Pick Him Up Or Pass Him By - Dallas Clark

Pick Him Up Or Pass Him By - Dallas Clark

2005 TCFS Mock Draft #2

2005 TCFS Mock Draft #2

The NFL Draft Report Card –From A Fantasy Point Of View

The NFL Draft Report Card –From A Fantasy Point Of View

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch - Volume IV

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch - Volume IV

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num 9

The Frozen Zone Vol 1 Num 9

Click the links below to access previous three Frozen Zones

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num.8

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num.7

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num.6

TCFS - NFL Draft EValuation And Analysis

TCFS - NFL Draft Evaluation And Analysis

The Four Corners Report - Terrell Owens

The Four Corners Report - Terrell Owens

Click the links below for other Four Corners Reports

The Four Coners Report - Ricky Williams

The Four Corners Report - Keyshawn Johnson

The Four Corners Report - David Terrell

The Commissioner's Corner - Muhsin Muhammad

The Commissioner’s Corner

Player Profile: Muhsin Muhammad, wr, Chicago Bears
When the Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad to a long term free agent deal, they picked up arguably the 2nd best free agent wide out available, behind only Derrick Mason. How did they end up with him, and what can we expect in 2005?
During week one of the 2004 season, the Carolina Panthers lost receiver Steve Smith for the year with a broken leg. When that happened, they needed Muhsin to step up to the level of his 2000 Pro Bowl season. He was more than up to the challenge. He caught 93 passes, which was only his third highest total, but he set career highs with 1405 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns. Both of those numbers also led the NFL and earned “Moose” his second trip to Hawaii.
His production did have a negative impact on Carolina, though, as he priced himself right out of town. With Smith set to return and rookie Keary Colbert showing so much promise, the Panthers felt it better to spend their free agent dollars elsewhere.
So after nine seasons, elsewhere for Muhsin turned out to be Chicago. In 2005, he’ll be lined up on the opposite side of either second year receiver Justin Gage or fellow free agent signee Eddie Berlin and his presence will give 2nd year quarterback Rex Grossman an experienced safety net.
As a result of his signing with the Bears, do not expect a repeat of last year’s stats. Something in the neighborhood of 70 receptions, 1000 yards and 9 touchdowns is a possibility, if and only if, Grossman continues to improve as the season progresses. If Grossman gets injured or the Bears play musical quarterbacks again, then those numbers could be cut almost in half.
Right now Muhsin is currently the 27th ranked receiver according to the TCFS rankings. But in any league you participate in, I think he should be considered a starter. That means he should be one of your top three receivers. If you get him after that, then someone has made a mistake.
That’s the view from the Commissioner’s Corner today. Stay tuned for more.

The Commish

The BlackJack Table Round # 3 A Look AT The New England Patriots Offense

The BlackJack Table Round # 3

The Commissioner's Corner - 2005 Draft Update

The Commissioner’s Corner
With the 2005 NFL Draft this weekend, I wanted to update my initial rankings of the top five prospects for the quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end positions. You can find my original rankings in my 2005 NFL Draft Preview from January 31.

Quarterbacks:
1. Aaron Rodgers, California
2. Alex Smith, Utah
3. Jason Campbell, Auburn
4. Charlie Frye, Akron
5. Adrian McPherson, Florida State, Indiana Firebirds (Arena League)
Keep an eye on: David Greene, Georgia; Dan Orlovsky, Connecticut;
Stefan Lefors, Louisville

Running Backs:
1. Ronnie Brown, Auburn
2. Cedric Benson, Texas
3. Carnell Williams, Auburn
4. Vernand Morency, Oklahoma State
5. J.J. Arrington, California
Keep an eye on: Ciatrick Fason, Florida; Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech; Kay
Jay Harris, West Virginia

Wide Receivers:
1. Mike Williams, USC
2. Braylon Edwards, Michigan
3. Troy Williamson, South Carolina
4. Mark Clayton, Oklahoma
5. Roddy White, Alabama-Birmingham
Keep an eye on: Reggie Brown, Georgia; Terrance Murphy, Texas A&M;
Jerome Mathis, Hampton

Tight Ends:
1. Heath Miller, Virginia
2. Alex Smith, Stanford
3. Kevin Everett, Jr., Miami (Fl.)
4. Jerome Collins, Notre Dame
5. Brad Cieslak, Northern Illinois
Keep an eye on: Joel Dressen, Colorado State; Dave Kashetta, Boston
College; Garrett Cross, California

Not much has changed in almost three months as 14 out of the twenty players ranked this time were ranked at the end of January, also.
To find out where all of these players are predicted to be drafted, check out the 2005 NFL Mock Draft. All seven rounds have been predicted, not just one or two rounds, giving you more info for your buck!
Drop us an e-mail to tell us how you think we did.
That’s the view from the Commissioner’s Corner today. Stay tuned for more.

The Commish

Pick Him Up Or Pass Him By - Fred Taylor

Pick Him Up Or Pass Him By - Fred Taylor

Click on the Following Links to see where Fred Taylor and the rest of the players are ranked on the TCFS Cheat Sheet and theTCFS Executive Running Back Rankings.

TCFS Cheat Sheet
TCFS Executive Running Back Rankings

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch Vol III

Here are the Week 3 Top performers in the NFL Europe League. Joining Gibran Hamden are Dave Ragone, Jeris McIntyre and Scott McCready as the only 2 time top performers.

1) Dave Ragone, QB, Berlin Thunder – The Texans reserve QB turned in a good performance in Week 3 completing 15 of 27 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs. He also rushed for 28 yards. His QB rating was 86.3. His longest pass went for 26 yards, and he spread out his passing among his receivers. Ragone seems to be maturing as an NFL caliber QB.

2) Jeris McIntyre, WR, Rhein Fire – The small but explosive wide receiver for the Chiefs grabbed 6 passes for 154 yards, a 25.7 average. His longest pass reception was 37 yards. He could have some fantasy value if he performs well in training camp or Dante Hall is injured.

3) Scott McCready, WR, Hamburg Sea Devils – McCready could be catching a team’s eve with a second stellar performance. McCready grabbed 9 passes for 101 yards, an 11.2 average. His longest pass reception was 19 yards. There is a slim possibility that he could catch on in the NFL as a possession type receiver.

4) Keylon Kincade, RB, Cologne Colonels – Kincade turned up some gaudy numbers in Week 3, rushing 18 times for 106 yards and a TD. His average was 5.9 yards per carry. His longest run was for 18 yards. He is with the Dallas Cowboys, and is 5’11” and 210 pounds. He attended SMU.

5) Kevin Eakin, QB, Frankfurt Galaxy – Eakin, a very accurate passer, was 8 of 13 for 170 yards and a TD. He finished with a 117.5 passer rating, and his longest pass went for 35 yards. He is currently assigned to the New York Jets. He stands on the small side for QBs at 6’0”, but he might make a team as a #3 QB if he can keep up the good numbers in Europe.

6) Johnathan Smith, RB, Amsterdam Admirals – Smith averaged 7.8 yards per carry on his 17 rushes, including a 56 yard run. He finished the week with 133 yards and a TD. The Washington State product is 5’8” and 196 pounds, and is currently assigned to the Chiefs.

7) Jarrett Payton, RB, Amsterdam Admirals – Payton, the son of Walter Payton, ran 15 times for 92 yards and a TD. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and had a long run of 56 yards, showing some breakaway speed. He also had 14 yards receiving. The 25 year old Payton is currently assigned to the Tennessee Titans, and at 6’” and 220 pounds, has good size for an NFL running back.

8) Scott McBrien, QB, Rhein Fire – McBrien had the best permance of the week, completing 16 of 27 passes for 325 yards and 2 TD, including a 73 yard strike. His QB rating was 95.4. The 6’ 188 pound Maryland product is currently assigned to the Packers.

