NFL Fantasy Preview: Wide Receivers

Randy Moss looks to duplicate his record-setting 2007 campaign [PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

TOP 15

1.    Randy Moss

New England Patriots

2007: 98 CATCH, 1,493 YDS, 15.2 AVG, 23 TD

Comments: Saying that last season was a comeback year for Moss would be an understatement. He was unbelievable in a near-perfect season for New England. Although we don’t expect his numbers to be quite as explosive this season, he should still be the top wideout in fantasy.

2.    Chad Johnson

Cincinnati Bengals

2007: 93 CATCH, 1,440 YDS, 15.5 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: Johnson’s year was very much overshadowed by the dynamic year that Randy Moss had in New England, but Chad was just as good. People may have initially been nervous about Ocho Cinco in the offseason, but as expected, Johnson showed up to camp and he is expected to be on a mission to prove his worth. Expect similar numbers to last season and probably more touchdowns.

3.    Braylon Edwards

Cleveland Browns

2007: 80 CATCH, 1,289 YDS, 16.1 AVG, 16 TD

Comments: Edwards is coming off of a career year in which he caught 16 TDs. Derek Anderson’s emergence is a huge reason why he had such a successful season. As long as he can stay healthy, he should remain an elite fantasy option in all formats. Expect him to be drafted around round three or four.

4.    Terrell Owens

Dallas Cowboys

2007: 81 CATCH, 1,355 YDS, 16.7 AVG, 15 TD

Comments: Despite the negatives that Terrell Owens brings with him, he is still one of the top receivers to play this game. He is honest and speaks his mind, which the Cowboys would rather he didn’t. Either way, he still remains Tony Romo’s favorite target, and is a top receiver in all formats.

5.    Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona Cardinals

2007: 100 CATCH, 1,409 YDS, 14.1 AVG, 10 TD

Comments: Fitzgerald has been excellent every other season thus far, but I expect that streak to break. In 2007, he had pretty much the same numbers as he did in 2005. With Matt Leinart on a mission to prove himself as an able starting quarterback, Fitzgerald will continue to be a top target. Expect him to duplicate his numbers of last season. 

6.    Marques Colston

New Orleans Saints

2007: 98 CATCH, 1,202 YDS, 12.3 AVG, 11 TD

Comments: Colston might have been the biggest beneficiary of the arrival of Drew Brees in New Orleans. He has only played two seasons and has been very productive. I expect this to be his best season, and he, like Braylon Edwards, will be drafted in the third or fourth round.

7.    Torry Holt

St. Louis Rams

2007: 93 CATCH, 1,189 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 7 TD

Comments: Holt is coming off of a season in which his knee was sore, so that has to be counted on for his production being a little bit down. Despite the fact that he is on the downside of his career, he is still capable of putting up good numbers. Look for another 7 TD, 1,000 yard season for Marc Bulger’s favorite target.

8.    Wes Welker

New England Patriots

2007: 112 CATCH, 1,175 YDS, 10.5 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: No one has benefitted more from the New England Patriots’ system than Wes Welker, Before 2007, he never had more than 67 catches in a season, but he nearly doubled that number in 2007. Look for him to be a low number one or a high end number two wide receiver who will go sometime around round three or four.

9.    Calvin Johnson

Detroit Lions

2007: 48 CATCH, 756 YDS, 15.8 AVG, 4 TD

Comments: Jonson was bothered by a back injury last season which hampered his performance. Although he has been bothered early on by a sore leg, his upside is tremendous. He has the potential for 70 catches and 1,000 yards. Give him a chance in round six to eight.

10.Andre Johnson

Houston Texans

2007: 60 CATCH, 851 YDS, 14.2 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: Johnson’s numbers are unbelievable, considering the fact that he only played in nine games in 2007. If you scale that to a 16-game season, he would have accumulated 15 TDs and 1,000-plus yards. He may be an injury risk, but who isn’t? Give him a chance in round four or five.

11.Jerricho Cotchery

New York Jets

2007: 82 CATCH, 1,130 YDS, 13.8 AVG, 2 TD

Comments: After having his breakthrough season in 2006, Cotchery did not disappoint in 2007. With Brett Favre as his new quarterback, his numbers stand to increase even more, making him a solid number two receiver option in all formats.

