October 10th, 2008 — Analysis, Fantasy Football Tips, NFL Statistics and Facts, Thoughts, Opinions, and Projections
Trends are a big part of fantasy football analysis during the course of a season. They provide reason to dump a player, and most fantasy football owners don’t look at these numbers often enough. Inconsistency or consistent drops in numbers are two things that can kill a fantasy owner if he doesn’t react to them by making sure his best possible starter is in the game.
The following four fantasy running backs have shown noticeable inconsistency or a regressing trend line. Either way, take note.
1. Darren McFadden - Oakland Raiders
Look at Darren McFadden’s numbers for the season and you might think he’s had a lot of success. Unfortunately, his numbers are skewed because of his week two trampling of the Kansas City Chiefs, who rank 31st in rushing defense this season.
October 8th, 2008 — Analysis, Chicago Bears, Fantasy Football Tips, Indianapolis Colts, NFL Predictions and Speculation, Thoughts, Opinions, and Projections
(Kyle Orton - Courtesy Getty Images)
Yes, you read the headline correctly.
Before the start of the season, I never would have even suggested that anyone should draft Kyle Orton. Chicago’s history of quarterbacks mixed with the losses of Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad seemed to make drafting Kyle Orton, who last season passed for 478 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in three starts, a silly prospect.
Fast-forward five weeks into the NFL regular season, and it’s not hard to understand why I would suggest starting Kyle Orton over Peyton Manning. Forget for a moment that Manning is cold and just consider this: Orton is red hot right now.
July 15th, 2008 — Analysis, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Predictions and Speculation, Thoughts, Opinions, and Projections
Short memories can kill a fantasy player’s value. Such is the case with Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. After putting together two of the most impressive single seasons in recent memory, Larry Johnson disappointed fans and fantasy football pundits alike in 2007 when he managed just 557 rushing yards in eight starts before an injury ended his season. Or put it out of its misery. Depends on your viewpoint, really.
Johnson, who was projected to be a top three back by virtually everyone (the only real debate was whether he’d be 2 or 3), got off to a slow start, to say the least. In his first two starts he carried the ball just 26 times for 98 yards, which prompted frustrated fantasy owners to question Herm Edwards’ plan. Then in week three L.J. was given 24 carries, which he turned into 42 yards.
July 14th, 2008 — Analysis, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Predictions and Speculation, Thoughts, Opinions, and Projections
When the Minnesota Vikings acquired former Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian, some thought it was a mistake, if only because the Vikings offered him a 6-year, $42 million deal. Berrian, as most Bears fans can attest to, is a highly talented athlete with inconsistent hands. There were times last season when Berrian would haul in a spectacular catch, but there were also moments when he left fans to scratch their heads (or pull out their hair in frustration).