LestersLegends.com

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Bernard Berrian is expected to be released by the Minnesota Vikings this week. His is due $3.9 million this year, $6.9 million in 2012, and $7.9 million in 2013. Obviously the final two years of the contract will never come to fruition, but is it wise for them to release the veteran with Sidney Rice set to test the free agent waters?
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All I have to say, is did you see him last year? The Vikings were  without Rice most of  the season and Berrian had managed just 28 catches for 252 yards. He had one game against Arizona that he actually looked like an NFL caliber receiver, catching nine passes for 89 yards. Berrian failed to top 30 yards in any other game.
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His numbers have dropped in each of the last two years. He went from 48 catches for 964 yards and seven touchdowns to 55 catches for 618 yards and four touchdowns, to the aforementioned 28 catches for 252 yards. He has not caught a touchdown pass since Week 11 of 2009. He hasn’t had a 100 yard game since Week 13 of 2008.
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Money aside, I don’t think he’s even worth the roster space. You always have to worry about whether or not his hamstring, toe, or another ailment will pop out. Besides, the way he failed to step up when the Vikings were in a bind at receiver last year left a bad taste in my mouth. Whether they address their wide receiver needs via the draft or via free agency, the Vikings can do a lot better than Bernard Berrian.
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This article is also featured at NFLTouchdown.com, where I am the lead Vikings writer.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

I was a little concerned with Sidney Rice’s hip in July (click to read article). He went from the #5 rank in February to #7 in April as I came to the conclusion that the Vikings would run more in 2010.

In mid-July I bounced him down to #14 as the hip injury began to trouble me. In my most recent rankings two weeks ago, he dipped down to #19 as the hip and a possible contract dispute as the cause for the slide.

Now there are rumors (via Judd Zulgad’s Twitter) that he may undergo surgery to repair his hip. This procedure could cost him half the season. Until we hear otherwise, it’s time to start preparing for the worst. You can no longer risk taking Rice as one of your top two WRs. Even taking him as a WR3 is risky.

Meanwhile, Bernard Berrian should start rapidly climbing the draft board. With Rice’s hip issue and Percy Harvin’s migraine issues, Berrian could easily find himself as the team’s number one receiver. Brett Favre went to Berrian early and often in the NFC title game against the Saints. He would not hesitate to go back to him.

The Vikings are taking a look at Javon Walker, but don’t waste your time with him. Greg Lewis, who was on the receiving end of the ESPY Play of the Year, is far more likely to pick up the scraps should Rice and Harvin miss time.

****UPDATE****
Star Tribune is reporting that Sidney Rice did have hip surgery. If you already had your draft and picked Rice, try to get Bernard Berrian. Don’t worry about Brett Favre. He will be fine with Harvin, Rice, Shiancoe, Greg Lewis, etc.

So Brett Favre decided to grace the Vikings with his presence. If you were one of the one or two people that fell for his act…shame on you. For the rest of us, who always knew he was coming back, we can get on to the real question at hand. What does Favre’s return mean to us fantasy football players?

For starters, you can add Brett Favre in the mix as one of the top eight to twelve fantasy starters. I wouldn’t put him ahead of the likes of Rodgers, Brees, Peyton, Brady, Rivers, Romo, or Schaub, but after last year’s brilliant performance, I can see you rolling the dice and taking him as a low-end fantasy starter. I know he’s never missed a game and has been a top tier QB for the past three seasons, aside from the last few games with the Jets when he blew out his arm, but you should strongly consider adding a quality backup if you’re using Favre. He will turn 41 this year, and after the success the Saints had attacking Favre, you have to imagine other teams will follow suit and try to take down the new grandpa.

I am not worried that Favre’s return will hamper Adrian Peterson. He put up big numbers before Favre and put up big numbers with him. I’m more concerned with his fumbling issues, but that’s a different topic for a different day. I still consider AP the number one fantasy running back since teams can’t stuff the box on him.

The Viking wide receivers have to be breathing a sigh of relief. It’s not that I don’t think Tarvaris Jackson is not capable of moving the chains and putting up some points, but he is not to be confused with Brett Favre. Favre sweats out more experience every game than T-Jack has accumulated, and it will benefit the Viking wideouts.

