Fantasy Football Roundtable: AFC South Edition

It's already mid June and it's 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 Whooley and Bruno Boys Cavigs are discussing the AFC South and breaking down which players from the division have fantasy football value.

--------------------

AFC South Burning Questions!

1. With Fred Taylor heading to New England, do you think Maurice Jones-Drew will live up to all the preseason hype and become a top-five fantasy football running back?

Bruno Boys Whooley: Having ranked Maurice Jones-Drew third in my preseason rankings, I fully believe the diminutive back will be able to live up to the large expectations that have come with the departure of Fred Taylor.

I mean, we’re talking about a back that was able to average at least 1,300 total yards and 12 TDs in each of his first three seasons in the league despite sharing time in the Jags’ backfield.

Now, that he’ll be a one-man show, those numbers should get even better, especially when you factor in the moves (signing tackle, Tra Thomas, and drafting tackle, Eugene Monroe) the Jags made to their front-line. Jump on the bandwagon, because Jones-Drew’s thunder thighs will motor you to fantasy gold.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: I'll be the first to admit that I'm not all that sold on Maurice Jones-Drew being an every-down back but even so he still has the talent to be a top-5 fantasy running back.

What's amazing about Jones-Drew is that he has been able to rack up 38 career touchdowns and 3,941 total yards while touching the ball just 678 times. For you stat geeks out there, Jones-Drew scored a TD every 17.8 touches and 5.81 yards per touch.

Those numbers are towards the leaders in the NFL and a increase in touches will only help his chances of flirting with 20 TD's in a season.

Though he has been durable throughout his career, what scares me about Jones-Drew is the expected workload he should see in 2009.

He has only missed one game in his career, but that's while averaging just 14.4 touches per game, so 20+ touches per game will bring an added risk of injury. Still, MJD is worthy of the third or fourth overall pick in your fantasy football draft.

--------------------

2. For the first time since 2001, perennial All-Pro Peyton Manning will be without head coach Tony Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore and line coach Howard Mudd. How will this impact his fantasy football success?

Bruno Boys Whooley: Any other quarterback and I may be concerned, but with Peyton being Peyton, I’m not too worried about the changes. In fact, the changes don’t even appear to be too drastic as Indy will pretty much run the same offense that they employed under Dungy under new head coach, Jim Caldwell.

Meanwhile, Manning will continue to be the field general, changing things up at the line as he has done for the majority of his career. The only quarterback I’m taking ahead of Peyton for 2009 is New Orleans Saints’ QB, Drew Brees. Other than that, I’d be thrilled to have Manning under center for my fantasy team.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: We are talking about Peyton Manning here folks. Does it really matter what the coaching staff looks line in Indianapolis? In his 11-year NFL career Manning has thrown at least 26 touchdown passes in every season and despite losing all of his coaches on offense don't expect this impressive streak to come to an end.

Entering 2009, Manning trails only Drew Brees on my big board and if I had to project his 2009 totals I'd say he touches 4,000 passing yards to go along with 28-30 TD's.

Bottom Line, Manning doesn't need a coaching staff to produce at a high level and he will prove it to all the surprising doubters out there.

--------------------

Fantasy Football Preference - AFC South (Based on 12 team, standard scoring leagues)

1. Chris Johnson vs. Steve Slaton

Bruno Boys Whooley: SLATON. Both runners had excellent rookie campaigns in 2008, and both make my top-10 heading into 2009. In fact, Slaton comes in at No. 9, while Johnson winds up in the 10th slot.

So, why does Slaton get the edge? Truth be told, it simply comes down to Johnson’s having to share the ball with LenDale White. In Houston, Slaton faces no real challenge from within when it comes to carries. 

Bruno Boys Cavigs: JOHNSON. You can't go wrong with either back and in my opinion they both are RB1 options entering 2009, but Johnson is my choice because I feel he is less of a risk to breakdown.

While Johnson has LenDale Whiteto spell him carries and keep him fresh, Slaton will have to rely on the likes of often injured Chris Brown and Ryan Moats to do the same. Both options will have big sophomore showings, but in the end Johnson and his rush heavy offense will slightly outscore Slaton and his balanced attack.

--------------------

2. Andre Johnson vs. Reggie Wayne

Bruno Boys Whooley: JOHNSON. Not many wide receivers would get the edge over Wayne, but Johnson is an absolute beast. In 2008, Johnson finished second among wide outs with 197 fantasy points (53 more than Wayne), as he led the league in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,575).

The only knock against Johnson was that he was unable to reach double digits in the TD category as he finished the year with 8. If he does reach that double-digit plateau in 2009, it’s very likely Johnson will not only outperform Wayne, but all wide receivers.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: JOHNSON. If this was one year ago the choice would be Wayne but after watching Andre Johnsonmake easy work of opposing defenses he's my choice. Plus, Wayne seemed to disappear at times in 2008 and with the Colts lacking depth at the WR position Wayne should see plenty of double teams.

--------------------

3. LenDale White vs. Joseph Addai

Bruno Boys Whooley: ADDAI. If this question were asked prior to the 2008 season, Addai would have been a no-brainer. In fact, many fantasy owners would have gotten a good chuckle out of the absurdity of the question being asked at all.

But a lot can change in a year, and with Addai floundering in his third year in the league to the tune of just 544 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards and 7 TDs, the question is a lot more difficult to answer.

Nevertheless, I’m sticking with Addai, even with White tallying 50 more fantasy points in 2008, as I believe the Titans place even more of the workload on Chris Johnson’s shoulders this season. White will still vulture some scores, but in no way, do I think he ends up with 15 end-zone trips like he had last year.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: ADDAI.Tough call but I'll give the nod to Addai because he doesn't rely on touchdown's to score fantasy points. I have Addai as my No. 21 RB for the upcoming season and White at No. 24 so the edge is slight, but if I was looking for a RB2 in the middle to late-third round Addai would be my choice.

--------------------

HEAD OVER TO WWW.BRUNOBOYS.NET FOR MORE FANTASY INFORMATION