Bleacher Report - Articles by Dan Benton

Brock Lesnar: Great for UFC, Bad for MMA

Dan Benton — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:44:43 -0400

Apologies aside, Brock Lesnar's post-fight antics will be water cooler talk for at least the next week, if not the next month.

"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his [butt], I told him that a year ago. I pulled that [SOB] out and beat him over the head with it," Lesnar said before describing in interesting detail what his post-fight celebration would be.

Unfortunately, Lesnar's poor sportsmanship didn't end there...in fact, it didn't even start there.

As Mir and Lesnar met in the center of the ring prior to the fight, the former NCAA Division I amateur wrestling champion turned his back on Mir, refusing to touch gloves and inciting an already ravenous crowd.

The boo's were loud and they were frequent. And as Joe Rogan attempted to interview Lesnar after the fight, the crowd became so vicious that words could not even be heard for several seconds.

But what does all this mean for the UFC? And more importantly, what does it means for MMA as a legitimate sport?

Well, that's sort of a mixed bag.

On one hand, you have Lesnar really drawing the emotions out of those in attendance and those watching at home. It's one thing to favor a fighter or to root for someone you think deserves to win, but it's quite another to absolutely loath someone and root more against them than for their opponent. Yet, that's exactly what Lesnar had millions doing last night.

I imagine Lesnar's "heel turn" is second nature to him. Making people hate him is exactly what he spent several years doing when employed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), but that's a fine line in MMA.

Sure, it's going to make fans pay to see him. People are intrigued by large, athletic men who beat the living hell out of each other...and that will work in the favor of the UFC and president Dana White, but it will ultimately turn out to be a negative for MMA as a whole.

Those sorts of antics and that sort of hype will have people looking at MMA exactly as they do WWE. Fans will begin to think it's nothing more than a glorified Broadway show with a little bit a blood. And eventually, people will begin to question whether or not it's choreographed.

Somehow, someway, Dana White needs to get Lesnar under control and tap into what he really has to offer. He's a fierce monster who pounds his opponents into oblivion. He's a goldmine, but a loose cannon at the same time.

He could be the man that brings MMA and the UFC into the next generation or he could be the man that ruins the sport with his mouth and WWE-ish antics.

Brandon Jacobs Rips Tony Romo: "He's Not That Good"

Dan Benton — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:07:23 -0400

As we all know by now, New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs loves to talk trash. When you're able to back it up on the field as he does, anyone is fair game.

So it should come as no surprise to hear that he was walking all over Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo this morning during an appearance on 1050 ESPN Radio.

"I don't think he's that good a passer, to be honest with you," Jacobs said of Romo. "His luck will be gone sooner or later. If you were to keep [him] in the pocket, he's not that effective."

There will undoubtedly be a handful of fans annoyed with Jacobs' comments, but in context, he was just answering some questions honestly. Sure, Mr. Simpson will probably use it as bulletin board material, but it won't do him any good.

I find this kind of banter—especially during such a slow time—to be extremely entertaining. And if you're going to talk trash, why not take it right to the biggest name in the NFC East?

"I'm not a fan of Tony Romo, no," Jacobs added.

It's probably safe to say most, if not all, Giants fans are right there with Jacobs. Romo is over-hyped and constantly cracks under pressure. He can put up solid numbers all year long, but when it comes time to win one for his team, he's nowhere to be found—much like his girlfriend's brain.

That said, as much as I dislike Romo as a player, you've got to give the man props for what he does off the field. He appears to be a model citizen and genuinely good guy, and there's something to be said about that.

Still, he has a face you'd just like to slap.

Originally posted on Giants 101

Steve McNair Was A Man's Man

Dan Benton — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:02:54 -0400

As an avid—and sometimes rabid—New York Giants fan, it's rare that I find myself rooting for a player on another team. Why that is, well, it's beyond me. My loyalty for Big Blue runs deep and unless a certain player has ties to the Giants, there's little chance I'll root for them.

But when it came to Steve "Air" McNair, it was a different case.

Sometimes there are just athletes who come along that do and say all the right things; athletes that are larger than life and play the game the way it's meant to be played. They are the men that grit their teeth, play through pain and do everything within their power to help their team win a game. Yet when they leave the field, they can be referred as a gentle giant; men who go out of their way for their communities and charities.

Although he wasn't without fault, Steve McNair was one of those men.

Not only was he a fierce competitor, with a pain tolerance that few athletes exhibit today, he was genuinely good human being that devoted a lot of his time and money to help those in need.

He may never go down with the like of Dan Marino, Steve Young and Joe Montana, but McNair deserves to be remembered for his courageous actions both on and off the field.

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family, as well as the female victim found with him.

Top Five Athletes on Twitter Worth Following

Dan Benton — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:10:53 -0400

As everyone knows by now, Twitter has become the "in thing."

Not only are your average Joe's (like me) using it to micro-blog/update their statuses, but now athletes, musicians, news organizations and other famous personalities have decided to do so as well. Hell, ever Barack Obama allegedly Tweets (or has some representatives do it).

But who are the best and most entertaining athletes to follow?

I've compiled a list of my top five...and you may actually be surprised by some of the names.

#5 - Sinorice Moss (WR, New York Giants)

Believe it or not, the Giants fourth-year wide receiver is completely worth a follow on Twitter. Not only is he very interactive with his followers, but he offers uplifting and positive insights on a daily basis.

#4 - Charlie Villanueva (FA, NBA)

Like Sinorice Moss, Villanueva is extremely interactive and occasionally offers up some contests and giveaways. He also doesn't shy away from discussing NBA-related news, his free agency and other things you see athletes frequently avoid.

#3 - Rob Dyrdek (Professional Skateboarder)

Many people will argue that skateboarding is not a sport and therefore Dyrdek is not an athlete, but I disagree. Not only do I consider Dyrdek an athlete, I consider him a very entertaining one. Sure, his Tweets may come with a little advertisement here and there, but it doesn't take away from his humor or personality. And if pictures are your thing, he does tend to go a little photo-crazy from time to time.

#2 - Shaquille O'Neal (C, Cleveland Cavaliers)

How many people in this world are more entertaining than Shaq? The answer is very few. Not only is Shaq one of the most interactive personalities on Twitter, he's pretty much the man that put it on the map. He'll visit with his Twitter fans if they're around, chat with them and crack jokes all day. It doesn't get much better than this...on Twitter.

#1 - Chad Ochocinco (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

Child please! Hate him or love him, there's no denying that No. 85 is full of surprises, and is constantly entertaining. Whether he's offering up a controversial quote or interacting with his fans (or haters, for that matter), Ochocinco should be the first athlete you follow on Twitter. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Oh, and be sure to follow Bleacher Report as well!

What Role Will Eric Hinske Play For The New York Yankees?

Dan Benton — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:41:17 -0400

In typical Yankees mid-season fashion, they’ve shipped off a pair of prospects to Pittsburgh in exchange for one of the few solid players the Pirates have left on their roster. It’s something that has become an annual event in Major League Baseball, but that’s a story for another day.

But what does the trade of pitcher Casey Erickson (2.25 ERA) and outfielder Eric Fryer (.250/.333/.344) for outfielder Eric Hinske (.255/.373/.368) mean for the Yankees? And what does it mean for Hinske, who was unhappy about his lack of playing time in Pittsburgh?

As it stands, the Yankees currently have five outfielders (only four of whom are capable of playing every day), two first basemen and two additional utility guys. So where does Hinske fit in?

Since Alex Rodriguez will be given one day off per week (on top of any off days), it looks like Hinske has been “rented” for half of a season merely to fill in during those games. It also means Cody Ransom, who had started in place of A-Rod to start the season, will likely be designated for assignment.

It’s a move that clearly has both pros and cons, but one that won’t be able to be weighted until we all see what Hinske brings to the table.

If he flops and performs no better than Ransom (unlikely), it would have been a complete waste of two young prospects…regardless of how minimal their chances ever were of making an impact. On the flip side, however, if Hinske is able to accept his limited role—which will likely include some pinch-hitting—and performs well, it will make General Manager Brian Cashman look like a genius.

The New York Giants' Biggest Defensive Addition? Osi Umenyiora

Dan Benton — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:29:39 -0400

A lot has been made of the New York Giants offseason acquisitions, especially those made along the defensive line. And why not? After all, the additions of Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty, in particular, give the Giants the best defensive line in the NFL—at least on paper.

But when the season actually begins and these players actually start to produce, it may not be Bernard, Canty, or even linebacker Michael Boley that have the biggest impact for Big Blue.

In fact, the key to their potential defensive success will actually come from someone who was already on the roster, but a player that has been somewhat overlooked because of a very good draft and solid free agency period.

Osi Umenyiora is a lot like a fantastic cleanup hitter in baseball. He's going to give the player in front of him, in this case, Justin Tuck, a lot of protection, and then he'll produce big numbers all on his own.

This isn't a knock on Mathias Kiwanuka, who is a fantastic defensive end in his own right, but he's no Umenyiora. And while he did a good job filling in for Chief Osi last season...

Read more: Giants 101

Eli Manning Needs Plaxico Burress: Fact or Fiction?

Dan Benton — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:43:46 -0400

Much has been made of Eli Manning's alleged need of Plaxico Burress or a wide receiver with similar size and skill set. After all, the combination had become one of the best in the NFL when they began hooking up on touchdown passes in 2005.

