Mark Bulger, Joe Flacco, Ocho Cinco...Hey, There's Always Next Year

So, you were you handed your seventh loss of the season last week, huh? In most leagues, that's usually the kiss of death. After months of obsessing over everything from your draft strategies, to waiver wire pick-ups, to the Week 10 weather in Pittsburgh, you are now relegated to wondering "what could've been."

If only you had gone with your gut and taken Jay Cutler instead of Jeremy Shockey in the seventh round of that keeper league, or if you had just listened to your buddy who told you that Chris Johnson is going to be a super stud in Tennessee, maybe you'd be in the running for a championship.

But you're not. Your season is pretty much done and instead of being that selfish human paraquat that screws up his whole league because he has no shot, you still set your lineups and scour the waiver wire in an effort to squeeze out a couple more victories or spoil someone's season.  

Yeah, it sucks but one thing you might not realize is that you are actually at an advantage...for next season.

This is the time of year where, if you're still in the running for that elusive fantasy football championship, you're wrapped up in the current season and keeping tabs on who's "hot" now. If you're season is done, a lot of the time you just revert to sitting on your couch and watching football.  You're fantasy football mind has now been turned off.  Don't do that.  

Take notes on talented players, offensive lines that are starting to come together or coaching staff that are starting to get their teams on the right track. Remember, talent always wins out if it's placed in the right situation. The horrible thing is that come training camp next season there are going to be so many articles and so many talk shows that are going to tell you what to think. It's hard to not be brain-washed by the pundits.

A Lesson to Be Learned: Aaron Rodgers

Going into July no one even knew if Aaron Rodgers would be starting, most thought he'd stink it up if he did and there'd be a mutiny in Green Bay, but what people forgot was that this kid was a great college quarterback who fell in the draft and then trained behind and learned from Brett Favre for a few years. That sounds like a recipe for success to me, but many analysts ignored those facts and instead focused on his lack of playing time and his injuries in the past.

He always had the talent, but what's made him successful this season is what kind of talent surrounds him. He's got a good coaching staff, a young uber-talented offensive line and a great receiving corps. All that surrounding talent was there last year as well. Nothing changed except for the departure of No. 4, but No. 4 didn't block or run routes. Rodgers was taking over the same offense that had been there the entire time he was in Green Bay. The entire organization was behind this kid. How was he NOT going to work out?

If you listened to the idiot talking heads around NFL circles in the summer you probably stayed away from Aaron Rodgers in drafts because there was too much of a risk, but not me. I saw through the BS and knew that Mr. Rodgers was going to be a neighbor to some of the top quarterbacks in the league. (Was that too much of a reach with the whole "neighbor" thing?)

I remembered last season when that talented Green Bay offensive line dominated almost every team they faced and when Greg Jennings emerged as a No. 1 receiver. The reason I remembered was because I was thinking during their '07 run that if Favre retires, Aaron Rodgers is going to be a stud.

I saw it happening. I saw the Dallas game where Rodgers threw for over 200 yards in the second half. So it was easy for me to ignore some article published in June in a FF Mag that questioned Rodgers ability. I saw with my own two eyes last season. And I took note of it.

You can do that now.

Here is a list of some teams and players to take note of and keep an eye on, for now through next season:

Joe Flacco

Over in Baltimore, rookie Joe Flacco is making a name for himself, but his worth as a fantasy factor is nil. Next year that will be much different. Think about it, a Cam Cameron offense, good young running backs, and decent offensive line that is going to get better...He will be a fantasy factor in the future and that future may be next year.

Sure, between now and then people might talk down on the lowly Baltimore "no-offense" or the lack of experience that Flacco has. He'll be ranked maybe in the top 20 (if he's lucky) going into the season but I have a feeling that Joe Flacco can win some teams fantasy championships next season. He's got the talent around him. Watch him for yourself. Don't forget it when the draft comes around next year.

Chad Ocho Cinco

Word just came in that Mr. 85 is inactive for his Week 12 game because he violated a team rule. This is most likely the beginning of the end for Ocho Cinco in Cincy, and now we'll probably start to hear all about how he's a malcontent and he's a rotten apple and he's maybe lost a step and he doesn't play hard or care about his team.  

Sound familiar? Sounds to me like Randy Moss leaving Oakland in 2006.  

If Chad goes to a team with a good passing attack, look out. Remember that he's a super-talented receiver with a giant ego. Do you really think he's going out like a punk with a 500-yard season? Do you really think he's not going sign with a team that he can again become a top receiver with?  

By the way, how funny would it be if he went to a team where the No. 85 was already taken so he has to wear another number but still have the name Ocho-Cinco on his back? Hilarious.

Young Running Backs

Look at back-up running backs who may have a future as a starter in their current offense or somewhere else. Three years ago, I drafted Brandon Jacobs in the 12th round of a keeper league where you can keep a player in the round that you drafted him. I stashed him during Tiki Barber's final season and held on. Three years later, that's paying off.

I had Jacobs as a 12th-round pick this year because I watched him play three seasons ago and didn't listen to the pundits who said, prior to the 2007 season, that he is not a true tailback. What the hell were they watching? Were they watching at all? What I saw was a gigantic human being that could run through walls and was faster to the hole than many realized.

I watch the games, I don't read about them. I suggest you do the same.

Tim Hightower/J.J. Arrington

Listen, that offense in AZ is going to be a force for years to come. The offensive line is starting to come around and will only get better. Edgerrin James is done and someone is going to benefit. Keep an eye on this one. Watch them if you get the chance and look for which back is better to the hole or picks up blocks the best.

And when it gets to playoff time, make sure you keep tabs on whom the coaching staff trusts the most in crunch time. The RB in AZ for the next few years is going to be a real player in FF. Mark my words.

Pierre Thomas

With six weeks left in the NFL season, Deuce McAllister may be on his way out of New Orleans' RBBC. Someone is going to step into that role, and it may be Thomas. He's shown a lot of promise when given the opportunity.

He can be a fantasy factor next season, but he's going to have to show us something this year. Watch the NO games and, even if he gets five carries per game, see how he looks. When folks are questioning him next preseason and you remember that he looked like a talented young player in the final few weeks of 2008, you'll be ahead of the curve.

Overdue Quarterback

Marc Bulger

This poor guy has been beat up pretty bad for most of his career, but, if he could just get a little protection, he'd be a stud; in fact, he has been in the past.  

That defense is not going to get that much better next year so they'll be throwing a lot, but you can bet the house that the St. Louis organization is going to do what they have to protect their investment in Bulger, which means an improved offensive line and maybe another weapon for him to throw to. 

Going into next season, all you're going to hear is how bad of a quarterback he is, heck, you're already hearing that.

Remember, no one can be a successful quarterback in this league without time to throw. That offense will be much better next year. Bulger is an accurate and talented quarterback who is still young enough to turn it around. Don't forget that.

There are a number of players, young and old, around the NFL right now that could be on this list. I suggest you keep your eyes open and begin to shift your focus to next season; even if you're still in the hunt this year, it couldn't hurt. Think a couple steps ahead and maybe next season will be better than this one.