NFL Week 1
With the season about to kickoff in a couple of days, there are many players that I am excited about watching this season. If you are a draft kit subscriber than hopefully you've followed along with me every teams off-season workouts, training camp and preseason games. There aren't many people in the industry that have watched more football this off-season than yours truly. With that, I'd like to introduce the very first installment of The Hot 8 for football. The following players are ones whom I believe will make a big fantasy impact this season. Be sure to check back every week as I update this list with new players who are poised for a breakout in the very near future.
SURE THINGS
1) Ray Rice -- RB -- Ravens -- The Ravens offensive line is among the best in football and Cam Cameron's offensive scheme is the same that made a star of LaDanian Tomlinson and Ronnie Brown. Rice is now the feature RB and has the speed, break tackle ability and hands to post gaudy numbers. He is far undervalued as we head into 2009 but I assure you that Rice will be first or second round pick in 2010.
2) Chris Henry -- WR -- Bengals -- Henry has finally grown up off the field which was really the only thing that has been holding him back the past few years. He has a steady girlfriend whom he is raising a child with as well and is not the wanna be thug who used to leave the game or practice to go and party. He has dedicated himself to football in the offseason and has earned the trust of QB Carson Palmer. Henry is a big target with great speed and hands. He's got all the tools of an elite WR and when all is said and done this season, I am sure he'll prove that to everyone.
3) Greg Olsen -- TE -- Bears -- New Bears QB Jay Cutler and Olsen spent a lot of time together this offseason. They went out to dinner, took in a few ballgames and were spotted many times on Chicago's famous Rush Street home to many great bars and nightclubs. These guys have become good friends and that relationship has continued onto the field during training camp. Cutler's most trusted receiver since coming to the Bears has been Olsen. Take into consideration Greg Olsen's terrific skill set and you have the makings of a top fantasy TE for 2009.
THE ROOKIES
4) James Davis -- RB -- Browns -- Jamal Lewis is on his last legs as an NFL RB. Enter the tough running James Davis who can catch the ball almost as good as he runs and we had apples and oranges during the Browns camp this summer. Lewis barely made the team in fact and it is without question that Davis will be the Browns feature RB at some early point this season. With a solid offensive line already in place, if the Browns can get solid QB play out of Brady Quinn it will allow Davis to rack up some very impressive numbers for whoever took the chance on him in their draft.
5) Hakeem Nicks -- WR -- Giants -- Nicks has been coming on strong during the last few weeks of the preseason. He and Eli Manning seem to have found a connection and have been lighting up defensive backs the past couple of weeks. Nicks is a burner with good size too. He seems to be the only Giants receiver taking advantage of the competition and putting himself in line to become the #1 WR for them this season.
6) Matthew Stafford -- QB -- Lions -- Rookie QB's don't usually come into the league and become instant superstars. That will be the case with Stafford too I am sure. He'll throw quite a bit of interceptions and make mistakes along the way. However, he has the best physical specimen in the NFL in Calvin Johnson to throw to anytime he wants. Johnson will make life a lot easier for Stafford once the young QB realizes how to get him the ball. It will be slow going but in the end I believe that Stafford will have posted very solid fantasy numbers in what will be an improved Lions offense.
THIS IS THE YEAR
7) Matt Leinart -- QB -- Cardinals -- I hereby guarantee that Kurt Warner does not start all 16 games of the 2009 season. In fact, I doubt he will start half of the games this year. But don't worry, if you have already or are planning on drafting Warner there is a solution for you. Handcuff him to Matt Leinart. Forget everything you currently think about Leinart and his glory-boy like ways. He has gone through a major transformation this offseason much like the aforementioned Chris Henry. Leinart has made peace with his former girlfriend and Mother of his young son and is now a very active Father for the boy. Leinart also took up mixed martial arts this offseason, training with the likes of 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer. Leinart has been nothing short of spectacular during training camp. He has the eye of the tiger right now and once he gets another chance to lead the Cardinals, he will not give it back up.
