My Knowshon Moreno Blog

Nothing in the sports world is more fun than the NFL Draft ... and nothing is getting any bigger and better. It's probably the fourth or fifth most attractive event now, behind only the Super Bowl, World Series, NCAA Championship football game and the Masters (if Tiger Woods plays).

With 32 teams making selections, there's bound to be a surprise or two or more, and that just heightens the appeal. We're going to predict some shockers for this year's draft ... we're not saying they will happen, but hey, they could.

SHOCKER NO. 1: No team is more unpredictable than the Patriots. Master guru Bill Belichick always has some tricks up his sleeve.

Last year, he surprised by taking Tennessee linebacker Jerrod Mayo at No. 10. He was rewarded by seeing Mayo voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

This year, he holds a trump card with his in-demand backup quarterback Matt Cassel. We think he'll send Cassel to Tampa Bay for its top pick, No. 19.

Why Tampa? Because Tampa is bringing in a new GM and new coach, and the new regime will want to make a splash. Also, previous coach Jon Gruden was fired in part for not developing a young quarterback.

That will give the Pats No. 19 and No. 23 ... but wait. By the time they select, the top four linebackers will probably be gone (Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, USC's Rey Maualuga, Wake Forest's Aaron Curry and Virginia's Clint Sintim), the top cornerback (Ohio State's Michael Jenkins) and the top two defensive linemen (Boston College's B.J. Raji and Mississippi's Peria Jerry).

Of; course, not all of them could be gone but Belichick can't take that chance, so he'll trade up with his two picks for San Francisco's at No. 10. Remember, these two teams have traded before and it helped both ... the Pats ended up with Mayo and the 49ers with good young left tackle Joe Staley. The 49ers have a multiplicity of needs, so they'll be glad to get two for one. Belichick would rather have one terrific player than two OK-to-good ones.

The Pats could take Maualuga or Jenkins for more obvious needs and do just fine. But we think Belichick's ultimate shocker will be Jerry, a powerful, explosive DT. New England's defensive line, always the strength of the team, suddenly is getting old ... Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green will be 30 next season, Vincent Wilfolk and Ty Warren 28. Belichick will think ahead and groom a top young talent in there.

SHOCKER NO. 2: The top quarterback prospect, Matthew Stafford of Georgia, will watch unhappily as he plummets.

Stafford looks a bit mechanical and robotic. Size matters in the NFL and Stafford, supposedly 6-foot-3, is shorter than this past season's top two rookie QBs, Matt Ryan of Atlanta (6-4) and Joe Flacco of Baltimore (6-6).

But also, agents for highly picked QBs demand not only the sun and the moon but the entire universe. A career-killing holdout frequently ensues. So why sign yourself up a hassle when he's far from a sure thing?

We think Stafford will fall to No. 17 and the Jets. He's worth No. 17 money, not top money.

SHOCKER NO. 3: The other touted QB prospect, USC's Mark Sanchez, dismayed his college coach, Pete Carroll, by coming out early. Carroll didn't think he was ready.

We don't, either. He isn't as good as one of his predecessors, Matt Leinart, who has failed to impress in three seasons with Arizona.

QB-hungry Minnesota, at No. 22, would at first glance seem a likely destination for Sanchez. But wait. Last year (in the fifth round!) the Vikings drafted John David Booty, who was the other predecessor at USC. So they already have the guy Sanchez couldn't beat out in college.

We think Sanchez will fall to the second or third round.

SHOCKER NO. 4: Ohio State running back Beanie Wells will be the biggest slider. He has top talent but unfortunately, he has suffered frequent injuries his past two seasons; wouldn't you know it, he missed most of the second half against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl with a concussion.

This isn't a criticism of Wells ... it just seems he's unlucky. But teams can't afford the risk of shelling out huge bucks to a guy who has a track record of not seeing the field. Georgia's Knowshon Moreno is just as good as Wells and will be the first running back selected.

SHOCKER NO. 5: Draftniks ... the need-a-life guys who immerse themselves in draft scenarios to the point of obsession ... like to show how smart they are by having a team or two pick a tight end in the first round.

That's a loser's game. Tight end has become a low-impact part of the offense for almost all teams. They can wait until round 2 or 3 if they need one. We don't think anyone will take a tight end in round 1 this year ... if a team does so, it's nuts.

SHOCKER NO. 6: OK, so if the Detroit Lions with the overall top pick don't take a QB ... and why should they since Stafford wouldn't be any better than incumbent Daunte Culpepper ... what will they do?

Well, they won't ... or shouldn't ... take an offensive tackle, either. They already have good-enough veteran Jeff Backus at left tackle and last year they unwisely listened to the draftniks and picked Gosder Cherilus at right tackle ... he turned out to be the rookie flop of the year.

The Lions' defense is the worst in the league. That's what their priority should be. We think they will opt for huge (6-7, 265) DE Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech if he tests out sensationally well at the NFL Combine, and he probably will, to obtain the difference-maker they need. If not, they should choose Laurinaitis, who has been slipping in most projections but would provide the speed, smarts, hitting power and rock-intensity leadership they need.

And remember, you read it here first. If it doesn't happen, forget you read it here first.

By Gerry Storch

Gerry Storch is editor and administrator of http://www.ourblook.com, a political discussion/media analysis website that fills the gap between a blog and a book. In his journalism days, he was sports editor of Gannett News Service.

After an utterly unbelievable 2008 season, which was in by no manner short on thrills, the 2009 college football season is nearly upon us. Training camps are into high gear, and the season is roughly a month away. Recently the Preseason Coach's Polls were released, with the top of the rankings looking very familiar to their predecessor. Defending National Champion Florida is sitting at number one, with Texas and Oklahoma sitting squarely behind at two and three, with USC and Alabama filling out the remainder of the Top-10. All five of these teams are loaded, and it is a very real possibility that one of these five teams will be the BCS National Champion of 2009. So with that said, let's take a look at each of the Top-25 teams, and see what 2009 may have in store for them.

1.) Florida Gators

After winning their second BCS Championship in the last three years, Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow, and the Florida Gators look to add another one to the trophy case. Doing so will arguably make them team of the decade, which most would hardly argue with. Florida has 20 returning starters, and one of the finest recruiting classes in the country, which make for another run for a title very, very possible. Their schedule isn't near ly as difficult as it was the previous year, with the only real challenge coming when they travel to Death Valley to meet LSU. Seriously though, we could be witnessing history when it's all said and done. Tebow could win his second Heisman, and the Gators could win their third BCS Championship in four years. So, 2009 could very well feel like its predecessor, because the Gators are once again the team to watch, and the team that probably won't get beat.

2.) Texas Longhorns

After defeating Oklahoma last year, the Texas Longhorns were denied a spot in the National Championship Game. As a consolation prize, they had to settle for besting Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, which isn't bad either. However, that is the past, and Mack Brown and Colt McCoy are shooting for the moon, as they look to be playing in Pasadena come January. McCoy was outstanding last year, and is now protected by a bigger, more experienced line, which should open holes for a better running game. At times last year, McCoy had to run the ball too often, but that shouldn't be the case this year. Defensively, there will be changeover as the Longhorns lose a number of defensive linemen from a unit that accumulated a nation-best 47 sacks. With all that said though it's going to come down to the game in Dallas where their rivalry with Oklahoma will reconvene. The winner of that game will almost guaranteed a spot in the BCS Championship Game.

3.) Oklahoma Sooners

Despite coming up short in the BCS Championship Game, the Oklahoma Sooners are poised to make another run at that crown. Bob Stoops has reigning-Heisman winner Sam Bradford behind center once again, and deep backfield, the best tight end in the country, and a number of blazers at the receiver positions. The defense is back intact too, with better depth, and more experience from a unit that was the team's weakness a season ago. They allowed too many big plays in 2008, and need to be better in 2009 if they wish to get to Pasadena this January. The most important thing for stoops to attend to is the offensive line, which returns just one starter from last years group, which was scary-good. Bradford was rarely touched last year, but he might have to get his jersey dirty this season.

4.) USC Trojans

It was business as usual for Pete Carroll and the Trojans in 2008, as they won their fourth consecutive Rose Bowl, and finished in the AP Top-4 for the seventh straight season. This was tempered a bit by their loss at Oregon State, which ultimately kept them from competing for a BCS Championship. The unexpected loss of quarterback Mark Sanchez would seem like an issue, but for a program that is as loaded like USC, there are a number of very capable passers just waiting to step up. They have a very experienced, deep offensive line, and the best skill position players in the nation, so whoever is behind center should fair very well. The defense, which was historically great last season, lost a number of playmakers, particularly the linebackers, but has more than enough talent in waiting to plug the holes. The Trojans will challenge for another National Championship, but they will probably end up in their fifth consecutive Rose Bowl, which really isn't all that bad.

5.) Alabama Crimson Tide

In just his second season as the headman in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban kept the Crimson Tide atop the BCS standings for the majority of the season. However their last two games weren't that savory. Alabama fell to eventual National Champion Florida in the SEC Championship Game, and was then embarrassed by Utah in the Sugar Bowl. What Saban doesn't have this year is an experienced quarterback, but he's got just about everything else covered. The defense will be a monster, and the skill positions, and special teams are dynamic. It shouldn't be overlooked that the Tide lost three starters on the offensive line, which was arguably the best in the nation last year. Alabama doesn't face Florida in the regular season, and another Top-10 finish is very likely for the highest-paid coach in college football.

6.) Ohio State Buckeyes

Last year was a bit of a transition for the Buckeyes, who handed the reigns over to super-frosh Terrelle Pryor early in the season. Pryor had his ups and downs, but the dual-threat quarterback is the firm starter in 2009, and its a matter of time before we start to see the consistency he lacked last season. When this happens, look out. What could hold him back is inexperience at the skill positions. Both leading receivers are gone, and punishing back Beanie Wells is too. The offensive line needs tinkering with as well, especially at left tackle. Think replacing all of that is bad, then take a look at the defense, which won't be as polished or as deep as it was last season. Let's not forget about the looming matchup with USC in the Horseshoe, for the Trojans annihilated the Buckeye's a season ago. There are also road games at Penn State and Michigan and this could be a challenging season for Ohio State. But you know what? I got a feeling that Jim Tressel and Pryor are up to the task.

7.) Virginia Tech Hokies

Could it be that Virginia Tech once again looks to be the class of the ACC? Even after a supposed rebuilding season, the Hokies were able to muster another appearance in the Orange Bowl, where they thumped Big East Champion Cincinnati. Sophomore Tyrod Tyler is the unquestioned starter at quarterback, while Frank Beamer will benefit form having 17 starters return from last year's unit. Taylor's ability to break down a defense with his feet makes us reminisce to the day's of another Hokies passer, while a deep staple of running backs should give Beamer the luxury of being able to run the ball on just about anyone. The offensive line is arguably the ACC's best as well. The only real issue for Virginia Tech is the inexperience of the defense. With that said though, they are still oozing with talent. We'll see just how good these Hokies are early because they'll open their season against Alabama in Atlanta, which is no easy task.