And it's a well known fact that when Eli misses, he misses high...so it's not a reach to assume he needs a tall wide receiver to succeed.

However, if you actually break down the statistics in 2008 and compare Manning's numbers with Burress to his numbers without him, they're not that much different. In fact, an argument could be made that Peyton's younger brother preformed better without his star wide receiver.

**The following statistical analysis was done with ESPN's official stats and brucey.net's QB Rating calculator.**

With Plaxico Burress (Weeks 1-3 and 6-11):

164/279 (58.78%) for 1,812 yards with 13 TD's and seven INT's (83.20 QB Rating)

Yards per attempt - 6.49
TD% - 4.66
INT% - 2.50

Without Plaxico Burress (Weeks 5 and 12-17):

125/200 (62.5%) for 1,426 yards with eight TD's and three INT's (90.95 QB Rating)

Yards per attempt - 7.13
TD% - 4.00
INT% - 1.50

Including the playoff loss to Philadelphia:

140/229 (61.1%) for 1,595 yards and eight TD's and five INT's (84.59 QB Rating)

Yards per attempt - 6.97
TD% - 3.49
INT% - 2.18

It's important to note that Manning only played one half in week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. Had he played the full game, here are his projected stats without Burress and the playoff loss included:

151/248 (60.9%) for 1,714 and eight TD's and five INT's (83.97 QB Rating)

Yards per attempt - 6.91
TD% - 3.23

INT% - 2.01

So what do all of these stats really tell us? Basically, that Manning can succeed without Burress and arguably does better. However, you should also note that his TD percentage was much higher when Burress was playing, but that his INT percentage was also higher...perhaps a sign of him forcing the ball to Plax?

Bottom line? Eli and the Giants don't need Burress to succeed. What they do need is another productive end-zone threat...something I believe Ramses Barden will become almost immediately.

That's that, Giants fans. It's time to take your fingers off the panic button.

Giants' Eli Manning: We Don't Need Plaxico Burress

Dan Benton — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:26:38 -0400

When Plaxico Burress' status with the New York Giants was hanging in limbo, quarterback Eli Manning stepped up and expressed his desire to see him return. And following his release, Manning then became a strong advocate of Big Blue landing Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

Was Manning trying to tell the Giants something? Does he feel like he needs a tall wide receiver to act as a security blanket? Either way, with only a few days remaining until organized team activities, Manning is now singing a different tune.

"I feel confident. They didn't need to go and get a big wide receiver. When Plaxico was injured, the guys stepped up and put up big points. It's not like we need to have him. We put up big points. It's not like we weren't playing well because of Plaxico. We just weren't playing very good football," Manning said.

The results without Burress are actually quite a mixed bag. The team went 4-3 (week 12 game with Arizona included) and averaged nearly 26 points per game, but they clearly struggled in various areas during his absence. However, some of those issues may have been drastically overblown.

The general consensus is that Big Blue struggled in the run game without Burress drawing the double team. And I, myself, have been guilty of saying the same thing. But when you actually look at the numbers, the Giants averaged the same or more yard per carry than their seasonal average of 4.3 in three of those seven games, and rushed for 4.2 yards per carry in week 15 against Dallas.

Unfortunately, that number may not be enough for some fans. They'll claim the Giants should be near that average in at least six of those seven games. But in comparison, even during their worst Plax-less rushing performances, they averaged a higher yard-per-carry than more than half the league.

New York Giants: G101 Writer's Round Table Answers (Part I)

Dan Benton — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:09:18 -0400

You asked for it, we're providing. After receiving a slew of terrific, thoughtful questions, we have started to sit and ponder our answers. Due to the verbose nature of the writers here at G101, we have decided to split up the answers into a few parts that will be released throughout this week.

First up, Dan Benton shares his thoughts on the loss of Steve Spagnuolo, the way his successor Bill Sheridan will handle the new DC duties and Reese's work with Free Agency. The next batch of answers will debut tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Q: youngsmooth316 said - The Giants have a new coordinator on D. With Bill Sheridan taking over the defense and consistently using our base defense, do you think this will allow the defensive scheme to become more dangerous.

He wants pass-rushers rushing the passers, is exactly what he said with an occasional drop into coverage from a d-line man when its a zone dog! Does this mean corner who press well will press?

Do this also mean we will have a true free safety and strong safety? Do you think Sheridan philosophy will be to play to the strengths of each player on the field?

Benton: I don’t know if Bill Sheridan taking over as defensive coordinator is the reason why the Giants may be more dangerous in 2009-10 so much as the health of Osi Umenyiora and the additions of Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty, Michael Boley and Clint Sintim will be the reason.

Still, Sheridan’s reluctance to drop the defensive lineman back into coverage will allow them to pin their ears back and attack the quarterback on nearly every play.

And while that may seem like a minor adjustment to the system Steve Spagnuolo had in place, it’s a relatively significant one...and one that could make an already great defense that much better.

As far as what it will mean to our corners and linebackers remains to be seen. But even with Spags, the scheme called for the defensive players to play to their strengths.

I doubt that will change with Sheridan, but will put a bigger burden on the linebackers to perform better than they have in coverage. Once you’re into the secondary, however, I don’t really see too much changing.

With the focus being on the pass rush, however, there could slight separation being created between the free safety and the strong safety for the first time in many years.

One is obviously going to be required to pay closer attention to the run and will likely creep up to the lone a bit more, but I still don’t believe it will be as significant as the way other teams use their safeties.

Q: giants50 said - Do you think the loss of Spags will hurt the giants as much as people say it will?

Benton: Spags was a fantastic defensive coordinator for the Giants, there’s no doubt about that, but Sheridan has been with the Giants for four seasons and has 28 years of coaching experience. He saw the success Big Blue had under Spags and has made it a point to change very little.

Because of the players familiarity with him (and visa versa), I really don’t think his promotion (and Spags departure) is going to hurt the Giants very much…if at all. The system will be very similar to what it was over the last two seasons with a minor adjustment to its weakest part (d-lineman in coverage).

Add that to all the new and talented players that have been brought in and you have a recipe for success. And while fans will never forget what Spags did for them, I think Sheridan will make it a bit easier for them to let go and move on.

2007 New York Giants' Imperfections Are What Made Them Perfect

Dan Benton — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:12:47 -0400

If you’ve followed the New York Giants for any length of time—whether casually or as a die-hard—you’ve learned one thing; they never make it easy.

Throughout history, the Giants are known for playing grind-them-out nail-biters that leave a fan a few days older than when the game began. But that’s part of the love-affair many have with this team. It’s one of the main reasons fans follow them so closely year in and year out. Whether they finish at 4-12 and 14-2, they’re good for at least 10 close games that get your adrenalin pumping like a 17-year-old on prom night.

Because of that ability to battle and keep things close, the annals of time have been kind to Big Blue. After all, they are one of most decorated franchises in NFL history, staking claim to seven NFL Championships, three Super Bowl Championships, 10 Conference Championships and 15 division titles.

You could easily pick a year out of a hat and make an argument that it was the greatest Giants team of all time. And if you felt the need to be a bit pickier about it, selecting any year from 1986 through 1990, with the exception of 1987, would do the trick.

But one year does stand out above all the rest; one year that reminded life-long Giants fans why they became a fan in the first place.

That’s why the 2007 New York Giants hold such a special place in the hearts of every Big Blue fan. From the very beginning, they made every week count and every play matter. It’s a rare combination that very few fans get to experience over their lifetime. And it was those imperfections that ultimately made that team perfect.

After starting the season 0-2 and trailing the Washington Redskins at halftime in week three, New York seemed doomed to land in the gutter. But a strong second-half performance and a fourth quarter goal-line stand would prove to be a turning point for Big Blue. While it meant little more than a win at the time, those 30 minutes of football would shape the way the rest of the season turned out.

It wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t pretty, but the Giants battled their way to a 10-6 record and wildcard berth in the NFC playoffs. And after two consecutive one-and-done’s in the NFL’s second season, fans were hoping for little more than a single victory.

What they got, however, was more than anyone could have ever imagined.

In the first round of the NFC playoffs, they came face-to-face with the very foe that had burned them so many times before…albeit on different teams. And after the first half of football, it looked like Jeff Garcia and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going to do it again. But as they had in week three against the Washington Redskins, the Giants rebounded and pulled a stunning upset that had many of their fans dreaming big.

Next up were the Dallas Cowboys—a team that had already defeated them twice in the regular season.

Things started off well in Texas as New York saw Amani Toomer give them an early 7-0 lead. But the Cowboys came crawling back and eventually took the lead in the third quarter. For the second consecutive week, the Giants were starring elimination in the face. But for the second consecutive week, they scratched and clawed their way to an upset victory.

As satisfying as ending Dallas’ season was, people were beginning to look ahead and were beginning to wonder: “Can they do it?”

The NFC Championship game brought sub-zero temperatures and a frost-bite on Tom Coughlin’s face the likes of which few men have ever seen. It also brought a fantastic matchup that pitted the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers against what many were beginning to term the “Cinderella” team.

Not-so-surprisingly, the Giants eventually found themselves trailing, but flustered they were not. Being on the road and forced to comeback from behind had become the norm for this team. They had developed a comfort in doing so and once again repeated history.