8) Robert Meachem -- WR -- Saints -- There are so many player that I have on my radar that could have easily gone in this spot. But, I wanted to remind everyone about this former first round draft pick of the Saints. Meachem has been set back due to injuries the past couple of years but made some big plays for the high flying Saints last season. He and Drew Brees put in extra work together and it seemed like Brees has much more confidence in Meachem during camp and in the preseason. Lance Moore has been slow to recover from offseason surgery and his role from last year will be what you should now expect from Meachem in 2009.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
SURE THINGS
1) Ray Rice -- RB -- Ravens -- The Ravens offensive line is among the best in football and Cam Cameron's offensive scheme is the same that made a star of LaDanian Tomlinson and Ronnie Brown. Rice is now the feature RB and has the speed, break tackle ability and hands to post gaudy numbers. He is far undervalued as we head into 2009 but I assure you that Rice will be first or second round pick in 2010.
2) Chris Henry -- WR -- Bengals -- Henry has finally grown up off the field which was really the only thing that has been holding him back the past few years. He has a steady girlfriend whom he is raising a child with as well and is not the wanna be thug who used to leave the game or practice to go and party. He has dedicated himself to football in the offseason and has earned the trust of QB Carson Palmer. Henry is a big target with great speed and hands. He's got all the tools of an elite WR and when all is said and done this season, I am sure he'll prove that to everyone.
3) Greg Olsen -- TE -- Bears -- New Bears QB Jay Cutler and Olsen spent a lot of time together this offseason. They went out to dinner, took in a few ballgames and were spotted many times on Chicago's famous Rush Street home to many great bars and nightclubs. These guys have become good friends and that relationship has continued onto the field during training camp. Cutler's most trusted receiver since coming to the Bears has been Olsen. Take into consideration Greg Olsen's terrific skill set and you have the makings of a top fantasy TE for 2009.
THE ROOKIES
4) James Davis -- RB -- Browns -- Jamal Lewis is on his last legs as an NFL RB. Enter the tough running James Davis who can catch the ball almost as good as he runs and we had apples and oranges during the Browns camp this summer. Lewis barely made the team in fact and it is without question that Davis will be the Browns feature RB at some early point this season. With a solid offensive line already in place, if the Browns can get solid QB play out of Brady Quinn it will allow Davis to rack up some very impressive numbers for whoever took the chance on him in their draft.
5) Hakeem Nicks -- WR -- Giants -- Nicks has been coming on strong during the last few weeks of the preseason. He and Eli Manning seem to have found a connection and have been lighting up defensive backs the past couple of weeks. Nicks is a burner with good size too. He seems to be the only Giants receiver taking advantage of the competition and putting himself in line to become the #1 WR for them this season.
6) Matthew Stafford -- QB -- Lions -- Rookie QB's don't usually come into the league and become instant superstars. That will be the case with Stafford too I am sure. He'll throw quite a bit of interceptions and make mistakes along the way. However, he has the best physical specimen in the NFL in Calvin Johnson to throw to anytime he wants. Johnson will make life a lot easier for Stafford once the young QB realizes how to get him the ball. It will be slow going but in the end I believe that Stafford will have posted very solid fantasy numbers in what will be an improved Lions offense.
THIS IS THE YEAR
7) Matt Leinart -- QB -- Cardinals -- I hereby guarantee that Kurt Warner does not start all 16 games of the 2009 season. In fact, I doubt he will start half of the games this year. But don't worry, if you have already or are planning on drafting Warner there is a solution for you. Handcuff him to Matt Leinart. Forget everything you currently think about Leinart and his glory-boy like ways. He has gone through a major transformation this offseason much like the aforementioned Chris Henry. Leinart has made peace with his former girlfriend and Mother of his young son and is now a very active Father for the boy. Leinart also took up mixed martial arts this offseason, training with the likes of 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer. Leinart has been nothing short of spectacular during training camp. He has the eye of the tiger right now and once he gets another chance to lead the Cardinals, he will not give it back up.
8) Robert Meachem -- WR -- Saints -- There are so many player that I have on my radar that could have easily gone in this spot. But, I wanted to remind everyone about this former first round draft pick of the Saints. Meachem has been set back due to injuries the past couple of years but made some big plays for the high flying Saints last season. He and Drew Brees put in extra work together and it seemed like Brees has much more confidence in Meachem during camp and in the preseason. Lance Moore has been slow to recover from offseason surgery and his role from last year will be what you should now expect from Meachem in 2009.
That is the Hot 8 for this week. What do you guys think?
Post your comments below or email me at thefantasyscout@gmail.com
posted by Jeff Mans at
2:22 PM
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