8.) Penn State Nittany Lions

2008 nearly became Joe Paterno's ride into the sunset, as the Nittany Lions' flirted with the number one ranking in the country all the way into late November, before they fell on the road at Iowa. Despite that shortcoming they managed to win their second Big Ten Championship in the last four years. Leadership is something that Penn State has returning this year, which is a very good thing. Dynamic quarterback Daryll Clark is back for one more season, while linebacker Sean Lee leads an always-imposing defense. The problem for Paterno could lie with the departure of three big time receivers, as well as two of his top offensive lineman. That considered, it would be unrealistic for the Lions to put up the staggering amount of points that they did a season ago. They do however have a very easy non-conference schedule, and get Ohio State at home this season as well. Look for Penn State to challenge for another Big Ten crown, with another ten-win season in the cards.

9.) LSU Tigers

Despite a season that saw them get thumped by both Georgia and Florida in ridiculous fashion, the LSU Tigers closed out their title defense with a very impressive demolition of Georgia Tech in their bowl game. From that game came the emergence of sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who will be expected to take the Tigers back to the top of the BCS ladder. His improvement could give LSU what they need to vault past Alabama in the SEC West. Les miles has the conference's best group of running backs and receivers at his disposal so expect this unit to fly. The only things that could slow the Tigers down for an eventual meeting with the gators in Atlanta is the fact that they lack experience on the defensive front, and that their chief competition in the conference, Alabama and Mississippi, don't have to play Florida.

10.) Mississippi Rebels

Before Houston Nutt took the Job in Mississippi, the Rebels were winless in the SEC. In his first season, the reverend drove his team to five SEC wins, one of which came against Florida in the Swamp. They then finished up a six-game winning streak with a beat down of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. So what will Nutt do for an encore? During that winning streak, quarterback Jevan Snead threw 16 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. Big things are expected out of the young passer, for he is probably the best pro prospect in the nation. Snead is surrounded by a fine collection of receivers and backs, one of which is Dexter McCluster. There are also 16 returning starters for the Rebels, which might just be enough to put them in their first-ever SEC Championship Game. But then again, that just might be a year away.

11.) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Look anywhere throughout this Top-25 Poll, and you'll be hard pressed to find another team that has the firepower on offense that the Oklahoma State Cowboys have. Between quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter, and wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Cowboys have arguably the best player at their respective position in the country. The problem though for Oklahoma State is that they are perennially one of the biggest risk/reward teams in the country. Yes they put up a lot of points and a massive amount of yards, but they don't play much defense, which is the primary reason they haven't overtaken Texas or Oklahoma in the Big 12 South. For example they scored 41 points against the Sooners, and still lost by three touchdowns. In fact, the Cowboys haven't finished better than 74th in the nation in total defense since 2001. With that said, don't expect them to overtake the giants of the conference until they find a way to stop their opposition.

12.) California Golden Bears

California has proven to be one of the most consistent programs I the nation since Jeff Tedford took over the job in 2002. If not for USC, they very well might have ended their lengthy 51-year Rose Bowl draught by now. With USC reloading, this may be the year for the golden Bears or maybe not. California was hit hard by the draft losing six starters to the NFL, and needs to find a quarterback. There are 15 starters coming back from a nine-win season, so there is quality depth for the Bears. Tedford has been a wizard when it has come to developing quarterbacks in the past, but Kevin Riley has yet to take the proper steps towards making Cal one of the nation's elite. He doesn't have much help in the passing game both as the receiving corps hasn't matured and lacks experience. What Tedford does have though, is arguably the most explosive running back in the country, in the form of Jahvid Best. Best averaged 8.8 yards per carry a season ago, despite dealing with injuries late in the season. He was so explosive, that he had seven rushes of at least 60 yards in 2008. If Cal does in fact overtake USC this season, best will be the catalyst. However if Riley can't take the next step forward, neither will Cal.

13.) Georgia Bulldogs

This time last season the Georgia Bulldogs were a lot higher on this list. In fact, they were the Preseason Number One in 2008. Well, that was not to be as Mark Richt's unit finished at a very respectable 10-3. Now Mathew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are gone, leaving a number of talented players to fill the roles of the former stars. Richt has recruited well, and the offensive line is a much more experienced group than they were a year ago. The Bulldog's fortunes could rest on the arm of quarterback Joe Cox, who has had experience in the past as the starting quarterback. The defense should be strong once more, with defensive tackle Jeff Owens returning from a knee injury which sidelined him all of 2008. The Dawgs will open up the season at Oklahoma State, and will eventually have to endure the rigors of the SEC, which is no walk in the park. Still, Georgia has yet to finish outside of the Top-25 under Richt's watch; so nine wins shouldn't be a stretch for the Bulldogs.

14.) Oregon Ducks

Changeover is the theme in Oregon, as Mike Bellotti is no longer roaming the sideline in Eugene. Former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was elevated to the position, as the Ducks look to capitalize on USC going through a change in passers (for what that's worth). Kelly's "read-option" offense has the pote ntial to be explosive, and with Jeremiah Masoli running the show, a third consecutive Top-10 finish in total offense is very possible. Masoli, who won the job amidst multiple injuries, rushed for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008, and looks to take the Ducks back to the top of the polls. What could hinder them from doing so is the fact that there are only 10 returning starters on this year's team, which is the lowest in the conference. Oregon also gets a tough test to open the season, as they travel to Boise, Idaho, to take on the 16th ranked Broncos on the blue turf. However when it comes to conference play, the Ducks will host both USC and Cal this season. Ten wins and a Rose Bowl bid could be very probable for the Ducks in 2009.

15.) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Paul Johnson's first year at the helm at Georgia Tech was truly an impressive one. He brought his famed "triple option" offense to the ACC with fantastic results. The Yellow Jackets put up ten wins in 2008, and 17 starters back on both sides of the ball, including ACC Offensive Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer and dual-threat quarterback Josh Nesbitt. Nesbitt suffered a balky shoulder towards the end of the previous season but has looked great thus far in camp. Besides he's just as dangerous a threat on the ground as any of the other four running backs that Johnson has in his arsenal. One thing that Johnson must address however is the defensive line, which lost all four starters from a very stellar unit. If they can fill the holes left on that defensive front, we could be looking at a team that is primed to join the ranks of the nation's elite.

16.) Boise State Broncos

If not for a 17-16 loss at the hands of TCU, the Boise State Broncos would have been joined Utah as the only undefeated team in the nation. With that performance aside, the broncos averaged 49 points per game, and did so with a freshman quarterback and 11 different starting combinations on the offensive line. The experience gained by Kellen Moore coupled with continuity up front should make Boise once again one of the most prominent offenses in the country. What could stifle them though is the fact that they only have one returning starter on defense to start the season. That shouldn't be too big of a concern, for the Broncos usually just outscore all their opponents anyway. With that said, we'll know where they stand after their season-opening matchup with the 14th ranked Oregon Ducks on the blue turf in Boise.

17.) TCU Horned Frogs

Does anyone find it odd that there are there are three Mountain West Conference teams ranked in the Preseason Top-25? The winner of this conference has finished 16th or higher in the polls in each of the last 5 years, two of which they finished 2nd and 4th. Well it shouldn't come as a surprise that the first of these teams, TCU is occupying this spot. The Horned Frogs have been no stranger to the polls over the last 5 years, and look poised to be there once more. There is experience and efficiency at quarterback with Andy Dalton, and perennially one of the nastiest defenses in the nation. The Horned frogs haven't allowed more than 18.7 points and 330 yards per game in each of the last four seasons. What could hinder them though is that they only have 4 returning starters on that side of the ball, but one of them is defensive end Jerry Hughes who posted 15 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in 2008. They also get two solid no conference games to start the season, opening up at Virginia before facing Clemson in Week 3. Look for TCU to win their first MWC Championship since 2005.

18.) Utah Utes

After finishing the season as the only undefeated team in the nation, it was understandable as to why the Utah Utes had such a gripe with the BCS. They finished ranked 2nd in the nation, after overwhelming the powerful Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. However with great success apparently comes great departures, as Utah must replace both coordinators, their best offensive player (quarterback Brian Johnson), best defensive player (defensive end Paul Kruger), and the best combo kicker in the nation (Louie Sakoda). While they may not be BCS-caliber, they still have the potential of making headway, as they have three tough road games at Oregon, TCU, and BYU, which will go a long way in determining where they will be at the end of the season.

19.) Florida State Seminoles

With a cheating scandal hanging over their heads which could possibly cost Bobby Bowden to vacate a number of wins from a few seasons ago, their was one good thing to come out of 2008 for the Seminoles; they found a quarterback. Ponder proved to be an outstanding athlete that took to playing the position well last season, but Florida State will now need him to take the next step if they want to get back to the days of dominance in the 90's. Bowden wants to run the ball, and it looks like this season he just may have the offensive line to do it. The defense looks to be up to the school's lofty standards again, but the special teams unit leaves a lot to be desired. The Seminoles open the season up against Miami at home, and have tough road games against both North Carolina and Florida to close out the season. With all that said, 2009 is all about Ponder, and whether or not he can take this team to the next level, because if he can't, we could be looking at the end of an era in Tallahassee.

20.) North Carolina Tar Heels

With the ACC throne figuratively vacant at the moment, the North Carolina Tar Heels could be the team that vacates that position. Butch Davis has quietly built a monster, which very well could explode this season. The defense returns 9 starters, four of which comprise a defensive line that has the potential to be dominant. The Tar Heels are solid at quarterback with T.J. Yates, but must find a way to replace arguably the most explosive receiving corps in the conference, which featured first round pick Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate. The backfield could be explosive though. The only other real possible obstacle for North Carolina is ironically the health of Yates, who missed time last season with a broken ankle, and even suffered a thumb injury catching a Frisbee in the spring. Look for the Tar Heels to improve on their previous 8-5 campaign, but don't be surprised if Davis and company are still just one year away.

21.) Iowa Hawkeyes

After being a surprise contender in the Big Ten last season, Kirk Ferentz and his Hawkeye's must find a way to replace all the things that made them great last year. They must find a replacement for rugged running back Shonn Greene, who rushed for 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns to lead the conference. They must also find replacements for both the interiors of the offensive and defensive lines. The defense does return 8 starters, and if they can muster the type of performance they did a season before where they held the opposition to just 13.0 points per game, then Ferentz could really have something brewing. What he absolutely needs more than anything is for quarterback Ricky Stanzi to take the next step forward, after the first-time starter had an impressive first season at the helm. Stanzi was key in IowaâEUR(TM)s upset of undefeated Penn State as he engineered the game-winning drive. How he handles more of the load this season will go a long way in determining Iowa's success in 2009.

22.) Nebraska Cornhuskers

The rebuilding process that second-year Head Coach Bo Pelini is amidst in Nebraska is proving to be a tedious one, but after an 8-4 regular season, the Huskers pulled a nice upset of Clemson in the Gator Bowl to build some momentum going into 2009. The talks of a revival should simmer down a bit, or at least until Nebraska makes it out of the first month of the season, which features games at 7th ranked Virginia Tech and Missouri. Winning the Big 12 North however is very possible for the Huskers; especially with Missouri likely taking a step back this season. Pelini will have to coax steady play out of junior quarterback Zac Lee, who is taking over for the productive Joe Ganz. Remember, Nebraska has played in only one Big 12 Championship Game in the last 10 years.

