LestersLegends.com

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I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a iCon Sports Demo League Mock Draft. Here’s a list of the participants:
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BeasynthebigEZ
Cannon Effort
Dizzle`s Butt Burgers
FFLockerroom.com
FFMattLane
iCon Joe
Juan Elway
Lesters Legends
notoriousx187x
PPR/Kepper Pro
The Fantasy Bums
TCW
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I had the fifth pick in this snake draft (fifth pick in odd rounds, eighth pick in even rounds).
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Round 1:  Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice is a good value with the fifth pick, particularly in PPR leagues. He had 1621 total yards and ten touchdowns last year. He also caught 61 passes.
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Round 2:  Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
Johnson finished second in yards (1,598) and fourth in receptions (112). He only scored four touchdowns, but he’s capable of doubling that.
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Round 3:  Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
Johnson started slow, but finished ninth in the league with 1,243 rushing yards. He added 36 catches for 232 yards. He only scored six touchdowns, which likely won’t change much with the arrival of Shonn Greene. He still should be a solid RB2.
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Round 4:  Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
V-Jax finished fifth with 1,382 yards. He added 72 receptions and eight touchdowns. He’s a huge target capable of monster games. Like CJ, he’s a little inconsistent, but a good value.
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Round 5:  Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Wayne finished seventh in yards (1,355), sixth in receptions (106) and tied for second in targets (194). The move to a West Coast Offense should keep the reception totals high, making him a nice value for a WR3.
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Roster
RB1:  Ray Rice
RB2:  Chris Johnson
WR1:  Andre Johnson
WR2:  Vincent Jackson
WR3:  Reggie Wayne
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Also check out:

• 2013 Updated Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2013 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2013 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2013 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2013 Early Fantasy Football K Rankings
• 2013 Early Fantasy Football DEF Rankings

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Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier is hitting .375 with six runs, three home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base through eight games. While he won’t continue on anything near his pace for a .375-122-61-203-20 line, has he done enough to convince fantasy baseball owners that he’s ready to blow up in 2013?
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Frazier .273 last year with 55 runs, 19 home runs, 67 RBI, and three stolen bases in 128 games, showing that the power is somewhat believable. At the Triple-A level he hit 75 home runs in 542 games, which extrapolates to 22.4 in a 162-game schedule. At the big league level, his home run total extrapolates to 25.6 in a 162-game schedule based on his 28 bombs in 177 games.
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Frazier is off to a great start against right-handed pitching. Last year he hit .262 with a .817 OPS, compared to .298 and .857 against left-handed pitching. He is feasting against southpaws (.333, 1.000) in the early part of the season, but he’s been even better against righties. Frazier is hitting .400 with a 1.250 OPS against them.
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Frazier has done all of his damage at home as he has gone hitless in seven at-bats away from the Great American Ball Park. Last year he was actually better on the road. At home Frazier hit .258 with a .786 OPS. He hit 10 home runs in 209 at bats. On the road Frazier hit .286 with a .871 OPS, including nine home runs in 213 at bats.
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It’s not like Frazier is facing mediocre pitching. He went one for two against both Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Stephen Strasburg. He also went one for three against C.J. Wilson. Three of his RBI have come against that quartet.
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While I don’t expect Frazier to be this year’s Edwin Encarnación or José Bautista, I do think he will continue to put up solid numbers. His home/road and left/right splits are favorable. Not to mention hitting behind Shin-Soo Choo, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce in the lineup should lead to plenty of RBI opportunities.
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Also check out:

