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News-Herald Assistant Sports Editor Kevin Kleps doesn’t just write headlines and stories. He also checks on his fantasy sports teams. A lot. See if the moves and news from the world of sports affect your fantasy teams.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fantasy football: Lessons from an in-person mock draft

Most of us have done a mock draft on ESPN.com or another website.

We stick around for the first two or three picks, get frustrated when owners take the full 90 seconds to take a player who will never play for a team said owner will never own, then exit the draft and start a new one a few minutes later.

It's a good way to learn where certain players are being drafted.

Wednesday night, Sports Editor Mark Podolski, me and a group of readers conducted a three-round mock draft at The News-Herald as part of our fantasy football Q&A.

We went with the assumption we would be participating in a points-per-reception league and touchdown passes would be worth six points. The results were interesting, and more informative than an online mock in which half of the selections might be autopicks.

Tonight, we actually cared about our picks, though we knew it was just for fun (yes, we're sick like that).

Here is the overall top 25, along with a few observations:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
3. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
4. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
5. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
6. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
7. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
8. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
9. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
10. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders
11. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
12. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
13. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys
14. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
15. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
16. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams
17. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
18. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
19. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills
20. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
21. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
22. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
23. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
24. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
25. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

Biggest reach: Welker. I'm a big fan, but even in a PPR league, the Patriots wideout is a much better option early in the third round than early in the second. As great as Welker was last season, his nine touchdowns were a career high. From 2007 to '09, he averaged five TDs.

Best value: Rice is a steal at No. 5, as is Gronkowski at 23. Choosing between the two, I'd say Rice. If you get him fifth in a 12-team league, you could follow with the likes of Gronkowski, Roddy White, DeMarco Murray or Cam Newton in Round 2.

The Jones-Drew question: Podolski selected MJD 11th, and that seems about right. Jones-Drew was ranked fifth in our top 100 overall last week, but the longer his contract holdout lingers, the more risky he becomes. If you're drafting this weekend (as we are in the N-H league), I would feel comfortable with Jones-Drew late in the first round of a 12- or 14-team league, but wouldn't take him in the top 10. We have to assume he will report to the Jaguars by the start of the season, but until he does, we can't take the chance in the top five.

The Fitzgerald factor: The Cardinals' QB situation is such a mess we should expect Fitzgerald to be drafted in the middle of the second round, even if the wideout's numbers suggest that is too late. Since 2007, Fitzgerald has missed only one game. From 2007 to '09, he averaged 12 TDs per season. The last two years, Fitzgerald's TDs are down to a norm of seven. In PPR leagues, he still has high second-round value. Heck, he caught 80 passes for 1,411 yards and eight TDs last season for a team on which the top two quarterbacks -- Kevin Kolb and John Skelton -- combined to throw 20 TD passes and 22 interceptions. In standard scoring leagues in which yards and TDs are almost all that matter, Fitzgerald could fall to late in the second round or early in Round 3.

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Defenses/special teams

You might think these rankings are about as useful as our last post on the kickers.

You can instead thank me for researching the total combined defensive and special teams touchdowns by each NFL team in 2011.

See, aren't you glad you're here?

On to our final set of rankings ...

Defense/ST (bye week): PPG, TD, Sacks, Turnovers (interceptions)
1. 49ers (9): 14.3, 3, 42, 38 (23) 
2. Steelers (4): 14.2, 2, 35, 15 (11)
3. Eagles (7): 20.5, 4, 50, 24 (15)
4. Bears (6): 21.3, 10, 33, 31 (20)
5. Packers (10): 22.4, 7, 29, 38 (31)
6. Ravens (8): 16.6, 5, 48, 26 (15)
7. Giants (11): 25.0, 1, 48, 31 (20)
8. Jets (9): 22.7, 5, 35, 31 (19)
9. Texans (8): 17.4, 3, 44, 27 (17)
10. Patriots (9): 21.4, 4, 40, 34 (23)
11. Lions (5): 24.2, 7, 41, 34 (21)
12. Bills (8): 27.1, 7, 29, 31 (20)
13. Cowboys (5): 21.7, 1, 42, 25 (15)
14. Broncos (7): 24.4, 5, 41, 18 (9)
15. Seahawks (11): 19.7, 5, 33, 31 (22)
16. Falcons (7): 21.9, 3, 33, 29 (19)
17. Bengals (8): 20.2, 4, 45, 22 (10)
18. Chiefs (7): 21.1, 2, 29, 26 (20)
19. Cardinals (10): 21.8, 4, 42, 19 (10)
20. Dolphins (7): 19.6, 2, 41, 19 (16)

NOTE: Statistics are from the 2011 season. ... PPG denotes points per game allowed. ... TD denotes total defensive and special teams touchdowns. ... Turnovers are total turnovers forced.

