By JIMMY D / Falcons, Raiders refreshed with NFL Draft | Jimmy's archive
Just last week, Jimmy was surmising that only two of the first dozen picks would be appealing to fantasy football gurus.
And just as most of the mock NFL draft described, RB Darren McFadden and QB Matt Ryan were the ones to be called.
The Falcons, with Michael Vick in prison and Joey Harrington and Chris Redman apparently not viewed as franchise savers, grabbed Boston College’s Ryan as their team’s future. This was surprising at No. 3 given some of the excellent defensive players available and several from the neighbourhood Southeastern Conference (where Falcon fans have already know some of the names).
The Raiders continued their aggressive overhaul by grabbing McFadden, the gamebreaker from Arkansas who regularly ripped off 200-yard-plus rushing games against tough SEC defenses.
It means anyone who felt smug about acquiring Raider RBs Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes or LaMont Jordan can wipe the grin off his face. One will stick around to tutor and back up McFadden, the rest will be looking for new teams.
Jimmy had predicted the QB-less Ravens would snag Ryan, but they traded down after failing to get him and waited until No. 18 to grab Joe Flacco. He is big and boasts a terrific arm, but some worry he may not be mobile enough to pass NFL muster. Anyone who has watched Ben Roethlisberger succeed would not worry about tall, lumbering QBs.
Speaking of the Steelers, Pitt fans will be happy with the first-round selection of Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois. He has game-breaking talent and offers a nice change of pace from the outside power running of Willie Parker.
In the second round, Pitt grabbed Texas WR Limas Sweed, a tall powerful runner who should also see time in 2008.
Tennessee inexplicably passed on a group of talented wide receivers who could have offered poor Vince Young some decent targets. Presumably, they have a specific game plan through free agency to give Young a fighting chance in 2008.
In fact, no WRs were taken in Round 1, before eight went with the first 18 picks of the second round. Washington grabbed a pair of them (speedy Devin Thomas from Michigan State and Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly) and TE Fred Davis of USC. Watch for more spread offence from the Redskins to make more room for the running game and more room for QB Jason Campbell to move.
The tone of the draft seemed to be coming up with players and ideas to beat Tom Brady and the Patriots. Whether it was big offensive lineman and RBs to dominate time of possession or aggressive defensive lineman and linebackers to harass Handsome Tom, the how-can-we-beat-the-Pats mantra was repeated in many of the selections.
Fantasy baseball neglect
When you decide to get into a baseball league that requires daily updates, you really have to commit to staying on top of your roster. It’s a long season and every day you forget to swap Paul Konerko into your lineup (like Jimmy did Sunday and he hit two HRs) or forget to activate Carlos Zambrano (like Jimmy did Saturday when he tossed a five-hit shutout at Washington) costs you in the end.
It makes you wish you had neglected your roster the day Minny’s rehabbing lefty Francisco Liriano bombed again and failed to escape the first inning, but that’s not the point.
It’s pretty simple to check five minutes every day to check on rainouts or whether your starting pitchers have been moved up a day in the rotation. Here’s a link, bookmark it and check it so you don’t mess up like Jimmy did. www.sportsline.com/mlb/probable-pitchers
In a similar vein, you have to keep scouring the waiver wire in your league because there are plenty of early-season surprises who continue their hot starts. Jimmy mentioned Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth last week and dude hit two more HRs Sunday and still ranks in the Top 10 of all hitters in Yahoo!-style leagues. He and Arizona 3B Mark Reynolds were ranked around No. 270 in the preseason and both reside in the Top 10 now.
Of the top preseason picks, Hanley Ramirez, Chase Utley and Albert Pujols are the only Top 10 projections who are actually in the Top 10 in fantasy production.
Carlos Quenton of the White Sox was ranked No. 802 and he’s currently No. 22, while Arizona’s Conor Jackson and Pittsburgh Xavier Nady were both ranked 250 or lower and both are in the Top 30.
How is A-Rod doing, since Jimmy won the No. 1 pick in the draft? He’s ranked No. 150, just behind other less-famous Rodriguez’s – Astro Wandy (No. 142) and Angel Francisco (No. 147).
World Hockey Championships
Starting Friday, most of the world’s best playing not currently in the Cup playoffs will be skating in Halifax and Quebec City. Don’t miss a chance to scout some young talent for your NHL drafts in September. The schedule (and TV listings) are at www.HockeyCanada.ca and click the IIHF Mens link.
Stay busy and stay lucky.
Jimmy D
jpoole@herald.ca |
