Offseason Movement: The team elected not to pursue free agent Baron Davis and struck out on the Elton Brand sweepstakes. They did sign Corey Maggette to a big contract and also acquired Marcus Williams from the Nets for a conditional first round draft pick.
Keep Your Eye On: Monta Ellis, G
With Davis gone, this is Ellis’ team now. His reign got off to an inauspicious beginning when he hurt his ankle while riding a moped around Mississippi and then lied to the team about it. He will have to mature quickly, because the Warriors need a leader, but it’s not clear when Ellis will be able to return to action. For their part, the Warriors have suspended him for 30 games for lying about the injury, but he probably won’t be ready to play by the end of the suspension, so it just amounts to a gigantic fine.
The Big Question: Is Don Nelson the right guy to lead a rebuilding project?
Nelson always seems to have one foot out the door, so it’s unclear if he has the commitment or the patience to coach this team for much longer. They lost a great player in Baron Davis, acquired a good player in Corey Maggette, and will miss Monta Ellis for at least part of the regular season, so all else being equal, it’s more likely than not that the Warriors will take a step back this season. I think that the next time Golden State makes the playoffs, there will be a different coach steering the ship.
Outlook: In Maggette, Biedrins, Stephen Jackson, Al Harringon and Brandan Wright, the team does have a number of talented players, but they lack a star to bring everything together. Ellis is supposed to be that guy, but since he’ll be sidelined for a while, the aforementioned players will have to raise their games for the Warriors to be in the playoff hunt in the talented West.
Author: John Paulsen (Page 648 of 937)
It seems like there are a number of middle- to late-round young QBs that are thriving this year in fantasy football. Here are eight guys that are 26 years-old or younger and are all in the top 20 in total fantasy points scored in 2008. This list doesn’t even include other sub-30 guys like Eli Manning (27), Matt Schaub (27), Tony Romo (28), Drew Brees (29) and J.T. O’Sullivan (29), who are also tearing it up.
Most of these players were available in the 7th round or later in a typical fantasy draft, and one probably wasn’t drafted at all. I listed their current ranking in parenthesis next to their name and calculated what kind of numbers they’re currently on pace to finish with. Fantasy points are calculated using Antsports’ High Performance Scoring System.
Without further ado, here’s the list (in order of current fantasy ranking)…
(Note: For the “on pace” stats, “29/11” represents 29 TD and 11 INT)
1. Aaron Rodgers (QB2)
Age: 24
On pace for: 3952 pass yards, 29/11, 280 rush yards, 8 rush TD, 23.7 FPPG
Rodgers has stepped into a very tough situation and has performed beyond even the most optimistic of expectations. Sure, the Packers are only 3-3, but Rodgers isn’t directly responsible for any of the team’s losses. He is confident in the pocket and has a strong and accurate arm. Moreover, he has a nice set of wheels to create more time to throw or to take off and try to get a first down himself. Most of us thought he’d have to take over for Brett Favre after #4 hung ’em up (for good), and even that would have been a tough situation. But to deal with all that went on this summer and still perform so admirably once the season started – that’s truly impressive. Looking ahead, he has the Colts, Titans, Vikings and Bears, so the upcoming schedule is not easy. His schedule gets quite a bit tougher going forward, so it’s going to be interesting to see if he can carry his good start through the entire season.
2. Jay Cutler (QB4)
Age: 25
On pace for: 4514 pass yards, 32/13, 176 rush yards, 22.4 FPPG
Sure, Cutler is definitely on the cocky side – he recently said that he has a stronger arm than John Elway and Brett Favre – but he’s been backing up the talk with great play. He was a fantasy sleeper heading into the season, but he’s developed into a top tier QB in most fantasy leagues. Like most of the guys on this list, Cutler has a host of weapons to throw to, including Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler and rookie sensation Eddie Royal, and Mike Shanahan seems to be throwing more than ever. His schedule is mediocre going forward, but it doesn’t really matter. He’s an every-week starter at this point. The only big concern is a Week 15 matchup at Carolina.
