Gronk’s Health – This has been the biggest story for the last week and a half, and will continue to be the leading story until we see Gronkowski play on Sunday. With the recent report coming from his dad that he has a high ankle sprain, this is a major issue for the Patriots. Gronkowski has become the focal point of the offense, allowing others like Welker and Hernandez more room to run. If Gronk is unable to be effective during the game, the Giants won’t have to double him and can concentrate on taking away Brady’s other targets. If this is the reality, Deon Branch could be the key to the Patriots passing game. If Gronk is able to be effective, than the pressure is on the Giants’ mediocre core of linebackers to handle two stud TEs.

Giants Pass Rush – In Super Bowl XLII the Giants’ pass rush shocked the New England offensive line and overwhelmed Brady. The Patriots were to inept to handle the rush, or make game time adjustments to slow down Giants. However, the Giants don’t have the same type of D they had in ’07. While their front 4 are the best in the game, their linebackers are weak, and can’t be left alone in 1on1 pass coverage all game. The Patriots O-Line handled the Ravens front 7 and if they do the same to the Giants, Brady will carve their weak (but not as pathetic as the Patriots) secondary.

Turnover Battle – While this is a no brainer key to the game, the events in both the AFC and NFC Championship games, makes this even more important. In the AFC Championship, Brady and the Patriots almost blew their chance to be in the Super Bowl with turnover after turnover. Brady was surprisingly bad, throwing three INTs including an awful decision to take a shot down field after a Brandon Spikes‘ interception that could have sealed the game. After the Patriot escaped elimination after numerous turnovers, the Giants got their berth to the Super Bowl capitalizing on turnovers. Kyle Williams inability to hold onto the football, and the fact he thought he could fool the 700 angles of instant replay, allowed the Giants to sneak into the Super Bowl. The Patriots had similar issues with Danny WoodHead fumbling on a kickoff return. If the Giants are able to force multiple turnovers, this game could get out of hand. Look for the giants to try and fluster Brady and force him to make bad decisions.

Since taking office, Goodell has suspended over 7 players and handed out more fines than I think we’ve ever seen in the sport. While people are more intrigued with the with the sport and the fan base is growing rapidly in all demographics. While there is a lot of attention being given to the game, the media has clearly paid more attention to the fines and suspensions. We have no one but Goodell to thank for this with the rule changes he has laid down over the last 5 years. There is a fine line of protecting the players, and controlling the game that he may have crossed. The most disappointing rule change is clearly the fact that he moved up the kickoff. Not only does it take one of the most exciting plays out of the game, but he also may have cost some players a job and a shot to live out their dream. Goodell also crossed the line with some of the rules that favor the offense. While it is exciting to see points on the board, it’s not as exciting to see them do it with 15yrd penalty after 15yrd penalty. While the main issue is that there isn’t parody from referee crew to referee crew, it is Goodell’s job to make sure that they are all on the same page.

That being sad, nothing can be taken away from Goodell for what he did during the lock out. Not only did he respectively reduce his salary to $1, but he saved a sport we all love. In the last year, he negotiated a 4 1/2 month locate, extended and negotiated long-term tv contracts that will bring in more revenue for the next 10 years, and saw the NFL have one of its most successful seasons ever. So while we may criticize ”The Man” for trying to change the game too much, we can all be glad Goodell is here to stay.

RB Start ‘Em:

Brian Westbrook vs Seahawks, Peyton Hillis vs Bills, Chris Johnson vs Colts, Rashard Mendenhall vs Bengals, LeGarrette Blount vs Redskins.

Sleeper:   Tim Hightower vs Broncos

RB Bench ‘Em:  

Cedric Benson vs Steelers,  Mike Hart vs Titans, Jahvid Best vs Packers, Brandon Jacobs vs Vikings.

QB Start ‘Em:

 Ben Roethlisberger vs Bengals, Aaron Rodgers vs Lions, Eli Manning vs Vikings, Josh Freeman vs Redskins, Michael Vick vs Cowboys.

Sleeper:  Alex Smith vs Seahawks

QB Bench ‘EM:  

Matt Schaub vs Ravens, Carson Pamler vs Steelers, Matt Ryan vs Panthers, Brett Favre vs Giants.

WR Start ‘Em:

Mike Wallace vs Bengals, Roddy White vs Panthers, Steve Johnson vs Browns, Brandon Lloyd vs Cardinals,  Anquan Boldin vs Texans.

Sleeper:  Jacoby Ford vs Jaguars

WR Bench ‘Em:  

Devin Hester vs Patriots, Mike Sims-Walker vs Raiders, Santana Moss vs Buccaneers, Brandon Marshall vs Jets. 

TE Start ‘Em:

Greg Olsen vs Patriots, Jacob Tamme vs Titans, Ben Watson vs Bills, Tony Gonzalez vs Panthers, Antonio Gates vs Chiefs.