9) Casey Bramlet, QB, Hamburg Sea Devils – Bramlet had a good week, going 15 for 20 for 179 yards and a TD, with a long pass of 40 yards. His QB rating was 97.7. He is currently assigned to the Cincinnati Bengals. At 6’4” and 225 pounds, Bramlet has good size to be an NFL quarterback, and he could wind up as a #2 QB this season, but have no fantasy value.

10) Cedric James, WR, Rhein Fire – James grabbed 6 passes for 149 yards and a 73 yard TD. He averaged 24.8 yards per reception. James is currently assigned to the Patriots, and has decent size at 6’1” and 195 pounds. He has seen some action in the NFL, but injuries have retarded his progress. He attended TCU. James has a shout to make the Pats as a #5 WR, but will have no fantasy value.

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num. 8

The Frozen Zone – Ice Cold NFL Facts and Happenings
Volume 1 Number 8
I. A couple big names stated this week that they were returning for another NFL season in 2005. Steve McNair and Jerome Bettis have decided to return for another season. McNair is a good fantasy quarterback when he’s healthy, and Bettis had a good season as a spot starter and goal line back for the Steelers. Bettis should be drafted free from Duce Staley but if you draft McNair, take a later pick on Billy Volek.

II. Terrell Owens wants to re-work his contract with the Eagles. The Eagles seem loathe to do so, and Owens says that he will sit out until he is paid as one of the top receivers in the game. This bears watching this week as the NFL Draft approaches to see if the Eagles draft a wide receiver with one of their many picks at the top of the draft.

III. The Patriots restructured the contract of Corey Dillon, who could remain a Patriot until 2007 if the team picks up the player’s option. That should make Dillon a productive, top flight fantasy back for the next three years. Draft him or trade for him if you can.

IV. The Texans have resigned veteran speedster wide receiver Corey Bradford. He is always good for 2-4 TDs a year and could be drafted as a #5 wide receiver for a fantasy team.

V. Pittsburgh signed some non-factors for the fantasy player this week. QB Brian St. Pierre, WR Sean Morey, and TE Walter Rasby were all given 1 year contracts by the Steelers.

VI. The Redskins signed RB Rock Cartwright and the Bengals resigned RB Kenny Watson. Both players have no fantasy value unless their respective teams are decimated by injury.

THE GOSSIP CHAIN
There is speculation that Doug Flutie will end up as a member of the Buccaneers. At this point in Flutie’s career, you have to imagine that his best years are behind him, and should be thought of as no more than a 3rd stringer in the NFL, and no factor in the fantasy circles.

Where will Travis Henry end up? Well, it’s a good bet that it won’t be in Buffalo. The Iceman says that money should be put on the fact that either the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Texans, or Vikings will employ him in 2005, and he will have a decent year.

The Iceman

Did You Know? A Quick Look at 2004 By the Numbers

NFL 2005 Schedule

The Four Corners Report - Keyshawn Johnson

Sheamus Says:
Keyshawn Johnson is already entering his 11th season in the NFL and his best seasons are surely behind him. Since entering the league, Johnson has been a selfish self promoter whose hype has been greater than his play. Let’s not forget that Johnson was released by the Tampa Bay Bucs and an offensive coach in Jon Gruden. Johnson is a big receiver but has never been that player on goal line situations that has taken that advantage and used it to its fullest potential. Johnson has average speed at best and is best suited for the short/intermediate routes rather than long pass that fantasy owners covet.

I have always thought of Johnson as an over rated fantasy performer for the last few years of his career. At times it seems as if Johnson is uninterested and if stats are the true measure of a player than Johnson’s per game averages are middle of the pack at best. The Cowboys are an old team at some key positions and Drew Bledsoe has become only mediocre. At this point in Johnson’s career I don’t think he has enough in him to raise his game and become a true go to receiver.

Johnson is no longer a receiver that a fantasy team can build around and should not be a player any team should over value. At this point of his career Keyshawn should be viewed as no better than a 3rd or 4th receiver on your team. While Johnson may still have some great games left in him, fantasy teams cannot rely on any consistent numbers from him.

Iceman Says:
Keyshawn Johnson has been a major disappointment for teams drafting him over the last 4 years. He has scored only 15 TDs since 2000. He has not had a 1000 yard receiving season since 2002. In 673 career receptions, only 9 have gone for 40 yards or more. His longest reception was for 76 yards. He has not made the Pro Bowl since 2001. And he will be 33 on Opening Day. All of these stats add up to Keyshawn having another sub par season in 2005. For a player that is 6’4” and 215 pounds, and supposedly very strong, he has a hard time catching jump balls in the end zone. He does not have breakaway speed.

He is certainly a receiver on the decline, and should be thought of as no more than a #3 or #4 receiver. Teams should not even consider Johnson joining their fantasy squad before the 7th round. What teams can expect from Johnson is about 60 receptions, 750 yards, and 4 TDs. You can be sure that he will be overvalued by some owner who is fooled by the fact that he will have Drew Bledsoe as his quarterback this season. But rest assured by the fact that, unless he is there in the 7th or 8th round in a deep draft, later in smaller drafts, the best plan would be to stay away, and go with a guy like Donald Driver or Joey Galloway who should also be available around that spot in the draft. Your team will be better and you will have less gray hairs when contemplating who your #3 WR will be.

BlackJack says:
Keyshawn Johnson (673 receptions for 8917 yards and 54 TD’s and 1 rushing TD in 9 years) became a decent fantasy receiver during his first 4 years with the Jets. He scored 32 of his 55 TD’s there. Then came Tampa and that’s when Keyshawn went down hill. His 4 years there only produced 17 TD’s. His yardage was close to his Jets days and he had nearly the same amount of catches 298 compared to 305 with the Jets. Keyshawn turned into more of a possession receiver and not the big playmaking receiver he was in
New York.

Keyshawn hasn’t had the quality quarterback throwing him the ball either with Tampa or last year in Dallas. Problem is Johnson lacks the ability to make his quarterback a better player. Now he has Drew Bledsoe throwing him the ball. Dallas should have a good ground game as well. Drew needs time to throw the ball and he needs protection. If the Dallas offensive line can give him the protection, Keyshawn should find Bledsoe better than Johnson’s past QB’s. If this Bledsoe thing works Keyshawn could have his best year since leaving New York. However that is a big IF.

Keyshawn should be considered only a # 3 receiver. He should post better numbers than last year but I don’t think it will be enough to be a Fantasy Factor. A good year I project 7-9 TD’s and 1043 yards. A bad year and his numbers aren’t worth mentioning.

The Commish Says:
It took me a long time to figure out how to approach a Four Corner discussion on Keyshawn Johnson. Personally, I don’t particularly care for the guy. First, he is a shameless self promoter who has a history of ripping his teammates and alienating his coaches. Now he is rumored to be unhappy with his contract. Give me a break.

I am trying to be objective about this, so I really looked at his statistics. Although they are not the kind of eye popping stats you’d expect from a number one overall pick, I did learn some surprising things about him as a player. In nine seasons, he’s started 132 of the 135 games he has played in. Of the nine games he’s missed, six were due to his season ending suspension during the 2003 season. That’s still an average of 15 games per season, so his durability is not an issue.

For his career, he has averaged 75 receptions good for 991 yards per season. That works out to 5 catches and 66 yards per game. Decent stats, especially if you are in a performance league. Keyshawn then becomes a definite number three receiver, possibly even a number two.

The only disturbing stat I came across was his lack of scoring. Fifty four touchdowns in 9 seasons (6 per year) could be enough to scare away teams considering him as a starter in touchdown leagues. That would relegate him to fourth or 5th receiver status. The low touchdown output is especially troubling considering his great size (6-4, 214 lbs.) and his willingness to go over the middle for the tough catch.

