While I'm sure I could augment the lists to the right as to why I move a certain player up or down, it would probably make the list harder to read. Plus, sometimes I just tinker and it's kinda hard to justify moving a guy one or two spots in either direction. Maybe if I got paid like some 'experts' out there, I would. But I do this for free while I don't have the baby on my lap.
Anyway, a couple changes that bear mentioning: I redid the 'middle-ish' tier of QBs after reading enough about JP Losman to realize I was short-changing him a bit. While I was at it, I remembered Leinart and Cutler are only going into their first full years as starters, while Big Ben has actually, you know, WON A SUPERBOWL (although he tried his best not to!). I thought about doing likewise for Lee Evans based on some reading, but after seeing my actual rankings, I feel he's fine where he's at.
I also decided to actually FOLLOW one of my 'principles' and downgrade Brett Favre based on my "you never want a guy in his 'he lost it' year" belief. Of course, Brett lost it a couple years back, but I'm sure he could get even worse, considering they'd be hard pressed to bench the poor old guy.
I also finally split Jerious Norwood from Warrick Dunn, as the latter is having back surgery which will sideline him for 3-4 weeks.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Bringin' the noise, but not the funk...
I know it's been a month since I posted but it's tough to hold down a 9-to-5 job and then come home to a 5 month old baby girl and a wife who's in dire need of a break. And since lil' Maggie doesn't like sitting on daddy's lap while he blogs, posting has been scarce.
But now that the fantasy 'experts' are turning more of their attention to football again, I need to get my head back in the game. You'll see I've taken my shot at ranking some players by position. The RBs may be skewed a bit based on the first draft I have coming up where there's a 1 point reception bonus, so pass catching RBs get a bump.
You'll also notice the poll, which I'm hoping you'll vote in (it's a cheesy way of figuring out if anyone's reading!). The idea came from one of the FFB mags I picked up. The recent trend these past couple of years is that each has an article espousing taking players a round or two early. I decided to take things one step further and ponder if you should really factor in bye weeks. Personally, I'm getting a little tired of a 8-10 week window in the season where I'm starting at least one backup b/c someone better is on a bye. Wouldn't it be better to get this period over with ASAP? I'd like to know your thoughts. All 3 of you :)
But now that the fantasy 'experts' are turning more of their attention to football again, I need to get my head back in the game. You'll see I've taken my shot at ranking some players by position. The RBs may be skewed a bit based on the first draft I have coming up where there's a 1 point reception bonus, so pass catching RBs get a bump.
You'll also notice the poll, which I'm hoping you'll vote in (it's a cheesy way of figuring out if anyone's reading!). The idea came from one of the FFB mags I picked up. The recent trend these past couple of years is that each has an article espousing taking players a round or two early. I decided to take things one step further and ponder if you should really factor in bye weeks. Personally, I'm getting a little tired of a 8-10 week window in the season where I'm starting at least one backup b/c someone better is on a bye. Wouldn't it be better to get this period over with ASAP? I'd like to know your thoughts. All 3 of you :)
Monday, June 18, 2007
Harmon: All Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing
Much like when large-and-in-charge fantasy 'expert' Michael Harmon sits on the toilet, he's seen fit to expel some more columns in our general direction which bring the noise and nasty aroma but nothing of substance.
Remember when I pondered what he'd call any QBs who weren't in the 'top 15' nor 'sleepers' (such as Chad Pennington and Matt Schaub)? Well, according to this article, they're flops. But just to hedge his bets, he threw a few of his 'stars' in there too, such as #11 Mike Vick and #13 Tony Romo. Why? Probably so he's large butt is covered no matter what happens this season. Then he can go to FoxSports.com, point to his 'prediction' and ask for a raise. When he doesn't get it, he'll end up somewhere else, like CBS Sportsline.
Want further proof? Check out what he did during a recent 'experts' draft here. Scan on down to his first pick of the 12th round. Yes, you read that right: HE TOOK COREY DILLON!!! Why didn't he just totally throw the pick away and take Ricky Williams "just in case". I hope his fellow 'experts' mocked him mercilessly. If they didn't, they're no more 'expert' than he is.
Remember when I pondered what he'd call any QBs who weren't in the 'top 15' nor 'sleepers' (such as Chad Pennington and Matt Schaub)? Well, according to this article, they're flops. But just to hedge his bets, he threw a few of his 'stars' in there too, such as #11 Mike Vick and #13 Tony Romo. Why? Probably so he's large butt is covered no matter what happens this season. Then he can go to FoxSports.com, point to his 'prediction' and ask for a raise. When he doesn't get it, he'll end up somewhere else, like CBS Sportsline.
