NFL Picks and Predictions

Tom Brady

Well, my fantasy draft is over and I could not be more pleased.  I got pretty much everything that I wanted, including my target running backs and depth.  It looks like this is going to be a banner year for my fantasy football team.  Here is a look at the NFL players I drafted, along with some quick thoughts as to why I did:

Tom Brady - Brady is coming off major injury, so I am not sure what to expect.  I know that whatever the case he will be a quality option, and early reports are very good on him being fully recovered.  Also, I got him much cheaper than I thought I would.

DeAngelo Williams- This was my primary target for this draft as Williams is one of the better running  backs that still gets little respect.  I expect he will have another huge year.  (I sure hope so)

Brian Westbrook - Westbrook is also dropping in fantasy circles due to injury and age, and I got him for a cup of coffee.  Tons of upside here, and I have plenty of back up if he falters.  It is always good to have a couple of picks like this that could potentially put you over the top if they have comeback years.

Pierre Thomas - Speaking of back up, this kid looked awesome last year.  This year he should get lots of carries.

Dwayne Bowe - Bowe is going to be getting much better looks from Matt Cassell than he is used to.  I expect a huge year from him.

Vincent Jackson – Jackson is going to benefit from having a healthy LT on the field.  That will open up the passing lanes.

John Carlson – Carlson will break out this season as a fantasy star.  He was right on the edge last year, and this year Hasselback is healthy.

Titans D/ST - Even with the losses on defense, the Titans are still super strong.

Nate Kaeding – One of the best kickers in the NFL.

Chad Ochocinco – Ocho is far from one of my favorite players, but I had to take him when he dropped to the bottom of the barrell.  Again, a player that has tons of upside and a healthy Carson Palmer.

Julius Jones – Another fine back up running back just in case of emergency.  Jones could end up among the better running backs in the NFC.

Donnie Avery – High impact speedster over in St. Louis.  He had some head turning plays last year and I got him very cheap.  With Holt gone, he could blossom.

Matt Hasselbeck – Solid, dependable back up quarterback that might be due another great year.

Zach Miller – Back up tight end with plenty of upside.

Panthers D/ST – Good solid back up defense.

Chris Chambers – The steal of my draft.  Chambers finds ways to get into the end zone, and I expect this season will be no different.

Overall, my team is balanced and solid.  I see plenty of room for the wins to flow, and I hope this NFL fantasy football season is as good as I think it will be. I will update you each week on my progress throughout the NFL football season.

Tonight is my NFL fantasy football league draft and I am anxiously hoping to accomplish a few things.  I want this year’s team to be well rounded.  The draft is a head to head draft with only ten teams, so I assume that there will be plenty to choose from.  Still, it is important to get the jump on the league with a good NFL fantasy football draft.

Each week, along with my regular NFL picks and predictions I am planning to also let you experience my NFL fantasy league experience.  You can see the ups and downs, as well as the thinking that I put into my league.  For those that are new to NFL fantasy football, you might learn a few things.  For those that are not new to NFL fantasy football, you can laugh at me for kicks.  (It is always fun to play Monday morning quarterback.)

Going into the draft, I am hoping to draft two solid running backs with my first two picks.  I am hoping to get DeAngelo Williams rather cheaply.  And I want a balanced team that has depth.  Those are my three major goals.  I do not yet know what position I will be drafting in so it makes it hard to target much else.  I am very much a “get a good quarterback after your running back is settled”  kind of fantasy drafter.  I believe in the power of the running game.

Some players I would like to get (other than the obvious players):

DeAngelo Williams

Matt Ryan (If cheap)

Roy Williams (should be a steal after last year)

Steve Smith (an annual target for me)

I will post with my actual fantasy football team and the results tomorrow and let you know how I did.  Wish me luck NFL Football friends!

Peyton Manning

Trying to come up with the top NFL quarterbacks of all time is kind of like trying to pick the best movie of all time.  It really depends on your personal taste.  Some people put a premium on NFL records, and others put a premium on NFL championships.  Still others simply go with their personal favorites.  These are my personal picks of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time, and I would love to hear what you agree/disagree with.

Number 5 – Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) – Many people will argue that Dan does not deserve this spot because of his lack of a championship.  Personally, I think that his accomplishments on the field and in the NFL record books are more than enough to place him at number five.  Some could even argue that he deserves to be higher up the list, but a lack of championships does have some say in this list.

Number 4- Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - Being a Carolina Panther fan and an old St Louis Rams fan, it is tough to concede this pick.  Brady is simply phenomenal when it comes to winning.  He is right on the edge of moving into Montana territory with the incredible skills and championships.  Tom Brady will likely be near the top of most any “best of” quarterback list.

Number 3- Johnny Unitas (Baltimore Colts) – One of the guys that I think would be a huge winner in today’s game as well.  This guy was so much better than the guys around him it was not even funny.  I love watching old film of him and he is as solid as they came.

Number 2 – Peyton Manning (Indiannapolis Colts) - Yet another man that will certainly go down as one of the greatest, I see him as a solid number two already.  His incredible passing skills, along with his ability to bring out the best in everyone around him makes Peyton Manning a solid pick at number two.  When it is all said and done, I feel he will be number one on this list.

Number 1 – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers) - How can you put Joe any lower than number one?  He was the consummate pro, and the best quarterback of all time when it comes to winning football games.  Even when the Niners were not very good, he still pushed and made them better.  The Niners would never have been that good without Joe Montana.

Every NFL football fan has dreamed of one day owning their own franchise.  Monday morning quarterbacks around the world throw their nerf balls at the screen while sharing all the advice in the world as to how to improve their favorite teams.  They know it all.  They are the single greatest NFL football minds on the planet.

Here is the chance to prove it.

If you could pick only one player to start off an NFL football team in today’s NFL, who would it be?  Would you go with a hot young NFL draft pick?  A seasoned, proven veteran?  Running Back?  Quarterback?

For me, that answer is fairly simple.

I would certainly have to draft a quarterback.  It would have to be someone that has shown they are capable of running an NFL franchise. (see Ryan Leaf, etc)  It would have to be a good leader as well.  Someone that could not only lead my franchise, but also groom the next in line.

Who among today’s NFL quarterbacks would I choose?

I might just gag as I say this but it would have to be Tom Brady.  Brady is still very much in his prime, and very much everything I just described.  The reason it is tough to say such a thing is because I am a huge Panthers and Rams fan. (both victims of his Super Bowl prowess)

Tom Brady is simply flawless at his position, and he has the demeanor to bring along a young quarterback as well.

Who do you think would make a great first pick?