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2012 fantasy football rankings: Kickers

These are our top 20 kickers.

I think that's all the introduction this piece deserves.

Rank, player, team (bye week): FG, 40-49, 50+, PAT, Pts
1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE (9): 28-33, 9-11, 1-2, 59-59, 143
2. Sebastian Janikowski, Oak (5): 31-35, 10-11, 7-10, 36-36, 129
3. David Akers, SF (9): 44-52, 6-11, 7-9, 34-34, 166
4. Mason Crosby, GB (10): 24-28, 3-5, 2-3, 68-69, 140
5. Dan Bailey, Dal (5): 32-37, 10-12, 2-4, 39-39, 135
6. Alex Henery, Phi (7): 24-27, 4-4, 1-2, 46-46, 118
7. Garrett Hartley, NO (6): Didn’t play
8. Matt Bryant, Atl (7): 27-29, 5-7, 2-2, 45-45, 126
9. Rob Bironas, Ten (11): 29-32, 9-10, 6-7, 34-34, 121
10. Robbie Gould, Chi (6): 28-32, 6-10, 6-6, 37-37, 131
11. Nate Kaeding, SD (7): Zero points in one game before injuring knee
12. Matt Prater, Den (7): 19-25, 3-7, 3-4, 30-30, 87
13. Neil Rackers, Was (10): 32-38, 4-8, 4-5, 39-40, 135
14. Jason Hanson, Det (5): 24-29, 2-4, 5-7, 54-54, 126
15. Dan Carpenter, Mia (7): 29-34, 11-12, 2-4, 26-26, 113
16. Randy Bullock, Hou (8): Rookie
17. Mike Nugent, Cin (8): 33-38, 14-16, 0-0, 33-34, 132
18. Billy Cundiff, Bal (8): 28-37, 7-9, 1-6, 38-38, 122
19. Olindo Mare, Car (6): 22-28, 8-9, 0-2, 44-45, 110
20. Connor Barth, TB (5): 26-28, 13-14, 2-3, 23-23, 101

NOTE: Statistics are from the 2011 season. ... FG denotes total field goals made and attempted. ... 40-49 denotes field goals made and attempted from 40 to 49 yards, and 50+ is for field goals of 50 yards or more.

QUICK SLANTS: Janikowski is 17-for-25 on field goals of 50 yards or more the last three seasons. ... The oft-injured Hartley was 20-for-25 on field goals in 2010. ... Bryant has made all but five of his 60 field-goal attempts the last two seasons. ... Since 2010, Bironas is 17-for-18 from 40 to 49 yards and 8-for-10 from 50 yards or more.


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Join us for fantasy football Q&A night

This year, it would seem more than ever, there are injuries, position battles and uncertainty clouding our confidence about any draft pick outside the top five or six.

If you have questions, or just want to start a debate, join us for fantasy football night at The News-Herald, located at 7085 Mentor Ave. in Willoughby.

The question-and-answer session will include Sports Editor Mark Podolski and me. It will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.

There will be snacks, soft drinks and prizes. Any inside knowledge on the knees of Trent Richardson and Adrian Peterson will be welcomed.

RSVP by emailing Podolski (mpodolski@news-herald.com) or me (kkleps@news-herald.com).

You can also reply to us on Twitter -- @mpodo and @KKlepsFantasy.

Hope to see you there.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Tight ends

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had 17 receiving touchdowns last season -- more than any wide receiver, including Megatron himself, Calvin Johnson.

Gronkowski's 90 receptions trailed only four wideouts in 2011, and his 1,327 receiving yards ranked sixth in the league.

So where do you draft a tight end who will give you elite wide receiver numbers?

