If you want Adrian Peterson, then GO GET HIM

We drew the 7th pick and managed to assemble a pretty good roster. But as someone who has only done auctions the last several years I have to say I was a bit miffed at the notion that of the first 6 players chosen I had ZERO access to any of them! Theoretically we could have traded up to nab a player, but when doing an online draft I don’t even think that is possible.

Drafts stink.

We knew 30 minutes before hand our draft position, we were well prepared the night before, and I prepped my nephew on our first/second round strategy. We were going after Randy Moss and Tom Brady. And we got them. But that was really the only prep I could do. The rest, as I told Matt, was to “see what’s available at our turn.”

That’s no way to assemble a team. “See who’s left.”

In an auction, you have the opportunity to plan out most of your roster. And for those of you participating in an auction, I recommend you do just that. If you think Adrian Peterson is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, you go get him. Because if he’s going to do what you think he is, he’s worth it. If you like Matt Schaub at QB, then go get him. And guess what, if you like him more than anyone else, you’ll get him. He won’t “fall to you,” you will LAND HIM.

Set values for all the players, tinker with different combos and lay out your strategy. Some players may go for too much that you’re willing to spend, but at least it’s your choice.

Some owners run their auction like a draft. They are ill-prepared, they have little notions of values, and they try to bargain hunt. They see who will fall to them. Don’t do that. Take full advantage of your auction and the freedoms it gives. And go GET YOUR MANS.

Will Cutler and Bennett run Lovie and Hester out of town? Jones says so, and he also thinks their great sleepers in Shy-Town.

It’s a two way street for both sides, the Fantasy Football owner and the players who will emerge from the depths of their teams rosters and live up to their pre season status as Sleeper picks. Fantasy Football Owners and Players alike will spend sleepless nights thinking about what THEY can do to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Countless hours of studying game film, weaknesses, and charts will present opportunities for both sides to gain that edge needed to catapult themselves from pretender to contender. Building depth on your roster is necessary if you want to be in the hunt at the end of the season. With that said, here are some of my Sleeper Picks for the 2009/2010 NFL season.

Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos. They say one bad apple can spoil a bunch and that’s what appears to be happening in Bronco Camp. Brandon Marshall is being downright selfish. However, I see the other 79 players on the roster anchoring in and moving forward. It’s like when you send your child to Time Out and they scream for hours and the rest of the family continues to function because the parents are calling the shots, not the kid. Orton will be throwing the ball through the mile high air 30-40 times per game. It will be like a hot knife cutting through butter compared to the frigid air in Chicogo. With a running game that is still sorting itself out, and a new offensive system in place, I feel the Broncos will play to their offensive strength and throw, throw, throw. This formula is bound to yield high Fantasy numbers for Orton. Oh, it’s a contract year for Orton as well.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore. Although the cat may be out of the bag with this one, Ray Rice is hungry. In his second year, Ray Rice sees the opportunity before him and in my opinion will snatch the majority of the carries from Willis McGahee who is soft, spoiled and content. With FB Leron McClain lead blocking there will be plenty of holes to shoot through. McClain is an offensive guard set in the backfield. Can you say new trend. Screw the wildcat formation. Find a guard with some agility, put him in the backfield and send him up into the linebackers. Rice will find some space and have big yardage with an average amount of TD’s this year. And he can catch! McClain will get the goal line carries and everyone will be happy.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle. I’m calling this my Super Sleeper. I spent an entire season with Jones and Duckett on my roster and neither of them did anything except irritate me. Why did Duckett get released? The answer, Justin Forsett. What do you know, Edge James is on the Seattle Roster. James will mentor Forsett into a very capable back this year. James is unselfish and will work hard to help the team. It’s like having personal trainer. Forsett, in his 2nd year out of Cal is hungry and sees opportunity. Forsett will get lots of carries as the season moves forward.

Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago. My opinion is that Cutler is and will be calling the shots in Chicago. Lovie Smith will be gone after this year. Devin Hester will be gone after this year and Cutler will continue to move forward as QB/Coach/GM. Earl Bennett catches everything. With the Vanderbilt tie, Cutler and Bennett will begin to establish themselves as a force in Chicago. Don’t underestimate loyalty.

Aug 27th Podcast – News/Notes, QB Breakdown, Sleepers, Crime Report – 42 minutes

Schaub is primed for a huge season...according to Bertsch

Without further adieu:

QB Board

#1 Tom Brady

Randy Moss.  Wes Welker.  And now Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis.  This should be the most prolific passing offense in the NFL, if history has told us anything.  The big Super Bowl loss two years ago and the season-ending injury last year in week 1.  Think Brady feels he has something to prove?

#2 Peyton Manning

Year in and year out, hands down the best field general in the game.  Anthony Gonzales is a huge upgrade over Marvin Harrison.  Reggie Wayne in his prime.  Dallas Clark in slot/TE.  Their D is average as is their running game.  I see a ton of yardage and plenty of TDs for Peyton Manning.  The coaching staff has turned over, which may have caused alarm, but former offensive coordinator (and only coordinator Manning has ever had) Tom Moore is back, as a “consultant” but it sounds like he’ll be running the show.  There was some issue about NFL pensions that forced his early ‘retirement.’

