PAFFL.com

NFL.com Fantasy Player Rankings

In keeping with linking to other free player rankings, below are links to the NFL.com player rankings which are also published in print form.

ESPN Fantasy Football Player Rankings

ESPN has published its fantasy positional rankings, free for the general public, on its sites which also appear in its overpriced but quality fantasy magazine. 

2008 NFL Rookie Values Redux

Ok, I did this right after the NFL draft in April but following OTA's & mini-camps, and the stupidity of veterans (such as Cedric Benson) a lot has changed since then.  So I wanted to take another pass at this.             

What Fantasy Leagues can learn from NFL Rule Changes

The Wall Street Journal published an article today titled, "What Fantasy Leaguers can Learn from the NFL Draft Rule Changes".  They list out five points to take away from them shortening the time between rounds, from adding new elements to the draft and the game itself.  The core point though was that as successful as the NFL is, they're not afraid to continue to improve. The PAFFL and every fantasy league for that matter should take that advice seriously. 

2008 PAFFL Rookie Pick Projections (1st Draft)

       

The 2008 NFL draft brought fantasy football a plethora of fresh talent. Five first round selections at RB, two QB’s and plenty of solid 2nd & 3rd rounders as well.  The one troubling development though is the two-back system becoming pervasive in the the copycat NFL. Possibly not a single RB selected this year will be a true featured back (sans McFadden & Stewart)  McFadden is a likely #2 fantasy back, no team will select a player that high with that type of talent w/o a plan to feature him, and maybe Jonathan Stewart in Carolina where HC John Fox likes a bruising back to wear down defenses.  But the next eight backs off the board (Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Kevin Jones, Jamaal Charles & Steve Slaton) will be in share situations at best.  In fact the only one in that group with an opportunity to start is Matt Forte in Chicago where all he needs to do is beat out bonafide bust Cedric Benson.

RB Share Situations - New Blood from the 2008 NFL Draft

The NFL draft always brings some surprises but one guarantee you can always count on is new blood, an infusion of 250+ players who are young, healthy and hungry to make it in the NFL.  In a professional sport that carries a career expectancy of approximately 3.2 years for a drafted player, many joke that NFL stands for 'Not For Long'.  For fantasy leaguers, particularly dynasty league participants (where you keep players for longer than a single year), the NFL draft represents new blood, players who shift current player's values and new opportunities for fantasy success.  One trend that people will start talking about a lot more, and expect to see this all over the 2008 fantasy football guides that get published in June, is the NFL shift to Two Back systems where one running back maybe gets a majority of the carries between the 20's and then another one comes in for the goal line work, short yardage or third down opportunities.  The NY Giants won the super bowl with this strategy, and New England has employed it during their reign the past eight years to great success. So while having competent backups has always been the goal, the NFL is moving towards a trend of literally have two guys who could be considered the starter.  For fantasy this means fewer true 'featured backs' and more ambiguity as to who is the 'right' guy to start week to week.

Brett Favre selected for '08 Madden Cover

EA has selected recently retired QB Brett Favre to be the Madden 2008 cover boy. This is a huge relief to fantasy leagues and NFL fans alike as there has been an eerie coincidence of player's appearing on the cover and having injury plagued and/or un-productive seasons.

Don't underestimate the Madden curse, which has befallen nearly every NFL player who appeared on the cover sans one or two. Last year Vince Young wasn't mature or ready for the primetime and the Madden cover sank him. But its not just Young, you can look at the long list and its been an anomaly when a player lived up to expectations the season they appeared as the cover boy.

Top 64 NFL Draft Prospects

ESPN reporter Todd McShay debuts an article on the top 64 NFL draft prospects (ESPN Insider Subscription required) in tiers of 6 or so. It's what he calls 'tiering' that every NFL war room (draft team) creates to differentiates players of various levels, so they know they're not 'reaching' for a player based on need over a superior talent in the same general area of a selection.

NFL Free Agency Kicks Off in a Frenzy...

