the house to finish with 94 yards on 3 catches.  For the rest click here: http://draftbreakdown.com/week-12-fantasy-blitzkrieg

Week 10 Blitzkrieg

Hawks_Saints_2011_Playoff-88

Image by KellBailey via Flickr

Every week during the season, I will throw out some quick observations of the previous NFL week. With the invention of the DVR and Directv’s ”Quick Bits”, I am able to watch almost every snap of every game and give you a lightning “blitz” war “krieg” to bring to your fantasy league for domination. Bring on the games!

In the battle of the AFC North, the Steelers took on the Bengals.  The Steelers jumped to a quick 14 point advantage and held on to win 24 to 17.  Super rookie AJ Green had a single catch, a 36 yard TD, before leaving due to a lower leg injury.  It was another amazing catch as he caught it in between the Steelers starting safeties.  Andy Dalton looked efficient throwing the short passes, but only completed 50% of his passes for 170 yards with 2 TDs and 2 interceptions.  Andrew Hawkins filled in for Green by hauling in 5 balls out of 6 targets.  The Bengals defensive line got to Ben Roethlisberger as he was sacked 5 times.  Ben’s numbers look worse than what they were mostly due to an interception caused by Heath Miller (3-31 yards) bumbling the ball.  Roethlisberger completed 21 out of 33 for 245 yards with a TD and the previously mentioned interception.  Antonio Brown was his safety valve by catching 5 for 86 out of 6 targets.  Mike Wallace had an up and down day with 5 receptions for 47 yards and 2 reverses for 31 yards.  Wallace did have several drops.  Rashard Mendenhall had a productive day with 2 short yardage TDs and 70 total yards.  CB William Gay sealed the game for the Steelers with a steal of a Dalton pass with 2:30 to play.

It was Seattle’s “12th man” and Marshawn Lynch that made the difference for the Seahawks at home.  Tavaris Jackson was an adequate QB completing 63% of his passes for 217 yards and when I write adequate, I mean he didn’t lose the game with turnovers or bad decisions.  Lynch was the workhorse as he touched the ball 37 times for 167 yards combined and had a short TD run.  For more click here: http://draftbreakdown.com/week-10-fantasy-blitzkrieg

Young Bucks Week 10

Donald Brown

Image by Jeffrey Beall via Flickr

In this weekly column, I will explore some young players that may have not made much of an impact to date.  Some players may be available on your waiver wire; some may be available via a cheap/moderate trade.  Acquiring these players could decide how well your dynasty/keeper team does for the next few years.  As the weeks go on, I will be peaking through a few more key holes.  Remember for every Arian Foster there are six to twelve Kenny Irons or a Steve Slatons.

The first guy I want to discuss is Donald Brown.  Yes, I know what you are thinking.  Brown is a first round bust as he couldn’t take the job from Joseph Addai last year.  Brown has outplayed rookie Delone Carter, but this is more because he is versatile compared to the bruising Carter.  For the rest: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/young-bucks-week-10/