• 2013 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Designated Hitter Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Designed by Jase Patrizio, jasepatrizio.com – art design & production
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The winner of the 2013 LestersLegends’ March Madness tournament was Controlled Chaos, who picked the Championship match-up and result correctly.
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Here’s a look at the top teams:
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Controlled Chaos – 109 points
Orange Crush – 93 points
UNC Tar Heels – 87 points
LestersLegends – 84 points
Bracket This!! – 82 points
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Controlled Chaos also earned a LestersLegends March Madness badge, also designed by Jase Patrizio, jasepatrizio.com.
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Here’s the 2013 LestersLegends Closer Rankings for NL-Only Leagues.
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1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Kimbrel is ridiculous. In 2011 he recorded 46 saves with a 2.10 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 127 strikeouts. His saves (42) and strikeouts (116) dipped, but his ERA (1.01) and WHIP (0.65) were off-the-charts good. He’s the best closer in baseball. Period.
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2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
Chapman could be the filthiest pitcher in baseball. He’s certainly in the discussion. He picked up 38 saves and 122 strikeouts while posting a 1.51 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. He could end up in the rotation, but no matter his role, he will be a force.
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3. Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals
Motte nailed down 42 saves as well while striking out 86 batters. His 2.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP put him right up with Kimbrel and Chapman. He’s the best of tier two in my book.
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4. Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia Phillies
Papelbon got back on track last year with 38 saves, 92 strikeouts, a 2.44 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP.
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5. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants
Romo recorded 14 saves with 63 strikeouts, a 1.79 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He was nearly untouchable during the postseason with a 0.84 ERA and a 0.47 WHIP.
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6. Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals
The Nationals have great young pitching so the save opportunities should be there for Soriano. He had 42 saves, 69 strikeouts, a 2.26 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.
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7. J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Putz has 77 saves over the past two seasons while sporting a 2.48 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He’s a little bit of a slow starter, as evidenced by his 3.73 ERA first half ERA over the past two years. He’s been untouchable after the break, posting a 0.91 mark.
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8. Huston Street, San Diego Padres
Street can flat out get the job done. He has a career 1.04 WHIP and a 9.2 K/9 ratio. He was great for San Diego last year, posting a 1.85 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. So why isn’t he a top five closer? The simple answer is durability. He seems to get hurt every year.
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9. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers
Axford has 81 saves over the past two seasons, but he struggled with his control last year, leading to a 4.67 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He averages 11.39 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) to offset some of the damage he does to your WHIP category.
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10. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates
Grilli only has five career saves and he’s 36, but he had 90 strikeouts in 58-2/3 innings last yer. Plus, he posted a 2.91 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.
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As you prepare for your fantasy baseball drafts, check out:

• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Additional Closer Options
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Designated Hitter Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings

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Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore has fallen on hard times. He was once considered a quality number two option for fantasy football teams. Lately, he hasn’t even been a flex-play option. Can he be trusted going forward?
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In Weeks 2-10, Moore averaged 71.9 yards per game with five touchdowns in eight games. That’s an average of double-digit fantasy points in non-PPR (points per reception) leagues.
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Recently, though, Denarius has had his production scaled way back. In his last four games, Moore’s high water mark is 43 yards. After scoring in five of his first eight games, he has only scored in one of his past four.
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During his stretch, Moore is averaging two receptions per game for 25.8 yards per game.
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The double-digit fantasy points per game he experienced in the first eight games has been more than cut in half in the past four.
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Darrius Heyward-Bey has become the more reliable threat at receiver for the Raiders. The top WR option the past two weeks has been Rod Streater with seven catches for 196 yards and a touchdown.
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Tight End Brandon Myers didn’t show it on Thursday Night Football, but he has actually become Carson Palmer’s favorite target in the passing game.
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A further complication for Moore is the return of running back Darren McFadden. As long as he can stay healthy, Run DMC will see his share of touches.
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Moore’s outlook is bleak right now. I don’t know how you can rely on him in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs or in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.
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Perhaps, he can wow us next week and get back on track, but he is too risky of an option to roll with right now.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy RB Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Options
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• 2012 Week 14 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• 2012 Week 14 NFL Picks
• Should You Be Worried About Matt Ryan?
• Can Russell Wilson Continue to Deliver?
• STS Monday Morning Observations: Week 13
• Montell Owens: This Is How We Do It in Week 14?
• Can Kyle Rudolph Continue to Pick up Percy Harvin’s Slack?
• Should You Start Vick Ballard This Week?

