guppymuncher
Footballguy
I don't think I can stomach another post indicating that the preseason is worthless for one reason or another...sure don't panic if your stud doesn't put up the stats and it's obvious that Team Win\Loss and most stats are not indicitave of the real season, but getting to watch the 1st team offense square off against an opposing teams 1st string defense can be really informative...depending on the teams you may get a whole half of this...while individual stats can be misleading, gauging how well a team gels together on offense and defense gives you some very helpful clues going into the season...that does not mean teams can not "get it together" by the start of the season, but some show that they are already there...would you rather gamle on improvement or bet on a good start?
Another key to watching the preseason is focusing on outstanding individual performances...this typically equates to more opportunities in the regular season...Fast Willie Parker is a good example of this last year, I had never even heard of him, and then watched him break about a 40 yard run...in watching the play, it seemed that the defenders were running in slow motion...I targeted him late in both drafts as did some other sharks based on Duce's knee (including Joe and other Footballguys I'm sure) and it paid nicely (even though he had some ups and downs)...you just have to apply some common sense to your analysis, if a 5th stringer blows up in the 4th quarter, but you know he will be buried on the depth chart behind consistent producers, take it with a grain of salt...however, if he is getting chances with the starting unit in the 1st\2nd quarter and questions surround the health or stability of the starters then take note.
For those still reading here are a few players I have taken note of this preseason. I am putting my money where my mouth is so you can come back for the remainder of the season and banter me...but at the same time I bet I hit at least one or two homeruns, and late in a draft that is what you are looking for because it could be the bump you need for the championship...
RBs
Jerome Harrison
This guy has absolutely torn it up in the preseason so far...he has been escalated to RB2 and has Rueben talking about going back to Fullback. His team is behind him and so far he is showing both talent in catching and running the ball...so far, Clevelands supposed dismal O-line has been run blocking surprisingly well. R.D. Handcuff yes, potential top 10 RB if given the chance...who knows?
Jerious Norwood
I know this guy is already on radars..but when a team trades away a guy like duckett, you know they have big plans for someone else on the roster. Combine that with an aging starter in Dunn who had more carries last year than ever in his career, a team that runs the ball effectively, and some impressive plays in preseason and you are half way there...this guy may be too good to ignore even with Dunn still in the mix...I figure he starts as the 3rd down back at worst and has the potential to eventually explode either way...
Laurence Maroney
Again, a guy that is already on radars, but he has clearly showed big play ability and something is just not right with Dillon...I don't think anyone has figured out what happened to him last year. This is another situation where the preseason has shown us something...if given the chance this guy will succeed, and I don't think NE will care if they have to piss off Dillon (who looks expensive in 07 for an aging RB) to test his potential. Due to his visibility he might have a hard time living up to his ADP, but don't be surprised when this guy is romping for 100 Yds and a TD per game come fantasy playoff time when it counts...
Wali Lundy
With the recent news with Dom Davis, this guy is finally getting consideration. So far, I have been fairly impressed with his play (he is breaking tackles and catching the ball well). They are trying to work Morency in the mix, but this guy is starting preseason games as the #1 RB and now with Dominick out of the picture (potentially for good) he will have his chance to shine. Acknowledging that the Texans are not going to light up the scoreboard this year, this guy could still way outperform his ADP.
QBs
Tarvaris Jackson
Very impressive preseason. Brad Johnson is old and they know he is not the answer, if Minnesota gets off to a slow start, this guy could be fantasy gold. He can really run the ball and has displayed the versatility Brad Johnson has never had. He throws laser beams and has shown poise so far...don't worry about Mike Mcmahon he is worthless. In deep leagues, or leagues starting 2 QBs this guy could be worth the gamble...
Jay Cutler
Denver will want Plummers veteran leadership, but can they live with his mistakes? Plummer has been an overhyped QB his whole career and I think Shanny knows it...If Plummer recedes to his normal ways, I think people will be surprised at how quickly Jay gets the nod...his last preseason game showed he can get it done.
