What is going on ProSports nation! It has been an extremely long weekend, with tons of traveling, so I do apologize for the lack of insight prior to week 4. Needless to say, this was definitely a crazy week! There were tons of stellar performances, some of which I will point out, as well as some signs of hope for some underperforming players. Lets get into it.

QB

Aaron Rodgers- GB
You had to know this guy was coming. Aaron Rodgers arguably had one of  the greatest fantasy football lines ever, and unfortunately I had to play him . Regardless, Aaron Rodgers looks to continue this streak of dominance and owners need to keep reaping the benefits. If there was any dispute over the #1QB, Rodgers debunked those arguments. He is, and will be, the best QB for years to come.

Cam Newton- CAR

Mike Vick 2.0? I will admit that I had no confidence in Cam Newton as a professional QB, and he has proven me wrong in every way. Newton looks extremely comfortable throwing the deep ball, as well as making plays with his feet. If someone is willing to trade this guy away, snag him. Although he may not rack up as many yards rushing as Vick may, Newton can pound the ball in for the TD on short yardage plays, and still has the speed to make people miss. I am extremely impressed with this guy and people need to start him.

Ryan Fitzpatrick- BUF

I was high on Fitzpatrick last week, as was everyone else. I still think he is great QB option, but this week shows that he is not a reliable  option. He has the potential to be top 5, as stated last week, but right now I would look for other guys as Fitzpatrick hasn’t totally gotten there. Fitzpatrick performed well last year at the start, and returned to normal form quickly so do not be surprised  (I hope I am wrong!).

RB

Ryan Torain- WAS

I picked Torain up prior to this week on a whim, and it could be paying dividends. Mike Shanahan loves to use the “hot hand” RB and clearly has no allegiance to sticking with a certain guy. It appeared that Tim Hightower had the job, that is until he fumbled two weeks ago. Shanahan has always loved Torain and brought him with to the Redskins when Shanahan first started. Torain was a beast last year (other than fumbles) and there should be no reason why he won’t succeed moving forward. I would not call Torain a good flex starter even, but if he keeps performing like he did this past weekend, I see no issues starting him. Watch this weekend because Torain could easily fall back into the 3rd string RB role. If he is available which I would expect in almost any league, take a chance with him and use a waiver wire pickup.

Chris Johnson- TEN

Is he back? There is no guarantee the regular CJ2K is back from his currently horrific season, but this last week should give some hope. Johnson eclipsed the 100 yard mark for the first time this year, and it was also more yards that he had the entire regular season. Still, Johnson has yet to reach the endzone but owners should still stick with it. Johnson did not break off many long runs (other than a 25 yard run), but he looked as if he was able to get to the holes much quicker. Look, Tennessee has the worst run blocking line currently, and their missing their strong fullback Ahmad Hall. Chris Johnson should return to normal form, it is just a matter of time.

Isaac Redman- PIT

Redman is a nice guy to stash away if still available. When given the opportunity, Redman has performed well on every play he has been used. Mendenhall is CLEARLY the starter, but he is dealing with some hamstring issues and Redman could swipe more and more carries. Even if you never start him, it is good to have Mendenhall’s handcuff, especially since Mendenhall has clearly been under performing.

WR

Eric Decker- DEN

Decker has gone from potential flex starter, to a must start. Even with Brandon Lloyd, Decker has gotten just as many looks and is performing well. Decker should be owned in all formats and will probably be even more valuable once Eddie Royal returns. Decker was an amazing talent at the University of Minnesota and was a projected first rounder until he got injured. His stock dropped as scouts thought he could never return to form…looks like all of them were wrong! Get Decker if he’s still there!

Santana Moss- WAS

I do not love this guy, I just need to point out how consistent Santana is. He is not flashy or stud worthy, but you always know what you are getting with Santana Moss, which is extremely comforting. If you need to trade a stud WR to get better at another position, try to get Santana Moss as well. He doesn’t hold a lot of value and he can easily get you 7-10 points, PPR or Standard.

What is going on ProSportsBloggers and followers! Sorry that I did not write anything in preparation for week 3, my computer actually broke and I have had no internet access for the past 3 days (that is like a 3 years in fantasy terms). Although week 3 is not over yet, there a lot of takeaways from yesterday’s games. In this article, I am going to shed some light on some players I am sure people are worrying about, some players that people need to pay attention to, as well as some personal insights on some players.

