Fantasy Football Brothers 128 Burning Fantasy Football Questions Part 2 Of 8

Part Two of Eight Of Our 128 burning Questions

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The NFL kicks off for real Thursday night as the Saints are crowned champions at home in front of their loyal fans. No city deserved a title more than New Orleans, nor a fan base that needed their team to shock the world.

Here at the Brotherhood we will be watching some of the matchups very closely in week one. What we are looking for is potential. New players on new teams, new offenses, rookies, and changes in assignments for some players.

Who will actually start? Who was targeted where? Who received touches where? Even more importantly is who is on the field during crunch time and who is on the bench when teams enter the red-zone. All of these things are important for fantasy reasons and I will explain why. Actions always speak louder than words. There is a reason for coach speak. It is used to motivate players, it is used to confuse opposing teams and for our purposes in fantasy land. Make us nuts. I’m convinced that Redskins only brought Mike Shanahan back to the NFL was to make fantasy owners nuts each week when deciding between Portis or Larry Johnson, or some back he found in the scrap heap. I’m not paranoid. For fantasy purposes it gives us a good idea if someone was undervalued in drafts. A player was just coasting during the pre-season or his injury was made a big deal by the media.

Lions Vs Bears 1 P.M.

Lions

An Improved Offense Will Open Things Up For Megatron

Has the Lions offensive line improved?

For the Lions to be successful anywhere else on the field, and I hate to do it to you but to throw out this cliche it all starts up front. It really does in this case. They have added depth and upgraded the guard spot but come game time will they be able to keep Stafford upright? They have to if they want to get the ball to all of their new offensive toys.

Can Jahvid Best stand up to the rigors of the NFL?

The short answer. No. Like Spiller he is best used in small doses. As fragile as Spiller is Best is even more fragile. Best only played in 30 games during his career and averaged 14 touches a game. Doesn’t sound like much for a first rounder does it? Best owners should invest in fantasy insurance if you have this guy. The NFL is a copycat league and everyone is looking for the next Chris Johnson.  I don’t blame teams for wanting one of their own Chris Johnson clones. The thing is Johnson played a lot more in college than Best while also possessing a bigger frame.

Is the passing game better on paper or turf?

You have to love this teams potential on paper. Megatron and Burleson on the outside with Scheffler and Pettigrew in the middle. All the while having Best in the backfield taking advantage of any double coverage. In reality like previously mentioned the o-line needs to protect Stafford, and Stafford needs to stay healthy.

Will Megatron less single coverage?

Calvin Johnson will continue to get doubled over the top until the Lions can make opposing defense pay for putting single coverage on Burleson,Scheffler and Pettigrew.

Bears

Knox Is The Brotherhoods Not So Secret Sleeper

What are Forte’s and Taylors role in the offense?

Taylor was cut loose by divisional rival Minnesota. Chester, sorry I just love saying that name. Chester was considered an instant upgrade for the Bears run game. Forte took the brunt of last years woes but was only one part of a huge disaster for the Bears last season. If something went wrong last year it probably happened in Chicago.  Forte is actually the perfect fit for a Mike Martz offense.  He possess great hands and is a tough runner. The line has got to do a better job or it won’t matter who is running the rock. I’ll go with Forte getting 70% of the carries as long as he is healthy with Taylor getting the other 30%.

Can the Bears offensive line open better holes than last year?

I don’t want to prove my own point but every teams success hinges on a decent offensive line. Someone should do a study on this just in case.

Can Martz save Cutler’s career?

Aside from Cutler being a first class jerk, he does have talent. A ton of it. The problem might be he is just a jerk. He has all the tools he needs to be successful and the Bears offense is actually built perfectly for a huge improvement in production for the offense but more importantly for fantasy purposes Cutler’s numbers. We expect him to throw the ball a ton again this year. The difference will be a better run game to take some pressure off of this first class head case signal caller. Expect his INTs to drop down to the 15ish area.

Which WR will thrive in this offense?

