JGalligan
Footballguy
With the majority of drafts now done and the pre-season nearly over, it’s become time to look at the first few weeks of the NFL season as if they actually exist in our very same universe. There’s a lot of story lines to be followed and a ton of potential breakout candidates to monitor, never mind that the grueling, torturous off-season purgatory is finally over. Seriously, stop pinching yourself. It’s here.
In what will become a weekly write-up from yours truly, I present to you the first edition of the weekly Fantasy Match Ups Extravaganza! I’ll try to cover as many bases as I can but unfortunately, not any IDP. I am human, after all.
Game profiles will consist of players of interest for both teams, a grade for their potential to put up big fantasy numbers as well as a plethora of other fun and addicting little morsels. If you end up reading this and like it, feel free to ask for anything you might want included/thrown anchored into an ocean. As with many other things in life, I will strongly take it into account as long as you present yourself in a knowledgeable, sane, and somewhat Hooked on Phonics manner.
Note: The title is definitely subject to change. I’m not sure whether or not I like it yet.
Thursday, September 4th
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants - 7:00pm
Players of interest (WAS):
Jason Campbell
It’s unlikely you went this past off-season without hearing the words, ‘Redskins’ and ‘West Coast Offense’ in the same conversation. The installation of the offense is of huge interest as it could have equally huge implications on a one Jason Campbell. He’ll be in a good position should he get the basics of the scheme out of the way. Just like the West Coast Offense he’ll be running, Campbell will need consistency and cohesion from his entire offense in order to succeed.
Point potential grade: C -
Clinton Portis
Despite what you’re minuet analysis of the pre-season may have suggested, we won’t really have a good grasp of where the Redskins offense will be headed until the morning of September 5th. The same goes for Clinton Portis role in the aforementioned unit. Either he’ll thrive in the system and be targeted frequently, or he’ll be overlooked in favor of the other options on offense. Even so, it’s hard to imagine the Redskins giving him less than 275 carries, especially with the offense in such a maturing phase.
Point potential grade: B
Players of interest (NYG):
Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would let something as insignificant as some job competition bother him. Though he had a solid first season as the starter, the talent behind him on the depth chart has caused many to Paul Revere Brandon Jacobs’ risks. They may have been a bit overreacted, but we won’t really know until the regular season opener is all wrapped up.
Point potential grade: B
Kevin Boss
While it remains to be seen whether or not Kevin Boss can fill in Jeremy Shockey’s talented (if a bit temperamental) shoes, Boss can only benefit from Eli Manning not being scared shizless of him. The Giants need a new receiving TE and Boss has passed his interview and is waiting with a timecard. Plus, the last name Boss just screams out tight end, don’t you think?
Point potential grade: D +
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Breakout/Bust Candidates
The following predictions are subject to be incorrect, lofty, opinionated and/or absolutely true.
Breakout candidate: Antwaan Randle El
It’s been like clutching at straws when supporting Randle El as a fantasy player these past couple years. West Coast Offense + Rookies Ready to Claim His Job = Finally the Antwaan Randle El We’ve All Wished Would Exist?
Bust candidate: Eli Manning
It’s all well and great to win a Super Bowl and have everyone forget about your regular season stats until you remind them all again in a nationally televised season opener.
Waiver whores pickup candidate: Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward or Reuben Droughns (in deeper leagues of course)
The Fantasy Free Game Breakdown and Prediction
The Giants sure have crashed back to Earth now that Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan aren’t ready to feast on opposing quarterbacks for their defense. Although Justin Tuck is no Umenyiora, he’s a much better replacement then some teams would have if their starting DE juggernaut went down. Still, it’s a definite cause for concern. On the offensive side of things for the Giants, much is expected of the unit after last year’s Super Bowl run. Whether or not Eli Manning evolved Pokémon style from ‘Aw-shucks’ Eli to ‘I frigging told you I’m just as good as Peyton you bastards’ Eli remains to be seen.
On the Redskins side of the ball, rookie head coach Jim Zorn is desperately in need of an impressive first game. Especially after getting spanked so badly in their pre-season game against the Panthers that made the Panthers look like a Super Bowl contender. That’s right, those same Carolina Panthers.
We’ll finally get a first real-game look at Jim Zorn’s newly installed West Coast Offense and the revamped, Greg Williams-less defense. The stars have aligned for what may turn out to be an offensive pseudo-slugfest. And by pseudo-slugfest, I mean some decent amount of scoring but broken up with a fair share of turnovers.
