What did we learn from the regular season dress rehearsal? (1 Viewer)

[SameSongNDance]

Here's my take, please correct/add!

PIT/PHI

A. Brown still looks like the real deal.

A healthy H. Miller will hold value as the second option on PIT, especially if PIT's defense is as bad as advertised.

Wheaton needs to work on..everything.

Celek may hold Ertz back from truly breaking out.

Maclin will scare you all season.



JAX/DET

If/when Bortles takes the reigns UDFA A. Hurns needs to be on your radar.

R. Bush still showing off that breakaway speed.

Gerhart's season will hinge on his OL.


CAR/NE
Brady looks like he's in mid-season form, even without Gronk on the field.

If Vereen stays healthy we can expect big things in PPR (note, no Gronk).

Brady/Edleman chemistry looks strong (note, no Gronk).

J. Stewart looks like 2011 J. Stewart, much better than D. Williams. Possibly worth a flier at his current ADP (especially in PPR).

K. Benjamin looks poised to soak up S. Smith's lost targets. Opportunity is knocking.


NYG/NYJ

NYG pass offense under McAdoo still struggling.

R. Jennings continues to look very solid, could be good value at current ADP even though A. Williams could cap TD upside.

Geno looks much improved.

Ivory is the best runner on the team but injury history remains bleak.

Decker may be slightly undervalued at current ADP, should be heavily involved in passing game.


OAK/GB

Schaub is awful.

MJD still has juice left in those legs.

Lacy looks like a beast running the ball, still remains to be seen how involved he'll be in the passing game.

Where's Cobb?

Rodgers still loves Jordy in the RZ.


CHI/SEA

SEA defense dominated CHI, made it hard to evaluate CHI offense.

R. Wilson looks like he could take a step forward if given the chance.

Harvin's ceiling is just as high as we imagine, should be heavily involved.


TB/BUF

Martin looks good enough to ultimately mask OL deficiencies. Value pick in the 3rd round.

VJax/Evans tandem looks very formidable.

E.J Manual is hard to watch.

M. Williams may have some value in TD heavy leagues.

Spiller looks fast and healthy.

F. Jackson will still get work at the RZ/on 3rd downs, ultimately capping Spiller's ceiling.


TEN/ATL

If Locker remains upright this pass offense will hold some value.

TEN coaching staff doesn't yet trust Sankey enough to run him with the starters; likely overvalued at current 5th round ADP.

Julio looks just as good as ever, if he remains healthy could challenge for WR1 overall.

ATL coaching staff doesn't yet trust Freeman enough to run him with the starters.


DAL/MIA

I don't have much to say about DAL other than that their OL was a bit unimpressive.

Moreno looked good in first game action, will push Miller for starting job.

Wallace was very involved, will be further entrenched in offense this year, likely a bit undervalued.


WAS/BAL

RG3 looked shaky.

Pierce out with concussion, keep an eye on Tailaferro.

S. Smith Sr. looks spry.


STL/CLE

Cunningham got the nod over Stacy to begin the game, slightly worrying.

Britt made big plays with both Stafford and Hill, probably worth the late round flier.

Quick looked good as well.


NO/IND

Ingram continues to impress.

P. Thomas will once again be heavily involved in the passing game.

Luck is the best runner on IND.


MIN/KC

Patterson hype continues to look justified.

A. Smith looked very shaky, passing game looks anemic without Charles on the field.


HOU/DEN

J. Grimes continues to impress, needs to be rostered in all leagues as a lottery ticket.

M. Ball got a lot of work in both the running/passing game early.

Welker out with concussion, regular season in doubt.

E. Sanders will hold real value this year.

 

[Neofight]

SF/SD

Instant replay needs to be revamped or done away with. Having a model where the challenging team is penalized for making the correct decision is neither fair nor sustainable.