All in all, his attitude notwithstanding, Keyshawn is worth consideration when drafting your team. Where he is selected should depend on what kind of league you’re in. Just don’t rely too heavily on him. The numbers may be good, but not great. If he and Drew Bledsoe can establish some type of rhythm, his numbers could rise. But I would expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 receptions for 950 yards and 5 touchdowns. It’s up to you if you can live with those kinds of numbers on your team.

To see other For Corners Reports, click the links below.

The Four Corners Report - Ricky Williams

The Four Corners Report - David Terrell

NFL Draft Potential Steals

Look at these guys and where they will be drafted in the NFL Draft. They may not have value this season, but they could become steals for the teams that draft them, and for the fantasy teams that have patience to bring along rookies on their roster (keeper/dynasty leagues). Of course, it bears noting, that leagues that draft from scratch every year should stay away from untested rookies, unless they are immediate starters (i.e. Ronnie Brown).

1) Adrian McPherson, QB (TCFS Projection: 3rd round – pick 94) – With his baggage behind him and his maturity level skyrocketing, McPherson could be the steal of the draft. If he lasts until the 3rd round, any team would be crazy not to pick him up. He is a superb athlete, and if not playing quarterback, could contribute elsewhere on the team, either in the backfield or a 5th receiving option. He is the fastest of all of the quarterback prospects, and he is faster than 12 of the top 20 running backs.

2) Vernand Morency, RB (TCFS Projection: 2nd round – pick 54) – If it weren’t for the Big 3 Running Backs (Brown, Benson, and Williams), Morency would be a sure fire 1st round pick. He is from Oklahoma State (remember Thurman Thomas), and although not very quick and a little short, Morency has the ability to make plays. He has the ability to become a star in the NFL.

3) Maurice Clarett, RB (TCFS Projection: 5th round – pick 139) – If a team grabs Clarett in the 5th round, they will have gotten the steal of the century. He is a playmaker, and he will have his maturity problems behind him as he gets older. He has been tabbed as a quitter and lazy, but the guy excels on the football field. If you have the room, put him on your fantasy roster and wait to reap the rewards.

4) Chris Henry, WR (TCFS Projection: 2nd round – pick 37) – The TCFS projection could be a bit lenient, as it appears as though Henry will probably go in the 3rd round, but this guy has top tier talent. He does need to corral his temper though. He has serious maturity problems, but then again, so does Randy Moss, and he is the best player in the game. If you are looking for a rookie to grab as your 5th receiver, and Edwards and Williamson are gone, don’t be afraid to write down Henry’s name. He could pay dividends as early as the end of this season.

5) Larry Brackins, WR (TCFS Projection: 5th round – pick 128) – Brackins is certainly a project, making the jump from JUCO to the NFL. But he is over 6’4” and is a great leaper, which will make some team grab him and attempt to develop him. From a fantasy standpoint, it might not be wise to draft Brackins, unless your league has a developmental squad, as he appears to be a year or two away from any quotable fantasy numbers.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to draft a rookie to round out your roster, especially a running back or a wide receiver. Although most of these guys take a while to develop, if at all, you could grab that franchise guy (for keeper leagues) who will put you on top of your fantasy league for years.

To see the entire TCFS NFL mock Draft, click on the link below.

2005 TCFS Mock Draft

WEEK 6 FREE AGENTS

Darrell Hill(signed with Kansas City): Hill, a wide reciever entering his 4th year, has yet to record a reception. A player with no fantasy value for '05.

Jonathan Carter(re-signed with Jets):Carter will be entering his 5th season with the Jets. Carter is a speedy wide reciever that has been used primarily as a KR/PR. With the age and decreasing skills of Wayne Chrebet the 3rd wide reciever position is open for competition. Carter will have some value as your 4th or 5th receiver and is a worthy choice in the later rounds.

Marco Battaglia(signed with Pittsburgh): Marco has but 71 career receptions from his TE position in his 9 year career. The TE position is deep around the league so Marco will have no value to your fantasy team.

Jesse Chatman(re-signed with Chargers):Chatman served as the backup to LaDanian Tomlinson. The durability of Tomlinson over the years does not give Chatman many chances to see the field. Chatman has value only to those that are fortunate to own Tomlinson.

David Terrell(signed with Patriots):Terrell is a 5th year receiver joining his college QB in New England. To this point David's career has had limited success so a change in scenery should do him some good. The Patriots use all their receivers so Terrell will get his chances. Terrell should be considered only as your 4th or 5th option entering the '05 season.

Jon Richie(re-signed with Eagles): Richie has been a solid NFL FB for his 7 years and he does have pass receiving skills. A player with minimal value for fantasy team owners.

Ben Steele(re-signed with Green Bay):Steele is a backup Te with only 4 receptions in his rookie year. A player with no fantasy value.

Justin Peele(re-signed with San Diego): Peele is a 5th year TE backing up one of the best TE's in the league. Pelle has no value for the '05 season.

Jameel Cook(re-signed with Tampa Bay): A FB by trade Cook has no value for fantasy owners in the '05 season.

Matt Cushing(re-signed with Pittsburgh):In 6 NFL seasons Cushing's TE numbers have no value.

TCFS STAFF

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch - Vol II

Here is the second week’s top performers in NFL Europe. There is only one, Gibran Hamden, that is on the list for a second time.

1) Gibran Hamden, QB, Amsterdam Admirals – Hamden, as mentioned earlier, is on the top performer list for the second week. In Week 2, Hamden piled up 171 passing yards and a touchdown. He had an 83.9 passer rating. Hamden was visiting the United States when Iraq invaded Kuwait, and thus remained in the U.S. He is currently assigned to the Washington Redskins, and he is making a solid pitch to unseat Mark Brunell as the #2 quarterback for the ‘Skins.

2) Ahmaad Galloway, RB, Frankfurt Galaxy – Galloway put in probably the best effort in NFL Europe in Week 2 with 33 carries, 161 yards rushing and a TD. He had a long run of 31 yards. Galloway, in his second season in NFL Europe, is 6’0”, 225 pounds, and 25 years old. He attended Alabama. He is currently assigned to the Chargers, where he will be at best a #3 RB for that club.

3) Dave Ragone, QB, Berlin Thunder – Ragone, a highly touted prospect out of Louisville, has not lived up to his billing, but to his defense, has never really been given a chance. He turned in a yeoman’s performance in week 2 in Europe with 168 passing yards and a TD. He had a passer rating of 74.7. At 6’3” and 225 pounds, Ragone had good size to be an NFL quarterback, he just appears to need some playing time. He is currently assigned to the Houston Texans. At best he will be a #2 QB in 2005.

4) Scott McCready, WR, Hamburg Sea Devils – McCready had a decent week with 8 receptions for 88 yards. He currently has no NFL affiliation, and is in his 4th NFL Europe season. He is 6’1” and 215 pounds, from the U. of South Florida. McCready has no fantasy value if he cannot even make a practice squad in the NFL.

5) Kory Chapman, RB, Cologne Centurions – Chapman rushed for 83 yards, and a 4.9 yards per carry average in week 2. He had a long run of 25 yards. He has not played a down in the NFL. At 6’0 and 210 pounds, Chapman has decent size. He attended Jacksonville State and will be 25 years old on opening day. He is currently assigned to the New England Patriots. He will have minimal value playing for the Pats.

6) Carl Morris, WR, Cologne Centurions – Morris had a pretty good week, with 7 receptions for 81 yards and a long catch of 23 yards. Morris is in his 2nd NFL Europe season. Morris is a good athlete and intelligent. He attended Harvard University. At 6’3” and 215 pounds, he has good size to be an NFL receiver. A lot of teams could use someone like Morris. He is currently assigned to the Chargers, where he at least has a fighting chance to make the regular squad.

