Next To Emerge?

In the rapidly evolving age of committee backfields, fantasy football owners are constantly searching for “the next playmaker.” While plenty of 2008 rookie RBs put their stamp on the fantasy football community, there were a handful that still left a few things to be desired. What will happen to the “best of the rest” in 2009? Read more

Sophomore Sleepers - Running Backs

The 2008 fantasy season was nearly dominated by rookies, especially first year ball carriers. 1,000 yard rushers like Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton and Matt Forte made dynasty owners drool and seasonal owners rethink who the top players in fantasy football really are. Detroit’s Kevin Smith even burst onto the scene late in the year, Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart scored 10 TDs in limited work, and Dallas’ Tashard Choice was a top fantasy performer during the season’s final three weeks. However, fantasy owners should still expect more from the 2008 rookie class. Read more

McFadden Says Nikes Are The Problem…

I remember playing high school basketball, and my feet would hurt every time I tried wearing Adidas brand shoes. Something about the arch just didn’t sit right with me. The more I would run, the pain would spread all the way up into my ankles. It was horrible.

What did I do? I simply went back to Nikes.

So, I guess, in a weird way, I can related to what Raiders rookie RB Darren McFadden is going through right now.

Apparently, McFadden is blaming his flaming turf toe issues - that have now arisen in both of his big toes - on the fact that he’s wearing Nikes, after wearing Adidas in college.

But, come on now. It’s easy for Paul Hickey to switch from Adidas to Nikes in high school, but it can’t be easy for endorsement boy to do it as a pro. Apparently Nike is now “looking into the issue,” but this definitely makes me chuckle. A He-Man professional athlete apparently didn’t actually wear the product, before he signed his endorsement contract.

Look, McFadden may have been smart enough to sign his contract early and get into camp with the Raiders, but apparently he didn’t try on his shoes first.

We Were Right About, We Were Wrong About

Many of our off-season predictions are coming true folks. As we suspected, not only is it the year of the rookie RB, but Darren McFadden has taken the lead in the race, with more than 160 yards and a score in Week 2. LT looks like a flop, and Adrian Peterson remains solid. Many of our Week 2 specific predictions were spot on as well folks, as Aaron Rodgers led the way among QBs with 328 yards and three TDs. Read more

Find Out Who Not To Count Out In 2008…

Many things happen in the off-season that can appear to negatively affect a player’s fantasy value. Injuries, trades, free-agent signings, position changes and draft picks are just a few examples. However, we all know that the biggest indicator of what’s real is what happens on the field. Check out who’s stock is rising or falling based on the first full weekend of NFL pre-season games. Read more

Fantasy Analytics Discusses Rookie RBs

With preseason activities gaining momentum, there is a definite need for quality rookie analysis as it pertains to the world of fantasy football. In an attempt to meet this need, Fantasy Football Analytics has partnered with No-Offseason.com on a 3-piece series, providing you the information you need to know before acquiring any of these rookies in dynasty leagues or deep keeper leagues. This first segment covers the quarterback and tight end positions and assigns each player discussed a letter grade for their dynasty league/deep keeper league value. Please be aware that these grades represent the long-term value of the players in question and not only the 2008 season. Read more

How Does AP Fall To 4th Overall?

This time of year is chalked full of expert mock drafts and fantasy leagues, and No-Offseason.com has been fortunate enough to participate in several recently. Fortunate in that we can use the information garnered in drafts to relay trends to our readers, to help them prepare to the fullest for the upcoming fantasy football season. We picked fourth in the recent FantasyFootballTrader.com Invitational, and we guarantee you’ll be surprised with who fell to us. Read more

Experts Draft: Roddy White Goes In Rd. 3

Falcons WR Roddy White had a breakout third season in 2007, hauling in 83 passes for 1,202 yards and six scores in Bobby Petrino and Hue Jackson’s high flying offense, but will the stat column translate over to 2008 under the much more conservative and run-friendly Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey? We don’t think so, but find out who did, as we analyze the third round of our most recent experts league draft. Read more

Darren McFadden Grasping Raiders Offense…

KFFL reports that RB Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, is grasping the Raiders offense very well. Head coach Lane Kiffin his very impressed with his progress and ability to run plays in such a short time as a pro.

McFadden also understands that it’s up to him to help turn the Raiders franchise around and he’s up for the challenge. We don’t buy the reports that Justin Fargas will beat him out. Ask us, and we’ll tell you that McFadden is the man in Oakland.

Justin Fargas To See Bulk Of Carries?

ESPN.com’s John Clayton is reporting that Oakland Raiders coaches have said that Justin Fargas will receive 20 or more carries a game in 2007, while Darren McFadden will be used in a variety of roles, but will only get around 500 yards rushing in 2008.

Sorry, but we don’t really see this happening. McFadden has the talent to make the Raiders totally forget Fargas even exists. 1,000 yards from McFadden in year one, with 55 catches, seems like a solid bet to us. Call us crazy for going against what Clayton reports and what the coaches say, but we just don’t believe it.

Darren McFadden Smart To Sign Early

The Raiders inked fourth overall pick Darren McFadden to a six-year, $60 million contract late Thursday night, with more than $20 million of it guaranteed. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but this move bodes well for his fantasy potential in 2008. We can’t physically look inside the minds of players to tell just how focused they are, but we can analyze their actions and the actions of those around them. The fact that McFadden didn’t beat around the bush and kick and scream like last year’s first rounder JaMarcus Russell, tells us his head is in the right place. Read more

Cedric Benson Not Focused On Football

Wondering why former fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft Cedric Benson has grossly underachieved during his first three seasons in the NFL? Our sources tell us that the main reason for his lack of burst, speed and quite frankly - understanding of the NFL game - is a major lack of focus. Sources close to the University of Texas football program have told us that since entering the pros and receiving a big payday, he has steadily lost interest in football, and started to pursue other off-the-field interests. Read more