So here are some things we've learned from this year.
1) Priest Holmes and Rich Gannon choked.
Yes, they got you to your playoffs, probably with a high seed. But
Holmes did very little in the playoffs (at least he was nice enough
to let you know he wasn't playing in week 16), while Gannon played
but did not even come close to his seeming 350 yd, 3 TD average that
he hit in the middle of the season. While Holmes is a no doubt about
it first pick overall next year, Gannon's age may be catching up with
him just a wee bit.
2) The New Orleans Saints are the biggest suck
team during fantasy playoffs.
In last year's championship game, I needed like 12 points combined
out of Joe Horn, Aaron Brooks, and Jerome Pathon to win. They proceeded
to give me the biggest scare ever by combining for 15 in a stellar
suck performance of epic proportions.
Now lets go over what happened in weeks 15 and week 16 this year.
Week 15 - McAllister - 1 TD, under 100 yards. Brooks - 1 Passing TD.
Horn - 0 TDs and like 70 yards.
And did I mention that in week 16 they played the 1-13 Bengals? Stay
away from the Saints. They are like Chris Webber. Good stats, but
you would take almost anyone else when it comes to crunch time.
3) Brian Griese still sucks.
I thank the football gods that he is going to lose his job. Because
maybe, hopefully, announcers will stop backing him up saying he is
taking all this bad press and whatnot. Since his return from yet another
knee injury, he managed to cost the Broncos in two of three games,
and the only reason they were in the other one was because of Mr.
Clinton Portis and his four TDs. Griese has a spectacular TD/INT ratio
of 1/1. Oh, and also he got hurt earlier this year tripping over his
dog. Watching him throw the ball is comparable to seeing a scared
little girl trying to hit a Randy Johnson fastball. Keep this plague
away from your fantasy team at all costs. Also, football isn't too
fun for him anymore he whines. Well if you suck at something I imagine
its not too fun. I hate you Griese.
4) Kordell Stewart is like a suckier Brian Griese.
That is hard to imagine, but its true. Kordell brings down the level
of all players on his team so much it is insane. If you owned Plaxico
Burress, Hines Ward, or even Jerome Bettis, you seriously cringed
when you saw Kordell take the field. Does anyone remember him leading
an "efficent" offense to wins over such stalwarts as the
Cleveland Browns? And somehow he makes like 6 million dollars a year.
Sickening. Three cheers to Tommy Maddox, the feel good story of the
year. Also, Kordell is known to cry.
5) The Tampa Bay offense is the plague. As always.
Even Jon Gruden couldn't fix this monstrosity. Their three headed
running attack consisted of the human fumble machine Mike Alstott,
NFL Fever kick return star Aaron Stecker, and that other guy who I
can't even name. And while Keyshawn Johnson should be good, when he
has Brad Johnson throwing to him things go awry.
This just in: Brad Johnson still isn't good.
6) Tiki Barber is the most consistant fantasy back
in the game.
And of course, that doesn't mean the best back, but you can count
on one of two things out of Tiki every week. 140 total yards, or 70
yards and a TD. Both of those are quality for a running back, and
he usually goes in the fifth or sixth round. Well with his strong
finish this year, he will probably go even higher next year, as he
has been a top ten back for those who have noticed. One thing is troubling
though - he alternates series with Ron Dayne for some insane reason.
If Fassel has any common sense, and this means making Barber the one
and only feature back, then Barber could become a top 5 back next
year.
7) Tight Ends are still like Catchers.
They both get fewer points than the other spots, and there are only
three or four good ones out there. And if you don't get one of those,
you are at a distinct disadvantage. You have Tony G, Big Play Shay,
Mr. Shockey, and Bubba Franks. And thats about it. If you don't get
one of these four next year, then just kind of forget about it.
8) Remember Donte Stallworth and Jerry Porter
Chances are he will be flying beneath your league's radar for the
draft next year. But you will remember that he missed a lot of training
camp, and also got injured halfway through the year. And what did
he end up with? More TDs than a whole heck of a lot of receivers.
And better yet, he usually comes through in the clutch, which adds
even more flavor to your team. As corners key up on Joe Horn even
more next year, Brooks will look at Stallworth as a go to receiver,
kind of like how Bledsoe looks at Peerless Price.
Porter has become more of less the #2 receiver in Oakland. And Jerry
Rice and Tim Brown are seriously almost grandfathers by now. Porter
should get more and more looks from Gannon next year, and if you are
in a keeper league you can easily see Porter becoming a top 5 to top
10 receiver in a year or two.
9) The Bengals are no longer the ultimate team
to have your defense go against.
Actually, with Jon Kitna, the Bengals offense has become sort of competent.
They just have that losing curse, comparable to Cooper in every sport,
and Ben in championship games. The new team to have your defense go
against? Dallas. The Cowboys are the most pathetic team in history.
Their QBs are Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson. Wow. Seriously, the
Giants and Eagles defenses look mighty inviting picks for next year.
10) Key battles to watch in the preseason for next
year.
Warner vs. Bulger
Griese vs. Beuerlein
Bettis vs. Zereoue
Barber vs. Dayne
Redskins RBs and WRs
Ramsey vs. Wuerrfel and Matthews
A-Train vs. Leon Johnson
11) Atlanta RBs will suck for the next 10 years.
If you draft Warrick Dunn or TJ Duckett next year, you must have brain
damage. If I need to explain why, you are at the absolute wrong website.
Year
End Wrapup