GCOBB.COM FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMING IN AUGUST By Rob Warner Get your popcorn ready because there is value to be had at the WR position in the upcoming fantasy football season. I’ve seen TO ranked outside the top 20 WR on certain sites and this is plain ludicrous.
Many are over-reacting in a negative manner to his move to Buffalo. Granted the 70 mph winds and blizzard conditions in December are not ideal for fantasy production but the Bills do play in Atlanta in week 16 (most fantasy super bowls).
Does anyone plan to knock Tom Brady or Randy Moss down their draft boards because the weather is just as balmy in Foxboro in late December (ask all 2008 Kurt Warner owners if you don’t believe me).
It’s tough to argue with TO’s consistency over his 10 year career. He has topped 1,000 yards receiving in eight of the past nine years and caught 60 passes or more in 11 of the past 12 seasons. One major caveat is that he doesn’t have McNabb, Romo or Steve Young launching him bombs in 2009.
Trent Edwards is not in the class of these three perennial pro bowlers but the 25 year old signal caller does have the intelligence (Stanford grad), accuracy (only 10 interceptions in 14 games in 2008) and weapons around him to improve on his 192 yards/game average in 2008.
The Bills have not had a 300 yard passer since JP Losman in week 11 of the 2006 season. However, the signing of Owens to a 1-year contract ($6.5 million) gives them their first legitimate #1 WR since Andre Reed left Buffalo in 1999 (no offense Lee Evans). Evans figures to be one of the most productive #2 WR in the NFL as he’ll no longer face double coverage.
The 5’ 10 home run hitter enters his sixth NFL season with a career average of 950 yards per season . He’s another underrated fantasy receiver in 2009 and will draw double coverage away from Owens. When was the last time that Owens had a legitimate 1000 yard WR on his opposite side ??
Another reason for optimism with the Bills offense in 2009 is that Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert plans to implement the no-huddle offense that he learned under Bengals coach Sam Wyche in the 1980s. The up-tempo, three-receiver offense would take advantage of the Bills' upgrade in skill position players while minimizing their weakness on the offensive line after All-Pro left tackle (Jason Peters) was traded away to the Eagles.
The offensive line will be inexperienced and could be a source of weakness in 2009 unless the rookies can exceed expectations. The Bills tried to address their holes on the offensive line in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the addition of center Eric Wood and OG Andy Levitre (can play tackle or guard).
Owens has reached double digits in touchdowns seven of the past nine years and I firmly believe this is a possibility again as the Buffalo offense could be one of the more underrated units in the fantasy football world this season. The three headed backfield of Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and off-season acquisition Dominic Rhodes will keep defenses honest and the combo of Owens/Evans will provide match-up nightmares for most secondaries.
I’m arguing that Owens (even though he turns 36 in December) has the potential to produce as a No. 1 Fantasy option in 2009. He maintains an unmatched physical conditioning program and has a history of being very productive in his first year with a new team. In addition, the fantasy depth at WR is severely limited as only Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson are sure fire Studs. Every other WR in our top 12 has question marks or an unproven track record.
|
Rank |
Player |
|
1 |
Larry Fitzgerald ARI – Age 25 |
|
2 |
Andre Johnson HOU – Age 27 |
|
3 |
Reggie Wayne IND – Age 30 |
|
4 |
Roddy White ATL – Age 27 |
|
5 |
Greg Jennings GB – Age 25 |
|
6 |
Calvin Johnson DET – Age 23 |
|
7 |
Brandon Marshall DEN – Age 25 |
|
8 |
Steve Smith CAR – Age 30 |
|
9 |
Randy Moss NE – Age 32 |
|
10 |
Terrell Owens BUF – Age 35 |
|
11 |
Marques Colston NO – Age 26 |
|
12 |
Anquan Boldin ARI – Age 28 |
Owens did see his reception, yardage and touchdown totals decrease in 2008 but that was with Brad Johnson under center for three games. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the eighth time in 10 years as the Bills figure to have a much more explosive offense in 2009. Owens will be a good value on draft day as many owners will be moving him well down their draft boards based on the unproven young QB and windy, cold weather in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Don’t make that mistake if he’s on the board in the 4th round as the Bills offense could explode and Owens will be the reason.
