Three Fantasy Questions To Ponder For 2009

Drafting a competitive fantasy team isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sure, you can find some studs in the early rounds and hope they live up to expectations, but what happens when the big names are off the board and you need players who can make an impact? The key is to avoid guys who are likely to have inconsistent years. Today, we examine three interesting story lines heading into the 2009 season. More of these are covered in the 2009 NFP Fantasy Draft Guide.

Question One: Will Chad Ochocinco regain his 2007 form?

Answer: More likely than not.

One of the NFL’s more charismatic wide receivers, Ocho enters the season looking to rebound from a 2008 campaign that was, by all accounts, terrible. He’s already admitted he showed up to camp last season having not properly conditioned himself, which was one of the main reasons for his unimpressive stat line: 53 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns. The elbow injury to Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t help matters either, as the inexperienced Ryan Fitzpatrick was asked to step in behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines.

Owners should be excited about Ochocinco for several reasons. First, Palmer is healthy and ready to return to the lineup, which provides an instant upgrade over last season at the quarterback position. Second, Ochocinco has spent the offseason getting himself into shape, meaning he’ll be ready to rock come training camp.

Most importantly, however, is the contract situation. Ochocinco is 31 years old and looking for one final payday before his skill set starts to diminish. The extra motivation to get paid is always a driving factor for a player to perform at a high level. We expect him to rebound this year, but owners still need to be cautious. The Bengals’ offensive line is in bad shape, meaning Palmer will have to think and react very quickly in order to get the ball down the field.

Question Two: Will JaMarcus Russell finally become the quarterback the Raiders need to contend?

Answer: Don’t count on it.

Sorry Raider fans. You're in for another long season.

The number one overall draft pick from 2007, Russell enters his third NFL season looking to take the next step and finally become an efficient NFL passer. Owners are advised to stay away. Russell may have a rocket for a right arm and a platoon of quality running backs behind him, but he still lacks credible players at the wide receiver position. While the Raiders used their first-round pick this past April on Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, the rookie has already spent the offseason battling hamstring injuries. Our own Matt Bowen does a great job today discussing the impact this type of injury can have on a rookie’s development.

Even if DHB can get healthy and crack the starting lineup (he will, who else is there?), he still needs to learn the playbook and adjust to the press coverage he’ll see at the NFL level. This isn’t the ACC. Opposing cornerbacks are going to get in his face and jam him at the line, making it difficult to get down the field and get open.

With the aging Javon Walker and unproven Chaz Schilens manning the other receiver positions, Russell doesn’t have the luxury of making mistakes that his wideouts can compensate for. Four games against Kansas City and Denver may provide quality opportunities to rack up points, but owners need to look for more consistency and upside.

Question Three: With locker room delight Terrell Owens now gone, will the Dallas offense be able to move the football?

Answer: Toss up.

If the Cowboys want to score points, Williams' has to step up his game.

In the interest of full disclosure for those who didn’t read my stuff last year, I absolutely hate the Cowboys. I grew up outside of Philadelphia, so the thought of a successful season in Dallas makes me want to puke.

Bias aside, the Cowboys’ offensive success in 2009 will hinge on one man: wide receiver Roy Williams. Even when Terrible Owens was getting jammed at the line of scrimmage and putting up mediocre numbers last season, his talent alone forced opposing defenses to roll coverage in his direction, freeing the rest of the field for tight end Jason Witten and company to make plays. With Owens now in Buffalo looking to humiliate a new quarterback, this responsibility falls on Williams’ shoulders.

Williams will need to get deep and stretch the field vertically in order for Dallas to move the ball. All jokes aside, Tony Romo is a very talented quarterback, and with Marion Barber and Felix Jones handling the workload in the backfield, the Cowboys have enough offensive firepower to succeed.

However, if Williams fails to make a serious impact as a number one wideout, opposing defenses will be able to put him in single coverage, which leaves more defenders to either stay back and cover or go after the passer. Bottom line: Williams needs to step it up and be a playmaker in 2009 for the Cowboys to succeed.