Training camp has begun and that means it is time to awake all of the Fantasy Sleepers. Each position has three categories of Sleepers: Keeper Sleeper (already established), Deeper Sleeper (who?), and Cheaper Sleeper (rookie).

Quarterbacks:

Keeper: Chad Henne (Dolphins)

With the addition of WR Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins have the potential of having a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver, and a 1,000-yard rusher. Henne, a Big 33 alumnus, has a full year under his belt and 2010 will be his break-out season. Marshall’s ability to stretch the field will add big numbers to Henne’s Fantasy game.

2009 Statistics: 2,878 passing yards, 12 TD’s, 14 INT’s, 75.2 QB Rating, 274-for-451 (61%), 32 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

2010 Statistical Prediction: 3,883 passing yards, 20 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 90.5 QB Rating, 302-for-470 (64%), 58 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD’s

Deeper: Chase Daniel (Saints)

I know exactly what you are thinking. Who dat? And what about Drew Brees? In case some of you forgot, Brees has been selected to be on the cover of Madden 2011. With that said, Drew Brees will continue the Madden Curse and will get injured. During the Superbowl run last season, Mark Brunell was the backup quarterback and was lost to free agency. In comes Chase Daniel (Who dat?). Despite never playing a down in the NFL, Chase’s high school and college careers proves that he will be a Deeper Sleeper in 2010. At Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, Daniel led his team to a National Championship, and was named the EA Sports National Player of the year in 2004. At Missouri, he was a Heisman Trophy candidate and finished with a school record of 13,256 career total offensive yards. Add the Saints offensive weapons to Chase’s amateur résumé and you get the NFL’s Deepest Sleeper.

2009 Statistics: Did not play.

2010 Statistical Prediction: 2,118 passing yards, 12 TD’s, 9 INT’s, 81.8 QB Rating, 168-for-279 (60%), 71 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD’s

Cheaper: Tim Tebow (Broncos)

Look for Tebow to take the starting spot from Kyle Orton in the first half of the season.

2009 Statistics: At the University of Florida, he had 2,895 passing yards, 21 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 164.17 QB Rating, 213-for-314 (68%), 910 rushing yards, 14 rushing TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 1,818 passing yards, 10 TD’s, 6 INT’s, 71.8 QB Rating, 141-for-226 (62%), 695 rushing yards, 7 rushing TD’s

Running Backs:

Keeper: LeSean McCoy (Eagles)

Shady will be sporting his old number 25 this season and it will prove to be a great decision. With the departures of Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb, McCoy will get a lot more of the workload. When attempting 36 or less passes, the Eagles were 11-2 last season. They went 0-4 (including playoffs) when attempting more than 36 passes.  As the next Westbrook (and better), look for McCoy to have over 100 total yards per game. Defenses must watch out for #25 in the passing game. For all you Fantasy Football gamers, don’t be surprised if he throws for a TD (or two) in 2010!

2009 Statistics: 155 rushes, 637 yards, 4.1 YPC, 4 rushing TD’s, 2 fumbles, 40 receptions, 308 receiving yards, 7.7 YPC, 0 receiving TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 288 rushes, 1,292 yards, 4.4 YPC, 11 rushing TD’s, 3 fumbles, 67 receptions, 536 receiving yards, 8.0 YPC, 3 receiving TD’s

Deeper: Arian Foster (Texans)

The Texans have a running back controversy and Foster is leading the pack. Steve Slaton was unable to hold onto the ball last season, so Houston drafted Ben Tate. The problem with Tate is that he is a rookie. It is going to take him a while to learn the playbook and it is going to leave plenty of time for Foster to steal and keep the starting position. During Foster’s four games last season, he averaged 13.5 carries for 64.3 yards per game. The Texans also won all four of those games, including the season finale against New England.

2009 Statistics: 54 rushes, 257 yards, 4.8 YPC, 3 rushing TD’s, 1 fumble, 8 receptions, 93 receiving yards, 11.6 YPC, 0 receiving TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 187 rushes, 766 yards, 4.1 YPC, 9 rushing TD’s, 2 fumbles, 21 receptions, 248 receiving yards, 11.8 YPC, 2 receiving TD’s

Cheaper: Toby Gerhart (Vikings)

Look for Adrian Peterson (998 touches in 3 years) to get injured and Toby to take the rock running load for most of the season.

