Will the Favre Saga Ever End?

Personally, I am sick and tired of this Brett Favre saga. First, he decided to cry and retire. That’s all well and good. Then, Favre decides that he made a mistake, and then he promptly decides that he wants to return. The Packers don’t know what the right course of action is. Should they keep him? Should they start him? Should they release him? Should they trade him? A million questions can be asked, but one thing is for sure. Brett Favre put the Packers in a tough spot.

The latest rumor has Brett Favre potentially landing in Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers by the end of today. Other teams that have been linked to his services are the Vikings, the Bears and the Jets. Who makes the most sense as a trade partner to the Packers? You guesses it: the New York Jets.

The problem with the Jets getting Favre is that the Jets don’t know whether Favre wants to play in New York. He has the right to waive any trade, so a lot is going to have to be figured out in order to get a deal done. Hopefully, this saga will end soon, because I feel like we all are eating, breathing and sleeping Brett Favre. Just let it end already.

 

–MICHAEL GANCI

NFL Fantasy Preview: Kickers

Nick Folk has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier kickers
[PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

The success of a kicker often leans on the quality of the offense. For example, Steven Gostkowski emerged last year because of Tom Brady’s prowess. Nick Folk emerged because of Romo and company. A good kicker is someone you can count on for consistent production, with both field goals and extra points. Below, UPDATE! takes a look at the best of the best in the kicking world, and also shares some insight on who you should draft and who you should ignore.

HOT 15

1. Nick Folk

Dallas Cowboys

2007: 26-31 FG, 2-5 50+, 53-53 XP, 131 PTS

Comments: Folk is blessed to be on one of the best offensive teams in the NFL, and that definitely helped boost his value in 2007. He was fourth in the league in total points with 131. Tony Romo and company are going to be serious contenders this season, and they are definitely going to score, and that is why Nick Folk is going to be an excellent fantasy kicker option.

2. Shayne Graham

Cincinnati Bengals

2007: 31-34 FG, 0-1 50+, 37-37 XP, 130 PTS

Comments: Graham had an excellent year this past season, finishing fifth in football in points with 131. He also converted 91.2 percent of his field goal attempts, which was second only to Jeff Reed of Pittsburgh. Carson Palmer has something to prove, and we think that the Bengals offense is going to be dynamic. With Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh as viable weapons, the Bengals will score, and Graham will have plenty of opportunities to repeat or even top last season’s performance.

3. Stephen Gostkowski

New England Patriots

2007: 21-24 FG, 0-0 50+, 72-72 XP, 137 PTS

Comments: Gostkowski definitely stood to benefit from the magical year that took place in New England last season. He connected on an amazing 74 extra points in the regular season, which was 21 ahead of the nearest competitor (Nick Folk). Because of that, he managed to be second in the NFL for points accumulated by a kicker despite converting on only 21 field goals. The reasoning why those numbers were down is simple. Tom Brady threw 50 touchdowns. With the Patriots’ newfound respect for their running coming into effect this season, Gostkowski will get more chances, and he will be able to have yet another awesome season.

4. Rob Bironas

Tennessee Titans

2007: 35-39 FG, 4-5 50+, 28-28 XP, 133 PTS

Comments: Bironas had an excellent year for a pretty pedestrian Tennessee Titans team. He led the league in field goals converted with 35, and he only missed four. His 89.7 percent accuracy in field goals was good for sixth in the NFL. This season, Vince Young has some of the old Titans back to help move this team in the right direction. Justin McCareins is back at wideout. The biggest addition for young is Alge Crumpler, who will be an excellent third down option. The Titans will score more touchdowns, and Bironas will stand to benefit with more than the dismal 28 point after tries that he got last season.

5.Phil Dawson

Cleveland Browns

2007: 26-30 FG, 1-2 50+, 22-23 XP, 120 PTS

Comments: This is going to be a defining year for the Cleveland Browns, who now have the weapons to make things happen. Derek Anderson is out to show everyone that he is not the one year wonder, and he has plenty of offensive weapons. Donte Stallworth joins a talented receiving core that includes Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Kellen Winslow. Expect this talented Browns team to score this year, and that bodes well for Phil Dawson, who should have yet another solid fantasy season.

6. Adam Vinatieri

Indianapolis Colts

2007: 23-29 FG, 0-1 50+, 49-51 XP, 118 PTS

Comments: With Peyton Manning as the quarterback, one would be foolish to not consider Adam Vinitieri as an option at kicker in fantasy. By Viniateri standards, he definitely had a down year last season, converting only 79.3 percent of field goal tries. But, Marvin Harrison is back, and so is Reggie Wayne, so we all know this team is going to score a ton. As long as Peyton Manning stays healthy, Vinatieri will be able to accumulate points.

