I had no choice but to agree.
Yes, it has occurred to me that fantasy football is indeed more than just a collection of statistics. Fantasy football is, in essence, the stuff dreams are made of. Each week we, aspiring champions of the fantasy world, hold onto hope as we look overwhelming odds square in the eyes. It's all about passionately hugging your brother when Vick dials one up deep to Jackson to pull you into the arms of victory on a Monday night. It's about falling to your knees in tears as Gore goes down with a hip injury, pulling your team's season into the darkness with him. It's about picking up Hillis in Week 3 and watching him heroically carry you to the playoffs on his way to the Madden cover. Yes, my friends, fantasy football is all about the human condition.
This September as you gather around the big screen with your best friends, realize that what you are participating in is more than just a game. You're engaging in an ever-growing culture, writing your name in one of the more interesting stories of our day and age.
So, without any further ado, I present 10 NFL players you'll want in your fantasy story this season.
1. Jamaal Charles - RB - Kansas City Chiefs
In 2010, we saw him finish in the top 3 of all running backs after living in a time share with Thomas Jones. This season, Haley's going to give him even more playing time and carries in a run first offense, which will lead to extraordinary results. Charles is strong, shifty, and one of the best breakaway runners in professional football. With his new and improved role, I'm buying that Jamaal is poised for an even greater breakout season. He was my biggest sleeper last year, and I truly think he takes the next step this year to become the best player in fantasy.
2. LeSean McCoy - RB - Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy will finish the season as a top 5 running back. He may not get close to the top in terms of carries, but he led all backs in terms of receptions last season, and I'm buying that he's a lock to lead the pack again in 2011. Plus, with Andy Reid wanting to reduce blows to his prized QB, McCoy stands to be the primary benefactor. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - This kid has the best (and shadiest) juke in the National Football League. To continue my man-crush, I also love the consistency LeSean showed in 2010. If you exclude a 5 and a 7 point outing, Shady wracked up at least 8 points in every other contest, with 9 games reaching double figures. Coming out of a lockout, early round consistency is the one thing I'm gunning for when I peruse the draft board. When you add all of that with Michael Vick bamboozling the opposition, McCoy's going to be a straight up nightmare out of the backfield, and a steal in the late first round.
3. Larry Fitzgerald - WR - Arizona Cardinals
@LarryFitzgerald11 will bounce back in glorious fashion to finish the 2011 season as a top 3 wide receiver. He finished inside the top 20 last season after somehow hauling in 52 percent of the underwhelming passes thrown his way by the committee of suck. Fitzgerald, on a more positive note, still led all receivers in redzone targets last season. With Beanie Wells being the only goal line rushing threat on the Cardinals' pass first offense, I think Larry's totals will only grow in 2011. Now add the talented young Kevin Kolb to the equation. We've all read reports where Kolb and Fitzgerald were practicing together in the offseason, so I have to believe the chemistry's going to be there. Once you take all that, and add in Kolb's tendency to lock onto one receiver, Fitzgerald begins to look like a steal in the 3rd round. I'll actually be drafting him in the second (if he's still on the board). And remember, this guy was a top 7 fantasy pick when he had Kurt Warner two seasons ago. Larry, allow me to be the first to welcome you back to fantasy elitism.
4. Jermichael Finley - TE - Green Bay Packers
I believed in him last year, but his knee was blown up when he dove into the pile to recover a teammate's fumble. In 2011, the Packers' elite tight end is back and at full health. This time, he claims his spot at the top of the tight end totem pole. Finley will be #1 shortly after the bye week, then he'll lead the pack the rest of the way. Put it on the board.
5. Josh Freeman - QB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Freeman really should be drafted 2 rounds earlier than he's going. Surrounded by some intriguing young talent, I foresee Freeman marching up and down the field like a boss on most opponents. I believe he's a lock for finishing as a top 10 quarterback, and could even see him slipping into the top 5 if he finds a way to turn all those rushing yards into a handfull of rushing TD's.
6. Knowshon Moreno - RB - Denver Broncos
I'm really high on Knowshon this season. When he was healthy last season, I loved watching his production, and now, Denver's gone from a pass happy McDaniels scheme to the run heavy philosophy of new head coach, John Fox. Fun fact - Over the last decade, no coach called more rushing plays than John Fox. I know the acquisition of notorious vulture, Willis McGahee, will lead to some theft at the goal line, but Moreno is still the top dog, and he's going to put up big numbers running and receiving for Denver this season.
7. Danny Amendola - WR - St. Louis Rams
In 2010, guess who tied Larry Fitzgerald for red zone targets? Yep, you guessed it. Not only does this kid have a fun last name, but he has nice speed and terrific hands. Now, throw him into a Josh McDaniels system that made Wes Welker a star, and you have yourself a breakout candidate.
8. Owen Daniels - TE - Houston Texans
Daniels finds himself in the top 5 tight ends at the end of the season. Before tearing his ACL in 2009, Daniels was the top scoring tight end in fantasy. Then, the anti-awesomeness known as knee surgery recovery took it's toll for the majority of the 2010 season. However, in the final four games of last season, we saw Daniels look more like the tight end we loved (and Titans fans hated) back in '09. After finishing the 2010 season with back to back games with touchdowns and 5+ catches in each appearance, the Texans believed Daniels is healthy enough to receive a nice 4 year contract extension. Throw all that in with a quarterback who loves his tight end and you've got a man poised for a huge fantasy bounce back. I just wish he wasn't a godforsaken Texan.
9. New England Patriots D/ST
Everyone seems to be overlooking the Pats D this year. After finishing as the third best fantasy defense last season, the only thing they did was add former UT Vol-stars, Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis. They like to blitz, they like to confuse opposing quarterbacks, and they're very good at both. I love the duo of Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes anchoring the middle, and those young defensive backs just have a knack for finding the endzone when they force turnovers. Lastly, at the end of the day, you have coach Belichick, who loves to go for the throat and never let up. This means you'll never have to worry about this defense going soft if Brady gives them a huge lead.
10. Jared Cook - TE - Tennessee Titans
Here comes the Titans bias. I firmly believe that Jared Cook will finish the 2011 season as a top 10 tight end. I had heard some great things about this guy going into training camp, but couldn't believe my eyes when I went down to Baptist Sports Park. At 6'5" 250, you can't miss Cook out on the field. Simply put, this beast has size, speed, and outstanding hands, each of which slate him to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Wanna send a linebacker? Good luck covering him. Wanna send a safety? Have fun bringing him down. You read it here - Fantasy breakout incoming.
Every season tells a new story, and I believe your next chapter will have a happy ending if you find these guys on your roster. Godspeed, brothers and sisters.
No comments:
Post a Comment