After several gut-wrenching field goal misses and an uncharacteristic Favre error, Lawrence Tynes earned his paycheck and kicked New York into an improbable Super Bowl matchup with the 18-0 New England Patriots.

In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, much was made of said Patriots. After all, they were chasing destiny. And cheating allegations aside, they were on the cusp of history, and a record that may never again be approached.

Rather than getting caught up in all of the drama, the Giants and their fans remained somewhat quiet, basking in the glow of what had turned into a fantastic season. A season that, with one more win, could arguably go down as the greatest season in New York sports history.

When game-time arrived, emotions could not have been higher. Patriots’ fans were starring perfection in the face, while the Giants and their fans were looking for the most legendary upset in the history of football. Either way, greatness would be achieved.

For nearly four full quarters, The Giants and Patriots battled back and forth laying absolutely everything on the line, giving it everything they had. But when the Patriots scored a late touchdown giving them a 14-10 lead, things looked somber for New York. It looked as if their dream of the impossible upset would come up just a little bit short.

But as Amani Toomer said before the game, “resiliency defines this team.”

Over the next 2:42, Eli Manning & Co. would make history of their own and the Patriots pursuit of perfection would soon become a footnote.

The amazing comeback, from the near game-ending interceptions to the improbable E-to-Tyree, summed up everything that was the 2007 New York Giants. They were not flawless and they were not pretty, but they got the job done.

In the end, the 2007 New York Giants were the most imperfect perfect team the world has ever come to know. And their story will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in sports.

New York Giants Not Likely to See Many Playbook Alterations

Dan Benton — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:54:56 -0400

Defensive Playbook: Get after the QB

Even with a new defensive coordinator, substantial changes to the wide receiver corps and the addition of a Chris Colley-ish tight end, the New York Giants should expect very few alterations to their existing playbook for the 2009-10 season.

The most significant change will come on the defensive side of the ball and will also be the most welcomed.

Under Steve Spagnuolo, it was common to see one of New York’s pass rushers dropping into coverage. It was part of his defensive scheme and gave the opposing team a different look and something extra to think about.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work to the Giants’ advantage as most of the pass rushers were uncomfortable dropping back into coverage. It was an unnatural motion and not something they did with much success.

"We're definitely going to have the pass rushers rushing as much as we can," Bill Sheridan told the media in late April. "When you get into zone (blitzes), you have down guys dropping. And you're never going to get away from that, but as much as we can, we're going to try to orchestrate so that our pass rushers are rushing because that's our strength. We recognize that and everybody knows that."

While they will still drop back into coverage on occasion, it will not be the norm for the defensive linemen. Instead, their main job will be to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback…which is exactly what they are paid to do.

However, it will put more pressure on the linebackers to pick up the slack and improve their coverage skills. And if the last few years have been any indication, especially in the case of Antonio Pierce, that will be no easy task.

Offensive Playbook: New faces, same plays.

The Giants wide receivers corps have undergone a significant makeover this offseason and that’s reason enough to believe they’d change many of their passing plays. To this point, however, that does not appear to be the route offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride & Co. are taking.

Instead, they seem poised to make their new receivers work with what they have rather than changing the offense around them.

And why not? After all, they only need one legitimate deep threat to keep an extra safety out of the box and away from Brandon Jacobs. If they do that, they’ve already won more than half the battle.

The Giants are a run-first team…there’s no doubt about that. So if they can dominate on the ground as they have in recent years, Eli Manning’s experience, game-managing ability and fourth quarter prowess should be more than enough to win New York plenty of games.

So if even one wide receiver steps up and plays anywhere near Plaxico Burress’ ability…well, then that’s really just an added bonus for them.

The X-Factors: A few additions

Along with some of the minor changes listed above, the Giants will be adding a handful of plays this coming season in order to better utilize their newest weapon: Travis Beckum.

The 6’3’’, 243 pound former high school linebacker will be one of the first Giants in many years to have plays added to the book specifically for him.

"It'll be fun to [design new plays for him]," Tom Coughlin said. "There are certain things you try to feature or develop with that particular kind of player."

There’s no telling what New York has in store for this H-Back, but you can bet it will be similar to what Washington does with Chris Cooley. So that means he’ll be lining up off-tackle at tight end, split wide and possibly even at fullback…or better yet, behind Madison Hedgecock.

Whatever the Giants decide to do, and however many plays they decide to add, you can bet it will be thrilling. Beckum adds a whole new dimension to an already explosive offense and most of us can’t wait to see what he brings to the table.

Who Stays and Who Goes After New York Giants' Training Camp Battles?

Dan Benton — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:08:28 -0400

Whether you’re considered the best team in the NFL or the worst, you’ve got holes in your roster somewhere. So in addition to preparing for the regular season, training camp allows teams and coaches to evaluate the talent they have in order to put the best team on the field every Sunday.

Below is a list of battles you should expect to see during New York Giants training camp this summer in Albany.

Third-String Quarterback

There are few fans that care about the third-string quarterbacks, but it’s legitimate and important position nonetheless. And after drafting Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar in round five (151st overall), the New York Giants will now add that to several position battles they’ve have a close eye on throughout training camp.

In rookie mini-camp, Bomar really impressed. He showed a strong arm, good accuracy and an overall ability that a fifth-round draft pick shouldn’t have. Meanwhile, Andre’ Woodson, the teams current third-string quarterback, continued to be somewhat of a letdown.

The purpose of both quarterbacks’ is not necessarily to play in New York, but to groom behind Eli Manning and eventually trade for picks higher than what they were drafted (ala Matt Schaub).

The loser of the battle is going to be cut, and for that reason alone, it’s extremely important.

Projected Winner – Rhett Bomar

Back-Up Running Back

With Derrick Ward now residing in Tampa Bay, it’s up to the Giants to fill his shoes. And although the general consensus is that Ahmad Bradshaw will be the one stepping up, there’s no reason to snooze on Danny Ware.

Only a year ago, Ware dominated the preseason and looked like New York’s best running back. And although he did it against lesser competition, he went on to showcase that same ability with his two regular season carries. Sure, it may not be much of a sample size, but it’s proof that the preseason was no fluke.

Still, Bradshaw has to be the favorite going into camp. After all, he was a hero throughout the 2007 NFL Playoffs and looked just as explosive (averaging 5.3 ypc) last season. The only real knock against him is a mild case of fumblitis…but as we know, that’s nothing Tom Coughlin can’t cure.

Projected Winner – Ahmad Bradshaw

Wide Receivers

When people talk about intriguing training camp battles, they can’t help but mention the Giants wide receivers. With both Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer no longer with the team, and only a crop of extremely young players left, this battle may be most important of any across the NFL.

Not only will the Giants be looking to fill the No. 1 spot, but due to so much uncertainty, they’ll be looking to fill the entire depth chart at wide receiver.

1) Domenik Hixon

Hixon took over in place of Burress as the Giants No. 1 last season, and although he held his own, he also had a few drops in big spots and looked a bit out of his league at times.

He may not be the No. 1 wide receiver New York is looking for, but he plays well enough to earn a spot and can be very valuable on Special Teams, specifically as a return man.

2) Steve Smith

At 5’11’’, Smith doesn’t really have the size needed to be a true number one in the Giants system. But that’s not to say he isn’t extremely valuable…in fact, he may very well be New York’s most valuable asset at wide receiver.

Like a young Amani Toomer, he is a tremendous possession receiver and has earned the trust of quarterback Eli Manning.

3) Sinorice Moss

As hard as it may be to believe, Moss is now the Giants most veteran receiver. With four years of what we’ll call experience (spent mostly on the bench), he’s the elder of the group and one the rookies will look to for advice.

Unfortunately for Moss, that may be his greatest value. Despite his speed and the ability he showed coming out of college, he hasn’t been able to translate that potential to the field. He’s also become a constant injury concern.

4) Mario Manningham

Many fans expected big things from Manningham in 2008, but after looking completely overwhelmed in the few opportunities he was given, those high hopes have faded a bit.

Still, the second-year man out of Michigan possesses an interesting set of skills that includes blazing speed and fantastic hands.

If he can get his head on straight and find the motivation he needs to get himself to the next level, he could be a tremendous asset for offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

5) Ramses Barden

Listed at 6’6’’ and known for his ability to get open behind defenders, Barden is the closest thing the Giants currently have to a prototypical number one.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t possess the same speed as some of the earlier wide receivers mentioned and may not have the same success against NFL cornerbacks as he did in college.

That said, he’s still a big target and will most certainly play a huge role once the Giants get into the green zone.

6) Hakeem Nicks

Rarely does a rookie wide receiver come into the NFL and have a tremendous impact off the bat, but it’s not impossible.

And as the most polished wideout taken in the draft, Nicks is NFL-ready and positioned to take over for the now departed Plaxico Burress. With size 4XL hands, decent speed, good size and a knack for making the big play,

Nicks could make Big Blue fans forget all about what they lost in the offseason.

7) David Tyree, Taye Biddle, Derek Hagan, Micah Rucker and Shaun Bodiford

Given their sudden depth on the defensive line, there’s no telling how many wide receivers the Giants are going to carry this season. And with so many players and only a certain number of spots available, you can expect the best everyone has to offer during training camp.