QB
Tom Brady- NE

No need to worry about this guy, obviously. Yesterday just showed us that Tom Brady is human and can make mistakes, but not really many of them.  I am putting Brady here because I believe he probably will have his best statistical game next weekend. Not much more to say other than this guy is amazing.

Michael Vick- PHI

Some may hate to hear this, but this could be a blessing in disguise. As an Eagles fan, it killed me to see Mike Vick leave the game for the second straight week. Every week, heck, every play, Vick is getting smashed to the ground and is getting no love from the refs. In his press conference, Vick made it clear that he doesn’t get the same treatment as other elite QBs, and hopefully the refs will start to recognize this. Needless to say, people are going to have to play without Vick for at least 1-2 weeks (reports say 3-4 but I am not buying it). I say this is a blessing in disguise because it is pretty clear that Mike Vick will always be taking heat and getting hit hard, regardless of the penalties. With a few weeks to rest, Vick should return to prime form. I am somewhat nervous as a fan, and owner of Vick, but we all knew this going into this year’s fantasy drafts.

Ryan Fitzpatrick- BUF

Fitzpatrick is the man, simple as that. He may not be the best fantasy QB, but anyone who drafted him knows he has helped greatly. And for the most part, unless you are in deep leagues, Fitzpatrick was most likely a FA going into the year, if not going into this week.  Looking at his numbers from these past three games, Fitzpatrick is on pace for over 4,400 yards, and could break 50 TDs this year, which would be career highs in both categories. Looking at his ADP (average draft position), Fitzpatrick was being taken in the middle of the 13th round in standard drafts (152 overall), and was the 24th rated QB, which is not a starter in almost any league. Pretty much, Fitzpatrick came out of nowhere and is proving to everyone that a Harvard QB can get it done just like anyone else. He is also showing everyone that the Bills are a legitimate contender. Many people believe that this is just a fluke, and that Fitzpatrick will calm down and return to normal form like last year. I tend to disagree. There are other statistics, besides TDs and yards, that prove that Fitzpatrick is performing well and this is not just pure luck. The statistics that I tend to value more than just yards and TDs are Defense-adjusted yards against replacement (DYAR) and Defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA). Both of these statistics help evaluate players more accurately. DVOA is the value, per play, of a player compared to the average player. DVOA, as well as DYAR, take into account the various defenses as well as plays. For example, if Roddy White caught a pass and got all the way to the opposing team’s 2 yard line, but Michael Turner got the TD, the statistics would be skewed for each player. DVOA and DYAR take this into account. Lets say a QB had a DVOA of 20%, this would mean that the player is 20% better than the average QB. Next, DYAR is the value a player has over its replacement, in terms of yards (For more in-depth definition, look at FootballOutsiders webpage www.footballoutsiders.com/info/methods). Although these statistics are not the only ones that should be evaluated, they definitely are helpful. With this in mind, looking at DVOA and DYAR, Ryan Fitzpatrick has 57.1% and 325 yards, respectively (And this is only first two weeks). This puts Fitzpatrick as the 3rd ranked QB in fantasy right now over guys like Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Phillip Rivers. One guy that I was contemplating writing about instead of Fitzpatrick was Joe Flacco who has also had a stellar first three weeks. Looking at his DVOA and DYAR, he is -5.2% and 24 yards, receptively! This just shows that the standard statistics do not always tell the whole story. If Fitzpatrick is somehow still available in your league, just grab him already because he is going to become a household name.

RB

Lesean McCoy- PHI

Right now, McCoy could arguably be the best fantasy back and player in the league. If you own him in a PPR league, you surely are reaping the benefits of taking him with your fist pick. With Mike Vick sitting out for the next couple weeks, the Eagles are definitely going to be relying on McCoy a little bit more. I have a lot of faith in Kafka (not Vince Young), but McCoy is the only guarantee the Eagles have right now. People were somewhat hesitant with McCoy because Vick would be stealing some of his touches and TDs, but that has yet to be the case. McCoy is only going to get better, especially since the passing game may be hindered a little bit with a new QB.
Darren McFadden- OAK

I know I just said how McCoy is the best player right now, but Run-DMC is a freak of nature that WILL be the best RB in the league by the end of the season. We all know McFadden has the talent, it’s just whether or not he can stay on the field.  Right now, even with the little nicks, McFadden seems to be ready for an entire season and has erased all the doubt many people had. I mean, I drafted him in the 3rd round this year, which is ridiculous. McFadden is a workhorse and can really do everything. Remember him from Arkansas? According to many analysts, if McFadden and Adrian Peterson were drafted the same year, McFadden would be drafted ahead of him. He is the best combination of speed, agility, and power in the NFL today and will continue to improve. I do not think it is possible to get him, but you might as well try because he is the best.
Chris Johnson- TEN

