Olympic Update

Like I tweeted, I have been at a men's conference since Thursday. I have missed blogging...and watching sports. But I did watch today and try to get caught up on what I missed. Here is some rapid fire reaction:

- Phelps is not near the swimmer he was in 2004 or 2008. He may still rack up enough medals to get the career record, but I wanted more.

- Lochte isn't a Phelps replacement. As good as he can be, he won't ever have the impact Phelps had across the board.

- Volleyball is fun...and hard. I watched indoor and beach today and it was awesome. It is incredible to watch and the teamwork is tremendous. Beach volleyball is tough though. There is so much court to cover for two people, so the blocker is the key. If your front man struggles, good luck. Each player must be even in ability too cause you can target servers and therefore target who gets the kill.

- The US basketball team (women) are unbeatable. They will completely dominate every team. They are the real Dream Team this year. The men are great too, will go undefeated, and win the gold. But they shouldn't talk about being a Dream Team. They need some better shooting and inside play to match the '92 team.

- Boxing is boring. Normal boxing is much better than Olympic boxing. Why even have it at the games?

- Gymnastics is cool, but not for me. I do like watching it sometimes, but I hit a wall eventually and can't watch too long.

- Lastly, the US is dominant!

Andrew

Fantasy Football Keeper League

We started a keeper league this year for fantasy football. We are looking for one more dedicated fantasy footballer to join us. The league info is below. With only one spot left, join quickly!

Site: Yahoo Fantasy Football

League Name: The Sports Guys

League ID: 74650

Password: kokomo

If you have any problems, email me directly at ajmill34@gmail.com

Andrew

MLB Trade Season

With the trade deadline upcoming, followed closely by the race for October, baseball talk is upon us. Below is my take:

Recap of Trades so Far:

White Sox acquire Brett Myers: 
The Southside Sox haven't been poor in the bullpen, but they do have 7 rookies at that spot, adding a veteran of Myer's caliber and experience, as well as getting Jesse Crain, and John Danks back from injury are good moves.

Detroit Tigers Acquire Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante from Marlins:
The first of the Marlins firesale is a huge win for the Tigers.  Their play at 2nd base has been atrocious so Infante is a definite upgrade there. Sanchez is a great addition to the rotation.  I think they need one more starting pitcher to round out a rotation of Verlander,Fister,Sanchez,Scherzer, and a fifth option. I don't like Porcello in that fifth spot. An intriguing option is the Cubs' Paul Maholm, who would be a nice fit because his style of pitching is so different from the other 4 in this rotation.  Good fit for both teams there I think.

Yankees acquire Ichiro Suzuki:
In one of the more "wait..what?" trades of this offseason the Yankees replace Brett Gardner with Ichiro.  I couldn't think of a better fit for the end of Ichiro's career.  He fits in the clubhouse, and on the field. Even though he's hitting only .261 this season his stats almost mirror what Gardner would have done, which helps the Yankees to rely less on the HR, which will help them in September. Great trade for them.

Rays acquire Ryan Roberts:
This trade makes no sense to me. I have no idea why the rays would trade for a poor-hitting third baseman, when they have many utility infielders already who are hitting as well or better than Roberts.

Pirates acquire Wandy Rodriguez:
Never been a big fan of Wandy, and I think the Pirates could do better. They have a great farm system so a trade for a Josh Johnson or Cole Hamels wasn't out of the question.  I feel those would've been better moves.  They also could use a bat, as their offense is much too reliant upon Andrew McCutchen.

Dodgers acquire Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate:
Absolutely great trade for the Dodgers.  Instant upgrade offensively, as far from south Florida as Hanley can get and Choate is a help in the bullpen.  If the Dodgers can pick up some pitching to go along with a lineup that now includes Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier, they will be heavy favorites to come out of the NL.

The Astros and Blue Jays ten-player trade:
The Astros obtain seven players from Toronto: right-hander Francisco Cordero, outfielder Ben Francisco, minor leaguers Joe Musgrove, Asher Wojciechowski, David Rollins and Carlos Perez, and a player to be named. The Astros send left-hander J.A. Happ (pictured) and right-handed relievers Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter to Toronto in the trade.- Equal for both teams. I don't see that it makes either one that much better and it just moves some contracts around. Ho-hum for me.


Trades I Expect:

Matt Garza to the Dodgers, Braves, or Rangers (Andrew is hoping Braves)

Bryan LaHair/Placido Polanco to the Orioles

Ryan Dempster goes nowhere!

Josh Johnson to Boston Red Sox- only if the Red Sox can make the trade without giving up Will Middlebrooks.

Greg

Fantasy Tight Ends

Top 25 Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham – This former college basketball player brings something that most players can’t match… superior height, strength, and athleticism. He broke out in 2011, and I don’t see him slowing down in 2012. In fact, I see him improving on those numbers. He and Colston are the primary targets for Drew Brees.

2. Rob Gronkowski – Gronk was the best TE last year, but that had to do with his 17 TD’s. He won’t match that total again. The Pats added weapons (Lloyd being the biggest one) and there are too many mouths to feed for him to repeat 2011. He is still very elite and worth targeting early.