12.Reggie Brown

Philadelphia Eagles

2007: 61 CATCH, 780 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 4 TD

Comments: Brown has yet to have that really big season, but I am looking for 2008 to be that year for him. It is known that Donovan McNabb loves throwing to him, so that makes him a plus option. He is another guy who has been hampered by injury in the pre season, so his health will be the ultimate determinant.

13.Derrick Mason

Baltimore Ravens

2007: 103 CATCH, 1,087 YDS, 10.6 AVG, 5 TD

Comments: You’d think that with these numbers, I would be a major advocate for putting Mason higher in the top 15,. But that isn’t so. I am too uncomfortable with the quarterback situation in Baltimore to give him that kind of endorsement. Who is the starter? Will it be Joe Flacco or Kyle Boller? Either way, I expect Mason to have a good season. But don’t expect thestats he put up during last year’s campaign.

14.Santonio Holmes

Pittsburgh Steelers

2007: 52 CATCH, 942 YDS, 18.2 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: While those numbers aren’t exactly jumping off of the page, you have to remember that Holmes was limited to only 13 games last season. If you add three more games of production, his numbers would obviously be much better. With a great young quarterback and a good young receiver core, there is no reason that Holmes will be a let down this season.

15.Anquan Boldin

Arizona Cardinals

2007: 71 CATCH, 853 YDS, 12.0 AVG 9 TD

Comments: Boldin missed four games because of injuries last season but still tallied 71 receptions for 853 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. His hamstring is a little bit tender, and with his injury track record, I wouldn’t take that lightly. He has the potential to be a nice high end number two receiver in mixed leagues.

JUST SAY NO

1.    Donald Driver

Green Bay Packers

2007: 82 CATCH, 1,048 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 2 TD

Comments: Driver only managed two touchdowns in the regular season, and that is despicable, considering the fact that he was Brett Favre’s favorite target when Favre was a Packer. Greg Jennings has surpassed him as the go-to guy in Green Bay. Driver is a low end number two fantasy wide receiver, but I expect 2008 to be a year of decline for him.

2.    Bobby Engram

Seattle Seahawks

2007: 94 CATCH, 1,147 YDS, 12.2 AVG, 6 TD

Comments: Before last season, Engram had never surpassed 987 yards receiving, and that was in 1998 when he was a member of the Chicago Bears. The unpleasant news that he has a cracked shoulder makes him a bad option because he will be out for six to eight weeks, and who knows how long it will take him to regain form.

BENGALS: Ocho Cinco to Report

Cincinatti Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson apologized for his winter trade demands and vows that he’ll be the “same player” as he’s always been in 2008.

BOTTOM LINE: This is yet another example of how a team has stood their ground and made a player look foolish. Johnson has already lost his $250,000 workout bonus, so the Bengals made out in the deal.

Five Storylines to Follow

 
Pacman Jones is going to need to stay out of trouble in 2008.
[PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

 

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

NFL training camps open this week and the preseason isn’t far behind. It’s time to see how all the off-season moves translate on the field. There are new regimes and old reliables — all out to prove they belong. Update! looks at five questions hanging over training camp: 

 

Did the Oakland Raiders spend wisely?

 

Al Davis threw serious money into the free agent market and then passed up glaring needs by drafting Darren McFadden. Were they moves of genius or impulse? The biggest move that the Raiders made in free agency was the signing of former Packers’ wide receiver Javon Walker, who is coming off of surgery on his right knee. Walker signed a six-year $55 million contract. That sounds like a lot to gamble on a guy who just had a major surgery on his knee. The Raiders also added tackle Kwame Harris, who was a first round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. Harris hasn’t put it together yet, but the skill set is definitely there. The biggest pick the Raiders made in the draft was drafting Darren McFadden. He was clearly the player with the most talent left, but it didn’t address the biggest need. The Raiders need help on the lines, and they are pretty deep when it comes to running back. McFadden is going to need someone in front of him to create some space if he is going to be successful. I do not see the Raiders as a contender next season.

 

What can we expect from Chad Johnson?

 

The disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wideout is coming off an uneven season. He added fuel to the fire by asking to be traded. The Bengals have to be smart and stand strong. Johnson will not hold out into the season, unless he doesn’t want to collect the money that is due to him. Last year, Johnson was Carson Palmer’s favorite target, bringing in 93 passes for over 1,400 yards. Johnson established career highs in first downs and total yards in what was a stellar campaign. He just had arthroscopic ankle surgery on June 18, and he is going to take his time in rehab. Johnson will still be a solid fantasy option this season, but his value has dropped to a low number one or even a high number two wide receiver. He should go in the third round of most drafts.