3. Philip Rivers (QB5)
Age: 26
On pace for: 3971 pass yards, 37/11, 27 rush yards, 21.1 FPPG
Is LaDainian Tomlinson wearing down or is Rivers just this good? The Chargers are no longer relying on LT2 to move the chains. The 2008 Phillip Rivers is stronger and more sure of himself, and he’s willing to take a chance now and then. This has made him the centerpiece of one of the best passing attacks in the league. And in Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson, he has plenty of weapons to throw to. There’s no telling how Tomlinson is going to perform as he continues to recover from his turf toe, but one thing’s for sure – Rivers is an every-week fantasy starter from here on out. His schedule is pretty even going forward, with no really tantalizing matchups and only one bad matchup (IND in Week 12).
4. Kyle Orton (QB9)
Age: 25
On pace for: 3696 pass yards, 21/11, 107 rush yards, 16.8 FPPG
Orton has to be the biggest surprise on this list. Before the season, it was kind of a joke that the Bears had decided not to pursue a QB in free agency and that they were going to hand the keys to Orton again. Well, he has proved all of his doubters wrong. The Bears have opened up their offense and allowed Orton to make precise strikes down the field. This complements a strong running game that features Matt Forte (who can also catch the ball out of the backfield). What’s most impressive is that Orton is having this kind of a season without a legitimate #1 WR. Devin Hester is improving, Brandon Lloyd is hobbled and Rashied Davis has been a nice surprise. Looking forward, Orton’s schedule is pretty favorable, with nice matchups in Week 9 (DET) and Week 12 (STL). The only really scary matchup is Week 10 against the Titans. I am so proud that I got through this whole writeup without referring to him as “Neck Beard.” (Dammit, I just did it again!)
5. Jason Campbell (QB12)
Age: 26
On pace for: 3365 pass yards, 16/0, 168 rush yards, 15.6 FPPG
Campbell is working on his third offense in as many years, but he’s done an excellent job of grasping the complexities of the West Coast Offense. As a whole, the Redskins are one of the biggest surprises of the season, and it’s due in no small part to Campbell’s steady play at QB. He still has yet to throw an interception, and while he’s not going to have a ton of multiple TD games, he probably isn’t going to throw multiple picks either. Campbell benefits from a strong running game that features Clinton Portis, along with two pretty good receivers in Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Rounding out the weapons is the underrated Chris Cooley at TE. Looking forward, Campbell’s schedule is mixed, making him a good candidate for a QBBC situation. The bad news is that he has tough matchups in Week 14 (BAL) and Week 16 (PHI).
6. Matt Ryan (QB17)
Age: 23
On pace for: 3104 pass yards, 13/8, 136 rush yards, 13.3 FPPG
It’s not often that a rookie QB comes into the league and immediately plays well. The only two that spring to mind are Ben Roethlisberger (2621 yards, 17/11), who actually started his rookie season as the third QB on the depth chart, and Peyton Manning (3739 yards 26/28), who played pretty well but threw a ton of picks. That’s not bad company for Matt Ryan. The rookie has been unspectacular but very solid, leading the Falcons to wins over two pretty good teams – the Packers and the Bears – in the last two weeks. His schedule going forward is mixed, and it’s tough to depend on a rookie QB to play well every week, so he’d best fit as part of a QBBC. He has especially good matchups in Week 11 (DEN) and Week 13 (SD).
7. Ben Roethlisbrger (QB18)
Age: 26
On pace for: 3053 pass yards, 19/10, 90 rush yards, 14.2 FPPG
Of all the guys on this list, Roethlisberger has been the biggest disappointment. He’s been battling nagging injuries and the Steelers’ pass offense just hasn’t clicked on a consistent basis. The good news is that he had a bye week to get healthy, but the bad news is that his schedule doesn’t get any easier from here on out. Even worse, he has a brutal pair of games in Weeks 15 & 16, when he faces the Ravens and the Titans, respectively. I think he’ll finish in the top 12 by the end of the season, but it isn’t going to be pretty.
8. Trent Edwards (QB20)
Age: 24
On pace for: 3033 pass yards, 13/6, 48 rush yards, 12.7 FPPG
Edwards’ “on pace” stats are a little misleading because he was knocked out of the game at Arizona after only attempting three passes. If that game is completely removed, and we assumed he played a 15-game season, he would be on pace for 3487 pass yards, 15 TD and eight INT, resulting in a FPPG of 15.5. He has a nice rapport developing with Lee Evans, and Marshawn Lynch’s presence in the running game takes a lot of pressure off of the young QB. Edwards’ schedule is pretty favorable from this point forward with four good matchups (SD, NYJ, NYJ, DEN) against just one tough one (believe it or not, CLE). Moreover, two of his good matchups (NYJ, DEN) take place in Weeks 15 & 16, so Edwards is a guy you could lean on down the stretch.