Matt Lienart
Are you kidding me? The guy practices for 3 days and then comes out and runs the 2 minute drill in his first preseason game...followed up with a huge performance. With Warner the quesiton in not if but when...and this guy has the talent to succeed when given the chance...he also has an arsenal of offensive weapons at his disposal...if Josh Mccown had a chance of holding off Warner (and he did last year despite what was said), imagine what will happen if this guy runs with the starting job...
WRs
Sam Hurd
I don't think I have seen this guy drafted yet...Crayton can't stay healthy and is supposed to be the 3rd WR...who knows what the TO experiment will yield in Big D. All the TO hype has masked what could be a huge opportunity for Hurd. Parcells likes him and wants to get him the ball...and something tells me Parcells doesn't like TO and didn't want him in the first place. My moneys on a TO debaucle and potential steal with Hurd...
Greg Jennings
Favre likes him and the coaches compare him to Marvin Harrison? backed by some impressive plays in the preseason, could be worse...He only has to beat out Furgeson for a starting job...what's not to like besides GB stinking this year...can anyone say garbage time and lots of yards for this up and comer? He is on radars but not everyone is following their instincts come draft day.
Hank Baskett
We all know how consistent Stallworth can be, and even then Stallworth is a burner and this guy has Red Zone written all over him with his size and leaping ability. McNabb wants him to succeed and I expect some 3 WR sets with Baskett taking advantage of undersized DBs...Stallworth will kill his value, but that may be flawed logic...
Eric Moulds
This guy has been there and done that, but has showed some comptibility with Carr in the preseason so far...here is another example of something to look for in the preseason. He is obviously a veteran, but this looks like a great fit so far. I wouldn't be surprised if his #s are similar to AJ, compare their ADPs and see which one may have more value. You know teams will be putting their best DB on AJ and leaving Moulds an opportunity he has never had from a defensive perspective...
Well, there you have it...didn't intend on going into this much detail, but am getting tired of the old preseason is worthless nonsense...while some of these players are obviously already on radars or even being drafted in the middle rounds, the preseason has shown us something for those willing to ignore the myth...
Peace
Guppymuncher
Another key to watching the preseason is focusing on outstanding individual performances...this typically equates to more opportunities in the regular season...Fast Willie Parker is a good example of this last year, I had never even heard of him, and then watched him break about a 40 yard run...in watching the play, it seemed that the defenders were running in slow motion...I targeted him late in both drafts as did some other sharks based on Duce's knee (including Joe and other Footballguys I'm sure) and it paid nicely (even though he had some ups and downs)...you just have to apply some common sense to your analysis, if a 5th stringer blows up in the 4th quarter, but you know he will be buried on the depth chart behind consistent producers, take it with a grain of salt...however, if he is getting chances with the starting unit in the 1st\2nd quarter and questions surround the health or stability of the starters then take note.
For those still reading here are a few players I have taken note of this preseason. I am putting my money where my mouth is so you can come back for the remainder of the season and banter me...but at the same time I bet I hit at least one or two homeruns, and late in a draft that is what you are looking for because it could be the bump you need for the championship...
RBs
Jerome Harrison
This guy has absolutely torn it up in the preseason so far...he has been escalated to RB2 and has Rueben talking about going back to Fullback. His team is behind him and so far he is showing both talent in catching and running the ball...so far, Clevelands supposed dismal O-line has been run blocking surprisingly well. R.D. Handcuff yes, potential top 10 RB if given the chance...who knows?
Jerious Norwood
I know this guy is already on radars..but when a team trades away a guy like duckett, you know they have big plans for someone else on the roster. Combine that with an aging starter in Dunn who had more carries last year than ever in his career, a team that runs the ball effectively, and some impressive plays in preseason and you are half way there...this guy may be too good to ignore even with Dunn still in the mix...I figure he starts as the 3rd down back at worst and has the potential to eventually explode either way...
