What We Can Learn From The Preseason

August 19, 2008 at 7:34 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

What We Can Learn From The Preseason Skeptics will look at solid preseason performances by certain NFL players and exclaim - “ah - the preseason doesn’t matter…they’re just playing against the other team’s scrub back-ups anyway.” Well - we think that kind of closed-minded thinking is absolutely nonsense. If the preseason doesn’t matter, than why do starters start and fans attend? Just because the games don’t count, that doesn’t mean there aren’t several things fantasy owners can learn from preseason games.

Just because Ladainian Tomlinson doesn’t play, and Clinton Portis never wants to play, doesn’t mean the preseason doesn’t matter. Look - fans filled the Meadowlands to check out Brett Favre’s debut as a member of the New York Jets. And if a 38 year old future Hall Of Famer with nothing to prove thinks that the preseason is worthy of his time - than it’s important. What kills me is that the same fantasy football websites that comment on players’ positive performances not mattering much in the preseason, are the same ones that make comments about players glaring negative performances prior to Week 1 being a “bad sign.” Look - which is it?

It’s pretty obvious - when the pads are on, and plays are being called and 11 guys are out there playing against 11 other guys - the stuff matters, and there is a lot we can learn.

Here goes: First of all, there are several potential key fantasy contributors rebounding from injuries or illnesses, that fantasy owners need to evaluate. The 2008 preseason has taught us the following:

- Colts WR Marvin Harrison is ready. After starting the Colts last two preseason games, and catching two balls for 11 yards against the Falcons in preseason Week 2 and three balls for 22 yards the previous week against Carolina. The question was - will Harrison ever play again after his knee injury kept him out for most of the 2007 season? Will he ever be the same? The answer is yes. He has proven he’s fully recovered and ready to take on 2008. Even though it’s the preseason, Harrison has shown fantasy owners that he can be a reliable WR2 this year.

- Another injury-plagued former fantasy great made his 2008 debut after tearing his second ACL in three years last season. Saints RB Deuce McAllister rushed four times for 16 yards, and caught two passes for 10 yards against the Texans in preseason Week 2, and said he felt great afterwards. Teammate Reggie Bush got into the endzone during the same game, along with Marques Colston - proving to their fantasy owners that their knee injuries this off-season aren’t much to worry about either.

- Broncos QB Jay Cutler has looked amazing, going 16-20 for 178 yards and a score in preseason Week 2, and going 8-10 and rushing for a 15 yard score in preseason Week 1. Clearly the diagnosis of diabetes this off-season, and the consequential treatment has helped his energy level, and he is a prime breakout fantasy candidate in 2008 - capable of reaching the “elite fantasy QB” level.

- Chiefs RB Larry Johnson looks rejuvenated, averaging well over 4.5 yards per carry during his two preseason games - a great sign that he could bounce back in 2008.

- Raiders WR Javon Walker, however, doesn’t look so hot, dropping several passes that hit him in the hands against the Tennessee Titans, and showing a complete lack of confidence and conditioning. Second year QB JaMarcus Russell, however, has shown poise, good decision making ability, and a freakishly strong arm.

- While we haven’t seen star WRs Greg Jennings and Andre Johnson yet, we’re sure to see them in preseason Week 3, and if we don’t, fantasy owners may need to proceed with caution.

Then, there’s the new players fitting in on new teams, the offensive skill position players running new offenses, and - the most exciting part about the preseason - the rookies:

- Can Brett Favre fit in with the Jets? Judging from his debut - absolutely. He led the team down the field, going 5-6 for 48 yards and a TD strike to rookie TE Dustin Keller. His presence occupied the Redskins D enough to create some solid running lanes for Thomas Jones - as we expected it would.

- Will Michael Turner be the real deal in Atlanta, will Julius Jones actually earn the starting gig in Seattle, and can Donte’ Stallworth be productive in Cleveland? Turner showed huge ability and explosiveness, breaking off runs of 50+ and 60+ against Indy in preseason Week 2, meaning he absolutely can post huge numbers as Atlanta’s featured back - and their offensive line can’t be that bad. Jones certainly has some competition, splitting work with veteran Maurice Morris. Still, he showed improvement in preseason Week 2, rushing seven times for 32 yards against the Bears. Stallworth caught two balls for 14 yards in preseason Week 1, but his presence with the first team offense was positive, and a good sign for the future. Little things like where QBs look first in their progressions (Favre looked to Jerricho Cotchery often), and what players are put in during different situations are huge. Miami’s Ricky Williams looks like he really could play a huge role in the Dolphins’ offense, after rushing 10 times for 43 yards and a score in preseason Week 2, following a five carry, 31 yard Week 1 performance.

- Aaron Rodgers looked solid leading the Packers passing attack in Weeks 1 and 2 and will certainly be capable of putting in some huge fantasy performances in 2008, while J.T. O’Sullivan looks to be the 49ers starter, completing 8 of 17 passes for 154 yards a score and a pick in preseason Week 2. Matt Leinart appears comfortable as Arizona’s starting QB and seems primed to lead the red birds into the season, while hooking up with his star WRs early and often.