7) Jeris McIntyre, WR, Rhein Fire – McIntyre turned in an OK performance in week 2 with 3 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, but take away his 58 yard touchdown strike and his day was less then spectacular. McIntyre was a 6th round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004. He is a good athlete, but at 6’0’ and 205 pounds, and only average ability, he will have a hard time making the Chiefs roster. He will be 24 on opening day and he attended Auburn. McIntyre is currently assigned to the Chiefs.

Check out previous weeks of the Europe watch by clicking the link below

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch - Vol I

Pick Him Up Or Pass Him By - Kevan Barlow

Nobody is more of an enigma that Kevan Barlow. He is now in his 5th year our of Pitt, and every year he is grabbed in the Top 15 of the running back pool, or he is protected in keeper leagues. Let’s face the facts here guys, the guy is just not a Top 20 fantasy RB. In 2004, he averaged a paltry 3.4 yards per carry. He had only one 1000 yard rushing season (2003), and although he scored 7 TD in 2004, mostly because the San Francisco passing game was lousy, he has averaged just over 5 TD per season. Barlow is hardly a Top 20 caliber RB. At 6’1” and 240 pounds, Barlow should be able to move a pile, but that just doesn’t happen.

Over his career, Barlow has rushed for 4.2 yards per carry, and 8.5 yards per reception. He had 35 receptions in both 2003 and 2004, so he is a vital part of the passing game, mostly because the quarterbacks in San Francisco are inexperienced and look for the short pass to get out of trouble. Plus the 49er offensive line, as well as the entire team, is terrible, which makes life hard on a running back. However, the best ones make things happen. Emmitt Smith scored 9 TDs in the last year of his career playing with the Cardinals ! Giving Credit where it is due though, in 821 touches, Barlow has only fumbled the ball 10 times, losing 5.

Barlow did lose playing time to Maurice Hicks at the end of last season, so the Niners are not totally sold on Barlow’s ability to be a feature back, and they may look to a running back in the upcoming draft. For someone with good size, speed, and footwork, Barlow just cannot seem, for whatever reason, get the job done.

So, unless Barlow slips to the point where you are selecting your 3rd or possibly even 4th running back, PASS HIM BY. But have trust in the fact that he will probably not end up on your fantasy team, as someone with outdated cheat sheets or a magazine will take him in the Top 15-20 running backs in your league, or worse, protect him !!

To see where Kevan Barlow is ranked by TCFS, click the link below.

Updated Cheat Sheet

The End Of The Draft

At the end of most fantasy drafts there seems to always be those "wasted" picks by teams to just get the thing over. With all the injuries in the NFL all picks should be considered important for your teams success. To be a smart team owner understand what late round players will have some value and what backups may see more playing time than others.
1) The age factor: We all see that when players get to a certain age their production declines as does their playing time. We knew that Stephen Jackson was someday going to replace Marshal Faulk but it happened earlier than expected. Jackson as the year went on saw more and more time at the expense of Faulk and proved to be a value pick late in the drafts. With that being said Curtis Martin will be 32 this season so Derrick Blaylock would be someone who should be a late round consideration. Blaylock will see more playing time than most backups to minimize the hits and to keep Martin as fresh as possible for the year.
2) The injury factor: For whatever reasons some players are just more injury prone than others so their backups are some to keep an eye on. Larry Johnson showed his worth once Priest Holmes was again lost to injury. Stephen Davis and Deshaun Foster always seem to find an injury and Nick Goings proved to be a valuable player. This season Johnson should still have a lot of value as well as Verron Hayes from the Steelers. The jury is still out on the return of the Bus and Duce Staley is a small back who does take a lot of punishment. Ohter bakups to keep an eye on are:Jay Fiedler backing up Chad Pennington ..Az-Zahir Hakim backing up Charles Rogers..Billy Volek backing up Steve McNair.
3) The confidence factor: Sometimes through the course of a season a coach losses confidence in a player or a player just for some reason take some steps backwards. It seemed last season Jay Fiedler was the Dolphin whipping boy and he was in and out of the lineup all year. AJ Feely by no stretch was a star but it does show that these things do happen. This season expect Najeh Davenport to see increased time with the Packers. Ahman Green is without a doubt the starter but we all saw how his fumbling problems affected his play last year.Davenport did prove some worth last season and he was re-signed to stay a Packer. Also the line grew a little shorter in Detroit with the signing of Jeff Garcia.How long will the Lions stay with the inconsistent play of Joey Harrington? Others that could see some increased time this season are Maurice Hicks backing up the ever inconsistant Kevan Barlow...Kelly Holcomb backing up JP Losman and Joe Jurevicius backing up Koren Robinson.
4) Remember the injuries!: We all have such short memories from year to year but players that lost significant time due to injuries always seem to drop the following year. These are the players that are going to provide some late round worth to your picks.Players that will fall in drafts that are more than worthy are Steve Smith(Carolina)..Ben Watson(New England Patriots)..Rex Grossman(Chicago Bears) and Marcel Shipp(Arizona Cardinals).

In the NFL the unexpected always seems to happen. It is rare to see players not get injured at some time during the season and opening the door for others to step in. A pick in any draft is important so never sell that selection short.

Sheamus

The Four Corners Report - David Terrell

BlackJack says:

David Terrell (128 receptions for 1602 yds. and 9 TD’s in 4 years with Chicago) to the Patriots? My first response is why? Why would the Patriots be interested in a receiver with Terrell’s history of on and off the field problems? What the heck is Belichick thinking?
Well, let’s take a second look. Does anyone remember all the commentary surrounding the Patriots signing Corey Dillon? He was an angry, pouting, self important whiner, who would disrupt the team and complain if he didn’t get his way. How did that situation turn out? So I have to give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt that they have talked with Mr. Terrell and that they are satisfied with where his head is at. They’re not going to bring in someone who would hurt or disrupt the team. The Patriots are first and foremost a team and Terrell must have given the right answers. Terrell will start the season as the #3 receiver behind Deion Branch and David Givens.
Terrell has some history with Brady. Brady was his quarterback at Michigan for Terrell’s first 2 years there. Terrell was drafted 8th overall in the 2001 draft with great expectations. So he has talent but has never delivered. Chicago has not been an offensive team so that could explain it. Once Marty Booker left for Miami, Terrell had a chance to be a #1 receiver. He failed, having a few good games and others where he did not show up. But look who was throwing him the ball. No receiver had a good year in Chicago.
Can Belichick and Brady bring out the best in Terrell? Players seem to play better when they come to the Patriots. Until proven wrong, I say in Bill we trust. That said, Terrell should have little fantasy value. New England spreads the ball around too much for any receiver to have good numbers. Consider him maybe as a # 5 receiver on your team at best, but that’s about it. Little or no fantasy value.

Iceman Says:

At 6’3”, and good hands, there is no reason why David Terrell cannot thrive in New England. He has a great coach, an excellent quarterback, and a solid corps of receivers. He has had receptions of 50+ yards in every one of his four seasons except one. The only problem with Terrell is his concentration and his drive. But Bill Belichick has a knack of getting the most out of marginal players.

2004 was a real decent year for Terrell. He has 42 receptions, 699 yards, a 16.6 yards per reception average, and 12 receptions of over 20 yards. With Tom Brady throwing to him, you can only expect these numbers to grow exponentially. And after playing all of his pro games in Illinois, Terrell should flourish in the harsh conditions on grass in Foxborough, Mass.

