Bears Spotlight

June 12, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes during Bears-Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Jay Cutler has thrown for over 18,000 yards in his first six seasons, but he has only been a top 10 fantasy quarterback once in his career when he threw for 4,500 yards in his last season in Denver.  Cutler hasn’t been higher than 17th while playing for the Bears due to poor blocking and turnovers.  There will be no excuses this season with the weapons surrounding Cutler.  Most mock drafts have him falling to the 11-13th selected quarterback which could and should prove to be a great value.  The past few seasons with Martz as coordinator it was way to risky to start Cutler on a weekly basis! With Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffrey along with Earl Bennett and the Hester Package along with Matt Forte, this should be a huge season for Cutler and almost a shoe in for a top 10 quarterback season!

Fantasy Top 10 QB’S

1. Drew Brees-

Drew Brees -Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

In the post-Bountygate world in New Orleans, Brees is now the de facto offensive coordinator.  Brees has not thrown for less than 4,000 yards since arriving in Cajun Country, and without Sean Payton, you have to believe that the Saints offense will be even more pass happy.  There’s also a good chance that they will be trailing more than last year which will mean more Brees passing and #1 Qb in fantasy.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers-Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

If Rodgers didn’t sit out the last week of the year he would have easily been last season’s #1 fantasy quarterback.  Rodgers had 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions last season and there’s no reason to believe his production will slip.  The Green Bay Packers still do not have an established running game and have named James Starks as starting running back which translated in fantasy football terms means Rodgers could be passing 50 times a games.  Rodgers has been a top 10 fantasy QB since taking over for Brett Favre, and 2012 should be no exception.

3. Tom Brady

Tom Brady- Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The old veteran now of fantasy qb’s.  Except for his one pass injury season of 2008, having Brady on your roster has always been a good thing.  The Patriots offense is always adding new twists from The Randy Moss years, to the two tight end passing game, and now Brady has a new toy to play with in Brandon Lloyd.  Brady only threw for 5,200 yards last year, and with the new addition the sky is the limit in 2012.  Draft Brady early because he will not be available very long in any draft.

4. Matt Schaub 

Matt Schaub-Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Schaub will be availble later in the draft then some other guys ranked lower in this ranking for one reason only—HEALTH.  Schaub and the Texans offense always put up great offensive numbers and they have some of the best weapons at ever postition in Foster, Johnson, and Owens.  Schaub has only completed 2 seasons which is alarming but when he’s on the field he puts up some great fantasy numbers.  He may be a red flag risk but the high end reward is there especially the later the round in the draft that he’s still available.

5. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

It’s amazing what health and having arguably the best Wide Recevier in the league can do.  Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards in his first season where he played all 16 games.  Stafford had the luxury of Calvin Johnson which makes the QB job a lot easier.  Stafford will most likely be gone by the 2nd round at the latest in your draft.  The Lions early on will not have much of a running game and how well Leshore fits into the offense is still to be determined on Sundays so expect a lot of balls in the air in Detroit again this season.

6. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Ryan’s stats have been very consistent and improving every season since entering the league.  He leads a very boring offense which isn’t sexy but still puts up the stats every week.  This season could be a change from the vanilla to maybe neapolitan since Julio Jones after a very slow start came on at the end of the season and could burst on to the scene.  Jones could help Ryan become a top 5 QB like Johnson did for Stafford last season.  The Falcons are not going to abandon the run but it will not be surprising to see a lot more explosive plays from them this season and make Ryan and very good value as a fantasy QB.

7. Eli Manning

Eli Manning-Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The good side of Eli is that his yards per season has increased the past four seasons and he’s very consistent in his TD’s per year.  The dark side of Eli is the interceptions! Everyone likes to harp on Jay Cutler for bad int’s but Eli has the same bad tendency.  In his Super Bowl season’s he has been able to steer clear of the turnover bug and put up good numbers.  He may be without Hakeem Nicks early on and will be missing Mario Manningham.  This could be a small decline in his numbers from last season but the decline shouldn’t be too drastic not to draft him in the t0p 4 rounds.

8. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning-Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The former #1 fantasy quarterback for years now has a new home and address.  Drafting him will be a huge risk with the neck injury, but the reward could be huge if he stays healthy for the entire 2012 season.  Manning will be in a new system with unfamiliar players, but he’s just too good of QB not to believe he will make all the adjustments needed through his endless preparations to be highly successful in Mile High City.  In mocks drafts his position has been very unpredictable so where he gets selected will depend on the fondness for him by you or your league mates.