2009 Statistics: At Stanford University, he had 343 rushes, 1,871 yards, 5.5 YPC, 27 rushing TD’s, 0 fumbles, 11 receptions, 157 receiving yards, 14.2 YPC, 0 receiving TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 203 rushes, 895 yards, 4.4 YPC, 11 rushing TD’s, 0 fumbles, 7 receptions, 58 receiving yards, 8.3 YPC, 0 receiving TD’s

Wide Receivers:

Keeper: Mike Wallace (Steelers)

In 2009, Wallace was the Steelers 3^rd wide receiver on the depth chart. With the trade of Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace will become the number two receiver in 2010. Even without Roethlisberger for at least the first four games, Wallace will still put up Holmes-like numbers. You might think that the Steelers commitment to the run this season would result in less numbers for the WR’s. You are wrong. The Steelers must run the ball more effective, not necessarily more often. With Byron Leftwich and/or Dennis Dixon taking the snaps for a while, opposing teams are going to force the QB’s to beat them with their arms. This opens up a lot of deep play-action for speedster Mike Wallace. He led the NFL with 19.4 yards per catch last season.

2009 Statistics: 39 receptions, 756 receiving yards, 19.4 YPC, 6 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble, 5 rushes, 48 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 75 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, 18.7 YPC, 7 receiving TD’s, 2 fumbles, 11 rushes, 129 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Deeper: Chaz Schilens (Raiders)

Chaz came on strong at the end of the 2009 season and I expect that to continue into 2010. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he will start the season as the number one target. It doesn’t matter who ends up taking the snaps for the Raiders, Schilens is the go-to guy until Darrius Heyward-Bey finds his way back on the field (if he ever does).

2009 Statistics: In 8 games, he had 29 receptions, 365 receiving yards, 12.6 YPC, 2 receiving TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 64 receptions, 827 receiving yards, 12.9 YPC, 6 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble

Cheaper: Arrelious Benn (Buccaneers)

With the departure of Antonio Bryant, the Bucs have a void at wide receiver. Expect Benn to have a big year in Tampa Bay.

2009 Statistics: At the University of Illinois, he had 38 receptions, 490 receiving yards, 12.9 YPC, 2 receiving TD’s, 0 fumbles, 7 rushes, 23 rushing yards, 3.3 YPC, 1 rushing TD

2010 Statistical Prediction: 59 receptions, 774 receiving yards, 13.1 YPC, 8 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble, 4 rushes, 71 yards, 17.8 YPC, 1 rushing TD

Tight Ends:

Keeper: Brent Celek (Eagles)

Two words…Kevin Kolb. In the absence of Donovan McNabb for 9 quarters, Kolb showed the Eagles fans that he is ready to take the throne. In Week 1 with limited action, Kolb found Celek three times for 16 yards. Of Kolb’s 55 completions for 718 yards in Weeks 2 and 3, Celek caught 16 of those passes for 208 yards.  He had one catch for every 3.4 of Kolb’s completed passes. Celek also accounted for 28% of Kolb’s yards in Weeks 2 and 3. When McNabb came back from injury in Week 5, Celek’s production dropped significantly. He only reached the 100-yard receiving mark once with McNabb at QB after notching 100+ yards in both of Kolb’s starts.

2009 Statistics: 76 receptions, 971 receiving yards, 12.8 YPC, 8 receiving TD’s, 0 fumbles

2010 Statistical Prediction: 89 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, 13.1 YPC, 11 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble

Deeper: Jermichael Finley (Packers)

Donald Lee got benched last season and Finley stepped right in. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Finley has the opportunity to become one of the elite tight ends in the NFL. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and Jermichael Finley are going to torch the opposing defenses, leading the Packers deep in the playoffs this year.

2009 Statistics: 55 receptions, 676 receiving yards, 12.3 YPC, 5 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble

2010 Statistical Prediction: 74 receptions, 901 receiving yards, 12.2 YPC, 6 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble

Cheaper: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)

Gronkowski was drafted in the 2^nd round after sitting out the 2009 season. Ben Watson has moved on, but the Patriots brought in Alge Crumpler. However, Gronkowski appears to be the top receiving tight end with the declination of Crumpler’s offensive production in the past two years.

2009 Statistics: Did not play due to injury.

2010 Statistical Prediction: 58 receptions, 841 receiving yards, 14.5 YPC, 7 receiving TD’s, 0 fumbles

Kickers:

Keeper: Dan Carpenter (Dolphins)

This should be a no-brainer if Chad Henne has the season that most of us expect. A better offense usually means better numbers for solid kickers.