What is up with this guy? I am glad I am not one of those people who guaranteed an amazing week from CJ2K because he stunk! Not only did he just stink, he stunk against the Broncos. There is not much I can say about this guy that has not been said other than to keep waiting. He was the best RB 2 years ago, and one of the best last year. DO NOT GIVE UP

Deangelo Williams- CAR
On the other hand, this is a guy that really is making me nervous. You would think that after such a huge contract, Deangelo would tear it up and prove to everyone (including many of his fans) that he is the number 1 RB in Carolina, not JStew. Should you drop Deangelo, probably not but I understand how frustrating owning a guy like this is (I know because I own him). It seems like the Panthers are relying heavily on their rookie QB Cam Newton and have shied away from the run. I cannot imagine how long this will happen as Deangelo was a top 5 runningback two years ago. Am I worried? Of course I am….Am I jumping ship? NO!  Stick with it, even if it is torturing and you do not want to, it’s only week 3.

WR

Eric Decker- DEN
I wrote about Decker as one of my sleepers, and a benificiary to the Bronco’s injuries. Although not a stellar performance in standard leagues, Decker did quite alright for owners in PPR leagues with 7 receptions and 48 yards. More importantly, Decker has 12 catches over  the last 2 games, and had 12 targets in this past game. With his emergence, and an Eddie Royal injury, Decker should be a consistent WR3 or flex in PPR leagues. Decker’s performance yesterday obviously did not compare to his week 2 performance, but Kyle Orton loves throwing him the ball. On top of his team high 12 targets, Orton also missed Decker on a wide open play that turned into a pick. Kyle Orton does not get enough love, but he is a good fantasy option and has helped Decker emerge as a legitimate fantasy option as well.

Lance Moore- NO

I was somewhat skeptical about Lance Moore going into this week as he really has not done anything this year, mostly due to the groin injury. It appears the groin injury has healed and Moore can be considered a solid WR3 or Flex, especially in PPRs. Moore was praised throughout the off-season for his boosted value due to the departure of Reggie Bush.  Darren Sproles though has effectively taken Bush’s role which has caused some people to speculate whether Moore can still perform well. Yesterday was a clear indication that when healthy, Lance Moore is a solid option. Even with Sproles playing well, Moore grabbed 9 receptions for 88 yards and a TD.  Unlike Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, Moore is a consistent WR that has always performed well in Drew Bree’s spread offense. With Marques Colston still injured, Lance Moore should reap the benefits  for a while. He is Bree’s favorite target and is playing the Jags next weeked. He is a must start.

TE

Antonio Gates-SD
I really feel bad for this guy. After reading various reports and insight, it is pretty clear that Antonio Gates will never be the same freakish TE that he once was. The tear in his foot is a lingering problem that is said to restrict him from running deep vertical routes. I am not sure what kind of value Gates really has right now because his status is truly uncertain. How can a guy with a tear in his foot be considered questionable? It seems like the Chargers have started to shift away from him, involving other players like Ryan Mathews (look for an article later this week about Mathews). I obviously would not go and drop Gates, but it is really scary what could happen over the next few weeks as more information is known. Owners need to understand that Gates will most likely never return to form, but can still expect a solid performance, if he can get onto the field. It is really frustrating owning this guy because you clearly will not get the same value as was expected earlier this season. With that being said, owners may need to look to the FA market for guys like: Randy McMichael, Fred Davis, Brandon Pettigrew.

Brandon Pettigrew- DET

Speaking of Brandon Pettigrew, this guy needs to be owned in all formats. If yesterday was not an indication of his skills and potential, go back and take a look again. With 11 receptions and 112yards, this guy is a PPR monster. The Lions have always had high hopes for this guy, seeing as they drafted the Oklahoma State Product in the 1st round. Stafford has always loved throwing Pettigrew the ball, and Pettigrew should emerge as a top 10 TE with a healthy Stafford. Even with Stafford playing limited time last year, Pettigrew racked up 111 targets. There are not many other TEs that get this many receptions and targets, so go after him before he gets even better!