Want further proof? Check out what he did during a recent 'experts' draft here. Scan on down to his first pick of the 12th round. Yes, you read that right: HE TOOK COREY DILLON!!! Why didn't he just totally throw the pick away and take Ricky Williams "just in case". I hope his fellow 'experts' mocked him mercilessly. If they didn't, they're no more 'expert' than he is.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Stop the presses: someone more negative than me!
Gregg Rosenthal over at NBCSports.com's Fantasy site has one of the most negative reviews I've seen and I love him for it. Click here for his take on Trent Green going to Miami.
Me? I was already to pull the trigger on the standard "worth a flyer in later rounds of leagues with 12 or more teams" but Gregg's made me see the light!
Me? I was already to pull the trigger on the standard "worth a flyer in later rounds of leagues with 12 or more teams" but Gregg's made me see the light!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
What will Michael Harmon write next?
He ranked the first 50% of QBs from 1 to 15.
He called the next batch 'sleepers'.
What will Michael Harmon do for an encore?
My guess is he'll take the QBs he has yet to mention (Schaub, Cutler, Grossman, etc.) and find SOMETHING positive to say about them (such as "worth a flyer in later rounds of drafts with teams of 12 or more").
Don't be mesmerized by his spin, though. He thinks they suck. What you should consider is what YOU think.
He called the next batch 'sleepers'.
What will Michael Harmon do for an encore?
My guess is he'll take the QBs he has yet to mention (Schaub, Cutler, Grossman, etc.) and find SOMETHING positive to say about them (such as "worth a flyer in later rounds of drafts with teams of 12 or more").
Don't be mesmerized by his spin, though. He thinks they suck. What you should consider is what YOU think.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Deconstructing Michael Harmon Part 2
Maybe it's because I just got back from a 'beer tasting event' that one of my neighbors threw, but I just can't help but comment on FoxSports' Michael Harmon's latest article.
As you'll recall, he 'went out on a limb' and ranked the top 15 QBs (aka. "the top 50%") in an earlier article. Now he's basically calling the next 25% 'sleepers'. It's like he took a shotgun to a dartboard and any name he hit became a 'sleeper'. And what's more, he updated his top 15 QBs to list John Kitna, a 'sleeper', at #15!!!! How can he be both??!!!! Same question regarding McNabb, who's #6!!!
You want a TRUE sleeper? How about Chad Pennington? Both Laverneus Coles and Jericho Cotchery were in the top 30, according to Michael, and Thomas Jones is a top 30 RB. So what about Chad? The guy FINALLY has a season where he stays healthy and he's NOT even worthy of a 'sleeper' tag???
Mark it down RIGHT NOW: Chad Pennington - sleeper QB. To quote Bill Simmons, "By the way, I'm drunk again."
As you'll recall, he 'went out on a limb' and ranked the top 15 QBs (aka. "the top 50%") in an earlier article. Now he's basically calling the next 25% 'sleepers'. It's like he took a shotgun to a dartboard and any name he hit became a 'sleeper'. And what's more, he updated his top 15 QBs to list John Kitna, a 'sleeper', at #15!!!! How can he be both??!!!! Same question regarding McNabb, who's #6!!!
You want a TRUE sleeper? How about Chad Pennington? Both Laverneus Coles and Jericho Cotchery were in the top 30, according to Michael, and Thomas Jones is a top 30 RB. So what about Chad? The guy FINALLY has a season where he stays healthy and he's NOT even worthy of a 'sleeper' tag???
Mark it down RIGHT NOW: Chad Pennington - sleeper QB. To quote Bill Simmons, "By the way, I'm drunk again."
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Deconstructing an 'expert': Michael Harmon
Michael Harmon from FoxSports has finally gotten around to ranking some players. There were five articles in all, but if you go here, you'll be able to get to the rest.
He started off fine, with the top 15 QBs. Okay, McNabb was a bit high considering his injury. Vince Young was there, too, even though he's got no RB and no one to throw to except Bo Scaife and Ben Troupe. Vick's even there, although Harmon throws in the obvious caveats. Since there are only 32 starting QBs in the league, it really isn't that hard to find the top 50%. Give him some credit for not including Steve McNair (too old), Jay Cutler (too young) and Matt Schaub (too unproven).
The RB rankings are a little shakier. Brian Westbrook is too low. Frank Gore is a little high, considering Norv Turner's gone. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are WAAAAAY too low, considering they're both unquestioned starters on their respective teams. Marshawn Lynch is #21, which validates what I said about him after the draft.
However (cue the ominous music), Willis McGahee is #11. Yes, you read that right - Willis McGahee just missed being a top 10 back. Here's what Harmon had to say: "His move to Baltimore puts him in a more dynamic offense with more weapons". Okay, then why wasn't McNair in the top 15 QBs? Why isn't Derrick Mason listed as a top 30 WR??? When has Baltimore's offense EVER been dynamic??? See, kids, this is what happens to 'experts' in the FFB article-writing business. They feel the need to make statements like that so at the end of the season, if (big IF) they pan out, they can look back and say "I told you so". Common sense doesn't pay the bills for these guys; 'bold' predictions do. Don't base your entire draft around a 'bold prediction'.