2009 Statistics: 25-for-28 FG (89.3%), 37-for-38 PAT (97.4%)

2010 Statistical Prediction: 29-for-34 (89.3%), 44-for-44 PAT (100%)

Deeper: Garrett Hartley (Saints)

Who dat? Hartley played with Chase Daniel at Southlake Carroll High School in Texas. He took over for John Carney in Week 13 and never looked back.

2009 Statistics: In 5 games, he was 9-for-11 FG (81.8%), 10-for-11 PAT (90.9%)

2010 Statistical Prediction: 28-for-33 FG (84.8%), 39-for-42 PAT (92.9%)

Cheaper: Graham Gano (Redskins)

Gano is not a rookie, but I put him in the Cheaper category because he only appeared in 4 games last year. He is Washington’s number one guy so expect some numbers.

2009 Statistics: In 4 games, he was 2-for-2 FG (100%), 4-for-4 PAT (100%)

2010 Statistical Prediction: 25-for-29 FG (86.2%), 39-for-39 PAT (100%)

Defenses:

Keeper: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers reacquired Bryant McFadden and Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith are healthy again. Add draft picks Jason Worlids, Thaddeus Gibson, Crezdon Butler, Stevenson Sylvester, and Doug Worthington into the mix and you get the best defense in the league.

2009 Statistics: 305.3 yards per game, 324 points, 47 sacks, 13 recovered fumbles, 12 interceptions, 3 TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 276.1 yards per game, 259 points, 53 sacks, 16 recovered fumbles, 16 interceptions, 4 TD’s

Deeper: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers added Taylor Mays, Navorro Bowman, and Phillip Adams through the draft to an already solid defense.

2009 Statistics: 326.4 yards per game, 281 points, 44 sacks, 15 recovered fumbles, 18 interceptions, 3 TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 316.9 yards per game, 279 points, 43 sacks, 17 recovered fumbles, 23 interceptions, 3 TD’s

Cheaper: Buffalo Bills

The Bills spent 4 of their 9 draft picks on the defensive side in April. The newcomers include Torell Troup, Alex Carrington, Danny Batten, and Arthur Moats. The Bills defense will surprise many this season. They are a good pick up when your top defense is on a bye-week.

2009 Statistics: 340.6 yards per game, 326 points, 32 sacks, 5 recovered fumbles, 28 interceptions, 2 TD’s

2010 Statistical Prediction: 312.0 yards per game, 296 points, 31 sacks, 13 recovered fumbles, 31 interceptions, 3 TD’s

Ex-Devils defenseman, Paul Martin, has signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5 year, $25M deal. That makes a $5M cap hit.

Martin is a 6′1 20 pound left-handed defensive defenseman that was forced to pass up a chance to play for team USA at this year’s Olympics. He broke his arm against the Penguins on October 27, 2009 and only played in 22 games last season. Martin notched 2 goals and 9 assists and was a +10 last season

Paul Martin joins Zbynek Michalek as the Penguins new defensive shutdown pair. They combine for $9M in salary cap.

Ray Shero and the Penguins now have about $2M in salary cap space and could get a winger.

Ex-Coyotes defenseman, Zbynek Michalek has signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 5 years at $20M. That’s a $4M per year cap hit.

Michalek is a 6’2 210 pound right-handed Czech Republic Olympian. In 72 games, Michalek notched 3 goals and 17 assists in 2009-2010. He was a +5 last season

Zbynek is a defensive defenseman and appears to have placed Mark Eaton. He is half of the Pens new shutdown defensive pair. The only question is: who is Michalek’s shutdown partner?

The Penguins now have about $7M in salary cap space left. Ray Shero still needs another defenseman and a winger.

Ex-Penguins defenseman signed with the Ottawa Senators shortly after free agency started. Ottawa signed a 3-year deal for $5.5 million plus a no trade clause.

For Ottawa fans: It’s probably a good thing for 2010-2011. If Gonchar retires before his contract is up, Sens fans will be upset.

For Pittsburgh fans: Gonchar is a liability on defense and it negates his offensive production. He’s better off on an Eastern Conference team so Crosby and Malkin can torch him.

