Has there ever been a Preseason this important?

[RamslovaMartzhata 3]

I'm approaching a decade of fantasy football and can't remember a time when there was so much up in the air as far as fantasy is concerned (and real for that matter). To me it can be broken down into three things:

 

1) Coaching changes. I'm not sure how many new head coaches there are, but I know it is a ton.. more than usual I'd say is a bit of an understatement.

 

2) High profile player movement and injuries - Culpepper, Brees, Edge, TO, etc... and Palmer, Brees, McNabb, Deuce, Walker, what will these players do on their new teams or how will they come back from their injury?

 

3) (Seemingly) incredibly talented draft class. I do think we will be talking about this class for a while. A lot of instant impact players were available, and even more possible future talent and should make things interesting.

 

 

Things I am looking for

 

Obviously all teams with new head coaches... specifically (basic) schemes and how players seem to be responding to them. I don't think I'll get too much info, but at least an idea of general direction.

 

Did Palmer, Brees, and Culpepper playing at all. I woudl be hesitant to take any of them if they don't take any snaps before I draft. All of them are doing well after major injuries? I'm not buying it.

 

Rookie watch. Is Bush in camp? I don't think he'll play much in the preseaosn regardless. And is Deuce playing accordingly? One situation I really want to watch is how well D'Brick is playing for the Jets. Curtis Martin could represent a great value accordingly... but also keep an eye on Blaylock. Alex Smith adn vernon Davis on the same page? How does Leinart look (right now current plan is to wait on QB draft Warner, handcuff Leinart, and probably someone along the lines of Brooks/Favre in between).

[Cuse9 129]

3) (Seemingly) incredibly talented draft class. I do think we will be talking about this class for a while. A lot of instant impact players were available, and even more possible future talent and should make things interesting.

 

QB--Leinhart, Young, Cutler

I don't think skill position wise there will be a big impact by rookies this year. Leinhart and Young will only start if injury hits and pending how Volek and Warner do....the rookies might not play for two years. Cutler is light years away from playing....I'm a Bronco and I think Cutler will be a back up for 4-5 years then get cut.

 

RR--D'Angelo, Maroney, LWhite, Addai, Calhoun, Norwood & Drew.

I think all these guys have the potential of being great NFL players. Other than Addai they will all have a veteran starting in front of them for a few more years....Addai has the best shot of this group to earn a starting job this year.

 

WR--Jackson, Jennings, Holmes, Moss, Hagan

This is the group that has the best opportunity this year. Jackson, Jennings and Holmes are all on teams that need a #2 wr right now....and I think they are all capable of earning a spot. Moss is a great change of pace guy, with Toomer getting near the end, Moss' chance to become a star are very good.

 

TE--Davis, Fasano, Klopfenstein, Sheffler, Lewis.

I love Lewis....that kid is a stud...bigtime, I think the Jags got a steal with him....great star in the making. Sheffler is also in a great situation. Alexander is not a good receiving TE, so Sheffler has a chance to put up nice numbers this year. Davis might be the best of the group, but last I checked he's a 49er....doomed for this year for sure...maybe in three years, after they get a qb, rb o-line and some wr's established

 

Overall I don't think we'll see much of an impact this year by this class, but I definitly agree that this class has great potential for years to come...

 

oh did I forget one guy....the rb, wr, kr, pr whiz that can do it all

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Jeremy Bloom will explode onto the scene and domintate! And Bush will be okay as well.

[shovelheadt 71]

I'm worried about one thing, and that's Palmer. So far, he's looking good.

[RamslovaMartzhata 3]

Jeremy Bloom will explode onto the scene and domintate!

 

Micahel Irvin liked to hit the bumps... so who knows Seriously though, he does seem like the a solid sleeper by the real definition of the word.

[lowman 4]

Not besides all the other ones.

[nobody 2,673]

I want to see if Matt Jones and Leftwich are on the same page. If he can step into that Jimmy Smith role, he'll be monstrous.

 

I think Gore supplants Barlow in SF. The preseason should be an indicator.

 

I also want to see how Reggie Bush get's utilized in the Saints offense.

 

I'd like to get a good look at Channing Frye, but I doubt I'll get to see any of the later Browns preseason games.

 

The Dallas backfield situation might become a little more clear.

[Cuse9 129]

I want to see if Matt Jones and Leftwich are on the same page. If he can step into that Jimmy Smith role, he'll be monstrous.

 

I think Gore supplants Barlow in SF. The preseason should be an indicator.

 

I also want to see how Reggie Bush get's utilized in the Saints offense.

 

I'd like to get a good look at Channing Frye, but I doubt I'll get to see any of the later Browns preseason games.

 

The Dallas backfield situation might become a little more clear.

 

You do realize Channing Frye was PF/C for the Knicks this year....but his twin brother Charlie Frye (a foot shorter and white) will be the Browns QB....biggest problem there is his weapons need to stay healthy so we can see what they can all do together.

[Mad Matt 0]

New QBs in charge.

 

McNair: Gotta love what The Wizard of Oz is doing with this team. Will it work?

 

Phillip Rivers: Will he make the Chargers regret letting Brees walk.

 

Brooks: Is Al Davis a genius or an old fritter. Or a little of both.

[Guest the_chefs?]

QB--Leinhart, Young, Cutler

I don't think skill position wise there will be a big impact by rookies this year. Leinhart and Young will only start if injury hits and pending how Volek and Warner do....

 

I disagree. But only slightly. I think there is going to be a swell of support for young to overtake the starting spot in Tennessee. There is clearly support for him in the management of the team and fans love a flashy QB. I mean, would you buy a Billy Volek jersey? Young could be the young Steve McNair that can still move and make things happen. Volek is smart in the pocket, but if there aren't enough numbers in the W column I'd wouldn't be surprised to see Vince in the game....

 

RR--D'Angelo, Maroney, LWhite, Addai, Calhoun, Norwood & Drew.

I think all these guys have the potential of being great NFL players. Other than Addai they will all have a veteran starting in front of them for a few more years....Addai has the best shot of this group to earn a starting job this year.

 

Even though it doesn't work, it just seems that NFL teams are leaning to the RBBC theory. And since the Steelers won with it last year, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more teams follow their lead. I'm really hoping that Foster holds up and plays well this year, but Williams will be the guy to help save Fosters legs. He could easily be the most productive sleeper RB on the board. Calhoun will be right there nibbling on Kevin Jones' carries in Detroit too. We will see numbers out of these 2 for sure.

 

WR--Jackson, Jennings, Holmes, Moss, Hagan

This is the group that has the best opportunity this year. Jackson, Jennings and Holmes are all on teams that need a #2 wr right now....

 

Jennings...either one...will have a battle more with their QB's getting them the ball than their own battles of upping their skills. Long roads ahead. Holmes must have been hanging with Clarrett the last few months and the Steelers never throw the ball anyway, but Hagan definately has possibilites. Anyone in Miami will this year. Culpepper will make it back not only to prove the naysayers wrong, but he's back home near Ocala. He'll find that hometown drive that got him in the NFL years ago and give his old friends a show.

 

From a fantasy standpoint, the depth everywhere is evident which is good especially at RB in 10,12,14 or 28 team leagues. RB is always the horse, and preseason will be an excellent barometer to follow. Previously injured stars and hungry rookies can only mean fantasy sleeper gold.

[TIKI-BARBERS-BARBER 0]

Vince young will start by week 8 when the Titians relize there chances of the playoffs are slim to none. The will run the ball alot to take the pressure off of Young.