LestersLegends.com

The 2010 NFL season is just a week away. It’s time to put on your football thinking caps. What better way to get in the spirit than matching wits against fellow football fans, and yours truly. You have two chances to take me down.

First, there’s the LestersLegends Pick ‘em Challenge.  Each week you pick the winners.  We’ve stepped it up this year and added the Spread option.  Come flex your skills and show everyone what you’re made of.

Group ID: 2088
Password:  football
URL:  http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem/register/joingroup

If Survival Pool is your thing, then see if you can outlast the field.  Pick one winner a week to win.  No repeats. See if you can survive the whole season like I did last year.

Group ID:  3335
Password:  2010
URL:  http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/survival/register/joingroup

I’d love to compete against you in both leagues.  It only takes a minute or two to get registered.  Get in the game!

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kennedy had 21 strikeouts (9.9 K/9 ratio) over the past 15 days while going 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. On the year he’s 9-9 with 145 Ks (7.9 K/9), a 4.20 ERA, and 1.25 WHIP. Ian is owned in 57 percent of CBS and 12 percent of ESPN leagues.

Joe Blanton, Philadelphia Phillies
Blanton had 19 strikeouts (8.8 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. On the year he’s 6-6 with 98 Ks (6.4 K/9), a 5.15 ERA, and a 1.42 WHIP. Joe is owned in 53 percent of CBS and 34 percent of ESPN leagues.

Jason Hammel, Colorado Rockies
Hammel had 17 strikeouts (8.7 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 1-0 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. On the year he’s 9-7 with 123 Ks (7.5 K/9), a 4.32 ERA, and a 1.32 WHIP. Jason is owned in 44 percent of CBS and eight percent of ESPN leagues.

Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles
Matusz had 17 strikeouts (7.3 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. On the year he’s 7-12 with 117 Ks (7.0 K/9), a 4.72 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Brian is owned in 46 percent of CBS and 35 percent of ESPN leagues.

Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies
Chacin had 16 strikeouts (9.8 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. On the year he’s 7-9 with 109 Ks (9.6 K/9), a 3.79 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP. Jhoulys is owned in 39 percent of CBS and nine percent of ESPN leagues.

Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays
Cecil had 16 strikeouts (13 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. On the year he’s 11-7 with 105 Ks (6.4 K/9), a 3.74 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP. Brett is owned in 59 percent of CBS and 19 percent of ESPN leagues.

Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves
Minor is 3-0 in four starts with 26 strikeouts (10.2 K/9), a 3.91 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP. He’s owned in 60 percent of CBS and 17 percent of ESPN leagues.

High Strikeout Middle Relievers (stats over past 15 days)
Marcos Mateo, CHC:  7 IP, 15 Ks, 9.00 ERA, 1.57 WHIP
Nick Masset, CIN:  10-1/3 IP, 14 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP
Chris Sale, CHW:  6-1/3 IP, 13 Ks, 1.42 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Jonny Venters, ATL:  8-2/3 IP, 13 Ks, 6.23 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Thomas Diamond, CHC:  7-2/3 IP, 12 Ks, 2.35 ERA, 0.65 WHIP
Tim Stauffer, SD:  12-1/3 IP, 12 Ks, 2.19 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Todd Coffey, MIL:  7-2/3 IP, 11 Ks, 3.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
Tyler Clippard, WAS:  9 IP, 11 Ks, 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Kenley Jansen, LAA:  7 IP, 10 Ks, 1.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
Ryan Madson, PHI:  10 IP, 10 Ks, 1.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP

