Tag: Sports

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FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-10 Rob Gronkowski

The Top 100 highlights

My eighth selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 30-21 group is

Rob Gronkowski

Is Rob Gronkowski the most skilled Tight End in the NFL?  If you didn’t answer yes, then find another sport to follow.  You don’t really know football.  In fact Rob Gronkowski might be the most dominant Tight End to ever play the game.  If you take away the two seasons that he played eight games or less.  Gronkowski has scored double digit touchdowns in every season.  At his current average of 9.7 touchdowns per season.  Gronkowski is on pace to break the total number of touchdowns by a Tight End in the NFL in the next five years.  He would be 31 by that time.  Keep in mind that Tony Gonzalez set the current record at the ripe old age of 37.  If Gronkowski plays football until he turns 37.  He will probably set a touchdown record that might never be beaten.  Now I’m sure that many of you are factoring Brady’s affect on his production.  The truth is that Gronkowski actually makes Tom Brady better, as opposed to the other way around.  When you compare the Patriots record with or without Gronkowski in the lineup.  The Patriots with Gronkowski win an average of two more games per season.  Brady’s passer rating is in the low 80s without Gronkowski.  With Gronkowski in the lineup Brady’s passer rating shoots up by 20 points to over 100.  That’s how much of an effect Gronkowski has on a Defence.

Hopefully all of the doubters, and haters have fallen in line by now.  Gronkowski is the greatest Tight End in football.  Now should you draft him?  Let me ask you a quick question first.  Imagine that you are at the Race Track.  The same five horses are going to run the same five consecutive races.   You have to put all of your money on one horse for all five races.  Each horse has a particular advantage.  I’ll go over each horse with you.

Horse 1 is fast, has great stamina, and is in great shape.

Horse 2 is the fastest horse in the field, is extremely powerful, but has weak knees.

Horse 3 is a young Colt, is quick and lean, but lacks a final burst of speed.

Horse 4 is an untamed mustang with incredible bursts of speed, but occasionally loses stride, and fails to finish.

Horse 5 is strong, in perfect health, has middle of the pack speed, but has won when faster horses have faltered.

Which horse do you place your money on?  If you selected Horse 2 or 4 then Rob Gronkowski is for you.  Even though he is the top Tight End in the NFL.  Drafting Gronkowski means accepting a fair amount of risk.  Gronkowski has had something like ten surgeries.  He is an obvious injury risk every time he takes the field. Having Ron Gronkowski on your roster means you spent a first, second or third round pick on him.  At that price it makes watching him take a hit on Sunday difficult.  I can’t go through an entire season just praying that he doesn’t get injured again.  If you draft him and he plays at least fourteen games.  You will have a significant position advantage against your entire league.  It’s just not a gamble I’m willing to make in the first three rounds.  If I’m on the clock late in the third Round and Gronkowski is still on the board.  Well at that point the gamble is worth it.  Let Gronkowski slide that far, and I’ll make you pay for it.  Do I expect Gronkowski to play sixteen games this season?  Honestly I don’t.  I think he will play enough to help take someone’s team to the playoffs.  Winning the league because of Gronkowski is highly unlikely though.  If you draft Gronkowski this year.  Pay very close attention to his injury status each week.  Pay close attention to how many snaps he gets each game.  The Patriots might start him even if he’s hurt to confuse Defences.  The last thing you should do, and this is a must.  Draft a second Tight End in the late rounds with some upside as a backup.  Someone like Tyler Eifert, or Charles Clay should be available.  Just in case Gronkowski gets seriously injured again.

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GOLF

Proper Practice for Beginners – Beginner’s guide to Golf

Beginner Practice

(If you haven’t read my previous Starting from Scratch posts, I strongly suggest that you do)

Hopefully some of my suggestions have already helped you improve.  By this time you should be on your way to developing a repeatable Iron swing.  You should have a Putter that suits your swing.  If you have begun playing courses, you’ll know which parts of your game are lacking.

Now it’s time to improve.  Develop Practice routines that will truly make a difference.  I have two practice routines that have made the greatest difference for my game.  The first form of practice requires having a putting mat.  I was given an old one by a friend.  I usually take it out, and set it up in front of my TV screen.  During commercials, or while watching the Golf channel I will occasionally sink a few putts.  Over the length of a PGA broadcast I’ll easily hit 50 putts.  The majority of my putts are from around seven feet.  I will mimic distances I see pros attempt during a PGA event though.  So if Sergio Garcia needs to sink a short five footer to save Par.  Well so will I.  This type of practice helps me accomplish two things.  First of all it really helps me dial in my putting stroke.  Secondly I get so used to seeing my putts roll in from seven feet.  My confidence on the course when hitting putts from ten feet or closer is off the charts.  Five feet or closer starts to feel like a gimme.  Before I had the putting mat to practice on.  Any putt outside of three feet had me nervous.


