Fantasy Thoughts?

[Piker]

Since most of us don't play in the same leagues, let's hear some sleepers, comeback players, and letdowns. I'll throw out the first pitch.

Sleepers:
QB - Josh McCown - It's not the QB, but the system here. He'll come cheap and has some nice weapons to work with including last years rookie of the year Anquan Boldin and rookie Larry Fitzgerald. Also, no real competition. Probably not a #1, but he could be a nice surprise. Paul Allen's play-by-play is still ringing in my head. "No"

RB - Julius Jones - Starting in the Big D and he'll get every opportunity to carry the load this season. He's getting some press, so don't overpay.
* Deep Sleeper - Tatum Bell - Rookie RB for the Denver Broncos. We've seen this before in Denver. This guys a worker with homerun speed playing for a running back factory.

WR - Andre Johnson - 6-2 and 220lbs, this guy has great tools and coming into his second year he will be the focal point of an up-and-coming Texans passing game.

Look for Eric Moulds, Mark Brunell, Duce Staley, and Koren Robinson to bounce back from sub-par season(s).

Potential letdowns this season include former studs Travis Henry, Jeff Garcia, Terrell Owens.

Anybody else have any to share? I know Fantasy players can be like fisherman, they can be pretty tight lipped.

Vikings vs Ravens in the Super Bowl, with Atlanta and Denver as my dark horses.

[Matt Johnson]

Andre Johnson definitely! This guy can play ball! Terry Glenn from the Cowboys is another WR that should rack up some points. And of course Hines Ward

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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[Farley]

I think Terell Owens just might light it up for Philly. I'm not a T.O. fan at all, but Philly is looking pretty tough this year.

[Piker]

Hines Ward is solid, and should be again. I'm a little nervous about their QB situation. Roethlisberger might get a shot if the team struggles. Hopefully Maddox and the team do all right as that should help out the Duce, Ward and Plexi-glass. Terry Glenn had a nice year last year, and it'll be something if he can keep it up with Keyshawn there wanting the **** ball. Antonio Bryant might be the best of the bunch and he's waiting in the wings. I like T.O., in fact I have him on my team but I'll be turning him over this year. We can keep three and I'll be keeping Purple #84 instead. I'd keep Moss over an WR, but I'm nervous about the lack of production from Philly WR's in the McNabb era. Granted, they've never had T.O. Philly should be very tough this season.

[JP Z]

Some Sleepers:

QB Joey Harrington (Det): I know he's from Detroit and all so he's an enemy and all. But with the acquisitions the Lions made this year on both sides of the ball in the draft and free agency they are going to be a tough team. And the fact that now he has Williams on the other side of Charles Rogers is great.

RB Lee Suggs (Cle) I think Suggs is going to be the man in Cleveland, considering William Green is an ***** and just doesn't have his head on straight.

RB Tatum Bell (Den) With the Shanahan system in Denver he can make anyone a Stud RB. So with Bell in the mix I think Hearst will have some competition for the Starting Job.

WR Ashley Lelie (Den) Last year Lelie had a decent sophomore outing but I believe this year with the retirement of McCaffrey and Sharpe he will be a much bigger threat.

WR Drew Bennett (Ten) This is the #2 Man in Tennessee and it will be a great thing for Bennett, with Justin McCareins leaving this has created a spot for Bennett alongside Mason. And no one really pays much attention to him so he should be available 100 picks out easy.

Def

Vikings, with the acquisition fo Winfield and R Udeze the Vikes are ready to dominate

Seattle, the hawks have made some valuable Free Agent pickups and are about ready to really step it up. They definitely have some potential.

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Tight Lines,
JP Z

[Matt Johnson]

Good call on Lelie jpz, he should have a break out year.

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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[knoppers]

I am expecting marcus robinson to have a great year opposite moss.

[Piker]

I hope so, with Marcus Robinson. That would be a huge boost for the Purple. Ditto on Lelie, he's got more value in my mind than his counterpart Rod Smith. Suggs had a huge game in Week 17 last year. He might be a 1300/10 guy. Detroit's skilled players definitely get the all-potential team. There's a ton of talent there. Maybe the SOD in RB Kevin Jones...