This past Friday the NFL's annual free agency period kicked off with a flurry of activity.  However it wasn't until today that the first big fantasy changing signing occurred with the Atlanta Falcons signing former Chargers RB Michael Turner to a 6 year, $34.5 million contract with reportedly $15 million in guaranteed money. 

Junior RB's make '08 NFL Draft a Fantasy Dream

The college football senior class was unusually thin at the key fantasy football skill positions of running back and wide receiver.  There were several quality senior QB prospects, specifically Boston College's Matt Ryan, Louisville's Brian Brohm and Kentucky's Andre Woodson but there wasn't a guaranteed second round grade on any back and no first round grade on a wide receiver.  However all that changed with the flood of Juniors who declared for the NFL draft, headlined by the likely top 5 selection, Arkansas's Darren McFadden. 

Peyton Manning: The fantasy beauty of his presence

It occurred to me this morning that QB Peyton Manning has been a special fantasy player the the last half decade. In the PAFFL alone, he has been in the Jankster Cup game (our equivalent of the Super Bowl), for 5 consecutive years.  During that period he only has won one (with an opportunity to win a second this year) but he's been the dominant force on his respective squad every year during this period.

2007 Jankster Cup Matchup: Pomona Stoned Hens vs. PA Firefighters

Congratulations to the 2007 NFC & AFC champions, the PA Firefighters & Pomona Stoned Hens who face off in this year's title game this weekend.

Jankster Cup Matchup & 3rd Round of Rookie Tourney

Below are the results for the 2nd round of the playoffs and rookie tourney matchups; and the matchups for the 3rd round and Jankster Cup.  The first eight rookie pick selection spots have been finalized, the next eight will be finalized this weekend.

Congratulations to the 2007 NFC & AFC respectively champions, the PA Firefighters & Pomona Stoned Hens who face off in this year's title game this weekend.

At least Brian Westbrook is a team player...

Can you believe that shit?  The Philadephia Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys today but the play that will be remembered for years was the last one that mattered.  On 2nd down from the Dallas 25 with 2+ minutes to go, the Eagles RB Brian Westbrook took a right sweep, made a move on a safety and was on his way to the end zone on a twenty five yard run...until he decided to drop down at the one inch line.  With no timeouts left, the Eagles could let the clock roll down to the two minute warning then kneel down four consecutive plays. 

2007 Fantasy Football All-PAFFL Team

The 2007 regular season is finalized and its time to recognize the studs that made this regular season sizzle and led to the Ron Jeremy Fanclub being the leading PAFFL team throughout the regular season.  You'll notice some trends as QB-WR tandems in New England & Dallas have exploded this year to dominant their respective positions unlike any other tandems in NFL history.

EA Sports PR Message: Madden will someday spawn an NFL GM or Coach

I was reading last month's edition of ESPN The Magazine, and came across an interview with the head of Electronic Arts Madden sports programming.  I can't recall his name but the gist of his message was simple, Madden has become the most well known sports video game and they hope it will someday educate a future NFL GM or coach.  Which got me thinking, what a great, inspirational message to appeal to the heart of consumers.  Sports fan who enjoy video games have fallen for Madden years ago but this is much bigger, its insinuating that the best of the best in Madden could someday be an actual professional.  It's a subtle but very smart part of their public relations message - I wonder how intentional it was or whether it was just something this executive said. 

Terrell Owens Fun

Last night's Packers-Cowboys game was a good one and there was one constant entertainer, Terrell Owens, otherwise known as TO, who was a highlight maker all night long.  If he wasn't making plays for the Cowboys, he was making them for the Packers, playing a kind of two way ball to ensure the Packers stayed in the game and the Cowboys couldn't get conservative on offense.  Fantasy leaguers worldwide will be satisfied with his final statistics (156 yards receiving & 1 TD) but he just as easily could have been the root cause of a Cowboys loss. 

Self Promotion?

Every year there are those owners who like to play hermit only to jump out of nowhere to paste the message board with what amounts to public relations and shit talk.  This year that group includes the South Whore Jibbers and PA Firefighters who turned the message board into a self promotion angle for their own players and/or GM feats.

