Rankings| Fantasy RB Average Carries Compared to Carries Lost

The Full-Time Fantasy Running Back has become a bit of a rarity. More teams are going to a Running Back by Committee approach and carries are getting lost on third down and at the Goal Line as well. How does this effect your fantasy RB? Sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it is nerve racking. Carries don’t mean everything, right? But sometimes you just have to think that if your guy is touching the ball more there is more opportunity than if he is on the bench.
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Can a Man Attend 35 NFL games in 1 Season?

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a fellow from London named Adam. He told me a little about a trip he was going to take this year that involves attending 35 NFL games in one season. I found the idea fascinating. What NFL fan wouldn’t love to pull this off? Adam and I had a sit down (each on our own computers on opposite ends of the world) for a little Q&A on this football trip that would be a fantasy for any of us.

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2008 NFC North Draft Grades

Chicago Bears

Needs: OL, WR, RB, QB, DL

Between inconsistent play, injuries and free agency, the Bears need a complete retooling on offense. Both starting receivers, Bernard Berrian (Vikings) and Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers), left via free agency. Cedric Benson produced sporadically before suffering a severe ankle injury and there is little prognosis on his comeback. Rex Grossman resigned with the Bears because there was little recourse in the QB free agency market. A solid draft would cue a Bears turnaround.

1.14 - Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
2.13 - Matt Forte RB Tulane
3.07 - Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
3.27 - Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas
4.21 - Craig Steltz S LSU
5.07 - Zackary Bowman CB Nebraska
5.23 - Kellen Davis TE/DE Michigan State (no that’s not a misprint, Davis played on both sides of the ball last year)
7.01 - Ervin Baldwin DE Michigan State
7.15 - Chester Adams OG Georgia
7.36 - Joey LaRocque OLB Oregon State
7.40 - Kirk Barton OT Ohio State
7.41 - Marcus Monk WR Arkansas

Draft Grade: B+

Comments: I know that popular opinion is to condemn the Bears draft because they neglected to get a QB. I agree somewhat. If Angelo had turned the Steltz pick or the Bowman pick into Andre Woodson, I would have to give them an A. Chicago hit on all of the positions they needed to (except QB) without any reaches that I saw. They even picked up a couple steals in Marcus Harrison and Marcus Monk. I believe Harrison is a first day pick if he doesn’t get injured early in the year and I cannot fathom how Marcus Monk is 7th round material. His size alone should allow him to crack the Bears roster. Chris Williams will provide the Bears with stability on the offensive line and Matt Forte is a three down back who will make Bears fans forget the name Cedric Benson. I think Earl Williams will make a serviceable pro as well. This draft was solid and should bring Chicago back on the right path.

Detroit Lions

Needs: OL, RB, LB, DL, CB

Mike Martz is gone as offensive coordinator. Gone with him are runningbacks TJ Duckett and Kevin Jones and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. Quarterback Jon Kitna will be sacked all the way to the hospital if he gets hit with the same frequency he has in the past two years. Paris Lenon is likely one of the worst MLBs in the NFL. The Lions have made no secret to the fact that they would like to shift gears and get back to a power running game. Difficult to do without an offensive line and a runningback.

1.17 - Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
2.14 - Jordon Dizon OLB Colorado
3.01 - Kevin Smith RB Central Florida
3.24 - Andre Fluellen DT Florida State
3.29 - Cliff Avril DE/OLB Purdue
5.01 - Kenneth Moore WR Wake Forest
5.11 - Jerome Felton FB Furman
7.09 - Landon Cohen DE Ohio
7.11 - Caleb Campbell S Army

Draft Grade: A

Comments: Probably couldn’t have done much better. The first three rounds filled all of the major needs that the Lions had. They even got a decent fullback to lead block. Gosder Cherilus will be used as right tackle, which is his best position and Jordon Dizon will start at SLB before transitioning into the MLB role. There is nothing flashy about Kevin Smith’s running style; he just gets it done. I view the Lions running game in a similar light. No razzle dazzle but solid production. I think Cliff Avril will play a hybrid type of role; both standing up at LB and with his hand down as DE on pass rush downs. Caleb Campbell is an interesting prospect out of Army. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him integrated into the Lions defense sooner rather than later. Excellent draft by the Lions.

Green Bay Packers

Needs: CB, OL, QB, TE, DL

The Green Bay Packers are coming off of a season that saw them win the NFC North and make it to the NFC Championship game. They are a team with very few holes. Youngster Aaron Rodgers seems poised to take over the reigns from Number 4 at QB and hidden gem Ryan Grant seems ready to handle the upcoming year with a full load. What the Pack does need is insurance for Rodgers and some depth on the line and at TE. Their CBs are getting up there in age as well.

