LestersLegends.com

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Nobody took home the prize last week because Adrian Peterson was hurt. I’m rolling out the contest again. This time you have to guess the combined passing yards for Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in Week 12.
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Whoever comes the closest without going over takes home an XL LestersLegends t-shirt.
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As always, be original. If somebody guessed a total you want, you’ll have to come up with another one. Just leave a comment with your best guess.
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Ryan Grant is assured of a roster spot thanks to Green Bay guaranteeing his contract. He is not, however, guaranteed the starting tailback gig.
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I know he has a pair of 1200 yard seasons under his belt, but this is a “what have you done for me lately” league. I know you can’t control whether or not you get injured, but you are not simply handed the starting job back when you return. Especially when the team won the Super Bowl in your absence.
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James Starks has simply had a better camp than Ryan Grant. He has been more explosive. Fortunately for Grant owners, Starks has been dealing with an ankle injury that has prevented him from making a splash in the games. Through the Packers first three playoff games he has three carries for 16 yards. He did make up for it with five catches for 38 yards in the important third preseason game against the Colts.
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Grant hasn’t shown much flash either. In three preseason games Grant has 52  yards on 14 carries (3.7 ypc).
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The Packers are going to want a balanced attack. They were at their best last  year when Starks keeping defenses honest with the ground game. We all know that the Packers will look to pass first, but they won’t ignore the ground game.
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The problem is that with two capable backs the Pack could easily find themselves in the dreaded RBBC. Given the fact that Grant is coming off injury and Starks has yet to prove  he can stay healthy, it’s probably not a bad idea.
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This is a situation to try to avoid if possible. I know eventually you can’t continue to let them slip, but Ryan Grant especially is seriously overrated in fantasy drafts. MockDraftCentral has him at 54, which puts him midway through the fifth round. I’m sorry, but there is too much risk there. I would let somebody else deal with him.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – PPR
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football K Rankings

Click here to enter the 2011 LestersLegends fantasy football team name contest!
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Donald Driver is 36 so I’m not expecting him to put up a 1200+ yard season like he did from 2004-2006. I don’t even expect a 1000+ yard season like he did from 2007-2009. What I’m wondering is if Donald Driver will have any fantasy value in 2011.
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Driver dealt with a myriad of injuries last year, which is not uncommon for a player his age. He still managed to play in 15 games, but he was far less productive than we’ve come to expect of him. Driver caught just 51 passes for 565 yards and four touchdowns. Hardly the numbers you would expect from a receiver of his stature. They look more like the numbers of an average tight end. Things may not get better in 2011.
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For starters, Jermichael Finley is healthy. If he can avoid the injury bug look for Finley to put up some monster numbers. Also back to health is Ryan Grant, who could help lead to a more balanced attack. That’s good news for Aaron Rodgers staying healthy and the defense staying rested, but it doesn’t help a player like Driver that will be fighting to get targets.
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He would have stood a chance to have some fantasy relevance if James Jones did not return, but that wasn’t the case. Jones is back and will surely see more playing time than Driver. The same goes for Jordy Nelson who shined in the Super Bowl. Both of them will be cutting into Driver’s reps and looks. Finally, Greg Jennings is the Packers’ primary option.
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Driver may do the right things on and off the field. He could be a great mentor to the young wide receivers. Unfortunately fantasy football doesn’t reward that kind of play.
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Driver has a MockDraftCentral ADP of 64, which puts him as a low-end WR5 or high-end WR6. Only four slots ahead of Jordy and one ahead of Roy Williams. I say no thanks. Give me someone with some upside. What’s your take?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings

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Jermichael Finley is an enigma. When he is playing, there aren’t many tight ends with his skill set. He’s 6’5″”, 247 with great speed, hands, and the athleticism to make acrobatic catches. It’s almost unfair because he’s far too quick for linebackers and far too powerful for defensive backs.
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Yet, he has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. You would think that with just 82 catches for 1051 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons wouldn’t translate into a desirable fantasy tight end option. However, you’d be wrong. We’ve know the potential of a monster campaign is there. That’s why you see him high on most fantasy football tight end rankings lists.
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The risk isn’t in owning him. The tight end position has become deep enough where you could find a suitable replacement if he gets hurt again. The risk in who you pass up on to get him. You could be passing on Jason Witten, Vernon Davis, or Dallas Clark to take Finley. I have him ranked third behind Gates and Witten, but I appreciate why someone would take the safer route with Davis or Clark. I can also appreciate if someone wanted to wait even longer and go to the next tier of tight ends.
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There are a lot of factors to consider. What running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks are available. If you want an elite quarterback and the options are starting to get thin, you may want to hold off on drafting a tight end. If you already took some risks (Michael Vick, Brandon Lloyd, etc.), you may want a safer option.
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In Weeks 2-4 last year Finley had at least 100 yards or a touchdown. He closed out 2009 averaging 67.4 yards over his last five games with four touchdowns. Then he went off in the playoffs to the tune of six catches for 159 yards.
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I do believe that Finley could turn in a magical season if he stays healthy. If you’re a risk taker, Finley could be your guy. Just be prepared to strike early if you want him on  your squad.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings

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Adrian Peterson delivered once again despite playing on the Vikings’ sinking ship. He ran for 1298 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 36 catches for 341 yards and another score. After being dogged by fumbles, he improved his ball control by coughing up just one fumble all year. Peterson is once again in the conversation for the first overall pick in fantasy leagues. He shouldn’t slip by the top four or five picks even in PPR leagues. With a rookie quarterback he’ll likely be called upon to take some of the pressure off. Toby Gerhart showed he was capable towards the end of the year, and should see an increase in touches this year. He remains strictly a handcuff though.
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Matt Forte bounce back from a somewhat disappointing 2009 season by running for 1069 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged a career high 4.5 yards per carry. Forte also added 51 catches, his third straight year with 50+, for 547 yards and three more scores. Forte figures to be a high-end RB2 in non-PPR leagues and a low-end RB1 in PPR leagues. Chester Taylor will keep Forte fresh and provide veteran insurance should Forte go down, but isn’t a hot fantasy commodity.
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Jahvid Best will operate between the 20s, but rookie Mikel Leshoure will get the touch carries near the goal line as well as closing out games. Best deal with turf toe last year which sapped his explosiveness, but injuries have been commonplace for Best. He has the ability to put up huge numbers, but is a fantasy risk even as an RB2 because of his injury concerns and Leshoure’s presence. It’s possible that both Best and Leshoure could each have weekly fantasy value.
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Green Bay has a bit of a mess at running back. For starters, we already know that they are first and foremost a passing team. We also know Aaron Rodgers always steals a few rushing touchdowns per year. With Ryan Grant and James Starks sharing carries, there may not be a reliable weekly option barring injury. The Packers added Alex Green in the draft who will likely handle third down duties and further muddy the water.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Running Back Situations
• AFC North Running Back Situations
• AFC South Running Back Situations
• AFC West Running Back Situations
• NFC East Running Back Situations

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Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is by far the best in the division. The writing was on the wall the wall he handled the Brett Favre situation while still delivering on the field. A concussion cost Rodgers from reaching 4000 yards for a third straight year, but fantasy owners can live with the 3922 yards, 28 TDs (11 INTs), 356 rushing yards, and four rushing TDs. If he’s not the best fantasy quarterback in the league, he is certainly a top three choice.
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Chicago’s Jay Cutler cut his interception total from 26 to 16. His yardage (3274) and touchdowns (23) also dipped, but the Bears were winning and more committed to the run. He doesn’t have great weapons around him, but he makes do. The Bears drafted Gabe Carimi to provide some much needed improvement on the offensive line. His toughness may have come into question, but his arm strength never will. He’s a solid QB2 that is really hit or miss.
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Detroit’s Matthew Stafford just can’t seem to stay healthy. The Lions did not invest heavily in their offensive line, as their play was actually not that bad. They did give him some complimentary weapons in the form of Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure to add to Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Nate Burleson, and Jahvid Best. Don’t look now, but the Lions are on the rise. If the injury bug bites again, Shaun Hill has shown that he’s more than capable to step up.
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The Vikings finally addressed the quarterback situation with a long-term solution. Christian Ponder is a good fit for the offense and has the experience to play right away. The team will likely add a veteran to mentor Ponder, but it appears he’ll get his shot. If Sidney Rice does not return, the Vikings will need to give Percy Harvin some help at WR. Adrian Peterson will make the life of a rookie quarterback easier.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations

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As the NFL Lockout continues you may have to seek alternative avenues to get your football fix. The interest level for college football will be at an all-time high if it continues. There are other ways to get your football fix though, including LOMBARDI – A New American Play – on Broadway.
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The play is about legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi and his relationships with his family, team, and a “civilian” outside of his social circles. Not only do you get your football fix, but you could win some fabulous prizes.
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Win Tickets to Super Bowl XLVI
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* At every performance April 5-April 30, sign up at the theater for a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl XLVI! The winner will be selected at random on April 30.
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Win Tickets to the 2011 NFL Draft
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* At every performance April 5-April 27, sign up at the theater for a chance to win tickets to the 2011 NFL Draft Round 2. We will choose a winner live, on stage after every performance in April! All winners will also receive a signed copy of When Pride Still Mattered, by David Maraniss. Winners will be part of the staged audience at Radio City Music Hall!
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Spring Recess Week: April 18 to 24

* Visit the lower lobby 30 minutes before showtime to play the LOMBARDI Football Toss! Kids 18 and under have a chance to win mini-footballs and LOMBARDI magnets.*
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Plus you can win tickets for free. The fine people at LOMBARDI hooked me up with a pair of tickets to share with my readers. You’ll have to be from the New York area or planning a visit. All you have to do is tell me who your most valuable fantasy football player was last year. We’ll select a winner at random.
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Click here for more info on LOMBARDI.
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