We have just about wrapped up our 32 team previews on the Fantasy Fix and regular watchers will be happy to know Tiffany is back in the mix Thursday. We'll be doing a live show at noon Thursday to preview the season. I know it will be tougher for most people with jobs to watch than a normal Sunday morning show, but you can put your headphones on and listen!

Below is my preview for the 49ers. Where does JTO fit and does he hurt Frank Gore's ranking? Is Josh Morgan worth drafting in redraft leagues?

Finally, I wanted to ask for some help for everyone here. I want to update my Top 15 team blogs rankings. As a newshound, I still savor places that break news and tell me things I don't know already. This year, though, I think I want to add a separate category for non-MSM blogs. Whether they are team or fantasy related, let me know your favorites. I know there have to be some cool fantasy blogs out there that deserve to be highlighted, but frankly I try not to read other fantasy sites. (Is this wrong?). I know you guys must, so let me know your faves. Any nominations for the best mainstream or newspaper blogs are also welcomed.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (47)

While watching parts of the Saints-Bengals replay, I couldn't help but notice how much time Aaron Stecker logged with the first team. I also couldn't help notice how much quicker he looked than Deuce McAllister, who appeared to be moving in quick sand. Everyone's favorite sleeper (including myself), Pierre Thomas, looked even more explosive while ripping through tackles and shaking defenders with 81 total yards on nine touches. But all of Thomas' work came in the second half with the second team.

All four players appear locked in to roster spots. Thomas easily has the highest ceiling, but Sean Payton's usage patterns could be frustrating for owners expecting consistent production opposite Reggie Bush.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Let's assume that Mort got this one right, which can be dangerous. The local Phoenix rags support the notion that Kurt Warner will be the man in Week 1.

Ken Whisenhunt is making a major statement here about Leinart. The coach wasn't around to draft him, and doesn't believe in him. Warner hasn't even played well in the preseason, and is bound to get hurt eventually. The Cardinals will need Leinart, but the Heisman winner is dangerously treading towards Alex Smith territory by getting benched.

Fantasy leaguers must now decide: How high is Kurt Warner's ceiling?

Continue reading "The Resurrection of Kurt Warner" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Maurice Morris won't win a fantasy league for you. As we've seen throughout the last two years, he's the definition of a solid backup. Even when he was starting games for Seattle, he put up the type of numbers that you'd rather have as your RB3 than an every week fantasy player.

None of that changes the fact that he's projected to start for Seattle in Week 1, and is going in the twelth round. While Morris should split carries with Jones, the long-time Seahawks looks like the lead back to start the season. I wrote about Morris rising a month ago, and he deserves to get bumped up again. Playing on a traditionally excellent offense (admittedly entering a down year), that's worth a lot more than a twelth round pick.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's safe to say that Jonathan Stewart is healthy. Damn! How is that man 235 pounds? Not to be out-done, DeAngelo Williams broke a 60-yard score on the next possession. Stewart needed to make a statement to earn an even Week 1 split of carries, and he did just that.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The more I hear about Peyton Manning's recovery, the less I enjoy what I'm hearing. Jim Irsay's comments the other day didn't sound great. The Colts recognize Manning could miss Week 1. Considering Manning's reputation and the original timeframe we heard, that was a surprise. Mike Lombardi's post about Manning threw gas on the fire, likely to scare the crap out of anyone drafting this weekend.

The reality is, we just don't know that much. We know it was supposed to be a four-to-six week recovery. He had surgery five weeks ago; that's a concern. But if all the speculation ever got past the rumor stage, national reporters would be trying to out-scoop each other. Lombardi would be on NFL Network tonight breaking the news.

Next week will be telling. If Manning hasn't practiced by next Friday, then the concern rises. But now we are just dealing in guesswork. I'd rather deal in what I know to be true, which is hard to find in fantasy football.

Continue reading "Knocking Manning" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (40)

So the preseason is a sham. But Week 3 is easily the most useful time, a good indication of what coaches are thinking going into the season. After dress rehearsals this week, Week 4 is a serious waste of time for everyone involved. So what did we learn from the Bears vs. 49ers game last night?

1. Chicago's receivers are impossible to draft. Rashied Davis looks like the number one, playing almost every down. I watched closely and Brandon Lloyd, Devin Hester, and Marty Booker rotated after him evenly. Good luck finding consistency there.

2. When the 49ers first team lines up with two tight ends, like they did the majority of the time, they could be a nasty run-blocking unit. Vernon Davis is one of hte best blockers in the league and Delanie Walker has the size to make a difference. They cleared big holes for Frank Gore, which was nice to see. Davis also was active as a receiver and even lined up in the backfield.

3. J.T. O'Sullivan reminds me a lot of a poor man's Kitna. Pretty throws, a lot of improvisation, and big mental mistakes. It could be a fun ride, making JTO a reasonable QB2 pick in the last rounds if you draft a top-5 QB. He won't last 16 games, but there may be some yardage there.

4. It's hard to tell how the 49ers receiver depth chart will shake out because Arnaz Battle and Bryant Johnson are hurt. For now, Josh Morgan is the starter.

5. Kevin Jones looked healthy enough to make the team and be Matt Forte's backup.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A first-round fantasy pick missed the offseason because of a contract dispute. He hasn't practiced for nearly all of training camp, and it looks quite possible he won't play in the preseason. And yet, absolutely no one has batted an eye. The question becomes: Why aren't we more worried about Ryan Grant?

Because he came out of nowhere last season, Grant was the top-15 pick I felt least comfortable with. But I like the system in Green Bay, and I love the lack of true competition for carries. There is no doubt Grant is explosive. In a diluted year for backs, he just made the elite cut. This hamstring injury has lasted long enough for it to be a concern. I projected a huge gap after Grant originally to my RB11 (MJD), but that gap is closing. If I had a pick on the first round turn this weekend, I could now see passing on Grant for a wide receiver.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (46)

I heard the anguished cry from across the room: The office Eagles fan was moaning. Football season had officially begun! Kevin Curtis is probably out to November. So what do fantasy owners do?

First of all, Anquan Boldin is not going anywhere. The Eagles will remain a pass-first team, and they will have to get increased production from Reggie Brown, L.J. Smith, and DeSean Jackson. Hank Baskett will also get some targets. It's been a terrible camp for Brown, but someone has to catch passes here. I moved him up the WR rankings a few spots, and Jackson now looks draftable in deeper leagues. Smith gets a small bump too. He can be consistent if he stays healthy for once.

As for Curtis, I wouldn't drop him if you already had your draft. At best, he'll play for half the season though and his ceiling is somewhat limited. The increased chance for further injury makes him a late-round gamble. His new projections don't look good, but I still rate him as a 14th-round flier. A guy to stash.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Stray thoughts about rounds 9 and 10 of the Mock Draft I wrote about today

* Interesting to see Anthony Gonzalez's value falling some with Marvin Harrison enjoying a healthy camp. There are only so many passes to go around.

* Chris Perry wouldn't go in the ninth round if we re-did the draft tonight now that he's the starter. I've been writing about him all off-season, so I'm enjoying the development. Especially since I acquired him in my dynasty league for a move down in the fourth round rookie draft and the Bucs Alex Smith. Hot damn! Better trade him before he gets hurt.

Continue reading "Draft Notes ... and Steve Jack is back" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)