Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at defenses and kickers:
2010 fantasy Defenses: Check out the top 10 for free
Jets CB Darrelle Revis had six interceptions in 2009.
Franchise: N.Y. Jets (No. 2). This unit has more than just all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis. David Harris is an elite linebacker, and Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis are outstanding role players. Kris Jenkins’ return, the draft and another year in Rex Ryan’s system will make the league’s No. 1 unit even better. By "better," I mean "elite."
Bounce-back: Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 3). Steelers fans used the "no Troy Polamalu" excuse in tonnage last year, and it had merit. The Steelers have ranked in the top three in run defense four years in a row, but they struggled against the pass without the safety. That’s the sign of a bounce-back attack, provided Polamalu is healthy.
Sleeper: Houston Texans (No. 16). The Texans allowed more than 20 points only twice after Week 8, and those were excusable efforts against the Colts and Patriots. This unit will improve around Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams.
Bust: Miami Dolphins (No. 17). This aging group couldn’t stop the pass, gave up too many points and struggled against the run toward the end of last season. Can Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano fix all of that against a brutal schedule that features six road games against playoff teams? It’s doubtful.
2010 fantasy Ks: Check out the top 10 for free
Franchise: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (No. 3). He’s the only kicker with more than 400 points since ’07 (410), and he has connected on 87.3 percent of his field goals in that span.
Bounce-back: Nate Kaeding, Chargers (No. 1). So what if he can’t hit in the postseason? Kaeding averaged 9.1 ppg and led the league in scoring in 2009. Make him the top kicker in ’10.
Sleeper: Dan Carpenter, Dolphins: This accurate kicker will creep into the top-10 next season. Do you know where Carpenter played his college ball? Five … four … it was Montana. Sorry, I couldn’t wait.
Bust: Shayne Graham, Bengals (No. 23). So what if he can’t hit in the postseason? Well, in this case, it could cost him a job.
Rookie: Brett Swenson, Michigan State. Swenson isn’t the next Morten Andersen, but he will compete for a starting job somewhere.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs | Fantasy WRs | Fantasy TEs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at defenses and kickers:
2010 fantasy Defenses: Check out the top 10 for free
Jets CB Darrelle Revis had six interceptions in 2009.
Franchise: N.Y. Jets (No. 2). This unit has more than just all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis. David Harris is an elite linebacker, and Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis are outstanding role players. Kris Jenkins’ return, the draft and another year in Rex Ryan’s system will make the league’s No. 1 unit even better. By "better," I mean "elite."
Bounce-back: Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 3). Steelers fans used the "no Troy Polamalu" excuse in tonnage last year, and it had merit. The Steelers have ranked in the top three in run defense four years in a row, but they struggled against the pass without the safety. That’s the sign of a bounce-back attack, provided Polamalu is healthy.
Sleeper: Houston Texans (No. 16). The Texans allowed more than 20 points only twice after Week 8, and those were excusable efforts against the Colts and Patriots. This unit will improve around Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams.
Bust: Miami Dolphins (No. 17). This aging group couldn’t stop the pass, gave up too many points and struggled against the run toward the end of last season. Can Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano fix all of that against a brutal schedule that features six road games against playoff teams? It’s doubtful.
2010 fantasy Ks: Check out the top 10 for free
Franchise: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (No. 3). He’s the only kicker with more than 400 points since ’07 (410), and he has connected on 87.3 percent of his field goals in that span.
Bounce-back: Nate Kaeding, Chargers (No. 1). So what if he can’t hit in the postseason? Kaeding averaged 9.1 ppg and led the league in scoring in 2009. Make him the top kicker in ’10.
Sleeper: Dan Carpenter, Dolphins: This accurate kicker will creep into the top-10 next season. Do you know where Carpenter played his college ball? Five … four … it was Montana. Sorry, I couldn’t wait.
Bust: Shayne Graham, Bengals (No. 23). So what if he can’t hit in the postseason? Well, in this case, it could cost him a job.
Rookie: Brett Swenson, Michigan State. Swenson isn’t the next Morten Andersen, but he will compete for a starting job somewhere.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs | Fantasy WRs | Fantasy TEs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at tight ends:
2010 fantasy TEs: Check out the top 10 for free
Franchise: Dallas Clark Colts (No. 2). Clark became the second tight end to catch 100 passes in a single season, and he leads TEs with 27 TDs since 2007. Bottom line: Peyton Manning is his quarterback.
Bounce-back: Jason Witten, Cowboys (No. 4). Owners will overlook Witten because he scored just two TDs in 2009. But he still had 94 receptions and 1,030 yards. With a few more scores, he’ll be back on par with Clark and Antonio Gates.
Sleeper: John Carlson, Seahawks (No. 12). Because Jermichael Finley is too obvious. Carlson slumped most of ’09, but he closed with four TDs in the final four weeks. He’s a third-year breakout candidate.
