Fantasy Football Roundtable: A Look at the NFC South

Now that we are a week into May, it is time to really start gearing up for the up-and-coming 2009 fantasy football season. Over here at Bruno Boys headquarters that means discussions of events happening around the NFL are in full force.

Today, Bruno Boys Cavigs and Bruno Boys Ziza are discussing the NFC West as the Bruno Boys will be breaking down the NFL division-by-division during the next eight weeks, so remember to check back next week.

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NFC South Burning Questions!

1. The NFC South had plenty of fantasy football firepower in 2008 led by the likes of Drew Brees, DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner, and Roddy White. Do you see that continuing into 2009 and who will be the best of the bunch from this division?   

Bruno Boys Ziza: Do I see that continuing into next season?...yes and no.

I think all four are going to be very solid players next year but the only ones that I see performing as possible top fives at their relative positions are Drew Brees, who has so many weapons and now has a healthy Marques Colston, as well as Roddy White, who's addition of Tony Gonzalez can only help keep defenses more honest.

Why don't I think that will help his teammate Michael Turner? I do! But let's be honest, the Atlanta Falcons passing game should attempt to go to the next level this year and with them already wanting to keep Turner a little healthier, there is a very good chance that Jerious Norwood will see increased repetitions at the running back position.

DeAngelo Williams has a pretty tough schedule and because he has to mix it up with Jonathan Stewart, his carries and production are most likely to go down. So if I were to tab who would be the best from this division, I would lean more towards Brees, White, and Gonzalez.

Bruno Boys Cavigs:  As you can see, the division is full of playmakers and I truly feel this will be the case in 2009. Both Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams will be first round fantasy football picks, Drew Brees is the top overall quarterback, and Roddy White, Steve Smith, and Marques Colston will be among the first 10 wide receivers drafted.

And how you can forget about the newest acquired member of the division in Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez? For over a decade, Gonzalez has been an All-Pro performer as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, but now he joins an Atlanta offense that was one of the most efficient in the NFL last season. 

Overall, there is enough talent in the division to create a fantasy squad that could compete for a championship in any league.

2. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston finished the season with a bang, averaging just over 100 yards per game during his last three games last year while catching four touchdowns. Is Colston finally healthy and ready to ascend to a tier one wide receiver?

Bruno Boys Cavigs: I wish I could sit here and tell you that Marques Colston is finally healthy and ready to play 16 games in 2009, but I can't because I'm no fortune teller.

What I can tell you is that when healthy, Colston is a top 10 fantasy football wide receiver and has the talent and supporting cast to produce as a No. 1 WR.

After a sluggish start after returning from injury last season, he turned it on down the stretch and showed the NFL that his 2007 season was no fluke. It's evident that QB Drew Brees likes throwing to his physical wideout and if Colston can avoid injury, you can expect anywhere between 1,200 to 1,300 receiving yards and 10+ TDs. Now that's what we call top tier!

Bruno Boys Ziza: Let's put it this way; I don't really believe in the strategy of double-dipping, but Drew Brees and Marques Colston may remind some of the great combinations of years past such as Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison or Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.

Colston ended last season with a bang and I really feel like that will continue into 2009. If Colston can be anywhere close to his 2007 season and the end of 2008, we will definitely have a special receiver on our hands in the fantasy football world and would easily deem him a tier one wide receiver.  He is someone that I would be more than proud to have on my squad.

Fantasy Football Preference—NFC South (Based on 12-team, Standard Scoring Leagues)

1. Michael Turner vs. DeAngelo Williams

Bruno Boys Cavigs: BURNER TURNER.

You really can't go wrong with either option, but you have to give the edge to Turner. He not only has the better supporting cast but his style of play is better-suited to repeat his success than that of DeAngelo Williams. Turner is a big body who uses his size to break tackles and get the extra yardage, while Williams' counts on the big play and tries to beat opponents with a speed-and-slash running style.

Plus, Turner is the better goal line back and don't expect Jerious Norwood's increase in touches to be around the end zone. That is "Burner Turner" territory.

Bruno Boys Ziza:  TURNER. Both of these running backs had stellar 2008 numbers but neither have a very promising schedule this season and both are expected to lose some playing time to their backfield partners this year.

That being said, although Michael Turner should touch the ball less this year, the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez should help spread the field just enough to where defenses won't be able to stack the box every play. That should allow Turner to have many more reps in which he will have an easier time getting through the line.

Look for a dip in numbers for Turner, but he should still be productive enough to eclipse DeAngelo Williams as the running back to have in this division.

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Fantasy Football Roundtable: A Look at The NFC South