The player I like the most is Percy Harvin. Of course he is a weekly risk thanks to his recurring migraine issue, but he has so much natural ability. He is strong and shifty and racks up yards after contact like a running back. Favre showed a willingness to deliver the ball to him in the red zone so double-digit touchdowns is not out of the question. Sidney Rice was his favorite target last year, but he is dealing with a hip issue. He has not walked the walk with injuries like the gunslinger so there is cause for concern. If he can stay healthy, he should be able to put up big numbers thanks to his body control and leaping ability. He’ll be gone from fantasy drafts before I’m willing to role the dice on him. Bernard Berrian is an interesting option. He’s too widely know to be considered a sleeper, but he could far exceed his expectations.

First, he’ll have to stay healthy, which has been a challenge. If he can do his part, and Percy (migraines) or Sidney’s (hip) issues flare up, he could see a lot of targets. He was almost the forgotten man last year, but was heavily featured (9 catches, 102 yards) in the NFC title game vs. the Saints. Don’t sleep on him despite his 161 ADP (57th WR).

Perhaps the player that is happiest to see Favre’s return is Visanthe Shiancoe. Not because they can sort out the great training camp tweet debacle, but because Favre loves throwing to tight ends in the red zone. Shiancoe had 11 TDs last year to back up that claim. He loses some value in PPR leagues because he likely won’t catch more than 55-60 passes, but another double-digit season is a distinct possibility.

I know you’re sick of the Favre drama, but the Vikings are a better team with him under center. Their players become better fantasy options as well. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing not to like about Favre’s return.

***Update*** 
Percy Harvin collapsed during practice and was taken to a hospital via an ambulance. He vomited prior to collapsing, most likely the symptoms of a migraine. He has been dealing with them for two weeks now. You should probably slide Harvin down a few notches on your draft board. More importantly, my thoughts and prayers are with Harvin. Hopefully they find a way to improve his condition. That is now way to go through life, not knowing when you’ll be knocked on your butt from a crippling migraine.

Tarvaris Jackson running the offense.

T-Jack looked pretty good.

Berrian looked fast.

The extent of Sidney Rice and Adrian Peterson’s practice.

Present QB?…Doubtful

Future Viking?

Touchdown!

Tarvaris Jackson looked good. Chris Cook is going to be a player. Berrian was solid. The guy I was most impressed with, though, was Visanthe Shiancoe. He caught everything that came his way. When everyone took a break, he kept working.

With the Brett Favre saga finally over, Bernard Berrian gets a bump in value.  Berrian had a solid year with 48 catches for 964 yards and 7 TDs despite playing with the likes of Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson.  With Favre he should surpass the 1000 yard mark he’s been hovering around the past two seasons.  Berrian has averaged 6 TDs a year over the past three seasons, a number that could also increase with #4 on board.  Even if Favre did go down, Sage Rosenfels would be an adequate replacement.  Berrian is going in the 7th round in fantasy drafts, though he’ll likely begin to creep up the draft board with his new QB.  I would roll with Berrian as a WR3.  I expect him to catch 65 passes for 1100 yards and 7 TDs.
 
Devin Hester is another speedy WR that got a shiny, new Quarterback this year.  Even though he annoyed Jay Cutler recently, I think Hester could have a real nice year.  With another year at WR under his belt, he should be more comfortable.  Having a QB with a big arm to take advantage of his speed should also help.  He was spotty at best last year with just three games with over 70 receiving yards.  He had six games with less than 30 yards.  You would think he would have rushing numbers to increase his value, but he ran just six times for 61 yards.  He had 11 return TDs in his first two years, but failed to reach paydirt last year.  He isn’t slated to do any returns this year, so don’t expect any bonus scores.  Having him concentrate full-time on his WR duties should help him stay focused and healthy, but it also takes away what comes naturally for Hester.  I expect him to be more consistent with Cutler, but I still don’t think I would want to rely on him as a WR3.  He’s going in the 7th round in fantasy drafts.  I’m expecting 55 catches for 850 yards and 6 TDs.

Steve Breaston is another speedy WR that is being counted on in 2009.  Only he’s the third WR on his team, which means, barring injury, that I would want him as a WR4 at best.  He had a great year catching 77 passes for 1006 yards and 3 TDs.  He was very inconsistent with eight games with 77+ yards and eight games with fewer 55 yards (five with fewer than 40 yards).  He only added 3 TDs.  The Cardinals are going to balance their offense more this year with the addition of first round pick Beanie Wells.  Unless Boldin or Fitz get hurt or Boldin is miraculously traded, Breaston’s fantasy value takes a hit in 2009.  He is going around the ninth round of fantasy drafts, which is a bit early for my tastes.  I’m expecting around 55 catches for 825 yards and 4 TDs.