SJax, Harrison & McNabb Are Healthy…
July 14, 2008 at 10:25 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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| We’ve always been pretty progressive here at No-Offseason.com, encouraging our readers to look to the future and find the next rising stars. However, this week’s stock market report starts off by acknowledging to former fantasy football superstars that have a great chance at coming back and lighting up the stat column. Why? Because the only thing that was standing in their way - health issues - appear to be less of a concern heading into 2008.
Rising - Marvin Harrison, Colts WR - At home against the Broncos in Week 4, the 35 year old veteran suffered a burst bursa sac in his knee, and only made two more appearances the rest of the season, including a less than desirable one against the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Clouds of doubt surrounded Harrison throughout the entire off-season, until now. A legal issue in which a gun registered to Harrison was involved in a Philadelphia murder has basically been swept under the rug and is now ancient history. But, more importantly, Harrison’s injury concerns seem to have vanished as well. Colts head coach Tony Dungy told media recently that Harrison was running full speed during OTAs and he had a smile on this face because he was pain free. Dungy went on to say that Harrison would be ready to start Week 1. So, we may not see much of him during the preseason, but we expect Harrison to be at worst a solid fantasy WR2 in all formats. Dynasty fantasy football owners can probably get him on the cheap right now, and we support that logic.
Rising - Dwight Freeney, Colts DE - IDPers take note! Harrison wasn’t the only player Dungy verbally cleared for Week 1. Former standout DE Dwight Freeney, who went down with a foot injury after playing in only nine games last season. After off-season surgery, Freeney looks like he’ll be ready to go by Week 1. He hasn’t really been fantasy worth since his 16 sack season in 2004, but we think he’s worth monitoring this season, as solid DEs are becoming harder and harder to find.
Rising - LaMont Jordan, Raiders RB - Through Week 7 last season, Jordan was actually among the top fantasy running backs. Then the inexplicable happened for the second year in a row - he was benched and completely fell off the face of the fantasy planet. Now, at age 29, fully healthy and still not that much wear and tear on the tires (only 792 carries in seven NFL seasons) he’s been visiting some teams in hopes of being traded. Apparently, the Lions, Bears, Patriots and Saints have all shown some interest. Should Jordan land in Detroit, he could compete for a significant role, while New England and Chicago could also provide solid opportunities for touches. Oakland won’t release him, for fear that he’ll go to Denver, so he still must have something left to contribute.
Rising - Donovan McNabb, Eagles QB - Fantasy owners have been hard on McNabb in recent years, and with good reason, I guess. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy for a full season since 2003, and he no longer has a go-to target like Terrell Owens. However, in 2008, I urge fantasy owners to look at McNabb from a different perspective. First of all, the Eagles didn’t trade him this off-season, they stood behind him and showed confidence that the 31 year old could continue to lead their team. More importantly, he feels great. McNabb is reportedly healthier than he’s been in years, and is finally fully recovered from ACL surgery in 2006. We should see increased mobility from him this season, which should result in an overall rise in performance level. The return to health of one of his favorite targets - TE L.J. Smith - and the continued development of WRs Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown should help him regain his spot as a top five fantasy QB in 2008.
Rising - Legedu Naanee, Chargers WR - If you’re a loyal No-Offseason.com reader, then you may recall us mentioning Naanee as a super deep sleeper heading into the 2007 season. The former college QB made the Chargers as a WR/TE/FB in his rookie season. Basically, the kid is a great athlete, period. The 6′2″, 226 pounder played sparingly though, catching only eight balls for 69 yards in 13 games - most of them on special teams only. However, the Chargers have come out and said that Naanee will be used strictly as a WR in 2008. He’ll still play special teams, but on offense, he’ll have more of a guided focus, which should be great for his development. Now, don’t get me wrong, Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson are firmly supplanted ahead of him on the team’s depth chart, but there will be an opportunity for Naanee to earn playing time down the road, perhaps in year three or four. Watch Naanee closely in 2008, as he battles fellow second year WR Craig Davis for the third WR role.
Rising - Steven Jackson, Rams RB - Okay, I’ve made it perfectly clear how high I am on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Bills RB Marshawn Lynch, Patriots RB Laurence Maroney, Packers RB Ryan Grant and so on, but I haven’t really taken a stance on Rams standout RB Steven Jackson yet. So, here goes. Jackson is 100 percent healthy entering 2008. No more groin injury, no more shoulder troubles and no more ankle issues. The soon-to-be 25 year old has playfully stated he’s going to “ball out” in 2008 - a contract year - while also humbly stated his goal is to stay healthy for 16 games. Listen, not only does the 6′2″, 231 lb. beast have all the talent in the world, but he also has a good head on his shoulders, and a new offensive coordinator (Al Saunders) who will build the offense around him. Expect Jackson to easily be a top RB1 in all leagues, especially PPR formats.
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