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Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday. .
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Kosuke Fukodome, Chicago Cubs Fukodome went 3 for 3 with 2 runs and an RBI to raise his average to .281. He’s 14 for 27(.519) in his last nine games. .
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Brandon Allen, Arizona Diamondbacks Allen went 2 for 3 with a Grand Slam in his season debut. He had 25 HRs and 86 RBIs for Triple-A Reno so keep an eye on him as a power source. .
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Logan Morrison, Florida Marlins Morrison went 2 for 4 with 3 runs to raise his average to .294. He has scored 22 runs in 32 games and 12 in his past nine.
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Potent Middle Relievers
Chris Sale, CLE: Save, 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (16 Ks, 10 IP)
Fernando Abad, HOU: 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (7 Ks, 7-1/3 IP)
Sean Marshall, CHC:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 3 Ks (81 Ks, 67-1/3 IP)
Joe Thatcher, SD:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (43 Ks, 30-1/3 IP)
Aroldis Chapman, CIN:  Win, 1 IP, o Runs, 2 Ks (3 Ks, 2 IP)
Jordan Walden, LAA:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (7 Ks, 4 IP)
Kevin Jepsen, LAA:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (51 Ks, 45-1/3 IP)

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

With each passing day the likelihood that Vincent Jackson will play a down for the Chargers this season worsens. Even with their new rookie RB Ryan Mathews figuring to provide more balance on offense, this is still Philip Rivers team, meaning they will be throwing the football early and often.

Antonio Gates will likely lead the Chargers in targets, but Floyd will be counted on to use his big frame (6’5″, 225 lbs) similar to the way Vincent Jackson did.

Floyd showed big play potential last year catching 45 passes for 776 yards (17.2 yards per catch). His career ypc is 16.5. He’ll have to improve on his one TD though. However, with Vincent Jackson (6’5″, 230) out of the mix, Floyd will be more likely to get them. Legedu Naanee (6/2″, 220) just doesn’t have the size Floyd does.

Assuming V-Jax doesn’t play for the Chargers Floyd could be a steal in fantasy drafts. His current Mock Draft Central ADP is 69th (25th WR). It’s a little bit of a risk going with a somewhat unknown commodity, but sometimes you need to take risks to win. In all likelihood you can get the number one WR on a pass-first team as a WR3. What’s not to like about that scenario?

What are your thoughts on Malcom Floyd? Would you want him as your WR3?

Image courtesy of Icon SMI
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Tonight I did an online draft with a group of guys that I have competed against in fantasy football, baseball, and basketball the past couple of years. It’s a 12-team draft (non-keeper, non-ppr) and I had the fifth pick. Last year I had a dreadful showing. I’m hoping this year is much better. Here’s my squad.
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QB1 Jay Cutler
QB2:  Ben Roethlisberger
RB1:  Maurice Jones-Drew
RB2:  Jonathan Stewart
RB3:  Jerome Harrison
RB4:  Ricky Williams
WR1:  Brandon Marshall
WR2:  Greg Jennings
WR3:  Dwayne Bowe
WR4:  Braylon Edwards
TE1:  Jason Witten
TE2:  Zach Miller
K1:  Robbie Gould
DEF1:  Baltimore
DEF2:  New York Giants

Written by Eric Stashin of www.rotoprofessor.com

Michael Crabtree sits atop many people’s 2010 breakout candidate lists, and with good reason.  Despite not yet playing in a preseason game due to a neck strain (though he has returned to practice) and playing in just 11 games in his rookie campaign due to a holdout, there is no doubting his talent.

Last season he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and 2 TD, only twice having as few as three receptions (and never having more then six).  He was consistent, and that came despite questionable quarterback play and no preseason to get a rapport with his teammates.

While he has missed time during camp this year, he already has worked with Alex Smith.  The two know each other and now just need to get their timing back on track.  It doesn’t take four preseason games to do that.

The team has also improved the talent on the offensive side of the ball.  Added are Ted Ginn, Jr. and Brian Westbrook, not to mention Vernon Davis’ 2009 breakout.  Throw in a healthy Frank Gore, and the 49ers actually produce matchup issues for opposing defenses.

We’ve discussed Smith as a potential sleeper in the past (click here to view), and the former first overall pick is finally showing signs of living up to his draft position.  In three preseason games he has gone 21-37, completing nearly 57% of his passes.  All he needs to do is distribute the ball around the field and put his teammates in position to make plays.