From a fantasy standpoint, you could make worse picks than Terrell. But, be advised, that Terrell should be thought of as no higher than a #3 wide receiver for your team. If some other person drafts him as their second WR, then let him go and realize that the other person has paid too high of a price for him.

The Commish Says:

Its funny how things turn out, isn’t it? Back in the spring of 2001, The New England Patriots had the 6th pick in the draft. The big question was would they go on the offensive and choose wide receiver David Terrell or decide that defense was the way to go and select one of the defensive linemen from a supposed deep pool of them. We know how that turned out. The selection of Richard Seymour in that draft was the beginning of the Patriots dynasty, winning 3 out of the last four Super Bowls. Seymour has been to 3 Pro Bowls and been selected All Pro twice in those four seasons. He is generally considered one of the most dominant linemen in the league.

As for David Terrell, he was selected 2 picks later by the Chicago Bears. His selection as the eight pick overall has been, to this point, his career highlight. For whatever reason, Terrell could not live up to the lofty expectations that come with being a high first round draft choice. In his four seasons, he has started 30 of the 53 games he has been healthy enough to play in. His 128 catches for 1602 yards and nine touchdowns are not impressive at all. There have been receivers with numbers like that for a season, never mind a career.

So why would the Patriots decide to take a chance on him, especially given his somewhat questionable attitude? Remember, Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli do their homework on everyone. Corey Dillon was supposed to have a bad attitude also. He didn’t have one negative thing to say all last season, and now he has a Super Bowl ring. Also, Terrell had two great seasons in college catching passes from a certain quarterback named Tom Brady. The possibility of those two regaining their comfort level with each other again makes it a situation to monitor carefully. One more thing to consider is the fact that in New England, Tom Brady is the quarterback. In Chicago, there were six different starters in the last two seasons, four in 2004 alone. The importance of that kind of consistency can’t be overlooked.

What can we expect from David Terrell? If he makes the team, he fills the void left by David Patten, and his size (6-3, 212 lbs.) makes him a target in the red zone and goal line situations. If he and Brady rekindle some of that Wolverine magic, he could have a big year, at least by Patriot receiver standards. Because Brady uses so many different receivers, no one will ever post eye-popping stats. But don’t be surprised if he catches 50 balls for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns. Not huge fantasy numbers, but enough to be considered for a third receiver slot.

If he comes in, drinks the Patriot Kool-Aid, and lets his natural ability take over, it could be a special season for him. And another Super season for the Patriots.

Sheamus Says:
David Terrell was signed this week by the New England Patriots thus ending his disappointing career as a Chicago Bear. Terrell’s career is not something to be proud of for a # 8 pick of the draft and although his QBs over the years have not been the best, Terrell has to show some responsibility in his weak numbers. The Patriots finally get themselves a big receiver and now it is up to him to show he does have some value to an NFL team. As a Michigan graduate along with Tom Brady there is hope that these two will have a comfort level with each other. The Patriots do use all of their receivers so Terrell should have his career best season in ’05.

I have not been a fan of Terrell’s game over the years so I would approach him with caution. Terrell’s game has yet to improve and although the Patriots do get the most out of their players I would not expect too much from him. The signing of Terrell also should spell the end of the line for Troy Brown’s career as a Patriot so Terrell does have some big shoes to fill.

Terrell needs to show some maturity and willingness to contribute in a team manner something that he has failed to do thus far. Terrell should be considered as your 4th or 5th receiver on your roster with numbers in the range of 40-50 receptions for about 600 yards and 4-6 touchdowns.

2005 NFL Europe Player Watch Vol I

The following is a list of top performers from Week 1 in NFL Europe. If any of these players turn in stellar weeks on a consistent basis, they could be somewhat valuable to NFL teams, and thus be a value to fantasy teams in later rounds.

1) Romby Bryant, WR, Cologne Centurions – Bryant turn in a top performance with 3 receptions for 107 yards and a TD. Bryant’s touchdown was a 56 yard bomb. He is assigned to the Atlanta Falcons.

2) Gibran Hamden, QB, Amsterdam Admirals – Hamden passed for 187 yards and 2 TDs, while also piling up an impressive 130.8 quarterback rating. He is assigned to the Washington Redskins, and saw some action in Week 17 of the 2004 season.

3) Jonathan Smith, RB, Amsterdam Admirals – Smith just missed a 100 yard week, by rushing for 99 yards. He is assigned to the Kansas City Chiefs, and with the departure of Derrick Blaylock, might be of some value to KC in 2005.

4) Little John Flowers, RB, Berlin Thunder – Flowers rushed for 73 yards and 2 TDs in week 1. He is nicknamed Little John after the character in Robin Hood. He is assigned to the New York Jets.

5) Michael Jennings, WR, Berlin Thunder – Jennings piled up 74 receiving yards and scored a touchdown in week 1. His longest reception was 48 yards. Jennings is a speedster. He was a former track athlete at Florida State. He is assigned to the New York Giants.

6) Todd France, K, Hamburg Sea Devils – France kicked 5 of 6 field goals, including a 54 yarder and a 48 yarder. He could be of some fantasy value if he makes a squad. He is currently assigned to the Minnesota Vikings.

Keep an eye out for these players over the summer, as it is a possibility that a diamond in the rough is waiting and playing in Europe.

Cheat Sheet - Updated April 8th

Updated Cheat Sheet

The Frozen Zone - Vol. 1 Num. 7

The Frozen Zone – Ice Cold NFL Facts and Happenings
Volume 1 Number 7

I. The Denver Broncos got busy this week by signing RB Ron Dayne and re-signing TE Patrick Hape. Hape is usually good for a couple scores per season, and one has to figure that by playing for the Broncos, Dayne will have a decent season. Dayne, if he makes the club, will probably see 3-5 scores, mostly in short yardage situations.

II. The Jets also were active this week, by re-signing TE Chris Baker and WR Jonathan Carter. Carter has good speed and Baker should be the starter this season, with the departure of Anthony Becht.

III. Wide Receivers In The News: The Patriots have signed former Bears wide out David Terrell. Expect Terrell to have his best season as a pro, and tweak Terrell up a bit on your cheat sheet.

IV. A couple tight ends were signed this week as well. Pittsburgh signed Marco Battaglia. He did not play in the NFL in2004 and has not had a reception since 2001. The Packers re-signed Ben Steele. He had 4 receptions in 2004. Under no circumstances should you draft either of these tight ends.

V. Often injured fullback Jon Ritchie has re-signed with the Eagles. When healthy, he is a good lead blocker for Brian Westbrook and a dependable short yardage receiver. However, stay away from him unless he catches fire, as he will almost surely land on the IR this year.

THE GOSSIP CHAIN

Where will people sign? You heard it here. The Chiefs will sign WR Kevin Johnson, the Patriots will sign QB Vinny Testeverde, and the Buccaneers will sign RB Anthony Thomas.

The Iceman

Benson, Brown, or The Cadillac?

So, you have a keeper league, and all of the top running backs are protected. You are considering a rookie, and have it narrowed down to Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, or Cadillac Williams. Who do you choose? Well, here is a little synopsis of all three to help you make an informed decision.

Ronnie Brown – At 6’0” and 233 pounds, Brown has fullback size with halfback speed. He is an excellent athlete with good hands. He was drafted by the Mariners in 2000 but decided to concentrate on football. Brown is strong, fast and a good blocker. He is also a team player who is a plus to have in the locker room. This 23 year old though is not without flaws. He is slightly injury prone, not a very good cutback runner, and not very sneaky. He has unusually large hands which should give him an extra edge when holding onto the ball or making a catch. Brown has been timed at an eye popping 4.4 in the 40 yard dash. Brown projects to be a top 10 pick in the draft and an immediate starter in the NFL, so the situation where he ends up could determine his value in fantasy drafts.