23.) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Irish were 7-6 a season ago, and won their first bowl game in what seems like ages. Things are definitely looking up for Notre Dame in 2009, and their ranking in this very poll is evidence of that. They may not be contenders for the BCS Title, but the Fighting Irish definitely look like they can win ten games this season. First and foremost Jimmy Clausen and the offense look like they finally have experience to put up huge numbers. Charlie Weis has the kind of depth at receiver and running back that he hasn't had since his first season with the Irish. The defense has been making strides too, as they could field possibly one of the best secondaries in the nation. However, there are question marks across both the offensive and defensive lines, where experience is sorely lacking. The kicking games are suspect as well. The overriding factor though may be the schedule; for the Irish face all of their tough opponents at home, and with the exception of USC, they're all very beatable.

24.) BYU Cougars

Last season, BYU reached as high as 10th in the polls before falling to the bottom of the Top-25 after losses to both TCU and Utah. For all the boasting that they were a Top-25 caliber team, they were a combined 49 points worse than their two superior conference counterparts. Fortunately, they have just about all of their explosive offense back intact; quarterback Max Hall, tight end Dennis Pitta, and running back Harvey Unga, who will be responsible for lighting up score boards this fall. This year they get both Utah and TCU at home, as well as Florida State, which could cement the Cougars into the Top-25 this season, and possibly give them a different destination come bowl season aside from the Las Vegas Bowl. They will however, get a test of epic proportions to start the season as they take on 3rd ranked Oklahoma on a neutral field in Arlington, Texas.

25.) Oregon State Beavers

After pulling the upset of season in knocking off number-one ranked USC, the Oregon State Beavers fell one game short of their first Pac Ten Title since 2000. In 2009 for the Beavers to contend, they will have to rely on their offense, and the game-breaking talents of twin brothers Jaquizz and James Rodgers. These two tailbacks are electrifying, and are the prime reason why they were able to upset the Trojans last year. There is however a bit of a quarterback controversy brewing in Corvallis as Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao battle it out. The offensive line will be revamped, but the real questions are on defense, where there are only three returning starters. Rebuilding a defense tends to lead to trouble, and the Beavers must replace their entire secondary. There will also be three new defensive lineman on the front as well, so the defense could be a major detriment for the beavers in 2009.

Joe Martin
http://www.oraclesports.net

Mark your calendars and ice the beer, because the fantasy football season is about to begin. It's doubtful that this season's crop of rookies will make a significant impact on any team but there are a few rooks worth keeping an eye on. If you play fantasy football online and have been working on preparing for your upcoming drafts, consider this list of promising rookies.

Rookie Quarterbacks Everyone Are Talking About

When it comes to quarterbacks, there's a reason NFL.com named Matthew Stafford "the most NFL-ready quarterback in the 2009 draft" (Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange). As team captain, he carried his team undefeated through the bowl games. He scans the field quickly for openings, and places the ball accurately regardless of distance. His footwork is quick and nimble in the pocket, and he can successfully complete a pass while defenders are taking him down.

On the flip side, Mark Sanchez may bring the Jets a winning season. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to place the ball accurately anywhere on the field. His over-the-top delivery is effortless, and he recognizes a blitz quickly and reacts accordingly. He's accurate in a pinch as well, such as in a rollout.

Of course, any veteran of fantasy football knows to have caution when ranking rookie QBs. To illustrate this point, let's look at some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brett Favre, John Elway, and even Dan Marino experienced a boost in their fantasy value after their first year in the NFL. Although Stafford and Sanchez have notable prowess, it's more likely that we'll see their talents reflected in fantasy football leagues over the next few years, but not necessarily during this season. With that said, rookie running backs can be magical in fantasy football (just look at what Matt Forte and Chris Johnson did last season).

Rookie Running Backs Fantasy Diehards are Watching

For 2009, keep an eye on Knowshon Moreno. He can power through the first line of defense, and has surprisingly soft hands that could boost his value in PPR leagues. According to NFL.com, Moreno is an "extreme competitor who can put the team on his shoulders," (Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange).

Chris "Beanie" Wells is another notable up-and-coming running back. FantasyFootballXtreme.com named him their #1 rookie to watch, and for good reason. He rushed for over 3000 yards during his time at THE Ohio State University. He's known for finding holes in the defense and he has a jarring stiff-arm to thwart defenders and possesses uncanny breakaway speed. Unfortunately, his history of injuries could be a risk factor.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw great things from Donald Brown. He's quite a fast and agile player. Rare to rookies, he has a great sense of balance, which he uses to deceive the defense. He could become quite a weapon for the Colts this season.

Rookie Wide Receivers You Don't Want to Overlook

If you're debating which rookie wide receiver to add to your team, Hakeem Nicks has the goods. He set school records at UNC for receptions, touchdown catches, and receiving yards. He has great hands and can hang onto the ball even after hard hits. He can distance himself from defenders during a breakaway, and is tough enough to generate a lot of yards after catch.

Michael Crabtree has a bright future as well. Originally, he was the quarterback of his high school and went to college on a two-sport scholarship. As a wide receiver, he made 231 receptions in two seasons. His hands are smooth and able to catch the ball regardless of whether it's inside or outside his body. There's no doubt that he's a competitor that will flourish over time.

A Rookie Tight End that Might Deliver During the 2009 Fantasy Football Season

It's a risk to use a rookie as your tight end in fantasy football games, but if you're willing to chance it, then Brandon Pettigrew is your best bet. He set a record at Oklahoma State University for the most receptions. And at 265-pounds, Pettigrew can throw a hefty block. If he's running the ball, he can pull the defenders along with him. All in all, he'll be a fierce competitor in the 2009 season.

Jason McCoy, aka "The Real McCoy", is owner and creator of the fantasy football web site http://www.Stinkball.com.

In honor of the most overrated (Susan no-talent Boyle) and the underrated (Kelly Ripa - she gets skinnier every kid) celebrities on T.V., here are the Susan Boyles and Kelly Ripas of each AFC team.

AFC East:

1) New England Patriots

SB: Benjamin Watson (TE) - Only 22 catches last year for 209 yards. If he keeps this up, newly acquired Chris Baker could have a better year than Watson.

KR: Fred Taylor (RB) - The former Jacksonville Jaguars running back had a career-low 556 yards on the ground, but Taylor could reach 1,000 yards if Tom Brady stays healthy.

2) Miami Dolphins

SB: Jason Allen (S) - Would anybody be shocked if the former Tennessee safety was cut in training camp? One interception last year; Bill Parcells should cut him now

KR: Cameron Wake (LB) - The former CFL star ran a 4.55 40 yard dash at the 2005 NFL Combine and should be another Bill Parcells hidden gem.

3) New York Jets

SB: Bart Scott (LB) - Let's see what Scott can do without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed playing next to him. He is a good player, just overpaid.

KR: Shonn Greene (RB) This rookie rushed for over 100 yards every game last year for Iowa. Green is a sleeper fantasy pick that will force the Jets to get rid of Thomas Jones or Leon Wahingston in 2010.

4) Buffalo Bills

SB: Chris Kelsay (DE) - This overpaid defensive end has 4.5 sacks the past two seasons. If rookie Aaron Maybin ends his hold out and has a good training camp, Kelsay could end up on the bench or cut.

KR: Reggie Corner (CB) - The former Akron cornerback is the favorite to start at nickel for the Bills. Ashton Youboty or Drayton Florence could get caught thanks to Corner (Appropriate last name, eh?)

AFC North:

1) Pittsburgh Steelers

SB: Limas Sweed (WR) - This was the hardest team to pick an overrated player but Sweed had too many drops as a rookie. Big Ben needs him to make up for the loss of Nate Washington.

KR: Rashard Mendenhall (RB) - The former Illinois running back played in only four games as a rookie. If he stays healthy, the defending Super Bowl champions should have no problem repeating with Parker and Mendenhall in the backfield.

2) Baltimore Ravens

SB: Le'Ron McClain (RB) - He was a fantasy stud last year, but I expect big things out of former Rutgers running back Ray Rice this season. Did I mention McClain is close to 20 pounds overweight and Rice added muscle in the offseason?

KR: L.J. Smith (TE) - The former Philadelphia Eagles tight end hasn't had over 300 yards in a season since 2006. I expect this to change with Todd Heap also on the downside of his career. Look for Joe Flacco to use Smith a lot more than McNabb did last season.

3) Cincinnati Bengals

SB: Chris Henry (WR) - Carson Palmer calls him Randy Moss Jr. I think that is a stretch and expect him to have a mediocre year now that Laveranues Coles is in town.

KR: Michael Johnson (DE) - I easily could have put the Bengals whole draft class here but Johnson could be the Bengals best pass rusher in two years. Johnson was a great third round pick.

4) Cleveland Browns

SB: Josh Cribbs (ATH) - I chuckle when kick returners hold out for more money. Cribbs is fun to watch but had only three touchdowns last season.

KR: Alex Mack (C) - He was picked in the first round so why do I consider him underrated? He will be one of the best centers in the NFL in three years, mark it down.

AFC South:

1) Tennessee Titans

SB: Nate Washington (WR) - Many Titans fans loved this pickup and I don't know why. The former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver hasn't reached 700 yards once in his three year career.

KR: Jared Cook (TE) - The former South Carolina tight end is in a great position to learn under tight end Bo Scaife. Cook will be the Titans starting tight end by 2011.

2) Indianapolis Colts

SB: Anthony Gonzalez (WR) - This former first round pick has yet to reach 1,000 yards. We will see what he can do this year without Al Capone Marvin Harrison.

KR: Austin Collie (WR) - This speedy former BYU receiver will be a favorite of Peyton Manning by the end of the year. A dark horse fantasy football pickup.

3) Houston Texans

SB: Matt Schaub (QB) - Remember when the Atlanta Falcons got ripped for trading away Schaub? He has yet to throw 16 touchdowns in a season. If he doesn't improve this season, the Texans need to look elsewhere in the offseason.

KR: Jeremiah Johnson (RB) - The rookie from Oregon should be a nice back up plan for Steve Slaton. Johnson had 18 touchdowns while splitting time as a senior at Oregon.

4) Jacksonville Jaguars

SB: Derrick Harvey (DE) - The former first round pick had 3.5 sacks as a rookie. Will the former Florida Gator approach five sacks this season?

KR: Rashad Jennings (RB) - I expect this seventh round pick to make the team and eventually be a good backup for Maurice Jones-Drew.

AFC West:

1) San Diego Chargers

SB: Craig Davis (WR) - The former first round pick has 247 yards total in his two-year career. Chargers fans will lose patience if Davis struggles again this season.

KR: Jacob Hester (RB) - The second-year running back will be a very good goal line back.

2) Denver Broncos

SB: Josh McDaniels (coach) - He has to be the dumbest coach in the NFL with some of the comments he has made. I expect him to struggle just like former New England Patriots assistants Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis did once they left Bill Belichick.

KR: Corey Buckhalter (RB) - If Knowshon Moreno struggles or gets injured, Buckhalter should pick up the slack.

3) Oakland Raiders

SB: JaMarcus Russell (QB) - How shocking is it that this guy was once the first overall pick? If I am Tom Cable (CABLE GUYYYYYYY) I am starting Jeff Garcia every game.

KR: Michael Bush (RB) - If he stays healthy, Bush could reach 800 yards, eight touchdowns.

4) Kansas City Chiefs

SB: Matt Cassel (QB) - This is a bold pick but I want to see him do it for two years straight. His cast is nowhere near as impressive as what he had in New England.