3. Antonio Gates – This guy used to be THE freak athlete TE that nobody can stop, but these types of players are becoming the norm. I still love his situation though in San Diego. He is the top target in a great passing offense and will see many endzone looks. His injury history gives some risk though.

4. Jermichael Finley – Another elite athlete playing tight end for a special passing offense. There are a lot of options in Green Bay so his targets have a limit, but his upside doesn’t. He is a great redzone option and a TD machine. Needs to improve on his drops however.

5. Fred Davis – There isn’t a limit to what Davis can accomplish. He has all the tools but hasn’t put it together yet. With an upgrade at QB this season, he could finally break out. He is arguably the best target now on the team outside of newly acquired Pierre Garcon.

6. Jason Witten – This guy has been Romo’s go to target for years. His consistency is something to depend on. This season should be no different. With Robinson gone, Witten will be one of the best targets on the Cowboys (along with Dez and Miles).

7. Vernon Davis – There is only one reason this guy is seventh on this list. The 49ers went out and grabbed three new receivers that will all take away from his targets. Davis is still a great option, but won’t be as productive anymore.

8. Owen Daniels – A total sleeper this season, Daniels is primed to become elite once more. He is fully recovered from an injury that hampered him a season ago, and TD vulture Dreessen is gone. He is the best option besides Johnson on the Texans.

9. Aaron Hernandez – The other half of the Patriots dynamic tight end core. He is a great athlete that is a tough matchup for any defense. Like I said with Gronk, there are so many options there now, so his TD count may not be great.

10. Jacob Tamme – A change of scenery for this guy, but a familiar QB situation. Peyton Manning made great use out of him and Clark in Indy, and it should be no different in Denver. I really love this guy in PPR leagues.

11. Jermaine Gresham – Second year QB Andy Dalton will use Gresham much more this season. Outside of AJ Green, he is the top passing option and has redzone potential. Expect a huge year from this young specimen.

12. Brandon Pettigrew – We all know about his QB’s great season last year, but Brandon only caught 5 of Stafford’s 41 TD passes. For him to become elite, he has to improve that number. Without a clear-cut option after Calvin Johnson, Pettigrew has the tools to step into that second fiddle role.

13. Tony Gonzalez – Does the old vet have anything left? With Jones truly emerging opposite White, Gonzalez may take another step back this year. He’s still worth a draft pick, but don’t reach for him anymore.

14. Brent Celek – If Vick can stay healthy, the Eagles will have an amazing passing game. With Jackson and Maclin on the outside, Celek will have free reign over the middle of the field. He hasn’t had one big year yet, so maybe he will in 2012.

15. Jared Cook – Cook’s last few games will go down in fantasy lore. He may have helped lead teams to the promise land if they had the faith to start him. If Britt keeps sabotaging his career off the field, Cook may become the lead man in the passing game. That means good things for his owners.

16. Greg Olsen – He has great hands and plays for a QB that can put up big numbers. And outside of Steve Smith, who else does Newton have to throw to?

17. Coby Fleener – A very promising rookie who will team up with his college QB. If playing in a keeper league, grab this guy sooner rather than later. He should produce pretty well this season too. After all, he will immediately become a top option, even though it may be for a struggling team.

18. Dustin Keller – Always a decent fantasy option, plus he could see an uptick in targets this season. Outside of Holmes, he is the only mainstay.

19. Kellen Winslow – A new home might be a good thing for this talented, yet underachieving prospect. In Seattle, he may become one of the top options for a talented new quarterback.

20. Dallas Clark – Winslow’s replacement was once elite with Indianapolis, but that was with Manning instead of Freeman. He will have a role, just don’t know how big.

21. Kyle Rudolph – Love this guy’s upside and could blossom with a quarterback who is young as well. They don’t have tons of great receiving options so he could play a major role.

22. Lance Kendricks – Another young target, valuable even more in keeper leagues. Some predict he may break out this season and step into his potential. I am a bit more skeptical but he’s worth a shot late.

23. Heath Miller – An old vet that will benefit from a newly minted pass-first offense in Pittsburgh. He has chemistry with Big Ben.

24. Ed Dickson – Is known for a big game now and again, but not a consistent force. With a lack of talent in the WR department there in Baltimore, maybe he can develop that consistently this season.

25. Scott Chandler – Tough call for this last spot between him and Tony Moeaki. Chandler is a good TD option and doesn’t have an injury risk attached. Maybe he can become a mainstay in 2012.

Andrew

The Open Pick 5 Results

If you are an Adam Scott fan, I feel for you right now. That was one of the worst sports collapses you will ever see. The last four holes were played by a different guy than we saw the first 68. He changed off the tee on 18, he changed on the greens on 16 and 18, and he changed in how he approached the greens on 15 and 17.

Although this will go down as a major choke, Ernie Els did play the best round out of any of the contenders on Sunday. He ended his round so strongly as well, including his great winning putt on the final hole. I won't quite say he went out and won it, but he played a role in winning it.

If you like me, a Tiger Woods fan, you were disappointed in his weekend performance just like the US Open. His plan on the tee got him in fairways, but it kept him from making birdies. The sixth hole today also did him in early, so we couldn't even see how he would do down the stretch. If he shot one under today, he's in a playoff. Unreal!

