Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recognizes West, Texas and Boston Marathon victims and first responders during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The draft is over rookie mini-camps are beginning so what is there really left to think about until training camps begin.  If your really into fantasy football sign up for mock draft today.  There are plenty sites out there that run mock drafts the one I use is Antsports.com  Here are some reasons to jump into a mock draft if you are serious about winning your league come December.  (more…)

Fantasy Football just like the NFL is a year long season (picture courtesy of opposingviews.com)

If you are truly serious about winning your fantasy football league, Thursday’s schedule release was one of the first steps in draft preparedness. Yes, it’s only April but with the NFL schedule being released seeing which teams will be playing during the fantasy playoff weeks of 14, 15, 16 matters for your selections.  When going to your draft the difference between drafting Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers could simply be the fantasy playoff matchups.  Having this information can be the difference between a good season that ends in the first round or winning your Fantasy Championship.  (more…)

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) hands the ball off to running back Matt Forte (22) against the Detroit Lions during 2nd Half of a game at Ford Field. Bear won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Yes it’s only April 1st and there are still a lot of things on the NFL calendar before you head to your fantasy draft, but strange things are afoot at Halas Hall and it could affect your draft come August.  Sometimes being a homer pays off, like drafting Matt Forte in dynasty leagues or drafting Brandon Marshall before playing a snap for the Bears, but most of the time it doesn’t work out like picking up Devin Hester or trading for Jay Cutler.  The moves that have taken place at Halas Hall since the final whistle blew against the Lions should make being a Bears fan drafting Bears players more productive for your fantasy teams this season. (more…)

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs the ball against Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during 2nd Half of a game at Ford Field. Bears won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

February is not a hotbed for fantasy football– This was a quote off our message board last week from one of the owners who was getting upset with everyone else in our league for not being active.  Yes if you only do re-draft leagues I understand where you might think this way.   Granted, everyone should be watching the Chicago Blackhawks‘ great start instead of worrying about their fantasy football teams but there is a reason why most people’s teams win every season and why the other people are just donating to the prize fund,

Just like everything else in life how much work you put into it is usually proves  how successful you become and even though fantasy football is suppose to be fun and relaxing and something to take our minds off real life, we all know that 99% of us our ultra competitive and that we all want to win  our leagues come football season which makes February just as important as August on the fantasy football calendar.

To do list for Fantasy Owners,

1. In Dynasty leagues getting ready for restricted free agency- I understand rules are different in every league but the RFA’s are the most exciting part of dynasty but too many owner don’t plan for it and have a strategy.  Last season if an owner in our league had made a real strategy he would have had 4 great running backs instead he ended up overpaying for two and settling instead of dominating the rfa process.

2. Look at the combine stats.  Every year in recent history rookies have made huge impacts on fantasy and for fantasy owners a lot of it is simply reading the combine stats.  In a rookie only draft I picked Chris Johnson not because I watched East Carolina play but because he had the fastest 40 time of the players left.  Not every fast guy will be a superstar but in rookie only drafts picking the fastest guy left has its advantages.

3. Find the Weak Link in your league.  Even if you are in a keeper league and only keep a couple of players there has to be an owner in your league that you can take advantage of, if not someone quit and there is new blood in the league.  This is the time to start making moves and deals with the guys that don’t care about football 24/7 and don’t really care about their roster until it’s Labor day!

4. NFL Free Agency- No matter what happens in the draft a lot of times where the free agents go doesn’t affect them but the guys they are leaving behind.  If you have a free agency period during the offseason look at the guy that is going to replace the star that retired or left for greener pastures.  You can solidify your roster now if you are doing your homework while the other guy is doing his tax return!

February is a hotbed for fantasy football if you like winning in December!!!

December 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) prior to kickoff of a game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

1. Drew Brees-(Pre-Season Rank-#1)

Rewind- Brees was our #1 Fantasy QB going into 2012 and he delivered as promised. Brees went for 422-670 5,177 yards with 43TD’s and 19INT’s. The only downfall of Brees season was the int’s and if you played week 13 in your fantasy playoffs Brees probably killed you.

2013 Glimpse- Brees could have even better stats with Sean Payton getting reinstated by the NFL. Brees will be a lock top 3 QB again this coming season.  (more…)

Nov 25, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

For most fantasy leagues this is the last week possible to clinch your playoff spot!  Every league has many different rules, do you have everyone possible running back hand-cuffed, do you have your defensive match-ups lined up? There are plenty of questions for your roster after this week if you have already clinched, but if you haven’t clinched there is only one thing to do this weekend…Just Win!!  The past twelve weeks are meaningless if you don’t get in the playoffs, because you have to be in it to win it whether you’re 5-7 or 11-1.

Quarterbacks

Stud- Aaron Rodgers- Last week was his Drew Brees Thursday night game. Expect a big bounce back game against Minnesota.

Dud- Matt Schaub- Look for the Texans to reestablish themselves as a dominant running team after a couple of weeks of throwing the ball all over the place.