…and it isn’t for stiff-arming that woman in the nightclub. This is a team suspension.
The Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday suspended running back Larry Johnson one game for violating a team rule.
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards refused to disclose what rule the two-time Pro Bowler broke. Edwards did say the violation had nothing to do with the charge of simple assault filed against Johnson earlier this week.
KansasCity.com says that Kolby Smith, not Jamaal Charles, will get the start, but Charles will no doubt see increased action.
Neither guy is a good play against a great Tennessee defense, but if you have room you could stash one or both away in case LJ sees further punishment from the league for the assault.
Offseason Movement: The team traded Ron Artest to the Rockets for forward Donte Greene and a future first round pick. Artest played well for the Kings and rehabbed his image to a certain extent. The Kings essentially traded him for two late first round picks, which isn’t a bad deal. The distraction is gone and the Kings can continue the rebuilding process.
Keep Your Eye On: John Salmons/Francisco Garcia, GF
With Artest in Houston, there are a lot of minutes to be had at small forward. Both players are versatile and can play a little point guard as well. Salmons plays much better in a starting role and is the better slasher, while Garcia is the better shooter and ballhandler. Given his production as a starter, Salmons figures to take over that role, but Garcia will get a lot of minutes off the bench.
The Big Question: Are the Kings good enough to contend for a playoff spot?
Sacramento finished 12 games out of the #8 spot in the West last season and lost Ron Artest. They’re a young team, so collectively they’ll need big progress to overcome that loss of talent and 12 games in the West. This looks like a team that will compete on a nightly basis but will ultimately finish with 30-35 wins in a tough conference.
Outlook: I like what the Kings are doing, but I wonder if giving PG Beno Udrih a big contract (five years, $33 million) was the right thing to do. They must see him as their point guard of the future, but on a PER basis, he was the #30 PG in the league. They are building around Kevin Martin (pictured), and project to have a ton of cap space in the summer of 2010, when they’ll likely look to add a star free agent. In addition to Martin, if another one of their young players (Udrih, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Donte Green, Shelden Williams) can develop into a star, the Kings will be in business in two or three years.
Check out our NBA Preview page for a look at every team. We’ll be posting three previews per business day, which will take us up to the start of the season on Tuesday, October 28th.
Offseason Movement: The team traded Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors for T.J. Ford (pictured). The team (supposedly) wants to run, and Ford is a lightning quick floor general who can make it happen. I thought the Knicks missed out on an opportunity to acquire Ford, but the Raptors probably weren’t interested in anything the Knicks had to offer. The team also unloaded Shawne Williams, who had taken up residence in Larry Bird’s doghouse after being arrested for possession of marijuana.
Keep Your Eye On: Brandon Rush, GF
The Pacers acquired Rush by sending draft pick Jerryd Bayless to Portland. He is a silky smooth wing who can shoot the ball and take it to the rack. He’s seasoned and is ready to contribute immediately. The Pacers are lacking athleticism, so he gives them some punch off the bench.
The Big Question: Is this a case of addition by subtraction?
On the surface, an O’Neal for Ford deal seems like a win for the Raptors, but the Pacers were able to rid themselves of O’Neal’s salary and at the same time replace Jamaal Tinsley, who has fallen out of favor with GM Larry Bird. The team’s talent level may have taken a hit, but its chemistry should be better.
Outlook: With Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster slated to start, the Pacers might have one of the most unathletic lineups in the league. Dunleavy is all right, but Murphy and Foster? Luckly, Ford and up-and-coming swingman Danny Granger give the starting lineup some punch, while Rush provides some juice off the bench. Drafting Roy Hibbert conflicts with the Pacers stated “run first” mentality. The ship is starting to turn around, but it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better, unless the chemistry is immediate and substantial.
Check out our NBA Preview page for a look at every team. We’ll be posting three previews per business day, which will take us up to the start of the season on Tuesday, October 28th.
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