Laurence Maroney
Again, a guy that is already on radars, but he has clearly showed big play ability and something is just not right with Dillon...I don't think anyone has figured out what happened to him last year. This is another situation where the preseason has shown us something...if given the chance this guy will succeed, and I don't think NE will care if they have to piss off Dillon (who looks expensive in 07 for an aging RB) to test his potential. Due to his visibility he might have a hard time living up to his ADP, but don't be surprised when this guy is romping for 100 Yds and a TD per game come fantasy playoff time when it counts...
Wali Lundy
With the recent news with Dom Davis, this guy is finally getting consideration. So far, I have been fairly impressed with his play (he is breaking tackles and catching the ball well). They are trying to work Morency in the mix, but this guy is starting preseason games as the #1 RB and now with Dominick out of the picture (potentially for good) he will have his chance to shine. Acknowledging that the Texans are not going to light up the scoreboard this year, this guy could still way outperform his ADP.
QBs
Tarvaris Jackson
Very impressive preseason. Brad Johnson is old and they know he is not the answer, if Minnesota gets off to a slow start, this guy could be fantasy gold. He can really run the ball and has displayed the versatility Brad Johnson has never had. He throws laser beams and has shown poise so far...don't worry about Mike Mcmahon he is worthless. In deep leagues, or leagues starting 2 QBs this guy could be worth the gamble...
Jay Cutler
Denver will want Plummers veteran leadership, but can they live with his mistakes? Plummer has been an overhyped QB his whole career and I think Shanny knows it...If Plummer recedes to his normal ways, I think people will be surprised at how quickly Jay gets the nod...his last preseason game showed he can get it done.
Matt Lienart
Are you kidding me? The guy practices for 3 days and then comes out and runs the 2 minute drill in his first preseason game...followed up with a huge performance. With Warner the quesiton in not if but when...and this guy has the talent to succeed when given the chance...he also has an arsenal of offensive weapons at his disposal...if Josh Mccown had a chance of holding off Warner (and he did last year despite what was said), imagine what will happen if this guy runs with the starting job...
WRs
Sam Hurd
I don't think I have seen this guy drafted yet...Crayton can't stay healthy and is supposed to be the 3rd WR...who knows what the TO experiment will yield in Big D. All the TO hype has masked what could be a huge opportunity for Hurd. Parcells likes him and wants to get him the ball...and something tells me Parcells doesn't like TO and didn't want him in the first place. My moneys on a TO debaucle and potential steal with Hurd...
Greg Jennings
Favre likes him and the coaches compare him to Marvin Harrison? backed by some impressive plays in the preseason, could be worse...He only has to beat out Furgeson for a starting job...what's not to like besides GB stinking this year...can anyone say garbage time and lots of yards for this up and comer? He is on radars but not everyone is following their instincts come draft day.
Hank Baskett
We all know how consistent Stallworth can be, and even then Stallworth is a burner and this guy has Red Zone written all over him with his size and leaping ability. McNabb wants him to succeed and I expect some 3 WR sets with Baskett taking advantage of undersized DBs...Stallworth will kill his value, but that may be flawed logic...
Eric Moulds
This guy has been there and done that, but has showed some comptibility with Carr in the preseason so far...here is another example of something to look for in the preseason. He is obviously a veteran, but this looks like a great fit so far. I wouldn't be surprised if his #s are similar to AJ, compare their ADPs and see which one may have more value. You know teams will be putting their best DB on AJ and leaving Moulds an opportunity he has never had from a defensive perspective...
Well, there you have it...didn't intend on going into this much detail, but am getting tired of the old preseason is worthless nonsense...while some of these players are obviously already on radars or even being drafted in the middle rounds, the preseason has shown us something for those willing to ignore the myth...
Peace
Guppymuncher