Anyways, below are the results of our Pick 5 Challenge, in order of the finish. Congratulations to Ben Billman, a first time guest. Adam Scott proved to be the difference for him, so at least Scott didn't choke that away like he did the real event. Here are the results:

Ben Billman


Adam Scott - 812,292 - Should have won overall, but was highest finisher picked anyways
Tiger Woods - 464,724
Ian Poulter - 124,343
Lee Westwood - 23,180
Marcel Siem - 0

Total = 1,424,539


Andrew Miller (My Second Group was Up with Billman's... Doesn't Count)

Tiger Woods - 464,724
Miguel Jimenez - 124,343
Louis Oosthuizen - 79,277
Rickie Fowler - 47,124
Lee Westwood - 23,180

Total = 738,648


Greg Branda


Graeme McDowell - 304,610
Jason Dufner - 47,124
Padraig Harrington - 32,023
Lee Westwood - 23,180
Aaron Baddeley (Replaced Jason Day) - 17,964

Total = 424,901


Patrick Mudd

Louis Oosthuizen - 79,277
Jason Dufner - 47,124
Rory McIlory - 19,292
Brendan Grace - 16,636
Justin Rose - 0

Total = 162,329


Thanks for playing and we'll see you all for the PGA Championship. Stay tuned for our other blogs and challenges along the way. Later!

Andrew

Penn State Football Penalty

For those of you who have followed this story with any amount of interest, as I have, this is one of the most monumental decisions in the history of sports.  I'm going to address two issues that have to do with the incredible scandal that has taken place at this school over the last 12 months. I hope many of you take these cases as seriously and voice your displeasure over the atrocities that were done to these children under the watch of the Penn State Athletic and Academic Administrations.

The Paterno Statue
My personal view is that they should not remove the statue, but instead add to it a life size statue of Gerry Sandusky performing "unspeakable acts" on the current statue of Joe Paterno. I feel this would adequately embarass the legend of Joe Paterno and in a somewhat sick way, gratify the "revenge factor" desires of those that Paterno allowed Sandusky to brutalize over his many years at Penn State.

However, since this is not realistic, I heard an actual solution that seems to be the best solution I have heard yet.  This solution would remove the Paterno statue from the football stadium and place it in their "Hall of Trophies".  This would remove it from immediate public view, and add a plaque to be placed in front of the statue commemorating the many victories, while also mentioning and giving due respect to the many child victims of the Paterno/Sandusky era. 

As a corellary, I'd demand the court issue a large portion of the retirement trust of Joe Paterno to be used to set up a college/trust/foundation fund specifically for the victims of Gerry Sandusky.

Penn State Football Program
It is my opinion that the Penn State Football program should be given a modified 'Death Penalty'.  The corruption in the administration of not only the Penn State Athletic Department, but the University Presidents' office as well cannot go unpunished here.  The penalty should fit the crime.  The lack of insitutional control began in 1998 when Paterno and other members of the administration at Penn State knew about the investigation into Sandusky's personal life, and upon learning that it was true, kept it under wraps and essentially forced Sandusky into retirement.  However, instead of banishing Sandusky from the premises, they continued to allow him to have access to their facilities, which he used to abuse more of his victims from that time in 1998 to this past season ending in 2012. 
The penalty I would impose would be a suspension of Penn State's football program for the exact amount of time that they refused to protect the rights of the children that were in and around their football program. A 'Death Penalty' of sorts for a period of 14 years.  This would cost Penn State in the Billions of dollars in revenue, and give a solid warning to any other institutions giving carte blanche to their head football coaches. 

These two 'penalties' will not give justice to the families affected by this disaster, but it will let them know that football and legends are not more important than the lives of those children that were affected by this.  If the NCAA, which supposes it to be an organization that strives to create better students and leaders of tomorrow through college athletics, does not support its own message by condemning an organization that fostered an environment that allowed the principles it supposes to stand on to be trampled, what kind of organization is it?

Get used to the Big 10 without Penn State football for the time being, for if the NCAA does the right thing we shouldn't see it for a decade and a half.

British Open Pick 5 Challenge

For those of you who missed the Pick 5 Challenge from the US Open last month, here's how we play:

For some of the major tournaments throughout the year in golf, we choose certain criteria one must match in order to make picks. Following the criteria for that event, each person chooses 5 guys they think will do well. We play for pride in knowing we know golf the best.

For the British Open (starting tomorrow), we are using the following criteria: 1 non-major winner, 1 major winner, 1 UK/British player, 1 Non-European/Non-American, and 1 player ranked outside the top 50 (OWGR). To learn more about the Open itself, view the previous blog for Andrew's British Open Preview.

Below are our picks for the Pick 5 Challenge. Please submit your picks in the comment section. Try and get them done by tomorrow morning (coverage starts at 5 AM EST).

Andrew's Picks

Non-Major Winner - Rickie Fowler
Major Winner - Tiger Woods
UK/British Player - Lee Westwood
Non-European, Non-American - Louis Oosthuizen
Outside Top 50 - Miguel Angel Jimenez (83)

Greg's Picks

Non-Major Winner - Jason Dufner

Major Winner - Graeme McDowell

UK/British Player - Lee Westwood

Non-European, Non-American - Jason Day

Outside Top 50 - Padraig Harrington (59)

Can't wait for this event, and may the best man win!

