Fantasy Preview: AFC East

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Today marks the first of eight division previews in a series of my fantasy sleeper series. Beginning with the AFC East, we’ll examine possibly breakout candidates that you could target in the earlier, middle and later rounds of your fantasy football draft.

Tom Brady and Ochocinco should be a dynamic duo in 2011 for fantasy owners.

The AFC East is not exactly an offensive powerhouse. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins will have trouble scoring again in 2011, after finishing 28^th and 30^th, respectively, a season ago.

The New York Jets, the 13^th-highest scoring offense in 2010, have regressed on the offensive side of the ball after losing Braylon Edwards, the team’s leading receiver, and Jericho Cotchery, a safety valve for Mark Sanchez.

Perhaps the team who led the National Football League in scoring last season will repeat, especially adding Chad Ochocinco to the receiving core. The New England Patriots’ rookie tight ends have a year in the system under their belt, and added two more weapons in the backfield in Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen in the 2011 draft.

Here’s a list of possible sleepers in the division:

Buffalo Bills

Though he’s not a top-tier quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick put together a 3,000-yard campaign last season, despite a lack of talent surrounding him. Fitzpatrick started 13 games, the most in a season of his career, likely projecting for more than 3,500 if given a full 16-game season.

Fitzpatrick lost Lee Evans, who for many years led the Bills in receiving yardage. Instead, he found Speedy Stevie Johnson, who compiled 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns with Fitzpatrick behind center. Johnson is the clear-cut starting wideout in Buffalo, with a WR2 ceiling as long as Fitzpatrick stays health. It’s not like Tyler Thigpen is pushing him for his job.

There’s also been talk of Donald Jones replacing Evans’ production as the starting flanker opposite Johnson. It appears as if David Nelson, though, is a superior option out of the slot, considering there’s no true receiving threat from the tight end position. Nelson, according to Pro Football Focus, led all wide receivers with 94.35 percent of his snaps from the slot last year. Jones caught more than 58 percent of his passes over the middle and on plays short of 10 yards, giving him more value in PPR leagues.

In the backfield, Fred Jackson is once again going to be the team’s leading rusher, as C.J. Spiller will prove yet again he did not warrant the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Spiller didn’t surpass 300 yards rushing in his rookie season, nor did he impress much as a receiver out of the backfield. He scored two touchdowns, one on a kickoff return. Head coach Chan Gailey has stated he wants to use Spiller in a Reggie Bush/Darren Sproles type of role; but it’s yet to be seen whether Spiller has the talent of those two third-down backs.

Miami Dolphins

The fan don’t want Chad Henne to play quarterback; but head coach Tony Sparano doesn’t seem to really care…even if second-stringer Matt Moore outplayed him thus far in the preseason. Henne, considered a steal in the second round of the NFL Draft a few years back, has failed to impress in his first two seasons as the Fins’ starter.

Henne has improved each year – slightly – increasing his completion percentage, yardage total, touchdowns, as well as interceptions. He finished in the bottom third of fantasy quarterback rankings in 2010, despite the addition of Brandon Marshall to his receiving corps.

Understandably, Moore doesn’t even match up to Kyle Orton, who was nearly traded from the Denver Broncosearlier in the offseason. However, he hasn’t really received the credit he’s due as an NFL quarterback.

Dealing with inferior talent in Carolina, Moore, in five games started before missing the season due to injury, threw for 857 yards and five touchdowns while completing 55 percent of his passes. It doesn’t sound like much, but consider this: he played against the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints – four teams whose defense ranked in the top half of the league’s best against the pass.

Overall, in 14 more career starts, Henne has a 27-33 TD-INT ratio. Moore: 16-17. Tell me why Henne is that much better.

Among the Dolphins’ skill players, the team traded in the tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams for Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas, the second-round bruiser out of Kansas State. Currently Bush is penciled in as the starter, but we’ve seen in New Orleans that Bush doesn’t have the capabilities to be an every-down back. It’s just a matter of time before Thomas starts stealing Bush’s carries, and Bush assumes third-down responsibilities.