ESPN and Yahoo! have Gronkowski ranked 14th overall, and the CBS guys have him ranked Nos. 21, 26 and 30.

I would side with ESPN and Yahoo! on this and take Gronk early in Round 2.

Look at Larry Fitzgerald's numbers (80 receptions for 1,411 yards and eight TDs last season). Imagine getting an upgrade from Fitzgerald, and playing him at tight end.

In a 12-team league, Gronkowski is a no-brainer early in the second round -- especially in point-per-reception formats.

Aug. 16 update: We dropped Jason Witten from No. 4 to No. 7 because of concerns about his lacerated spleen.

On to the tight end rankings ...

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Receptions-Yards-Avg, TD
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE (9): 16, 90-1,327-14.7, 17
2. Jimmy Graham, NO (6): 16, 99-1,310-13.2, 11
3. Antonio Gates, SD (7): 13, 64-778-12.2, 7
4. Aaron Hernandez, NE (9): 14, 79-910-11.5, 7
5. Vernon Davis, SF (9): 16, 67-792-11.8, 6
6. Jermichael Finley, GB (10): 16, 55-767-13.9, 8
7. Jason Witten, Dal (5): 16, 79-942-11.9, 5
8. Tony Gonzalez, Atl (7): 16, 80-875-10.9, 7
9. Brandon Pettigrew, Det (5): 16, 83-777-9.4, 5
10. Fred Davis, Was (10): 12, 59-796-13.5, 3
11. Brent Celek, Phi (7): 16, 62-811-13.1, 5
12. Jacob Tamme, Den (11): 16, 19-177-9.3, 1
13. Jared Cook, Ten (11): 16, 49-759-15.5, 3
14. Jermaine Gresham, Cin (8): 14, 56-596-10.6, 6
15. Dustin Keller, NYJ (9): 16, 65-815-12.5, 5
16. Owen Daniels, Hou (8): 15, 54-677-12.5, 3
17. Kellen Winslow, Sea (11): 15, 75-763-10.2, 2
18. Coby Fleener, Ind (4): Rookie
19. Kyle Rudolph, Min (11): 15, 26-249-9.6, 3
20. Greg Olsen, Car (6): 16, 45-540-12.0, 5

NOTE: Statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: Once the no-doubt-about-it choice as the top tight end, Gates has been limited to 23 games the last two years. He played in all 16 games from 2006-09. … Witten has played in all but one game in his nine-year career. ...  Gonzalez has had at least 70 receptions each year since 2003, and he has had 867 yards or more in eight of the last nine years. … Pettigrew has 154 catches combined the last two seasons, but only nine TDs in that span. … In the last nine games of 2011, Celek had 42 catches for 602 yards and three TDs. … Former Colt Tamme had 67 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns with Peyton Manning in 2010. … Gresham has averaged 54 catches the last two seasons. ... Winslow has never had more than five TDs in a season.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers

NEXT: Kickers

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Wide receivers

Maybe you believe, and News-Herald Browns beat writer Jeff Schudel agrees with you, the Browns got the better of the Falcons in a blockbuster draft-day trade in 2011.

When the dust settled after the 2012 draft, the Browns had netted Phil Taylor, Greg Little and Brandon Weeden from the swap. And one of the picks they received from Atlanta, a fourth-rounder in 2012, was used in a trade with Minnesota in which Cleveland moved up to select Trent Richardson.

It's not difficult to see why that trade could be viewed as a good one for Tom Heckert.

The Falcons' haul in the deal: Wide receiver Julio Jones.

Jones, selected sixth overall by Atlanta in 2011, had 27 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns in the final five games of last season. If you project those numbers over a 16-game season, you get 86 catches for 1,462 yards and 19 TDs.

I wouldn't expect Jones to score 19 TDs this season, but 86 catches for more than 1,400 yards is certainly within reach.

This is a long way of saying I like Jones quite a bit this season. We have him ranked eighth at wide receiver, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was better than any wideout not named Calvin Johnson in fantasy this season.

If Weeden is the answer to the Browns' annual quarterback problem, they will have made out on the deal. For fantasy purposes, however, Atlanta has the best player -- and we know that's what really matters.

On to the wide receiver rankings ...

