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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 12th July, 2007 - 12:22 am
 Each year there are several situations fantasy football managers need to keep their eyes on. In addition to consulting depth charts, mock drafts, and statistical projections its imperative that you consider some of the things that are taken for granted in countless leagues.
That?s where I come in.
The Health of Iron Men
I?m not talking about the health of studs like Larry Johnson, or even Frank Gore, I?m worried about the health of iron men like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Each year fantasy players everywhere draft Manning and Brady knowing that they?ll start sixteen games. Neither of the elite quarterbacks has missed a game since the days of the VCR, but that doesn?t mean they won?t in 2007. Peyton used up all of his luck this February when he finally won the ?big game? against the Bears. I wouldn?t be surprised to see one of these two miss a game this fall.
Beware Denver ?Backs
This isn?t a new theory, but it?s always relevant. I don?t recommend counting on a Broncos? running back in 2007. Each year Mike Shanahan?s play-calling ruins the fantasy outputs of countless runners ? does the Mike/Tatum Bell fiasco of 2006 ring a bell? (pun intended) The acquisition of Travis Henry won?t change anything. Don?t overpay for Henry, because it?s not likely that he?ll start more than half of Denver?s games and even if he does, Mike Bell could end up with the loin?s share of the carries.
The Rise of Addai
Don?t listen to what your friends are telling you, Colts? running back Joseph Addai is a top-five talent. In 2006 he posted over 1,400 total yards and scored eight times while sharing the ball with Dominic Rhodes and the Peyton?s arm. With Rhodes gone, Addai figures to eclipse his rookie totals by leaps and bounds this fall. I wouldn?t be surprised to see roughly 2,000 total yards and double-digit scores this season. If you?re lucky you might even get to nab Addai with a late-first, early-second round pick.
McNabb?s A Good Bet
Eagles? quarterback Donovan McNabb may be entering the 2007 season injured, but that doesn?t mean he shouldn?t anchor your fantasy team. It?s a good sign for both you and Philadelphia that he?s working incredibly hard to get ready for week one. As always Andy Reid has one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, and McNabb was better in ten games last season than most quarterbacks were in sixteen. Even if he plays half the season, that?s eight wins in your back pocket. Ride him as long as he?s walking.
Do Not Rely on Smith
Regardless of how much he helped your team in 2005, don?t put too many of your eggs in the basket of Panthers? wide out Steve Smith. After posting 1,500 yards and twelve touchdowns in 2005, he posted just 1,100 yards and eight scores last season. His loss of production was due to a bum hamstring, but that wasn?t the first time fantasy owners were let down by Smith. In 2004 he played just one game because of a broken leg, ruining the fantasy season for millions of people around the world. Not only does he have an injury history, but Carolina?s opponents will make life a living hell for Steve this season. There?s no proven target on the other side with Keyshawn gone.
Get Some Handcuffs
Right after your league has completed its draft there?s one definite: each and every owner thinks he has a shot at taking home the championship. The sad thing is, it?s true. Great fantasy teams become bad when the injury bug bites. That?s where you can separate yourself from your competition. It?s called ?handcuffing? but it?s as simple as grabbing your moneymaker?s backups just in case they end up on their back. Imagine how much easier things would be for owners of LaDainian Tomlinson if they had Michael Turner on their bench? Should L.T. go down, they have a capable starter ready-and-waiting.
Know Your Byes
Imagine you?re sitting at your computer following your league?s draft celebrating with a Miller Lite when the e-mails come pouring in. Your friends are all making fun of you because you bragged about grabbing Larry Fitzgerald and Terrell Owens as your starting wide receivers. Guess what? Both the Cardinals and Cowboys have week eight off so your receiving corps is going to look pretty ugly when you face your brother in November. In addition to making sure you?re not leaving yourself thin at any one position, don?t take Peyton Manning, Willie Parker and Roy Williams with your first three picks. It might look good on paper, but all three have a week six bye, leaving you without your top three players. You might as well call it a loss.
Don?t Load Up
This tip is kind of an extension of ?Know Your Byes? but it?s important nonetheless. Imagine how wide your eyes would be if you could grab Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in the first three rounds of your draft. Aside from their bye week you?re team would be a lock for the playoffs with the potent Indianapolis offense, right? Wrong. What if the Colts stall against a tough defense like Baltimore or New England? Your entire week would be ruined. Even if no defense is able to stop the Colts, the injury bug would cripple the entire threesome. The loss of Manning would lessen the quality looks provided to Harrison and Wayne. An injury to Harrison would give Peyton fewer options and allow teams to load up on Wayne. It?s a no-win.
What advice would you give fellow players? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