Colin Kaepernick still isn't making his reads.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Quizz Rodgers isn't going away and Freeman is being waaaaaaaaaay overdrafted. It's clear the staff trusts Rodgers. By PPG, he was an RB1 in PPR leagues while Jackson was out last year. I can see Jackson being a strict 2 down back at this point to help preserve health.

 

[Bolted]

I am shocked by how much I agree with all your points in the first post. Really nice summary of the games.

I will add

GreenBay - kick offs looked terrible and the kept going for 2 after TDs. Stay away from Crosby.

Jets - Chris Johnson looked sharper then he has in the last few years with the Titans. I am a Titans fan and they never got him the ball in space the last couple years. I saw some nice screens that makes me think he is going to break some big plays for the first time in years. He had a burst that simply hasn't been there. It makes me sick, but I will likely take him as a value pick.

Balt - before he went out, Pierce was looking like just some guy. Won't steal anything from Rice when he is back. His and Hoyers value is based on glowing comments coming out of camp, keep that in mind.

Vikings- Gerhart looked better good. Some big plays got called back, so don't let the numbers speak alone, he looked good.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think the Jets have a lot more fantasy value than people gave them credit for. Decker and Geno might not be so bad.

 

[The Kerminator]

I am shocked by how much I agree with all your points in the first post. Really nice summary of the games.

I will add

GreenBay - kick offs looked terrible and the kept going for 2 after TDs. Stay away from Crosby.

This couldn't be more wrong. Going for 2-pt conversions had absolutely nothing to do with Crosby's performance. All part of the game plan to get work on short yardage situation. Afterall, it is PRESEASON.

 

[SameSongNDance]

Jets - Chris Johnson looked sharper then he has in the last few years with the Titans. I am a Titans fan and they never got him the ball in space the last couple years. I saw some nice screens that makes me think he is going to break some big plays for the first time in years. He had a burst that simply hasn't been there. It makes me sick, but I will likely take him as a value pick.

I didn't mention CJ but you're right, he has looked rather good. I was surprised to see him run with patience and good vision on his inside runs this preseason. I still contend that Ivory looks like the more talented runner but his injury history is well documented (goes all the way back to college and would make your jaw drop). CJ on the other hand has been one of if not the most durable backs over the past half decade considering his workload, so I have more confidence in him shouldering some heavier workloads later in the season if/when called upon. Ivory will never be able to handle a large workload but if by some miracle he remains healthy he'll without a doubt carve out himself a nice role. We also can't forget about Powel who may be JAG but solid in all facets of the game.

Ultimately, it's going to take an Ivory injury to turn CJ from a decent flex into a bonafide steal this year IMO. I think his 6-ish round ADP is just right atm.

 

[Tanner9919]

Niners & Chiefs have problems. both look headed for a (big) fall this season.

Giants' run game is in good shape.

Moreno looks like the real deal in Miami..Miller won't cut it.

if last night is any indication, Romo is going to get killed behind that line

K. Cousins is going to win a lot of fantasy championships for GMs savvy enough to draft him..Bob Griffin looks lost and he's getting hit on nearly every play. writing is on the wall.

Bortles looks legit , right out of the gate

CJ is going to catch a lot of passes and rush for plenty of yards behind that dominant Jets line..

L. Green is once again second fiddle to Antonio Gates. He's barely worth rostering at this point. he is to SD what Ertz is to Philly(Celek), a guy who is probably a year away.

Rob't Turbin is the backup RB to own in Seattle, not C. Michael.

Edelman is Brady's new Wes Welker..100+ catches are on the horizon

Minn. offense can move the ball..thanks Norv Turner!!

Reports of Rivers' demise ,I.E., more rushing/less passing from SD , are overblown and unwarranted -Rivers is still going to be a top QB

 

[Franknbeans]

Great post s and d

 

[Grahamburn]

Julio Jones is healthy and freakish.

McCown could be your waiver wire QB darling.

Kick the dirt off Larry Fitzgerald and Marques Colston. There is value in "know what you're going to get" players.

Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers should be your "wait on QB" targets.

Ellington's 2013 ypc isn't a fluke.