After his heroics in Super Bowl XLII and his tremendous Special Teams ability, David Tyree likely has the inside track to the final wide receiver position.

And if the Giants decide to go with only six receivers* as opposed to seven, there’s a good chance that could spell the end for Sinorice Moss.

Projected Depth Chart – Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Ramses Barden, Mario Manningham, David Tyree and Sinorice Moss*.

Third Tight End

Like their wide receiver corps, the Giants tight ends are very young…and likely getting younger.

Behind Kevin Boss, it’s probable that Travis Beckum, a rookie out of Wisconsin, will get the nod. The Giants plan to use him similarly to the way the Washington Redskins use Chris Cooley, and that leaves only one remaining spot with five other players vying for it.

The offseason addition of Lee Vickers doesn’t mean he’s a shoe-in for the job, but it does mean New York wasn’t overly satisfied with their backups. So they’ll be keeping an eye on him as well as Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews.

In the end, I think Vickers size and blocking ability will be enough to win the job, but I wouldn’t expect that decision to be made until the last possible second.

This may be the most intense, yet rarely talked about Giants training camp battle.

Projected Winner – Lee Vickers

Strong-Side Linebacker

One of the Giants weakest positions over the last few seasons has been at linebacker, but with the free agent addition of Michael Boley and the second-round selection of Clint Sintim, the tides may have finally turned.

While Boley has a clear path to the starting job on the weak-side, the same cannot be said for Sintim on the strong-side. He’ll have to come in and compete with Danny Clark, who performed well last season despite being unfamiliar with the Giants’ system.

Many fans have already chalked Sintim up as the winner of this battle, but as the saying goes, that’s why they play the game.

Sintim may have good size, speed and strength, but he doesn’t have experience in this sort of system. And while defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, who took over for Steve Spagnuolo, plans to change some things up, there will still be a significant learning curve for Sintim.

Meanwhile, Clark, who faced a similar challenge last year, has one-year of experience in the Giants system and thus, the leg up. That’s not to say he couldn’t lose the starting job, however. He clearly showed some weaknesses in 2008 and if they cannot be corrected, the door may be wide open for the rookie.

Either way, this will likely be a very good battle.

Projected Winner – Danny Clark

Fourth Safety

Perhaps the Giants weakest area is also their thinnest. As it stands right now, Big Blue has only five safeties on their roster vying for four sports. And with Michael Johnson, Kenny Phillips and C.C. Brown all locked in, that leaves little room for any significant battle.

Barring another addition, Steve Cargile, a Denver castoff who has only played in 15 career games, and Sha’reff Rashad, an undrafted rookie free agent, will battle for the final spot.

When you consider how deep the Giants are at almost every other position, it’s somewhat baffling to see the backend of their safety depth. Neither of these players brings anything tremendous to the table and in the event of an injury, would be huge liability for one of the best defenses in the league.

Lucky for the Giants, they also signed undrafted rookie free agent Kenny Ingram.

Although listed as a linebacker, Ingram does have experience as a safety and has all of the tools necessary to play that position. In addition to great size (6’5’’, 239 lbs.), Ingram has impressive speed for a big man (4.52 40-yard dash) and very good hands.

If the Giants move him to safety, as it’s expect they will, there’s little doubt that he can beat out the rest of the competition for the final spot.

Projected Winner – Kenny Ingram

Fireside Chat: 10 Questions for Eli Manning

Dan Benton — Sun, 10 May 2009 08:55:50 -0400

Eli Manning [E-lie Man-ing] - noun 1. New York Giants Quarterback often criticized by both fans and media despite catapulting to fourth on the Giants all-time passing list and winning the Super Bowl XLII Most Valuable Player award. Synonyms: 1. Easy-E is also a term to describe the former number one (overall) draft pick. Usage Note: See - Aw Shucks, Deer in Headlights and Super Bowl XLII Most Valuable Player What would you ask a player from favorite team? And more importantly, what would you ask a man who has been in the spotlight of the New York media for over five years and has likely been asked every question at least twice? If the opportunity to interview a member of the New York Giants ever arose, I’d be hard-pressed not to sit down with Eli Manning. After all, the man’s mentality and resolve is fascinating. This slideshow is a mock-up of 10 questions I’d ask Easy-E if I were given the chance to sit down with him.

Begin Slideshow

Giant Expectations for Big Blue in 2009-10

Dan Benton — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:20:13 -0400

A season removed from their dramatic Super Bowl victory over the then undefeated New England Patriots, the New York Giants are no longer reigning champions. Instead, they face an uphill battle to get back the crown they feel is rightfully theirs.

Tom Coughlin, Jerry Reese, & Co. have transformed the New York football Giants into a constant contender who believe they can win year in and year out. So going into the 2009-10 season, it’s no surprise that the team and fans alike share the same expectations: another Super Bowl championship.

Like the New York Yankees in baseball, Big Blue has reached the point where making it to the playoffs is no longer considered a successful season…it’s all or nothing. A title or bust.

But dynasties in the NFL are few and far between. The last one we witnessed were the aforementioned New England Patriots…ironically enough, the very team New York beat to begin their quest to become the next dominant force in football.

A second championship in three years certainly won’t be easy. After all, the NFL is the competitive league in all of sports. But the Giants have faced impossible before…in the form of 3rd-and-5 with 1:15 remaining. And as they did then, I fully expect them to overcome the odds and stand tall when that final bell rings.

2009-10 is poised to be another special year for the boys in blue. After a tremendous offseason in which they saw their defense catapult to the top of the league and another fantastic draft courtesy of the mastermind Jerry Reese, there’s absolutely no reason to believe the Giants cannot return to the top of the mountain.

Still, there are things that could prevent them from reaching the pinnacle of sport.

Can the team survive without Plaxico Burress? Will Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden be able to step in and fill the voids left at wide receiver or will their learning curve be pushed into the following season? And most importantly, can the team finally stay healthy for an entire season?

There are many question marks that face the 2009 Giants, but none that should prevent them from at least positioning themselves for another Super Bowl Championships. This team is too deep, too talented and coached too well to flounder…even in the NFL’s toughest division.

As it did last year, it’s going to come down to how well they perform in the playoffs. And if players step up and play the way they’re capable of playing, it’ll be very difficult, if not impossible, to stop them.

Many things can change from now until the start of the season, but from where I sit, I see another Super Bowl ring in Big Blue’s future.

NBA Waiver Wire: Week 10

Dan Benton — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:18:16 -0500

This week we've got some new additions to the Waiver Wire, and as we plow through week 10; the NBA in general has pretty much been solidified. It will be interesting if over the last 50 games or so, a team can make a big run and get into the "elite team" mix.

Right now however, this looks like a six-to-eight team league, and everyone else is just building for next year.

Well, while the foundation of your fantasy team probably relies on these six-to-eight teams, it is indeed among the rest where you'll win or lose your league. That's where we come in, and I, Tommy D, will get you five players you can scrape off the Waiver Wire who can contribute to your squad.

I'm a big believer in trends, but not streaks, so you can be sure I'll let everyone know the difference between the two.

The first two players are on what I like to call "streaky trends." This means that last week, they were nowhere to be found, and suddenly this week, they're virtual must-starts. However, since one was a Waiver Wire staple last year, I lean towards "trend." Let's take a look; it's the NBA Waiver Wire for Week 10!

Point Guard

Luke Ridnour - PG - Milwaukee Bucks - New team, same result for Ridnour. The main difference is Ridnour is now a full-time starter. Finally, in his fifth season, he's gotten the opportunity to show what he can do on a team that's likely going nowhere.

Ridnour isn't disappointing either. He's putting up some pretty sweet numbers from the PG spot; certainly good enough to be your backup.

The only problem with Ridnour in fantasy land is that he's just a three-position player (PG, G, and Util), so he's not all that versatile; which is obviously what you want in a backup.

However, knowing Ridnour's past history on the wire, and knowing that he's the starter for the Bucks, I feel confident enough to recommend him to you as a waiver wire add. You'll be glad you did.

Here's what Ridnour has done over the last month: 10.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.6 TO, 2.2 SPG, and he's shooting 46 percent from the field, and 85.2 percent from the line.

He'll also hit the occasional three for you, but certainly don't count on big production there as much as you might have in the past. He's committed to being a truer point guard, so you're going to see less three-point attempts.

His field goal percentage might drop a bit in the near future too. It's around his career average, but he's hit 30 of his last 57 shots, so certainly that's bumped the number a bit. Ridnour is currently owned by 38 percent of fantasy owners, so there's a good chance he's available in your league.

Shooting Guard

Marco Belinelli - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors - In his second season now, not only is he getting his chance to play, he also appears to be getting the opportunity to start. Don Nelson is just throwing everyone out there, trying to find a combination that works; and it seems like he's hit on to something with Belinelli.

As I mentioned in the opening, I don't have as great feel for Belinelli like I do for Ridnour. I only have six starts to base things on, and I'm in danger of recommending a streak here.

But from what I've seen to this point—it's worth it. Here's what he's done over the last month: 15.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.9 TO, 1.1 SPG, 46.4 field goal percentage, 89.7 free throw percentage, and he's making two three-pointers/game.