Sunday Lineups...

Don't forget to set the best possible lineup you can.  There are several important playoff implication games, it would be a shame if any teams flake on their duty to roll out their best possible lineup. 

Thanksgiving Day Football

With all the holiday planning, don't forget that there are 3 NFL games this year on Thanksgiving.  The traditional two with Detroit playing Green Bay in the day's most interesting game, then Dallas hosting the New York Jets in what likely will be a blow out and the NFL Network showcasing a night game between the Indy Colts and Atlanta Falcons.  For all of you with fantasy players on those teams (ok, you shouldn't need to worry about Atlanta or Jets but the Colts, Packers, Cowboys and Lions have plenty of fantasy talent to go around), don't forget to set your respective lineup. 

Week 9 Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups

Below are a list of potentially valuable Waiver Wire / Free Agent pickups for week 9 of the NFL season.  Maybe some of these guys aren’t worth a damn in shallow leagues but what’s the fun in dropping Marvin Harrison b/c he’s out a week for a guy like Wes Welker who is available as the #3 receiver in New England.  Ok, Welker shouldn’t be available in ANY league format but you get the point.

Hot Waiver Wire / Free Agent Picksup for Week 7

Here are the my hot free agent / waiver wire pickups for week 7 In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   Most of these are valuable regardless of league format. 

Is Tony Romo pulling a Rex Grossman?

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo's first half stat line in tonight's Monday Night Football game is 8 for 16 for 99 passing yards 1 TD but 4 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for TD's.  That's Rex Grossman in his prime.  Now clearly there has been some bad luck but in the PAFFL league its actually made a game that appeared to be done into, well, a game.  East Bay Funk entered tonights' game with the Dallas K NIck Folk and Buffalo WR Lee Evans down 11 against Ron Jeremy Fanclub who had the Dallas QB Romo, take the negative 2 points for each pick returned for a TD and it's actually a tied game at half time - with no contribution from Evans and little from Folk.    

Hot Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups for Week #6

Here are the my hot free agent / waiver wire pickups for week 6 In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   Most of these are valuable regardless of league format.    

Hot Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups for Week #5

Here are the my hot free agent / waiver wire pickups for week 5 In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   Think of them as valuable in deep leagues.

Here are the my hot free agent / waiver wire pickups for week 5 In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   Think of them as valuable in deep leagues.

Brian Griese looked, well, like Rex Grossman...

Chicago Bears starting QB Brian Griese completed 34-of-52 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 whle also throwing three interceptions in the Bears 37-27 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Two of Griese's interceptions came with the Bears within ten yards of the end zone. His other one was returned for a touchdown. All three were his fault, as Griese looked, well, like Rex Grossman all day. He was probably rusty after not playing for two years, but isn't a great start against Green Bay next week.

Is Daunte Culpepper back as a dominant fantasy QB?

Oakland Raiders QB Daunte Culpepper, starting in place of injured Josh McCown, against his former team the Miami Dolphins, turned in one of the season's top individual performances with 3 rushing TD's and 2 TD tosses (both to Jerry Porter) in a rout of the home team Dolphins.   What's remarkable about the performance is he only threw the ball 12 times (with 5 completions for 75 yards) and only had 28 yards rushing for a total of 103 yards.  Yet 5 TD's are rewarded nicely in fantasy leagues and it was a huge victory for the Raiders, making them 2-2 and giving them their first road victory in 2 years.      

Team Kitty rant....

Team Kitty, who is incapable of posting on his own sent out this email to the league this week and I thought it was worthwhile posting (mostly b/c he's throwing down quite a few opinions that he should have to stand by :)

My former trading partners want nothing to do with me.  My players just are not in high demand.  I can't even give a Joey Harrington Jersey away.  Yet, you look at the standings
and power rankings and there we are. . . at pr near the top as usual.

Hot Free Agent / Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Here are the week 3 top free agent / waiver wire pickups.  In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   

Domer Double Standard?