KR: Zach Thomas (LB) - This veteran is exactly what the Chiefs defense needs. Thomas doesn't have much left in the tank, so expect him to give it one last shot.

The following rankings are based on a fantasy football player's year to end season value. If a draft or auction were to occur today this is the rank and value we place on the players based on their past performance and predicted future production. The basis for the valuations is a 10 team league starting 1 QB 2 RB 2 WR 1 TE 1 K 1 Defense with a 50% yardage and 50% TD scoring system with no points awarded for receptions. The rankings are updated every Tuesday morning, allowing players to value their teams, analyze player values for trades and plan future moves to get the most return out of your Fantasy Football players.

RANK PLAYER DESCRIPTION AUCTION $

1 Chris Johnson Titans, RB

Faster than a speeding Usain Bolt, more powerful than a locomotive, able to jump tall lineman on a 4th down, it's a Falcon it's a Jet, it's Chris Johnson. $44

2 Adrian Peterson Vikings, RB

Despite having some erratic games and fumbling issues, if anyone's going to have a record setting year in '10, it feels like it could be AP. $40

3 Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars, RB

2009 stats feel like it could be his ceiling, even so, no complaints.....offense remains stable and a repeat performance very likely. $35

4 Ray Rice Ravens, RB

His weekly production is as reliable as Rush Limbaugh's 4th donut of the day. $34

5 Micheal Turner Falcons, RB

The Burner......if in the '08 season he was fueled by petroleum products......he apparently switched to "easy bake oven" technology '09.....he'll get it back on track in '10. $30

6 Frank Gore 49ers, RB

The forecast calls for high weekly averages with spotty nagging injuries all season. $27

7 Steven Jackson Rams, RB

This much potential hasn't been squandered since Matt Damon turned down Famke Jannsen in Rounders. $25

8 Andre Johnson Texans, WR

2009 receiving yards leader by over 200 yds. Potential for even more TD's, but his performance is tied to Schuab staying healthy. $24

9 Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals, WR

If Warner retires, the Cardinals WR's are going to be like Rage Against the Machine trying to go on without Zach de la Rocha. $23

10 Cedric Benson Bears, RB

The question is....does his deal with the devil extend into the 2010 season? Or does he go back to the Cedric we know and hate? $22

11 Ryan Grant Packers, RB

Not the sexiest RB in terms of flash, but he does his job well......oddly the exact opposite can be said of Megan Fox. $21

12 Jamaal Charles Chiefs, RB

The Chiefs miserable team is not doing him any favors, but he is the kind of guy that is going to find a way to get his. $21

13 DeAngelo Williams Panthers,RB

The perks at a time share pitch are all fun and games, but make sure you know what the Panthers are selling before you buy...basically, a full split of two great backs. $21

14 Vincent Jackson Chargers, WR

Is to San Diego WR's what MadMen is to AMC.....both have made something completely irrelevant worth watching now. $20

15 Rashard Mendenhall Steelers,RB

Although we don't expect him to be unbelievable in '10; being the lead RB in PIT guarentee's a certain level of scoring. $19

16 Reggie Wayne Colts, WR

Like Charlize Theron, were not sure what we'll get out of Reggie next; the hottie in The Italian Job or the psycho in Monster that murders your fantasy season. He killed fantasy owners down the stretch of '09. $19

17 Aaron Rodgers Packers,QB

If his offensive line continues to give him the sandlot approved 5 banana count again next year like they did the second half of '09, we expect him to be the top rated fantasy QB again. $19

18 Drew Brees Saints, QB

In each of the past 4 years he's put up a minimum of 4,300 yds and 26 tds. Not too bad of numbers to build a fantasy team around. $19

19 DeSean Jackson Eagles, WR

Despite the fact that is was a turbulent ride with big swings in production....he had the highest average pts/game among Fantasy WR's last year. $19

20 Brandon Marshall Broncos, WR

It seems like every year leading up to Fantasy Drafts/Auctions, there are a lot of questions and reasons not to go after #15...for now we remain very optimistic on his '10 season. $19

21 Peyton Manning Colts, QB

Is he pimping any insurance companies on TV yet? If not he should, because when he's your FF QB, you always feel like your in good hands. $18

22 Miles Austin Cowboys, WR

We found out that his 200 yd game was not a one hit wonder last year....now we're curious if his '09 season was....if it's not, look for Blind Melon, The Proclaimers, Chumbawumba and Hanson to be knocking on his door for advice. $18

23 Randy Moss Patriots, WR

Don't get me wrong, its not that we don't like Moss' '09 numbers, its just we're kind of left with a bad taste in our mouths with how he went out in his last few games. $18

24 Thomas Jones Jets, RB

If you seek flashy highlight reel TD replays, go elsewhere, but if you like reliable production, you've come to the right place...assuming Father Time doesn't finally take him down. $17

25 Ronnie Brown Miami, RB

He's still young and we love him when healthy, but how many times can he bounce back from injury and be his old self. $17

26 Calvin Johnson Lions, WR

Looking more like a 'second tier' transforming action figure of the 80's......Gobot in disguise! $15

27 Beanie Wells Cardinals, RB

The trend at the end of 2009 season was Wells finally started getting the bulk of the carries over Hightower. If that continues into 2010, Wells will post solid numbers. $15

28 Knowshon Moreno Broncos, RB

With just under 1000 yds rushing and 9 total td's in 2009, he didn't exactly blow us away, but it wasn't a disaster either. Entering his second year he'll be counted on more and should deliver. $14

29 Anquan Boldin Cardinals, WR

If it's not too late, someone call Jeff Probst, Boldin would absolutely destroy the competition in an "injury bug" challenge on Survivor. $14

30 Joesph Addai Colts, RB

Addai's only 26...apparently he, Danny Almonte and Greg Oden all get their fake id's from the same place. $13

31 Kevin Smith Lions, RB

If you can talk yourself into a Detroit Lions RB not named Barry Sanders, then by all means. $12

32 Pierre Thomas
Saints, RB

He plays Suzanne Summers in the Saints aggravating Three's Company sitcom. He is the hottest by far, yet Mike Bell in the role of the butch brunette gets far too much screen time $12

33 Tom Brady Patriots, QB

Like DeNiro/Pacino in Godfather II & Heat...Brady/Moss had some incredible highs, lets hope 2010 doesn't turn into a collect the paycheck year and pump out a 'Righteous Kill' type season. $12

34 Sidney Rice Vikings, WR

He'd still be good, but if Favre retires, we're not as bullish on Rice with T Jack or Gus throwing to him. $10

35 Greg Jennings Packers, WR

His reversal of fortune last season rivals only that of an ameteur competitive eater; one minute focused and poised for a Coney Island Championship, the next he's got semi-digested wet hot dogs & buns all over his shoes. $10

36 Roddy White Falcons, WR

Seriously, Mr. White....Mr. Blonde wants to know, "are you going to bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" $10

37 Steve Smith Carolina, WR

He's still near the front of the plane, it just feels like he's moved from first class to businees class after last year. $10

38 Matt Schaub Texans, QB

The under appreciated girl in high school who you knew was hot and now you're too late to the party. $9

39 Dallas Clark Colts, TE

Dallas International Airport is the nation's 3rd busiest, Dallas Clark is our #1 ranked TE. Suck it airport. $9

40 Antonio Gates Chargers, TE

No signs of SD going back to a run heavy offense with the aging LT-Style Electric Slider (he don't like that call) $9

41 Vernon Davis 49ers, TE

Has all the physical gifts to be in the movie Avatar, he just couldn't learn how to speak Na'Vi. $8

42 Chad Ochocinco Bengals, WR

He's never been a TD machine; it was always the consistent big yards & receptions that made him special, but with declining numbers in those areas, he starts to look more ordinary. $7

43 Phillip Rivers Chargers,QB

Trending well; since 2007 he's increased Yardage and TD totals while reducing INT's every year. $7

44 Owen Daniels Texans, TE

This ranking assumes a full recovery and return to 2009 form, when he was a top TE. $7

45 Matt Forte Bears, RB

The teen equivalent of going from Prom King to Chess Club in one year. High School can be so cruel. $7

46 Jonathon Stewart Panthers, RB

Would love him if he was the workhorse back in this offense, but might have to wait a little while longer for that scenario to play out. $7

47 Marques Colston Saints, WR

That's Marcus with a "Q". Oh, of course it is Mrs. Colston, what a lovely child. $6

48 Steve Smith Giants, WR

A great #2 Fantasy WR that will give you week in week out receptions and yardage. $6

49 Santonio Holmes Steelers, WR

If Santonio Holmes career parallels Larry Holmes career we believe next season could be the Gerry Cooney fight where Holmes really finds his stride. $6

50 Tony Romo Cowboys, QB

Tony Romo does a little too much peacocking to be a true Cowboy. He fell flat in the final game. He has been a bit streaky but with Austin, Witten and Jones their offense looks to be dangerous. $6

http://www.FantasyFortunes.com

In many Fantasy Football Drafts football afficianados like to see themselves as the genius who spots talent before anyone else, drafts a rookie a few rounds too early, has a monster year from that player, and is praised by his co-managers as the next Mel Kiper. While rookies can certainly provide much-needed help for your team, the key is in not spending too much on them by drafting them too early. Follow along as we cover Rookies in our Draft Day Do's and Dont's Series.

DO...
...watch as many pre-season games as you can! Seeing how a rookie is used by his team will help you get a better understanding of how valuable he is to his team. If a rookie RB is running the ball on situational downs only, this could be a warning sign. However, if a rookie RB like Knowshon Moreno can catch the ball well, run well on every down, and also convert in short yardage situations, and the Denver Broncos try him frequently in those spots in the pre-season, that is a great signal for you.

DO...
...pay close attention to their seasonal progress! A rookie may not get much attention in week 1 or 2, and then begin to take off week 3. Rookies in football week in and week out are sometimes one injury or opportunity away from making a starting spot. Matt Ryan threw a deep touchdown on his first pass as a pro for Atlanta, and began improving immediately, while Tight End John Carlson for Seattle took a while to get going.

DON'T...
...draft a rookie on Draft Day! I am serious, unless you want to take a flyer on a rookie in the last 2 or 3 rounds of your draft, do not draft a rookie at all. It is just too hit or miss, regardless how well you think you know football. I am sure you saw people pick Darren McFadden in the early rounds last year. Then he had foot problems all year, and scored only 4 times, starting only 5 games. The owners who drafted him in the 5th or 6th round were taking a huge chance while more well-known producers were passed up.

DON'T...
...fall in love with rookies who played for your favorite college team! I am a rabid, frothing at the mouth Georgia Bulldogs fan, and would love nothing more than to see Denver's Knowshon Moreno and Detroit's Matthew Stafford have huge fantasy years. But am I even contemplating picking them? NO! Some buffoon will pick Stafford in the 6th or 7th round and Moreno in the 5th or 6th, and I will take time-tested talent instead.

To summarize, Rookies can produce awesome results for you, but the best bet is to pick them up during the year, as their role is better defined for their team. Skip drafting a rookie at all, and enjoy Fantasy Success in 2009. And if you need any information or stats pre-season and all year long, go to the NFL website or check out The Sporting News Fantasy Football guide. I use these religiously, and used them to research this article series.

