Tag: fantasysports

Categories
FANTASY Uncategorized

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-18 PlayLine

A new way to play.

Fantasy Fanatics like myself are always looking for a new way to play.  I was an early adopter of PPR.  I remember people telling me that it diminishes the significance of True Running Backs.  Well now it’s considered to be the standard.  FanDuel and DraftPros changed the way we bet on games.  Even ProLine got in on the act.  Well the next, and in my opinion the easiest form of Sports betting has come.  PlayLine has simplified Sports betting to something as simple as how many carries, yards, and touchdowns you think LeSean McCoy will get in his next game.  If you are the closest to his actual total amongst all the Competitors then you win.  It’s that simple!  Larger prize pools will probably include a larger number of NFL Players you will be required to predict.  Anyone with even the slightest understanding of the game could feasibly win.  You don’t need to understand point spreads, over/under, or positional matchups.  Salary cap?  Who really wants to crunch those numbers?  Well I do!  I’m the type of guy that factors in the weather report when picking my lineup, but that’s me.  PlayLine doesn’t pretend to be the most advanced Sports betting system.  There’s already enough of those available fighting for market share.  What PlayLine offers is the ability to make a few simple predictions in less than a minute to make the game you are about to watch just a little more interesting.

Bonus Time!

The PlayLine website and Application launched yesterday.  For a limited time they are offering a huge selection of Freeroll events to introduce their product.  Copy and Paste this link to sign up now and qualify for their million dollar bonus event.

www.playline.com/r/CobeLife

All you have to do is predict the total rushing yards, and number of carries for David Johnson, LeSean McCoy, and Le’Veon Bell.  If you get it bang on, consider yourself a million dollars richer.  Oh and by the way you can enter up to 50 times while spaces are available.  If you are wondering if I got my 50 entries in?  Damn right I did.  Why wouldn’t I?  Why wouldn’t you for that matter?  The number of entries are limited to a total of 5000.  Once the word gets out, I expect them to fill up fast.  So do yourself a favour and use the link I provided to get started.

Will it last?

Every new thing is always met with a tonne of excitement.  A new super bar opens downtown?  I’m there.  Skydome opening day?  Yeah I was there.  The first TFC Game?  You know I had tickets.  Do I still frequent that fantastic bar?  Maybe I would, but it closed years ago.  The Skydome is now called the Roger’s Centre, and it doesn’t really excite me to go there.  I can’t remember the last time I went to a TFC game.  Will I still be placing bets on PlayLine a year from now?  Well that’s going to depend on what unique betting opportunities they offer?  Predicting the number of receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns Rob Gronkowski might finish a game with can get old really quick.  Especially if I lose to someone who has no clue, and beats me because Gronkowski got hurt in the first quarter.  When you study the Game of Football as much as I do.  Playing a game of educated guesses is less appealing.  Things become a little more enticing when you find out that Michael Bisping is a part owner, and some events could land you ringside with The Count at a UFC event.  It’s promotions like this one that will keep me coming back.  Will PlayLine be my go to betting website?  Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be yours.  One thing is for sure.  It will definitely make Game night at the bar with your friends even better.  Find a 5 person event on that nights Game and all of you grab a spot, and make your predictions.  Whichever one of you is closest wins the money.  Just be sure to pay your portion of the Bill before the game ends if you are winning.  If your friends are anything like mine.  You’ll probably get stuck with the check if you win.  In the meantime you might as well get your football fix on PS4.

Categories
FANTASY Uncategorized

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-15 Injuries already!

Injuries with a Fantasy impact before the first game of Preseason.

If there’s one thing I truly hate.  It’s injuries to key Players before they’ve even played a snap.  It’s the beginning of August, and the first Preseason game is yet to be played.  I have already spent some time adjusting my draft board more than once.  Thankfully my Keeper league team has yet to be affected.  Can’t say the same for a couple of my Competitors though. 😁 These are the injuries that could seriously effect your Fantasy team.

