Bleacher Report - Articles by Brandon Guyton

Fantasy Football: Why Calvin Johson Is the NFL's Best Receiver

Brandon Guyton — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:25:02 -0500

The 2008 football season has shown the best and worst of the wide receiver position.

Between the reemergence of Antonio Bryant and the 35 plus dropped passes by both Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens, we've seen both amazing catches and incomprehensible blunders.

In 2007 Randy Moss showed that he still has the big play ability during his record breaking season with Tom Brady. This came after a disappointing stay in Oakland and easily put him at the top of the rankings for wide receivers for the 2008 season. So the question is asked, which receiver should be ranked No. 1 as we look forward to the 2009 fantasy season?

T.O. and the Dallas Cowboys have had a less than stellar season. The Cowboys' six losses were certainly not helped by Owens' 36 dropped passes. Owens isn't getting any younger and it looks to me as if he's lost a step. He hasn't been getting much separation and it seems like he won't even try if Romo under-throws him.

With him being a free agent there's no telling where he will end up. So as of now, with his not so high level of play, I don't even know if he should be in the Top 10.

Braylon Edwards and the Browns have been a flat out disappointment this year, and he isn't at the top of my list for 2009.

Antonio Bryant has had an excellent season in 2008 and was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners all over the country, but I don't know if he will be able to continue the success in '09.

Anquan Boldin had a very good season, but with him going into free agency and having already stated that he doesn't want to play in Arizona for another season what kind of play he will get at the quarter back position is uncertain.

Larry Fitzgerald has put up great numbers this year, but with Kurt Warner's play slipping in the past month I don't think I can rank him as number one. I expect good things from him for 2009 but just not better than everyone else.

Chad Johnson has definitely not had one of his better seasons, and he does not want to play for Cincinnati. I expect better play from him next year but still not great performance.

T.J. Houshmanzedah is an excellent receiver but I don't think he will get great stats in 2009.

Marvin Harrison looks old, and even though he's got Peyton at quarter back I think his performance will continue to slip. In my opinion he is on his way out.

Reggie Wayne is one of the better receivers in the game for sure. He has soft hands and good toe tapping ability, but i think Manning always checks the whole field before coming back to him. This might take a few receptions away from him, along with Clark at tight end and a great young receiver in Gonzalez.

Andre Johnson has helped the Texans tremendously with his big play ability and has thrown up great numbers in 2008. I expect him to do great in 2009, but not the best.

Roddy White has had an outstanding breakout year with Matt Ryan at quarterback. I think he'll be a solid pick at wide receiver next year, but he still isn't my favorite.

Marques Colston sat a lot of the season out with torn ligaments in his hand, but when he came back he was phenomenal. With Brees under center expect more good play from him for 2009.

Plaxico Burress has had too many run-ins with the law for my liking. I do not want him on my team next year.

Roy Williams is a great receiver, but with Tony Romo's Jekyll and Hyde performances who know what he'll do.

Randy Moss has been good all year, and that's with a backup quarter back throwing him the ball. Tom Brady comes back next season and he should be healthy, but I think that there is no way he can put up the same stats that he put up on their quest for perfection that ended in such disappointment for Pat's fans. I think I would put him at number two or three for next year.

Calvin Johnson! This young receiver has been excellent this season even though his team has posted an 0-15 record so far. He seems to have a different person throwing him the ball every week and he is still at the top of all receiving stats this season.

Detroit's QB situation should get better during the off-season (it can't get worse) and I expect tons from this guy. That is why I'm ranking him as my No. 1 receiver for next year.

Top 10 Surprises in Fantasy Football for 2008

Brandon Guyton — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:37:59 -0500

The 2008 football season has been wildly unpredictable. L.T.? Unreliable. Tom Brady? Out for the season. Derek Anderson's performances were garbage, Braylon Edwards leads the league in dropped passes, and Steven Jackson has had no production. These are all negatives from this season. So what did we have to cheer us up?

1. Michael Turner

I got him in the fifth round of my fantasy draft of 12 people, and he has been fantastic. His 16 rushing touchdowns and over 1,400 yards have helped cheer me up.

2. Thomas Jones

Excellent rusher had a breakout year this year. Leads the AFC in rushing.

3. Carolina RB tandem

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both have been fantastic in 2008. Who expected Williams to lead in fantasy points? Stewart has had a couple of great weeks and has found the end zone nine times.