Andrew and Greg

British Open Preview

Another championship is finally here! After a boring week in sports, I finally have something to look forward to again. Just like Wimbledon, this event is across the pond, but is still extremely exciting.

As we know from past years, and have seen again this season, golf is the toughest sport to predict. In fact, the past 15 majors have been won by different people. The last 9 have been first time winners. Will the trend continue?

Royal Lytham is a classic Open venue. The list of winners here is impressive, with David Duval winning in 2001 (the last time the Open was hosted there). As you can guess, the course will be defended by the wind... and bunkers.

There are 205 sand traps at Royal Lytham! Most of them are deep and very well will play like a one stroke penalty. There are in play off basically every tee and every approach. Even laying up will be tricky with bunkers in play there too.

Keeping the ball in the fairway will be key number one for every player. Only from the fairways will players be able to effectively judge the distance and give themselves reasonable looks at birdie. But it still may be all about the weather.

If the wind blows, I think the scores will be similar to what we saw at the US Open last month. If it is calm, scores will be much lower. The weather isn't looking good, so expect for par to be rewarded.

The course begins with a par 3, which most players will love. There are three par 3's on the front nine, including the breathtaking ninth hole. There is only one par 5, now that number six changed to a par 4. The entire front basically moves in the same direction (out), then they turn back the opposite way for the back.

The back is played at a par 36, containing one par 5 and one par 3. The last six holes are all par 4's though. In that finishing stretch, there are two shortish holes playing around 350 yards or less. On the flip side, there are multiple brutal holes, including 17, which is my favorite hole on the course. I do think 18 is fairly straightforward, although that's where the pressure is highest.

Like most links courses, there are plenty of ways to approach the course. Some will bash their drivers attempting to fly bunkers and target seldom used parts of the fairway. That will lead to plenty of birdies, but also tons of bogeys mixed in. Others will lay back with irons to control their tee shots a little more. That will lead to lengthy approaches making it difficult to achieve birdies, but it may keep the big scores off the card.

No matter the approach, players must take advantage of the two par 5's. I think playing the par 3's well is another key to shooting good scores. Obviously finishing strong will be important, and like we saw at the US Open, a good start on the first six holes is another goal. An obvious key is putting. And with the subtle, yet extreme nature of these greens, reading the putts and hitting it with good speed will be the most important part.

The number one thing to look for though is how players manage playing in the weather. I like the chances of players who plot their way around the course. I also look for players that have played well across the pond before.

Tiger Woods is the favorite and rightfully so. He has won three Opens, and has won three times this year. He was in position at the US Open before fading on the weekend. He will regroup after that experience and I don't expect that to happen this time.

There are plenty other contenders in the top 10 world rankings, including many who haven't won before. That list includes Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, and Hunter Mahan. You have to like all their chances too.

So who is going to drive it well and putt it even better? For Greg and my picks, check back Wednesday. Join us then to participate in the "Pick 5 Challenge". Until then, enjoy your summer!

Andrew

Fantasy Wide Receivers

Top 50 Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson – This was the easiest choice on these rankings (it gets murkier from here on out). He is a TD machine with a great QB throwing to him. He will rack up catches, yards, and scores. He is not that big of an injury risk either.

2. Larry Fitzgerald – He has remained consistent despite a major problem at quarterback recently. If Kevin Kolb (or anyone) can become reliable, he could really flourish. Michael Floyd should take some pressure off him also.

3. Andre Johnson – Last year, it was this guy who was the first WR off the board come fantasy drafts. Now, third in the rankings is high for most. But if he remains healthy, there is no reason he can’t produce like he’s capable of and he has in the past.

4. Brandon Marshall – In Denver he was electric. In Miami without a quarterback, he still produced. Now reunited with Jay Cutler puts him back in the elite category. I expect over 100 catches, so pick him up fast, especially if playing in a PPR league.

5. Roddy White – If it weren’t for his teammate Julio, this man could be right behind CJ. But he will lose some targets to his second year comrade. He is a sure thing in PPR leagues, but his TD production is up and down.

6. Wes Welker – The best security blanket for one of the best passing games in the NFL. He is a sure thing for 100+ catches, and he had a great year for TD’s in 2011. He once again will be a WR1 in fantasy no matter what type of league you are in.

7. Greg Jennings – The number one receiver on the mighty Packers. With Rodgers throwing him the ball, he is a great option every season. He tore it up a year ago and one should expect the same type of production.

8. A.J. Green – In his rookie season, Green showed how potent he could be in fantasy. With his development and that of his quarterback (coupled with the loss of Simpson), Green will get loads of targets and become an even bigger star.

9. Hakeem Nicks – For starters, pay attention to his injury status. If he is iffy towards the start of the season, he should slide or even switch spots with his teammate Victor Cruz. If healthy though, he is a top-notch player.

10. Victor Cruz – Last year, this guy was a top 5 WR along with his cohort above. But there is some question whether he will continue that production or be considered a one-year wonder. Also, will his QB Eli continue to produce on that high of a level?