Andrew Luck

There has been a lot of speculation about Andrew Luck as he prepares to return from off season shoulder surgery.   The one thing that is for sure is that the original time line was incorrectly optimistic.  As of right now, Andrew Luck’s return is totally unknown.  It could be before the final game of the Preseason, or it could be against Jacksonville in Week 7.  Not knowing when he will return is worse than knowing he won’t be available until Week 7.  As a Fantasy Manager you can make the necessary adjustments to your draft grades if you know.  What makes matters worse is that Luck is the key to the Colts offence.  If he misses any significant time then you will need to adjust your values for a number of Players.  Is T.Y. Hilton a Top 10 Wide Receiver if Andrew Luck isn’t throwing him the ball?  He isn’t to me.  Donte Moncrief, whom I consider a potential breakout Player.  He becomes a Player I wouldn’t even consider drafting unless he fell into the final Rounds of a draft.  Do you think Scott Tolzien can keep Defences honest enough to avoid having the box stacked against the run?  I sure as hell don’t.  Frank Gore is a great workhorse Back.  Asking him to produce against a stacked box is too much though.  Every one of these Players goes from being a Fantasy staple to a complete gamble.

Kenneth Dixon

So in this case we know what the final diagnosis is.  Kenneth Dixon is done for the Season.  Hopefully you aren’t in one of those ridiculous leagues that drafts in July, and picked Dixon.  If you are, well sorry about your luck.  If you are like the majority of us, and have yet to draft.  Then Dixon going down has opened up some interesting possibilities on the Fantasy front.  The Ravens weren’t going to have a bell cow Running Back.  With Dixon out for the Season two Running Backs are likely to see a greater number of touches.  Who benefits most will depend on the play calling.  I believe that Terrance West will gain the majority of touches in Dixon’s absence.  This year will be his opportunity to prove to the Ravens, and the rest of the league that he can be a lead Back.  Danny Woodhead’s value doesn’t change much.  He will still serve as a change of pace, or third down pass catching Running Back.  He will gain a few additional snaps, but not enough to really affect his draft position.  As always Woodhead comes with a lot of injury risk, and that will always push him deeper into drafts.

Will Fuller

A couple Seasons ago DeAndre Hopkins was a Top 5 Wide Receiver.  Last Season he was supposed to back it up with another great Season.  That never happened.  There was a couple of reasons for his decline.  The first was incredibly terrible Quarterback play.  The second reason was the immediate impact of the Houston Texans first Round pick out of Notre Dame Will Fuller.  It’s not like Fuller is challenging Hopkins for the number 1 Wide Receiver position.  He isn’t nearly as talented as DeAndre Hopkins.  What he is though is incredibly fast.  His ability to burn opposing Defences deep can come in handy in close games.  With one of the Top Defences in the league it only took one big play to win games.  Well Will Fuller busted his Collar Bone today.  Which means to Fantasy Managers that he won’t see the field until some time in October at the earliest.  What does this mean for the rest of the Fantasy roster in Houston?  One thing is for sure, DeAndre Hopkins goes back to being the only real threat at Wide Receiver.  C.J. Fiedorowicz will be counted on to handle an increased work load.  The real benefactor here though is Lamar Miller.  Houston’s best chance of winning close games is to control the clock, and run the ball.

These are just a few of the early injuries.  Pay close attention during Preseason, and adjust your draft boards accordingly.  Trust me the injury bug is far from done.

Categories
FANTASY Uncategorized

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-14

Three Wide Receivers that could make or break your Draft.

What makes one Fantasy team more successful than another?  I can tell you that it isn’t decided by the Players you picked in the first three Rounds.   Excluding injury, Players picked in the first three Rounds will definitely perform.  The real difference between a good, or bad team is determined by your mid Round picks.  In a 12 Team league the Players picked between the fifth and tenth Rounds will ultimately determine how strong your Team will be.   In this Post I will discuss three Wide Receivers that should be drafted in the middle Rounds that could be the difference for your Team.