Despite an offseason stabbing, Marshall is above and beyond the best receiving threat on the Dolphins. Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are No. 2 and 3, respectively, with Bess’ sure hands out of the slot a sure option to finish second on the team in receptions, a solid performer in PPR leagues. Aside from the top three, it’s a crop of unproven receivers, none of which seem to have fantasy value. Anthony Fasano, who is tied with Bess for the most touchdown receptions with Henne quarterbacking, barely warrants a TE3 ranking.

New York Jets

Losing Edwards and Cotchery and signing Derrick Mason and Plaxico Burress is definitely a gamble for the Jets, and Sanchez. Edwards, always chastised for dropped passes, only let one ball slip through his fingers last season and proved to be a clutch performer in the postseason. Cotcher, never a fantasy superstar, has faltered to fifth on the depth chart for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mason provides Sanchez with a reliable, veteran presence. With Burress sidelined with injuries and an overwhelming question mark hovering over his effectiveness, Mason will likely start opposite Santonio Holmes, the deep threat and most talented and productive receiver on the team. Mason, though, despite his age, caught 60 balls for over 900 yards and seven scores with the Baltimore Ravens last year, and will likely average between 11 and 20 yards per catch. In the red zone, an area where the Jets are looking to improve their offense, Mason had six touchdowns a year ago.

Also helping their red-zone offense is jump-and-catch specialist Burress, who, if healthy, will be a candidate for six-to-eight scores in 2011. The cornerbacks in the AFC East alone will not be able to defend Burress’ height and hands. Burress has a high ceiling in TD-heavy leagues, but shouldn’t be drafted as a solid WR3 until it’s known he’s healthy.

It’s finally Shonn Greene in New York, as the former Iowa Hawkeye has been given the keys to the backfield overLaDainian Tomlinson. Greene was overdrafted in leagues far too often last year, primarily because of his impressive playoff performances the season prior. With LT version 3.0 relegated to a candidate for third-down duties – along with second-year back Joe McKnight – Greene will headline the Jets’ run-heavy ground-and-pound attack.

When it’s all said and done, Greene will finish among the top 10 to 12 fantasy running backs this season. On his last legs, Tomlinson finished in the top 20. Greene, receiving 39 less touches, only finished 148 yards behind him. Switch that around, Greene should finish the season with over 900 yards. Greene will also assume goal-line carries, which should help increase his touchdown total to about eight.

New England Patriots

The top-scoring offense in 2010, with the most touchdown passes (37) and eighth-most yards overall (5,820) added more to their arsenal this season. And yes, they still have Tom Brady.

The 2011 NFL MVP, Brady and Michael Vick vied for No. 1 fantasy quarterbacks honors last season, with Brady throwing for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns to a cast of unknown characters. In year two of the new-look Patriots, is Brady being – dare I say, underrated?

Brady is ranked behind Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Vick in most draft guides this year, despite Vick’s propensity for being injured and Manning coming off a missed training camp due to neck surgery. And still, Brady outproduced Rodgers head-to-head.

Added to his receiving core is Ochocinco, with an incentive to disprove the doubters who consider his career on the downside. The leading receiver last year was of course PPR specialist Wes Welker (848 yards), ahead of a revitalized Deion Branch and the tandem of tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

Ochocinco is a breakout candidate because he’s not receiving the credit he ought to. In Cincinnati, playing underMarvin Lewis and owner Mike Brown, Ochocinco was disgruntled and had no motivation to put forth his best effort because he has no desire to stay with the organization. With a chance to make a deep playoff run and work with arguably the greatest passer of this generation, Ochocinco could emulate what Randy Moss did in 2007, emerging from the dark to be a top receiver, with WR1 potential.

The bigger question marks on the offense pertain to the tight end position, where both Hernandez and Gronkowki wowed in their rookie campaigns. Gronkowski is penciled in as the starter for now, but let’s be honest – that doesn’t carry too much meaning as long as Bill Belichick is still the head coach.

Hernandez began the season as the hot receiver, catching 32 balls between Weeks 1 and 8 for the Pats. He then caught four touchdowns in Weeks 10 to 14, finishing with six for the season.