11. Mike Wallace – He is a big play receiver, which means two things: he will score plenty of touchdowns, but he won’t rack up tons of catches on a consistent basis. With other young receivers developing for the Steelers, he isn’t the option he could be, but he is still worth drafting high.

12. Steve Smith – This aging veteran showed in 2011 that he still has plenty in the tank. He remains the top option for Cam Newton which means good things if you own him in fantasy.

13. Dez Bryant – With Laurent Robinson now gone from Dallas, Dez will be redzone target of choice for Romo. That’s the thing that sets him apart over fellow wide-out Miles Austin.

14. Demaryius Thomas – He broke out late in 2011 with Tebow at quarterback. Now, with Peyton Manning throwing him the ball, he will dominate without question. Look for more games out of him like we saw vs. the Steelers in the playoffs.

15. Marques Colston – He has been the top option in NO for a while now. With Meachem gone now, he will be an even bigger target for Drew Brees. He also should be fully healthy after struggling with injuries a season ago.

16. Miles Austin – He was off and on with injuries in 2011, but he has always been a favorite of Tony Romo. There are even more targets up for grabs this season with Laurent Robinson out of town.

17. Julio Jones – Another second option player, but another one that’s worth a high pick. As a rookie last year, he was targeted more and more as the season progressed. That trend should continue this season, particularly around the endzone.

18. Jordy Nelson – He is a second option, but a great one! If he does what he did last year, this ranking should be cut in half. But can he really be that good again?

19. Dwayne Bowe – Known for his big TD games, Bowe could improve a little week to week. Draft him knowing you’ll get massive games, but you can expect some duds as well.

20. Brandon Lloyd – The jury is still out on what to expect from Lloyd this year. There are a lot of mouths to feed in NE and he is the newest addition. He could put up numbers similar to Randy Moss, or more like Chad Ochocinco after they joined.

21. Kenny Britt – You remember his production last year before his season ending injury? I do, and it was dominant! If he is healthy all year and his QB’s are consistent, this is another guy that should end up much higher than this ranking.

22. Jeremy Maclin – An emerging first option for an explosive passing offense. It would help even more if Vick can stay healthy all year while throwing him the ball.

23. Stevie Johnson – Most know him more for his touchdown dances or how he dropped that game-winner against the Steelers a couple years back. This season, he’ll show everyone his worth producing big numbers.

24. Sidney Rice – He is a year removed from his injury and has a capable passer in Flynn. I hope (and somewhat expect) similar numbers from when he played with Favre a few seasons ago.

25. Vincent Jackson – We’ve gotten used to Jackson putting him big numbers, but it’s been with a different quarterback. In Tampa Bay, he’s got a young quarterback who hasn’t produced well in fantasy. So how can we fully trust Jackson?

26. Percy Harvin – This wide receiver has struggled staying on the field for medical reasons, has struggled to produce consistently, and recently said he wanted out of Minnesota. But he still has tons of talent...

27. Eric Decker – If you are in a PPR league, I think this guy could be great. He will rack up catches playing with Manning and be used similar to Wes Welker. He'll be pretty good in normal leagues too.

28. Antonio Brown – An emerging talent in an offense than has thrown a lot in recent seasons. In fact, some believe he will take more and more targets away from star Mike Wallace.

29. DeSean Jackson – Always a big play threat, but always playing with an attitude. With his contract dispute finally behind him, Jackson should get back to playing real football again this season. I think he is a real sleeper this year in terms of a potential top 10 WR.

30. Torrey Smith – Although last year he was an unknown, he could easily be the top option in Baltimore. He’s got to prove he is more than just a deep threat. If he does, then he could be a real breakout hero in fantasy football.

31. Pierre Garcon – Somebody will emerge in Washington as the top receiver, so why not the new guy? Garcon has always produced, even last year without a legit quarterback. If nothing else, add him for depth this season.

32. Santonio Holmes – The Jets run first and run often. But when they do pass this season, most of the targets will be to this guy. His TD's could increase with Burress now gone.

33. Reggie Wayne – He chose to stay in Indy, which is good news for Andrew Luck. He will remain the top option there, but it won’t be the same as the Manning days.

34. Darrius Heyward-Bey – Last year, he finally showed that he isn’t a bust. Add in better chemistry with Palmer, and he should take another step forward this year.

35. Robert Meachem – Usually a constant target of Brees, he now plays for Brees’ old team in San Diego. In fact, he could find himself as the number one option there. Rivers will spread it around though so don’t expect epic numbers.

36. Justin Blackmon – He is the top rookie receiver this year, but in a terrible situation in Jacksonville. If by some miracle they get decent play at quarterback, he could be productive.

37. Denarius Moore – Right there with Heyward-Bey as the top option in Oakland. Many believe he already is the top dog, but I think he’ll just be slightly less productive than his teammate.

38. Michael Crabtree – There are a lot of options now in SF, but he is in place to receive the most targets in their passing game. Carefully monitor this situation though as there are a lot of mouths to feed.

39. Anquan Boldin – The most proven receiver in Baltimore could be very useful again this season. But another word for proven is aging. He has a lot of mileage on his legs and body, and it could very well catch up with him in 2012.