 

Does Jason Taylor make the Redskins a contender?

 

The Miami Dolphins traded AFC sack master DE Jason Taylor on the eve of training camp to Washington for future second and sixth-round draft picks. For someone with his Hall of Fame talent, the deal was a steal for the Redskins. The argument can be made that Taylor had a bad year for him, but that is still a good year on normal standards. He recorded 56 total tackles in 2007, and that was his lowest total since 1999. Hopefully for the ‘Skins, Taylor will hold up his end of the bargain and honor the remaining two years on his contract. Taylor definitely gives the Redskins’ defense another punch, but I don’t think he puts them over the top. There are several teams in the NFC who are more equipped, such as the Cowboys, Giants and Saints. They have a shot to get in as a wild card this season, but I wouldn’t expect them to have a legitimate chance to compete for the super bowl.

Is Aaron Rogers the man?

 

Green Bay spurning Brett Favre will look awfully stupid if heir apparent Rogers doesn’t light the world on fire from the start. That leaves little room for failure and suddenly puts a lot more pressure on the young quarterback. And oh yeah, the Packers have super expectations after playing in the NFC title game a year ago. It’s a lose lose situation for the young Rogers, who will need to be perfect to get the satisfaction of the Green Bay fans. If Favre comes back and serves as Rogers’ backup, Rogers will be under the microscope. Everyone keeps looking at the situation for its effect on Favre, but if Favre is allowed to start, this may be the deciding factor to make the Packers’ quarterback of the future want to leave town.

 

Will Pacman Jones fly straight?

 

A one-year ban and new team mean that talented but troubled CB Pacman Jones has much to prove this preseason. The Dallas Cowboys acquired Jones from Tennessee. And it might just be the missing piece that puts an already-great Dallas D over the top. Of course, the key with Jones is his behavior. Everyone knows that he is talented. But, if he can’t stay in line, it won’t be worth it for the Cowboys to have him as a distraction. We have already seen flashes of his ability in mini camps, but that’s not where it really counts. If Jones is behaved and playing to the top of his game, this trade will be the steal of the off-season.

BENGALS: Ocho Cinco to Play

BOTTOM LINE: Johnson had been threatening to sit out if he wasn’t dealt, but then he would have to deal with hefty fines. The Bengals set a nice bar with how they dealt with the situation, as they looked like the smart ones and Johnson did not. All concerns about Johnson’s status should be behind us, and he is now a safe receiver to draft early.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

As citizens of the United States, we enjoy several important civil liberties that we often take for granted (i.e. freedom of speech and freedom of expression). Unfortunately, from the moment a Collective Bargaining Agreement is entered into, a player in the NFL sacrifices many of those civil liberties.

Team owners met last week to discuss many potential changes in league rules, including a possible ban on long hair flowing from a player’s helmet. Like many appearance-related rules, this one is stirring up controversy among those players and supporters thereof who believe long hair is a statement of who the players are as individuals, and is thus protected by the United States Constitution. Famous recent examples of the league’s chilling effect on the First Amendment include the fines for uniform altering (Chad Johnson’s “Ocho Cinco”) and various touchdown celebration regulations. Are the owners slowly but surely eliminating individuality within the league?

Supporters claim that the rule is safety-related and would prevent a player’s name and number on the back of the jersey from being obscured for the benefit of the referees. Those oppossed think this rule is just another way of controlling the NFL “product” — as if the owners not only controlled the teams, but also the players themselves. The implementation of a rule like this may just be taking ownership rights too far.

As a member of the long haired population, I couldn’t even imagine what it would feel like to be brought down by my hair. However, players who choose to allow their hair to hang down from the back of their helmets are obviously aware of this risk and have disregarded it. In my opinion, if Troy Polamalu is brave and / or stupid enough to continue to wear his hair down, even after Larry Johnson used it as reigns, let him suffer the consequences. If you want to wear your hair long, do so at your own risk. Maybe after a few chunks of it are ripped out in battle, a long-haired player will re-evaluate his decision and tuck it up.

Rebecca is a New York based entertainment and intellectual property attorney, an agressive fantasy player and an avid Knicks and Jets fan. Got a question for Answer Gal? E-mail her at: answergal@fantasysportsupdate.com