On the other hand, Gronkowki was more an end zone producer. He caught 10 touchdowns, the most on the team, and surpassed the 100-yard mark in Week 16 against the Dolphins.

Hernandez’s athleticism and Gronkowski’s size make it difficult to decide which tight end will have the better 2011 season. Based upon the current depth chart and end-of-season production, Gronkowski is a better option in touchdown leagues, with Hernandez perhaps in store for more receptions and yards.

The other question mark comes in the backfield, where The Law Firm – BenJarvus Green-Ellis – the team’s leading rusher, has company in the form of a pesky Danny Woodhead and rookies Vereen and Ridley. Oh, and third-down specialist Kevin Faulk is healthy again.

While Vergeen has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, Ridley, the LSU product has thrived, running for 64 yards and two touchdowns, and catching seven passes for 47 yards and a score in the first preseason contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ridley may have the most talent in the backfield, coming off a 1,100 yard, 15-touchdown season as the featured back for the Tigers in 2010. However, the depth in the Pats’ backfield hurts his value, as the Hoodie will rotate the Law Firm, Woodhead and Faulk, as well as Ridley. The carousel hurts all their values.

Harbaugh to Dolphins, Still Plans to Draft Luck

Did you think Jim Harbaugh would take his talents to the National Football League without his partner in crime Andrew Luck? Odds are you're wrong.


The highly tauted Harbaugh accepted the head coaching position with the Miami Dolphins today knowingly that this team puts him in the best position to select his former quarterback in the 2012 N.F.L. Draft. He noted all the weapons the team had in place was the right formula to completely fail in his first season in South Beach.


"What we have in [quarterback] Chad Henne -- I think we're going in the right direction," Harbaugh said in during his introductory press conference. "Between [Henne], all of our running backs planning to flee in free agency and the most under-performing wide receiving core in the league -- you can't pass that up. I'd be shocked if we scored seven points all year."


The 'Fins already set an impressive precedent with the 30th best scoring offense, better than all but two teams. When informed of the statistic, Harbaugh simply replied "Damn," adding, "That'll be tough to top."


Rumors swirled that both the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos also had interest in Harbaugh joining their respective staffs. 


In the Bay Area, the prospect of coaching a bruising back in Frank Gore and talented receivers in Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis proved to be too dangerous, according to those close to Harbaugh. Perhaps the offensive potential would solidify a mid-range draft pick, and even a playoff berth given the division. 


Despite Tim Tebow's presence in the Mile High city, the Broncos also were too risky of a team for Harbaugh to take a chance on. The roster featured the N.F.L.'s leading wide receiver, the always reliable Brandon Lloyd, and third-year bust Knowshon Moreno, who is living up to his first-round potential. Combine that with two young, talented wideouts in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, who took Denver by storm with breakout rookie campaigns.


"That was something I considered, but I swear that's better than [Brian] Hartline," Harbaugh said.


Harbaugh opted for Miami after Luck announced his decision to remain at Stanford in order to finish out collegiate career and earn his degree in architecture. N.F.L. draft experts already have declared Luck the consensus No. 1 pick in next year's draft.


There is speculation, however, that the N.F.L. and the Dolphins have another challenger for compete Luck's talents in 2012. No, I am not talking about the Carolina Panthers who will be forced to ultimately start Jimmy Clausen in the coming season, or even Tennessee who has faith that Rusty Smith gives them the best option to win. In fact, neither of these teams who will rival the Dolphins 2011 aim for a winless season are the threat.


"The Home Depot is proud to announce that we will be involved in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes next spring when the talented builder gradates from Stanford," according to the press release the company made public late last evening."


"We are in the business of looking for the best builders in the nation. Luck has demonstrated he is a hard worker and has obviously shown he is passionate about the profession by electing to stay in school for another year. Luck brings exactly what we are looking for in our employees -- strength, delivery and strong vision to find customers in need."


The report also stated Luck's versatility on the field could easily translate into an employee in the aisles and at the register.


Harbaugh and co. cannot do much about the juggernaut The Depot vying for Luck's services, but has assured he will sure his Miami Dolphins will play to their unyielding potential. To this point, he has already anointed Henne a starter, letting everyone in South Beach he is all about business.






