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I have to
start off by saying that this isn’t an article we have
done in the past, but one of our readers asked for our
top 30 predictions for this year and although I thought
it was a cool idea, 30 is too much to do this late in
the game. So here are my top-ten fantasy predictions for
2004.
10. Marshall Faulk will
miss at least three games with an injury. – This is no
huge surprise to anyone who has been playing fantasy
football the past couple of years. Faulk has
missed an average of 2.5 games per year over the last 4
years, including 4 last year. Ten years of playing on
the Astroturf has taken its toll on the future hall-of-famer.
This means that you should make sure you draft Stephen
Jackson if you draft Faulk.
9. Todd France will
win the Giants placekicking job. – That’s right, Todd
France. It won’t be Bill Gramatica who everyone thought
had a lock on the job. An injury to Gramatica has
opened the door for France who has proven that he can
make kicks from 50+ yards.
8. Jacksonville defense
will finish in the top 5. – I watched this defense at
the end of last year and during the pre-season this
year. This unit is taking on the personality of their
coach, mean and nasty. They will blitz a lot and
they have corners who can cover. If you don’t get one of
the top teams or need to have a backup then this is your
team.
7. Quentin Griffin
will be the next 1,000 rusher in Denver. – Understand
one thing, it’s the system that produces these great
backs. Griffin has taken advantage of injuries to Tatum
Bell and his pre-season production has shown the
coaching staff that he should be the starter.
6. Antonio Gates
will be a top-five tight end. – I know I missed the
deadline for sleepers and busts but here is my top
sleeper for this year. Gates averaged almost 60 yards
per game over the last quarter of the 2003 season and he
has had a very good training camp.
5. Rudi Johnson will
be the big bust for 2004. – All you Johnson owners
shouldn’t hate me for this but the Bengals didn’t go out
and draft Chris Perry because they had faith in Johnson.
Rudi was a great story last year, helping the Bengals to
a .500 record, but he will lose some goal line carries
to Perry and this will cost his owners valuable points.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson
will pass Priest Holmes as the best fantasy back. –
Priest has been the king but this year L.T. will pass
him and become the most productive fantasy back.
Tomlinson showed last year that he can run against 8-man
fronts and he has excellent hands. Priest has
taken a beating over the past couple of years and
although he will still be awesome, his time at the top
is over.
3. Eli Manning will
be a better fantasy pick then Kurt Warner. – I have
watched this battle closely and Manning is the real
deal. Comparing him to his brother is premature but he
has the poise that reminds me of Peyton. Warner
will probably be the starter but in the long run Manning
will start and a hall-of-fame career will have begun.
If you’re in a deep keeper league, make sure you draft
him.
2. Detroit will have
the most improved offense in the league. – I don’t have
Joey Harrington rated in the top-ten quarterbacks for no
reason. Take a look at the weapons he has. (1) Kevin
Jones – rookie running back who was better in college
last year than any other running back on the Lions
roster. (2) Roy Williams and Tai Streets are a
tremendous improvement over Az-Zahir Hakim as the number
two-receiver. Williams was a Heisman finalist and
Streets is the possession receiver the Lions need. Put
these two on the field with Charles Rogers and it's
going to be an air show in Detroit.
1. Travis Henry will
still be the man in Buffalo. – All pre-season people
have wondered if there will be a shared backfield in
Buffalo. I am here to tell you that the Bills are
going to go with their horse. Henry averaged 1,400 yards
and 12 touchdowns over the past two years. That
type of production isn’t benched, no matter who the
backup is. In a year or two McGahee may be the
starter but this year he is only a backup.
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