2.05 - Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
2.25 - Brian Brohm QB Louisville
2.29 - Patrick Lee CB Auburn
3.28 - Jermichael Finley TE Texas
4.03 - Jeremy Thompson DE Wake Forest
4.36 - Josh Sitton OT Central Florida
5.15 - Breno Giacomini OT Louisville
7.02 - Matt Flynn QB LSU
7.10 - Brett Swain WR San Diego State

Draft Grade: B-

Comments: It’s difficult to grade a draft where the team doesn’t have any glaring needs. At first glance, they hit on all of the positions they needed depth at. But upon further inspection, there are a few head scratchers. Brian Brohm at 2.25 sticks out for sure. Why spend that high of a pick on a backup for Aaron Rodgers? I know that competition breeds winning but that seems like a bit of a waste to draft a backup QB that high, especially with prime interior lineman on the board available. Taking Matt Flynn alone could have accomplished the same goal without the use of a 2nd round pick. Jordy Nelson is an interesting pick. I like him as a faster, smaller version of TO. He uses body positioning and physicality to make a living over the middle. Just not sure he was the pick with every WR not named Thomas or Avery on the board. Ted must have seen something though. I like the Lee pick. He is a better corner than many give him credit for. The tackles taken both seem like fliers but if I am banking on one team flier tackles panning out; it’s the Packers. Finley seems like a bit of a reach. All in all, Green Bay got the depth they needed but I wonder if a couple of their choices were out of place or reaches.

Minnesota Vikings

Needs: QB, WR, OL, S, DT

Minnesota made a huge splash before the draft, trading their 1st and 3rd round picks to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. If you can make a deal to secure a big piece of the puzzle and you need to move high picks to do it, good on you. In my opinion, the Vikings are a pass rusher and a consistent quarterback away from being a huge contender. Vikes brass seems high on Tarvaris Jackson but he needs to work on his decision making and consistency.

2.12 - Tyrell Johnson S Arkansas State
5.02 - John David Booty QB USC
5.17 - Letroy Guion DT Florida State
6.21 - John Sullivan C Notre Dame
6.27 - Jaymar Johnson WR Jackson State

Draft Grade: A-

Comments: Minnesota made its mark before the draft but the players they added with those picks should propel them into the division title race. My only complaint is waiting until the 6th round to address the OL. I think a better guard or tackle should have been had in the 5th round like Roy Schuening, Carl Nicks or Barry Richardson. John David Booty is an intriguing pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pushes Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. Tyrell Johnson is a quality prospect who should crack the starting lineup late this year or next. Jared Allen could very well be the player they need for their defense to be propelled into legendary status.

tag: NFL, NFL Draft, Grades, Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears, sports, footballjabber.com

NFL Draft JabberOrama

The day is here. Put the mock drafts to bed. Leave the back peddling on why he was way off on the pick to Mel Kiper Jr. now. This morning we bring the link dump of link dumps for the morning of the draft. You have some extra time to kill anyway with the later start, right?

The later draft start is more fan friendly for those on the left coast. I’m surprised nobody has speculated that this means there will be a team in LA soon.

NYT hanging out with the top prospects attending the draft. Jake Long the only one having any fun.

There is tons of NFL Draft history and trivia for you to out wit your friends with today RIGHT HERE INSIDE THIS BLUE TEXT.

The Redskins are still looking for help at WR for Jason Campbell. The latest word is they will try to trade for Detroit’s Roy Williams.

The Bears are looking at RB they say…

“Until somebody proves that they’re the guy, then we have to make sure that we create as much competition at that position to make sure we get that done,” said general manager Jerry Angelo.

The Ravens have an eye on Matt Ryan.

The dilemma for the Broncos…talent or need? HEY! Why not both?…

“You want to draft people that will make your football team; you want to draft people that will make your football team better,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said at his Friday pre-draft press conference. “If you have a lot of depth at one position and you are questioning if that guy can make your football team, the chances are you are not going to draft him. You are going with more of a need player, but if there is a big difference sometimes you will go another direction. It is all on what your philosophy is, you go through a game plan and then you try and execute it on draft day.”

More talk on Glenn Dorsey’s knees. Could you imagine the prospect if he didn’t have questionable wheels?

WR prospect Devin Thomas on shooting up the draft boards.

Andy Reid hints that the Eagles may go O-Line despite the cries for help from McNabb.