Cedric Benson – Benson has followed in the tradition of the great Texas running backs. Big college numbers and a top ten ride to the NFL. He is 5’10” and 220 pounds, thick, sneaky, and powerful. Benson, like Brown, is an excellent athlete. He was drafted by the Dodgers in 2001, and played baseball for their Vero Beach farm club in 2001 and 2002, before deciding to concentrate on football. The Dodgers were so confident in Benson’s ability that they paid his college tuition. At Texas, Benson gained 1000 yards in three consecutive seasons, a feat that none of the Texas running backs, not even the greats like Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, accomplished. His 64 NCAA TDs rank 3rd all time. Benson has good football instincts, is a good receiver, and has good cutback ability. Benson is only an average blocker and his top end speed in somewhat pedestrian. He could have a problem holding onto the ball in the NFL if he doesn’t change the way he carries the football. The 22 year old Benson has been timed at 4.55 in the 40. Benson loves to play football, always wants the ball, and often plays through pain. He could end up being a blue chipper for your fantasy team.

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams – Williams has excellent speed, and often makes the first tackler miss, causing a gang tackling situation. He has superb work ethic, great acceleration and decent hands. He has average strength and fumble issues. He is a below average blocker and his lanky 5’11” 215 pound frame leaves him susceptible to injuries. Williams, who is 22 years old, has timed out at 4.48 in the 40. His hands are smaller than the other two backs, and could make it tough to develop the habit of keeping the football. His blocking ability and suspect receiving skill could make him only a 1st and 2nd down back. He is certainly capable of breaking the long runs though.

So, which running back would you draft for your fantasy team if the three are there when it’s your turn to pick? Well, most experts are picking Brown to be the can’t miss back, but The Iceman believes that Cedric Benson will be the stud running back and franchise back for your fantasy team. Brown, however, is certainly a close second. Williams, a distant 3rd, should be chosen by middle of the road teams who have lost out on the top 2 backs, or the gambler who is banking on the home run play 3 or 4 times a year to carry their team. In any event, my team would like to see any one of the three on the roster on opening day.

The Iceman

TCFS Fantasy Football Glossary

TCFS Fantasy Football Glossary

Running Back Free Agents – Best Values

In a fast moving free agent market, most first tier and second tier running back free agents have been signed. There are a few runners, both restricted and unrestricted, that could be of some value to the right teams. The following is a list of five running backs who still have gas in the tank.

1. Anthony Thomas – Thomas seems to be primed for a big year, as he has rushed for over 1000 yards in odd years. He will be entering his 5th NFL season, and the 6’2” 225 pound back could benefit from a change of scenery. He has scored 21 career touchdowns, and he has the size to be a goal line back. In four years though, he has fumbled the ball 7 times and lost five. He must improve on his toughness. Thomas was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL draft and he was drafted ahead of LaMont Jordan, Travis Henry, Kevan Barlow, and Derrick Blaylock. The best situation for Thomas could possibly be in Pittsburgh, especially if Jerome Bettis does indeed retire as he is hinting.

2. Jonathan Wells - Wells is a big bruising back with decent speed and good hands. He is 6’1” and 252 pounds, and he certainly can take the pounding of an NFL season. Wells is a restricted free agent, so any team that signs him would have to part with a 4th round pick to sign him. That is a small price to pay for Wells. He is in his 4th year out of Ohio State, and he has the ability to play both halfback and fullback. Wells has scored 8 TDs in his career (6 rush, 2 rec.). He has fumbled that ball 4 times and lost the ball only once. Wells was a 4th round pick in 2002 and was drafted ahead of Najeh Davenport, Josh Scobey and Chester Taylor. Unless Wells is offered a huge contract from another club, expect the Texans to match any offer sheet.

3. Verron Haynes – A U. of Georgia product, Haynes is in his 4th year in the NFL. He has played fullback for the Steelers, but at 5’9” and 222 pounds, Haynes will certainly fill the void for many teams at halfback. Haynes has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and 7.5 yard per reception over his pro career. Haynes has been a good special teams player, but he is extremely injury prone, landing on the IR twice in his three years in the NFL. In order to sign this 26 year old runner, a team would have to give the Steelers a 5th round pick A team such as the Bears or Buccaneers could benefit from Haynes’ services, but expect the Steelers to re-sign him.

4. Amos Zereoue – The good thing about Zereoue is that he is an unrestricted free agent. He is fast and elusive. He is a good runner and receiver, but at 5’8” and 205 pounds, is a bit small to be an every down back. He is in his 7th season out of West Virginia. He has scored 10 TDs in his career with the Steelers and Raiders. He had the longest run in his career in 2004 (55 yards). He has averaged 3.9 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception over his career. His career best was 762 yards for a season. A good situation for Zereoue would be one where he could share the load with another running back. The Cowboys or Jaguars could find Zereoue useful in their 2005 plans.

5. James Mungro – It is unknown whether Mungro is a productive back because of his ability or the Colts system. The latter is probably true. Mungro is slow, but versatile. He can play fullback and halfback, although fullback is probably a better position for him, although at 5’9” and 214 pounds, he might be too small to play that position. He also can return kicks, but he does not have breakaway speed that is necessary to make a living as a returner. He has averaged 3.3 yards per carry and 5.4 yards per reception over his career. He has 13 career TDs (10 rush. 3 rec.). Mungro is in his 4th year out of Syracuse and will be 27 years old on opening day. Mungro’s best bet is to re-sign with the Colts for the minimum salary if they will take him back, otherwise Mungro might have a tough time finding employment, although a rebuilding team such as the Cardinals or a team in transition like the Browns could find Mungro useful. Mungro is a restricted free agent and has negotiated a right of first refusal. Expect to see Mungro catching passes from Peyton Manning in 2005.

Of these five, expect Wells and Thomas to be under contract soon, and the rest will follow suit soon after. All should have a job at least in training camp, but will have to fight for a job when the regular season starts. From a fantasy standpoint, though, only Wells and Thomas will have any value, and that will be marginal at best.

The Iceman

The Four Corners - Vol.II

Ricky Williams: Should He Come Back?
BlackJack Says:
Ricky Williams left the Miami Dolphins last year before camp started. He said his heart wasn’t in it. Now, I feel any player can quit football whenever they want. It is a free country. However the way Ricky did it and how much was affected speaks volumes. The Dolphins were planning on having a great year. WR David Boston who came from San Diego went down to injury. Then Ricky quit. The rest is history we know what happened.

Ricky was paid a ton of money to play a game. He signed a contract so he owed the team to give his best. The team was built around him and everyone was counting on him to do his thing. Ricky has problems and his past behavior with both New Orleans and Miami tell the story. He is a strange individual. But that is not a crime. In my opinion the only people who should decide if Ricky should come back are the Miami Dolphin organization and Ricky himself.

Personally I don’t think Miami or the NFL should let him back to play. Then again he didn’t let me down. If Miami says welcome back Ricky, and he can help them win, what complaint can I have?

Iceman Says:

Ricky Williams back in the NFL? I say no way. Any guy who walks away from a team and not honoring a contract has no business being in such a high profile profession where so many young people look up to these players. Ricky Williams is far from a role model, and should also be far from the public eye.

Williams is for sure a major talent though, and could help a team on the field. However, he would certainly hurt a team in the locker room. He would have to find a perfect situation, such as the Raiders, who welcome his sort of behavior.

From a fantasy standpoint though, I would have to say that if he cam back, he would for sure be a first round pick. He is capable of putting up huge numbers, and could for sure bolster a fantasy squad’s running game. However, the Iceman believes that no team should give him a shot, thereby making his value to fantasy rosters nil. Goodbye Ricky, have fun living in the tent in Asia, and stay away from the NFL.