[Fat Rap guy]

What do you guys think of all the running backs who switched teams this offseason? Guys like Corey Dillon, Clinton Portis, Charlie Garner and even Troy Hambrick. I find that predicting breakout years for recievers is just a crapshoot. Maybe I'm wrong, but I focus on runningbacks heavily unless I get a sure thing like Moss and pick up the scraps later.

[walleyehawk]

Leile of Denver has the dropsies. With losses in the line and tight end, (Sharpe) Denver will struggle to get a running game going and passing will suffer. They have had alot of turnover on the team.

Nobody has mentioned Priest Holmes. The Chiefs have a great offensive line and it will be better this year. Tony Gonzalez will have a big year for the Chiefs again, as will Randy Moss. Bennett of the Vikes has potential. I think the Vikings defense will struggle again.

The Colts are an offense to get a part of, either Manning or either of the recievers. I saw there number 2 receiver have a few good games in the playoffs.

[walleyehawk]

Cory Dilon behind the Patriots line should be another good pick. Tomlinson is a great back but San Diego has lost most of their line in the off season.

[This message has been edited by walleyehawk (edited 06-30-2004).]

[walleyeking]

I also like the Tatum Bell and Lee Suggs sleeper picks fro RB's.. Although since RB's are such a high demand, I don't think Suggs will be much of a sleeper.. If Barlow falls to the 3rd round in your league, jump on him as well..

[Guest]

GREAT NEW THREAD!! Remember, these are all supposed to be sleepers. Here are my picks:

QBs: CARSON PALMER (CIN)-Has great talent and surrounded with 2 good WRs and a great back.

JAKE DELHOMME (CAR)-Showed flashes of greatness last year. This will be his 2nd year at the helm. I would expect 20-25 TDs plus 2-3 rushing!

RBs: LEE SUGGS(CLEV)-Had a huge game late in the season. Shows he has talent and speed.

KEVAN BARLOW (SF)-Now with Hearst gone he will finally get to be the featured back. The team will have to rely on the run with an inexperienced QB and 2 inexperienced WRs.

RUDI RUDI (JOHNSON)(Cin)-He had several monster games last year with huge yardage numbers and some impressive TD totals considering the limited time he played last year. He could produce huge numbers this year.

WILLIS MCGAHEE (Buf)-Will get his chance to play this year after being injured all of last year. Who knows.

WRs: JERRY PORTER (Oak)-When he wasn't injured 2 years ago, he put up some great numbers as the number 3 receiver. He should be number 2 this year. If he's fully recovered, watch out!

JAVON WALKER (GB)-I know he's a cheesehead, but he had some nice games last year and he is entering the magical 3rd season. Favre will want to go out as a lion, and may post some big numbers.

CEDRICK WILSON (SF)-Will be on a very inexperienced team and will probably be playing catch up through much of the season. Could get some cheap TDs in blowouts.

TE Billy Miller (Hou)-Quietly had a nice season last year. A tall and lanky TE, he could have a nice year as this offense continues to develop.

K Aaron Elling (Min): The Vikes are back on track and with an improved defense. They should have several close games where they will be going for FGs rather than TDs. Shades of 1998 season?

I can't wait for the season to start!!

[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 07-01-2004).]

[Piker]

Great post, I can tell you have some of the same guys in mind that I do. It's easy to pick a WR if you have a chance at Moss, Harrison or Owens. After that it can be a **** shoot. Here's some of my rules for finding some sleepers at the WR spot.

1. As mentioned, the magical 3rd year WR's. This includes amoung others Deion Branch, David Givens, the afore mentioned Lelie and Walker, and personal favorite for bustout 3rd year guy Donte Stallworth.

2. The "Peerless Price" rule is when a team has two WR's that will end up with nearly idetical stats yet one of them will go 4 rounds before the other in the draft. In my example Eric Moulds used to go in the top 5 WR's for years yet at the end of the day Price would have similar stats yet go 4 rounds later. This years guys are Koren Robinson, Plaxico Burress, Javon Walker, and Donte Stallworth. As Stallworth and Walker are on both lists they'll be the guys I'll target in Round 7ish.