Sleeper: David Johnson vs Bengals 

TE Bench ‘Em: 

Bo Scaife vs Colts, Visanthe Shiancoe vs Giants, Andrew Quarless vs Lions, Joel Dreesen vs Ravens.

DEF Start ‘Em:

Steelers vs Bengals, Jets vs Dolphins, Ravens vs Texans, Titans vs Colts, Falcons vs Panthers.

Sleeper: Patriots vs Bears 

DEF Bench ‘Em:

Bengals vs Steelers, Houston vs Ravens, Dolphins vs Jets, Lions vs Packers, Vikings vs Giants.

1. Kenny Britt WR (Titans): Britt was in my 5 fantasy players on the rise just over a month ago, as his promise was evident late last season. Word from Titans camp that he has been dealing with numerous small injuries and is having a pretty bad camp, however lands him on this list today. I’d stay away from Britt until at least the 7th or 8th round.

2. Rashard Mendenhall RB (Steelers): T Willie Colon is out for the season with a torn achilles and that spells trouble for an already uncertain offensive line. The Steelers hope that rookie C/G Maurkice Pouncey can become the player they need him to be – and fast! With the O-Line’s best player out of the fold and an uncertainty in the passing game while Ben Roethlisberger is out, that means less and smaller holes for Mendenhall. The Steelers RB is going in rounds 2-3 in most mock drafts and I’m telling you that is much too high. Take a pass on him unless you get him at a great bargain.

3. LeSean McCoy RB (Eagles): Brian Westbrook he is not and he didn’t show much last year to suggest that he can handle the starter role. Perhaps more importantly is the Eagles’ penchant for using too many RB’s, especially near the goal line. This offseason, the Eagles signed RB Mike Bell who played with the Saints last year and vultured many a TD from Pierre Thomas.

He figures to do the same this season as reports are saying that Bell has the #2 RB spot locked up. He’ll steal touches and TD’s from McCoy, especially at the goal line, and the Eagles also employed FB Leonard Weaver last season at RB many times who also took some TD’s. With such a committee in the Eagles’ offensive system, McCoy will be lucky to have 800 yds and 6 TD’s. Respectable, but not what you’d want from a #1 or #2 RB in a 10 team league.

4. Kevin Walter WR (Texans): Not that he was going to be a top 100 guy anyway after doing nothing last year, but Walter is also being pressed hard for his #2 WR spot on the team thanks to Jacoby Jones showing flashes of being a very good receiver last season. Walter had a very good season in 2008, but those days are gone.

5. Kyle Orton QB (Broncos): WR Brandon Marshall is gone, leaving Orton with Eddie Royal, Jabbar Gaffney, or Demaryius Thomas as the #1 WR, and Brandon Stokely and Brandon Lloyd on the bench. Orton was a repectable QB last season for the Broncos, but the seemingly schizophrenic coach Josh McDaniels is coy when asked about his QB situation after drafting Tim Tebow in the 1st round and trading for Brady Quinn. McDaniels won’t even say who the starter will be when the season opens, and with this type of situation, even if Orton starts the first few weeks, if he performs in a manner that is less than stellar, McDaniels may yank him for one of his shiny new football throwing toys.

Click for an updated version of my 2010 fantasy mock draft!

http://nfldraftmock.com/2010-nfl-fantasy-football-mock-draft/

http://nfldraftmock.com/2010-nfl-fantasy-football-mock-draft/

It’s only May, and pro football’s preseason doesn’t even start for another 2 months and change.  Some NFL players are showing up for voluntary team workouts, while others are opting to stay home a while longer.  This is the time of year that we find out which players are working to get better, faster, and stronger.  These players are working out, trying to fix the little things that they still need to work on.  They are not perfect, but they want to be champions so they are willing to do their homework.  They watch film, gain or lose weight, whichever they believe will help them, and they stay around football even when there is no football being played.

 Fantasy football owners should follow the lead of these players.  After all, we too want to be champions.  How can we as fantasy owners keep working in the offseason?  For starters, it would help if we were tracking free agency and the NFL draft. By knowing who is playing where, and what teams seem to be gearing toward, we can set our minds on which players are worth drafting and when. 

Another way to keep in offseason fantasy shape is to play other fantasy sports.  There is a fantasy game to be played all year round.  I finished second in my fantasy basketball league this season, losing in the championship game.  Not bad considering football is my sport.  I am currently in several baseball fantasy leagues as well.  While other fantasy sports will not directly impact your fantasy football team in the coming year, it can help you keep your mind fantasy sharp.  That is, you are keeping your mind active in fantasy sports. 

I will admit that in the different sports, the way one plays fantasy football, basketball, or baseball is a little different given the scoring and the statistics differences.  I do, however believe that by staying fantasy active, it can help keep you ready for the next fantasy football season.

