NFL Picks and Predictions

Brett Favre truly left the Minnesota Vikings in a crappy position.   Though he is approaching forty, and about the same number of retirement announcements, the former Packer and Jet really had the Vikings salivating.  How much?  So much that they left their other quarterbacks on a very precarious perch while they waited.

Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson now inherit the Viking offense with a wonderful sense of being unwanted.  Rosenfels was actually just acquired to compete with Jackson from the Houston Texans.  Excited when he first arrived, he has to be wondering why they acquired him in the first place.

With the Vikings chasing after Favre like a wounded puppy, these two quarterbacks had to have felt as though they Vikings had zero confidence in their ability.  I know I would feel that way in that situation.  The Vikings were certainly not bringing Favre to watch from the sidelines.   The Vikings did not seem to pay any attention to what would happen if they did not get their man.  And now they are paying for it.

How would you like to be the Viking’s head coach trying to explain to Sage and Tavaris now?

What do you say to these two quarterbacks.  Well, we couldn’t get the guy we really wanted but we really do believe in you now?  Sorry for chasing Favre?  Please now lead us to the Superbowl?

The Vikings are going to have a serious problem unless Tavaris or Sage one decides to make a point.  The character that is needed to overcome this situation is something that neither quarterback has shown in the past.  Tavaris has been given every chance to blossom.  What is alarming is that he was attempting to do well in a simple offense that features the best running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson.  If he can not make that work, then what chance does he really have now?

I guess this is exactly what the Viking brass was thinking when they went after Favre.  The problem is, they now have a pair of quarterbacks that  not only are inferior talent wise to Favre, but they feel their organization has no faith in them.  That is usually a death sentence for a football team and a quarterback in particular.

The Vikings are strong enough to overcome this situation for sure.  Whether they can do it will be a very interesting thing to watch in the coming season.

Pic courtesy of wikipedia commons user Blueag9

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!