[JP Z]

The only reason I didn't mention Holmes was that he isn't a sleeper......we all know he is going to succeed. But I only see him having a another year or 2 left in his body then he is going to crash and burn.

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Tight Lines,
JP Z

[SgtCaesarfishinguy]

RB Kevan Barlow, and Rudi Johnson. Now that they will not be spliiting touches with another back they could post solid numbers.
WR's I think David Boston could find himself posting the numbers he is capable of with the fins, but Kevin Johnson will produce this year. Now that he out of Cleveland, and is now back on a team that will use him as a #1 receiver he will score 8 times or more this season.

[Down to Earth]

I don't really think you can classify a rookie as a sleeper. To me at least a sleeper is one who has already been in the league a few years, but just hasn't had the opportunity yet or is ready to break out. So on that note here is my list.

QB: Carson Palmer: Long term I think he is going to be good. He is one I'll be targeting in the new keeper league I'm in. I also like Josh McCown in Arizon, especially thinking of the system he will be in and the weapons around him.

RB: He might not really be a sleeper, but I think a lot of people will be down on him because of his injuries last year, but I look for Michael Bennett to come back in a big way this year.

WR: Justin McCariens: I think he will benefit being a starter with Pennington throwing him the ball.

TE: Antonio Gates: With no other receiving threat except for Thomlinson, however the lack of receivers my put more focus on the TE. I also think Crumpler of the Falcons could have a very big year. If Vick stays healthy.

Andy

[walleyehawk]

Here is what Ivan Carter of the KC Star thinks of a few players when asked the same question. He was from Minnesota and covers the Chiefs at the camp in River Falls.

"I have a feeling that Corey Dillon is going to be a beast for the Pats this season. The dude was putting up big numbers on the worst team in the league and now he's acting like he's been let out of jail.

Then again, I see Chad Johnson taking the next step and turning into a superstar along the lines of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens this season. Man, he's gifted.

As for sleeper RBs, I would closely watch what's happening in Minnesota where the Vikes have Michael Bennett and Onterrio Smith. You saw what Smith did to the Chiefs last season and there are some up there pushing for the Vikings to move Bennett and make Smith the main guy.

Also, is it just me or does Arizona's Marcel Shipp look like and run like a young Priest Holmes? He even wears No. 31. Also, look back at Denny Green's history: He always builds his offenses around backs who can run and catch the pill. I'm looking for big things out of Marcel this season."

Ivan Carter 7/05/04

[Jarrod32]

Most of the good sleepers have been mentioned, with the possible exception of Lavernues Coles in Washington. He could be a monster in that offense (think 'Gary Clark' in previous Joe Gibbs offenses).

Barlow in SF would be really high, if they hadn't lost about half of their offensive line and have question marks at QB and WR. He's still a nice sleeper, though...

Shipp, and others in Arizona, could be quite good.

Holmes is still a stud back, and should be high on everyone's draft lists, but don't expect numbers like the last couple of years. His YPC were down the 2nd half last year, and he has taken a major beating (lots of touches) the past couple years. He'll be good, but not great. Which leads to Trent Green...look for the Chiefs to throw more, and Green to have a BIG year.

Another QB is Plummer in Denver. If he can stay healthy, he could be a very good (but again, not necessarily great) fantasy QB.

And in response to an earlier post, I would be one of those who thinks the Vikes could move Bennett and make Smith the guy. They could get quite a bit for Bennett...

[This message has been edited by Jarrod32 (edited 07-09-2004).]

[james_walleye]

Andre Johnson is going too be a good reciever but as of right now the offense in Houston will not be potent enough too give him the opportunities too be a top fantasy reciever.

[HighLife100]

For QBs I'ld have to agree that McCown and Harrington have a good shot at putting up big numbers this year with all of that talent at WR. I think I would take Harrington 1st though because this year he needs to put up some numbers or get run out of town. With the added pressure he could really blossom or bust. McCown is in a good situation but expectations won't be very high for at least another year but he could suprise me.

At RB I just dropped Julius Jones on my list due to the Boys signing Eddie George. He is not listed as the starter yet but I do like Marcel Shipp and I think he will take over as the starter after a few games and really open some eyes.

At WR I have 3 words; Koo Koo Kachooo