His wide-receiver rankings were just as shaky, but too his credit, they could've been a LOT worse. I initially thought I was going to have a field day here (especially when he ranked Javon Walker #9), but I must admit I had a hard time coming up with something drastically different.
Note I said 'drastically'. There are still a few head scratchers. The most glaring is BAL's Mark Clayton at 23 (ahead of the more proven Terry Glenn, I might add). I have the same problem here that I have with the McGahee rank. Just like every 'expert' has picked the Cardinals for umpteen years in a row to make the playoffs, seems that every fantasy 'expert' likes to pick a few Ravens to have great fantasy seasons. Now, maybe I'm biased b/c I picked Mark off the waiver wire and started him against a porous Bengal's D one night and got nothing to show for it.
Then there's Chris Chambers at #20. Experts have been drinking his Kool-Aid for FAR too long. Maybe if Trent Green ends up in Miami, Chambers is worth a flyer, but he shouldn't be the 20th WR off the board.
No, I'd rather take my chances with these notable omissions: Greg Jennings (GB), Kevin Curtis (PHI), Donte' Stallworth (NE), Mushin Muhammad or Bernard Berrian (CHI) and whomever wins the battle for #2 WR in STL (either Isaac Bruce or Drew Bennett).
To give credit where it's due, though, at least Harmon avoided the following: Joe Horn (ATL), Eddie Kennison (KC) and Nate Burleson (SEA).
To take that credit away again (hey, it's my column and I HAVE to get the last word), he has Deion Branch at #30. Don't YOU make the same mistake!
He started off fine, with the top 15 QBs. Okay, McNabb was a bit high considering his injury. Vince Young was there, too, even though he's got no RB and no one to throw to except Bo Scaife and Ben Troupe. Vick's even there, although Harmon throws in the obvious caveats. Since there are only 32 starting QBs in the league, it really isn't that hard to find the top 50%. Give him some credit for not including Steve McNair (too old), Jay Cutler (too young) and Matt Schaub (too unproven).
The RB rankings are a little shakier. Brian Westbrook is too low. Frank Gore is a little high, considering Norv Turner's gone. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are WAAAAAY too low, considering they're both unquestioned starters on their respective teams. Marshawn Lynch is #21, which validates what I said about him after the draft.
However (cue the ominous music), Willis McGahee is #11. Yes, you read that right - Willis McGahee just missed being a top 10 back. Here's what Harmon had to say: "His move to Baltimore puts him in a more dynamic offense with more weapons". Okay, then why wasn't McNair in the top 15 QBs? Why isn't Derrick Mason listed as a top 30 WR??? When has Baltimore's offense EVER been dynamic??? See, kids, this is what happens to 'experts' in the FFB article-writing business. They feel the need to make statements like that so at the end of the season, if (big IF) they pan out, they can look back and say "I told you so". Common sense doesn't pay the bills for these guys; 'bold' predictions do. Don't base your entire draft around a 'bold prediction'.
His wide-receiver rankings were just as shaky, but too his credit, they could've been a LOT worse. I initially thought I was going to have a field day here (especially when he ranked Javon Walker #9), but I must admit I had a hard time coming up with something drastically different.
Note I said 'drastically'. There are still a few head scratchers. The most glaring is BAL's Mark Clayton at 23 (ahead of the more proven Terry Glenn, I might add). I have the same problem here that I have with the McGahee rank. Just like every 'expert' has picked the Cardinals for umpteen years in a row to make the playoffs, seems that every fantasy 'expert' likes to pick a few Ravens to have great fantasy seasons. Now, maybe I'm biased b/c I picked Mark off the waiver wire and started him against a porous Bengal's D one night and got nothing to show for it.
Then there's Chris Chambers at #20. Experts have been drinking his Kool-Aid for FAR too long. Maybe if Trent Green ends up in Miami, Chambers is worth a flyer, but he shouldn't be the 20th WR off the board.
No, I'd rather take my chances with these notable omissions: Greg Jennings (GB), Kevin Curtis (PHI), Donte' Stallworth (NE), Mushin Muhammad or Bernard Berrian (CHI) and whomever wins the battle for #2 WR in STL (either Isaac Bruce or Drew Bennett).
To give credit where it's due, though, at least Harmon avoided the following: Joe Horn (ATL), Eddie Kennison (KC) and Nate Burleson (SEA).
To take that credit away again (hey, it's my column and I HAVE to get the last word), he has Deion Branch at #30. Don't YOU make the same mistake!
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