Patrick O'Neill, an 18 year Fantasy Football Veteran, endorses only one Fantasy Football League

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Georgia is coming off an 11-2 season capped by a huge 41-10 win over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. The team returns eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense. Head coach Mark Richt owns the fourth-best winning percentage (.791) among active coaches.

Junior Matthew Stafford returns at quarterback for the Bulldogs. Stafford's numbers (4,272 yards, 26 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 54.5% completions in two seasons) do not accurately reflect the amount of talent this kid possesses. The coaches spent the offseason working with Stafford on fundamentals.

Tailback Knowshon Moreno returns for his sophomore season. Moreno rushed for 1,334 yards last season, which stands as the second-best total by a freshman in school history. Moreno was also the second-leading rusher in the SEC.

The uncertainty on offense lies with an offensive line that will have new starters at four of the five positions. Four of the five starters will likely be sophomores. There are sure to be some growing pains with this young unit. Luckily for Georgia, they have a lot of talent at other positions that should keep this offense chugging along until this unit can jell.

The Bulldogs are extremely deep along the defensive line. Georgia has the capability to consistently rotate five tackles and six ends. Junior defensive tackle Geno Atkins is the cream of this crop. Georgia also has high aspirations for redshirt freshman Justin Houston, a converted linebacker.

The Bulldogs devoted much of the spring to working on their nickel package. The Georgia nickel package does not use a strong-side linebacker, so only linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (middle) and Rennie Curran (weak-side) see significant playing time.

The secondary is solid and returns three of four starters, including corners Asher Allen and Prince Miller, and strong safety C.J. Byrd. Sophomore Reshad Jones appears to be the new starter at free safety.

Freshman Blair Walsh appears to be the odds-on favorite to win the kicking job and senior Brian Mims is a solid punter who should have that job secured.

The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs have no shortage of talent. They'll likely go as far as Stafford and Moreno can take them. Georgia also has depth, especially on what could be a dominant defensive line. This team will be extremely tough if the offensive line comes together quickly and plays effectively.

But the Bulldogs have a very tough schedule. They have road games against Arizona State, LSU, Auburn and Florida (in Jacksonville). They also have a tough home game against Tennessee, who beat Georgia 35-14 last season. The only upside to having a schedule this tough is Georgia could lose a game (or possibly two) and still find themselves in the BCS National Championship game.

Expert sports handicapper Dwayne Bryant is the owner of Bullseye Sports Handicapping Service. Dwayne has enjoyed great handicapping success for over 20 years, as is evident by his incredibly large client base. His Best Bets are the stuff of legends. Dwayne gives free daily sports picks, including college football expert picks [http://www.bullseye-sports.com/free_ncaa_college_football_picks.php].

After months of analysis and projections leading up to the April 25-26 NFL draft followed by days of draft recap and team grades, we focus on what really matters to us; how the draft affects our fantasy football leagues.  While we may have thoughts on the absurdity of the contracts signed by high draft picks, it has no effect on our fantasy football team's payroll. Players may have been drafted higher or lower than projected, but that has no impact on where they will be drafted in our leagues. What matters most to us is if the player will play and if it will be this year or in upcoming years.   Let's take a quick spin through the AFC and look at each team's new additions that could factor into our fantasy football drafts.

Baltimore - Baltimore's best pick was on the offensive line with G Michael Oher. I cannot see this changing the draft position of any of the Ravens' three-headed backfield. DE Paul Kruger was a nice addition to an aging defense.

Buffalo - Buffalo added players across the board, except for the offensive skill positions (Terrell Owens was added via free agency). DE Aaron Maybin will be a stud on defense, bumping the defense up a few positions. They did add TE Shawn Nelson who could have a sneaky year catching passes underneath. Hopefully, Owens won't catch him conspiring with QB Trent Edwards on individual plays.

Cincinnati - The Bengals had a great overall draft, but their improvements on the offensive line OT Andre Smith and defense with LB Rey Maualuga and DE Michael Johnson does little to make their defense draftable or increase the draftability of any offensive players. I do love TE Chase Coffman and will take my chances on him with a late round pick.

Cleveland - Rookie wide receivers rarely do much in the NFL, but the Browns added two that I would recommend taking as a late round pick; Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi.

Denver - The Broncos addressed their biggest weakness; their defense. However, their defense should only be rostered when facing Kansas City and Oakland. RB Knowshon Moreno is worth drafting, but I would not draft him too high as Denver signed 4 free agent RB's so I don't see Moreno as their primary back.

Houston - The Texans added a few starters on defense to help out Mario Williams. The jury is out on whether or not it makes the position draftable or not because they were the 27th-ranked fantasy defense in 2008.

Indianapolis - DT Fili Moala helps the defense immediately, but the player to focus on is RB Donald Brown. Brown quietly lead the NCAA in rushing yards in 2008 and will step in right away for the Colts. Joseph Addai is still the number 1 running back, but has proven to be injury-prone, so Brown will get reps right away to minimize Addai's touches. He should be selected in middle rounds and a few rounds higher in Keeper Leagues.

Jacksonville - The Jags grabbed a pair of offensive tackles to help restore their running game. This should keep Maurice Jones-Drew as a second round pick. WR Mike Thomas is worth a late-round flier.

Kansas City - The Chiefs signed a few good players on defense in DT Alex Magee and LB Tyson Jackson, but they will not make their defense worth drafting.

Miami - You will read a lot about how well QB Patrick White will fit into the Fins' Wildcat offense, but how many touches can you realistically expect? They grabbed 6' 5" WR Patrick Thomas outta USC to help their passing game, but if their offense does not make Ted Ginn Jr an every week starter, Thomas has no chance.

New England - Much like Dallas, New England worked multiple trades to fill multiple holes, but none of them will help us in the fantasy world. No offensive players to note and their D will not change draft perception with the new additions.

New York Jets - The Jets were the most daring team during the draft and landed two draftable players out of their three picks in QB Mark Sanchez and RB Shonn Green. Many people questioned the Green pick, but I love this kid. He is as tough and powerful as they get. Thomas Jones is in his early 30s and threatening to hold out if he doesn't get more cash and Leon Washington may become too expensive, so Green is not a bench warmer. Sanchez had a short starting career at USC, but excelled in a pro style offense and seems polished and ready to tackle the New York media. I would recommend Sanchez as a mid-round pick and can see taking Green as a double digit round pick. Bump Sanchez up considerably in Keeper leagues and bump Green up a few rounds in Keeper leagues as well.

Oakland - Oakland would receive much more ridicule for its draft choices if Detroit wasn't in the league. However, in fantasy football, who cares if Oakland drafted a guy a round too early and bypassed a much better receiver to do it. WR Darius Heyward-Bey is a burner and can put up some serious numbers if JaMarcus Russell can get him the ball. A good mid-round pick.

Pittsburgh - The Steelers didn't really do much to change fantasy football except add another solid DT to its defense in Evander Hood. They should still be the first or second defense drafted.

San Diego - The Chargers added DE Larry English, but will probably move him to LB, especially if Merriman is slowed from his knee surgery and Shaun Phillips can't stay out of trouble. No impact on fantasy in the least.

Tennessee - WR Kenny Britt was their best pick, but he will be a third option in a run first, second and third offense. They replaced Albert Haynesworth with DT Sen'Derrick Marks (no misspelling on the name). He is a slight step back, but won't change the location in the draft for the Tennessee D.

Bill Parsons is the owner of http://www.maximumfantasysports.com and a rabid fantasy sports participant. He began creating his own football and baseball fantasy leagues at the ripe old age of seven; tracking stats and standings on paper. Bill decided to create a real-time fantasy football league website that includes all of the best features and some of which have never been attempted at any other website. Join Maximum Fantasy Sports today by visiting http://www.maximumfantasysports.com Membership is Free!

It is never good when you lose a talented player to the NFL draft. He can be very difficult to replace, especially if he is at the key quarterback or running back positions. When you lose two players at those positions it can sometimes be disastrous when trying to replace them. That is what Georgia had to do coming into the 2009 season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished his record setting career and was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. Knowshon Moreno, who was also a record setting running back, was a first round pick of the Denver Broncos.

Their replacements did an ample job for the 8-5 Bulldogs, but Georgia was not a threat to win the SEC against heavyweights Alabama, Florida, and LSU. Senior John Cox, who waited three years before finally getting his chance to start, threw for 2,584 yards and 24 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. The running game did not fare as well. Washaun Ealey, Richard Samuel, and Caleb King split carries, but they struggled to match Moreno's production. A.J. Green was an asset at wide receiver. Though he put up worse numbers than he did in 2008, he had 53 catches for 808 yards and six scores as Cox's number one target. He also did this despite missing three games late in the season.

The 2009 season got off to a tough start as the Bulldogs took a rare non-conference road trip west of the Mississippi to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys dominated the rebuilding Bulldogs 24-10, but that set up a three game winning streak. Georgia returned home to Athens and beat South Carolina (41-37), won at Arkansas 52-41, and out-toughed Arizona State 20-17. Most importantly, Georgia started 2-0 in SEC play. That hot start quickly cooled in game five as LSU knocked off the Bulldogs 20-13. Their momentum was further damaged with a 45-19 loss at Tennessee.

Georgia regained some momentum by beating Vanderbilt 34-10, but struggled mightily in the World Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Florida easily handled the Bulldogs 41-17 in the rivalry contest. Fortunately, a layup with Tennessee Tech was next. After playing such a brutal schedule, Georgia reveled in the chance for an easy win. It got exactly that in a 38-0 shutout. That gave them momentum to defeat Auburn 31-24 the following week.

Senior Day was not a fun one in Athens this year, Kentucky ruined the festivities by stealing a 34-27 win. The Wildcats scored two fourth quarter touchdowns and relied on it defense to hold the seven point lead in the final 10 minutes. Georgia did manage to gain some in-state bragging rights. They upset rival Georgia Tech in Atlanta to put a damper on the Yellow Jackets' ACC championship season. That final 8-4 record, plus the solid win over Georgia Tech, meant that Georgia earned a berth int eh Independence Bowl against Texas A&M. These two historic programs played quite a game, as well. Georgia earned a 44-20 win thanks to Brandon Boykin's 81 yard kickoff return for a score.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college football on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the SEC and college football.

Check out his Los Angeles Dodgers Watch or his Milwaukee Brewers Watch

Football is truly the National American sport. Everyone loves it, from your best friend, to your uncle. Even your pet loves to join in the fun during football night with you and the rest of the family.

College Football games are just as famous and exciting as its pro brother, the NFL games. The college football season is starting in less than a month away, and everyone is excited. Since September is fast approaching, you may have started placing your bets as early as now. College football picks is a favorite topic, whether you're an amateur or a professional bettor. You usually support and bet on your college's team, or if you are a serious gambler, get college football handicapping services for game predictions and insider information. These services are plenty and not hard to find in the net, thus it is obvious that there is great demand for them.

If you prefer to not spend a dime for these services, here are the top predicted college football picks of the year, based on their conditions from the previous season, present coaches and training, and their outgoing and incoming players.

1. The Florida Gators

Of course, the Florida Gators is expected to make it big this year. The Florida Gators were the defending champions of last year, and is expected to be even better this year. This year, the Gators will return 19 of its previous 22 starters. Brandon Spikes is coming back, so this team is expected to have a solid and strong defense this year, probably among the best of the nation.