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Receptions-Yards-Avg, TD
1. Calvin Johnson,  Det (5): 16, 96-1,681-17.5, 16
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari (10): 7, 80-1,411-17.6, 8
3. Roddy White, Atl (7): 16, 100-1,296-13.0, 8
4. Andre Johnson, Hou (8): 16, 33-492-14.9, 2
5. Greg Jennings, GB (10): 13, 67-949-14.2, 9
6. Wes Welker, NE (9): 16, 122-1,569-12.9, 9
7. A.J. Green, Cin (8): 15, 65-1,057-16.3, 7
8. Julio Jones, Atl (7): 13, 54-959-17.8, 8
9. Mike Wallace, Pit (4): 16, 72-1,193-16.6, 8
10. Victor Cruz, NYG (11): 16, 82-1,536-18.7, 9
11. Hakeem Nicks, NYG (11): 15, 76-1,192-15.7, 7
12. Jordy Nelson, GB (10): 16, 68-1,263-18.6, 15
13. Brandon Marshall, Chi (6): 16, 81-1,214-15.0, 6
14. Steve Smith, Car (6): 16, 79-1,394-17.6, 7
15. Marques Colston, NO (6): 14, 80-1,143-14.3, 8
16. Dez Bryant, Dal (5): 15, 63-928-14.7, 9
17. Miles Austin, Dal (5): 10, 43-579-13.5, 7
18. Demaryius Thomas, Den (7): 11, 32-551-17.2, 4
19. Vincent Jackson, TB (5): 16, 60-1,106-18.4, 9
20. Brandon Lloyd, NE (9): 11, 51-683-13.4, 5
21. Antonio Brown, Pit (4): 16, 69-1,108-16.1, 2
22. Dwayne Bowe, KC (7): 16, 81-1,159-14.3,  5
23. Steve Johnson, Buf (7): 16, 76-1,004-13.2, 7
24. Percy Harvin, Min (11): 16, 87-967-11.1, 6
25. DeSean Jackson, Phi (7): 15, 58-961-16.6, 4
26. Reggie Wayne, Ind (4): 16, 75-960-12.8, 4
27. Torrey Smith, Bal (8): 16, 50-841-16.8, 7
28. Jeremy Maclin, Phi (7): 13, 63-859-13.6, 5
29. Eric Decker, Den (7): 16, 44-612-13.9, 8
30. Pierre Garcon, Was (10): 16, 70-947-13.5, 6
31. Malcom Floyd, SD (7): 12, 43-856-19.9, 5
32. Anquan Boldin, Bal (8): 14, 57-887-15.6, 3
33. Santonio Holmes, NYJ (9): 16, 51-654-12.8, 8
34. Greg Little, Cle (10): 16, 61-709-11.6, 2
35. Robert Meachem, SD (7): 16, 40-620-15.5, 6
36. Titus Young, Det (5): 16, 48-607-12.6, 6
37. Denarius Moore, Oak (5): 13, 33-618-18.7, 5
38. Nate Washington, Ten (11): 16, 74-1,023-13.8, 7
39. Santana Moss, Was (10): 12, 46-584-12.7, 4
40. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oak (5): 15, 64-975-15.2, 4
41. Lance Moore, NO (6): 14, 52-627-12.1, 8
42. Mike Williams, TB (5): 16, 65-771-11.9, 3
43. Michael Crabtree, SF (9): 15, 72-874-12.1, 4
44. Mario Manningham, SF (9): 12, 39-523-13.4, 4
45. Nate Burleson, Det (5): 16, 73-757-10.4, 3
46. Jonathan Baldwin, KC (7): 11, 21-254-12.1, 1
47. Kenny Britt, Ten (11): 3, 17-289-17.0, 3
48. Sidney Rice, Sea (11): 9, 32-484-15.1, 2
49. Justin Blackmon, Jac (6): Rookie
50. Brandon LaFell, Car (6): 16, 36-613-17.0, 3
51. Laurent Robinson, Jac (6): 14, 54-858-15.9, 11
52. Randy Moss, SF (9): Didn’t play
53. Austin Collie, Ind (4): 16, 54-514-9.5, 1
54. Danny Amendola, StL (9): 1, 5-45-9.0, 0
55. Emmanuel Sanders, Pit (4): 11, 22-288-13.1, 2
56. Doug Baldwin, Sea (11): 16, 51-788-15.5, 4
57. Rueben Randle, NYG (11): Rookie
58. Leonard Hankerson, Was (10): 4, 13-163-12.5, 0
59. Davone Bess, Mia (7): 16, 51-537-10.5, 3
60. Kendall Wright, Ten (11): Rookie