Bust: Zach Miller, Raiders (No. 14). Miller is perceived as a draft-day bargain, but he has caught only seven TDs in three seasons. He’s no more than a bye-week backup. Bottom line: JaMarcus Russell is his quarterback (for now).
Rookie: Aaron Hernandez, Florida. Tim Tebow gets all the attention, but college teammate Hernandez (6-2, 250) had 68 catches for 850 yards and five scores as a junior. Hernandez will make an impact, especially in the red zone.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs | Fantasy WRs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at tight ends:
2010 fantasy TEs: Check out the top 10 for free
Franchise: Dallas Clark Colts (No. 2). Clark became the second tight end to catch 100 passes in a single season, and he leads TEs with 27 TDs since 2007. Bottom line: Peyton Manning is his quarterback.
Bounce-back: Jason Witten, Cowboys (No. 4). Owners will overlook Witten because he scored just two TDs in 2009. But he still had 94 receptions and 1,030 yards. With a few more scores, he’ll be back on par with Clark and Antonio Gates.
Sleeper: John Carlson, Seahawks (No. 12). Because Jermichael Finley is too obvious. Carlson slumped most of ’09, but he closed with four TDs in the final four weeks. He’s a third-year breakout candidate.
Bust: Zach Miller, Raiders (No. 14). Miller is perceived as a draft-day bargain, but he has caught only seven TDs in three seasons. He’s no more than a bye-week backup. Bottom line: JaMarcus Russell is his quarterback (for now).
Rookie: Aaron Hernandez, Florida. Tim Tebow gets all the attention, but college teammate Hernandez (6-2, 250) had 68 catches for 850 yards and five scores as a junior. Hernandez will make an impact, especially in the red zone.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs | Fantasy WRs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at wide receivers and tight ends:
2010 fantasy WRs: Check out the top 15 for free
Franchise: Andre Johnson, Texans (No. 1). Working on back-to-back, 100-catch, 1,500-yard seasons. That included 193- and 196-yard outbursts in the fantasy playoffs. Please make him the first receiver selected on draft day. Please.
Bounce-back: Calvin Johnson, Lions (No. 11). Is he a top-10 receiver? Talent-wise, yes. Who’s throwing him the ball, though? If it’s Matthew Stafford for a full season, the answer will be "yes." In that case, Johnson becomes a second- or third-round steal, like he was in ’08.
Sleeper: Michael Crabtree, 49ers (No. 26). If not for a ridiculous holdout, Crabtree would’ve led rookies in all major receiving categories. Would you draft him ahead of his very talented classmates (Hakeem Nicks, Percy Harvin, Austin Collie, Jeremy Maclin)? I would.
Bust: Roy Williams, Cowboys (No. 43). Williams’ seven touchdowns made him relevant again, but he had just one 100-yard game. He has never had 10 TDs in a season, and he has only one 1,000-yard campaign. Why do we still care?
Rookie: Brandon LaFell, LSU. Had LaFell played at Texas Tech, he would have put up Crabtree-like numbers. He caught 25 TDs in 175 receptions with a collection of shaky quarterbacks. Ask any LSU fan about Jarrett Lee. With the right landing spot, LaFell will be la bomb.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
Since it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the next fantasy football season, we asked Bill Bender from Fantasy Source to pay us a visit and offer his post-Super Bowl rankings for 2010. Here’s a look at wide receivers and tight ends:
2010 fantasy WRs: Check out the top 15 for free
Franchise: Andre Johnson, Texans (No. 1). Working on back-to-back, 100-catch, 1,500-yard seasons. That included 193- and 196-yard outbursts in the fantasy playoffs. Please make him the first receiver selected on draft day. Please.
Bounce-back: Calvin Johnson, Lions (No. 11). Is he a top-10 receiver? Talent-wise, yes. Who’s throwing him the ball, though? If it’s Matthew Stafford for a full season, the answer will be "yes." In that case, Johnson becomes a second- or third-round steal, like he was in ’08.
Sleeper: Michael Crabtree, 49ers (No. 26). If not for a ridiculous holdout, Crabtree would’ve led rookies in all major receiving categories. Would you draft him ahead of his very talented classmates (Hakeem Nicks, Percy Harvin, Austin Collie, Jeremy Maclin)? I would.
Bust: Roy Williams, Cowboys (No. 43). Williams’ seven touchdowns made him relevant again, but he had just one 100-yard game. He has never had 10 TDs in a season, and he has only one 1,000-yard campaign. Why do we still care?
Rookie: Brandon LaFell, LSU. Had LaFell played at Texas Tech, he would have put up Crabtree-like numbers. He caught 25 TDs in 175 receptions with a collection of shaky quarterbacks. Ask any LSU fan about Jarrett Lee. With the right landing spot, LaFell will be la bomb.
Also see: 2010 fantasy RBs | Fantasy QBs
Bill Bender writes for Fantasy Source Football. For more coverage, visit Fantasy Source Football today.
