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View from the Cheap Seats 7/23
by Jeff Vernetti
I don’t know about all of you out there in fantasy football world, but I am getting geeked up for my fantasy football draft. Sure, like most of you, I am in several leagues, but I only consider one league my TRUE league – the one I kill to win. Not just for the prize, but for the bragging rights.
With that said, there are a few players that I simply cannot draft. We have all been there before, sitting at our draft table, magazine and cheat sheet in hand considering our next pick. Then we remember seasons past and how one player or another ruined our season for us. They got hurt and cost us a trip to the playoffs. They under performed in a late game and ruined our chance at a league title.
Maybe this is a shallow approach – but I am human. They say that an idiot is someone who does something year after year and time after time looking for a different result. Well sir, I am many things, but I am no idiot.
Here are some players that have killed me in the past that I will advise to stay away from in every way, shape, or form. Some of these guys are top guys; others were guys that I thought would provide a lot and gave me nothing. Compile your own list and enjoy my misery:
QB – Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams: I am a St. Louis guy and a Rams fan, so this was my first mistake. Never draft someone from your favorite team. Take the emotion out of it and pick based on the numbers. I will argue with Bulger though, I did just that. His 2006 season was wonderful – 24 TDs, only 8 INTs and over 4,300 yards passing. Sitting there on draft day, I was looking at Bulger and Brady – both with very similar numbers in 2006, and I would say that Bulger’s were a bit better for a fantasy fan. I pick Bulger – he gets hurt – and Brady is now a first round pick in most formats. I will now stay away from Marc Bulger for the rest of my life. It still hurts. In all honesty, he will be much better this year and will be a mid tier steal for some owners, just not me.
RB – Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers: Fast Willie was a fantasy stud in 2006 and I wanted those 16 combined TD and almost 1,500 yards rushing on my team last year. In 2007, Parker only got to the house twice and got hurt late. He looked like he was going to move into that top tier but know is moving the wrong way until he proves otherwise. Maybe as a number two I’d take him, but because he burned me last year, I will stay away from Parker.
WR – Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: This guy is always ranked high and never puts up huge numbers. Two seasons on my team and he has been a let down. In ’07 he missed seven games and only scored eight TDs. In ’06 he played in all 16 games and only had 1,147 yards and five TDs. Johnson has the skills but I am not a huge believer in the Texans offense, I will now stay away from the hype machine.
Honorable Mention – Darrell Jackson, Denver Broncos: I will never learn. While Jackson is now a guy who will be way down your list of wideouts, he has killed some of my fantasy teams. I had him in 2005 and he was hurt. I did not have him in 2006 and he had 10 TDs! I grabbed him again in 2007 as my number three WR, figuring a number one receiver in SF was worth a shot coming off 10 TD’s, and he was terrible – three TD and only 497 yards receiving. To quote George Costanza, “I am lord of the idiots.”
That’s all for now. Email me questions or comments at vern@footballdiehards.com Make sure you check out our weekly podcasts for all the latest football news. Until next week, this has been my “View from the Cheap Seats.”
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bengals Agree To Terms With Rookie WR Andre Caldwell
(7/27 9:40 AM PT)
The Facts:
Five rookie draft picks, including Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, will sign their contracts today and will practice Monday morning. Caldwell was the last to reach agreement, coming to terms with the club Saturday.
Diehards Line:
Returning veteran Marcus Maxwell might have something to say about it, but Caldwell clearly has a shot at the No. 3 role previously handled by Chris Henry. Caldwell has the second gear to get into routes quickly and takes pride in his ability to stretch a defense and make his opponent account for him on every play. He's a rookie worth watching in coming weeks.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Brett Favre Won't Report To Training Camp... For Now
(7/27 6:24 AM PT)
The Facts:
According to SI.com's Peter King, Favre decided to smoke the peace pipe with GM Ted Thompson -- for now -- and shelve plans to show up at the opening of training camp today. Favre told King, Saturday night: "I had planned on reporting for the start of Packers training camp Sunday, but Ted Thompson asked if I would give him a couple of days to try to get the situation resolved. I agreed to do that. I don't want to be a distraction to the Packers, and I hope in the next few days we can come to an agreement that would allow me to continue playing football."
Diehards Line:
Favre also said: "I've also spoken with Commissioner [Roger] Goodell a couple of times this week, in hopes that he could be some sort of arbitrator in this. I hope he can be. ...' According to King, Goodell told Favre (who denied the Vikings tampered with him while admitting contact with Minnesota HC Brad Childress) late Saturday afternoon in a telephone conversation he would do what he could to try to help Favre and the team come to a decision both sides could live with. "I told Roger, 'We're at an impasse. I would like a total release,'' Favre said. ... He won't, of course, get that but the situation has been calmed for at least a couple of day.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ronnie Brown Working On Mental Aspect Of Return
(7/27 12:12 AM PT)
The Facts:
During the Dolphins first day of training camp there were no hints Brown had ever suffered a season-ending knee injury. He appears slimmed-down. He made all necessary cuts and bursts during the drills he was allowed to do. But Brown admitted on Saturday there was a slight problem. However, it wasn't physical. "I think part of it is mental," said Brown, who is battling back from an ACL injury to his right knee.