“You win the game up front on both sides of the ball,” Reid said. “If the d-line is better than the o-line, the quarterback is going to be in trouble. If the o-line is better than the d-line, the defense is going to be in trouble. That’s how it worked out in the Super Bowl. That theory really rises to the top. You can have pretty good receivers, but if those guys up front aren’t doing their job, those receivers aren’t going to be very good.”

The Bucs dangling a 2nd rounder for Jason Taylor?

KnowHuddle.com has a write up for RB’s beyond the first round that will come in handy for Dynasty and Keeper fantasy football drafts.

The New York Post uses a clever headline of rap meets rock to insinuate that McFadden may end up with the Jets.

HERE is one more story about whether or not McFadden will end up in Dallas.

Jerry Jones loves to have eyes on what he will do in the draft. With two first rounders, it’s business as usual today.

“I came from a background of trading before I was ever involved in the NFL,” said Jones, who amassed his fortune taking risks in the oil business. “I got here by trading and by trying to increase value from where you are today, so it is very tempting for me to take where we are and make more value from it by trading up or down.”

Herm Edwards wanted to build the Chiefs through the draft when he came to KC. They have tons of picks to work with this weekend.

JSOnline.com speculates the Packers may trade away their top pick.

Joe Flacco wants to be in the NFL.

“Last year at this point, I said I would be happy to be a draft pick, and that hasn’t changed,” The 6-foot-7, 236-pound Flacco said. “All I wanted was the opportunity to be in the NFL, the opportunity that I have now. Just the chance.

“I know whoever picks me wants me.”

SFGate.com looks at the several options for the Niners.

The Charlotte Observer has the Odds for what the Panthers will do if your a betting man.

Two guys in Macon, GA. They sit…they talk draft.

The Rams weigh Dorsey vs. Long.

Another “Shockey to the Saints, maybe” story. This one from The New York Post.

tag: NFL, Football, 2008 NFL Draft, footballjabber.com, sports

NFL Draft Jabber 4/24/08

The Rams are on the clock. Glenn Dorsey and Chris Long would look good here (or a trade to New Orleans). The Rams would like to start negotiating but the league says notta.

“They cannot (negotiate),” a league official told the Post-Dispatch via e-mail Wednesday afternoon. “That has been our policy. Only the team with the first pick can negotiate and sign a player. We will re-evaluate that policy (in the future) to determine if any changes are warranted.”

Jerry Rice would approve the Niners taking a shot on DeSean Jackson.

Football Jabber takes up three spots on the second annual Mock Draft at The Hazean.

Bring a lottery to the NFL Draft? Peter Schrager at FoxSports.com thinks so.

Darrin McFadden made a second trip to visit the Jets.

“I feel like if I’m there at No. 6, they’re going to take me,” McFadden told the Daily News at a promotional appearance in lower Manhattan.

One of my favorite sites, Pro Football Reference, takes a look at the Best Draft Classes.

Brian Brohm must have just noticed he is the second best QB prospect behind Matt Ryan. He doesn’t like it.

“I feel I’m the best quarterback,” he says. “If you look on a year-to-year basis, consistency-wise, who makes good decisions on the field, I feel I’ve just done it consistently and in more games.”

KnowHuddle.com will tell you that Martellus Bennett is the steal of the draft.

In the eyes of the latest assigned draft expert, Ron Jaworski, Vernon Gholston is going to take plays off on you.

“Vernon Gholston. My personal evaluation didn’t have him as high as some others. I think he’s a rigid, straight-line guy. When I look at tape, I don’t see a guy that shows up on every single play. I don’t get the ‘wow’ factor. I’m not quite sure where he’s going to play with his hand on the in the push position or play as a stand-up linebacker. He’s a guy that if someone at the top of the board doesn’t like him, he could sit around a little bit.”

The Star Tribune says the Vikings are not likely to draft a RB. Really.

tag: NFL, NFL Draft Prospects, 2008 NFL Draft, Sports, footballjabber.com, Football

NFL Draft Jabber 4/21/08

Contra Costa Times has the Raiders Top 5 Draft needs. But as everyone knows, this means nothing to Al Davis.

Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Mayock admit that their mock drafts focus on need and not teams reaching for the player they want. This explains Kiper’s back peddling on draft day.

“I think we get too wrapped up in needs,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said in a conference call with reporters last week. “Needs are fine, and that’s all well and good, but if the guy’s not that good a player, probably, he’s not going to help you.”

“I’m pretty much a believer in the best athlete available, also,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said in a separate conference call. “And obviously, what you’re hoping is that your area of need matches up with the best player on your board. Then, it’s a no-brainer. My issue would be that if you continue to reach for a position of need, you’re going to dilute the overall quality of your football team.”