The second form of practice that has seriously lowered my scores is Chipping.  Specifically short chips from about thirty feet or closer.  Lets be honest as Beginners.  No matter how perfect your angle to the Green may look.  More often than not your approach shot isn’t going to end up on the Green.  Being able to successfully chip one close to the PIN will make a huge difference in your final score.  If you are able to get it close enough to give yourself a decent opportunity to one putt.  You can turn a missed Green in Regulation to a solid Par.  A lot of driving ranges will have a practice area for Chipping.  If you don’t have a location that’s close, then just do what I do.  Grab a couple of Wedges, and a few balls.  Find a secluded spot in a nearby park.  I live in midtown Toronto, and I’ve found parks within walking distance that had enough space for 50 yard Wedge shots.  Granted I had to go early in the morning to hit 50 yards.  I have practiced hitting flop shots over a park bench in the middle of the day.  I even had my own little gallery of onlookers cheering me on.  For the most part people aren’t offended by someone practicing their golf game.  In most cases they’re interested.  I even had a passerby help me with my ball position when hitting Flop shots.  Just remember to be respectful of the space.  Don’t risk hitting anyone or anything, and repair any divots you take.

Beginner’s guide to Golf

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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
FISHING

The Right Angle RA-4 Toronto Fishing

Fishing in the city of Toronto

Living in the center of the city has its advantages.  I’m a five minute walk from St. Clair station.  I can walk to the Eaton Centre in under an hour.  If you are familiar with Toronto, you’ll know that walking south on Yonge street is practically all downhill.  It makes for a very easy walk.  I have access to fantastic restaurants, galleries, theatres, festivals, and other amazing forms of entertainment.  This is supposed to be a fishing Post though.

Unfortunately the amount of conveniently located fishing spots in Toronto is sorely lacking.  Of course if you go out at just the right time of year.  You can get some pretty decent Salmon fishing in on the Don, or Humber Rivers.  If you like fishing for Carp?  I sure as hell don’t.  But if you do, then take a ferry over to Centre island.  Guaranteed you will catch some great sized Carp.

I’ve fished Grenadier Pond, and landed the odd sunfish.  Sorry I didn’t take a picture.  I recently fished Topham Pond.  All I got to show for it was a small catfish.  I actually have a picture of it.  If you would like to see it just send me a request.  I tried Centennial Park Pond in the west end, and came up empty.  I’ve fished all along the Lakeshore.  Sure I’ve landed the occasional fish.  Nothing worth bragging about mind you.  Sounds pretty hopeless doesn’t it?  I should just pack my gear in a car, and head North like everyone else right.

Well not so fast.

There is a spot accessible by TTC that never seems to disappoint.  The Rouge River mouth is a fantastic spot to fish for a number of species.  You can have a fair amount of success fishing from shore.  I’ve landed a number of very nice trout casting from shore.  I generally access the Rouge River by entering through Rouge Park.  There’s an entrance to the park at the Easternmost end of Lawrence Ave.  I’ve caught everything from Trout, Pike, Crappie, Catfish, and Suckers on the Rouge River.

There are a number of shallows, and weed beds to fish along the river mouth that are accessible by canoe, or inflatable.  If you have access to one.  I would suggest trying it for sure.  You will also be able to access some of the deeper water where trophy Salmon, and Trout can be found in late summer to early fall.

Even though I haven’t had much luck fishing many of the Rivers, and Ponds in Toronto.  I still try fishing each one a couple of times each year.  I don’t have to land a trophy fish every time out.  If I felt that way I’d absolutely hate fishing.  A nice calm day on the river making a few casts is enough for me.  Feeling the first rays of the sun warm my face in the morning is almost as satisfying as that first catch.

The days I’m determined to land something that’s picture worthy.  Those are the days I head out to the Rouge.  She’s never let me down.  So if you feel like fishing, but don’t feel like taking a trip out of the city.  Catch the TTC Blue Night, and head on out to the Rouge.

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.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-4 Doug Baldwin

The Top 100 highlights

My second selection for the Top 100 highlight series from the 90-81 group is

Doug Baldwin

After clearly establishing himself as the number 1 Wide Receiver in Seattle in 2015.  Baldwin didn’t have the kind of season Fantasy owners were hoping for last year.  By no means was it an off year for Baldwin.  He still had a career best 94 receptions, and 1128 receiving yards.  So how was that a let down to his Fantasy Football owners?  What I failed to mention was that he scored half as many touchdowns as he did in 2015.  A decrease from 14 touchdowns to 7.  That’s 42 Fantasy points in most formats, for those of you that are keeping track.  Imagine a full roster of players that lost 42 points worth of touchdowns from the previous season.  Chances are you wouldn’t even be sniffing the playoffs.