The pick: The Giants squeak out a sloppy one 23-20.
In what will become a weekly write-up from yours truly, I present to you the first edition of the weekly Fantasy Match Ups Extravaganza! I’ll try to cover as many bases as I can but unfortunately, not any IDP. I am human, after all.
Game profiles will consist of players of interest for both teams, a grade for their potential to put up big fantasy numbers as well as a plethora of other fun and addicting little morsels. If you end up reading this and like it, feel free to ask for anything you might want included/thrown anchored into an ocean. As with many other things in life, I will strongly take it into account as long as you present yourself in a knowledgeable, sane, and somewhat Hooked on Phonics manner.
Note: The title is definitely subject to change. I’m not sure whether or not I like it yet.
Thursday, September 4th
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants - 7:00pm
Players of interest (WAS):
Jason Campbell
It’s unlikely you went this past off-season without hearing the words, ‘Redskins’ and ‘West Coast Offense’ in the same conversation. The installation of the offense is of huge interest as it could have equally huge implications on a one Jason Campbell. He’ll be in a good position should he get the basics of the scheme out of the way. Just like the West Coast Offense he’ll be running, Campbell will need consistency and cohesion from his entire offense in order to succeed.
Point potential grade: C -
Clinton Portis
Despite what you’re minuet analysis of the pre-season may have suggested, we won’t really have a good grasp of where the Redskins offense will be headed until the morning of September 5th. The same goes for Clinton Portis role in the aforementioned unit. Either he’ll thrive in the system and be targeted frequently, or he’ll be overlooked in favor of the other options on offense. Even so, it’s hard to imagine the Redskins giving him less than 275 carries, especially with the offense in such a maturing phase.
Point potential grade: B
Players of interest (NYG):
Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would let something as insignificant as some job competition bother him. Though he had a solid first season as the starter, the talent behind him on the depth chart has caused many to Paul Revere Brandon Jacobs’ risks. They may have been a bit overreacted, but we won’t really know until the regular season opener is all wrapped up.
Point potential grade: B
Kevin Boss
While it remains to be seen whether or not Kevin Boss can fill in Jeremy Shockey’s talented (if a bit temperamental) shoes, Boss can only benefit from Eli Manning not being scared shizless of him. The Giants need a new receiving TE and Boss has passed his interview and is waiting with a timecard. Plus, the last name Boss just screams out tight end, don’t you think?
Point potential grade: D +
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakout/Bust Candidates
The following predictions are subject to be incorrect, lofty, opinionated and/or absolutely true.
Breakout candidate: Antwaan Randle El
It’s been like clutching at straws when supporting Randle El as a fantasy player these past couple years. West Coast Offense + Rookies Ready to Claim His Job = Finally the Antwaan Randle El We’ve All Wished Would Exist?
Bust candidate: Eli Manning
It’s all well and great to win a Super Bowl and have everyone forget about your regular season stats until you remind them all again in a nationally televised season opener.
Waiver whores pickup candidate: Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward or Reuben Droughns (in deeper leagues of course)
The Fantasy Free Game Breakdown and Prediction
The Giants sure have crashed back to Earth now that Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan aren’t ready to feast on opposing quarterbacks for their defense. Although Justin Tuck is no Umenyiora, he’s a much better replacement then some teams would have if their starting DE juggernaut went down. Still, it’s a definite cause for concern. On the offensive side of things for the Giants, much is expected of the unit after last year’s Super Bowl run. Whether or not Eli Manning evolved Pokémon style from ‘Aw-shucks’ Eli to ‘I frigging told you I’m just as good as Peyton you bastards’ Eli remains to be seen.
On the Redskins side of the ball, rookie head coach Jim Zorn is desperately in need of an impressive first game. Especially after getting spanked so badly in their pre-season game against the Panthers that made the Panthers look like a Super Bowl contender. That’s right, those same Carolina Panthers.
We’ll finally get a first real-game look at Jim Zorn’s newly installed West Coast Offense and the revamped, Greg Williams-less defense. The stars have aligned for what may turn out to be an offensive pseudo-slugfest. And by pseudo-slugfest, I mean some decent amount of scoring but broken up with a fair share of turnovers.
The pick: The Giants squeak out a sloppy one 23-20.
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I'm kinda confused about reading a Wash/NYGiants writeup with no mention of Plaxico or Santana 