Donte Moncrief

In my opinion all it would take for Moncrief to have a breakout Season is for things to go right in Indianapolis for once.  Moncrief has yet to start a full Season with Luck at the helm.  When they have shared the field together it’s been Fantasy gold.  All appears to be right in Indianapolis at this time.  Andrew Luck appears to be in good shape,. Donte Moncrief also appears to be in great shape as well.  Considering the Indianapolis Colts pass heavy attack.  The fact that T. Y. Hilton will draw the Defence towards his side of the field. Donte Moncrief might finally find himself in that sweet spot he was drafted for.  It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if he finishes the Season with double digit touchdowns.  In fact I expect it.  This is the year for the Luck-Moncrief-Colts perfect storm to happen.

Martavis Bryant

Every time I see Martavis Bryant’s name I get a little upset.  The reason I get upset is because I’ve had Antonio Brown as one of my Keepers in my most competitive league.  2014 was the worst.  You wouldn’t even notice he was on the field during most Pittsburgh drives.  Then they would get within striking distance of the end zone.  A seven play drive would  include three passes to Antonio Brown for a total of 39 yards.  That’s 6.9 points in my league.  Martavis Bryant’s stat line during that same drive.  One catch for 18 yards, and a touchdown.  That’s 8.8 points in my league.  I wanted to strangle the guy.  It seemed like he was using a jar of stickum as well.  He just never seemed to drop a ball.  Especially in the end zone.  That’s why with Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm, and entering this Season healthy.  I believe that passing on Martavis Bryant is a mistake.  People will argue that Pittsburgh has too many mouths to feed.  I wouldn’t worry about that.  Bryant doesn’t worry about getting lots of looks in a game.  The only time Roethlisberger looks his way is in the Red zone.  That’s good enough for him, so it’s good enough for me as well.

Jamison Crowder

Jamison Crowder enters the all important third year with the Washington Redskins as their most veteran Receiver.  That’s right, Pierre Garcon, and DeSean Jackson left to sign with new Teams in the off season.  He will be competing for targets with Wide Receivers Josh Doctson, and Terrelle Pryor.  Doctson has only played two games in the NFL due to injury, and Pryor showed big play capability in Cleveland last year.  Kirk Cousins two most familiar targets to start the Season will be Jamison Crowder, and Jordan Reed.  Due to their comfort level, and familiarity with the offence. I would expect Crowder to get the Lion’s share of the short to intermediate route passes the first few games.  If he can build off the success he had last year in those first few games.  I would expect Cousins to treat him as his go-to option for the majority of the Season.  Over 2000 yards, and 7 touchdowns has left the stadium in Washington.  Somebody has to pick up the slack.  Obviously it won’t all go to Terrelle Pryor.  Sounds like the perfect situation for Jamison Crowder to break 1000 yards receiving with double digit touchdowns.

If you think I’m wrong, or living on cloud nine.  Let me know in the comments.  If you are interested in winning your league this year?

Take my Advice

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-12 Le’Veon Bell

The Top 100 highlights

My final selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 10-1 group is

Le’Veon Bell

Could he be the number 1 pick in your Fantasy draft?  A good case could be made for him to be exactly that.  Should he be the number 1 pick in your Fantasy draft though?  Well that’s something we will need to discuss.

Unless you are a emotionally attached to a particular Player.  The consensus top two picks in Fantasy are David Johnson, and Le’Veon Bell.  Most Fantasy analysts pick David Johnson as their number 1 pick.  And why shouldn’t they.  In his first full Season as the Cardinals Bell cow Back.  David Johnson ran for 1239 yards, caught another 879 yards, and reached the end zone 20 times.  Just ridiculous right!  Well actually it isn’t as ridiculous as it seems.  Consider what Le’Veon Bell achieved in a suspension shortened Season.  1268 yards rushing, with another 616 yards receiving, and 9 touchdowns.  Not too shabby is it?  Project his averages over a full 16 games, and compare again.  Le’Veon Bell’s numbers would have been 1691 yards rushing, with another 821 yards receiving, and 12 touchdowns.    Now the comparison doesn’t look so lopsided in Johnson’s favour does it.  What about the 8 additional touchdowns though right.  Obviously that still makes David Johnson the number 1 pick.  Well lets look at this mathematically.  8 more touchdowns is an additional 48 points in standard scoring formats.  Le’Veon Bell would have finished with an additional 392 yards of offence which is another 39.2 points in standard scoring formats.  If your league provides a bonus for breaking 100 yards rushing or receiving like many do, mine included.  Le’Veon Bell would have had at least 5 more 100 yard bonuses than Johnson.  My league awarded a 3 point bonus last Season.  That’s an additional 15 points.  Add it all up and Le’Veon Bell is your number 1 pick statistically.