Just before the Blackhawks announced their trade of the 30th pick, Flyers GM tapped Ray Shero on the shoulder and wanted to talk. This was forgotten in the midst of the CHI and NYI trade and 30th pick.

After it was all said and done, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired the rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis. The Pens traded their 3rd round pick in 2011 to Philadelphia, hoping they can sign Hamhuis to a contract before he becomes a free agent on July 1st.

The Philadelphia Flyers acquired the negotiating rights for Hamhuis when they traded Ryan Parent last week.

I hope the Penguins say goodbye to Sergei Gonchar and move quickly to sign Hamhuis, Mark Eaton, and Jordan Leopold to solidify their defense before free agency begins.

For the 20th pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select…

After waiting 2 hours and 43 minutes, Ray Shero and the Pittsburgh Penguins selected right-winger Beau Bennett. The 6’1 right handed winger seems to be Sidney Crosby’s future winger. Committed to Denver University for the 2010-2011 season, Bennett scored 120 points in the BCHL last season. He notched 41 goals and 79 assists in 56 games. Beau is the only BCHL rookie to score over 100 points in seven years.

His highlights can be seen on YouTube here: Beau Bennett.

ROUND 1:
#1. Edmonton Oilers choose
LW Taylor Hall 6’1 185

#2. Boston Bruins pick
C Tyler Seguin 6’1 172

#3. Florida Panthers select
D Erik Gudbranson 6’4 195

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets choose
C Ryan Johansen 6’2 192

#5. New York Islanders draft
RW Nino Niederreiter 6’2 201

#6. Tampa Bay Lightning pick
RW Brett Connolly 6’2 181

#7. Carolina Hurricanes choose
C Jeff Skinner 5’10 187

#8. Atlanta Thrashers select
C Alexander Burmistrov 5’11 157

#9. Minnesota Wild pick
C/W Mikael Granlund 5’10 180

#10. New York Rangers choose
D Dylan McIlrath 6’4 212

#11. Dallas Stars draft
G Jack Campbell 6’3 175

#12. Anaheim Ducks select
D Cam Fowler 6’1 190

#13. Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary) pick
D Brandon Gormley 6’2 185

#14. St. Louis Blues choose
C Jaden Schwartz 5’10 180

#15. Los Angeles Kings (from Florida/Boston) select*
D Derek Forbort 6’5 198

#16. St. Louis Blues (from Ottawa) draft**
RW Vladimir Tarasenko 5’11 202

#17. Colorado Avalanche choose
C Joey Hishon 5’10 170

#18. Nashville Predators select
LW Austin Watson 6’3 185

#19. Florida Panthers (from Los Angeles) pick
C Nick Bjudstad 6’4 188

#20. Pittsburgh Penguins draft
RW Beau Bennett 6’1 173

#21. Detroit Red Wings select
C Riley Sheahan 6’2 202

#22. Montreal Canadians (from Phoenix) choose***
D Jarred Tinordi 6’6 205

#23. Buffalo Sabres select
D Mark Pysyk 6’1 174

#24. Chicago Blackhawks pick
RW Kevin Hayes 6’2 201

#25. Florida Panthers (from Vancouver) draft^
C Quinton Howden 6’2 182

#26. Washington Capitals choose
C Evgeny Kuznetsov 6’0 172

#27. Phoenix Coyotes (from Montreal) pick^^
G Mark Visentin 6’2 187

#28. San Jose Sharks select
C/RW Charlie Coyle 6’2 202

#29. Anaheim Ducks choose
RW Emerson Etem 6’0 190

#30. New York Islanders (from Chicago) pick^^^
C Brock Nelson 6’3 205

TRADES:
*Florida traded the 15th pick to LAK for the 19th and 56th picks.
**Ottawa traded the 16th pick to STL for David Rundblad.
***Phoenix traded picks #22 and #113 to MTL for picks #27 and #57.
^Vancouver traded the 25th pick, Steve Bernier, and Michael Grabner to FLA for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich.
^^Montreal traded picks #27 and #57 to PHX for picks #22 and #113.
^^^Chicago traded the 30th pick to the NYI for picks #35 and #58.

THOUGHTS:
Taylor Hall deserved to go #1 because he is the best player in the draft.

I was surprised to see Cam Fowler fall to #12, but I don’t think he’s a top 10 player.

The Vancouver and Florida trade was very unexpected. I think it was a fair deal for both sides.