Joe Flacco has been hearing his name more often as the draft approaches. He could hear it earlier then previously expected come draft day.

Here is a look at the Top 10 Matt Millen draft busts.

Devin Thomas has moved up the WR board. Here is one of those handy profiles from Freep.com

Sun-Sentinel.com grades the 1st Round QB’s from the last 10 years.

Ohio.com has a look at the “Tweeners” for the Brownies.

What? You say you want to hear more about the Center position and less of those pretty boy positions? Here ya go.

KnowHuddle.com discusses the Patriots keeping an eye on QB Colt Brennan.

More NFL Draft hindsight. FoxSports.com says that these teams should have passed on these WR’s.

Colts.com breaks down the Top DE’s in a very Chris Long heavy article.

The Bears Official site looks at the top CB’s.

tag: NFL, 2008 NFL Draft, Football, footballjabber.com, Sports

NFL Draft Jabber 4/18/08

CBSSportsline.com has up a RB preview for you to sink your chompers into. Looks like we can see some quality backs slipping in this draft.

“I don’t know if there are a ton of teams in the league that have a first-round need at running back,” one NFC personnel director said. “So that will push some really quality backs to the second round, or even later.”

Some people have been addressing a need for QB all offseason for the Ravens (Our very own TJ Ford). With the walking of Steve McNair, TheBaltimoreSun.com has a look now.

More of The Colston Law. MiamiHerald.com looks at small school prospects.

Click here to read about the 2004 fire that Jake Long survived.

Talk of McFadden to the Jets continues.

The Star Tribune brings you the D-Backs.

JSOnline brings you more on the top RB’s.

Detnews.com and the search for the next Adrian Peterson

Seattlepi.com on the rising stock of Linemen.

Kansascity.com on the Defensive Tackles.

The Titans don’t let the past dictate what they do in the present draft. Kudos.

Ryan Clady will be the first ever first round pick from Boise State.

BuffaloNews.com looks at the average TE draft class.

tag: NFL, Football, 2008 NFL Draft, Prospect, footballjabber.com, Sports

NFL Draft Jabber 4/16/08

“The Law of Colston” dictates that you must look at small school sleepers as the NFL Draft approaches. SportsIllustrated.CNN.com will assist you in your studies.

FoxSports.com has their NFL Pre-Draft Defensive Awards posted.

Pro Football Talk has their latest Mock Draft posted.

We do too.

The biggest voice of a little guy in NFL media, Adam Schien, will tell you that Brian Brohm is going to make a solid pro at QB.

“Let’s debunk the myth right now: Brian Brohm is going to be a starting quarterback and a winner in the NFL. He is also going to end up being a first-round pick.”

Randy Covitz at Kansascity.com runs down the Top RB’s in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Star Tribune does the same for the Offensive Linemen. WR’s and TE’s can be found HERE.

The Detroit Free Press believes that everyone will be a Lion, the latest being Dan Connor.

STLtoday.com looks at how one season can shoot a player into the NFL Draft spotlight with Rashard Mendenhall as the example.

Mike Mayock’s take on the Defensive side of the ball.

Russ Lande at The Sporting News looks at those rising, falling, sleepers, and busts…all that good stuff.

The Buffalo news has their very impressive lone table of the Top 10 QB’s up on THIS PAGE.

Something that we surprisingly have not heard more of…USAToday talks about Darren McFadden’s off the field issues.

tag: NFL, 2008 NFL Draft, Sleepers, footballjabber.com, Sports, Mock Draft

Final Football Jabber NFL Mock Draft

The final 2008 NFL Mock Draft brought to you by Football Jabber is up. Three Rounds of Mockness, first two with commentary.  Here is a look at the Top 10, you can click by round after that…

Round 1

1 ) Miami - OT Jake Long

Bill Parcells grabs the anchor of his offensive line for the next 10 years or so. With the Dolphins converting to a Parcells 3-4, the defensive players that make sense here are Chris Long or Vernon Gholston. However, I think that Parcells will try to incorporate more of the old Dolphins (read: Jason Taylor) than many are anticipating. Matt Ryan is another plausible choice but I have always said that Ryan is not worthy of a top 5 choice. The Dolphins would be better served to grab a QB in the later rounds if they are dead set on getting one. Getting a possible franchise tackle when you do not have one is always a sound move, no matter what other holes you have.

2 ) St. Louis - DE Chris Long

The Rams take the other Long; prompting a huge boost in electronics sales in the midwest area. Chris Long will give St. Louis a scary defensive line with Leonard Little, last year’s first round pick Adam Carriker and Long. Carriker is a better tackle than end and will have a home position on the inside with the arrival of Long.