That's some really solid backup guard play, and unlike Ridnour, he's a five-position player, so you can plug him in virtually anywhere. Belinelli is currently owned by 25 percent of fantasy owners, so there's a good chance he's available in your league.

Read more: NBA Waiver Wire - Week 10

MLB Offseason Scanner: Unit and Tex Start Fresh

Dan Benton — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:39:11 -0500

There are still some big fish left in the pond, but they are going fast after the two most recent big-name free agent signings. If you haven't heard by now, Randy Johnson is now a Giant, and Mark Teixeira is now a Yankee. And if you did hear about these deals, then chances are that you have heard about how those signings will impact their respective divisional races.

But do you know how they will impact your fantasy roster? Here's a look not only at the impact on the Big Unit's and Tex's fantasy value, but their new teammates' value as well.

The Big Unit

So much for figuring out old pitchers, huh?

After a disastrous 2006 season with the Yankees, many held out hope that The Big Unit would rebound with a strong 2007 season by returning to some familiar surroundings, the Arizona faithful. Johnson did, in fact, pitch well, but he threw only 56.2 innings. That led some to believe that his career was perhaps at an end, and it didn't help when he missed the first couple weeks of this season.

Funny thing though—once he started pitching, he didn't stop, and he ended up having a very strong year. Posting a 3.91 ERA, he managed to throw 184 innings, striking out 173 in the process. Unfortunately for those who managed to snag him off the waiver wire, Johnson still had only an 11-10 record, due in large part to Arizona's inability to score runs.

Want more bad (or at least not particularly great) news? Don't look for much to change. Johnson should benefit by moving to San Francisco, as AT&T park is well-known for killing high-scoring offenses. Whether or not his strikeout rate stays at a good rate, his ERA should remain pretty steady as a result of pitching in AT&T park.

However, San Francisco has done little to improve their offense, and immediate help does not appear to be on the horizon. That could mean another year in which The Big Unit pitches well, but struggles to reach double digits in wins.

Does Johnson's signing affect the fantasy value of any Giant? It could help either Brian Wilson or Jeremy Affeldt, depending on who becomes the closer, since Johnson should keep the Giants close in many games. His signing might also take a few starts away from either Barry Zito or Jonathan Sanchez, depending on who becomes the No. 5 pitcher. Nonetheless, Johnson's signing mostly impacts Johnson himself, and everything else would be just gravy.

Fantasy Hockey: Top Five Scoring Leaders

Dan Benton — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:15:32 -0500

In studying the National Hockey League scoring leaders, it is easy to see why Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins is loving life.

When watching the Penguins games, Malkin seems to always be in the video picture on the screen. As a linemate of Sidney Crosby, when that particular combination is teamed together, opponents have to always be on guard as both barrels would then be loaded with disaster lurking for their first mistake.

Of course, as opponents make mistakes, those mistakes more often than not end up in their net as they pay the price for witnessing the magic of Malkin-Crosby.

Malkin, to date, leads the NHL in three of the four scoring categories for forwards, which are total points scored, assists, and plus/minus ranking.

The only one he is not the current leader in presently is goals scored, but just wait, as the season is still early and young yet. His most impressive lead to date is in the overall points he has scored.

In 35 games, Malkin has totaled 59 points, or close to one and one-half points per game against opponents this season. He also leads the NHL in assists, as he is setting up teammates, with a total of 44 assists in the same 35 games.

The third category he leads the league in is the plus/minus rankings. Malkin has a ranking of plus 23, as the best in the league. That means he has been on the ice for 23 more times that the Penguins have scored an even strength goal than he has been on the ice when opponents have scored.

Often scoring leaders' plus/minus figures are not remarkable, as they concentrate on scoring, not necessarily keeping opponents off the scoreboard on their particular shift in five-on-five hockey.

Malkin's plus-23 is truly a testimony to his all-around play. Surprisingly, Malkin only has recorded one game winning goal to date. Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins is the next closest in ranking at plus-21 in 34 games played.

The second ranked forward in the scoring categories is Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin makes the Capitals playoff contenders by his presence alone.

"O" has played in 34 games to date this season, and in those games has totaled 23 goals and 24 assists for a total 47 points at the time of this writing. His totals increase by the game even though he does not have a Sydney Crosby setting him up.

Ovechkin's trademark is not giving up on a puck, even when getting knocked down or tripped, as in this past Friday's game against the Sabres.

NBA Waiver Wire: Week 9

Dan Benton — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:31:08 -0500

The NBA is heading to their showcase games of the year; no, not the All-Star Game, but the traditional Christmas Day games. As we all roll there with them, the NBA picture (as well as the Fantasy Picture) just seems to resolve itself more and more with each passing day.

Believe it or not; since this is the doldrums of the NBA Fantasy season, there are STILL a lot of quality free agents available on the Waiver Wire at virtually every position that can help your fantasy team. So let's take a look at them; in your Pre-Christmas Edition of the Waiver Wire.

Point Guard

Luke Ridnour - PG - Milwaukee Bucks - Ridnour, who made a few appearances on the Waiver Wire last year; has finally returned to save YOUR Fantasy team. Well, ok, not save, but help.

The former Seattle Supersonic managed to bail before the move to Oklahoma City (a brilliant move in retrospect), and is now the starting point guard on a young and talented Bucks team.

He got off to a relatively slow start, but over the last month he's really pushed his game back to acceptable levels. He's still a tad light in the assists category for my liking, but overall, he's a quality player that will fill any fantasy roster.

Here's what Ridnour has done over the last month: 10.2 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.9 asst, 1.8 turn, 1.5 stl, and is shooting 45.5% FG and 88.9% FT. That's a pretty nice stat line to have coming off your bench. He's owned in 30% of fantasy leagues, so get him while you still can.

Shooting Guard

Eric Gordon - SG - Los Angeles Clippers - This rookie from Indiana has surprised me. He was a disappointing player overall at Indiana, in my opinion. By that, I mean to say that he SHOULD have been much, much better than he actually was.

Still, the hype was enough to get him drafted seventh overall by the Clippers; and at the time it looked like one of those "Same Old Clippers" draft picks (Michael Olowakandi, anyone?).

However, since the selfless Ricky Davis has gone down with injury, Gordon is averaging more than 26 minutes a game, moving into the rotation. And over the last month or so, he's actually flashed some of that potential that so many saw from him in college; so much so that I think right now he's able to help your fantasy team.

Ricky Davis won't be back until mid-January, so if you need help now, Gordon might be your guy. Here's what Gordon did over the last month: 13.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.2 asst, 1.8 turn, 1.3 stl, 46.5% FG and 77.1% FT, and he's making 1.6 3-pt/game. He's owned in 32% of fantasy leagues.

MLB Offseason Scanner: Under the Radar

Dan Benton — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:55:44 -0500

I could sit here and tell you, "Draft C.C. Sabathia" or "Draft K-Rod." That kind of advice probably won't do you much good, since everyone already knows they need to do that. So, what good will any fantasy advice do three months before any fantasy draft is likely to occur? Well, if you can think of some sleepers now, you avoid having to scramble for sleepers later. Not only that, but it is never too early to plot your strategy now.

Believe it or not, if you have a solid 10th through 20th round strategy early, your strategy for the first few rounds becomes much easier. That being said, let us take a look at some key, but not obvious transactions of importance so far.

Ramon Hernandez - C (Cincinnati Reds)

Not so long ago, Hernandez was a popular sleeper pick at catcher. Here you had a 20-HR threat at catcher who could drive in 70-90 runs in a given season, but he always fell under the radar because he was not a regular All Star and he played in small markets.

His sleeper status caught up to him the last couple of years, though; by becoming a consistent sleeper, he also became overrated. He had a bit of a revival in 2008, swatting 15 HR, but it took some time for him to develop the trust of fantasy owners again. The move to Cincinnati should help him.

Sure, Camden Yards was a good HR ballpark in 2008, but Great American has been much more consistently a great HR ballpark the last several years. Not only that, but it has been a more consistent hitter's park than Camden Yards, which should help Hernandez's other numbers, with which he has struggled. Look for Hernandez to earn that sleeper label once again.

Felipe Lopez - 2B/SS/3B/OF (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Yes, Lopez is valuable because he qualifies at a ton of positions. However, his value fluctuates year-to-year because there isn't always a guarantee that he will be a starter, and it always seems he has a lot to prove.

His value actually took a bit of a hit in Washington, as RFK Stadium probably killed his value by stealing many home runs away from him. His HR rates were much better once he was traded to St. Louis, and they should get even better now that he plays in the friendly confines of Chase Field.

When right, Lopez is a threat to hit for average, hit HRs, drive in runs, and steal bases. His career year in 2005 showed that, when playing in a hitter's park, he can put up huge numbers: .291 AVG, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 15 SB. Combine that with the fact that you can plug him into almost any position on your roster, and you have someone who gives your roster a wealth of flexibility.

Consider as well that Lopez is just hitting his prime at 28 years of age, and you are looking at a potentially huge year from Lopez.

Fantasy Hockey Hot Sauce: Vol. 1

Dan Benton — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:29:23 -0500

This fantasy hockey assignment is quite a switch, crossing over from this year's fantasy football season. The National Hockey league is about 30-some games into its season, or about a third of the way in, and there are some new kids on the block, both team-wise in the NHL standings, and individual-wise in fantasy hockey points and production.