4. Steve Slaton

My waiver wire pickup of the year. He was the only player to rush for 100 yards against the Titans' stout run defense. Broke the franchise rushing record for the Texans in his first year in the NFL.

5. Matt Forte

Over 1,500 total yards and a total of 12 touchdowns as a rookie. He was my sleeper for the year.

6. Tennessee rushing game

Both Chris Johnson and LenDale White have thrown up good numbers in 2008.

7. Antonio Bryant

He seemingly came out of nowhere and has collected some great stats. He has had some amazing catches this season.

8. Matt Cassel

When Brady went down, Cassel stepped in, got used to the starting role, and started throwing touchdowns.

9. Pierre Thomas

Took over when Reggie Bush got injured and consistently produced for many lucky fantasy owners.

10. Aaron Rodgers

Filled in nicely for Brett Favre and has quietly thrown together a good season in which he is second in fantasy points among quarterbacks.

Forte For MVP

Brandon Guyton — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:10:28 -0500

Kurt Warner and Drew Brees both are in the arguement for who is the MVP of 2008 along with Peyton Manning and Maybe Even Matt Ryan. Earlier this season I would have definately said Warner or Brees, but both of their performances have been slipping in the last few weeks.

With Warner Coming off a Horrifying 30 yard performance and Drew Brees' Saints not even in the run for the Playoffs I feel like both of them are out of the conversation now.

Peyton Manning is always good, but if you look at the games it has been the Indianapolis defence that has been saving the day almost all year by coming up with crucial turn overs late in the 4th quarter.

Matt Ryan Has definitely had a great rookie season and has absolutely helped the Atlanta Falcons organization move on after a season filled with Mike Vick and Bobby Petrino. However, I Think that with Michael Turner in the back field this team could have easily plugged in an average quarter back and still been in the same situation.

Matt Forte in my opinion is the most worthy recipient of the MVP title. The Bears had a terrible season last year when they couldn't get anything going on offense. They had a bust in Cederic Benson and a not so good back in Adrian Peterson (not #28 for the Vikings). With a second round pick Chicago took Rb Matt Forte from a school not well known for having great football. Matt Forte currently has 35% of the Bears total offensive yards and 40% of all their touchdowns. Without Forte behind Kyle Orton the Chicago bears can not get anything going on offense. Chicago would not even be close to where they are now if they hadn't gotten Forte. He is phenomenal and in my opinion the only worthy candidate for the MVP title

My Top 10 Rb's For The 2009-10 Season

Brandon Guyton — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:18:50 -0500

1. Adrian Peterson

Obviously. He comes first on just about everyone's list. He breaks tackles regularly and is almost never taken down by the first defender to reach him. He simply puts up big numbers week in and week out.

2. Michael Turner

I love this guy. He's great on the goal line and can easily break into the open for a huge Td run. With a young Qb in Matt Ryan, even though he has turned out to be excellent for the falcons, I think they will continue to lean on the running game.

3. DeAngelo Williams

This back has just put up great stats all year and its hard to argue with numbers.

4. Matt Forte

Outstanding runner. Avoids defenders easily, and can pound the ball in on the goal line too. Not to mention he has about a third of the bears total yards on offense. and all this as a rookie, he should get even better with experience.

5. Brian Westbrook

Sure he's had only a decent season this year, but he continues to show that he can run hard and receive.

6. Ladanian Tomlinson

Its hard to take him out of the top ten. Even coming of a very mediocre season he is still a very good back. I think he will bounce back next year and have yet another great season.

7. Thomas Jones

He looked excellent this season grabbing 15 total touchdowns as of Week 16. He should be good in 2009 as well

8. Steve Slaton

Excellent rusher. He set the Franchise rushing record for the texans as a rookie. Great vision and can cut on a dime. He should get even better with experience.

9. Clinton Portis

He is great when he's healthy, but only a decent back when hampered with an injury. Honestly there weren't many weeks this season where he didn't have some kind of damage to his body. One of the better backs in the league, if only he could just stay healthy.

10. Maurice Jones-Drew

Jones-Drew Had a pretty good year finding the in-zone a total of 14 times, and this was behind a virtually non existent Jaguars offensive line. I think the Jag's O-line will improve this off season and he will be one of the leading rushers in 2009.

Chris Johnson and Brandon Jacobs were right there for the No. 10 spot, but the stats MoJo-D put up this last season with a crippled O-line are better than both of theirs, and should improve greatly with a recovered line next season.