Our Sources Speak: 2008 Predictions
September 5, 2008 at 4:08 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Last season, we predicted that Jamal Lewis would be a huge sleeper RB candidate as the featured back for the Cleveland Browns, following three straight sub-par seasons in Baltimore. Now, heading into 2008, we’re not so high on Lewis. Our sources have spoken. Find out what crazy predictions we’re making for the 2008 season based on their words.
Jamal Lewis May Not Even Reach 1,000 Yards - Yes, the 28 year old came alive in his first season with Cleveland. He was healthy for the first time in a while, and it showed, as he rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 11 total TDs in 2008, however, he’s not necessarily healthy heading into 2008. Lewis is nursing a hammy injury and hasn’t practiced fully this week. Our sources believe that defenses will scheme differently against Cleveland’s offense this season, and be able to shut down J-Lew because of it. He’s a “predictable” runner according to one of our sources, who - for many different reasons - “may not reach 1,000 yards” this year.
At Least One NFL Backfield Will Have Two Players Each Rush For More Than 1,000 Yards - Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris of the 1972 Miami Dolphins did it. Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier of the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers did it, and so did Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner of the 1985 Cleveland Browns. Our sources believe at least one team will accomplish the “dual 1,000 yard rushers” feat in 2008. Prime candidates include Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker, Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, and even LenDale White and Chris Johnson in Tennessee or Willis McGahee and Ray Rice in Baltimore. Yep, it will happen this year folks. There are two many dual back offenses for it not too - and our money is on the Carolina duo.
We May See Brady Quinn - 6′5″ youngster Derek Anderson took the fantasy world by storm last season, passing for nearly 3,800 yards and 29 TDs, after throwing only 117 passes in his previous two NFL seasons. However, our sources believe that D.A. may not be the same player in 2008, and that fantasy owners just may end up clamoring for second year man Brady Quinn on their waiver wires come mid-season. Quinn has looked solid in pre-season games, and in relief of Anderson. Whether via injury or poor play, our sources have a feeling the 2007 first rounder will get a solid opportunity to lead the Browns’ offense at some point in 2008.
Tim Hightower Will Out-Rush Edgerrin James - It may be hard to imagine a fifth round rookie from Richmond beating out a potential future Hall-Of-Famer, but our sources sense it happening in the desert as we speak. 30 year old Edgerrin James is not what he used to be. He’s lost a step, and is starting to look more like Cedric Benson than Joseph Addai. Look for Hightower, who has been compared to Marion Barber, to step in and be a force towards the end of the season. He may not gain as many yards as Edge, but our sources are confident that Hightower will reach the end zone more than the depleting veteran.
Jay Cutler Could Be A Top Five QB - After being diagnosed with diabetes, Broncos’ third year signal caller has not only regained his weight, but more importantly, he’s regained his confidence and his zip on the ball. During 2007, doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with Cutler, as he was always at a loss for energy. Now that he’s being properly treated for his disease, his play has elevated. Our sources are projecting Cutler as the NFL’s next top five QB, and we believe it very well could happen this season, as far as the stat column is concerned. With Brandon Marshall now only suspended for one game, TE Tony Scheffler healthy and ready to go and rookie Eddie Royal showing signs of being a big-play machine, the writing is on the wall for Cutler to absolutely blossom.
JaMarcus Russell Will Blossom - Speaking of young QBs blossoming, our sources actually believe that Raiders’ second year signal caller JaMarcus Russell will step in and impress during his first full season as a starter. With the backfield of Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas, the pressure is off of Russell, as the run game should lead the Raiders down the field often. This should open up deep opportunities for consistent targets like Ronald Curry and Zach Miller to benefit from Russell’s cannon of an arm. Sorry Javon Walker, we’re not high on you.
Marshawn Lynch WIll Be A Top Five Pick In 2009 Drafts - Our sources believe that the amount of touches that Bills second year man Marshawn Lynch will see in 2008, will prompt fantasy owners to make him a top five pick in 2009 fantasy drafts. Okay, obviously this means that he’ll produce a whole heck of a lot in 2008 as well, and we believe he’s primed to do just that. The Bills offense will be centered around him much like the Rams offense was centered around Steven Jackson in 2006 (look up those stats - wow). The key factor that turns someone from a late first rounder into an early first rounder, however, is their ability to get into the end zone - and that is where our sources believe Lynch will take the next step in 2008.
AP Goes For 2,000 - Speaking of taking the next step, our sources believe 2007 offensive rookie of the year Adrian Peterson will crush those owners who passed on him early and prove that he’s not only immune to the sophomore slump, but that he’s the new king of fantasy football. That’s right folks, our sources believe “All Day” will rush for 2,000 yards in 2008. Sorry Chester Taylor, but it looks like that means AP will be staying healthy all season.
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