Sleeper- Chad Henne- It’s still a head shaker that he didn’t see the field sooner than later with Blaine Gabbert’s struggles.

Running Back

Stud- CJ Spiller- Everyone runs it a lot against the Jags, and this should be no exception.

Dud- Jonathan Dwyer- He’s the starter but I would steer clear of all Steelers this week against Baltimore.

Sleeper- Joique Bell- The Lions running back will find the end zone this week.

Wide Receiver

Stud-Demaryius Thomas- He’s a must start every week.

Dud- Brandon Marshall- This will be a tough week for Marshall against two of the biggest corners in the NFL.

Sleeper- Pierre Garcon- When healthy (all of two weeks) he’s put up big numbers with RG3.

Tight End

Stud- Jason Witten- He’s the only reliable person on the Cowboys offense each week. Bryant is pretty close.

Dud- Antonio Gates- Phillip Rivers has been pathetic since Week 4 which has really hurt Gates.

Sleeper- Clay Harbor- Looking for a deep sleeper…. There you go!

Defense

Stud- Bears- Rookie Qb visiting Soldier Field will equal to at least one defensive score.

Dud- Steelers- They will play hard but it won’t translate to many fantasy points.

Sleeper- Rams- They will give Kaepernick fits in St Louis.

Good Luck in your pursuit for the playoffs!!

Nov 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) runs for a game winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The NFL gives us three servings of games today that all have Fantasy stars to keep us involved in the action all day.

Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions

After watching Chad Henne, yes Chad Henne light up the Houston secondary the way Jay Cutler was suppose to last Sunday it should be all systems go for the Detroit Lions offense.  Calvin Johnson has turned from Mega-Drop  back to Mega-Tron again. The only player on the Lions I would be wary of starting if you have options is Mikel Leshoure, beacause  the Texans have been outstanding against the run.  The Texans offensive weapons are all must starters today. Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, and Owen Daniels should have great days in Ford Field.  I’m sure it won’t be as easy as a few years back when Chris Johnson strolled through the Lions defense on Turkey day.

Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys

The Fox game should be just as exciting especially if the Cowboys start trailing this afternoon.  It would be great watching Jerry Jones squrim all day in his box seats.  Neither of these defense should scare anyone from not starting any of their players today.  Tony Romo and Jason Witten have a special bond that I’m sure the Fox team will run into the ground if he gets a couple of grabs early, but most today’s focus will be RG3 so this should be a fun afternoon in Dallas.

New England Patriots vs New York Jets

The Patriots are missing their second best player in Rob Gronkowski so it will be interesting to see how the Pats offense evolves this week without him.  This could be a Ridley game or Welker game or neither if the Rex Ryan Jets play some defense today.  If you are starting any Jets today minus Shonn Greene it’s probably safe to say that the fantasy playoffs are a pipe dream in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy today’s feast on the table and TV and have a great Holiday!

Nov 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during warm up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

Sunday night’s showdown versus the Bears and Texans presents an interesting situation.  Both rosters are full of fantasy players that are going up against two of the best defenses in the NFL.  This is Week #10 so we are still in bye weeks so this does effect the decsion.  Most of these players are a must start no matter who they are playing, especially the running backs in Matt Forte and Arian Foster.  The last meeting against the Texans, Andre Johnson went off so there is no way to bench him.  The only starter of the bunch that is questionable is Jay Cutler.  Cutler under the lights can be really good or really bad so you have to roll the dice if you must, but if your other option has a better match up I say sit Cutler but you still have to start every other player this Sunday Night!

Quarterback

Stud- Big Ben- He gets to torch the Chiefs defense on national TV. Ben has to be licking his chops at facing the worst team in the NFL.

Dud- Alex Smith- The Rams defense will be a tough test which should not lead to a lot of fantasy points.

Sleeper- Andy Dalton- If he gets time he will throw the ball all day against the Giants D

Running Back-

Stud-LeSean McCoy- Andy Reid has to know it’s time to run the ball with Shady.

Dud- Ryan Matthews- This was suppose to be his breakout season, it hasn’t gone as planned.

Sleeper- CJ Spiller- He will get some garbage points.

Wide Receiver-

Stud-Julio Jones- As predicted here, he’s having a great season and his breakout season continues this week with big fantasy points against the Saints

Dud-Malcolm Floyd- The Chargers offense is in disarray and Floyd will struggle even though the match up suggests a good day.

Sleeper- Jason Avant- He has a big week once a year and this feels like the week for him to go off.

Tight End-

Stud- Rob Gronkowski- He will dominate the Bills defense on Sunday.

Dud- Dustin Keller- He will have a long sleepless day in Seattle.

Sleeper- Greg Olsen- The Broncos Defense is fantasy gold for opposing Tight ends.

Defense-

Stud- Bears- Until proven wrong the Bears defense only scores double digit points

Dud- Panthers- They will yield little resistance to Peyton Manning and the Broncos

Sleeper- Patriots- Fitzgerald will air it out and turn it over all day.

The Playoffs are right around the corner, Good luck in week #10!