2. The Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns will return 14 starters, but there are a lot of questions to address this year. Can they find a solid replacement for McCoy so he doesn't have to run? Can they replace Cosby and Shipley? These are questions they should address to assure of a ticket to the championships.

3. The Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners still has Sam Bradford, a great offensive player, but the team lost four of five starters on the offensive line. Even if the team has a great defensive line and solid linebackers, losing four of five starters will probably make quite a dent in this team.

4. The USC Trojans

This power team has amazing offense, returning with nine starters, however the defensive only returns with two starters. USC may have lost a lot of talent yet again, but this won't be a problem for USC Trojans is known to never go short when reloading on talent. Let us wait and see.

5. The Georgia Bulldogs

A ton of starters will return on both the offensive and defensive, which is good news. Hopefully, if Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno stay this season, the Georgia Bulldogs will make a good competitor this season.

These are the best college football picks, the teams most likely to make it to the championships, although college football is a surprising and unpredictable game. Who knows who'll make it to the championships? Learn to love the game, and the surprises that go with it!

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So here we are. Playoffs are clinched, and now we must fight for a home game in the first round and possibly the bye. The Eagles need to play these last two games as if they weren't already in the playoffs and need to focus on winning. Brian Dawkins return is obviously a huge storyline here and there will be a lot of hype before the game. However, once kickoff takes place, the Birds need to bare down and play their best game. Denver is a solid football team and the Eagles will need to bring it every play.

Here's some quick team stats and league rankings:

Offense

Points per game: 19.6 (20th)

Yards per game: 336.4 (17th)

Pass yards per game: 216.3 (17th)

Rush yards per game: 120.1 (12th)

Defense

Points per game: 17.9 (7th)

Yards per game: 294.4 (3rd)

Pass yards per game: 177.5 (2nd)

Rush yards per game: 116.9 (22nd)

Offense

Kyle Orton - This guy was kind of Mr. Insignificant in the Jay Cutler trade as Cutler took the spot light in the deal. However, Orton's team stands in a much better position than the 5-9 Chicago Bears. The Broncos offensive numbers don't impress you, but they have done what they needed to pick up eight wins so far this season and are in playoff contention. Orton already has career numbers in yards and has a much better touchdown to interception ratio than he has in years past. He doesn't have the best mobility, so I expect the Eagles to play their typical defense and try to get pressure on Orton early. Our defense did a good job of forcing turnovers last week and I feel they can do the same again this week.

Running backs - Lost in the shadow of the return of Brian Dawkins is former Eagle Correll Buckhalter who also spent a lot of time in Philadelphia. His impact wasn't as large due to a rash of injuries, but he's still a good football player. He is just four yards shy of setting a personal record in yardage and has recorded two 100+ yard games. We all know he is a very capable back and his 5.3 average yards per carry this year shows it. He'd be more productive but has shared a lot of reps with rookie running back Knowshon Moreno, a target many thought might land in Philadelphia before the draft. He is just 121 yards away from 1,000 and has averaged just over 20 carries in his last four games. Denver likes what he can do and the Eagles should expect to see a healthy dose of him.

Brandon Marshall - He isn't called "the Beast" for no reason. Sure he has off the field issues, but once he steps on the field he is one of the best. He proved just how much of a beast he can be two weeks ago when he set a new NFL record for receptions in a game recording 21. It looks like he's going to go over 100 receptions on the year and already has over 1,000 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns. Marshall will have to be watched closely if the Eagles plan to have any success. He is a game changer and is capable of big plays, much like DeSean Jackson. Also, he's a huge target and will have a definite size advantage over the Eagles corners. If the Eagles can shut down Marshall, they should be able to find success.

Defense

3-4 Defense - The Eagles will see another 3-4 defense this week and seemed to struggle last week against the 49ers. Donovan McNabb moved around a lot in the pocket. Denver's defense has the NFL's leading sack man and will definitely try to apply pressure on McNabb. I hope Donovan can get some good reads on this defense and be able to see the blitz and react to the open areas. His receivers also need to read the blitzes and find holes in the defense. If Denver is getting to Donovan all day, it could be trouble.

Elvis Dumervil - This guy has just been killing quarterbacks this year. He leads the league and has recorded 15 sacks. Dumervil showed a lot of promise in 2007 when he recorded 12.5 sacks but then fell off in 2008 and only recorded five. Needless to say, he's back and very dangerous. Along with his sacks he's also forced three fumbles on the year. The Eagles are going to need to keep an eye on this guy and not let him control the line of scrimmage. We saw Donovan move around a lot last week but he seemed very hesitant to run. I hope he doesn't hesitate to run this week because Dumervil very well may be chasing him around all day.

Brian Dawkins - Oh where to start. Everyone knows exactly what this guy brings to the table already. We've all seen him do his work for quite a long time. It seems there was doubts whether he would be able to play at the same high level now that he is older but it doesn't seem to be effecting him. He's second on their defense in tackles. Dawkins is still as intense as ever and it's going to be very strange watching him compete against the Eagles offense.

Special Teams

Eddie Royal handles the return duties here and is a shifty little player with pretty good speed. This could potentially be a close game where a big play on special teams could mean a whole lot. The Eagles special teams can't allow a big play and should look to make one of their own.

http://BirdsFan.com - A Philadelphia Eagles blog

Urban Myer issued a gag order on his team for this weeks game, but make no mistake about it Florida was playing for more than the SEC east lead and a spot in the title game. They are playing for pride, And that has illuminated all game.

Tim Tebow's numbers may be down but he is a far better quarterback this year. Along side of Percy Harvin and that duo of running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. Florida looks scary as Halloween, but for real.

And they lived up to every bit of it today against Goergia. Offensively, Tebow and Co. where just too good. Through land or air, they can do it all. Not to mention they can do it with every player. This whole team scores points. And they did today against the Dogs

Tim Tebow acounted for 5 touchdowns himself and Percy Harvin had two. 49-10 was the final score. A thrashing in which there were few gasps of life for the Bulldogs. Just good Gator football all night long.

Just like it usually is Gator fans would say. The Gators have won 18 out of the last 19. Last year the Dogs finally got one and they celebrated by stomping on the field in a celebration that actually drew a penalty!

Coach Urban Myer was quoted as saying it was wrong and that "its going to be a big deal" also that it "would be forever on the minds of our team" and he meant it. . . He taped pictures of the Dogs stomping on the field in there celebration in all there lockers , Made them do 188 push ups for the yards Moreno ran up on them every day in spring training. And in the weight room the players had to do 42 reps at each station, for all the points Georgia scored on them. This team remembered. . . Brandon Spikes Jaw rattling hit delivered early to Knowshon Moreno certainly set the tone for a night of redemption.

The way Florida is playing it will be very interesting to see who they meet in the title game. Alabama looks promising, but still have a few major obstacles to take on... LSU for 1, (you knew I was gonna say that) Auburn for 2. Tubberville has beaten them 6 times in a row. His team can play defense and they may finally be able to score points by the time they have to BEAT BAMA!

Either way it goes Florida is obviously playing superior football and who ever comes out of the west will have there hands full and there mothers hands full. Make no mistake about it. Urban Myer said it was going to be a big deal and it has been. Tim Tebow is fired up and in my opinion looking like the Heismann winner once again.

So I'm gonna go ahead and call it now Florida wins crown in 09... Probably to Penn State or some lesser conference opponent. I know a few southerner's who wouldn't mind seeing USC catch a beating. But who knows at this point. With the curse of the number 1 in the AP POLL always in effect. You never know.

B-Rad from the boot signing off

[http://www.bradfromtheboot.com]

Running the football is a very important part of Madden football. The key to running the football is having a good offensive line. Running the ball effectively wears down defenses and keeps your offense on the field. EA Sports has improved the run blocking AI from Madden NFL 09. Running backs have different traits to look for.

They also have different running styles in Madden 10. Thanks to Madden 10 Pro Tak feature. You will see more gang tackling then ever before. Last more players crowding around the pile. Let's talk about the type of running backs you will encounter. The Speed back is a running back who ends in the highlight reel. He can break one for an 80 yard touchdown with his speed, quickness and agility.

They are effective in open space catching the ball. Running outside run plays with speed backs is a good thing.

They are at their best on the perimeter, where they can spin, juke, and dodge tacklers. If you use a speed back look for these attributes. Speed (SPD) Agility (AGI) elusiveness (ELU) ball carrier vision (BCV) spin moves (SPM) and juke moves (JKM).

These running backs are also called Scat backs because of their versatility. Speed backs are at their best when running outside run plays. Such as tosses, sweeps Stretch run plays and outside zone plays. Here is a list of the best speed backs in Madden 10.

1. Brian Westbrook

2. Adrian Peterson

3. DeAngelo Williams

4. Darren Sproles

5. Steve Slaton

6. Reggie Bush

7. Frank Gore

8. Clinton Portis

9. Chris Johnson

10. Knowshon Moreno

Power backs are running backs that are used in short yard situations. Power backs are used late in games to run out the clock. Speed is not the primary issue with these running backs. These high ratings is what to look for in Power backs. Trucking (TRK) ball carrier vision (BCV) Stiff arm (SFA) and carry (CAR). They key is to hit the hole as soon as possible with these backs. Carrying is a very important to running backs these backs are in more pileups. Here is the top Power Backs in madden NFL 10.

1. Michael Turner

2. Brandon Jacobs

3. LenDale White

4. Jamal Lewis

5. Larry Johnson

6. Steven Jackson

7. Marion Barber

8. MarShawn Lynch

9. Willis McGahee

10. Adrian Peterson

All Purpose Backs are running backs who can do it all. They have power and speed and elusiveness. These guys are hard to catch on Sundays. They have the ability to break tackles. They also have speed, quickness and agility. Hers is a list of All Purpose Backs in Madden NFL 10. This list is based on a combination of the key ratings for speed backs and Power backs. Hope you liked this post.

1. Adrian Peterson

2. Frank Gore

3. DeAngelo Williams

4. LaDainian Tomlinson

5. Clinton Portis

6. Maurice Jones Drew

7. Brian Westbrook

8. Steven Jackson

9. Michael Turner

10. Ronnie Brown

Just when you think you have this whole fantasy football thing figured out, last week happens. How else do you explain Tom Brady going from playing at a Super Bowl level to playing at a Pop Warner level, or Vincent Jackson breaking the hearts of every fantasy enthusiast who put him in their lineups? Alas, we are still here to do our part to help you put together the best lineup possible.

Quarterbacks 1

1) Peyton Manning (vs. Tennessee): Manning has a great match-up this week against the Titans, who he beat for 36 completions, 309 yards and three touchdowns back in Week 5, and who are second to last in pass defense and passing scores allowed. And yes, we know they've won their past five games, but in that time they've faced three teams currently in the bottom half of the league in passing offense and one team playing with a backup quarterback.

2) Tom Brady (@ Miami): A total of 237 passing yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions last week are shocking totals for Brady, especially considering that he was in the midst of a string of five consecutive 300-yard passing games. But a bounce back this week is very possible against a Miami pass defense that is 23rd in the league, and one that he threw for 310 yards and one score against in Week 9.