Fantasy hockey leagues, whether they are pay-as-you-play random drafts, keeper, dynasty, or regular live free draft leagues, are in full swing now.

As in the past, the scoring-forward categories are divided into the three positions; center, left wing, and right wings. Defensemen have their own rankings and production charts, as do goaltenders.

Throughout the season, we will keep looking at the players that are leaders in fantasy production, so that fantasy players can stay up to date on who to play, who to rest, and who to dump for new players by waiver wire.

Better knowledge of the current statistics will also help fantasy owners better evaluate and set up trades with other players without giving up too much for too little in return.

Centermen lead the stats departments usually, as they are the primary playmakers. This season, though, yet young, is led by some fantastic names that should stay in the upper elite categories for the majority of the season. First and foremost, at this time, is Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Malkin has played 31 games at the time of this writing. To date, he has 14 goals and 39 assists and has caused opponents' net minders more nightmares than bad food selections at team meals have.

Just as importantly, Malkin is a plus-20 to go with his scoring points. The only other players in the NHL's top 20 rankings close to him in the plus/minus category are the Washington Capitols' Alexander Semin and Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins, both also at plus-20. Neither one is close to Malkin in goals and assists scored. Savard is seventh with 10 goals and 29 assists and Semin stands at 20th with 14 goals and 18 assists.

The next closest player to Malkin in points is teammate and captain of the Penguins, Sidney Crosby. Crosby has 13 goals and 33 assists for a total 46 points, scored within the same number of games played, 31.

With the two leading scorers in the league, sometimes playing on the same power play and/or line, one wonders how the Penguins stand at fourth, or next to last, in the Atlantic Division with 38 points. They trail the New York Rangers (46 points in 35 games played), the Philadelphia Flyers (42 points in 32 games played), and the New Jersey Devils (39 points in 30 games).

The next four leading scorers translate specifically by their positions as to their rankings. At third in scoring, left wing Alexander Ovechkin, the Big"O", has totalled 43 points on 20 goals and 23 assists in 32 games played for the Washington Capitals this season.

After Ovechkin comes another left wing, the New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, with 39 points, 18 goals, and 21 assists.

Read more: Fantasy Hockey Hot Sauce Vol. 1

NBA Fantasy Sleepers from Week 8

Dan Benton — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:09:44 -0500

We're almost two months into the 2008-2009 basketball season and players are starting to show what kind of season they're going to have. It makes my job easier to pick out sleepers for you, but it also makes your job easier as a fantasy owner. You are better able to decide which players to start and which ones to sit, and you can see which players went undrafted that might be worth picking up.

That being said, here are this week's sleepers:

Al Horford, ATL

Horford is in his second year in the NBA. Last season he helped the Hawks to their first playoff appearance in 10 years, and made a run at Rookie of the Year with Kevin Durant. Horford's play continues to impress this season, and this week he has some favorable match-ups. Atlanta has just two games this week as they host Oklahoma City and Chicago. Both teams are struggling and neither team has a solid Big Man to put against Horford.

Against Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Horford faces Johan Petro who is in his fourth season in the NBA. On Saturday, Horford sees fellow second-year player Aaron Gray. Both guys are bigger (7' 247 lbs. and 7' 270 lbs., respectively), but neither player is having a stellar season.

Horford is averaging 11 points, 8.5 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game. Petro is averaging 4.9 points and 4.6 rebounds while Gray averages 3.7 points and 4.8 rebounds. Horford is better than both players and has a good chance to shine this week, so make sure you get him in your lineup.

Rashard Lewis, ORL

Rashard Lewis isn't putting up the numbers in Orlando that he did in Seattle, but he's still consistent and the decrease in his numbers can be attributed to sharing the paint with Dwight Howard. This week, with the exception of one game, he has a chance to do even better. He's currently averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. Not bad when you're playing beside a guy who averages 20.8 points and 14.1 rebounds!

Read more - NBA Sleepers: Week 8

Fantasy Football: Week 16 Myopia

Dan Benton — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:04:16 -0500

In this next-to-last week of the regular NFL season, I hope that your fantasy teams are still representing for you in your league playoffs. A sad bit of football news for this holiday season is that the Washington Redskins' family has lost a legendary member with the passing of "Slingin'" Sammy Baugh at the age of 94.

Baugh happened to be the last surviving member of the inaugural class of 1963 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had revolutionized the use of the forward pass with the Redskins, and that development grew into the professional game that we all love today.

Baugh's professional career with the Redskins began in 1937, when he led them in winning the NFL title that rookie season, and lasted until 1952. The Redskins won an additional title with Baugh in 1942.

For the uninitiated concerning the pre-modern era on the NFL, Baugh was a terrific all-around football player. In 1943, he led the league in passing, punting, and interceptions, showing the versatility that marked his two-way career.

For marks of distinction that still stand out in this modern "better" era, Baugh had the following distinctive record and games of note. He once, in a game, cornered four interceptions and matched them with four touchdowns thrown that day.

In other games, he twice threw for six touchdowns. His record in 1940 for a punting average of 51.4 yards per kick is still is an NFL record standing today. All of us that are football fans of today's NFL can thank Baugh for his development of the forward pass into an integral part of NFL offenses.

He was truly a pioneer that bettered the game of football with his presence. For that matter, given a half-century or so of time catching up, Baugh probably might have been among the elite players of the league today, and certainly one of the better class of behavior.

For Week 16 late-breaking news, the line starts in New Orleans with Reggie Bush. The Saints halted the season for Bush by putting him on the IR list now that they are eliminated from playoff contention for this year.

His left knee suffered a sprained (?) medial collateral ligament that will require rest and rehab, but no surgery. Bush goes on the IR with more yards in pass receptions than he has rushing, in a reversal of digits at 404 rushing and 440 in receptions.

Pierre Thomas has helped the Saints not miss Bush's talents when he has been injured. For the season, Thomas has 548 yards on 116 carries, 258 yards receiving on 28 receptions, and totals eight touchdowns rushing and three on passes.

The Minnesota Vikings hope that the hot hand stays hot as they have named Tarvaris Jackson the starting quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons. With a magic number of one, meaning one Viking win or one Chicago Bears loss, and the Vikings can clinch their first division title since the 2000 season.

In the last six quarters, since once again gaining the starter's position, Jackson has scored five touchdowns and completed 70%.of his passes for 268 yards.

Read more: Fantasy Football: Week 16 Myopia

NBA Waiver Wire (Week 8)

Dan Benton — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:55:21 -0500

As we get set to close out the second month of NBA action this week, it's nice to see that at least one of the major sports holds true to form and is predictable.

Perhaps uniquely so, the NBA is typically the easiest league to predict, which makes someone who regularly follows the association have a distinct advantage over those that don't.

However, each year there are a handful of players who make "the leap" out of nowhere; and it's the fantasy owner who knows who "the leapers" that are likely to win their respective leagues.

You can predict that the Celtics will win 15 straight, but you can't necessarily predict it will partially be because of a huge production increase from Leon Powe...or even Rajon Rondo for that matter. There were plenty in the fantasy universe who weren't sold on him yet.

So, if I speak with a bit of urgency in my breakdowns; it's because fantasy owners will eventually find these players and make them part of their teams if you don't act.

Sometimes, grabbing a waiver wire player isn't just a question of filling your own need; sometimes it's a question of snagging some quality trade bait. Trades might not be active now, but as the trade deadline approaches, things will heat up.

If you have a player on your team who you don't need, but is performing to a quality fantasy level, you should be able to trade him for someone you DO need. With that, let's take a look at some waiver wire pickups for week eight.

Point Guard

C.J. Watson - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors

There are a couple of players at this spot who might be better and available (Larry Hughes, Derek Fisher), but they're not overwhelmingly better. Essentially, it's a three-way tie for best point guard on the wire.

Watson's the one I haven't gotten to yet, so let's take a look at him.

He's on a terrible Golden State team, but the fact that they have a relatively young (28) traditional point guard without a lot of miles on him (this is only his second season, and he only played 32 games a year ago) bodes pretty well if they can put a team around him.

A rebuilding project is always easier when you already have a point guard in place. I think Watson could be that player, and even though the Warriors aren't very good; there are definitely pieces in place to rebuild.

Here's what Watson has done over the last month of the season: 10.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.2 asst, 1.2 turn, 1.7 stl, 48.8% FG (tremendous for a guard) and 96.8% FT.

He's also making a three-pointer every other game; so he's certainly well-rounded and should be able to contribute to any fantasy team nicely. He's also owned by just 11 percent of fantasy owners, so he's likely available in your league.

Shooting Guard

C.J. Miles - SG/SF - Utah Jazz

Again, there are a couple of players who might be better (Hughes and Watson again), and the gap is a little wider here; but I've covered them ad nauseam. So we'll take a look at someone you may not have thought of who can help you out.

C.J. Miles was certainly a surprise starter for the Jazz this season; taking the Swingman spot and having AK-47 come off the bench (remember when AK-47 was an All-Star?) For the most part, he's done quite well.

Although he is technically a starter, he's only averaging over 22 minutes a game. Although that's about double his career high; it certainly doesn't really lend itself to big stats.