Well there you have it.  Le’Veon Bell is your number 1 pick.  Lets hope you get one of the first three picks.  If you don’t get numero uno, then lets hope the other two Managers haven’t read my blog.  Ok hold on a second.  If Fantasy Football was just about the statistical advantage, then why bother playing?

It’s all the intangibles that make Fantasy Football so much fun.  It’s the qualitative advantages that eventually decide who wins, or loses.  For instance is DeAndre Hopkins a better Wide Receiver than Julian Edelman?  Damn right he is.  If you think he isn’t then you’re either a big Patriots fan, or the worst talent scout ever.  Ever!  Statistically though Edelman beat out Hopkins last Season.  Of course that’s what happens when Tom Brady is throwing you the ball instead of Brock Osweiler.  Brady is the qualitative advantage.  So when we look at Le’Veon Bell’s situation versus David Johnson’s.  Johnson has one major advantage over Bell.  It’s not the Quarterback because they both have true veterans feeding them the ball.  They are both on very competitive teams, so they should both get plenty of opportunities in the Red zone.  The difference is in their importance to each teams offensive success.  Remove David Johnson from the roster, and the Arizona Cardinals suddenly look like a losing franchise.  In the four games without Le’Veon Bell last Season, the Steelers went 3-1.  The reason for this is the plethora of offensive Weapons the Steelers are blessed with.  They don’t need to rely on Le’Veon Bell.  Without David Johnson the Arizona Cardinals only proven commodity is Larry Fitzgerald.  This is why you can pretty much guarantee that Johnson will put up a decent amount of Fantasy points every game.  You can’t say the same about Le’Veon Bell.  If Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers, or any one else gets hot then Bell will be hardly used.  When the Steelers get out to a huge lead.  Which they tend to do a few times a Season.  They generally rest Bell, and give his back up a few touches.  That’s a very rare occurrence with David Johnson.  The Cardinals are a Defence first kind of team.  They prefer clock management to total blow outs.  Johnson is the man who winds the clock.  He doesn’t leave the game until the final whistle blows.

So Draft Johnson ahead of Bell then.

Honestly, they are both safe bets.  I’d be totally satisfied with either one.  If I had to pick one I’d go with Bell.  I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to be unstoppable on Offence this year.  As long as Big Ben stays healthy, and I believe he will.  The Steelers are going to score early, and often.  I believe Bell will get even more opportunities to score during the second, and third quarters.  I expect his touchdown numbers to improve.  I predict the opposite for Johnson.  Defences will begin to stack the box against him.  Forcing the aging Carson Palmer to beat them through the air.  Palmer’s interceptions have increased over the years.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed.  Taking David Johnson out of the equation is how you beat the Cardinals.  Johnson will be hard pressed to equal his touchdown numbers from last year.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-11 A.J. Green

The Top 100 highlights

My ninth selection from the Top 100 highlight series from the 20-11 group is

A.J. Green

Take one look at A.J. Green, and it makes complete sense that he is such a successful Wide Receiver.  At six foot four inches tall, and two hundred ten pounds on a long lean frame he’s created to catch balls.  A.J. Green poses a serious problem for Defensive Backs.  If not for missing six games last season due to a hamstring tear.  A.J. Green would have undoubtedly kept his 1000+ yards per season streak alive.  Last season was A.J. Green’s first sub 1000 yards season.  His rapport with Quarterback Andy Dalton has been perfect from the very beginning.  They are truly one of the best Quarterback – Wide Receiver tandems in football.