3 ) Atlanta - DT Glenn Dorsey

Dorsey’s solid pro day shut up many of his critics and as a result, his stock is back on the rise. Atlanta needs a presence on the inside of the line for both run stopping and pressure on the passer. Dorsey does both extremely well. Atlanta starts its rebuild from the inside out. Matt Ryan tempts them greatly but they gamble that Brohm, Flacco or Henne is available in the second round.

4 ) Oakland - DE Vernon Gholston

I am trusting that Crazy Al Davis actually looks at his team needs before he makes this choice. The Raiders are probably one pass rusher away from having one of the best defenses in the NFL. Gholston is a physical freak and should give the Raiders the type of pass rush they need. The Raiders defense will be scary if this pick is made.

5 ) Kansas City - QB Matt Ryan

With Dorsey and J Long gone, the Chiefs probably scramble to trade down and fail; similar to the teams that tried to trade down above them. Clady and Otah are reaches here and while Ellis could be argued, QB is a need in the wake of last season, where Croyle could not stay healthy and Huard was inconsistent.

6 ) New York Jets - RB Darren McFadden

The perfect storm of picks (J Long, C Long, Gholston and Ryan) ahead of the Jets force them to take Run DMC. The NFL is a copycat league and the Jets will look to use Thomas Jones and DMac similar to Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson of the Vikings. With the addition of Alan Faneca, the Jets offensive line should prove to be a dominant group and a dynamic playmaker such as McFadden will capitalize.

7 ) New England - CB Leodis McKelvin

Despite what Dallas’ leaked cornerback draft board would have you believe, I think Leodis McKelvin leaves the board first to the Patriots who need to replace two cornerbacks lost in free agency. McKelvin adds return skills to the mix as well as good coverage abilities.

8 ) Baltimore - OT Ryan Clady

Baltimore has been advised to treat this year as if Pro Bowl tackle Johnathan Ogden will not be returning. Heeding that advice Head Coach Harbaugh drafts his replacement in Ryan Clady. Clady is a fluid tackle who always seems to be in position. The Ravens will continue to lean on their running game this year and Clady is a solid choice to ensure it keeps rolling.

9 ) Cincinnati - DT Sedrick Ellis

Ellis has fallen in the last couple weeks, not because of anything he did, but simply due to the fact that other prospects have made jumps. Cincinnati failed to grab a defensive tackle through FA and early offseason trading so Ellis fills the gap.

10 ) New Orleans - LB Keith Rivers

New Orleans complete sits reconstruction of the linebacking corps with the drafting of Rivers. Rivers would likely take the job of current strong side linebacker Scott Fujita. Alongside newly acquired MLB Johnathan Vilma, the Saints instantly gain some credibility on defense.

Round One | Round Two | Round Three

tag: 2008 NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Three Round, Football, Sports, footballjabber.com

NFL Draft Jabber 4/7/08

Jameel McClain, LB for Syracuse, is going to be working out for his hometown Eagles on Wednesday.

“I would love to play for the Eagles, not only for my dreams, but for the things I could do for the community,” said McClain, who double-majored in communications and sociology, graduating last spring. “The community has given me so much - it’s only right that I give back.”

The Bleacher Report gives some dish on why the Eagles should take DeSean Jackson.

A problem that some scouts and GM’s are having with this years RB class is that some of the top guys did not play in a Pro Style offense at their school. This can set up some teams with first round RB busts when they move on to the NFL.

“It does cause some problems,” one AFC general manager said. “They’re running sideways a lot, not playing downhill as much as they will in the NFL.”

The Falcons worked out QB Matt Ryan in prep for their #3 pick in this months 2008 NFL Draft.

Have a peek at the NewsHerald.com’s snapshot of USC LB, Keith Rivers. They finger NFLDraftScout.com as saying…

“There are legitimate questions as to whether he has the valid instincts or lower body power to be an every-down player. He can make the big play, but there needs to be more consistency in his play. With a marginal feel for the passing game, especially when working in the zone, the jury is out on this guy.”

Buffalo Rumblings takes a look at some draft prospects that could double as a return man for the Bills.

A Canadian view of top prospect, Chris Long.

The Charlotte Observer has the Panthers looking at RB, Tackle, and someone who can rush the passer in round one.

tag: 2008 NFL Draft, NFL, Football, Sports, Chris Long, Matt Ryan, Keith Rivers, DeSean Jackson, Matt Ryan, Jameel McClain, Eagles, Panthers, Bills, Falcons, footballjabber.com

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