Jerry Sloan tends to mistrust young players (he even had Deron Williams come off the bench his rookie year), and for that reason Miles will see his minutes stunted at times. Especially if he's getting lit up by Ray Allen like he was last night.

Regardless of all these qualifiers, he has still been the third-best shooting guard on the wire over the last month. And it appears that Sloan will continue to give him at least 20 minutes a night.

Over the last month he has averaged, 12.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.1 asst, 1.3 turn, 0.6 stl, 49.4% FG (which is awfully good) and 96% FT.

He's also making 1.3 3-pt/game, so he'll help you there as well. Miles is owned by just 17 percent of fantasy owners, so he's likely still out there. Solid swingmen are tough to come by, so even as just a backup, Miles is a nice commodity to have on your team.

Read more: NBA Waiver Wire - Week 8

Fantasy Football Crystal Ball: Tashard Choice

Dan Benton — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:07:07 -0500

Yes, the fantasy season is winding down, but there are still playoff games to win and players to pick up from waivers. Now that you are guaranteed to face the best of the best, every little extra point you can get helps. With that said, there is one player sitting on a lot of waiver wires who could put you over the top.

You have a Choice—Tashard Choice, that is.

Choice wasn't on many fantasy radars before last week, even when Felix Jones was lost for the season. It took an injury to Marion Barber for Choice to have a chance to show his stuff, but he has made the most of his opportunities so far. However, with Barber receiving better news than expected, the question is whether Choice is a viable option for fantasy teams anymore, especially during fantasy playoff time.

Pros:

Choice is a rookie fourth-rounder who carried the ball 19 times in the first 12 weeks, so there is scarcely a scouting report on him. Which is good, because defenses do not quite know how to size him up. Despite not having exceptional speed, Choice was a two-time ACC rushing champion and helped Georgia Tech have some of it most productive offensive season in its storied history.

Choice reads blocks well and hits the holes hard. That was evident even when he was getting precious little playing time, ripping off runs of 15, 14, and 12 yards despite carrying the ball five, two, and five times, respectively, in those games.

Perhaps the best part about Choice is his pass-catching ability. The Cowboys would not have a problem with letting Barber be the exclusive RB, but they would prefer not to do that. Choice's ascension allows them to hold Barber back a bit, especially because they can regularly rotate Choice in for third-down situations.

Against perhaps the best defense in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Choice confused them with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, catching five passes for 78 yards. That included a 50-yard reception that shocked the stout and stingy Steelers defense. Choice's versatility makes it likely he will see plenty of opportunities even when Barber is fully healthy.

This week, Choice showed that he can be effective when splitting carries with Barber. Choice carried the ball nine times for 91 yards and a TD. He also caught four passes for 52 yards.

EHAW! Fantasy Bounties Should Pay the Bills

Dan Benton — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:57:40 -0500

For those Cowboy fans that play fantasy football and happen to read this looking for a solution to woes headed into the week 15 fracas at the old BarB Ranch and Funhouse, Merry Christmas! Happy Hallucinations! There is no cure for the woes you have been watching in Dallas.

Those visions that you have seen of Terrell Owens running around in the end zone forming the letters of his initials really are not rites of celebration; they might be likened to the mythical wings of disaster, hovering over the field, waiting for the most opportune time to raise havoc and draw even more attention to Owens antics. After all, for a person committed to have the picture be all about them, bad attention is better than no attention.

If the Cowboys beat the Giants this weekend, then the immediate soap opera circling Romitten and the "Secret Meetings" will head underground for the time being, like a snake headed in for the cold Texas panhandle winter. The problems will not have actually been solved nor will they have gone far away.

They just aren't shaking their rattles, holding still instead before they rear their ugly head to strike again. In this scenario, when the Cowboys fall on hard times again, the team will simply begin slitting each other's throats at the first opportunity. The body count and finger pointing will be maximized again, just at a little later date than now.

If the Giants beat the "Boys, then Wade Phillips probably will be the first speed bump that the team bus rolls over, since Jerry Jones has too much dinero tied up in Owens, Romo, and Witten to start cleaning house. Actually, to this outsider, Witten and Romo appear to be unwilling dupes pulled into the Texas whirlpool that Owens creates eventually, no matter where Drew Rosenhaus has him sign his name to a contract.

Remember, by Owens' own words, "I am just all about winning!" Translated that into reality that actually reads," I am all into myself and screw everybody and everything else that does not lead to that conclusion."

Wade Phillips, the captain of this sinking ship, is not worried about his locker room being split into warring factions though. "I am not worried about a divided locker room," Phillips said. Often showing the demeanor of a true Cowboy who just stepped into a prairie cow flop he did not see, Phillips still looks bewildered and wanting to be anywhere else but where the cameras are.

Of course he is not worried about his locker room; he has to be worried about keeping his job for the rest of this season. The ringing endorsement that owner Jerry Jones stated a few weeks ago that Phillips was on safe ground, really could be translated as "I wonder if he knows how to tread the surface in quicksand?"

NBA Sleepers: Week Seven

Dan Benton — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:55:10 -0500

The big news in The Association this week is (finally) Your World Champion Boston Celtics and their 21-2 start. Although it did take a 21-2 start to get the folks at ESPN to finally shut up about the Lakers for five seconds; I'll take it.

That's all well and good if you're a fan of the league; but even if you're not and you exclusively play Fantasy—we've still got some things to talk about.

There are players (other than the "duh"-start players) who may be streaking or struggling right now. Some of this might be due to matchups, and some of this might be due to simply poor play; but the key is identifying these players and giving the right ones the start each week.

If you can do that successfully; you'll win (or come really close to winning) your league. That's just a fact, so in this week's Sleepers; I'll break down not only past performance but future matchups that should be advantageous to you.

It seems like the season has just started, but in reality, it's already 25 percent over, so while you still have time left to improve your position; you have to start now if you want any hope of being competitive in March and April.

So let's not wait anymore; these are your "Tommy Approved" Sleepers for Week Seven.

Point Guard

D.J. Augustin - PG - Charlotte Bobcats - The former Fighting Illini is making himself heard to this point in his rookie season. After a somewhat slow start and having to fight for playing time, he's up to averaging nearly 30 minutes a game (29.6) and over the last month; and especially over the last week, Augustin really seems to be coming into his own and displaying the skills that made him a top draft pick out of the University of Illinois.

Last week (against Cleveland, Miami, New Orleans, and Dallas) against teams that certainly have some ability at the Point Guard position, especially defensively, Augustin put up a big Fantasy Performance; not just by the averages, but because he played four games in the week; the totals shot him all the way up to the top-five overall in the NBA.

He's got four more games this upcoming week (Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis) and while teams USED to be concerned about defense from the Point Guard position in Detroit, well, the reason for that concern currently resides in Denver.

It should be a fun game to watch against another rookie in Derrick Rose in Chicago; assuming Rose is good to go after stabbing himself in the arm by then. That's another article in itself.

I feel like not only has Augustin turned a corner to a degree at this point; but the sheer fact that he's got an extra game over most players this week can't be overlooked either.

Here are the averages for Augustin over the last week: 16.2 pts, 1.8 reb, 5.8 asst, 1.6 turn, 1.0 stl, 40.7% FG (he normally shoots a bit better than this, but it's not one of his stronger suits) and 100% FT. He's also making 2.2 3-pt/game, which puts him near the top of the league in that category.

Shooting Guard

Manu Ginobili - SG - San Antonio Spurs - He's back from his yearly "miss November due to mysterious injury" injury, and he's back to being Manu Ginobili. Potentially, he might even be in your league's Waiver Wire; although savvy players (like me) picked him up a week or two before he was due to come back.

If you've got him after "taking a flyer" on him; take the flyer on him and put him in your lineup. Do not pass "Go". Do not collect $200. Just put Manu Ginobili in your "SG" spot in your lineup, set it, and forget it.

It's not that Ginobili is a top-five player in the NBA, although he certainly goes through stretch where he does. No, the main fact for the upbeat optimism regarding Ginobili is that throughout his career, even when he was struggling, he's still somehow able to put up terrific Fantasy numbers.

Truth be told, there might not be a better pure scorer in the league; because unlike other Shooting Guards who shall remain nameless *cough* KOBE *cough cough*; he doesn't disappear when the going gets tough and he knows what to do...drive the basket.

Toss in that the Spurs don't exactly have a multitude of scoring options anymore, and you've got yourself a real solid player to fill your Shooting Guard spot.

Assuming you're too late for tonight's game against Minnesota (and I hope you're not), Manu's got some great matchups coming up in four games this week. Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Orlando and Toronto all have good-to-great basketball teams; but none (save for potentially Toronto) has anyone who can hang with Ginobili on either end of the floor.

Here's what Ginobili tossed up last week in three games: 18.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 6.0 asst, 2.0 turn, 1.3 stl, and is shooting 45% FG and 100% FT making 2.7 3-pt/game, which is good for sixth in the league.

Read more: NBA Sleepers: Week Seven

NFL Week 15 Fantasy Focals and Foibles

Dan Benton — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:52:17 -0500

As we head towards the final throes of the NFL regular season, the Dallas Cowboys seem to be headed towards their annual late-season meltdown that has become customary in recent seasons. Terrell Owens and Tony Romo are becoming vehemently estranged partners in the faltering Dallas offense.