40. Greg Little – The Browns were not a great passing team last season. If they improve at all, Little will be the main beneficiary. He is oozing with talent, and is a great pick late, particularly in keeper leagues.

41. Lance Moore – Behind Colston, Moore should be the next best WR for the Saints. He will also benefit from Meachem being gone. He has struggled with staying healthy though, but he’s worth a spot on your bench without question.

42. Malcolm Floyd – With Vincent Jackson gone, Floyd is the best returning WR for SD. They did bring in some other weapons, but Floyd will remain an important target.

43. Santana Moss – If Garcon doesn’t lead the way from the WR position, it will be this veteran doing it. This guy is a nice pick that will add depth to your fantasy team.

44. Randy Moss – Rumors out of SF say that Moss could be top dog this season. That’s hard to believe after watching him the year before he retired. But he has produced before, and stranger things have happened.

45. Laurent Robinson – He emerged as an impact player a year ago, but that was with the Cowboys, a far cry from where he is now. His talent remains, but his situation in Jacksonville isn’t pretty.

46. Brian Quick – A great pick in keeper leagues, and it could turn out well in 2012 also. Sam Bradford has to throw to somebody, and Quick has all the tools to be a successful receiver.

47. Alshon Jeffery – I expect him to play a lot opposite Marshall, in a offense that should be good this season. He could even become the best redzone option in Chicago.

48. Michael Floyd – One of the most talented players drafted in 2012, but he may lack the work ethic to become elite immediately. Playing across from Fitzgerald will help, but the uncertain nature of their QB situation scares me.

49. Kendall Wright – Another rookie who has a bright future ahead of him. It’s Britt’s team (in terms of receiving), but after that anyone has a chance to emerge as the second guy. Consistent QB play is a question mark however.

50. Davone Bess – Always a decent PPR player, this year he could produce more now that Marshall has moved on. After all, he is their number one receiver now for QB’s Tannehill and Moore.

Andrew

Fantasy Running Backs

Top 50 Fantasy Running Backs

1. Arian Foster – Is there even a doubt? He runs behind a very good line, will be a workhorse on a team that likes to run, his team will have the lead often, will get goaline carries, and is an adequate receiver out of the backfield. Expect 2010 type numbers.

2. Ray Rice – He led all running backs in points last season. He will get all of the Ravens’ carries now that Williams is gone. He is the best catching RB in the game and may lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

3. LeSean McCoy – Was a TD machine a season ago and will be the focal point on a great offensive team. Once again, this is a back that will pile up catches along with carries. If Andy Reid keeps running it more and more, McCoy can lead the NFL in rushing this year.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew – If you want a guy with guaranteed carries, MJD is your guy. He leads in the NFL in carries over the last 3 seasons with 954. Once again, he’ll get a boatload of looks in a run first offense. He can catch it also, and is a threat to reach double digits in total TD’s.

5. Chris Johnson – I expect a return to greatness this year for CJ. He probably won’t eclipse 2,000 yards again, but he will be among the league leaders in rushing yards. The passing game should be better for the Titans, which may make it easier on him. If he gets more carries in the redzone, this ranking may be low.

6. Ryan Mathews – He finally lived up to potential late last season. With Tolbert now gone, he should be even more productive. Norv Turner says he may lead the NFL in rushing this season so they plan to use him plenty. His issue is with injuries so handcuffing him is a must in fantasy this year.

7. Darren McFadden – There is a lot of risk with this pick based on his history with injuries. But his talent is hard to match and his backup Bush is gone. When playing, DMC will be one of the best. Just like Mathews, get a good backup.

8. Matt Forte – Currently, Forte is in a contract dispute. But I am assuming a deal gets done and he’ll be fine for week 1. This guy was leading the NFL in total yards a season ago before getting injured. But he is completely healthy and will be a threat on the ground and through the air. New addition Bush may steal carries though.

9. Trent Richardson – There is a lot of hype surrounding this talent, similar to Peterson when he came into the NFL. He will be the focal point of Cleveland immediately, but they will still struggle to score. The fact that they may struggle passing makes his ability to rush effectively questionable. He will get touches though.

10. Marshawn Lynch – He ended 2011 in “Beast Mode” and made fantasy owners (like myself) happy they drafted him. Seattle should be more balanced this year offensively so I expect him to be successful. I just don’t think he can continue his TD streak however.

11. DeMarco Murray – We all saw the talent last year in some of his epic big games. We also know he got injured and will be fighting back this year. Will he be healthy enough to keep his high level going? Or will some carries be given to Felix Jones? High risk, high reward here.

12. Adrian Peterson – How fast and how well can he recover from his ACL and MCL injuries? That’s the only thing you need answered because we all know this guy can dominate in fantasy.

13. Jamaal Charles – Keeping the theme of injured RB’s going, Charles is returning from one of his own. I expect he will be just fine come September, so I would draft with confidence in that regard. My worry is that they signed Peyton Hillis. He could steal many of his touches away. They will run a lot as a team however.

14. Michael Turner – If you are in a PPR league, let Turner slide even more. But in most formats, he will produce just like he has for years. He will get a lot of carries, particularly around the goaline. He will rush over 1,000 yards again too. But he won’t produce epic games and his value is decreasing.