7. Nate Kaeding

San Diego Chargers

2007: 24-27 FG, 1-2 50+, 46-46 XP, 118 PTS

Comments: Kaeding is in a very similar situation to Adam Viniateri’s in Indianapolis. Kaeding connected on 88.9 percent of his field goal tries and also completed all of his point after tries. But, Philip Rivers was off last season. Antonio Gates was hurt and so were the scoring numbers for the San Diego Chargers. Now, the whole cast of characters is back, and Rivers and company have something to prove if they want to be a contender in the AFC. Look for Kaeding to regain his form and be a top fantasy kicker.

8. Jeff Reed

Pittsburgh Steelers

2007: 23-25 FG, 0-1 50+, 44-44 XP, 113 PTS

Comments: A lot of people often forget about the great year that the Steelers’ offense had last year. Big Ben Roethlisberger was unbelievable, and so was Reed. He led the NFL by converting on 92 percent of his field goal attempts, and he was also perfect on points after. The Steelers have a similar group of guys heading onto the field this season, and there is no reason to believe that they won’t duplicate their offensive production that they showed last season. Consider Reed a good pick.

9. Mason Crosby

Green Bay Packers

2007: 31-39 FG, 3-5 50+, 48-48 XP, 141 PTS

Comments: It’s hard to ignore the year that Crosby had last season, and it is easy for fantasy players to hope to see it duplicate. One thing is missing. Brett Favre. You have to believe that Favre was a huge part in the early success for Crosby, who led the league in points with 141. His 79.5 completion percentage is a little alarming, and that’s another reason he is further down on the list. With Aaron Rodgers behind center, his value will take a hit, but he will still be worth a late round pick.

10.Josh Brown

St. Louis Rams

2007: 28-34 FG, 3-5 50+, 43-43, 127 PTS

Comments: Brown had a very good season for the Seahawks last year, and he converted on 82.4 percent of his kicks, including three of five from 50 plus yards. His success really rests on the shoulders of Marc Bulger. Due to Bulger’s inability to throw touchdowns consistently, Brown will probably be a good source for field goals. He is a decent option for drafting, but follow him closely.

11.Jason Elam

Denver Broncos

2007: 27-31 FG, 1-2 50+. 33-33 XP, 114 PTS

Comments: This guy has been one of the most consistent kickers in football for a long time. Last season was no different. He converted on 87.1 percent of his field goal attempts and was perfect on points after. Jay Cutler will be looking to have a breakout season to show the world that he is not a proof. Mike Shanahan has always known what strings to pull to get his offense going, so conventional wisdom says that he is going to pull it off. Elam will be a guy a lot of fantasy players disregard, and if you pursue other avenues before kicker, he will probably be available your next time around.

12.Josh Scobee

Jacksonville Jaguars

2007: 12-13 FG, 0-0 50+, 26-27 XP, 62 PTS

Comments: Scobee was limited to only eight games last season because of injury, but he is on pace to come back and help the Jaguars immensely. Scobee is a sleeper, because a lot of people, even in the professional world, are disregarding him for fantasy. Remember, the Jaguars may have the best 1-2 running back tandem in the league, and they will be getting into scoring position. The rest is up to Scobee, and he will be a good option if you wait for a while to make the pick to get a kicker.

13.Olindo Mare

Seattle Seahawks

2007: 10-17 FG, 1-5 50+, 34-34 XP, 64 PTS

Comments: This is going to be an interesting position battle between he and Brandon Coutu to see who wins the job, and if Coutu wins the job, substitute him here for the rankings. Mare had a terrible season last year, converting only 10 of 17 field goals for the New Orleans Saints. But, thanks to the Seahawks high tempo offense, whoever the kicker is will have value. He is definitely a sleeper option in fantasy leagues.

14. Robbie Gould

Chicago Bears

2007: 31-36 FG, 0-2 50+, 33-33 XP, 126 PTS

Comments: Gould had a good year last season with the Bears, but it seems like their offense is just getting worse and worse. They lost their best receiver, Bernard Berrian in the off season, and now, whoever the quarterback may be will have little to no targets to throw to. If they figure out ways to score, Gould could be a decent late round pick, but it’s unlikely. Consider him a bye-week replacement.

15.Matt Stover

Baltimore Ravens

2007: 27-32 FG, 0-1 50+, 26-26 XP, 107 PTS

Comments: Stover is a guy that many people considered the best kicker in fantasy a few years ago, but that ship has sailed. He is still a worthy kicker, but he is not in the same echelon as some of the other guys in football. I would consider Stover to be a bye week replacement, and nothing more.