NOTE: All statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: Calvin Johnson has averaged 87 receptions for 1,401 yards and 14 TDs the last two seasons. ... Fitzgerald has played all 16 games in each of the last four seasons and has missed only one contest since 2007. He averaged 12 TDs per season from 2007 to '09, but has a norm of "only" seven scores the last two years. ...Jones' Falcons teammate, Roddy White, has averaged 100 catches for 1,279 yards and 10 TDs the last three years. ... I'd be a little leery of Andre Johnson, who is already struggling with an injury in training camp (hamstring) and has missed a combined 12 games the last two seasons. ... Welker is a reception and yardage machine, but his nine TDs last season were a career high. ... The Steelers' Wallace is expected to end his contract holdout before the start of the regular season. He has averaged 1,232 yards and nine TDs since 2010. ... With Jay Cutler in Denver in 2007 and '08, Marshall had norms of 103 catches for 1,295 yards and seven TDs. ... The Broncos' Thomas could be the biggest beneficiary of Peyton Manning landing in Denver. He caught 10 passes for 297 yards and a TD in the Broncos' two playoff games last season, including a memorable four-catch, 204-yard, one-winning-TD performance in a wild-card win over the Steelers during the height of Tebowmania. ... In two seasons with the Jets, Holmes has averaged only 52 catches for 700 yards and seven TDs. In 2009 with the Steelers, he had 79 receptions for 1,248 yards and five scores.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Quarterbacks, running backs

NEXT: Tight ends

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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Fantasy football: Running backs take an early hit

The danger of ranking running backs in August was made perfectly clear last Thursday, when we learned Browns rookie Trent Richardson would have knee surgery.

Later that night, the Chargers' Ryan Mathews fractured his clavicle in San Diego's preseason opener and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks.

You could say we've made some changes to these rankings.

Some notable updates from the running back rankings we posted Aug. 8 (the above link reflects our current rankings):

-- Chargers coach Norv Turner said Mathews' injury is "not so bad." I can only hope. In a keeper league in which I participate, I traded for Mathews prior to training camp and now must decide if he will still be one of my three keepers (probably).

The Chargers open the season Monday, Sept. 10 at Oakland --  31 days after Mathews' surgery. The guess here is Mathews will return in Week 2 against Tennessee, and considering the lack of studs at the position, I think he remains a top-10 player at the position.

Yes, injuries are a concern -- Mathews has played 26 games in two years. But consider this: Last season, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry and caught 50 passes. In 14 games, he racked up 1,546 total yards.

Would you rather have Mathews coming off a shoulder injury or Adrian Peterson following an ACL tear.

I'll take Mathews.

-- Richardson, who is expected to start the Browns' opener against the Eagles, dropped from No. 14 to 17.

-- The (expected) uncertainty of the backfield situation in Washington -- Mike Shanahan, tormenting fantasy owners since 1995 -- has resulted in Roy Helu dropping from No. 24 to 29 at running back. Redskins teammate Evan Royster, who could be Washington's featured back (your guess is as good as mine when it comes to Shanahan), went from unranked in the top 50 to No. 41. Another Redskin, the (always) beat-up Tim Hightower, dropped from No. 41 to out of the rankings.

-- Ronnie Brown, who would start the season opener for the Chargers if Mathews can't go, is in the top 50 at No. 47. Don't get too excited about Brown, who averaged 3.2 yards per carry in a limited role for the Eagles last season.

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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Running backs

Once the unquestioned king of fantasy football positions, the 2012 crop of running backs has three hammers -- Arian Foster, Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy -- then a lot of questions.

-- Will Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout end before your draft?

-- Where do you draft former no-doubt-about-it No. 1 overall fantasy pick Adrian Peterson, who is recovering from a torn ACL?

-- Can you trust Chris Johnson after last year's holdout/four-TDs-in-16-games debacle?