- Which rookie RB will make the most impact? Well, Ray Rice, Steve Slaton and Tim Hightower have been extremely impressive, guaranteeing the second round of rookie-only drafts to be very exciting. While the men with the high expectations, Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, Matt Forte and Kevin Smith have looked solid in their own right. Then, there are the guys like Chris Johnson and Felix Jones, who have proven they can carve out serious fantasy roles for themselves even if seen as atypical running backs. Johnson is legit, showing huge burst and uncanny playmaking ability, proving to his own coaches he belongs on the field often - let alone fantasy owners. Then there’s the next tier of guys, like Seattle’s Justin Forsett (who rushed for 136 yards and a TD on 15 carries in preseason Week 3), Dallas’ Tashard Choice, Washington’s Rock Cartwright, Oakland’s Adimchinobe Echemandu and Philly’s Tony Hunt, who are destined to only make an impact during the preseason. Even though defenses are vanilla prior to preseason Week 3, fantasy owners need to pay attention to the carry load, and how these young players take advantage of their opportunities.

- Which rookie WRs will see legit playing time? San Francisco’s Josh Morgan has opened some eyes. First of all because the rookie followed up a four catch, 68 yard Week 1 performance with five catches for 114 yards and a score in preseason Week 2. Secondly, because anything can happen in a Mike Martz offense. Keep an eye on Morgan, although temper expectations because Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce are likely to be healthy by Week 1, cutting into Morgan’s load. Philly’s DeSean Jackson has been extremely impressive, while Buffalo’s James Hardy and Pittsburgh’s Limas Sweed have been inconsistent, and Washington’s Devin Thomas has been downright disappointing. A pass catching totally flying under the radar right now is Denver’s Eddie Royal. The Virginia Tech product hauled in two passes in each of his first two preseason games, each starts, for a total of right around 80 yards. Another young man worth mentioning is Indy TE Jacob Tamme. While Dallas Clark is obviously the man in the Colts offense, Tamme has proved that he could be a huge fantasy threat should anything ever happen to Clark. Dynasty owners in the deepest of leagues should actually look to handcuff Clark with Tamme - who has hauled in nine passes for 127 yards and two scores this preseason.

- Who will the top sleepers be? Seasonal owners should feel good about Matt Schaub’s chances of taking his game to a new level this year, along with the aforementioned Cutler, while dynasty owners should begin eye-balling Matt Ryan and Brady Quinn as guys capable of eventually reaching fantasy stardom when given the opportunity. DeAngelo Williams looks like he could ride out 2008 as a very productive starter in Carolina, while Falcons rookie MLB Curtis Lofton has made his impact felt - with six tackles in preseason Week 1 and a sack in preseason Week 2. Look for consistency though, because Robert Meachem following up a four catch, 129 yard, TD day in Week 1 with a one-catch, 11-yard performance in Week 2 tells us that it’s not safe to invest a whole lot in him just yet.

So, you may not buy into performances like Jets WR David Clowney’s 163 yard two TD day in preseason Week 1, Titans RB Quinton Ganther’s 115 yard outing in preason Week 1, or that Martin Nance will be the VIkings’ leading wide receiver, but you can take some key things away from the preseason. Find things to look for, like what rookie IDPs are starting for their squads, what teams are having trouble against four man rushes and what RBs are running with confidence and authority. Don’t be naive about big numbers, but keep your eyes open.

To view our dynasty, seasonal and keeper rankings - check out our USP forums now!

Haven’t you ever dreamed of a place where you could actually show your entire fantasy roster to a well respected fantasy expert, and have them guide you through your team management for an entire season and beyond?

What about a place where you’re not frustrated with rankings that don’t match up with your fantasy football league scoring system or rules? Don’t you want rankings that account for everything?

How about unlimited line-up advice and roster management strategy from a bone-a-fide fantasy football expert? That’s right - ask any question, as many freaking times as you want. Think outside the box with us and fine-tune your fantasy football skills.

All of these things and much more - such as insider articles and USP-only “sources” blurbs - are happening in our Ultimate Strategist Package community. Join now, and learn how to truly pummel your competition.

Oh - and take it from some of our members - it’ll be the best $9.99 you’ve ever spent.

Subscribers get the following for only $9.99 a year:

- Unlimited year-round personalized line-up advice and team management advice.
- Updated printable draft kit rankings leading up to your drafts.
- Rankings include multiple scoring systems for Seasonal, Keeper and Dynasty formats.
- Rankings also include both IDPs and team defenses.
- Updated customized printable weekly cheat sheets during each week of the NFL Season.
- “Sunday Brunch” - including last minute inactives and game-day updates every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Exclusive information, including bonus “Our Sources Tell Us” blurbs and more.
- For a limited time, subscribers get a free Rototimes.com Guide To Winning Fantasy Football.

HOW TO SIGN UP AND GET STARTED:
The Ultimate Strategist Package forum is handled in a private paid-access sub-forum on the No-Offseason.com Forums. It’s an easy process with only a few steps, and you’ll be well on your way to insider-quality advice to give you the fantasy edge.

Simply register for the No-Offseason.com Forums (or login if you’re already a member).
New members need to merely follow the on-screen instructions. New accounts will be confirmed in e-mail, and you’ll be ready to login! Current forum members can skip this step.
After logging into the forum, visit the Payments page.
Instructions for placing an order for the USP service will appear on the screen. On the “COST” drop-down menu to the right, select the $9.99 option, and then click “ORDER”. You’ll confirm one more time, and select the Paypal payment processing.
You’ll be taken to a Paypal.com payment page, where you can either pay with your Paypal account or with a debit/credit card (joining Paypal is not required). Paypal is a secure payment processor. Once the payment is processed (it should be instant for most Paypal payments), you can log into the forum and visit the private-access Ultimate Strategist Package area.
Post your questions, and prepare to be given the hot answers you need to win.