Sheamus says:

Can Ricky Williams return to the NFL? In a league where each team has to watch every dollar spent and optimize that dollar to the fullest Ricky Williams cost the Dolphins much more than money. The Dolphins were sure to challenge for a playoff spot and Ricky was their center piece. Without a capable backup and a sub par QB situation we all saw the impact Williams decision had.

Enter Nick Saban and for whatever reason he seems to pursuing Williams to a fault. There was no doubting Williams’ talent but when you start to question a player’s heart it should be all bets off. Who’s to say he won’t quit again this year? An even tougher obstacle for Williams is his own teammates who were left last season to pick up the pieces.

Should the Dolphins welcome Ricky back? The team is in a re-building stage and I would want players that are dedicated to their team. Here is one guy who would want the Dolphins to take a stand and say “No Thanks” and let Ricky live with the decision he made!

The Commish Says:

Ricky, Ricky, Ricky. We hardly knew you. Well, let me rephrase that. We knew that you were highly recruited out of high school. We knew that you set all kinds of records and won the Heismann Trophy at the University of Texas. We know that Mike Ditka loved you, so much so that he traded his entire draft just to move up and select you to build his team around. We knew about the wedding dress photo op and the dread locks.

We also know that by the end of your third season in New Orleans, you had worn out your welcome. That in itself is no big deal. Lot’s of players sour in certain situations and a change of scenery is needed. So after 3 solid yet unspectacular years averaging 13 games, 315 touches, 1407 total yards and six touchdowns, your bags were packed for Miami.

In Miami, you flourished. Playing in all 32 games in your first 2 years, your numbers jumped dramatically. Averages of 16 games, 436 touches (!), 1969 total yards and 14 touchdowns gave all of us a true indication of the type of football player you were. It was a classic case of potential fulfilled. You were the prototype power runner who could also catch the football. You were a physically gifted player in a physical game.

Unfortunately, football is also part mental, and that’s where you failed miserably. Every football player breaks down at some time, and with the abuse your body took, it’s quite possible that physically, you couldn’t take it anymore. Some football players retire in their prime, just look at Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. But the part that bothers most of the football world, myself included, is that you bailed on your teammates right at the start of training camp. If you want to travel the world, find yourself, smoke dope, go right ahead. But be man enough to give the organization you play for enough notice to allow them to make other arrangements to replace you.

Physically, Ricky Williams is on par with the best running backs in the league, and his numbers back him up. Mentally, however, his head just isn’t into it, and that makes him a liability.
Ricky made his decision to leave the NFL. Let him live with that decision and the way it was made. Enjoy your retirement Ricky.

The Frozen Zone - Vol 1 Num 6

The Frozen Zone – Ice Cold NFL Facts and Happenings
Volume 1 Number 6
I. It was the week of the running backs this week, as many were moved around. First off, the Browns traded DE Ebenezer Ekuban to the Broncos for RB Reuben Droughns. Droughns is expected to challenge Lee Suggs for the starting job. That is probably just lip service from the Browns, however, as Droughns fumbles too much and Suggs is planted as the Browns starter. Droughns might find a job as the Browns fullback though.

II. The Packers re-signed RB Najeh Davenport. The 4th rounder out of U of Miami had some real value till he re-signed with the Pack. Now he will only be used in spot duty, backing up a durable back in Ahman Green.

III. In yet another backup running back move, Antowain Smith signed with the Saints to serve as Deuce McAllister’s apprentice. Smith’s best years are behind him, so stay away unless you have McAllister on your roster.

IV. Following in the same vein, the Lion signed RB Jamel White to be Kevin Jones’ second. White has very little value, and don’t expect the Lions to bring out any extra value. Stay away from him.

V. And while there is no question that Jesse Chatman is a back up to LaDainian Tomlinson, he does have some value. Chatman, who re-signed with the Chargers for one year, had 3 TDs last year. That could be worth a #4 RB spot on your fantasy team, and if Tomlinson gets injured, will be a valuable player.

VI. Fullback Rob Konrad signed with the Raiders this week. Konrad should make LaMont Jordan a better back, and Konrad might have some value to lower end fantasy teams because of his receiving and goal line ability. In any case, owners should not consider drafting Konrad until the last round or picking him up on the waiver wire if the Raiders work him into the offense as more than just a blocker.

VII. Quarterback News – Josh McCown signed a one year tender offer with the Cardinals. He is expected to challenge Kurt Warner for a starter’s job. Veteran quarterback Ty Detmer has re-signed with the Falcons. He was signed for the league minimum salary for a 13 year veteran. He should have no value, even is Michael Vick gets injured. Detmer should be thought of as the Falcons 3rd stringer.

VIII. Wide Receivers In The News: Seattle part time wide out Alex Bannister signed a 4 year contract with his old club. He has special teams value for the Seahawks, and literally no value for fantasy owners.

IX. The Denver Broncos signed veteran TE Stephen Alexander. He will probably be the back up to Jeb Putzier, and it will allow Dwayne Carswell to move to the tackle spot. Alexander might have some value due to the fact that the Broncos use the tight end as a receiver often.

X. Maurice Clarett probably worked his way back into the NFL Draft with a good workout last week in front of many pro scouts. Clarett was timed at 4.67 and 4.68 in the 40, which is respectable for a middle round RB. There is a possibility that Clarett will wind up in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, St. Louis, or Baltimore.

THE GOSSIP CHAIN

Will the Dolphins sign a receiver soon? It is a virtual certainty. Charles Lee and Ike Hilliard are the prime targets. Expect Hilliard to sign with the club if the price is right.

There is a possibility that Shaun king will end up in Seattle as their back up quarterback. The Seahawks should look elsewhere for a quarterback, because, if Matt Hasselbeck gets injured, the team would be sunk if Shaun King was their starter.

Tampa Bay is still searching for a wide receiver, and will possibly turn their thoughts to old man Curtis Conway. He probably will have no value, and will be used in the manner that Tim Brown was utilized for the club if he is signed.

The Iceman

WEEK 5 FREE AGENTS

Joe Burns(re-signed with Buffalo) Burns is a 4th year RB with no fantasy value in '05

Ron Dayne(signed with Denver) Denver always seems to get the most out of all their RB's so this is the perfect spot for Dayne to go. With the trade of Ruben Droughns it may open up short yardage and goal line chances for Dayne. Dayne may prove to be a worthy pick late in fantasy drafts.

Chris Hetherington(re-signed with Oakland) With but 14 carries in his 9 year career,Chris holds no value as a RB in '05.

Ty Detmer(re-signed with Atlanta) Detmer is the backup to Michael Vick but the offense in Atlanta does not warrent drafting in '05

Josh McCown(re-signed with Arizona) The Cardinals signed Kurt WarnerMcCown finds himself back to the bench. With Warner's health problems the last few years Josh will see some playing time during the season but should only be considered as the 4th QB on any roster.

Alex Bannister(re-signed with Seattle) A 5th year WR Bannister has only 9 career receptions and has no value for fantasy in '05.

Jeff Chandler(re-signed with Redskins) Chandler has yet to hold a steady K position but heads into next season as the Redskin kicker. The Redskin offense struggled to score points last year thus decreasing the value of Chandler. At best Chandler finds himself in the bottom third in K rankings for the '05 season.

Joey Goodspeed(re-signed with Rams) A 4th year FB thet holds no fantasy value for '05

Jim Finn(re-signed with Giants) Strictly a backup FB that does have some pass catching abilities. Not enough to warrant draft consideration in '05.

Jamel White(signed with Lions) With Kevin Jones as the starter White will not see much playing time in '05.

Ryan Hannam(re-signed with Seattle) A 4th year Te with but 9 career receptions. Has no fantasy value for '05.