9. Cam Newton

Cam Newton- Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Cam Newton did something no other rookie quarterback has done in fantasy football…Dominate from day 1.  His turnover ratio does need to improve, last year it was 21-17 but he was unstoppable by the goal line rushing for 14 touchdowns.  Defenses seemed to catch up to Newton’s passing skills  late in the season, so you may want to keep an eye on him during the pre-season action to see if his accuracy has improved, but his natural talents and progression could lead to even greater statistics then his first season.

10. Tony Romo

Tony Romo-Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Forget the fact that Romo chokes in the playoffs or when a possible playoff spot is on the line.  This is fantasy rankings and Romo is a stat machine.  Romo routinely puts up 4,000 yards 30 touchdown seasons.  Dez Bryant could be the next big receiver in the NFL which will be an added plus to Romo owners.  He still has his security blanket in Whitten, and he should have a good running game with Murray and Jones.  There has been little chatter out of Dallas this off season compared to other years which could lead to a Dallas revival!

Breakout Fantasy QB- Alex Smith

Alex Smith- Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

Just like the Bears off season, the 49ers have added offensive weapons. Oldie but goodie Randy Moss and Super Bowl champ Mario Manningham have been added to a very average 49ers offense.  Smith had a rebirth under first year coach Jim Harbaugh throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 5 picks.  Smith may not leap into a top 10 fantasy qb this season but his stats could see a tremendous jump with the added offensive firepower surrounding him provided Moss plays at a high level for most of the season.

Bust Fantasy QB-Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco- Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

The bizzaro world of Tony Romo.  Flacco has tremendous playoff success but is a liability during the regular season in fantasy football. Flacco hasn’t missed a game and his stats are very similar the past three seasons but there has been no progression.  He has one of the top running backs in the league in Ray Rice, so you know the Ravens will force feed him as much as possible.  This is the season where no progression meets regression for Flacco.  They play the Steelers twice a year so that’s a guaranteed two weeks you won’t want to start him, and they will never go into a game with the philosophy of airing it out.  Steer clear of Flacco as your #1 qb this season.

The ball will be in the air more than ever this season! Who’s your top 10, sleeper, or bust?  Will Jay Cutler be a top 5 fantasy qb? I would be glad to see your lists in the comments section!!

Da BEARS!!!

The NFC matchup – the Civil War of the FanSided Divisional Smackdown will pit brother against brother, father against son, neighbor against neighbor to determine NFL supremacy.  OK, enough hyperbole, but it’s a great matchup.  I think the offenses are pretty closely matched, with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees leading the way.  What gives the North the big advantage is the defense.  How would you like to have Julius Peppers and Jared Allen chasing you from the ends with Suh and half the Williams wall stuffing up the middle of the line?

The AFC matchup – the West vs the North – is probably the closest matchup out there.  Both teams are closely matched, but I’m giving the nod to the AFC North on the merits of their defense.  When you’ve got Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu is your secondary, that’s a pretty awesome duo. But don’t take my word for it – go check it out and vote for yourself.

We will advance to the second round next week and will crown our champ just before camps open, so keep checking back at FanSided.com.

Week 3 takes the Beloved to Seattle and also marks the site of the annual pilgrimage of my Brothers (aka very long-time friends) to see the Bears play on the road.  Watch out SeaChicken fans, The Brotherhood is coming and Qwest Field may never be the same again.  Wish us luck and forgiving law enforcement.  Now, I ascend my pulpit to do some preaching for Week 3.  This week is slightly truncated since I just became a father for the 3^rd time on Saturday and because I still need to pack for my trip to Seattle. (more…)

I first want to extend my thanks to the FanSided Network and Boomer for allowing me to be a part of this great forum.  I will, for blog purposes, be known as The DeCon to protect my day job.  It is a nickname a few use for me and it helps with the theme of the blog.

Hopefully, I will provide some insight into the world of fantasy football and maybe even some laughs along the way.  I have been playing fantasy football since the days when Sterling Sharpe was a Top 3 pick and I like to think I know a little about it.

Each week, at least until my third child is born, at which time I will likely need a week off; I will give you some fantasy nuggets to consider.  I will pay special attention to our Beloved Bears as well as our NFC Division foes, but I will try to give you some other players to consider.  Enough with the intro, let’s get on with The DeCon’s Preachin’ from the Pulpit for Week 1.