#3 Drew Brees

Drew Brees has been the best and most consistent in the game, fantasy-wise, over the last three years.  He is huge in New Orleans.  Is he ready for a let-down?  My gut says yes, but a let down for him may be just 28 TDs and 4,000 yards.  He’s been over 4,400 yards in each of his three seasons with the Saints, with 26, 28 and 34 TDs.  Wow.  Why do I have him at #3?  A hunch maybe.  Though  LT Jammal Brown is looking at a 4-8 week recovery from hernia surgery last week, and he does protect Drew’s blindspot.

#4 Matt Shaub

Here’s my reach, but hear me out.  Schaub led the NFL in yardage over the last four games last season, averaging over 320 yards a game.  He has the best WR in the game with Andre Johnson, and Kevin Walter is no slouch.  Owen Daniels is a very talented TE and Steve Slaton emerged as a legitimate run threat last season.  The coaching staff is in place.  This is Schaub’s year. 

#5 Philip Rivers

Rivers and the Chargers benefit from a soft schedule, an aging running game, talented WRs (Chambers  - 5 TDs in first 5 games last season before injury) and Vincent Jackson and one of the best TEs in the game.  Plus a returning coaching staff, which cannot be stressed enough in value.  Rivers looks fine for another solid season.

#6 Kurt Warner

If Warner was, say, 10 years younger he’d have to be #1 or #2. 

I think Kurt Warner has been on my roster every season since his time with the Giants.  Why?  Because I knew he had potential to do what he did last year.  Last season I bought him for a dollar to back-up Jay Cutler and could not trade him fast enough (for Andre Johnson, not bad.)  Why was I so hot to trade him you ask?  Because he was ON MY BENCH and I was afraid any snap could be his last.  But something happened to Kurt Warner last year that made me realize he wasn’t getting hurt.  I can’t put it to words other than to say he started to look bigger, meaner and tougher.  Almost like a half robot or something. 

People will be down on Warner because of risk of injury.  But keep this in mind, even if Warner goes down after 5 games, he could get you 5 wins in the 5 games he plays.  He’s that good right now.  So if he goes down, either make sure you have a nice back-up in place or start playing match-up QBs.  Not a big deal in my book.

#7 Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers, along with Cutler and Favre benefit from a nice, gravy schedule.  He proved himself last season with 4,038 yards passing and 28 TDs.  He has Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and a solid running game.  He does have a bit of a tenderfoot as injuries have plagued him in the past.  Conservative pick with a lot of upside.

#8 Donny McNabb

Donny McNabb is another perennial performer, when he plays.  He has a solid cast with DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Brent Celek at TE.  Plus a strong running game and solid D.  He may lose a few TDs to Michael Vick and the wildcat. 

#9 Trent Edwards

I like Trent Edwards this season.  For clue number one, just take a peak at what TO has done for his starting QBs stats in previous years.  Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo have all enjoyed career seasons with the supposed cancer.  Plus he has Lee Evans on the other side.  And let’s not forget the aggressive no-huddle offense being implemented, which usually leads to more passing yards and always leads to extra plays.  And more plays means more opportunities.  The O-Line is a concern, but I think Trent Edwards is going to be top 5 material this season.  If you’re not convinced, tuck him away as a back-up and see what happens.

#10 Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan had a very solid rookie campaign with over 3400 yards passing and 16 TDs.  The Falcons did benefit from an easy schedule, but he brings back Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.  Plus the Falcons nabbed Tony Gonzales, who could be a huge part of this offense.  Solid running game, solid D.  Another conservative pick with tons of upside.

#11Tony Romo

Tony Romo is going to have a down year.  It seems like the Cowboys are going to turn into a run-first team.  TO is gone and Roy Willi is an average WR1, nothing more.  There are no indications so far that Romo will enjoy the success he has in the last two seasons.  Their O-Line is getting old, with all five starters over 30.  Beware. 

#12 Ben Roethlisburger

Can a two-time Super Bowl victor get some love, please?  Not necessarily in fantasy-land.  But Big Ben may surprise some people.  He quietly threw for 3,300 yards and 17 TDs last season.  Nothing too  exciting.  The Steelers are run-first, but they do score a lot of points, have a strong D and run game and it doesn’t take much to flip 4-6 rushing TDs into passing TDs.  Plus Big Ben will run some in. 

#13 Jay Cutler

I want to give Jay Cutler a season in Chicago before talking him up.  He’s in a new system with a new team, doesn’t have much for WRs.  He does have a capable TE in Greg Olsen, who I am very interested in, and a great back in Matt Forte.  Plus the Bears have that nice schedule.  But I’ll be taking a wait and see approach on Cutler and let someone else grab him based on last season’s numbers.  He is a streaky QB who when things don’t go well early sinks into oblivion.  And he doesn’t have Brandon Marshall to throw to anymore. 

#14 Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer may surprise some people this season, you never know.  He is a former elite passer who has had some forgettable season and injuries.  He lost his top target TJ Houshmanzadah to free agency.  I don’t know what else to say.  Can you say mediocre?

#15 Eli Manning

Don’t let the big contract fool you.  Eli is a game manager in a run-first offense with little talent to throw to.  Let some other sucker take him.  A very conservative pick with little upside.  Expect another 3,000 yard, 21 TD performance from the whiny face in NY.

Download this video for a laugh or two:

Favre Signing