Najeh Davenport(re-signed with Packers) Davenport is a solid backup to Ahman Green and will continue to see more and more playing time. Najeh would be a wise selection for those with Green on their roster.

Chris Massey(re-signed with Rams) A 4th year backup FB with no fantasy value for the '05 season.

TCFS STAFF

The Four Corners - Vol I

The Four Corners Report - Peyton Manning
BlackJack says:
How can anyone go wrong with Peyton? You can’t. It is that simple. If you are a fantasy owner and you need a Quarterback, Manning IS your guy. His stats speak for them self. 49 TD’s! He has the luxury of a good ground game and a crew of good receivers and tight ends to throw to. Any owner who was lucky enough to have Archie’s 2nd eldest son on their roster probably did pretty well in their respective leagues. Manning along with the Vikings Daunte Culpepper dominated the NFL in 2004. Culpepper had an incredible year last year and nobody even noticed that’s how good of a year Manning had. The only weakness Manning has is Bill Belichick and his New England Patriots. They are in is head and he simply can’t beat them. The New England D totally shut down the most potent offense last year and held them to 3 points in the playoffs.

So unless some whacko in the NFL scheduling department schedules the Colts to play New England 16 times next year grab Manning as your QB. You won’t be disappointed.

Iceman Says:
Peyton is the consummate fantasy quarterback. He throws touchdowns, and compared to his touchdowns, not many interceptions. If you are a fantasy owner, Manning is arguably the first pick in the draft. If not, he should be in the top 5. He is everything a fantasy owner would look for.

Manning has started every game in his 7 years in the NFL, so his durability is of no concern, just put him in the lineup and he will get results. He has thrown for 216 touchdowns in his career against only 120 interceptions, and he will surpass 30,000 yards passing in 2005. He has even rushed for 6 touchdowns in his career, although none in the past two years. He has fumbled the ball 38 times and has recovered the ball every time, which is another testament to his toughness.

As for the intangibles, Manning is 6’5” and 230 pounds, he has great receivers to throw to, a very good running back crew behind him, and a pass first offensive minded coaching staff and ownership. All of these things add up to Peyton Manning being a blue chip fantasy pick. If you have a pick in the top 5 in your draft, and Peyton Manning is there, draft him and watch your team flourish.

Sheamus Says:

In 2004 with all the great stories that were happening around the league by far the most unbelievable was the season that Peyton put together. As great of a player as he had been Peyton was able to elevate his game to that of the all time greats and in the process surpass Dan Marino’s all time touchdown passing record. With all the gaudy stats that Manning was able to create he puts himself into a very tough decision for fantasy football drafts. Without a doubt he is the first QB to be drafted but is he worthy of being selected within the first 5 overall? This would seem to go against all conventional draft wisdom but it is an interesting debate.

I am still a firm believer in a running back first philosophy and even with the prospects of choosing Manning first I will still grab that franchise back with my pick. I still think that there are only about 5-7 of those franchise type backs out there and you have to grab one if you can. Although Manning is an exceptional talent I feel that there are values to be had in mid round QB selections but as far as mid round running backs you’re taking a huge risk for minimal reward.

We can all look at the huge numbers that Manning has and lose sight of what is really the most important position. The smart fantasy player won’t waiver from this basic principle and his team will have more success in the long run.

The Commish Says:
Fantasy football, at its core, is all about offensive output and the numbers put up by a player. So based on pure stats, can you name me a better player out there right now than Peyton Manning? Right now, from a fantasy perspective, I would have to say no.
That being said, do I think that Peyton will throw for 49 touchdowns again in 2005? No, but 40 is not out of the realm of possibility. So, where does Peyton fit into your draft strategy? Conventional wisdom states that you grab a franchise running back first, but what do you do if number 18 is sitting there? My advice is to grab him! There are a lot of 1st and 2nd tier running backs to fill the void of an elite one, as long as you have a quarterback that can pick up the slack. Peyton Manning will more than make pick it up.
In conclusion, Peyton Manning is the best offensive player in the game today. His durability (112 consecutive games played), his consistency (he averages 31 touchdown passes a season and 4200 yards), and his competitive drive make him not just a top 5 pick, but, in my opinion, the top choice overall. He will be the only player not to disappoint his fantasy owners at some time during the 2005 season. Get him if you can.

** To see where Peyton Manning and all of your other favorite players were chosen, check out the first TCFS mock draft!

Just How Important Is Your Kicker? A Look At Some Numbers

Just How Important Is Your Kicker? A Look At Some Numbers

Any kicker is fine right? I mean it’s just a kicker right? Wrong. Here’s why.
Let’s take a look at some numbers from last season. Adam Vinatieri of the New England Patriots led all kickers in scoring with 141 points. On the other end Paul Edinger of the Chicago Bears scored 67 points. A few kickers scored less than Edinger but they did not play the whole year for their respective teams. That is a difference of 74 points. Surprising isn’t it? That’s almost 5 point’s a week. How many times have you said “I could have won the week if I only got some production from my kicker?” How many times did you lose by 5 or less points? Who couldn’t use that many extra points to add to your year’s total?
Ideally you would like to get an average of 7+ points from your kicker every week. Here are the weekly scoring averages of the leagues 5 best kickers and its 5 worst. The best 1.) Adam Vinatieri 141 pts. for a 8.81 avg. 2.) Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos 129 pts. for a 8.06 avg. 3.) Jeff Reed of the Pittsburgh Steelers 124 pts. for a 7.75 avg. 4.) Shayne Graham of the Cincinnati Bengals 122 pts. for a 7.62 avg. and David Ackers of the Philadelphia Eagles 122 pts. for a 7.62 avg.. The worst 1.) Paul Edinger 67 pts. for a 4.18 avg. 2.) Todd Peterson of the San Francisco 49’ers 77 pts. for a 4.81 avg. 3.) John Kasay of the Carolina Panthers 84 pts. for a 5.25 avg. 4.) Kris Brown of the Houston Texans 85 pts. for a 5.31 avg. 5.) Jeff Wilkins of the St. Louis Rams 89 pts. for a 5.56 avg.. If scoring points is what fantasy football is all about wouldn’t you like to have more points from your kickers?
Now don’t go crazy and draft a kicker in the early rounds when there are plenty of great players still available but try to get a kicker who will score for your team. Don’t shank it. Choose your kicker wisely.

BlackJack

The Rewards and Frustrations of "The Goal Line Back"

The Rewards & Frustrations of “The Goal Line Back”

What is a “Goal Line Back”? A goal line back is a running back that a team inserts into the lineup when they are in scoring position, usually inside the 5 yard line. This back typically is a little bigger than a regular back because he is used to power the ball into the end zone.
A goal line back can yield great rewards in the form of Touchdowns. Last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jerome Bettis started the season as such a back. He had 52 carries for 129 yards and 8 TD’s in the first 7 games of the season. However, injuries to Duce Staley, the team’s regular tailback, caused Bettis to revert to his old role of an every down back. The Oakland Raiders have also utilized the goal line back. Over the last 6 years Zack Crockett has totaled only 861 yards but has 34 TD’s. The Minnesota Vikings in the past have used Leroy Hoard and then later Moe Williams in this same capacity. So in TD only leagues, the goal line back can be a great asset to your team because what they do best is score Touchdowns.
On the flipside the goal line back can ruin a great fantasy week. If you have a team’s main running back and the team gets down in scoring position, your back can be lifted for that goal line back. For example, last season Duce Staley had 151 carries for 707 yards but only 1 TD in those same 7 games as Bettis. This I am sure frustrated many Staley owners. In yardage leagues Duce still did well but in TD leagues he was a bust.
So when drafting your running back crew, look closely at the role of goal line back and how he will affect your player.

BlackJack