 
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At the beginning of the year Matt Ryan was doing a Drew Brees impersonation. Through his first five games, Matty Ice had 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. He threw multiple touchdown passes in each of those games.
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In his past seven games, Ryan has nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. His average yardage has taken a hit, going from 301.4 yards per game during the first five games to 297.6 yards per game since.
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Matty Ice also averaged 11 rushing yards and scored his only ground touchdown during the first five weeks. Since then, he has averaged 7.3 rushing yards per game.
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Ryan put up legitimate QB1 numbers in each of his first five games.
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He proceed to bomb in Week 6 against the Oakland Raiders, throwing for 249 yards and one touchdown, while killing fantasy owners with three interceptions.
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Ryan bounced back against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 following his bye. He threw for 262 yards and a trio of touchdown passes.
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The following week he put up great passing numbers (342 yards), but only turned in a mediocre fantasy performance because he failed to throw a touchdown.
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In Week 10, Matty Ice had a career day, throwing for 411 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick against the New Orleans Saints. Then the wheels came off.
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In Week 11, Ryan let fantasy owners down big-time by throwing an inexplicable five interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals. Sure, he had his fifth 300-yard game, but most the picks cost his fantasy owners significantly.
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Matty Ice had a decent game in Week 12, dropping 353 passing yards and 13 rushing yards on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With one touchdown and one pick, he failed to make it a banner day for fantasy owners.
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Ryan owners had to be salivating at his Week 13 matchup against the Saints. This time he was facing them at home. Surely, a shootout would ensue.
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While he didn’t let fantasy owners down like Drew Brees with his own five interception day, Ryan did an Alex Smith impersonation in a juicy matchup. He threw a first quarter touchdown to Tony Gonzalez, but finished with 165 yards and a touchdown.
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Ryan only completed 54.5 percent of his passes. He killed Roddy White owners by completing just one of seven targets for 20 yards. Julio Jones owners didn’t fare much better. Sure, he caught five of his eight targets, but non-PPR owners couldn’t be happy with the 48 yards.
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Ryan averaged five yards per attempt. Perhaps calling it an Alex Smith impersonation is being too generous. 18 of 33 for 165 yards and a touchdown is Tebow territory, without the added benefit of the rushing yards.
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It’s likely that fantasy owners have to continue to roll with him. He’s still capable of putting up a monster game, especially with the cast of characters that he’s throwing the ball to.
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The Falcons’ record (11-1) shouldn’t come into play unless you’re in a league that plays the full 17 weeks. That could have been an issue even if he didn’t see his production dip.
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Ryan has upcoming games against the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants, and Detroit Lions in traditional fantasy football playoff weeks (Weeks 14-16). If your league does have play the season out, he also has one more game against Tampa Bay.
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Hopefully he can finish the year with the same bang he started it with.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy RB Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Options
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• 2012 Week 13 NFL Picks
• 2012 Week 13 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• Should Julian Edelman Be on Your Fantasy Football Team?
• Should You Be Sittin’ Jason Witten?
• Should You Be Backing Beanie Wells?
• Can Knowshon Moreno Deliver a Fantasy Football Championship?

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Torrey Smith has the fourteenth most fantasy points in standard, non-PPR leagues. He is considered a low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 in most fantasy circles. Should you use his good start to move him?
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Three ahead of him are Randall Cobb, James Jones, and Andre Roberts. The Packers receivers are considered WR2s only because Greg Jennings (groin) is out. Roberts is considered an WR3 at best. Torrey is easily a more tradable commodity. So should you?
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Well, his overall numbers are good, e’s averaging 62.1 yards per game (along with 1.9 rushing yards) and 0.57 touchdowns per game, he has not been consistent.
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Most of his damage came in Weeks 3 and 4 when he averaged 112.0 yards and 1.5 TDs. In the other five games he’s averaging 42.2 yards and 0.2 TDs.
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Even the best receivers fluctuate, but that’s five games with less than 58 yards and only one of those games were bailed out with a touchdown. That game he had 24 yards, so it was only a 8.4 fantasy score.
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When you break it down like that, maybe even a WR3 classification is being generous.
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He is shaping up to be boom and bust like last year. In the 14 games that he was targeted in last year, he had eight games in which he didn’t score or top 57 yards. That’s 12 of 21 games with less than 5.8 fantasy points. He has only reached double-digit fantasy points in seven of 21 games.
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Because of his explosiveness you almost have to start him every week, but he’s obviously far from a lock to give you weekly fantasy numbers.
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If he could get to a point where if he doesn’t score, he at least gets to 70 yards he’d be a lot easier to blindly plug into your lineup.
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That said, I wouldn’t move him just to move him. If you can deal him for a good bounty, then I say go for it. It could save you from the ebb and flow of Torrey’s game.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy RB Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Options
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• 2012 Week 8 NFL Picks
• What to Expect From Peyton Manning Going Forward?
• Should You Try to Trade for Malcom Floyd?
• Buy Low on Vernon Davis?