Q U A R T E R B A C K »
Brian Griese
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Brian Griese goes from a bad situation
replacing John Elway and not providing the
type of personality and leadership the fans wanted,
to a situation in Miami where he will be the most popular player in his hometown. If injuries hit the Dolphins as they did last year or Fiedler is ineffective, then Griese will be given the reins and might not let go. Griese II in Miami could be a hit.
Jake Plummer, Griese's replacement in Denver could benefit greatly from an increase of weapons and Shanahan's system. But a risky boom or bust pick with his history. He'd be a good backup choice but if he's your only #1 QB then you could be in for a roller coaster ride. Kelly Holcomb (CLE) if he beats out Couch, Patrick Ramsey (WAS), and David Carr (TEX) are names to watch who have improved weapons, more experience now, and the talent to take the next step and perform as top QBs for bargain prices.
With Kordell and Chris Chandler, Rex Grossman (CHI) could see some surprise duty this year ahead of schedule if the inconsistent veteran QBs there don't get the job done.
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 Vote:
Kelly Holcomb (7), Patrick Ramsey (6), Brian Griese (3), David Carr (2), Kyle Boller (2), Jake Plummer (0), or Write-In your own choice.
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R U N N I N G B A C K »
Ladell Betts
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Half-way through the season last year,
Spurrier's Redskins realized they needed to run
the ball a little too. Despite a weakened running
attack without Davis, they'll need to turn to the ground game this year too as the season goes on and it'll likely be Betts or Trung Canidate who gets the majority of the carries. Betts is the more traditional RB pick who could emerge as their workhorse.
Rookie Onterrio Smith (MN) is getting too much press to be considered a sleeper probably to knowledgeable fans, but will get the opportunity in MN to carry the ball given their injury concerns. Larry Johnson (KC) could make a huge impact also his rookie season if Holmes has any lingering injury effects. Correll Buckhalter (PHI) and Adrian Peterson (CHI) both could surprise and take over starting jobs this pre-season and are worth monitoring. Clinton Portis is the man in Denver and added some weight, but still could get banged up with his smaller size -- leaving Mike Anderson the familiar role possibly as featured fill-in.
Fred Taylor could have a huge season in Jacksonville especially with Mack not taking away his goal-line carries, but is still injury prone and LaBrandon Toefield (JAX) could emerge as a top sleeper if he went out for significant time.
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Vote:
Correll Buckhalter (9), Onterrio Smith (6), Troy Hambrick (4), Ladell Betts (3), Trung Canidate (2), Larry Johnson (1), Adrian Peterson (0), Mike Anderson (0), or Write-In your own choice.
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W I D E R E C E I V E R »
Ashley Lelie
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Lelie might be just outside of the sleeper
category and will have some demand on draft
day given his talent and possible starting role.
The only question would be whether Jake works out well in Denver and the balls keep flying in the thin air.
Santana Moss (NYJ) is an explosive player who could benefit greatly from the loss of Coles this off-season if he becomes Chad Pennington's new favorite target (and he should be used to throwing to guys named Moss from his Marshall days).
Charles Rogers (DET) and Andre Johnson (TEX) are top picks from the last draft who could really become the top targets on their new teams with exciting young QBs.
Tai Streets (SF) is the solid #2 option there and should put up strong numbers in that always potent offense. Josh Reed (BUF) could benefit from Price leaving. Jerry Porter (OAK) has already started showing signs of breaking out last year and could take over for the aging WRs for the Raiders. Michael Lewis (NO) put up huge numbers as a return specialist and ranks as a strong WR option despite hardly catching a pass.
Former first-rounder Javon Walker (GB) could really explode next year if he develops more of a chemistry with Favre and becomes the playmaker there. Same for Ferguson.
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Vote:
Ashley Lelie (7), Santana Moss (2), Tai Streets (2), Jerry Porter (2), Michael Lewis (1), or Write-In your own choice.
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T I G H T E N D »
Doug Jolley
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Doug Jolley came on strong for the Raiders
and is a young improving option in their aging
passing attack who should continue to
improve in a high-powered offense.
Alge Crumpler (ATL) could become a top option for scrambling Michael Vick in Atlanta. Cam Cleeland (STL) if stays healthy could grab a lot of passes flying around in St. Louis if that team gets back on track. Dallas Clark (IND) top TE drafted is in a good place for TEs to put up numbers.
Anthony Becht (NYJ), Billy Miller (HOU), Mikhael Ricks (DET), Byron Chamberlain (MN), and Randy McMichael (MIA) all had impressive new beginnings and could be in favorable situations to continue developing.
First-rounder Daniel Graham (NE) disappointed somewhat his first season but his QB has been talking about a big year for him ahead. Jerramy Stevens (SEA) is another in a long list of young talented TEs who could potentially put up big numbers for the position if they stay out of trouble and start clicking in their respective offenses.
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Vote:
Doug Jolley (4), Alge Crumpler (3), Daniel Graham (3), Teyo Johnson (1), Billy Miller (0), Cam Cleeland (0), Mikhael Ricks (0), Jerramy Stevens (0), Dallas Clark (0), or Write-In your own choice.
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K I C K E R »
Jeff Reed
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Jeff Reed (PIT) came on strong last year for
the Steelers and is listed highly in a lot of
fantasy rankings but might not be a
well-recognized pick for more casual fantasy
players. Jeff Wilkins (STL) was rated high last year and likely very lowly this year, but if the Ram offense is healthy again his point potential goes up once again. John Hall (WAS) could score a lot with his new team if Spurrier's offense gets going as he'd like. Jason Hanson (DET) could see a boost in production if the Lions start moving the ball more with their emerging offensive players.
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Vote:
Jeff Reed (6), Jeff Wilkins (2), John Hall (2), Jason Hanson (1), or Write-In your own choice.
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D E F E N S E »
Denver
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Despite some recent defensive disappointments
and key additions who won't be helping as
soon as expected (Gardener, Flowers) the team
has a new coordinator with a more simplified approach focussing on matchups and avoiding mistakes. Denver has a much easier schedule this season which could benefit it's team defense numbers. They also had many near-misses last year that might not slip through their fingers as much next season. The Colts might also get better on defense with Dungy having another year there, despite some off-season losses.
In looking for defensive sleepers, scheduling is very important. From week to week, can't usually go too wrong with decent defenses going against pitiful offensive teams. For the longer view, if you can't get a top defensive squad, look for teams that have made defensive improvements and are in weaker divisions with lesser schedules.
In terms of INDIVIDUAL players, depending upon your league scoring usually players with high tackles are the most consistent scorers from week to week.
Can't always count on an interception or sack, so they provide a defensive scoring back-bone you know will be there. Sort your league stats by tackles and grab some consistent producers there like Mike Peterson, Al Wilson, Keith Bulluck, Adam Archuleta, or Sharper and Foreman from Houston who are on the field more than most teams.
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Vote:
Denver (4), Indianapolis (2), Jacksonville (2), Adam Archuleta (1), Al Wilson (1), or Write-In your own choice.
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