This article is satire. All quotes, sources and content are not real.

Top 10 Gifts For Struggling NFL Teams

It is the holiday season, so of course I am in the utmost giving mood. Given that Week 16 has already began, we know who the playoff-caliber teams are and who will face the biggest questions heading into the off-season.


Here is my top 10 list of teams that are need of a meaningful, helpful Christmas gift this weekend, in descending order of course:




10. Dallas Cowboys: Jon Kitna


When the G-Men KO-ed Tony Romo in Week 7 of your already disappointing season, perhaps you got a clue that this guy is not the preeminent option at quarterback for your team. 


Consider this -- with Romo behind center for The Boys, the team started 0-2, then followed up with a 1-5 record before that loss to the Giants. Two of those losses include the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans, teams with a combined 11-17 record.


After Kitna inherited the starting the job, the team has improved modestly to 5-3. Three of those wins include that same Giants team that embarrassed you earlier in the season and on the road at Indy, and if not for a bonehead fumble by Roy Williams they would have taken down the Super Bowl champions on Thanksgiving.


Maybe it is not exactly the 38-year-old Kitna who should lead the team in 2011, if there is a 2011 season. I'm just saying maybe it's time to let a more proven quarterback take the reigns of this talented offense, and let Romo just nod off with his new fiancée. 




9. Miami Dolphins: A Home Crowd


Ever since Chad Pennington was anointed starting quarterback and was lost for the season a snap later, this team was doomed. It's true.


But on a less personal note, I do think there is such thing as home-field advantage in the professional ranks, and Miami is certainly lacking that aspect.


The Dolphins are just .500 right now, which is certainly disappointing for their fans who had high expectations after flashes of potential by Chad Henne and the acquisition of Brandon Marshall.


The team is just 1-6 while playing at Sun Life Stadium, but have beaten playoff-caliber teams like the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers on the road. Interesting, eh?


What is wrong with the 'Fins faithful? Are you too busy following the Hurricanes falter in the mediocre Atlantic Coast Conference, or are you just too enamored with the Heat's big three to pay any attention to the NFL?


8. New York Jets: A New Public Relations Department


Nah, I am not going to get on Rex Ryan and his apparent foot fetish. That is just the latest in a series of mishaps for Gang Green over the past few seasons


Between HBO's Hard Knocks and former quarterback Brett Favre's sexting episode, the Jets have been in the spotlight for a lot of the wrong reasons. 


My solution: Rex, stop videotaping your naughty fantasies. And to the Jets organization, don't hire Jen Sterger, a former "Sports Babe", to act as a reporter after a career as Maxim and Playboy. Last time I checked, Hugh Hefner doesn't run the best college of journalism at The Mansion.


Please though, don't let Ryan's press conferences from this to this.


7. San Diego Chargers: Calendars


It may be knock on the Chargers over the past couple of seasons, but it is seriously a problem. Why does this team continue to start the season off horribly? 


This year, for instance, the Chargers began 2-5, including losses to the upstart Kansas City Chiefs, the R-R-Raiders, and the NFC West powerhouses that are the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks. 


But as history would state, the team lived up to expectations come wintertime, going 6-1 and still in the hunt for a playoff spot if the Chiefs are to sputter in the next two games.


So if we were to get these Chargers some calendars, maybe they would realize when the season actually starts. Clearly they are lost without 'em.


6. Seattle Seahawks: Disposable Coffee Cups


If you need a Costco Membership, they run a sweet holiday special.


Why? Well, you are not exactly the best road team. And that is even an understatement; you stink outside of Qwest Field. 


Of your total of five wins, four came in the comforts of the 12th man. On the road, however, you have just one win and six losses. Not just losses though -- blowouts, to the likes of the pathetic Broncos, as well as Oakland, San Fran and the Rams.


The city of Seattle is notorious for it's outstanding coffee. So let me help you out by providing with two options. One, consider this place called Starbucks -- they have locations all over the place, even outside of Seattle.


But if you're trying to save some dough in these tough economic times, hit up everybody's favorite warehouse. Costco is selling these delectable products that allow you to keep your coffee hot while you're travelling. 


