Panel of experts answer 11 burning questions

The NFL Minute not only appreciates a second opinion, but it’s encouraged. To prove that, I’ve assembled a team of writers and bloggers to join me once a week throughout the season. They’ll be answering the tough questions alongside me. Expect a fun ride.

Just who are these guys? They’re a group of a fantasy football owners who have a deep passion for the game and sport; they not only play, but they live fantasy football through the construction and maintenance of their respective sites.

Aaron McGhee — Aaron is a fantasy football-aholic, I suppose you could say. He currently writes a blog called FanProphet (you can check out how he came up with the nickname at his site) which details some of the more difficult decisions fantasy owners face on a regular basis. Frequent readers might recognize him from a mock draft I did with him and some other bloggers some time ago and more recently he appeared on the first edition (sort of a pilot) of the experts’ panel.

Corey Koehler — Corey’s love for fantasy football (and his knowledge) show through his work at FantasyFootballGoat.com. A talented writer, his blog deals primarily with intricacies of fantasy football: mock drafts and resources are aplenty. Note: he joined Aaron for the first installment of our experts panel.

The following two are new to the panel, but no less qualified. Both hail from RobinSports.com, a great sports site for those who like a community atmosphere and enjoy placing a wager every now and then. Also, be sure to check out their top-notch draft guide.

Mike Danko (aka Dank) — (In his own words) I like to think that I have a pretty well-rounded knowledge base of football. I’m quite comfortable with most topics. I live in Columbus and I’m a diehard Ohio State fan, so I can talk about them (and probably the rest of the Big Ten) for hours. Also, I grew up in Cleveland and I’m a big Cleveland Browns fan (I’m used to heartbreak…haha), so I probably read about and watch them more than any other NFL team.

Josh Stapleton — (In his own words) I am a product of major corporate marketing in sports leagues as I grew up in an area with no professional teams to cheer for. (Hey, Tennessee didn’t even have an NFL or NBA team until a few years ago!) So I cheered for the Cubs, Celtics, Packers, and Bruins my whole life because I grew up watching them. I have remained their fans despite Tennessee now getting some teams. I tried to root for the Grizzlies (since I am in Memphis) and the Titans, but I just can’t leave my true faves.

With the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. The following format is strictly over/under. A few of the panel members have submitted comments while my prediction is after the question, either a + or -. The consensus follows the comments.

Over/Under

1. 9 games before Donovan McNabb is injured (enough to miss a week or more) (+)

• (AM) If his luck has changed then he will go way (over) 9 games.
• (CK) McNabb leads his team into the postseason (over)
• (Dank) (over)
• (JS) Donovan plans to make a conscious effort to avoid unnecessary contact this season. (Over)
• Consensus: OVER (5-0)
  

2. 5 wins for the Oakland Raiders (+)

• (AM) Not a chance! (under)
• (CK) Slightly better offense and a solid D (push)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) If a choice must be made then over as the Raiders could be 4-4 after the first eight games of the season. (push)
• Consensus: UNDER (2-2-1) Editor’s note: five or fewer wins, it appears

3. 3600 passing yards for Matt Leinart (+)

• (AM) Easily (over)
• (CK) With Boldin and Fitzgerald, how hard could it be? (over)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) Whisenhunt will run first then pass. Leinart’s number will improve, but not to 3600. (under)
• Consensus: OVER (3-2)

4. 20 touchdowns for LaDainian Tomlinson (-)

• (AM) I’d have to say no. (under)
• (CK) Won’t be as easy as last, year but he is the man. (over)
• (Dank) (over)
• (JS) Despite the huge year last season, LT will still put 21 or more in the endzone. (over)
• Consensus: OVER (3-2)

5. 16 interceptions for Rex Grossman (+)

• (AM) (over)
• (CK) Tough call. (under)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) Grossman is playing for a contract this season and if he plays poorly he may be on the bench in favor of Griese where he will be unable to pitch to the other team. (under)
• Consensus: UNDER (3-2)
  

6. 9 wins for the Green Bay Packers (push)

• (AM) It’s gonna fall on nine (push)
• (CK) 9-7 wild card team. (push)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) If a choice is made, take the under due to the Packers unfavorable schedule. (push)
• Consensus: PUSH (4-1)

7. 13 wins for the New England Patriots (-)

• (AM) (under) … but will compete and win the AFC Championship.
• (CK) 13-3 Sounds about right. (push)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) Chargers, Bengals, Ravens, Colts, and Eagles on schedule and they won’t sweep their division. (under)
• Consensus: UNDER (4-0-1)
  

8. 29.5 touchdown passes for Peyton Manning (+)

• (AM) (over)
• (CK) Not much defense in Indy from what I can see. (over)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) Peyton is good for 2 per game this season. (over)
• Consensus: OVER (4-1)

9. 355 carries for Larry Johnson this season (22-23 per game) (push)

• (AM) The Chiefs don’t have much of a choice (over)
• (CK) Coach Edwards said he wants to limit LJ’s carries this year (under)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) Edwards will make sure his horse is not overworked this season following big contract extension. (under)
• Consensus: UNDER (3-1-1)

10. 9 wins the New Orleans Saints (+)

• (AM) (over)
• (CK) 10 max. (over)
• (Dank) (under)
• (JS) A smart player would take the over as the Saints will beat who they are supposed to. (push)
• Consensus: OVER (3-1-1)

11. 4 games before we see Brady Quinn in Cleveland’s starting lineup (+)

• (AM) 5 games (over)
• (CK) Just look at he defenses they play in the first 6 weeks. Do you want your rookie QB getting hammered? (over)
• (Dank) (over)
• (JS) Quinn remains in the doghouse with Crennel following rookie holdout. (over)
• Consensus: OVER (5-0)