-- Is the injury-prone Ryan Mathews going to be as good as everyone seems to think he will be now that goal-line vulture Mike Tolbert has left town?

-- Will Matt Forte be as good now that Michael Bush could serve as the Bears' goal-line vulture?

-- Can Darren McFadden stay healthy?

-- Should you be concerned that Trent Richardson is already banged up?

-- Can DeMarco Murray sustain his 2011 rookie success over a full season?

You get the idea.

On to our second set of rankings for 2012, which reflects updates we made Aug. 12:

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Rushing yards-Avg-TD, Receptions-Yards-TD
1. Arian Foster, Hou (8): 13, 1,224-4.4-10, 53-617-2
2. Ray Rice, Bal (8): 16, 1,364-4.7-12, 76-704-3
3. LeSean McCoy, Phi (7): 15, 1,309-4.8-17, 48-315-3
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac (6): 16, 1,606-4.7-8, 43-374-3
5. Chris Johnson, Ten (11): 16, 1,047-4.0-4, 57-418-0
6. Matt Forte, Chi (6): 12, 997-4.9-3, 52-490-1
7. Darren McFadden, Oak (5): 7, 614-5.4-4, 19-154-1
8. DeMarco Murray, Dal (5): 13, 897-5.5-2, 26-183-0
9. Steven Jackson, StL (9): 15, 1,145-4.4-5, 42-333-1
10. Ryan Mathews, SD (7): 14, 1,091-4.9-6, 50-455-0
11. Adrian Peterson, Min (11): 12, 970-4.7-12, 18-139-1
12. Marshawn Lynch, Sea (11): 15, 1,204-4.2-12, 28-212-1
13. Fred Jackson, Buf (8): 10, 934-5.5-6, 39-442-0
14. Michael Turner, Atl (7): 16, 1,340-4.5-11, 17-168-0
15. Frank Gore, SF (9): 16, 1,211-4.3-8, 17-114-0
16. Jamaal Charles, KC (7): 2, 83-6.9-0, 5-9-1
17. Trent Richardson, Cle (10): Rookie
18. Darren Sproles, NO (6): 16, 603-6.9-2, 86-710-7
19. Shonn Greene, NYJ (9): 16, 1,054-4.2-6, 30-211-0
20. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG (11): 12, 659-3.9-9, 34-267-2
21. Reggie Bush, Mia (7): 15, 1,086-5.0-6, 43-296-1
22. Isaac Redman, Pit (4): 16, 479-4.4-3, 18-78-0
23. Willis McGahee, Den (7): 15, 1,199-4.8-4, 12-51-1
24. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cin (8): 16, 667-3.7-11, 9-159-0
25. Doug Martin, TB (5): Rookie
26. Stevan Ridley, NE (9): 16, 421-5.1-1, 3-13-0
27. Jonathan Stewart, Car (6): 16, 761-5.4-4, 47-413-1
28. Beanie Wells, Ari (10): 14, 1,047-4.3-10, 10-52-0
29. Roy Helu, Was (10): 15, 640-4.2-2, 49-379-1
30. DeAngelo Williams, Car (6): 16, 836-5.4-7, 16-135-0
31. Ben Tate, Hou (8): 15, 942-5.4-4, 13-98-0
32. Donald Brown, Ind (4): 16, 645-4.8-5, 16-86-0
33. Peyton Hillis, KC (7): 10, 587-3.6-3, 22-130-0
34. C.J. Spiller, Buf (8): 16, 561-5.2-4, 39-269-2
35. Toby Gerhart, Min (11): 16, 531-4.9-1, 23-190-3
36. Mark Ingram, NO (6): 10, 474-3.9-5, 11-46-0
37. James Starks, GB (10): 13, 578-4.3-1, 29-216-0
38. Kevin Smith, Det (5): 7, 356-4.9-4, 22-179-3
39. Felix Jones, Dal (5): 12, 575-4.5-1, 33-221-0
40. Michael Bush, Chi (6): 16, 997-3.8-7, 37-418-1
41. Evan Royster, Was (10): 6, 328-5.9-0, 9-68-0
42. Daniel Thomas, Mia (7): 13, 581-3.5-0, 12-72-1
43. LeGarrette Blount, TB (5): 14, 781-4.2-5, 15-148-0
44. Jahvid Best, Det (5): 6, 390-4.6-2, 27-287-1
45. David Wilson, NYG (11): Rookie
46. Ryan Williams, Ari (10): Didn't play
47. Ronnie Brown, SD (7): 16, 136-3.2-1, 0-0-0
48. Mike Goodson, Oak (5): 16, 452-4.4-3, 1-4-0
49. Shane Vereen, NE (9): 5, 57-3.8-1, 0-0-0
50. Bernard Scott, Cin (8): 16, 380-3.4-3, 13-38-0

