Category Archives: Players

2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Reports

English: Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin II...

English: Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin III, signing autographs at the 2009 Meet the Bears scrimmage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you need some insight in what rookies to draft this year and how I predict they perform fantasy-wise this season, please read my rookie reports.

I will dissect at least two rookies per week by looking at their skill set, figuring out their role for this year, making a reasonable estimate for their production, and comparing them to a player you already know.  Just follow the link here: here: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/weekly-nfl-rookie-draft-dynasty-report/

Initial 2012 Rookie Dynasty Rankings

Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone, but the fantasy season looms on the horizon.  My personal philosophy is TALENT over situation.  I generally utilize my pre-draft rankings based on college tape in combination with how high a player was drafted to create initial dynasty rankings.  That being said, some situations are tempting and have to be accounted for.

Quarterbacks:

1.  Andrew Luck QB/IND

Too talented and the Colts seem to have a developmental plan with weapons Continue reading →

2/6/12 Rookie Review of RBs/LBs with @ShanePHallam of Draftcountdown.com

National Football League Draft

Image via Wikipedia

Join Shane Hallam and myself discuss the impact of the bowl games and all-star games on how we rank the incoming 2012 NFL rookie class running backs and linebackers tonight at 6:30 pm.  Listen here live or download the show later (also on i-tunes)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dynasty-blitz/2012/02/06/dynastyblitz-podcast-wshanephallam-of-draftcountdowncom

2012 Senior Bowl Game Player Analysis

The Senior Bowl (http://www.seniorbowl.com/) has been a part of the college players transition to professional football since 1950.  This game has raised the profiles of future NFL players and the charitable efforts in Mobil, Alabama.  I will be analyzing some of the players in the Senior Bowl who stood out to me.  I tend to focus on the offense, but I discuss a few outstanding defenders as well.  If you are looking for Senior Bowl practice notes, please check out http://www.draftcountdown.com/ and/or http://www.rookiedraft.com/ and follow @ShanePHallam and/or @RookieDraft (aka Joe Everett) on twitter.  Shane and Joe were great interviews on my Dynasty Blitz podcasts (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dynasty-blitz) breaking down some of these players before the all-star game circuit.  Today, I will be discussing many of the key players that hopefully will transition to the NFL and make an impact on your fantasy teams.

WR Joe Adams (Arkansas) - Adams was one of the most dynamic players on the field.  He demonstrated good hands, separation from the defenders, and turned up the field quickly with explosion.  The sideline is his friend and he uses whatever position he is on the field to help set up his blockers.  Adams has a great spin move, but he did cough up the ball on his second catch of the day in mid-spin.  For the rest of the article click here: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/2012-senior-bowl-game-player-analysis/

2012 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Player Analysis

English: Official NFLPA Logo

Image via Wikipedia

The 2012 NFL Draft approaching is as the college all-star games are in full swing. The name changed a little from the Texas vs. the Nation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.  The unique hook for this game was no NFL scouts could watch practice as underclassmen could take part. I will be discussing many of the offensive players may transition to the NFL and could an impact on your fantasy teams.

RB- Antwon Bailey (Syracuse) - He is only 5′ 6″ and weighed 203 lbs, but made up for it with his play.  Bailey demonstrated nice hands and good wiggle to get away from tacklers on the outside.  He did not have as much success running in short yardage, but Bailey did have an effective jump cut and showed good speed to find open spaces.  He reminds me of a cross between Dexter McCluster and Kendall Hunter.  For the rest click here: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/2012-nflpa-collegiate-bowl-player-analysis/

EW_Logo

2012 East West Shrine Game Player Analysis

One of the first signs of the NFL Draft approaching is the college all-star games.  The grand-daddy of them all is the East West Shrine Game, which has been a part of football tradition since 1925.  More information about the game and what great things the Shriners do for the community can be found here: http://www.shrinegame.com/.  If you are looking for practice notes, please check out the http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/ and follow Wes Bunting on twitter (@WesBunting).   I will be discussing many of the key offensive players that hopefully will transition to the NFL and make an impact on your fantasy teams.

RB Tauren Poole (Tennessee) - Poole showed good outside speed on his first sweep.  He was a better runner on the outside than between the tackles.  When Poole kept on bouncing his runs outside, the defense caught on and met him by closing down his lanes.  The flashes he showed in the passing game were then met with disappointments as he did not realize where the sideline was and failed to stay in bounds to make a catch that could have changed the game.  For the rest of the article click here: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/2012-east-west-shrine-game-player-analysis/

 

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 →

Bowl Game Impressions as of 1/1/12

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. Continue reading →

Rookie IDPs: A Season in Review

English: Von Miller, a National Football Leagu...

Image via Wikipedia

This is the fourth and last installment of my 2011 rookie review series. It has been a season filled with great performances in regards to many of the defensive rookies in every position: defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs. After 15 weeks, this is as good of a time as any to find out what we learned so far. Please keep in mind this is not an all-inclusive list.  Enjoy!

Defensive linemen

Jabaal Sheard, Cleveland Browns

2011 stats through Week 15: 36 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 5 forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks

Current role: Starter (Top 10 defensive linemen in most scoring)

2012 expectations: Jabaal Sheard, like many defensive ends, is not the most consistent playmaker.  He can get off blocks well and make big plays when rushing the quarterback.  The Browns defense was on the field longer for most of the year due to offensive woes and that inflated his numbers a bit.  I am most encouraged by his 5 forced fumbles and 7.5 sacks as this shows excellent individual effort to change the outcome of the game.  With fellow rookie Phil Taylor http://www.fantasyalarm.com/rookie-idps-a-season-in-review/ (click here to read the rest).

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/

Dynasty Blitz podcast Tuesday 12/20 at 6:30 pm est w/ @RookieDraft aka Joe Everett

National Football League Draft

Image via Wikipedia

Join Joe Everett and I as we discuss 2012 draft eligible running backs and linebackers. We will get his thoughts on what impact these players could have on your fantasy teams and what to watch for during bowl games.  This is for dynasty players and draftniks alike.  Listen live here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dynasty-blitz/2011/12/20/dynasty-blitz-podcast-w-rookiedraft-aka-joe-everett or download later.