Gorgolon Lives
The Reverend of CTG
I figure we can start the Fantasy discussions with the most fun stuff: predicting player performances for this season! List a few sleepers, busts, and then a few of your favorite players who you like to have a huge season.
Sleepers:
QB Jon Kitna
Calvin Johnson paired with Roy Williams might give the Lions the best WR tandem in the league. Mike Furrey had a bust out 06 season, and he will be a nice fit in the slot. Tatum Bell has been added to push Kevin Jones at RB. Along with the aggressive Mike Martz calling the shots, Kitna should have plenty of chances in this offense. He is a great #2 QB for a team who misses out on the big 6 QB's this year. Kitna could emerge as a #1 QB.
RB Travis Henry
Henry has late 1st round or even early 2nd round projections. In just 13 starts last year, Henry had over 1,200 yards and 7 TD's with the Titans. He also had huge years in 02 and 03 with the Bills. Putting him in the Broncos system should mean Henry is in for a rock solid year if he stays healthy. He's a steal as a #2 RB. He could be a top 5 back by season's end.
WR Drew Bennett
Bennett is now on the Rams. He should be a go to guy for Bulger in the redzone when Holt sees most of the coverage. Bruce is getting older (35 in November), and Bennett could emerge as the true #2 WR by mid-season. Bennett had a huge year for the Titans in 04'. I think he could get to 900 and 6 TDs this year, which is solid for a #2 WR. Luckily, Bennett can be had VERY LATE in drafts (and may even go un-drafted), especially in leagues with novice players.
Busts:
Shaun Alexander
Alexander turns the infamous 30 in late August. He is coming off a 10 game season in 06 due to injury. Seattle also lost a key player in the passing game in Darrell Jackson. Aside from Branch, Seattle has question marks in the passing game. Teams might be able to stack up against the run against Seattle. Add in Alexander's age and past injury, and he suddenly becomes a risk with a high pick. He could disappoint a lot of owners who spend a 3,4, or 5 pick on him.
Steve Smith
Delhomme is coming off a miserable 06 season. The Panthers added David Carr in the offseason (another questionable QB). Deshaun Foster has been plagued by injuries, and Deangelo Williams struggled in 06. Keyshawn is gone, so can the young Panther WR's take enough pressure off Smith in 07? A lot of question marks for this offense...Too many for me to pick Smith over the likes of Wayne, Harrison, and Owens.
Vince Young
I see this guy drafted fairly high in mocks. I would grab him as a #2 QB at best. The Titans got rid of their best offensive player last season in Henry. They have done zero in the offseason to help Young. The Titans will rely heavily on young players in 07, which spells disaster for a young QB.
My Favorites:
Marc Bulger
I will try my hardest to get this guy as my #1 QB in all my leagues. The additions of Bennett and Randy McMichael puts this offense right up there with the Colts. Stephen Jackson is coming off a career year, and his best days are ahead of him. Bulger is only 30, and he should be available at a bargain draft position. Most fantasy players likely will select 5 QBs before Bulger. He might approach 30 TDs this year and finish 2nd behind Manning.
Willis McGahee
I love RBs with chips on their shoulder. I enjoyed this situation 2 years ago when Larry Johnson finally took over in KC to rush for a career year. McGahee, just 25, has a lot to prove. He enters a great system in Baltimore that will give him plenty of opportunity. McGahee has only missed 3 total starts in the past 2 years, so injury concerns aren't as big as most think. McGahee had 13 TDs in just 11 games with a bad Buffalo team in 04. He should get 300 carries this season in a very run-friendly offense. I'm seeing McGahee going late in the 1st round, and even early 2nd round. I think he could land in the top 5 by year's end.
Javon Walker
Walker didn't miss a game in 06 proving he is fully healthy. He had a monster year in 06. Cutler will enter his first full season as a starter, with solid experience under his belt. The addition of Henry will give the offense balance. Walker is the true #1 in Denver, and with Cutler's gun, expect some big plays from him this season. I pencil in 1,200 and 10 for Walker who might not even be one of the top 10 WR's drafted.