NOTE: All statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: In the last two seasons, Foster has rushed for 2,840 rush yards, caught 119 passes for 1,221 yards and scored 30 total TDs in 29 games. … Rice’s 15 TDs in 2011 were one more than he had combined in otherwise productive 2010 and ’09 seasons. … McCoy’s TDs were way up (from nine in 2010 to 20 last season), and his receiving numbers were significantly down (from 78 catches for 592 yards in 2010). … Jones-Drew had 30 total TDs in 2008 and ’09, but has averaged nine TDs in the last two years. … In 2009 and ’10, Johnson had 28 total TDs. … The Rams' Jackson has 60 total TDs in 115 career games, and 16 were in 2006. … Lynch had 24 TDs in his first five NFL seasons. … McFadden has missed 19 games in four years. … Turner has 50 rushing TDs in 59 games in four seasons with the Falcons. … Gore had 13 TDs in 14 games in 2009. He has 39 total TDs in the other 86 contests in which he has played in his career. ... Reggie Bush had never run for more than 581 yards in his first five NFL seasons. … In the last two games of the Steelers' 2011 season, including a postseason loss at Denver, Redman had 213 yards rushing, one TD and five catches for 39 yards. … Green-Ellis has 24 TDs the last two years. … The Panthers' Stewart had 21 TDs in his first two seasons and has eight in the last two. … DeAngelo Williams had 20 TDs in 16 contests in 2008. He has 22 total TDs in the other 64 games in which he has played. … Hillis had 13 total TDs, 1,654 total yards and 61 catches with the Browns in 2010.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Quarterbacks

NEXT: Wide receivers

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning turned 36 in March.

He is trying to recover from multiple neck surgeries that wiped out his 2011 season, and he admits his arm strength isn't completely back.

Then there's this: In his first 13 years in the NFL, Manning averaged 4,218 yards passing and 32 total touchdowns.

And this: In 2009 and 2010, he had norms of 4,600 yards and 33 TDs.

And this: Has there been a better fantasy quarterback in your lifetime? (Remember, Kurt Warner only had three huge years -- 1999, 2001 and 2008. Here, look.)

So where would you place Manning -- once as safe of a pick as you could make on draft day -- in the quarterback pecking order entering this season? I ranked him 10th, one behind another risky injury selection, Michael Vick, and one ahead of a safe choice, Matt Ryan.

The reasoning: If Manning plays the entire season, he could be better than any fantasy QB not named Rodgers, Brees, Brady and Newton.

Granted, he could also take a brutal hit that puts his career in jeopardy. But I would be willing to take that risk after the top nine QBs were off the board, knowing that I need to make sure I select another quarterback soon after.

Without further delay, our early rankings:

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Passing yards-TD-Int, Rushing yards-TD
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB (10): 15, 4,643-45-6, 257-3
2. Drew Brees, NO (6): 16, 5,476-46-14, 86-1
3. Tom Brady, NE (9): 16, 5,235-39-12, 109-3
4. Cam Newton, Car (6): 16, 4,051-21-17, 706-14
5. Matthew Stafford, Det (5): 16, 5,038-41-16, 78-0
6. Eli Manning, NYG (11): 16, 4,933-29-16, 15-1
7. Philip Rivers, SD (7): 16, 4,624-27-20, 36-1
8. Tony Romo, Dal (5): 16, 4,184-31-10, 46-1
9. Michael Vick, Phi (7): 13, 3,303-18-14, 589-1
10. Peyton Manning, Den (7): Did not play
11. Matt Ryan, Atl (7): 16, 4,177-29-12, 84-2
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pit (4): 15, 4,077-21-14, 70-0
13. Matt Schaub, Hou (8): 10, 2,479-15-6, 9-2
14. Jay Cutler, Chi (6): 10, 2,319-13-7, 55-1
15. Robert Griffin III, Was (10): Rookie
16. Joe Flacco, Bal (8): 16, 3,610-20-12, 88-1
17. Josh Freeman, TB (5): 15, 3,592-16-22, 238-4
18. Andy Dalton, Cin (8): 16, 3,398-20-13, 152-1
19. Carson Palmer, Oak (5): 10, 2,753-13-16, 20-1
20. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buf (8): 16, 3,832-24-23, 56-0
21. Alex Smith, SF (9): 16, 3,144-17-5, 179-2
22. Andrew Luck, Ind (4): Rookie
23. Sam Bradford, StL (9): 10, 2,164-6-6, 26-0
24. Matt Cassel, KC (7): 9, 1,713-10-9, 99-0
25. Mark Sanchez, NYJ (9): 16, 3,474-26-18, 103-6