 Many of you are not going to play fantasy sports of other types.  You are only interested in football.  The solution for you is to use mock drafts to get ready for your fantasy draft.  You can read my 2010 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT to get a feel of which round each player is projected to be drafted in fantasy drafts, and in addition you can participate in some mock drafts online.  ESPN.com has an interactive mock draft on their website.  

You can join a mock draft which usually starts immediately.  This can be a valuable tool to use to find out which round/number players are being drafted.  For instance, you may want to draft Roddy White, and you suspect that he will still be available in the 6^th round.  Your actual draft day comes and you are drafting players, getting other players that you believe will be gone in the next rounds, so you wait to draft him.   

You have it in your mind that you’ll draft White in the 5^th round to make certain that you get him.  The fourth round comes, and you draft your second running back for example, and 2 picks later another team drafts White.

He never made it to the 5^th round.  This could have been avoided if you had known that Roddy White was generally being drafted in the 3^rd round (that’s an example, not an official projection).  Had you participated in 3-4 mock drafts, you’d have known this and you would have been able to decide if he was worth drafting that early, and if so you may have gotten to him before someone else did.

 There’s no way to know for sure where a player is going to get drafted, obviously because people can draft whoever they wish whenever they wish.  But you’d have had a much better chance at getting not only White, but other players because you’d have an idea of when you’d need to take them in the draft.  Mock drafts are a great way to get into fantasy draft shape and can better help you to prepare as you go into your draft. 

Remember: it is important to go into battle with a battle plan.  If you go in blindly with no plan, you’ll get caught off guard and end up with a poor fantasy team.  Each owner’s plan can vary based on philosophy, but any plan is better than no plan at all, and being in fantasy shape before you draft is a great place to start.

Here is a list of my top 5 players who could be on the rise, and are valuable considerations for your fantasy team in 2010.

 1.   Matthew Stafford -Lions QB: 

Coach Jim Schwartz had done a great job so far rebuilding the Lions.  It will take some time however, since Detroit’s offense ranked 26th in the league last season.  This year, Nate Burleson has been added at WR and will likely start opposite Calvin Johnson.  If Burleson can stay healthy, he will provide a great veteran presence at WR.  The Lions also drafted RB Jahvid Best, which will give Stafford a good pass catcher and play-maker out of the backfield.  Brandon Pettigrew will be able to do more blocking for Stafford, since the team traded for TE Tony Scheffler, who will provide yet another good weapon for Stafford in 2010.

2.  Kenny Britt – Titans WR: 

 Teams will no doubt put 8 men in the box all year to try to stop RB Chris Johnson, and Britt was Vince Young’s favorite target last season at WR when he started after the Titans benched QB Kerry Collins.  Nate Washington hasn’t blossomed into what fantasy owners had hoped and Justin Gage is inconsistent.  This leaves Britt in a position to put up the best WR numbers for Tennessee this season, warranting his spot in my top 5 players on the rise.

3.  Mike Wallace – Steelers WR:

No Big Ben for the first 4-6 games this year, likely the #2 WR for the Steelers, and his HUGE upside makes Wallace a great value sleeper!  He will likely still be available after you’ve already drafted 2 WR’s in your league, and he will be undervalued by many.  Pick him up if you are looking for a late round pick at the position.  You won’t be disappointed.

4. Frank Gore – 49ers RB:

Offensive Linemen Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati were the 49ers’ top 2 draft picks this year (both drafted in the 1st round) and are great run blockers.  Gore had 229 carries for 1,120 yards and 10 TD’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry with a weaker offensive line.  If Gore can stay healthy, he could end up as a 1,500 yard rusher or better with around 18 TD’s this coming season.

5. Chad Henne - Dolphins QB:

The addition of Brandon Marshall is the obvious reason here, but also Henne now has almost a full season under his belt, and in 14 games played last season, he completed 60.8% of his passes for 2,878 yards and 12 TD’s.  He will improve on that total this year now that he has more experience.  Davone Bess was his most productive receiver in 2009 with 758 yards and 2 TD’s.  Marshall will do much more in Miami than Bess, and help Chad Henne post much bigger numbers in 2010.

For more fantasy draft guidance, visit my 2010 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT!

I am excited to be partnering with sportsblognet.com and I’m even more excited to have you! 

On this blog, (once the season nears) you will find my 2010 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT, valuable fantasy football advice, who to start and who to sit for each week, and much more!  You’ll want to check this blog often because I know that I can help you win fantasy championships!  After all, winning is what it’s all about! 

I look forward to giving you personal fantasy advice as well.  I will answer your fantasy football questions (as many as I can) to guide you through the season.

Once the season gets closer, we will dive into the world of fantasy football!  Until then, I will post fantasy related news, so bookmark this blog and let’s win some championships!