What is going on ProSportsBlogging readers! WOW, what a crazy crazy crazy weekend in fantasy football. If you are like me, you had numerous injuries this past weekend including Jamaal Charles, Miles Austin, Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Hernandez. Yeah I know, I am totally done for in my league. Hopefully this was not the case for any of my readers though. Anyways, this was an awesome fantasy weekend with a lot of players breaking out.  Here are some of the players that I was really impressed by:

Ben Tate- HOU RB

If you do not have him already, please don’t wait till he has ANOTHER 100 yard game. I touched on Tate in my Players to Avoid article, but he has totally proven himself as a legitimate starter in fantasy football.  Arian Foster clearly is not healthy yet, and reaggravated  his left hamstring injury again last weekend. The Texans really need to sit Foster out again and use Tate. Tate has had consecutive 100 plus rushing yards and has looked dominant. With Foster having issues, Tate will for sure be the starter for the next few weeks (they already named him starter) and I cannot imagine the Texans not going to a RBBC once Foster returns. Until last year when Ben Tate was put on IR, Tate was considered the starting RB. He has the skills and talent and is able to show it off with Foster out. Regardless of what happens, get Ben Tate, especially in dynasty and keeper leagues.

Roy Helu- WAS RB

Helu was the Skins’ 4th round pick this last year from Nebraska. There was a lot of discussion and doubt about Helu because of the fact that the Redskins traded for Tim Hightower and still had their starting RB from last year, Ryan Torain. It was evident after this past weekend though that Roy Helu is still relevant in the fantasy world, and is actually someone fantasy owners should target as a sleeper. There is no doubt that Tim Hightower has performed well since joining the Redskins, but is this really what we should expect from Hightower? Throughout his career, Hightower’s name has been associated with fumbling and terrible speed. Well, he still has terrible speed, but he has not really fumbled the ball. In my opinion, I do not think Hightower has the gas to play through the entire season at this rate. The Redskins plan to use Hightower as a workhorse and last week was evidence that Hightower will not succeed as he is used more. In the first half, Hightower rushed 15 times, but only 5 times in the second half because he was out of gas. In place of Hightower, Helu rushed 10 times for 74 yards and caught 3 passes. I am not hating on Tim Hightower, just pointing out that Mike Shanahan really likes Roy Helu and is going to start using him more and more.

Eric Decker- DEN WR

Who is he? Although Eric Decker is not a highly publicized athlete in the fantasy realms, the dude has some talent. He was a 3rd round pick last year and was considered to be potential star, until he got injured. This year, Decker is healthy and now has an opportunity to prove to everyone how good he really is with Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal hurt. Royal may miss a month and Decker has already been named the starter. With 5 receptions for 119 yards and 2 tds last week, it’d be crazy if you didn’t use a waiver claim on this guy. Look at his highlights from last week, and even the week before. Orton really trusts Decker and targeted him 9 times. Decker proved himself with amazing playmaking abilities, great hands, and great route running. Pick him up ASAP before he breakouts even more.

Rob Gronkowski- NE TE

We all know how good Gronkowski and Hernandez are, but this guy is amazing. Anything that Tom Brady throws his way is caught, and taken for another 20 plus yards. It is pretty evident that no matter what TE you choose from the Patriots, they will succeed. Gronkowski looked like the worse of the 2 options, until he caught his second TD catch. Going into the year, there were many haters/doubters that Gronkowski would come close to his 10 TD mark from last year. Well, seeing as he already has 3 TDs in the first two games, there is no question Gronkowski could, and should, surpass 10 TDs this year. On top of all this, there has been news that Aaron Hernandez will miss between 4-6 weeks. That is truly unfortunate for such a talented and rising player, but this is amazing news for Gronkowski owners. I cannot begin to predict the kind of numbers Gronkowski will have, but they surely will surpass his current numbers. In my opinion, Gronkowski should be the number 1 TE over the next few weeks. If he somehow is available, get him. If not, try and trade for him now before it is too late because he is going to torch the Bills this weekend.

PROSPORTS BLOGGING NATION!!!! What’s up guys. Starting today, every Thursday starting around 10am (today is a little earlier), I will have an open forum discussing YOUR fantasy football issues. Need advice on who to start, whether or not to accept a trade, or just looking for some insight? If that is the case, PLEASE do not hesitate to post your question in the comments section below and I will be sure to answer. I hope you all enjoy this, as I know I will. Hope to hear from you soon!