NOTE: All statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: In the last four seasons, Rodgers has 147 combined passing and rushing touchdowns and has averaged 4,259 yards passing. ... In that same span, Brees has thrown for at least 4,388 yards and 33 TDs each year. ... Brady has a combined 79 TD tosses the last two years. ... Prior to playing a full season in 2011, Stafford appeared in 13 games in his first two NFL campaigns. ... Eli Manning has had three consecutive 4,000-yard seasons, and he has a norm of 29 TD passes in that stretch. ... Rivers, possibly because of the departure of Vincent Jackson in free agency, is underrated by some sites, despite averaging 4,399 yards and 30 TDs the last four seasons. ... Romo, who played six games in 2010, averaged 4,334 yards and 30 total TDs in 2009 and '11, when he appeared in all 16 contests each year. ... Ryan has norms of 3,941 yards and 30 total TDs since 2010. ... In 2009 and '10, Schaub averaged 16 games, 4,570 yards and 27 TDs. He could be a great value pick in the middle rounds. .. Flacco's yards passing the last three years: 3,613, 3,622 and 3,610. ... Freeman was terrible for much of last season, but was productive in 2010 (3,451 yards, 25 TDs, six interceptions). ... If Sanchez holds off the legend of Tim Tebow and starts all season, he is better than many fantasy backups. He had 32 combined passing and rushing TDs in 2011.

NEXT: Running backs

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Fantasy baseball: Three winners from the trade deadline

Unless you're a big believer in Casey McGhee or think going from Philadelphia to San Francisco is exactly what Hunter Pence needed, Tuesday's trade deadline in Major League Baseball was slightly more exciting than the 2012 Houston Astros.

Three players, however, stand out to us in fantasy following a day in which the Indians added another left-handed bat -- only he will play in Triple-A, and his name is Lars.

1. Ryan Dempster, SP, Rangers: Switching from the National League (Cubs) to the American League likely won't lower his 2.25 ERA or his 1.04 WHIP, but Dempster should vastly improve upon his 5-5 record. Since June 5, he is 5-2 with a 1.40 ERA. In nine starts in April and May with the lowly Cubbies, he had a 2.90 ERA -- and was winless (0-3). The Rangers are 59-43 and are a half-game behind the Yankees for the best mark in the AL.

2. Zack Greinke, SP, Angels: Like Dempster, Greinke's ERA might rise, but he should win more often. Greinke was 9-3 in Milwaukee, but he could have been much better after allowing zero or one run in 11 of his 21 starts. Granted, he had a tough-luck loss in his Angels debut Sunday (two runs in seven innings against the Rays), but Greinke is a strikeout machine (130 in as many innings) who should be expected to thrive on a team that is 47-30 since a 10-17 start.

3. Greg Holland, RP, Royals: He didn't go anywhere, but Jonathan Broxton did (to Cincinnati), leaving the closer's job to a pitcher who has struck out 153 batters in 118 1/3 innings in his three-year big-league career. Holland hasn't been very effective this season (4-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.56 WHIP), but he was fantastic in 2011 (5-1, 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 74 Ks in 60 innings, four saves) and he clearly has the stuff to pitch in the ninth inning. Granted, the Royals might not give him a ton of save opportunities, but in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues, many owners will welcome a late-season saves boost.

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