View from the Cheap Seats 8/23

by Jeff Vernetti



The fantasy season is less than two weeks away and drafts are in full swing. In my opinion, participating in several mock drafts and researching various expert rankings is the key to a successful season. I have been through a couple of drafts that count (with a dollar or two on the line for sure) and there have been some bizarre things going on for sure.

The biggest issue I think that goes on in most drafts is that so many novice players pick up a magazine or read websites like Football Diehards and reach for sleepers or players on the move. Just because an expert may like someone as a sleeper, you need to get your core players first protecting against a sleeper not being anything more than a snoozer.

Most experts will concentrate on the debate on the top few players at each position, focusing on the first round. Missing in the first round on a player is a crusher – very hard to recover from a first round mistake.

One way to help your season recover from a first round bust or top tier injury is a quality second tier guy. Not a sleeper, but hitting a home run with a second tier player, because there are a lot of them. I thought to myself – who are my favorite second tier guys? I focused my attention on a guy at each position I would most want on my team at backup quarterback, number two running back, No. 3 wide receiver and backup tight end. These players would easily be able to step into my lineup, or could possibly vault up to top tier with quality seasons.

QB – Matt Schaub, Houston Texans. I really feel this is Schaub’s year. Everyone stays away from Houston because of their annual poor record, lack of running back, and poor offensive line. I love Schaub this year because of his targets Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels. Schaub is reportedly as healthy as ever and if he can stay upright, I expect over 3,000 yards passing and 20+ touchdowns for the Texan QB.

RB – Thomas Jones, New York Jets. I wrote on my blog on WCOFF.com that I love Thomas Jones. So many experts have him in the mid 20’s for a RB ranking – I think he will be in the mid teens by the end of the season. Let’s be honest, Jones was not good last year. He hit the 1,000 yard mark but barely found the end zone. This year the Jets spent huge dollars on an offensive line and, you may have heard, found a quarterback in Brett Favre. The Favre signing is the key for Jones’ rise on my list because he now makes a defense prepare for the passing game. Chad Pennington did not provide a downfield threat and defenses could key on Jones. I expect 1,200 rushing yards and 9-12 TD this season.

WR – Bryant Johnson, San Francisco 49ers. Let me just say this – I love Bryant Johnson this year. I think he will be a number one receiver for San Francisco in Mike Martz offense. That is a wonderful thing for fantasy owners. Johnson is not very well known because he was behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Now he gets out and is one of the main targets in San Fran, along side Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle. Johnson has great hands and big time speed. I actually think that he could be good enough to be a WR2 – bump him up your list and enjoy your new found fantasy toy.

TE – Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams. The Rams and their offense were absolutely terrible last year. McMichael was brought in to be a big time offensive target, but with the countless injuries to the offensive line, was forced to be a blocking tight end. This year brings new hope with a healthy offensive line and a new offense in Al Saunders. I am going to predict 700-800 yards receiving and 6-8 touchdowns, which would be at or above his career highs. Saunders loves the tight end and McMichael has been a favorite Marc Bulger target in the preseason.

I’ll catch you next time. 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.”