I never fell for the Devin Aromashadu kool-aid. I have loved Johnny Knox since last year. He was already a potential star in the making even before installing the new offense. It has become clear that Hester will never be a polished WR but has shown enough flashes of promise to hold on to a starting WR spot. If Aromashadu can’t beat out Hester there is now way he will be able to beat out Knox.

Raiders Vs Titans 1 P.M.

Raiders

Run DMC Is Not For Me

We know Miller will see a ton of action but then who?

Let’s start out with who won’t. Darrius Heywood-Bey. Even with the starting role he still hasn’t performed. Schilens is a favorite here with his size and speed. He just needs to stay healthy for a full season and put it all together. But Louis Murphy is the WR that was targeted 96 times last season but only caught 34 balls. A huge indication of how badly the Raiders tried to force the ball down Murphy’s throat. It is also a pretty good indicator of Captain Codeine’s erratic passes. Murphy is a gamer that leaves it all on the field, if he can convert his targets to say 66% or better he becomes a legit fantasy waiver guy.

How good can Bush be?

For those who follow college football know that Bush absolutely tore it apart his junior season scoring 23 touchdowns as a junior only to tear up his knee in the first game of his senior season. Bush tries to run nimble despite his 6’2″ 245 pound frame, something that makes the coaches nuts in Oakland. He averaged a solid 4.8 yards per carry easily outperforming Justin Fargas and Busty McFadden(more on him below). This year it appears that Oakland wants to win and will play the best back regardless of draft position. (Ok maybe that doesn’t go for WR) The Raider love to pound the rock and if Bush gets 250 carries he becomes a must start at RB.

Is it time to give up on McFadden?

As a fantasy player? Yeah I have passed on him in every single draft since his rookie season. I play in a ton of leagues and I will not touch him.  He is more toxic that a gulf shrimp

Should I still be thrilled to have my RB face the Radiers DEF?

I have to give the Raiders credit they have improved their front seven with drafting stud middle backer Rolando McClain and DE Lamaar Houston. Also adding depth along with the defensive line with the addition of John Henderson and picking up Kamerion Wimbley. On paper they appear to be much improved, but so has everyone of the AFC West teams run games have improved as well with Charles and Jones in K.C. Mathews in San Diego, and a full year under Moreno’s belt.

Titans

Britt Fell In Drafts Towards The End Of The Summer After Being Called Out For Being Lazy

Will Chris Johnson see 8 man fronts?

How do you not make the Titans beat you threw the air? Teams will stack the boxes until they are punished for doing so. While Vince Young has appeared to turn the corner (See Below). Johnson faced 8 man fronts all the time last season as he was making his run at 2,000 yards. Johnson is just that good that 8 man fronts are no problem for him, but imagine the running lanes he could exploit if opposing defenses respected the passing game.

Can Vince Young turn the corner as a passer and fantasy option?

I like Vince Young as a QB, he has matured and has really grown in the last two years as a leader and a passer. I think if he is going to become a fantasy option it will likely be with his legs.  The WRs on this team are a real concern. See below. I like him for individual matchup game to game for bye week fill ins or in two QB leagues.

Who is Young going to throw to?

It just doesn’t help when Kenny Britt needs to be told he should be in shape, Nate Washington is nothing but a WR3 and Justin Gage just can’t stay healthy. Damian Williams has some talent but is more than likely a year way from making an impact at receiver. Who will step up in the WR department for the Titans should be the real question.

Are the Titans Def as good as advertised?

The Titans defense could surprise this year and have aptly been named the no-name defense. Even knowledgeable football fans would be hard pressed to name three players on the Titans Defense. The Titans struggled mightily after the departure of Albert Haynesworth the front seven suffered mightily in the first few weeks. The bigger hole on the defense was the secondary which ended up finishing 31st out of 32 teams in pass defense. The rank doesn’t show it but the secondary finished the 2009 season strong. Look for the defense to improve in total defense to improve their rank in run defense and pass defense.

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