3) Drew Brees (@ Washington): Although no one can be blamed for using Brees this week, match-ups matter, and Washington has the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL. Only three opposing quarterbacks have thrown for 200 yards against the Redskins this season, and it's happened just once over their last eight games. And it's not as if Brees is immune to quality pass defenses - three times this season he's been held to fewer than 200 passing yards.

4) Matt Schaub (@ Jacksonville): Schaub is a great choice in any fantasy football scoring format, but considering the amount of completions he racks up, he's an especially good option in this one. He's third in the league in overall completions, and has at least 25 in each of his last four games. Jacksonville is 26th in the league in pass defense, and only six teams have allowed more touchdown passes than they have. In his last meeting with the Jags, back in Week 3, Schaub threw for 300 yards with three scores.

5) Philip Rivers (@ Cleveland): Rivers is quietly putting together a very good season, and has an impressive three-game stretch going where he hasn't thrown an interception and has completed at least 75 percent of his passes. Cleveland's horrible pass defense shouldn't offer him a great challenge.

6) Kurt Warner (vs. Minnesota): Though there's optimism surrounding his chances to play this week (concussion), and his match-up is a solid one, there's always a chance he doesn't play at all or gets knocked out of the competition.

Quarterbacks 2

1) Brett Favre (@ Arizona): Favre has been nothing short of remarkable this season, with an unheard of 8:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (24 touchdown throws, three interceptions). Over his last four games, he has thrown 12 touchdowns and hasn't thrown an interception. Against the Cardinals, he should be golden; only three teams allow more passing yards per game than they do.

2) Aaron Rodgers (vs. Baltimore): Rodgers has thrown 14 touchdowns over his last six games, and just three interceptions, and all of those picks came in one contest. In his last two contests he's thrown for over 340 yards in each, and he's completed at least 25 passes in each of his last three games. Baltimore is in the top half of the league in pass defense, but they're not so imposing that you shouldn't consider using Rodgers.

3) Donovan McNabb (@ Atlanta): McNabb has had some very ordinary games of late, and over his last five contests, he's thrown six touchdowns and five interceptions. Though McNabb could very likely be without top receiver DeSean Jackson, he's still a solid option this week because his opponent, Atlanta, is putrid against the pass, ranking 27th in the league in that category and 22nd in passing touchdowns given up.

4) Carson Palmer (vs. Detroit): Palmer isn't putting up numbers like we've seen him do in the past, and in fact hasn't completed more than 20 passes in his last five games, but he's playing Detroit this week. The same Detroit that is dead last in pass defense, and who has allowed more touchdown passes than any team in the NFL.

5) Tony Romo (@ NY Giants): Romo has had a solid season overall, and is seventh in the league in passing yards, ahead of the likes of Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. Yet he hasn't completed more than 20 passes in either of his last two games, and the last time he faced the Giants, he threw for a season-low 127 yards with three interceptions and one score.

6) Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Oakland): Big Ben will suit up this week after sitting out last week's contest against the Ravens with concussion symptoms. This led to some controversy, at least within the Steelers' locker room, but that has since died down. Roethlisberger does have a tough individual match-up this week against Oakland, however; only four teams have allowed fewer touchdown passes than they have.

Quarterbacks 3

1) Joe Flacco (@ Green Bay): IFlacco seemed to have been mired in a slump in Weeks 8-11. He threw for over 200 yards just once in those games, and tossed just one touchdown and three interceptions. But he rallied last week, throwing for nearly 300 yards with one score and no picks, and though his opponent this week, the Packers, are sixth in the NFL in pass defense, only three teams have allowed more touchdown passes than they have.

2) Jay Cutler (vs. St. Louis): Since interceptions aren't a worry in this scoring format, Cutler's transgressions in that area needn't play a role in deciding whether to put him in your lineup, especially against a soft pass defense like the Rams possess. But his confidence does seem to be wavering, and he hasn't thrown for even 175 yards in either of his past two games, and in his past three games he's thrown a total of two touchdowns and eight picks.

3) Vince Young (@ Indianapolis): Young was simply spectacular last week, but don't let that cloud your judgment for his game at Indy this week. He was facing an atrocious pass defense in the Cardinals last week, and the Colts are a much more formidable foe, especially with Young playing on the road. Also, only the Jets have given up fewer touchdown passes than they have.

4) Matt Cassel (vs. Denver): After a truly mediocre start, Cassel seems to have found his footing a bit. He's thrown for 215 or more yards in three of his last four contests, along with five touchdowns and two interceptions during that time. It should also be noted that he'll give you at least a few points running the ball - he's had at least four rushing attempts in seven of his 10 games this year.

5) Matt Hasselbeck (vs. San Francisco): Fantasy football players are justifiably baffled by Hasselbeck, who went from throwing for 315 yards against Arizona three weeks ago to accumulating just 102 passing yards last week against the Rams. He's at home against the 49ers this week, and San Francisco is just 28th in the NFL in pass defense, but it's too difficult to trust Hasselbeck.

6) David Garrard (vs. Houston): Garrard simply doesn't thrown enough touchdowns to be a viable fantasy football option; among the 24 NFL quarterbacks with at least 280 pass attempts, he is tied with Jake Delhomme for the fewest touchdown passes, having thrown only eight.

Quarterbacks 4

1) Kyle Orton (@ Kansas City): Orton's season has been solid, if unspectacular. He's thrown for more than 250 yards just once this season, and over his last five games has just three touchdown passes, but you can't ignore who his opponent is this week - only two other teams allow more passing yards per game than the Chiefs.

2) Alex Smith (@ Seattle): Smith's career has been resurrected this season, and fantasy football enthusiasts have taken note. They should again this week as he matches up with the Seahawks, a team that is 25th in the league in pass defense and 27th in passing scores allowed.

3) Eli Manning (vs. Dallas): The last time Manning went up against the Cowboys, he blistered them for 330 yards and two scores, though you should take into account that that game was played back in Week 2. Manning is highly inconsistent and is also playing on a bad foot, so while his match-up is solid, can you really count on him?

4) Jason Campbell (@ Philadelphia): Campbell hasn't been a great quarterback this season, but his numbers haven't been atrocious, either. He's thrown for at least one touchdown in all but three games this year, and the last time he faced Philly, he had a season-high 29 completions, along with 284 yards and two scores.

5) Josh Freeman (@ Carolina): Freeman is getting plenty of accolades, and he's performed admirably in a couple games, but you'll probably want to avoid him this week. The Panthers have the No. 3 pass defense in the league, and are ninth in passing scores allowed.

6) Brady Quinn (vs. San Diego): Simply ignore Quinn.

Running Backs 1

1) Chris Johnson (@ Indianapolis): Johnson has been on a run that's as remarkable as anything the NFL or fantasy football has seen in some time. In his last six games, he's averaged 155 rushing yards on 23 carries (6.7 ypc), just over one touchdown (he has seven total in that span), and close to three receptions and 30 receiving yards per game.

2) Adrian Peterson (@ Arizona): Despite having only three games with at least 100 rushing yards, Peterson is still playing very well. He has 12 touchdowns in 11 games, and has already established a career-high with 27 receptions. Arizona has been killed on the ground of late, giving up 115 or more yards to an individual runner in four of their past five games.

3) Maurice Jones-Drew (vs. Houston): MJD has scored three rushing touchdowns in a game on two occasions this season, and one of them happened to be against the Texans, back in Week 3. He also caught four passes in that contest, one of seven times he's had at least that many receptions in a game. He's always an excellent option.

4) Rashard Mendenhall (vs. Oakland): No team has allowed more rushing yards to opposing running backs than the Raiders have, and only two teams have allowed opposing backs to score more touchdowns.

5) Steven Jackson (@ Chicago): Like Philip Rivers at quarterback, Jackson is quietly having an excellent season, though you can hardly blame anyone for not noticing that Jackson is the NFL's second-leading rusher because he's on a team that has won just one game. Nonetheless, he's always valuable in this scoring format not only because of the yards he piles up, but because of the amount of touches he receives.

6) Frank Gore (@ Seattle): Gore is always solid, but compared to the rest of this group, he doesn't get enough touches. He's carried the ball more than 16 times just twice all season, and has just 92 rushing yards over his past two games.

Running Backs 2

1) DeAngelo Williams (vs. Tampa Bay): Before last week's 40-yard performance, Williams had been averaging 127 yards over his previous six games. But he should come back with aplomb this week against a Tampa team that is 30th in the league in run defense, and against whom Williams had 152 yards and two scores against in Week 6.

2) Ray Rice (@ Green Bay): Over his last eight games, Rice has run for at least 70 yards six times (with one 69-yard effort), and has caught fewer than five passes just once. With receptions being three points each, that kind of production is highly valuable.

3) Ricky Williams (vs. New England): Williams has at least 20 carries, 100 yards and one touchdown in each of his three games since taking over for the injured Ronnie Brown in Miami. New England is tied for fewest rushing scores allowed, having given up just three all season, but one of the backs who found the end zone against them happened to be Williams.

4) Knowshon Moreno (@ Kansas City): Moreno has run for at least 80 yards in each of his past three games, and has a fantastic match-up this week against the Chiefs, who are 27th against the run and 22nd in rushing scores allowed.

5) Cedric Benson (vs. Detroit): Benson has missed two contests with a hip injury, but he's supposed to be back in the starting lineup this week. But Larry Johnson did a solid job filling in last week, and they may not want to overdo it with Benson this week.

6) Joseph Addai (vs. Tennessee): Addai simply is not putting up the numbers the other backs in this group have been; he's only run for 70 or more yards once all season, and has not carried the ball more than 20 times in any game.

Running Backs 3

1) LaDainian Tomlinson (@ Cleveland): Tomlinson has scored five times in his last three games, making up for otherwise ordinary numbers. He's not catching the ball like he used to (three receptions over his last five games), and he's run for at least 75 yards just once this year. But only three teams have allowed more rushing yards than the Browns, and only two teams have given up more rushing scores to opposing running backs.

2) Matt Forte (vs. St. Louis): Only the Bills have allowed more rushing scores to opposing running backs than St. Louis has, and if this were last season, Forte would be No. 1 on this list. As it is, he's struggling mightily this year running the ball. One thing that should be considered in this scoring format - he has averaged over five receptions per game in his last four contests.

3) Laurence Maroney (@ Miami): Over his last six games, Maroney has scored eight times, accounting for all of his touchdowns this season. Unfortunately, he also has lost a fumble in three consecutive games, and any more could mean fewer carries for him.

4) Kevin Smith (@ Cincinnati): Smith hasn't gained 70 or more rushing yards in eight games, and the Bengals are the No. 3-ranked rush defense in the league. The only thing saving him from being ranked last on this list is his ability to catch the ball.

5) Ryan Grant (vs. Baltimore): No doubt Grant has had a solid year, but a lot of things are working against him - Baltimore is seventh in run defense and allows the fewest yards per carry in the league, he doesn't catch the ball with regularity, and he sat out a practice this week with a stinger.

6) Tim Hightower (vs. Minnesota): Not only is Hightower going to lose more and more playing time to Beanie Wells, but he's going up against the team that is second in the NFL in run defense, and the team that is tied in allowing the fewest rushing scores in the league.

Running Backs 4

1) LeSean McCoy (@ Atlanta): Brian Westbrook remains out, and DeSean Jackson is likely to be sidelined as well, leaving McCoy to be an even bigger piece of the puzzle this week. Atlanta's defense is sub-par in every area, and they are just 23rd in the league against the run. Something else to note - only one team has given up more receiving touchdowns to running backs than the Falcons have.