Doug Baldwin’s lack of touchdown production wasn’t all his fault.  For most of the season Russell Wilson wasn’t playing at 100%.  After slowly increasing Wilson’s pass production year after year, and giving him the go ahead to throw the deep ball.  Seattle chose to reign him in a little last year to protect their franchise quarterback.  If it wasn’t for their lack of a quality running game.  Seattle would have probably dialed the passing game back even more.  So even though Wilson actually threw quite a lot of passes.  The majority of those were short to intermediate length routes.  That’s why Baldwin despite having a career year in receptions, didn’t find the end zone nearly as often.

Am I expecting a further decline this season?  No I am not.  The opposite actually.  This could very well be the year that Baldwin is considered among the elite Wide Receivers in the NFL.  What I am actually expecting is a mixture of his 2015 & 2016 seasons.  A stat line of something like 95 catches for 1100 yards, and 11 touchdowns is highly probable.  I believe that he could actually exceed those numbers.  It will depend on the production of recently acquired Running Back Eddy Lacy though.

Without question Doug Baldwin is a WR1.  I would draft him over Fantasy favourites like DeAndre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton, and Demaryius Thomas.  With a healthy Russell Wilson back in the huddle.  Look for Doug Baldwin to find lots of room on the outside, and down field.  Another year in the Seattle Seahawks system has Jimmy Graham keeping defences honest so Baldwin won’t have to face too many double coverages.

Categories
FANTASY

Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-3 Adrian Peterson

The top 100 Fantasy highlights

This is my first entry of the Top 100 Fantasy takeaways.  Each entry will include a single Player selected from each group of 10.  Beginning with my first selection from the 100-91 group.

Adrian Peterson

This will be his first season representing a team other then the Minnesota Vikings.  At 32 years of age it seems like a strange time to be adjusting to a new system.  A Sean Payton New Orleans system which has traditionally been a drop back and throw first game.  Doesn’t sound like somewhere All Day Peterson could thrive does it.  Now wait a minute.  We are talking about Adrian Peterson here.  The same guy that came back after what should have been a Career ending injury for anyone.  Then just imposed his will to the tune of 1700+ all purpose yards with 11 touchdowns.  Considering his average draft position that year, he probably single handedly carried his owners to their Fantasy league playoffs.  Doubt this guy, and it could mean your Downfall.

Well you know what, I’m going to doubt him this year.  Unless he sets himself apart during the preseason, I’m taking a hard pass on Peterson.  It’s not that I don’t believe in his ability.  On the contrary, I believe Adrian Peterson is still a powerful Running Back that deserves respect.  What I don’t believe in is his situation.  Sean Payton is still one of the most brilliant offensive minds in Football.  He has had great success with a number of Running Backs.  The issue is that the majority of these Running Backs succeeded because they were great pass catching Backs.  Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Mark Ingram were all successful in part to their pass catching ability.  Adrian Peterson is not a pass catching Back.  You are seriously delusional if you think otherwise.  The next issue is that Mark Ingram is still there, and has proven that he can be the lead back.  10 touchdowns last season (a 7-9 Season)  illustrates the point. They also drafted Alvin Kamara in the third round.  Have you seen the tape on this guy.  He’s just too talented to not be utilized by Sean Payton.  Another word of caution about Payton.  He really likes to spread the ball around.  Even if Adrian Peterson ends up as the number 1 Running Back on the depth chart.  There’s no guarantee that he will receive more than 15 touches a game.  For a Running Back that traditionally gets stronger as the game goes on the more touches he gets.  That’s something that you should worry about.  Then there is the question of age.  Most Running Backs begin breaking down at the age of 30.  As I mentioned before, Adrian Peterson is by no means like most Backs.  Still a few injuries have caused concern, and if The Saints find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot by mid Season.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they further limit his touches in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs.  Great if you are a New Orleans Saints fan.  Terrible if you are relying on him to help you in your Fantasy league.  The last issue, and by no means the least is the Saints brutally horrible Defence.  Last year, and the year before that, and the year before that they couldn’t stop anyone from scoring.  They were so bad in fact, that I’d play bench players over my starters if they were playing against the Saints.  When playing from behind the clock becomes your enemy.  The last thing you want to do is run the ball.  Unless the Saints get their Defence figured out.  Drew Brees will probably finish in the Top 3 in passing yards, and first in attempts again.  Not a great situation for Adrian Peterson.

So am I telling you to totally avoid Adrian Peterson?  No I’m not.  Draft him as your RB3 if you want.  You can start him in a pinch, or as your flex if he has a favourable matchup.  Will I draft him as my RB3?  Probably not.  I’d rather try my luck on a young pass catching Back.  Of course I play PPR (point per reception) leagues so Adrian Peterson’s value is further diminished.

Tomorrow I will highlight another Player from the Top 100 in the 90-81 group.