Whats up SportsBlogging Nation. With Week 2 around the corner, there are various hot waiver wire pickups that are potential sleepers. Today, I want to discuss my top two waiver wire pick ups that need to be added IMMEDIATELY! Hope you enjoy.

Aaron Hernandez-NE 

Everyone knows how well Hernandez performed this past Sunday night, the issue is whether he can consistently put up these numbers. I say take a chance! Hernandez was the most targeted receiver throughout the preseason and still looks to be. He is a huge mismatch almost every time because he has the size/weight of a tight end, but the speed of a wide receiver. Currently, Hernandez is only owned in 78% of leagues on Yahoo and 58.7% on ESPN!!! Take a chance on this guy. I took one last week and it sure paid off. If you have a top waiver wire pick, snag him.

Carnell Williams- TB

Remember how good Carnell, I mean Cadillac, use to be. This is another guy that is going to be taken with an early waiver wire pick, but is definitely a good RB3 for a team. He is also a great handcuff for the already injured Steven Jackson. Be careful with Cadillac as he did face my Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are terrible at stopping the run (absolutely no LBs) and made Steven Jackson and Cadillac Williams look amazing. There is no denying the talent and potential Cadillac brings. If you need an RB, Cadillac is someone I would definitely pick up, especially if Steven Jackson’s injury lingers. Cadillac is the starter this weekend so take advantage!

What’s up SportsBlogging nation! I first want to apologize for not following through with my posts. With so much anticipation, as well as some unexpected events over the weekend, it was impossible to get to the computer. “What’s Grinding My Gears” will be delayed until this Friday, but I am adding a sleeper of the day today because I missed this weekend. Anyways, what a great start to the year. Here is my sleeper of the day:

CJ Spiller- BUF- Spiller was really hyped entering his rookie season and disappointed everyone. This year, Spiller does not come in with high expectations and his value is lower than it should be. Spiller was drafted 9 overall and has the talent to breakout. Unfortunately, Fred Jackson is ahead of him and is performing well. The Bills have made it clear though that Spiller will be involved and will likely get the starting job by the end of the season. Spiller was not spectacular yesterday, but still got a touchdown on 5 attempts. If you can get him without trading away a starter, I would take a chance. Keep him on your radar as he has the potential any week to go off.

After another long night because of a late fantasy draft (worst idea ever), I wake up early this morning re-energized for some great football tonight! I try to calm myself down and go back to sleep (I could definitely use it), but I immediately turn on ESPN and get my computer. There is one thing on my mind, and nothing else matters. Man….I really love this time of year. Did anyone see ESPN First Take this morning??? Skip Bayless was ripping on Aaron Rodgers using the championship belt. Personally, I think the belt is hilarious. Skip Bayless is crazy… Anyways, starting today, I will post a “Sleeper of the day” every Tuesday and Thursday  and “What’s grinding your gears” on Friday where fantasy football owners get to sound off. But because this is such a special week, there will be a special section, “Rituals before football Sunday”.  Even though the NFL Kickoff  is tonight, Sunday is really what I am looking forward to. But anyways, here goes nothing.

Sleeper of the Day: Davone Bess-WR MIA

This guy gets absolutely no love from fantasy owners. In PPR leagues, Bess is a machine. Here are his numbers over his first 3 years:

2008- 54 rec/554 yards/1 TD/75 Targets

2009- 76 rec/758 yards/2 TDs/113 Targets

2010- 80 rec/817 yards/6 TDs/126 Targets

Bess has gotten progressively better, and it is evident that Henne feels comfortable throwing him the ball. He has been one of the most targeted players over the past two seasons and he keeps improving. On top of this, he has Brandon Marshall playing opposite of him and the Dolphins hired Brian Daboll as their new offesnive coordinator. The OC replaces Dan Henning and has implemented more passing plays into their scheme. Daboll feels Henne is ready and I agree that Henne could become somewhat relevant in fantasy this year.

Rituals Before Football Sunday

There are so many things to do for football Sunday, and so little time (I guess its easier than being on the west coast). The first NFL Sunday is like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years combined…true bliss. This year is particularly special due to the lockout. This off season just shows us how much we should appreciate these sports/athletes. Anyways, here are my 2 for today:

1. Get the pump up music on to get the blood flowing. A classic for me is Archie Eversole’s “We Ready”.

2. Stare at my computer for about an hour deciding my lineup and if there are any last second injuries.

That’s all for now guys. Thanks for reading.