Stone Tablet Locks – chisel these guys in stone as MUST PLAYS this week.

1)      Matt Forte @ GB – he was likely a top 3 pick in your draft and one general rule I have is you never sit a player you draft in the first round, especially the first week.  Last year in 2 games against the Pack, Forte had a combined 137 yds rushing and 68 yds receiving on 8 catches with a TD.  Not the greatest of numbers, but with the Pack’s switch to a 3-4 defense and the Bears O-line seemingly gelling just fine, I expect some lanes to be opened up for the big fella from Tulane.  Add to that the fact that he won’t have to face 8 or 9 in the box because of the Bears’ new Pro Bowl QB and I think Forte is a 2 Tablet Lock all season long. (more…)

The Bears have no time to rest on their laurels, as the Saints come a callin’ for a Thursday night matchup.  By the way, for those of you that are in Chicago, the game will be available on local TV on UPN 50.  Out of towners either need the NFL Network or go out to a bar to watch the game.  Or for those locals that have a drinking problem, go out to a bar on Thursday anyway.  I’m not here to judge.

The Saints kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 29-25 win over the resurgent Falcons on Sunday.  Pierre Thomasled a Saints ground attack with 102 yards rushing and a couple of TDs.  The Falcons kept Drew Brees in check, limiting him to 230 yards and a couple of short TD passes. 

In his Chicago Tribune article on Monday, Dan Pompei wrote of the Saints’ offensive gameplan against the Falcons:

They started to play more like a cold-weather team Sunday, however. The Falcons had been expecting the pass-happy Saints, as any reasonable observer would have.

I’m not sure that I buy into the idea that the Saints were in some way preparing for their third straight late-season visit to a frigid Chicago, but rather think that they took what the Falcons were giving.  In an earlier meeting this season, Brees hung over 400 passing yards on the Falcons.  Ever think the Falcons D was conceding the run to stop the pass, Dan?  If you’d like to read the whole article, check it out here.

Some story lines that will be interesting to follow this week:

• Third time’s a charm?  Saints coming back to Chicago after consecutive seaosn-ending losses to the Bears. 
• Former Purdue QB’s Drew Brees and Kyle Orton set to do battle. 
• The continued proliferation of the “Bear weather” myth with another frigid game on deck
• Bear fans should also be keeping a close eye on the status of the players involved in the StarCaps scandal.  Besides the Williams boys and the impact it could have on the Vikings playoff chances, there are three Saints players that could be sitting if the suspensions are upheld. 

While I’m doling out praise, let me tip my cap to Matt Forte, who surpassed Gale Sayers on Sunday for most total yards from scrimmage for a rookie running back with 106 total yards on Sunday to pass the Kansas Comet’s 1374 yards set back in 1965.  That’s some pretty rare air for the Bears rookie.  Nice going Matt! 

Another bright spot on Sunday was the play of the tight ends, as Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark combined for 60 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.  It’s amazing how much better the offense seems to work when the TE’s are involved in the game.  Note to Ron Turner – DO MORE OF THIS!!!

Devin Hester led all receivers with 80 yards on 5 catches, but for me, the most exciting Hester moment was a punt return late in the second quarter.  Devin fielded the punt in Jags territory and showed a burst that I haven’t seen much this year.  It was as if he could smell the end zone.  While he did step out of bounds at the 23 yard line while trying to plant and sharply cut back to the inside, maybe it’s a sign that he’s getting his confidence back.  It could also be a sign that the Jags are just that bad.  All I know is that if the Bears are serious about making a playoff push, they will need the Ridiculous One to return to form.

On the defensive side of the ball, it was nice to see the D-line get some pressure on Garrard.  Coach Babich must’ve read my Pre-game thoughts.  Glad I could help, Bob.  It was nice for Mark Anderson finally to show up this season.  Besides his second half sack of Garrard, he really showed some impressive closing speed on a Garrard bootleg early in the game.  Anthony Adams and Israel Idonije also showed well for the defensive line, while Peanut Tillman and Mike Brown led the secondary with 8 tackles apiece.  I can’t overlook the Danieal Manning interception and fine return work that set the tone for the game. 

No time to celebrate with a quick turnaround this week with a Thursday night nationally televised game for the few dozen people that have the NFL Network.  More news and notes to come on Monday as we look ahead to the next opponent – the Drew Brees led New Orleans Saints.