FFToolbox NFL News and Rumors

Simple tips for drafting your fantasy team

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:33:54 EST

With another exciting season of fantasy football lurking just around the corner, managers everywhere are getting prepared to compete yet again. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you draft your 2009 fantasy football team. 1. Know your leagues scoring system Although this is one of the golden rules in fantasy football, if you don't know what your leagues scoring system is, you are at an automatic disadvantage before making a single pick. You need to know what the scoring categories are and be able to project the highest scoring positions so you can draft accordingly. 2. Develop a plan Being prepared before the draft is what separates good fantasy managers from bad ones and if you don't have a basic plan or strategy, kiss your chances goodbye, plain and simple. Every manager has his or her own unique perception of how to build a team and it is up to you to find that championship niche. 3. Don't reach This tip is pretty strait forward, but when drafting your fantasy team, you do not want to take a player such as Randy Moss over Adrian Peterson with the #1 overall pick. If you REALLY want Moss, draft Peterson anyway and then trade him immediately. In addition to acquiring Moss, you should be able to get his 4th, 5th, or 6th round pick at worst, hypothetically speaking. 4. Use strength of schedule to your advantage One of the lost arts in fantasy football is being able to decipher who to draft when you are on the clock, under pressure. Nobody wants to freeze up, but we all have been there. For example, it is late in the 4th round and you are on the clock. As your 2 minutes pass faster than ever, you need a wide receiver and realize you are torn between Braylon Edwards and Chad Ochocinco. When you are in this situation, make the deciding factor strength of schedule. It is safe to assume that barring injury, Edwards and Ochocinco have an equal opportunity to produce based on their situations in their respective offenses, therefore making the player with the better schedule the better choice. There are hundreds of aspects to consider when drafting your fantasy team, but if you can follow these four basic pieces of advice, the chances of your team succeeding will become greater, win or lose.

Stallworth suspended by NFL

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:34:58 EST

Cleveland Browns WR Donte Stallworth was suspended indefinitely by the NFL on Thursday, June 18 for killing a pedestrian with his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Stallworth pleaded guilty on a DUI manslaughter charge and received a 30-day jail sentence with an indefinite suspension of his driver's license, thousands of dollars in fines and thousands of hours of community service. He was placed on probation for eight years and will serve two years on house arrest. Even if he was cleared to play this year, Stallworth would fit under the quot;high-risk, low reward" category. In 2008, Stallworth caught just 17 passes for 170 yards and 1 touchdown, in 11 games. His ADP in fantasy leagues makes the 8-year veteran a backup fantasy WR at best. The fact that Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are competing for the starting job might make it hard for the Browns receiver corps to gain any chemistry, which is another problem Stallworth will run into. It will be interesting to see how quickly Braylon Edwards, Mohammad Massaquoi, and Brian Robiskie can adjust and mesh with Eric Mangini's quarterback of choice. If he is lucky enough to play football again, the chances of Stallworth making a fantasy impact are hovering just above zero. This situation could very well end his career.

Marshall wants out of Denver, requests trade

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:18:44 EST

The post-Shanahan era is falling apart for head coach Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos. First, it was QB Jay Cutler. Is unhappy WR Brandon Marshall the next to go? According to the Yahoo Sports web site, quot;Adam Schefter reported Monday on KOA Radio in Denver that Marshall has requested a trade." This could be devastating for the Broncos if they are forced to trade the talented 4th year wide-out. Regardless of if Marshall seems short tempered and hot-headed, regardless of if he fights with his girlfriend, or punches a holes through televisions, when the guy is on the field, get him the ball. In 2007 and 2008, Marshall accumulated a total of 206 receptions for 2,590 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. His signature game came in 2008 against the San Diego Chargers. His stat line: 18 receptions, 166 yards and a touchdown. Denver won the game 39-38. If the Broncos granted Jay Cutler's wish to be dealt, chances are they will do the same with Marshall. Whereever he lands (as long as he is on the field and competing), he will be a threat on every down. Nothing is set in stone as far as where Marshall would go via trade. Baltimore, Chicago, or Arizona would all be logical destinations. There is also a chance Marshall will stay put in Denver. It is anyone's guess.

Brady returns, Patriots back in Super Bowl contention.

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:51:40 EST

Tom Brady is back and the 2009 New England Patriots could be better than ever. With the addition of pro-bowl caliber RB Fred Taylor, seasoned veteran WR Joey Galloway, and the return of their prized quarterback, the New England Patriots offense not only has the arsenal to light up the scoreboard for 35 points a game, they also possess the veteran leadership to carry them to the promised land. The Patriots' defense, which ranked 10th last season in total defense, returns 7 starters and should not allow more than an average of 20 points per game. The 3-4 Base defense is led by LB Tedy Bruschi and 2nd year phenom LB Jerod Mayo. One of the biggest questions that is being debated now that we have seen Brady back on the field is: can he get back to where he was right before he injured his knee? Personally, I have no doubt in my mind that he can come back and he will succeed. If you don't count a few series in the preseason or the first half of the 2008 season opener last year against the Kansas City Chiefs, the last time Tom Brady played meaningful football was in SBXLII against the New York Giants for the chance to complete a perfect season. It may be safe to assume that Brady is looking for redemption along with proving he can return from a career threatening injury. He has worked hard on rehabilitating his knee. He was motivated to rehab and return stronger than ever. He will be cool, calm, and collected when he returns and as soon as we see Tom Brady playing like his old self, the only team who will be able to beat the Patriots in Gillette Stadium (or in any other stadium) are the Patriots themselves.

Westbrook's lingering injuries put his fantasy value in question

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:57:27 EST

Though it is only June, the recent injuries to Philadelphia Eagles star running back Brian Westbrook may put his fantasy value in jeopardy. With the stretch from training camp in July to the playoffs in January, a running back goes through a grueling workout regimen. With that in mind, the odds of Westbrook staying healthy and playing though the grind of a full season are seemingly decreasing. The 30-year old running back is scheduled to return to the field right around the same time as the beginning of training camp. If he get s a late start and comes back after training camp begins, it could dramatically affect his production -- depending on how much time he misses. Westbrook was able to play in all but one game last season, but was slowed by nagging knee and ankle problems. He finished with 233 carries, 936 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground and 53 receptions, 402 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air as he helped the Eagles advance to the NFC Championship game. While those are solid statistics, we all know Westbrook is capable of putting up much better numbers. If he is already injured, there is a good chance he could play a portion of the regular season with a quot;nagging injury". The last thing a fantasy owner wants is to choose between a questionable Westbrook, or a probable LeSean Mccoy (especially in the playoffs). The fact that Westbrook is fighting injuries is a sign that his elite fantasy value is in question. When on the field and at 100 percent, Westbrook is a top 5 running back. But with the likes of DeAngelo Williams, Ladainian Tomlinson, and a resurgent Stephen Jackson possibly on the board still, Westbrook may be that guy who you pass on in your draft. If you do pull the trigger and draft him, make sure to grab LeSean McCoy as insurance. It could pay off in the long-run.