The NFC East has a long and storied history, so it seems appropriate that they be the first division that I predict. NFL picks and predictions specializes in picking NFL football games, but we would be remiss without predicting the NFL’s season as a whole. Since this is the case, I will be predicting each of the divisions day by day, and will finish it off with an overall pick for the year’s conferences and playoffs as well.
The NFC East is going to be very interesting this year. No less than three of the four teams have a legitimate shot at winning the division, and the Redskins could even surprise if the stars align right. You never know with the NFC East. Here are the four teams, and the order I think they will finish in during the NFC regular season:
The Dallas Cowboys – Dallas is far from my favorite team and they are entering a year that will be interesting to watch. They have some questions to be answered, such as their secondary and replacing the ever present Terrell Owens. They also have one of the finest running back tandems in the league. Tashard Choice, Marion Barber, and Felix Jones is a load for any team. I think Dallas will put it together this season, and Romo will have his finest season. Dallas goes as the running game goes, and they can not seem to miss with this group.
The Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles are the en vogue pick this year in the NFC East, but the truth is they are still a bit unpredictable. The reason? Superstar running back Brian Westbrook is breaking down. He is just too fragile at this point to put them in the upper echelon. If the Eagles get a ton of production from him, however, this might send the Eagles to the top.
The New York Giants - Plaxico leaving the Giants will hurt much more than Giant’s fans had hoped. They are without a doubt a talented group, but they will be in trouble in the passing game. There is always that chance that they bring in someone, or somebody steps up on the roster, but I do not see it happening.
The Washington Redskins – Washington still suffers from the quarterback position and Clinton Portis has got to slow down. Portis amazes every year, and he certainly could do so again this season. Campbell is just not going to take the Redskins any further than he already has. He has some great qualities, but the inconsistant nature is killing the Skins. Defense is suspect in DC this year as well.
So you went out and drafted yourself an NFL fantasy football team did ya? You bought all the latest NFL magazines, and read all the websites (mine being chief among them of course) yet you still ended up with Tavaris Jackson at quarterback or your top two running backs are fighting for one position on the same team…. In short, you got stiff armed in your fantasy draft. Much like the gentleman on the left in the pic to the right, you find yourself wanting. You got punked. Why?
More than likely you went with that whole “draft the best player on the board” mantra, and found yourself drafting running backs for twelve rounds. Maybe you simply picked tight ends, kickers, and defensive players way too early. Whatever the case, your team is not doing well right now. What do you do about it? How do I fix it, you ask?
Well, the key here is to sit down and assess your league. If you have an overabundance of something on your team, then some other team is short in it as a rule. (unless you have an overabundance of kickers in which you deserve no help)
Say you have six solid running backs and a crappy quarterback. Some other team in your league is likely to need some help at running back. Some team in your league will likely take them even if they do not need them. Look over their roster, and find the team with an expendable top quarterback. There is always one guy that drafts three top quarterbacks in every draft. For some reason, they are always named Harry and they still love Joe Namath.
I digress…
Once you find the person (sucker) that needs your running backs, send em over a silly lopsided trade that is not so silly that they simply ignore you. In other words, make it somewhat feasible that someone with half a brain might accept it. If they do, then you are set. If they don’t then maybe they will send over a different option. Make it clear what you need, and generally someone will bite if you are throwing out a good option.
Some fantasy football owners will say to simply tank a position. No way. Try to field the best team you can. Another options is to comb the free agent wires. You would be surprised at the bargains that can be found there. In some cases, fantasy football is won and lost in these little details. Fear not, oh punked out drafter. You still have hope……
Pre-Fantasy Football Draft Musings – What I Want
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!
DeAngelo Williams goes into the NFL Football season in a very unusual position as a Carolina Panther running back. He is being mentioned in the same breath with the best running backs in the game. Having an NFL season such as his last year will do that. Think about it:
Over 1600 plus total yards
Leading the league with 20 touchdowns…
Those numbers made him the fantasy football MVP and put him into consideration for the NFL MVP award. How then is it that many are calling DeAngelo Williams overrated?
Part of it is the development of Jonathan Stewart. Part of it is the fact that the Panthers are facing the one of the toughest NFL Schedules this year. And part of it is because he is just not given the respect he deserves.
The fact is, DeAngelo Williams is an elite NFL talent that is still not getting his due. I have watched his career since the Panther’s drafted him. I have seen every single game, and every single carry. The naysayers are wrong. DeAngelo Williams will be a huge part of a huge season for the Panthers.
For now, it is worth it to have everyone question him. That just makes the Panthers that much more deadly as a team, and Williams that much more deadly as a running back.
Will DeAngelo match last year’s stats? Probably not. But he will break 1200 yds and have around 15TDs. That is elite running back status no matter who you are. When are people going to give this guy the proper respect?
Image Credited To Flickr User kevin813