15. Steven Jackson – Similar to Turner, Jackson is an aging workhorse who consistently produces. He will once again get the bulk of the carries and yards, but his lack of TD’s will keep him from being a tier 1 back.

16. Fred Jackson – Before his injury, Jackson was a top 3 fantasy back. He should be just as explosive this season. The Bills though are hinting at a time-split between him and CJ Spiller (who filled in nicely during Fred’s injury). That’s a story to watch.

17. Frank Gore – After a great season in 2011, one could expect another monster year in 2012. Although he will be a quality running back, there are now other players that will impede his touches. The 49ers brought in Jacobs and James, and retained Kendall Hunter.

18. Reggie Bush – Last season Reggie figured out how to run in the NFL. He came into his own and delivered in a big way. One would expect similar production but Miami is saying they will spell him more. Owners should hope that’s a lie.

19. Shonn Greene – He had his best year last season and finally lived up to potential. They will be even more run heavy this season with new coordinator Sparano, which means he will get plenty of looks. No back on the roster threatens his carries, but QB Tim Tebow will, especially with his wildcat packages around the goaline.

20. Doug Martin – If Martin indeed steals all the carries away from Blount immediately, this ranking is too low… possibly way too low. He can do it all and is an underrated prospect. With the offense expected to get better in Tampa Bay, he could become the focal point.

21. Darren Sproles – The Saints backfield is crowded but he stood out last year with his ability to catch the ball. In PPR leagues especially, he is worth your second running back spot. He will continue to produce in this high-flying offense.

22. Willis McGahee – He is the unquestioned number one on an offense that could thrive this season. Manning will keep boxes from closing in on him, but Manning will also shift the focus away from him a bit in terms of how the offense is run.

23. Roy Helu – The good news is that this guy has tons of talent and dominated late last year. He can run and catch and will play in a decent offense. The bad news is that his coach is Shanahan and nobody knows what the RB situation will be from week to week.

24. Ahmad Bradshaw – Wasn’t an effective runner a year ago but he scored TD’s. Expect that to continue with the departure of Brandon Jacobs. With the drafting of David Wilson, the worry here is if he continues to struggle running, how much time will be given to the first round pick?

25. Beanie Wells – He had a great season last year and rewarded owners who drafted him. He is still young and the running game could be even better this year in Arizona. He will, however, be pushed by Williams, who was injured in 2011.

26. Isaac Redman – This obviously depends on the status or Mendenhall… but at this time Redman is clearly the man at RB for the Steelers. He will get the majority of touches at that position as long as Mendenhall is out, and tons of goaline carries.

27. Steven Ridley – A guy with tons of talent, and this is the year that he could breakout. With the Law Firm now gone, he should become the lead back. The Patriots always split carries, but if he gets the most, he could go over 1,000 yards.

28. Jonathan Stewart – If this list was put together based on talent, Stewart would fine himself way up the list. But he is in a complete committee situation, and he isn’t even the starter. He will produce the best though for Carolina at the RB position.

29. BenJarvis Green-Ellis – The Bengals are no longer led by Cedric Benson, but by BJGE. He will be the starting back immediately in Cincinnati. He will not be a workhorse however but in a committee situation, just like in NE. Production will then be similar.

30. James Starks – With Ryan Grant out of the picture, Starks is clearly the first option in Green Bay. But they don’t run. When they do, he’ll be the guy so watch carefully how much they put in on the ground.

31. Donald Brown – Another starter who could be a flyer this year in the mid rounds, but may be worth it. This will be his first season as the top dog AND in an offense with a good QB. You can’t judge last year based on the fact they had no QB.

32. C.J. Spiller – Spiller produced in a big way when Jackson went down with an injury. That production will earn him a bigger role than a normal backup would get. He is still behind Jackson though on the depth chart. He should go higher in PPR leagues.

33. Jahvid Best – Another injury risk, but a great talent. He produces particularly well in PPR leagues. There is question about if he is the Lions’ number one back with others in the mix, but I think he has the best chance to produce well for them.

34. DeAngelo Williams – The starter in Carolina’s potent offense, yet he is the second Panther listed. It is a total committee approach, but they do run it well.

35. Mark Ingram – A fantasy reach last year, but 2012 could be the year he becomes fantasy relevant. Another committee in New Orleans, but he may see the most carries this season, including the goaline carries.

36. Michael Bush – Came into a tough situation with Forte clearly the man in Chicago. BUT, he should get plenty of TD attempts, and would be a fantasy star is Forte gets injured or holds out.

37. Peyton Hillis – The breakout star from a couple seasons ago is back with that same coordinator, this time in Kansas City. He is behind Charles on the depth chart, but with him returning from injury, Hillis should see a fair number of carries.

38. Ben Tate – The league’s most valuable backup. If Foster ever goes down, Tate is a RB1. Even with Foster there, he is a decent option for a flex spot or fill in.

39. Pierre Thomas – Another Saints running back. For a team that throws a lot, they have a ton of options to run as well. Thomas runs and catches, which shows more versatility than the two mentioned above. But he is still the third option.