Diehards Line:
Brown added: "I feel myself gathering when I make a certain cut or make a certain movement. I'm trying to get over the mental part of it, get everything flowing and react out of instinct instead of trying to think [about the injury]." The Dolphins plan to bring Brown along slowly, and HC Tony Sparano has hinted that he'll likely hold the former first round pick out of the first few exhibition games. Until he's cleared for full contact Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs, and rookies Jalen Parmele and Lex Hillard are handling the bulk of the work during team drills.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">World Awaiting News On Brett Favre
(7/27 12:10 AM PT)
The Facts:
With the Green Bay Packers poised to report to training camp, Favre still has not yet submitted a request to be reinstated from the reserve/retired list. Favre can't report to the Packers until he requests reinstatement. Moreover, he can't be traded until he is reinstated.
Diehards Line:
While Favre hadn't submitted his request to the commissioner by end of business Saturday, he could do so at any time. If he does show up, look for the Packers to pick up their efforts to trade the legendary QB. The Buccaneers appear to be the most interested but the Jets, while considered an unlikely trading partner, can't be completely ruled out. ... Stay tuned. It's safe to assume we'll have more on Favre as the day unfolds.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Tomlin Discusses Rashard Mendenhall's Role
(7/26 10:44 PM PT)
The Facts:
When asked how big of a role he anticipates Mendenhall having this season, HC Mike Tomlin said, "Our initial plan is he's going to be a supplemental runner. The growth of his role will be determined on his ability to execute from an assignment standpoint, how he deals with being a professional athlete."
Diehards Line:
According to Tribune-Review staffer Scott Brown, the Steelers are optimistic that Mendenhall will emerge as a solid complement to Willie Parker, who has averaged 329 carries the last two seasons and is coming off a broken right leg. He is expected to be 100 percent for the start of camp, but Mendenhall should help lighten Parker's workload this season. The 224-pound Mendenhall could certainly fill the role of short-yardage back -- and perhaps more. OC Bruce Arians has said Mendenhall reminds him of Edgerrin James when the latter was a rookie because of his advanced pass-blocking skills.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Packers Agree To Terms With Rookie WR Jordy Neslon
(7/26 9:50 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Packers have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Nelson, their first draft pick in the April draft. No other terms were disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Nelson didn't generate the kind of pre-draft buzz that others enjoyed, but the Packers were impressed with his amazing 122 receptions last season despite being the focal point every opponent tried to shut down. Impressed enough, in fact, to make him the third wideout off the board. While it appears Nelson will compete with James Jones for the No. 3 spot this year (remember, the Packers have no fear of playing rookie wideouts), Donald Driver's advancing age (33) means we'll be seeing a top three of Greg Jennings, Jones and Nelson in the not too distant future.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Packers Sign Rookie TE Jermichael Finley
(7/26 9:48 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Green Bay Packers signed Finley on Saturday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Finley, who was selected in the third round, provides another receiving option following the departure of long-time tight end Bubba Franks, who signed with the New York Jets. In just two seasons at Texas, Finley ranked third in career receptions by a tight end with 76. He'll open camp behind Donald Lee and Torry Humphrey.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">No Progress On Steven Jackson's Contract
(7/26 5:51 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Jackson's agent turned down the Rams’ latest offer Friday afternoon and the Rams responded by cutting off talks until the running back was in camp. HC Scott Linehan’s concise update on Saturday: "Nothing that I know of."
Diehards Line:
In case you missed it, Jackson officially became a holdout by missing the team's first meeting on Friday afternoon. And while the Rams have cut off talks we find it hard to believe the two sides won't reach an agreement sooner rather than later. In the meantime, we'll continue to update as developments warrant.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">MRI Negative, Deuce McAllister Returns To Work
(7/26 5:39 PM PT)
The Facts:
McAllister's magnetic resonance imaging test revealed no structural damage in the joint, and the veteran running back could practice on a limited basis during the team's workout at 4:20 p.m. today.
Diehards Line:
McAllister missed the Saints' morning workout because of swelling in his left knee, which was surgically repaired after he tore an ACL early last season. HC Sean Payton said McAllister experienced swelling in the knee after Friday's workout and trainers drained excess fluid from the joint to relieve the discomfort and improve its range of motion. McAllister underwent the MRI as a precautionary measure. Payton said the team will take a cautious approach with McAllister's practice schedule, limiting him to one workout on two-a-days.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jonathan Stewart Practices; Toe Healing Nicely
(7/26 5:34 PM PT)
The Facts:
After taking part in his first practice as a pro, Stewart was pleased with how his surgically repaired toe held up. Injured late last season at Oregon, Stewart hadn't practiced since November. The injury kept him out of all off-season workouts. "I can feel it, but it's one of those things where it's bearable and it's going to get better as the year continues," Stewart said.
Diehards Line:
With the toe still a concern, the Panthers are expected to limit Stewart to one practice a day early in camp. "We'll be cautious with him moving forward just because he is getting in football shape as well as getting used to carrying pads," HC John Fox said. "But he looked good for a first day. ..." We still consider a healthy Stewart to be this year's top rookie RB prospect.
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