At 6′1″, 214 lbs., Crabtree is a big target with the potential to make big plays.  No receiver had more then 22 catches of 20+ yards last season.  Despite his limited playing time and receptions, he had 10, the same number as Anquan Boldin.  Just imagine what he has the potential to do now that he is fully immersed in the offense?

The sky is truly the limit, and as a WR2, he is a great get.  He currently has an ADP of 43.3 according to Mock Draft Central, the fourteenth receiver coming off the board.  While that’s slightly higher then I have him (16th on the most recent rankings, which you can view by clicking here), he is still a terrific pick.  By year’s end, he has the opportunity to emerge as a WR1 in all formats.

What are your thoughts on Crabtree?  Do you think he’ll live up to the hype?  Or do you expect him to be a fantasy bust?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s 2010 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

   

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Just because you’ve slipped behind in the Stolen Base category doesn’t mean you can’t catch up.  Here are some reasonably available SB threats.

Eric Young, Jr., 2B/OF, Colorado Rockies
Young had seven stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .246 with eight runs. On the year he’s hitting .245 with 12 SBs, 17 runs, and three RBIs in 98 ABs. Eric is owned in 25 percent of CBS and ten percent of ESPN leagues.

Drew Stubbs, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Stubbs had six stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .275 with 14 runs and five RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .240 with 24 SBs, 72 runs, 15 HRs, and 59 RBIs. Drew is owned in 44 percent of CBS and 34 percent of ESPN leagues.

Fred Lewis, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
Lewis had five stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .234 with eight runs and three RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .264 with 16 SBs, 69 runs, 8 HRs, and 36 RBIs. Fred is owned in 15 percent of CBS and three percent of ESPN leagues.

Cliff Pennington, SS, Oakland A’s
Pennington had five stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .222 with four runs and four RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .255 with 23 SBs, 54 runs, three HRs, and 35 RBIs. Cliff is owned in 30 percent of CBS and nine percent of ESPN leagues.

Gregor Blanco, OF, Kansas City Royals
Blanco had four stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .293 with eight runs, one HR, and three RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .277 with ten SBs, 20 runs, one HR, and eight RBIs in 155 ABs. Gregor is owned in seven percent of CBS and three percent of ESPN leagues.

Roger Bernadina, OF, Washington Nationals
Bernadina had four stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .281 with 11 runs, three HRs, and nine RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .271 with 13 SBs, 40 runs, ten HRs, and 40 RBIs. Roger is owned in 11 percent of CBS and six percent of ESPN leagues.

Will Venable, OF, San Diego Padres
Venable had four stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .231 wiht five runs, one HR, and six RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .227 with 26 SBs, 47 runs, 11 HRs, and 45 RBIs. Will is owned in 17 percent of CBS and eight percent of ESPN leagues.

Lorenzo Cain, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Cain had four stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .270 with six runs and three RBIs. On the year he’s hitting .303 with five SBs, 11 runs, and six RBIs in 66 ABs. Lorenzo is available in virtually all CBS and ESPN leagues.

We all spend countless hours researching and analyzing every aspect of the draft. Once the season starts it’s all about the start sit, trades and waiver wire pickups. Don’t waste your time! Let the FantasyKnuckleheads.com staff go to work for you, they have three years of success under their belt and have had huge success in those three years providing people like you with draft and in season applications, advice and services. Check out what they offer:

• Custom Draft Cheat Sheet – Enter in your league settings and we give you a top of the line draft cheat sheet containing:
  • Projected points based on your leagues settings
  • A players Value and next available players value – great for identifying position scarcity
  • Fantasy Strength of Schedule for each position
  • Projected Available Round based on current ADP
  • Auction Value and Bye Week
  • Player and ADP statistics are updated nightly
• Personal Agent – Dominate the Waiver Wire and stay bleeding edge:
  • Select up to 20 players and we will email you the instant news is available such as: injury updates, issues at practice or during the game. Great for watching sleepers and your fantasy starters and the injury report!
  • We watch all the games and let you know the instant a hot waiver wire pick up is available, last year we identified over 20 break out players like Jamaal Charles and Miles Austin. Our subscribers know before anyone else on the internet & had first dibs on the waiver wire pickup in their league.
  • Weather reports before the game, never start a QB or WR in the wind or rain again.
  • Real time updates 7 days a week.
• In Season Trade and Lineup Advice – Ensure you have the best possible players in your lineup every single week.
  • Trade Advice Forum
  • Start Sit Advice Forum

“Our goal is to make your entire season and draft simple yet dominating and require as little research as possible; all while ensuring you dominate your league before, during and after the draft.” Kurt Turner, FantasyKnuckleheads.com

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Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday.
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Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals
Zimmerman gave up 1 hit with 9 strikeouts in 6 scoreless innings as he lowered his ERA to 4.50. It was just his second start of the year.
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Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles
Matusz gave up 2 runs with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings as he improved to 7-12 with a 4.72 ERA. He’s 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his past six starts.
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A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox
A.J. went 1 for 4 with a HR (7) and 3 RBIs (45). He’s hitting .258. He has raised his average by 17 points during his current ten-game hitting streak.
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Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians
In what could be his last start of the season Masterson gave up 1 run on 4 hits with 7 Ks in 7-2/3 innings. He’s 5-12 with a 5.04 ERA.
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Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers
Peralta went 3 for 5 with an RBI (62) to raise his average to .249. He’s 16 for 41 (.390) with 7 runs and 12 RBIs in his past 11 games.
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Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kennedy gave up 3 runs with 5 strikeouts in 7 innings to even his record at 9-9 with a 4.20 ERA. Ian is 3-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 28 Ks in his last four starts.
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Potent Middle Relievers
Jose Veras, FLA: 2 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (38 Ks, 33-2/3 IP)
Jonny Venters, ATL:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (76 Ks, 68-1/3 IP)
Sean Marshall, CHC:  1-1/3 IP, 0 Runs, 3 Ks (78 Ks, 66-1/3 IP)
Darren O’Day, TEX:  1-2/3 IP, 0 Runs, 3 Ks (36 Ks, 52-2/3 IP)
Robinson Tejada, KC:  1-1/3 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (45 Ks, 49-1/3 IP)
Ernesto Frieri, SD:  1-2/3 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks (28 Ks, 20-2/3 IP)

Here’s an updated look at my top 30 fantasy QB rankings.

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Peyton Manning
4. Tom Brady
5. Tony Romo
6. Matt Schaub
7. Philip Rivers
8. Brett Favre
9. Jay Cutler
10. Kevin Kolb
11. Joe Flacco
12. Eli Manning
13. Donovan McNabb
14. Carson Palmer
15. Matt Ryan
16. Ben Roethlisberger
17. Alex Smith
18. Matthew Stafford
19. Chad Henne
20. Vince Young
21. David Garrard
22. Mark Sanchez
23. Kyle Orton
24. Matt Cassel
25. Matt Moore
26. Derek Anderson
27. Jason Campbell
28. Josh Freeman
29. Sam Bradford
30. Matt Hasselbeck

Notable changes:
– I moved Donovan McNabb out of fantasy starter territory to #13. He’s already injured, and could have a hard time staying on his feet with that offensive line.
– I took Matt Leinart off the list and added Derek Anderson. I think DA is more suited to get the ball deep to Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. I think Leinart needs a change of scenery.
– I moved Jason Campbell down because of his thumb injury.

Also check out:
- 2010 Top 50 Fantasy RB Rankings
- 2010 Top 60 Fantasy WR Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy TE Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy Team Defense Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy IDP Rankings
- 2010 Top 15 Fantasy K Rankings