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To say Josh McDaniels has taken an unconventional approach with the Broncos would be an understatement. In successive years he has shipped out one of the most physically gifted QBs (Jay Cutler) and WRs (Brandon Marshall). He has also staked his reputation on Tim Tebow, who has varying opinions as to how well his game will translate to the next level. There are some fantasy options, but it’s a far cry from the glory days with Shanahan. At least at this point.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:   Moderately Difficult
The Broncos take on the Cardinals, who have consistency issues on defense, in Arizona, the Raiders in Oakland, and the Texans at home. In years past, this may have been a breeze, but Oakland’s defense is improved and the Texans could have one of the better units in the league with all of their young talent.

Five Star Fantasy Options
None

Four Star Fantasy Options
Knowshon Moreno – Knowshon failed to top 100 yards in any game last year, but he did manage two multiple TD games. He also added 28 catches for 213 yards and a pair of scores. It wasn’t an overwhelming rookie season, but he did manage 1160 total yards and 9 total TDs. He should have a more prominent role in the offense this year.

Three Star Fantasy Options
Broncos Defense/Special Teams – The Broncos have some nice match-ups starting with a pair of games against the Chiefs and Raiders. They also take on the Jags, Seahawks, and Rams. Plus, one of their tilts with the Chargers is in Week 17, which renders it meaningless in most fantasy circles.

Two Star Fantasy Options
Kyle Orton – I have him as a two star, but that’s really give or take a star. First he has to hold off Brady Quinn. Then he has to play well enough to pick up some wins. If the team struggles I don’t see a long leash for Orton. They will want to see what they have in Quinn. I don’t think Tebow will take too many snaps as the primary QB. He’ll likely get some time running the Wildcat offense.

Correll Buckhalter – Buckhalter will take on more of a secondary role with the Broncos given his age and injury history. He still has something to offer, but Moreno is clearly the more explosive back.

Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal, and Jabar Gaffney – I can see all of these guys havin 50-60 catches, but nobody will stand out from the crowd consistently. Their aggregate numbers will be OK, but will be hard to rely on week-to-week.

One Star Fantasy Options
Brady Quinn – Quinn should see the playing field at some point. Depending on how he plays, he can shoot up the ranks. Orton is steady with limited upside. Quinn offers more physically. It just a matter of whether he gets the opportunity and if he’s mentally prepared.

Brandon Stokley and Eric Decker – I’m not as high on this pair of WRs, but they could factor in the mix at times as well.

Daniel Graham – He’s more or a blocking TE than anything else, but could see some looks in the red zone now that Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler are gone.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

A couple of big name NFL players have new homes. LaDainian Tomlinson left sunny San Diego for the Big Apple as he signed on to backup Shonn Greene of the New York Jets. I thought he would be a good fit with the Vikings, where he could justify to himself that he’s backing up an elite running back. Clearly LT knows where he’s at in his career. Otherwise he could not have accepted being second fiddle to a back with Greene’s credentials. 

Personally I think he misjudged the ability of the Jets. They made a great run last year, but I think will be hard-pressed to return to the playoffs in 2010. You can basically pencil in New England, Indianapolis, and San Diego. Baltimore, Pittsburgh (depending on Big Ben’s availability), Cincinnati, Houston, and Tennessee will be challenging the Jets for the remaining playoff spots. Assuming Brett Favre returns, I think the Vikings are in a better position to win it all. LT will likely have a bigger role with the Jets. Perhaps that swayed his decision.  

LT’s fantasy value clearly takes a hit. Barring injury, he won’t get as many touches in New York. Shonn Greene’s value shouldn’t change. He was getting the touches down the stretch when Thomas Jones was still with the team. Personally, I think Jones is better than LT at this stage of their careers.

In other news, the Broncos acquired Brady Quinn from the Browns for Peyton Hillis and some draft picks. Hillis is not a fantasy option in Cleveland. It appears his brief run two years ago will just be a blip on his fantasy radar. The real piece in this deal is Quinn. I’m not sure he could have found a better home. While Jay Cutler had to deal with John Elway comparisons, Quinn doesn’t come with the same expectations. The bar is set much lower. Besides, he’ll be happy to escape Cleveland where he was looked at as a hometown hero prior to his stint with the Browns.

It’s hard to say if you can count on Quinn this year. He’ll at least have the opportunity to beat out Kyle Orton. If he wins the starting gig, his value will be tied to the whereabouts of Brandon Marshall. If Marshall is dealt, his options could be limited. Thankfully you don’t have to make any decision on Quinn right now.

Big names have new homes, but nothing for fantasy players to get excited about.

Brady Quinn’s tumultuous season has ended because of a foot injury he suffered in last week’s shootout win over the Chiefs. If you were using Quinn, who had just two good games this year, as your second QB in 2-QB leagues, you likely aren’t in the championship game. If by chance you are, feel free to pick up Derek Anderson because if you were relying on Quinn there couldn’t have been anything else out there.

Everyone else, just chalk this up to another miserable Browns season. Hopefully for their fans, Mike Holmgren will do better.