2) Jamaal Charles (vs. Denver): Charles has scored a rushing or receiving touchdown in each of his last three games since taking over after Larry Johnson was cut. He's an explosive player who makes things happen, and now that he's getting an opportunity, he's making the most of it.

3) Cadillac Williams (@ Carolina): The Caddy has a very good match-up against the 26th-ranked Panthers run defense, and it is one he gained 77 yards and scored a touchdown against back in Week 6, but he's also done very little since then. He hasn't rushed for even 60 yards in his past five games, or run for over 3.7 yards per carry.

4) Pierre Thomas (@ Washington): If only he were the clear-cut No. 1. As it is, he shares time with a couple other running backs, and though he's productive with the carries he does get, he really doesn't get enough looks to put up the big numbers he might be able to elsewhere.

5) Steve Slaton (@ Jacksonville): The Texans are still having trust issues with Slaton due to his previous fumbleitis, and he's dealing with a neck malady, so we'll have to see how many touches he gets, and until then, it's not safe to trust him.

6) Beanie Wells (vs. Minnesota): Leave Wells on the bench against one of the best run defenses in the NFL.

Wide Receivers 1

1) Wes Welker (@ Miami): With only six catches for 32 yards, Welker had his worst game of the season last week. He'll right the ship this week against a Miami team that he burned for nine catches and 84 yards in Week 9. Welker leads the NFL in catches, even though he missed two weeks, and with receptions at three points each, you can't go wrong using him.

2) Reggie Wayne (vs. Tennessee): The man with the second-most catches this season is Wayne, and his match-up is beautiful. No team has allowed opposing wideouts to catch more passes or score more touchdowns, and they've also allowed opposing receivers to accumulate the second-most receiving yards (by one yard). Wayne had six catches for 60 yards and one score against the Titans in Week 5.

3) Andre Johnson (@ Jacksonville): Only three teams have given up more receiving yards and receiving scores than the Jaguars have, and Johnson is the perfect person to exploit that weakness. He had four catches for 86 yards against them back in Week 3.

4) Randy Moss (@ Miami): Moss leads the league in receiving yards, but you wouldn't know that by the way he's played the last two weeks. He's accumulated only 101 yards combined in those two games, though a reprieve could very much be in the works this week - he blistered the Dolphins for 147 yards on six receptions (including one touchdown) when he first met them in Week 9.

5) Chad Ochocinco (vs. Detroit): The Ocho has stunk over his last five games, with no more than five receptions in any of them, and not one contest of even 70 receiving yards. Yet he plays the Lions this week, and he can easily fatten up on them - they're dead last in pass defense and have passing touchdowns allowed.

6) Larry Fitzgerald (vs. Minnesota): If Kurt Warner plays, Fitzgerald should be moved up in the rankings, but if noodle-armed Matt Leinart goes again, there are too many other receivers in this group to choose from who have Pro Bowl quarterbacks throwing to them.

Wide Receivers 2

1) Vincent Jackson (@ Cleveland): Jackson's disappearance over the last three games has been troubling. He hasn't scored since in that time, and he's accumulated a total of seven catches and 93 yards. But he has to bust out of it at some point, and it would be no shock if he did so against the terrifically awful Browns.

2) Mike Sims-Walker (vs. Houston): Three times in his past five games, Sims-Walker has accumulated fewer than 50 receiving yards, but he has scored three times in that span, easing the pain that was inflicted by his lack of yards. In his last game against the Texans, in Week 3, he had six catches for 81 yards.

3)Roddy White (vs. Philadelphia): White has not been as productive this season as he was last year in terms of yardage, and if he hadn't been scoring so many touchdowns, he would be a real disappointment. Yet he does have seven on the season, and he scored last week for the first time in three games.

4) Marques Colston (@ Washington): Colston caught one of Drew Brees' five touchdown passes last week, which was one of his four receptions and 121 yards. It was his first score in three weeks, but don't be too confident he can repeat that feat this week. The Redskins have allowed the second-fewest catches by opposing wide receivers.

5) Anquan Boldin (vs. Minnesota): Boldin is, surprisingly, not among the top-25 players in receiving yards, and possibly even more surprisingly, has just two touchdown catches this season. He was starting to play better before Kurt Warner went out, and if Warner does play this week, Boldin is a much more viable option than if the weak left arm of Matt Leinart has to play.

6) Steve Smith (CAR) (vs. Tampa Bay): He had one reception for five yards last week. Five yards! Jake Delhomme is likely out, and though that's probably a good thing in the long run, it means the Panthers will simply rely more on the running game than usual this week.

Wide Receivers 3

1) Brandon Marshall (@ Kansas City): Just four teams have allowed more yards to opposing wide receivers than the Chiefs have, and Marshall typically destroys soft defenses. In two games against the Chiefs last season, he had 18 catches for 168 yards and three touchdowns.

2) Steve Smith (NYG) (vs. Dallas): After a bit of a three-game lull, Smith is back to catching oodles of passes. He's amassed seven or more receptions in three of his last four games, and has 65 or more yards in four of his last five games. And the last time he faced Dallas, he went ballistic, scoring once on one of his 10 receptions for 134 yards.

3) Santonio Holmes (vs. Oakland): Holmes finally did something that his fantasy owners have been waiting for since Week 1 - he scored his second touchdown of the season last week! Holmes has actually been playing very well of late, and that finally paid off. He has had at least six receptions and 74 receiving yards in each of his last four games.

4) Pierre Garcon (vs. Tennessee): Garcon is clearly the No. 2 man behind Reggie Wayne on the wideout depth chart in Indy. He had five receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown last week, and has at least 50 receiving yards in each of his last five games.

5) Robert Meachem (@ Washington): What hurts Meachem in this scoring format are his lack of receptions. And he also has a tough match-up this week, going up against the No. 1-ranked pass defense of the Redskins.

6) T.J. Houshmandzadeh (vs. San Francisco): If he can't get it done against the Rams, who can he get it done against? He's been a fantasy football bust all season.

Wide Receivers 4

1) Sidney Rice (@ Arizona): Of the top 15 players in terms of receiving yards, only Miles Austin is averaging more yards per reception than Rice's 17.2, a number that has catapulted Rice to third in the league in receiving yards despite just 56 receptions.

2) Derrick Mason (@ Green Bay): Mason has now had three very productive games in a row after his seven-catch, 62-yard, one touchdown performance last week against the Steelers. His opponent this week, the Packers, are sixth in the league in pass defense, but have also allowed more touchdown passes than all but three other teams.

3) Nate Burleson (vs. San Francisco): Burleson came up very short last week against the Rams, a team he should have torched. He managed just four receptions for 46 yards against a bad pass defense, and he failed to score for the sixth straight game. Burleson has a solid match-up against the 49ers, who are 28th in the NFL in pass defense.

4) Hines Ward (vs. Oakland): Ward apologized after being critical of Ben Roethlisberger last week after Big Ben didn't play due to a concussion. He insists there are no lingering hard feelings among the two, which is good, because that means Ward can go back to being one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL.

5) Santana Moss (@ Philadelphia): He's far too unreliable. There are much better options in this group.

6) Braylon Edwards (@ Buffalo): Edwards should not be used.

Wide Receivers 5

1) Calvin Johnson (@ Cincinnati): If you're going to take a chance on Megatron, now is as good a time as ever. He only caught two passes for 10 yards last week, but he did score a touchdown for the second straight week, and also has at least five receptions in five of the nine games he's played this season.

2) Percy Harvin (@ Arizona): Harvin's best game as a pro came last week, as he caught a touchdown for the second week in a row while setting career-highs in receptions (six), receiving yards (101) and rushing yards (45). Against the Cardinals' 30th-ranked pass defense, more career-highs are possible.

3) Donald Driver (vs. Baltimore): Driver tore up the Lions on Thanksgiving and has had a nice layoff since then to rest his 34-year-old body. He's only caught fewer than four passes in a game just one time this season, and has scored in three of his last six contests.

4) Devin Hester (vs. St. Louis): Hester is in a big-time slump, and although the Rams can break any offensive player out of their malaise, his inconsistency should be worrisome. Hester has only 86 receiving yards in his last three games.

5) Donnie Avery (@ Chicago): Avery plays in an inconsistent offense with a quarterback that is named Kyle Boller. Probably best to avoid him.

6) Greg Jennings (vs. Baltimore): He's being outplayed by his teammate, the far more consistent Donald Driver.

Tight Ends 1

1) Tony Gonzalez (vs. Philadelphia): No team has allowed opposing tight ends to catch more passes than Philly has, and only one team has allowed more receiving yards and touchdowns to players at that position. Even with Matt Ryan sidelined, Gonzalez should not be penalized.

2) Dallas Clark (vs. Tennessee): Clark, who has caught a touchdown in two straight games, last played the Titans in Week 5, a game in which he caught nine passes for 77 yards. He's caught seven or more passes in seven of his 11 games this season, and that can add up to huge points in this scoring format.

3) Antonio Gates (@ Cleveland): Only six teams have allowed more touchdown passes to opposing tight ends then Cleveland, and Gates recently broke out of a funk last week against the Chiefs, catching seven balls for 118 yards and two scores.

4) Vernon Davis (@ Seattle): When Alex Smith made the transition to starting quarterback, he undoubtedly wanted to get his tight end involved. That's most certainly happened, as Davis has had at least one touchdown reception or 100 receiving yards (or both) in all but one of the six games the 49ers have played since Smith took over.

5) Jason Witten (@ NY Giants): Witten had his first 100-yard game of the season last week, and it was a long time coming for the preseason No. 1 fantasy football tight end. He has been consistent in catching the ball this season, catching exactly five passes in each of his last three games, and he doesn't have fewer than four receptions in any contest this year.

6) Visanthe Shiancoe (@ Arizona): Over his last eight games, Shiancoe has scored seven times. That's a great number, but within the context of this group of tight ends, he's not the top option on his team the way the other players here are.

Tight Ends 2

1) Brent Celek (@ Atlanta): Celek just signed a $33 million extension, and is certainly facing the right opponent in which to do prove he deserves that contract. Atlanta has allowed opposing tight ends to catch more passes than all but four other squads, and only three teams have allowed opposing tight ends to gain more receiving yards.

2) Greg Olsen (vs. St. Louis): Olsen is a solid play each week due to the fact that the Bears have a dearth of options at the receiver position, and the Rams have certainly been beaten by opposing tight ends before.

3) Kellen Winslow (@ Carolina): Winslow managed only 29 yards on three receptions the last time he squared off against the Panthers, but with rookie quarterback Josh Freeman at the helm, the situation is different this time around.

4) Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders): Bruce Gradkowski has really been beneficial to Miller - after little production over most of the season, he's combined for 10 receptions and 136 yards the last two weeks.

5) John Carlson (vs. San Francisco): With six catches for 46 yards in Week 2, one of Carlson's most productive games of the season came against San Francisco. That statistic alone should tell you how disappointing he's been this season.

6) Heath Miller (vs. Oakland): Despite how bad Oakland is, they completely shut down opposing tight ends - they are one of just two teams not to have allowed a touchdown reception by someone at that position.