This off season the Cincinnati Bengals added new offensive weapons John Ross, and Joe Mixon in the draft.  I don’t see A.J. Green losing many targets to either one of them.  Actually the addition of John Ross should stretch the field.  Safety’s will be forced to stay deep to prevent the big play potential of Ross.  Leaving Green with one on one coverage against Cornerbacks on the outside.  A battle that he’s proven time, and again that he can win.

All that being said, what should you expect from him this year?

First of all, I don’t consider A.J. Green to be an injury risk.  The type of injuries he’s had in his career aren’t the kind that lead to repeat issues.  So what I expect from him will be based upon a sixteen game season.  My only concern with his potential production isn’t about him at all.  It’s actually a concern that I have about Andy Dalton.  To be fair, it isn’t with Dalton’s ability.  It’s really with the situation that he finds himself in.  Dalton isn’t a top tier Quarterback.  He’s definitely good enough to get the job done though.  At least if he’s provided with a favourable situation.  The problem with his situation this year is the offensive line.  Starting Tackles Whitworth, and Zeitler bolted for greener pastures in the off season.  Replacing them will be a couple of unproven Players with minimal NFL experience.  If they can’t keep Dalton upright, then A.J. Green’s numbers could suffer.  I suspect that there will be some growing pains.  While the Cincinnati Bengals work through it.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bengals switch to a run heavy offence.  Leaning on their trio of talented Running Backs Joe Mixon, Jeremy Hill, and Giovanni Bernard.

Sounds like A.J. Green is falling down my Draft board doesn’t it?  Well he isn’t actually.  My top five Wide Receivers in order from first to fifth are: Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr, Mike Evans, and A.J. Green.  I project him to get something around 1300 yards receiving, and 9 touchdowns.  If your league provides a bonus for going over 100 yards receiving in a game.  Then get ready to cash in on that bonus as well, if A.J. Green is on your roster.

What I’m trying to tell you is that A.J. Green is a truly great Wide Receiver.  When you are truly great.  Your situation doesn’t really effect you as much.  You just find a way to make plays.  Don’t over think this.  Draft A.J. Green with confidence.

A quick reminder for any new visitors to my blog.  Be sure to click on over to my VIP Subscription section in the menu.  For a limited time Subscriptions are free!  Monthly contests will begin at the end of summer.  All VIP members will be automatically entered.  You will be given notice of all upcoming contests, or events by email.  You will also receive a new post update each Friday.  Membership does indeed have it’s privileges my friends.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-9 DeMarco Murray

The Top 100 highlights

My seventh selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 40-31 group is

DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray’s first year as a Tennessee Titan was definitely a success.  Almost 1300 yards rushing, and 12 touchdowns proved he was a smart acquisition.  Approaching thirty years of age, there are some health concerns.  The Tennessee Titans picked up Derrick Henry in the second round of the 2016 draft as insurance.  Fortunately for Murray, Henry wasn’t really needed last season.  DeMarco Murray has only played a full sixteen game Season twice in his career.  One of those was last season.  Did I mention that Derrick Henry is an absolute beast?  He could be the feature Running Back on quite a few teams.  Instead he gets very few opportunities as DeMarco’s backup.  How long that remains the case is anyone’s guess.

For the time being DeMarco Murray is the key component to the Titan’s offence.  I would expect him to get at least 275 carries, and another 50 catches out of the backfield.  Provided he stays healthy.  Do I expect his production to improve in his second season as a Tennessee Titan?

No I do not.