40. David Wilson – He was drafted high for a reason. If Bradshaw struggles, Wilson will step into the lead role quickly. He will have an impact regardless though. Even more valuable in keeper leagues as his role could expand fast over the next couple years.

41. LaGarrette Blount – Most expect him to lose his starting job to rookie Martin, but he’ll still get touches each game, including the goaline work. If he wins the battle then he will shoot up draft boards.

42. Mikel LeShoure – Right there with Best as the top runner for Detroit. He missed last year due to injury, which is a concern, but his upside is great.

43. Ryan Williams – Many people think that Williams will push Wells for time in the Cardinals running game. Pay attention to this closely as he could end up being a steal.

44. Felix Jones – Will backup Murray but will see decent work each game. Murray missed time last year so Jones could be a high-end backup.

45. Shane Vereen – With BJGE gone in NE, Vereen will chance (behind Ridley) to step in and produce in this high-powered offense. The Patriots are quietly a good running team so he is worth a late pick.

46. Ronnie Hillman – Watch out for Hillman this season, particularly in PPR leagues. The Broncos will use McGahee to run, but Hillman will catch the ball a lot out of the backfield. He is like a younger Darren Sproles.

47. Toby Gerhart – Late last season, Gerhart owners were in love. With AP battling back from injury, Toby could get his chance again. AP is supposed to be back week 1, but if not, grab this guy fast.

48. Bernard Scott – With the unknown nature of NFL backfields, Scott could be a steal. We all assume they signed BJGE to be the starter, but Scott has always produced when given time. Could he actually become the lead guy?

49. Isaiah Pead – A young, exciting player that will serve as a change of pace option to Steven Jackson. If Jackson ever tires from all the work he has gotten over many years, Pead can handle more. Pead is great for keepers, as he will become the main guy soon.

50. Tim Hightower/Evan Royster – Shanahan is always screwy with RB’s. So Helu may only be the man for long. These guys may see their chances sooner than you would expect.

Andrew

All-Star Break

We've arrived at the All-Star Break after a great start to the season. Before I discuss the All-Star Events, let's reflect on baseball's first half. If the season ended today, here is who is in the playoffs:

AL                                     NL

Yankees                             Nationals
Rangers                              Pirates
White Sox                          Dodgers

Angels                               Reds
Orioles                               Braves

Is that how you had it? Obviously, there are some names there we didn't expect: Pittsburgh, Chicago, Baltimore. But we knew teams like New York, Texas, both LA's, Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Washington were going to be good. The fact that Washington is the best team in the NL is even more than I expected though. I thought the Angels would be a division winner, not a wildcard team. It's interesting that the Braves are in the exact spot they were last year... but last year there was only one wildcard team that got in.

If the above teams make it in, my picks would be Rangers vs. Atlanta in the world series with the Texas Rangers finally winning. They've been too good for too long without winning the whole thing. Those picks are based on having a complete team (starting pitching, bullpen, hitting) and experience (that rules out many teams too).

Here are my midseason awards:

NL MVP:  Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
AL MVP:  Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
NL Cy Young:  R.A. Dickey, New York Mets
AL Cy Young:  Jared Weaver, LA Angels
NL Manager of Year:  Davey Johnson, Washington Nationals
AL Manager of Year:  Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles
NL Rookie of Year:  Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of Year:  Mike Trout, LA Angels

Now on to the All-Star Events:

The Home Run Derby has a great list of participators this season. I love the whole captain idea with them picking their team. Here's how I see it playing out:

Robinson Cano:               9          7
Mark Trumbo:                 6
Prince Fielder:                 11         8            6
Jose Bautista:                  15          6           5

Matt Kemp:                     7
Carlos Beltran:                4
Carlos Gonzalez:             9          9
Andrew McCutchen:      8

As you can see, I think the AL will outdo the NL. I see Trumbo faltering with this moment being too much for him. I see the veteran Beltran not having enough as well. 3 of the 4 to the second round will be lefties. 3 of the 4 will be from the AL. Gonzalez will hit the most homers in the second round, but fall short of the finals due to his first round. Fielder will win by one over Bautista and become the 2012 Home Run Derby Champion. Back, back, back, back, GONE!

As for the All-Star Game, the only snub I care to mention is Brian McCann. He has been on a tear lately, but because of his slow start he wasn't chosen. He is the best catcher in the NL though so it would have been nice to see him play. It was nice to see Chipper Jones make the team in his final season. It has been quite a career!

As for the game itself, it will be fascinating to watch because the NL is stacked throughout it's pitching staff, and the AL's hitting lineup is stacked. I think this pitching vs. hitting will be fun to watch. I think it will be a fairly close game and may come down to the final innings.

I see Josh Hamilton having a nice game and Ryan Braun coming in off the bench and igniting the NL. I think Verlander and Strasburg will stand out on the mound. Like I mentioned earlier, Braun will come in off the bench and he will hit a go ahead homer to put the NL up by 1 run. It will come down to the 9th inning when Kimbrel will shut the AL down in their attempt to comeback. NL wins 5-4! Braun MVP of the game!

So there you have it. Enjoy the All-Star festivities and then get ready for a great second half. I can't wait to see which players change teams and which teams emerge in September for the playoff run. Have fun!

Andrew