Sleepers:
QB Jon Kitna
Calvin Johnson paired with Roy Williams might give the Lions the best WR tandem in the league. Mike Furrey had a bust out 06 season, and he will be a nice fit in the slot. Tatum Bell has been added to push Kevin Jones at RB. Along with the aggressive Mike Martz calling the shots, Kitna should have plenty of chances in this offense. He is a great #2 QB for a team who misses out on the big 6 QB's this year. Kitna could emerge as a #1 QB.
RB Travis Henry
Henry has late 1st round or even early 2nd round projections. In just 13 starts last year, Henry had over 1,200 yards and 7 TD's with the Titans. He also had huge years in 02 and 03 with the Bills. Putting him in the Broncos system should mean Henry is in for a rock solid year if he stays healthy. He's a steal as a #2 RB. He could be a top 5 back by season's end.
WR Drew Bennett
Bennett is now on the Rams. He should be a go to guy for Bulger in the redzone when Holt sees most of the coverage. Bruce is getting older (35 in November), and Bennett could emerge as the true #2 WR by mid-season. Bennett had a huge year for the Titans in 04'. I think he could get to 900 and 6 TDs this year, which is solid for a #2 WR. Luckily, Bennett can be had VERY LATE in drafts (and may even go un-drafted), especially in leagues with novice players.
Busts:
Shaun Alexander
Alexander turns the infamous 30 in late August. He is coming off a 10 game season in 06 due to injury. Seattle also lost a key player in the passing game in Darrell Jackson. Aside from Branch, Seattle has question marks in the passing game. Teams might be able to stack up against the run against Seattle. Add in Alexander's age and past injury, and he suddenly becomes a risk with a high pick. He could disappoint a lot of owners who spend a 3,4, or 5 pick on him.
Steve Smith
Delhomme is coming off a miserable 06 season. The Panthers added David Carr in the offseason (another questionable QB). Deshaun Foster has been plagued by injuries, and Deangelo Williams struggled in 06. Keyshawn is gone, so can the young Panther WR's take enough pressure off Smith in 07? A lot of question marks for this offense...Too many for me to pick Smith over the likes of Wayne, Harrison, and Owens.
Vince Young
I see this guy drafted fairly high in mocks. I would grab him as a #2 QB at best. The Titans got rid of their best offensive player last season in Henry. They have done zero in the offseason to help Young. The Titans will rely heavily on young players in 07, which spells disaster for a young QB.
My Favorites:
Marc Bulger
I will try my hardest to get this guy as my #1 QB in all my leagues. The additions of Bennett and Randy McMichael puts this offense right up there with the Colts. Stephen Jackson is coming off a career year, and his best days are ahead of him. Bulger is only 30, and he should be available at a bargain draft position. Most fantasy players likely will select 5 QBs before Bulger. He might approach 30 TDs this year and finish 2nd behind Manning.
Willis McGahee
I love RBs with chips on their shoulder. I enjoyed this situation 2 years ago when Larry Johnson finally took over in KC to rush for a career year. McGahee, just 25, has a lot to prove. He enters a great system in Baltimore that will give him plenty of opportunity. McGahee has only missed 3 total starts in the past 2 years, so injury concerns aren't as big as most think. McGahee had 13 TDs in just 11 games with a bad Buffalo team in 04. He should get 300 carries this season in a very run-friendly offense. I'm seeing McGahee going late in the 1st round, and even early 2nd round. I think he could land in the top 5 by year's end.
Javon Walker
Walker didn't miss a game in 06 proving he is fully healthy. He had a monster year in 06. Cutler will enter his first full season as a starter, with solid experience under his belt. The addition of Henry will give the offense balance. Walker is the true #1 in Denver, and with Cutler's gun, expect some big plays from him this season. I pencil in 1,200 and 10 for Walker who might not even be one of the top 10 WR's drafted.