I cannot wait to see the day that Jarred Tinordi lights up Alex Ovechkin.

After the Islanders picked #30, the Penguins acquired the rights to Dan Hamhuis from Philadelphia for a 3rd round pick in the 2011 Draft. This is HUGE for the Pens if they can sign him. Hamhuis is in the $2.0-2.5 million dollar range.

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Currently signed players through 2010-2011 season include: (according to CapGeek)

Sidney Crosby $8.7M
Evgeni Malkin $8.7M
Marc-Andre Fleury $5.0M
Jordan Staal $4.0M
Brooks Oprik $3.75M
Chris Kunitz $3.725M
Kris Letang $3.5M
Alex Goligoski $1.83M
Pascal Dupuis $1.4M
Max Talbot $1.05M
Eric Tangradi $845,833
Mike Rupp $825,000
Eric Godard $750,000
Tyler Kennedy $725,000
Brent Johnson $600,000
Craig Adams $550,000

This totals $45,954,166.
That leaves approximately $10,845,834-$12,845,834 because the cap should increase about $2M.

2010-2011 PENS FREE AGENTS:
Sergei Gonchar: The re-signing of Sarge is a very touchy subject amongst Pens fans. Part of the inconsistency of the team was because Gonchar was inconsistent. The aging 36-year old has played in a little over half of the Pens regular season games over the past 2 years. Although he is a great Power Play quarterback, the team didn’t have success while he was in the lineup last year. Part of the problem is too many quarterbacks on the Power Play. QB Sarge at the point, QB Malkin at the top of the circle, QB Crosby down below. Let the best play maker in hockey run the PP and say goodbye to #55. This would free up about $5M for a top free agent.

Alexei Ponikarovsky: Ray Shero finally failed on a deadline acquisition. The “scoring winger” notched 3 goals in 27 games with the Penguins and seemed invisible at most times. Shero saw something in Poni and I believe he will re-sign the Ukrainian for a two-year $3.75M contract. Because Alexei disappeared in a Penguins uniform, his free agent status fell. A $1.875M per year cap hit will be well worth his 40-50 points.

Mark Eaton: Eaton is a must sign. A shutdown defensive pair is a necessity for another Pens cup run. Mark Eaton is 1/2 of the shutdown pair and could look very good with an incoming free agent (Anton Volchenkov). If I were Shero, I would ink Eaton to a 3-year $7.5M contract. That’s $2.25M in 2010-2011 and $2.5M in 2011-2012 and $2.75M in 2012-2013.

Bill Guerin: With Eric “Big Dog” Tangradi on his way to the top (yes…Sid’s line), Pittsburgh will probably not be a good fit for Guerin. Not only would he have to take a pay cut, but he would be losing a lot of playing time as well. I believe the Pens will let Billy G walk away and he may retire.

Ruslan Fedotenko: Feds had a very disappointing year for the Pens in 09-10. As a top-6 winger and demanding around $2M per year, Ruslan seems to be a goner. He produced 30 points in 80 regular season games and only appeared in 6 playoff games. A minus-20 in the regular season and playoffs combined shows that Fedotenko lacks the desire to play two-way hockey. I would not be surprised if Shero offers Ruslan a one-year $1M sheet, but I’m confident he won’t re-sign. After his horrible performance this past season, Fedotenko should end up in the KHL next season.

Jordan Leopold: Ray Shero acquired Leopold at the deadline for a reason…to shutdown Ovechkin. The Pens need to stop Ovechkin in the Winter Classic and in the playoffs. I think Leopold will be re-signed to a two-year $3.75M deal and will help bring the Cup back to the Burgh. A $1.875M cap hit.

Jay McKee: The “Key” didn’t work out as well as the Pens wished. McKee just doesn’t fit in the Penguins plan. He is a solid defender that could replace a Paul Martin or Anton Volchenkov. Freeing up McKee’s cap space will help Shero make another trade deadline deal in 2011. The “Key” must walk and will bring success to another team.

Matt Cooke: The Pens MUST re-sign the cookie monster. Cooke is more than just the average agitator. When healthy, he is consistently a 30-point scorer. A three-year deal for $1.8M per year is the perfect way to keep the best 3rd line in hockey together for at least one more year.

If the Penguins Re-sign…
Mark Eaton $2.25M
Jordon Leopold $1.875M
Alexei Ponikarovsky $1.875M
Matt Cooke $1.8M