The annual "Terrell Owens is unhappy with his current quarterback" full-length feature is now playing full screen on the NFL entertainment plaza. Like the crawler at Times Square, the rift is becoming a full screen opera of the soapiest category. Owens usual litany of Romo is throwing to him; Romo likes other players better; Romo only is throwing the ball to the players he likes; etc., etc., etc. is now presented for all to see again.

This scenario almost can be considered a holiday favorite, like Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Great Life, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Owens has played this stage before with Jeff Garcia in San Francisco and Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. In his latest sniveling in Dallas, Owens has to realize that his act is getting old.

His career as a Cowboy whiner might be in its curtain call. That noise he might be hearing in conjunction with his complaining might not be the accompaniment by a Cowgirl, but that of the famous Fat Girl curtain call. Eventually, teams will realize what a cancer in the locker room Owens truly is and always becomes.

For me, however, the image of the Cowboys falling apart, with Wade Phillips looking lost and bewildered under the headsets, with Jerry Jones stalking the sidelines holding his jaw firmly in resolve that this really hurts his marketing outlaw agreements with sponsors, and Terrell Owens spouting on anyone and everyone warms my heart thoroughly.

Now, to offset the moans and groans and screams emanating from the Dallas sidelines, Romo will try to get Owens the ball more. In doing so, opposing defenses will be looking to feast on the insecurities that the Dallas offense beings to each stage they play on in every city they visit.

Additionally, Jerry Jones should also remember to question the manhood of his best running back, Marion Barber, and his injured pinkie toe again this week in the press conferences. That usually helps bring out the best in the people you are relying on carrying you to victory, and has proven out so successfully by the Cowboys annually.

NFL Week 14: What Have We Learned?

Dan Benton — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:40:26 -0500

AFC

1. Matt Schaub is dependable...when healthy.

Fantasy wonks have long thought Schaub could be the type of QB to put up big numbers when given the chance, but he never really got the chance in Atlanta, and last season, his first as a starter, was somewhat hit-or-miss, having committed more turnovers than some would have liked.

This year, he has had only one real stinker, and he has been tremendous in four games. The problem? He has not been able to stay healthy, having missed five complete games.

In eight games (7.5, really), though, he has an impressive 2,176 yards and 12 TDs. He has generally pulverized average and bad defenses, and held his own against Pittsburgh, though he did struggle badly against Tennessee.

Regardless, it seems now that the only thing you have to worry about when deciding whether to start Schaub is to look at the Texans' injury report to make sure he is not on it.

2. Derrick Mason - underrated again.

Has anyone noticed that Mason is on pace for another 1,000 yard season? Long one of the more underrated WRs in football, Mason has as low as a 70 percent ownership rate in some leagues.

Surprising, considering that he is a 100-yard threat every week. Mason may have only four TDs, but he is 16th in the league in receptions and yards, making him a legitimate fantasy contributor on most weeks.

With Joe Flacco looking more and more like a veteran than a rookie, Mason should be one of the main beneficiaries, and his owners should be ready to cash in every week.

3. Still nothing settled in the Ravens' backfield.

Speaking of the Ravens, they threw another curveball at us last week. Only one game after Baltimore, for all intents and purposes, benched Willis McGahee, they gave him 11 carries while giving Ray Rice only three.

Right now, Le'Ron McClain looks to be the primary ball carrier, having carried the ball 45 times in the last two games, but with disappointing averages of 3.4 and 3.1 YPC in the last two games, don't be surprised if Baltimore looks for a spark by rotating either Rice or McGahee back in as the primary RB.

As of now, none of Baltimore's RBs is a must-start, but any one of the three is a potential flex-start. Flip a coin as to which one, though McClain may be your best bet.

NBA Waiver Wire: Week Seven

Dan Benton — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:38:36 -0500

As we all settle into our respective Fantasy Basketball seasons, I have returned to beautiful downtown Worcester, MA, where it was about 70 degrees colder yesterday than it was on St. John. Such is life. It's December, it's supposed to be cold. However, there are a couple of teams in particular that are red hot.

First are the Lakers, who are everyone's selection to win 70 games and walk away with the NBA Championship this year.

Secondly, there's this other team that you may not have heard of. I know I sure don't remember them. Apparently they've started 20-2 for the second year in a row and they're the defending NBA Champions—but that's just a rumor I heard. I know I never heard anything like that on ESPN or NBA TV.

Anyway, enough with the editorializing. It's business time.

While your roster should be rounding into shape right about now, you might still have a few holes you're looking to patch, or a couple of underperforming players you're looking to replace outright. Sometimes change is a good thing, and there is a LOT of quality talent still left on the Waiver Wire.

Even if you're in a deep league, the talent is still out there if you're willing to look. Don't settle for sub-par play. Grab players who will perform better before someone else does. That's the beauty of the Wire.

Those who master the Waiver Wire win Championships. Those who don't, well, don't. So let's take a look at the players you should check out to make your team better this week.

Point Guard: Derek Fisher—PG—Los Angeles Lakers

How this guy isn't on more than 30 percent of Fantasy rosters is truly beyond me. Sure, he's not the same player he was on the Lakers Championship teams a few years ago, but he still gets enough minutes to be productive, and he is still a bona fide triangle point guard.

He's not shooting the ball great right now. He's below his career FG percentage number right now, but I do expect that to change as the season wears on. That should clean up any lingering doubts about Fisher.

But it's all about the preemptive strike on the Waiver Wire, and if you take him a couple of weeks early (especially if you can afford to do so), you get him before everyone else, which is kind of the goal here.

Here's what Fisher has done over the last month: 10.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.9 asst, 0.9 turn/game, 1.2 stl, 41.4% FG, 95% FT, and is making 1.5 3-pt/game. That's certainly enough to merit a start or two on most rosters.

Shooting Guard: Larry Hughes—PG/SG/SF—Chicago Bulls

The first thing we need to recognize when it comes to Hughes is the fact that he's a five-position Fantasy Player, meaning he's going to plug a lot of holes. As it usually happens when a player is switched to a sixth-man role, he tends to actually produce better than he did as a starter.

Over the last month, this has become the case with Hughes, who has narrowly missed this list a couple of weeks in a row now. Now, he's your prototypical Fantasy Utility player, filling the gaps effectively while some of your starters have an off night, and you know he can go off for 30+ every so often.

Hughes is the 67th-best Fantasy Player in the entire league, which indicates he could be on most rosters. Here's what Hughes has done over the last month: 13.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.4 asst, 0.8 turn/game, 1.2 stl, 0.3 blk, 44.8% FG, 85.2% FT, and is making 1.8 3-pt/game (at a nearly 47% clip).

Somehow, he's only got 25 percent ownership. As injuries start to pile up, Hughes is going to be a hot commodity in the near future.

Read more: NBA Waiver Wire: Week Seven

Fantasy Football Crystal Ball: Pierre Thomas and Peyton Hillis

Dan Benton — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:22:56 -0500

When you think New Orleans Saints, you think Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and Deuce McAllister. Meanwhile, when you thought Denver Broncos at the beginning of the year, your running backs of choice were Selvin Young, Andre Hall, and Michael Pittman.

Funny how a season changes things.

While Brees has been magnificent, the other three Saints have been inconsistent, injured, or unable to get into any kind of groove. As for Denver, the three running backs played well at times, but they have each had injury problems all year, and the Broncos even added rookie running back Ryan Torain to the injury list.

Enter Pierre Thomas and Peyton Hillis.

In a year when not only primary running backs, but also backup (or handcuff) running backs are going down, the demand for handcuffs to the handcuffs is at an all-time high.

At the top of that list are Thomas and Hillis, both of whom have stepped in and made an immediate impact. With some running backs getting healthier, however, should Thomas and/or Hillis take a backseat?

Let us examine.

Author's note: After this article was written, Hillis injured his hamstring, threatening the rest of his season.

Pros

For Hillis, his path to relevancy was pretty simple (from our perspective, anyway). Selvin Young went down. Then Andre Hall and Michael Pittman were lost for the season almost simultaneously.

Ryan Torain soon followed as lost for the season. Enter Hillis, who basically survived roster cuts all season and stayed on as the backup fullback, but who was thrust into duty after all the other running backs went down.

Hillis responded in a big way, gaining significant yardage every time he touched the ball. Hillis fits Denver perfectly, since they prefer their running backs to make only one cut on each run.

As a big man with some speed, Hillis could really thrive in the Mike Shanahan backfield, and though Denver has no qualms about leaning heavily on their passing game, Denver may look to establish a ground game as they prepare for the playoffs.

All that adds up to some very positive fantasy decisions for the future.

Thomas' path may not have been as straightforward, but his story is just as sweet. Largely getting token carries or goal-line chances at the beginning of the year, even though he had a good Week One performance of 10 carries for 52 yards, Thomas really began to take off after the Saints' bye week in Week Nine.

Thomas had to wait for an injury to Reggie Bush, then leapfrog over Aaron Stecker and eventually Deuce McAllister, but he got there and has been the Saints' primary ball-carrier since then.

Thomas has shown that he can sniff out the goal line, as his six TDs can attest to, but he has also proven to be a good yardage back, as evidenced by his 4.6 yards per carry.

Right now, with McAllister still facing a possible suspension, and Reggie Bush continuing to be an enigma, Thomas is the Saints' most dependable running back.