As I have already mentioned, Murray has only played a full sixteen games twice.  He’s actually been relatively healthy the last three seasons.  I’m just playing the odds.  If the Titans want to keep Murray healthy for the entire season.  That might require them to limit his touches, and give Derrick Henry a larger workload in his second season.  Keep in mind that the Titans begin their Season against some bruising Defences.  Some of the hardest hitters in the league are in those first five games.  It’s so intimidating that I will be targeting Derrick Henry late in every one of my drafts this year.  I also have a feeling that Marcus Mariota will be asked to throw more this year.  The Titans drafted two Wide Receivers (Corey Davis & Taywan Taylor) and a Tight End (Jonnu Smith) in the first three rounds of this year’s draft.  You don’t draft offensive Players that high to have them ride the bench.  Another indication that the Tennessee Titans don’t want to force DeMarco Murray to have to carry the load.  Now if he stays healthy he will finish as a Top 10 Running Back.  That’s a really big if.  Be very careful about when you draft DeMarco Murray.  I’d draft Jordan Howard, Melvin Gordon, or Devonta Freeman before him.  All three of those Running Backs come with serious concerns as well.  I just have a bad feeling about DeMarco Murray.  It’s not that I think he’ll suffer a Season ending injury.  I’m just worried that he will get hurt.  Just enough to give Derrick Henry a real chance to show his potential.  I’m sure Henry is just itching for the opportunity.  It might only take a game or two of evidence before the Running Back situation in Tennessee becomes a time share.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-8 Cam Newton

The Top 100 highlights

My sixth selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 50-41 group is

Cam Newton

Last year Cam Newton made a lot of Fantasy Managers happy for missing their chance to draft him.  He made Fantasy Football analysts like me look like geniuses for telling you to take a pass on him.  He flat out lost Fantasy Managers that drafted him any chance of winning their Fantasy league.  He followed up his MVP year with what most people would consider a relatively poor season.  24 touchdowns with 14 interceptions is poor by any standard.  Matt Stafford wiped the floor with him in Fantasy last year.  You could probably have drafted Stafford 6 rounds after Newton in last year’s draft.

There’s no disputing Cam Newton’s skill, and athletic ability.  Last season he was far from being the Superman he claims to be though.  After watching Von Miller toss him around in Superbowl 50.  I expected a bit of a Superbowl hangover.  I warned people that drafting him based on his MVP year stats was a mistake.  I predicted 4000 total yards, with 29 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.  In other words I actually thought he would have a better year than he ended up with.  Most people thought my predictions were somewhat harsh.  In the end I was being generous.

So where does it leave us this season?

First of all there won’t be anyone except the most die hard Panthers fan eagerly waiting to draft Cam Newton in the first or second round.  Realistically there are at least seven Quarterbacks that will probably get drafted before Cam Newton.  Should you be the Fantasy Manager that picks him as the eighth QB off the board?

Damn right you should!

Carolina is about to steal a page out of the New England Patriots playbook.  Carolina is looking to become an up tempo offence.  Tom Brady, and Cam Newton have something in common.  They are both ineffective when they get hit.  It disrupts their timing, and effects their decision making process on future throws in the game.  New England successfully minimized this weakness by creating an offence full of quick slants, quick outs, swing passes to the Running Backs, and a balanced Attack.  With the talents of Kelvin Behjamin, Devin Funchess, Johnathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, and Rookies Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel on the roster.  The Carolina Panthers have the necessary pieces to create a quick strike offence.  Cam Newton is by no means guaranteed to thrive in a system that suits Tom Brady.  Then again he adds an additional dimension that Tom Brady won’t ever have.  Cam Newton has proven that he is a formidable threat in the running game.  Now don’t expect him to run for 10 touchdowns in a season again.  That’s probably never going to happen.  Keeping Cam Newton healthy is just too important to the Carolina Panthers to provide him with enough opportunities to find the end zone that many times.  Another 5 rushing touchdowns isn’t out of the question though.  Do you know how many times Tom Brady has rushed for 5 touchdowns in a season?  The answer is never.  Carolina used to rely on it’s Defence to grind out victories against their division rivals.  Those days are over.  They face some of the highest scoring Offences in their division.  If they want to win the NFC South they will need to score a lot of points.  Whether they are able to become an offensive force begins and ends with Cam Newton.  I expect his touchdown numbers to improve over last year.  I expect his passing yards to be much closer to his 2015 total.  Add another season of at least 300 yards rushing, and you have the makings of a top ten Quarterback.