UPDATE! SLEEPERS

1. Martin Gramatica

New Orleans Saints

Comments: Gramatica was signed to replace the struggling Olindo Mare in week 14 of last season, and he hit five of five field goals after that, including one from 55 yards out. New Orleans is one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL, and Gramatica may certainly be worth the gamble, because he stands to reap the benefits of Sean Peyton’s offense. If you want to take a shot late in drafts, we support it.

2. David Akers

Philadelphia Eagles

Comments: Akers had one of his worst years as a pro in 2007, and that is why he will now become a sleeper. Philadelphia has a good, but not explosive offense and Akers will get plenty of opportunities as long as Donovan McNabb stays healthy. Don’t count on him as a full-season option, but he could be a good waiver wire pickup if the kicker you pick is underperforming.

3. Mike Nugent

New York Jets

Comments: The Jets offense is definitely better than it was in 2007, and that is because of one man. Alan Faneca. The addition of Faneca will open up the running game, and it will also create more opportunities in the air for the Jets. A big factor in Nugent’s success will be the quarterback, whoever it may be.

JUST SAY NO!

1. Matt Bryant

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Comments: Although Bryant was pretty good with Tampa Bay in 2007, he doesn’t seem to have much value in the current offensive scheme. While he may be good for a decent field goal percentage, he is nothing more than a buy week replacement at best.

2. Lawrence Tynes

New York Giants

Comments: Tynes is one of those guys that are showing signs of deterioration. His leg was iffy in 2007, and he shanked some important field goals. The only people who will give him a chance to be their full-time kicker are people in the tri-state area who just can’t help themselves. Stay away from him.

3. Jason Hanson

Detroit Lions

Comments: The only people who have benefitted from the production that Rex Grossman has put up in his career are the waiver wire people of 2006. For the people who continue to play, it is important to realize that 1006 was a mirage, and it is likely that Grossman will not even be the starter in Chicago this season. As of now, he is currently on an even playing field with Kyle Orton, who is getting his shot as well. Even if Grossman does win the job, he will be at best a low end number two QB, but is not really someone worth considering at all in fantasy.

JETS: Lock Up Gholston

New York Jets first round pick Vernon Gholston signed with the Jets Thursday, according to Newsday.

BOTTOM LINE: Gholston will be a nice boost for the Jets on defense, and his addition alone makes the Jets a more formidable pass rushing team.

Answer Gal: Super Dilemma

Dear Answer Gal,

I have a problem. I’m a devoted New York Jets fan and am torn as to who to root for in this Superbowl. I feel like whoever wins, I’m still looking towards a torturous offseason. I know you’re a Jets fan. What are your feelings on this?

-Hopelessly Devoted

Dear Hopelessly Devoted,

I feel your pain. I’ve read about 100 blogs on this exact issue and I can tell you, you are not alone. As our team has fallen into the realm of the forgotten New York teams, Jets fans everywhere are confused, disappointed, disgusted.

I’ve contemplated not even watching the game, but I’ve withdrawn that idea, as it can’t even be an option. My love for football has convinced me that my inevitable off-season football withdrawal will hit me harder if I give up the last football game of the season because of a bitter attitude.

The fact of the matter is, if you were a fan of ANY other team, the answer would be simple, root against perfection. Cheering for the underdog is an extremely attractive option for other fans. But unfortunately, our situation makes this a much more complicated question.

The question is, who do you really hate more? Sure, the Pats are division rivals and they are constantly handing us our asses on a large red white and blue platter, but in this case wouldn’t you rather the Superbowl champion be the team expected to win? They always win, what’s one more?

Your allegiance should also depend on whose fans surround you. If you are like me and are constantly surrounded by obnoxious Giants fans who will never let you hear the end of it if they not only win the Superbowl, but also takedown the 18-0 Pats in the process, then you just can’t hope for a Giant win.

So many people have asked me, as a New Yorker, how could I root against the Giants in a situation like this? My answer is simple, I’m a Jets fan, I will never root for the Giants, even if the Jets disbanded and ceased to exist. I’d sooner be a Patriots fan (after I jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge). Its just unethical in my eyes.

So my answer is this, you really can’t “root” for either team. What you can do is watch the game in shame and pray for a Patriot win (but definitely keep it to yourself) just so you don’t have to begrudgingly be surrounded by a sea of happy Big Blue fans come game end.

Don’t feel bad for the Giants either. The overwhelming nationwide hate for the perfection of the Patriots outside New England will surely push a few fans in New York’s direction.

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