If you were just .500 on the road, you could be atop of the NFC West...with a winning record, too!


5. Cleveland Browns: White Thunder


Peyton Hillis is the best thing for white football fans since we got a glimpse of Nick Goings in Carolina and when Mike Alstott was doing his thang for the Bucs.


But now we have Mr. Running Down Hillis, who has taken the league my storm. Dude looks like he can bench press a pick-up truck and squat the moon.




Behind Hillis' surprise season the Browns have beaten some top teams like New England, and have kept games competitive, much of a disparity between their last few seasons.


So if Hillis is the catalyst driving this turnaround, I see no other option but clone him or snare Toby Gerhart, A.K.A. White Thunder, away from the Vikings. The more white running backs you can collect the better off your franchise will be down the road.



4. Minnesota Vikings: Stevie Johnson


No, there is not a problem with the Vikings receiving core. Sidney Rice is perennial Pro Bowler when healthy and Percy Harvin is electric any time you can get the ball in his hands. So why the hell would Speedy Stevie Johnson fit so well in Minny?


Johnson has become infamous for his Twitter account. What kind of went under the radar was his most recent Tweet in which thought it was a good decision to take a photo of his private parts for all of his followers to see.





Apparently, this brainiac decision would make Speedy Stevie just another one of the fellas in the Vikings locker room. Just ask Mr. Favre (if he is not too busy texting) or Visanthe Shiancoe, who also has no problem with his junk in the open for a national audience.


And while you're at it, don't stop with Speedy Stevie. If Favre is supposedly going to retire at the season's end, a potential replacement could be Matt Leinart, a quarterback who knows how to get down the ladies as well.




3. Cincinnati Bengals: More Shows for T.O./Ochocinco


First, there was the T.O. Show. Then, Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch. But when the two superpowers of the wide receiving world joined hands on both the Cincinnati Bengals and Versus, the world as we knew was doomed.


While it is any reporter's dream come true having their dynamic personalities on candid camera each week, it is obviously not the greatest formula for a successful football team. See record: 3-11.


And just when you thought Owens was over his complaining ways -- calling Jeff Garcia gay or Donovan McNabb was not the Eagles' best option at quarterback, or personally my favorite of getting his pump on in the comforts of his driveway -- T.O. lived up to his reputation. 



I think Cincy would trade in his 983 yards and nine touchdowns for a 10-win, division-best season as they had just a year ago.




2. Denver Broncos: Jimmy Clausen


You know, Denver has gotten a reputation of late for making some stupid trades. Some of the names that have highlighted their "to-go" list include Peyton Hillis, first-rounder Alfonso Smith, Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler.


Instead, they opted for Laurence Maroney, Brady Quinn and everyone's favorite, Tim Tebow.


In continuing the recent tradition, why not go after Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The second-rounder out of Notre Dame has truly silenced his critics this season who thought he would not succeed in the professional level.


Look at it this way: Quinn and Clausen, and then you can pry Charlie Weiss away from the Kansas City Chiefs -- you can have The Fighting Irish NFL-style. Their combined career 3,278 passing yards and 12 touchdowns is sure to rival that of Cutler's 2010 season alone.


1.5* San Francisco 49ers: WINNERS


Could not help myself.





1. Washington Redskins: Elliptical Machines


We sometimes hold exceedingly high expectations for quarterbacks, especially the ones we trade for in the off-season and believe they will revive a dormant franchise to prominence once again.


Essentially, those were the precise circumstances surrounding Donovan McNabb is his move to the Washington Redskins.


But it was not his poor decision-making at times, or that he is not accumulating the same rushing yards as he used to, or even that he has turned the ball over far too often.


McNabb simply did not possess the cardiovascular endurance to run Mike Shanahan's offense, especially when the game is on the line. 


What we're missing here is that Daniel Snyder and the Skins' training facility is clearly lacking the exercise equipment for McNabb to be in shape. I mean, he practically looks like Flozell Adams out there.


Merry Christmas Mr. Synder and company. Please accept my gift of ellipticals, cycling machines and treadmills -- all of the cardio equipment necessary to get your quarterbacks in shape for 2011.






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