Sitting here watching the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish get dominated for yet another week, I can't help to think about the double standard the University set when it decided to fire Tyrone Willingham after only three above average seasons.  Albeit Willingham's tenure wasn't up to Irish standards, their new coach, Charlie Weis is starting to look like a downright disgrace to domers.  Particularly on the offensive side of the ball where Notre Dame has never been as inept as they are right now. 

Week One Free Agent Auction Results

Below are the free agent drafts for the league's team week one.  If anybody has questions or comments, please post them below.    

6 Things to Convince Your Girlfriend to Watch Football With You [by a girl]

Want your girlfriend/wife to stop nagging you while you're watching football?  This girl (football fan) shows you how to show her the light....

Her reasons are:
1) Miracles, 2) Drama, 3) Talent & Poetry, 4) History, 5) Comedy & 6) It all Counts....she also adds "Did I mention the Tight Pants?". 

 

Subtract McNair & the Ravens Romp!

If the Baltimore Ravens just had benched Steve McNair prior to tonight's game with the Cincinnati Bengals, they would have blown out the hometown team.  He has 3 fumbles lost & an interception which directly resulted in 24 of the Bengals points tonight. 

I Love Jason Witten!

I entered this evening's Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Sunday night football game up 1 point (it says 3 but actually there is a negative 2 not accounted for from Reggie Wayne's fumble returned for a TD on Thursday) on the East Bay Funk with our respective TE's left.  He has Vernon Davis going tomorrow and I had Jason Witten tonight. 

Top Free Agent / Waiver Wire Fantasy Pickups

Ok, this won't be relevant for all fantasy leaguers because the PAFFL is an extremely deep league (16 teams w/ 20+ players per team) but below is a list of some of the top free agent or waiver wire pickups in fantasy leagues.  Remember not all these are relevant but as noted some if not all could be extremely valuable in the weeks ahead as the NFL season gets into future weeks.    

NFL Roster Adjustments make PAFFL Decisions Tough

Over the last 72 hours, there have been plenty of interesting NFL news and roster adjustments.  For those of you making last minute changes in deep leagues (such as the PAFFL), make sure to check the news of roster changes. 

Las Vegas Sports book to start lines on players?

According to Covers.com, a Las Vegas Sports book will start taking wagers on individual player's fantasy production.   So now you'll be able to place a wager on whether Reggie Bush can exceed 20 fantasy points or whether Peyton Manning will top 30 as well as the traditional over/under bets and the to win or lose. 

A fellow blogger, Fantasy Football Goat, tipped us on this story. 

Fantasy Football Addiction

I love the annual studies released this time of year detailing the lost productivity in US businesses due to fantasy football, and its cost to the US economy.  This year's is bigger and better than ever, saying US businesses lose approximately $435 million a week during the NFL season. 

Which Colleges Produce the most NFL talent?

The FootballOutsider.com site, from the creators of the Pro Football Prospectus, did an analysis of which colleges produce the most professional (NFL) talent.  They created a point system which credits each school for producing draft picks (sliding scale down for 1st thru 7th round selections), NFL starters, Pro Bowlers, etc.

ProFootball Prospectus - an invaluable evaluation tool

The Short Bus hooked me up with one of the most remarkable sources of football information I have ever come across, the Pro Football Prospectus 2007.  Think Bill James for football, its using statistical analysis to truly determine the value of players at their core.  Football is tough because it truly is a team sport, outside of maybe Barry Sanders with the Detroit Lions, I can't think of a single NFL player (specifically skill position player) who was successful despite of his teammates.       

Fantasy Draft or Auction Advice

I came across this aggregation of fantasy pundits advice for fantasy leaguers entering their drafts this year.  Some of the advice won't pertain to all leagues but generally its good to consider as you enter your draft or auction. 

PAFFL Post-Auction Team Predictions

This is an analysis of each PAFFL franchise, identifying starters and role players on each roster, in an attempt to discern strengths & weaknesses across the board.  From that I made a prediction on each team for this season in the form of a record and whether or not they qualify for the playoffs - from that point on its a matter of momentum and luck.  A couple of points before anybody dives in, the player rankings are done for a league that consists of sixteen teams (t