Oh yea, I am taking the Packers at -4.5. It’s a close spread and will be a close game, I just cannot imagine the Superbowl Champs losing their first game at Lambeau. My Fantasy Pick tonight is Jermichael Finley.

Are you ready for some football? How about some fantasy football? I sure know I am!  Hey guys this is Spencer Lieberson, I am a new writer for ProSports Blogging. With only one day left till the long-awaited kickoff  of the 2011 season, there are still many questions unanswered. Should you draft Peyton Manning? Is Arian Foster’s injury going to linger? Will Chris Johnson’s holdout cause any injuries? In this article, I will discuss some fantasy “studs” that I’m not too high on.

Peyton Manning-IND

Lets get the Peyton Manning issue out of the way. Yes, I still consider Peyton Manning a stud. He is by far the most talented QB of the last decade. I would not call Manning a bust, but his value has decreased and he SHOULD NOT be taken earlier than the 4th round. Manning has already been ruled out for Week 1 and who knows how much longer he could be out.  This injury can be attributed to the lockout since Peyton was unable to receive medical attention from the Colt’s doctors. I would consider Manning as medium-risk, high-reward. Bottom line: If healthy, he is top 5, but I would not use him as one of my top 3 picks. If manning is available in the 4th round, I say take a chance. Manning is one of the most durable athletes and is dedicated to keeping himself healthy. When he is back, expect him to be full-force.

UPDATE: According to Jake Query, a radio show host for 1260 WNDE Indianapolis, Peyton Manning is apparently out for the season. Since this is the only report, this could just be another rumor. Regardless, stay away from  Manning within the first four rounds.

Arian Foster- HOU

Didn’t see this one coming did you? Look, I really really really like the statistics Arian Foster put up last year, but can he really imitate? In my opinion,  it is going to be extremely tough to come close to last year’s numbers. Before this off season, Foster was arguably the #1 pick in every fantasy draft. At this point in time, I am not sure I would want to even draft him (obviously you should though). Looking at my rankings, I have Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Ray Rice ahead of him.  Foster is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue and he has been knocked up a few times before. During his college career at Tennessee, Foster had a torn meniscus and an injured shoulder his freshman year, an ankle injury that kept him out most of his sophomore year, followed by ANOTHER knee injury going into his junior year. Foster played through both knee injuries during his freshman and junior years. Does this sound familiar? Hmmmmm……In Foster’s only good year, he played through a left knee injury which required cartilage surgery this past off season. On top of all that , he has hamstring issues that have hobbled him twice during training camps, and possibly into the season. Bottom line: Foster clearly has the talent, but with all of the injury issues surrounding him currently, and his history, I would not use a top 4 pick on him.  The Texans drafted Ben Tate  for a reason last year, and it seems like Derrick Ward is making his case for the backup role as well . If Foster is available after the 4th pick, draft with confidence. But, be prepared for him to sit out at some point this year (hopefully for his sake I am wrong).  Make sure to get Foster’s handcuff!

Michael Turner-ATL

Would not consider Turner a true “stud”, but he is someone that needs to be highlighted.  Some sites have Turner ranked as high as #7 RB…..WRONG. Even though Michael Turner has been a beast over the past 3 seasons rushing for 3,941 yards and 39 touchdowns, he also has 889 touches-377 in 2008, 178 in 2009, and 334 in 2009. At 29 years old, he is ending his prime and has put a lot of miles on his legs in such a short time. According to the Football Outsiders, “The average running back with 370 or more regular-season carries, or 390 including the postseason, will see their rushing yardage decline by 35 percent, and their yards per carry decline by eight percent. 370 carries is roughly the point at which additional carries start to become more and more of a problem”.  After Turner’s career year and a playoff run, he missed almost half of the season. Bottom line: Turner bounced back last season, but do you really want him as your #1 RB? He is becoming an old man in running back years and should expect less touches this year. If he is available  in the 2nd round, go for him.

Brandon Lloyd-DEN

Lloyd put up some nasty numbers last year but I just don’t see it happening again. Kyle Orton is still in Denver which helps Brandon Lloyd’s chances, but it is hard to trust a guy who- other than last year- has been nonexistant in fantasy football since 2005. Other than Lloyd’s 3 year tenure in San Francisco, he has done nothing! Bottom line: There is no doubting the potential Lloyd offers, but is he just another journeyman?  He’s already 30 and is on a less than stellar offense.

Hope this helps. More to come!

Look for my sleeper of the day tomorrow!