If I am projecting him to just squeak his way into the top 10.  Then why am I encouraging you to draft him as the eighth Quarterback off the board?  Why not wait to try and draft an undervalued QB that’s overlooked later?  It’s all about his potential.  Don’t forget he’s only one season removed from being the MVP.  Cam Newton’s ceiling is ridiculously high.  He is the NFL’s Superman when he wants to be.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-7 Jameis Winston

Top 100 highlights

My fifth selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 60-51 group is

Jameis Winston

Since entering the league Winston has managed to post back to back 4000 passing yard seasons.  His Fantasy numbers last season were better than Brady’s.  Keep in mind that Brady played four fewer games before you get too excited.  One category he definitely exceeded Brady in was total number of interceptions unfortunately.  Jameis Winston threw 18 interceptions last season.  When you compare that to only two for Brady, it’s obviously a problem.  If your Fantasy league penalizes Quarterbacks the usual -2 points for an interception.  Then Jameis Winston flushed an additional 32 points more than Brady down the drain.

Should that be enough to keep you from drafting Jameis Winston?

It’s obvious that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe in there number one overall draft pick.  All they’ve done is surround him with talented offensive targets.  Any quarterback in the league would be happy to have the group of skill Players at Winston’s disposal.  Cameron Brate, and O.J. Howard to create mismatches across the middle.  A true WR1 in Mike Evans that most people including me would consider a top 5 Wide Receiver in Fantasy football.  Now you can add DeSean Jackson to the mix. He now provides Jameis Winston with the deep threat he was lacking.  Do I see another 4000 yard season in Jameis Winston’s future?  You don’t need a crystal ball to figure out that the answer is yes.

The Bucs weren’t able to effectively stretch Defences last year.  As a result of that Jameis Winston was forced to throw in to some really tight windows.  It’s no wonder he racked up 18 interceptions.  With the addition of DeSean Jackson Defences won’t be able to simply clog up the first 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.  The Tight Ends will have more room across the middle, and Evans shouldn’t face as many double coverages.  The real benefactor here is Jameis Winston.  He won’t be forced to place every throw just perfect, or make as many risky throws.

Now is Jameis Winston a top tier Fantasy QB you should target in your draft?  Well that’s going to depend on what type of QB you are after, and which round you intend to draft them?  If the Quarterback position is something you place a great deal of importance in.  Then grabbing Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or Andrew Luck early makes sense.  If you would prefer to wait until later in the draft to pick up a consistent trustworthy signal caller.  Then grab Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, or Philip Rivers to play it safe.  Now if you’re like me.  You’ll want a Quarterback on your roster that has the potential to have Boom or bust weeks.   You can probably hold off for a bit and pull the trigger a little later to get Jameis Winston, Cam Newton, or Tyrod Taylor.  Each of these Quarterbacks have the ability to take over a game, and put up huge Fantasy numbers on any given week.  They also have the occasional flop.  Hopefully you are able to draft them late enough that their flop weeks are offset by the amazing Running Backs, and Wide Receivers you drafted earlier.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-6 Jay Ajayi

The top 100 highlights

My fourth selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 70-61 group is

Jay Ajayi

Ajayi began last season as a mid to late round flyer of a draft pick.  By mid season he was a definite RB2 with breakout game potential.  By season’s end he was statistically a true fantasy RB1.  It wasn’t like Ajayi wasn’t on people’s radar during draft time.  He showed flashes of what he could become briefly in 2015.  Then with Lamar Miller gone in 2016 the door was open for him to become the man.  It just took him a little longer to turn the handle and step on through.  By the end of the preseason when most Fantasy drafts occur.  He really hadn’t performed well enough to give Fantasy team Managers any real idea of what to expect.  He finished the season with almost 1300 rushing yards.  I don’t think anyone expected that, including the Miami Dolphins.  Well you can be certain that nobody will be sleeping on Jay Ajayi this year.