Luke McCown, Tampa Bay – If McCown can win the starting gig in Tampa Bay he could put up decent numbers.  He has a couple of nice targets in Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow, Jr.  Unfortunately he doesn’t have any easy matchups during the bye weeks.  He faces New Orleans in Weeks 11 & 16, although it would be pretty ballsy to use him in the fantasy Super Bowl.  He could possibly be used with Matt Cassel as the Chiefs face Baltimore in Week 11.

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins – Pennington could lose even more time to the Wildcat with the addition of Pat White.  Plus, Chad Henne could be breathing down his neck.  After an easy 2008 schedule, the Dolphins have a much more daunting task in ’09.  His best matchup is Week 7 vs. New Orleans.  Kyle Orton, Matt Hasselbeck, and David Garrard are on bye that week.

Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers – If Hill can hold off Alex Smith, he could have a solid year with Rookie Michael Crabree and Frank Gore.  Maybe this is the year Vernon Davis finally breaks out.  The Niners play Arizona in Week 1 & 14, St. Louis in Week 4, and Detroit in Week 16.  It would also take cojones to roll with Hill in the fantasy Super Bowl.  In Week 4 though, he could be used to spell Matt Ryan, Donovan McNabb, or Kurt Warner who are on bye. 

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins – I give him credit for not pulling a Cutler and crying that his team wanted to trade him.  However, his team still wanted to trade him.  Not exactly the ringing endorsement I want for one of my fantasy QBs.  He has weapons in Santana Moss and Chris Cooley.  He has some decent matchups.  St. Louis and Detroit in Weeks 1 & 2, Kansas City in Week 6, Denver in Week 10, and New Orleans in Week 13.  He could fill in for Peyton or Romo in Week 6 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens – I like the way he plays, but his thin arsenal took a hit when Derrick Mason retired.  If Todd Heap and L.J. Smith can stay healthy and Mark Clayton can step up, maybe he’ll be  a serviceable backup.  He faces Cleveland in Weeks 3 & 10, Cincy in Weeks 5 & 9, Denver in Week 8, and Detroit in Week 14.  He could fill in for Cutler, Rodgers, Brees, or Philips in Week 5 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.  I don’t trust the Week 9 bye QBs to be #1 fantasy QBs.

Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams – I have moved on from think Bulger can do anything.  Still, he may get drafted in some leagues.  He faced Detroit in Week 8 and New Orleans in Week 10 so he could fill in for Palmer, Cassel, Brady, or Big Ben in Week 8 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.

Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans – Not much of an option, but he’s a starting QB for what that’s worth.  Arizona in Week 12 and St. Louis in Week 14.  Odds are you won’t use him.

JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders – He’s a Raider so I would avoid him, but if you must he faces the Chiefs in Week 2 & 10 (Eli or Schaub), Denver in Weeks 3 & 15, Cincy in Week 11, and Cleveland in Week 16.

Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions – He is throwing it to Calvin Johnson so he’s at least worth a mention.  Will likely cede the starting gig to Matthew Stafford at some point.  The face the Saints in Week 1, St. Louis in Week 8 (Palmer, Cassel, Brady, Big Ben), Cleveland in Week 11, Cincy in Week 13, and Arizona in Week 15.

Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns – I wouldn’t touch Quinn or DA, but if you must they face Denver in Week 2, Cincy in Week 4 (Matt Ryan, McNabb, Warner) & 12, Detroit in Week 11, and Kansas City in Week 15.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – I wouldn’t trust Sanchez either, but if you must they face New Orleans in Week 4 (Ryan, McNabb, Warner).  They have a pretty tough schedule.

The Browns were almost everyone’s darling last year before returning to hard times.  The good news is they have some pieces in place.  Brady Quinn looked good at QB before getting hurt.  Derek Anderson is a capable QB, but they may look to move him.  Jamal Lewis took a step back and will turn 30 this year.  Jerome Harrison made some plays, but he can’t handle a full load.  The Brwons will likely look to pick up a back in the draft.  Braylon Edwards needs to work on his drops.  He has the ability, and if he can fix that problem he’ll likely be one of the best fantasy values next year.  Donte Stallworth did not pay off for the Browns next year.  They need to bring in a WR via the draft or free agency to challenge for the starter spot.  Even if Stallworth is able to perform, they’ll still need a solid third WR.  Kellen Winslow is solid at TE, but he too had an off year.  It’s a pretty common theme for this team unless your name is D’Qwell Jackson.

Speaking of Defense, their top free agent priority is LB Andra Davis.  He was second on the team with 90 tackles.  Safeties Sean Jones and Mike Adams are also top priorities. 

KFFL Free Agent Tracker:

QB	Ken Dorsey	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
QB	Bruce Gradkowski	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
RB	Jason Wright	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
TE	Darnell Dinkins	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
PK	Jason Reda	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
P	Mike Dragosavich	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
OG	Seth McKinney	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
OT	Eric Young	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
DL	Louis Leonard	ERFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
LB	Andra Davis	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
LB	Willie McGinest	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
LB	Antwan Peek	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
CB	Terry Cousin	UFA (Cut)	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
CB	Travis Daniels	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
CB	Daven Holly	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
SS	Steve Cargile	Signed	Cleveland Browns	New York Giants
SS	Sean Jones	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent
FS	Mike Adams	UFA	Cleveland Browns	Free Agent