Jay Ajayi finished last season as a legitimate Fantasy RB1.  What can we actually expect to get from him this year?  Much of the same my friends.  Much of the same, and possibly even a little bit better.  You can go out and bet the farm that Adam Gase will involve Ajayi even more this year.  Every indication is that Ajayi is eager, and ready to become Miami’s bell cow Back.  Something there are very few of in today’s NFL.  Running Backs thrive in an Adam Gase system.  Even average Running Backs put up good numbers.  Ajayi’s three 200+ yard games last season are evidence enough that he is way better than average.  It took about a quarter of the season before Miami fully involved him last year.  That won’t be the case this year.  Ryan Tannehill’s further development, and increased level of confidence after making the playoffs last year.  That can only help keep the opposing Defence honest, and Ajayi should find plenty of running room.  Playing against the Buffalo Bills twice during the Fantasy playoffs has got to have Fantasy Managers just drooling.  Keep in mind that two of the three games Ajayi rushed for over 200 yards came against the Bills last year.

I must sound like the president of the Jay Ajayi fan club right about now.  To clarify, drafting Ajayi does come with a few concerns.  First of all the sample size of actual NFL experience is just too small.  Remove the three 200+ yard games from last year’s stats.  Ajayi only averaged 54 yards per game, and one touchdown for every three games played.  Average that over a 16 game season, and your final stat line would be, 864 yards rushing with 5 touchdowns.  That doesn’t sound like an RB1 to me.  Now how eager are you itching to draft him?

What I believe is that Jay Ajayi finished what was statistically a very good season last year.  In spite of being improperly utilized for most of the season during a transitional year for the team.  I don’t think Adam Gase will overlook Ajayi this year, and that the Miami Dolphins will be fully prepared to start the season.  If you draft Jay Ajayi as your RB1 you should be fine.  If somehow you are able to draft him as your RB2 then obviously you scored a great draft position.  Either way you are in good shape if Jay Ajayi is on your Fantasy team.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-5 Julian Edelman

The top 100 highlights

My third selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 80-71 group is

Julian Edelman

Edelman reaped the benefits of being Tom Brady’s favourite target last season.  He had a career best 1106 receiving yards.  This was from hauling in his second highest amount of total receptions in a season with 98.

What’s clearly evident is that Tom Brady has complete trust in Julian Edelman.   All the proof you need is to think back to last season’s Superbowl.  Remember that miracle catch Edelman made to keep the comeback alive.  Not an easy catch to forget is it?  If you haven’t forgotten, then obviously Brady hasn’t.  You can bet your ass the other Fantasy Managers in your league haven’t forgotten it either.  There is definitely going to be a lot of interest in Edelman at this year’s Fantasy draft.  Julian Edelman will probably get drafted a round or two earlier then his statistically projected draft position.  Should you make the reach, and grab him before somebody else does?

I definitely won’t!

Things really aren’t looking good for Julian Edelman’s potential output in 2017.  If you are hoping for a repeat of last year’s numbers, or even better.  Well keep hoping.  Hope real hard because there are a number of things that need to occur in order for that to happen.  The Patriots made a big move in the off season to sign former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks.  Cooks is 8 years younger than Edelman, has the potential to reach the end zone every time he touches the ball, and has a similar skill set.  Who actually ends up as Brady’s favourite target in the end is anyone’s guess.  There in lies the problem.  Even if Edelman remains as Brady’s favourite target.  Cooks is still going to get a fair number of looks which means less opportunity for Edelman.  Another thing to consider is how many games a banged up, but altogether healthier Gronkowski will play this year.  Gronkowski played only 8 games last year at less than 100%.  As a result he scored a career low 3 touchdowns instead of his usual double digit tally.  You would think that should have provided ample opportunity for Edelman to find pay dirt.  Well it didn’t.  In 16 games Edelman reached the end zone only three times.  That’s a problem for Fantasy owners.  Instead the Patriots gave the ball to their bruising Running Back Legarrette Blount.  Well Blount is now an Eagle.  I still believe that Edelman will be mostly ignored in the Red zone.

Take my advice and let somebody else reach for Julian Edelman.  He is at best a high end WR3.