It’s time for the 2008 NFL season and right now, guys like me…and some ladies even…are gearing up for that great moment we all love during the preseason. The NFL Fantasy Football draft.

There were some amazing performances last year, and none more exciting than Randy Moss breaking Jerry Rice’s TD reception record. Amazing numbers for a guy traded from Oakland to New England for ‘just a draft pick’. There was the emergence of Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, and his crushing 2^nd half running over the stingy San Diego Chargers defense. A few teams tried out some new blood at QB to see what would stick, and it would appear the Browns Derek Anderson and the Bills Trent Edwards have established themselves as the starters.

So let’s take a look at some things. I wanted to list my 5 “Expect Disappointments”, 5 “Sleepers” and 5 “Keep On Your Bench” players. You may thank me later…then again, you could come burn down my condo in protest. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

Top 5 – Disappointments

1. Randy Moss, WR New England Patriots: You break a TD record and still can’t get respect. This year will be a year where his stock will spiral out of control. You don’t come off of a record breaking season expecting to shatter your own record, but Randy Moss has the ego big enough to think he can. This will lead to him trying to stretch the defenses who will be wiser to him now. He will see double coverage, especially in the end zone, and this will allow Tom Brady to target other receivers. If you want a quality #1 receiver, look for Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, because Kurt Warner, somehow…still has that magical mojo and can and will air it out for the Cardinals.

2. Chad Johnson, WR Cincinnati Bengals: Attitude and poor team chemistry goes a long way in the NFL and Chad has both. “Ocho Cinco” has pretty much alienated himself from the team in such a bad way, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Carson Palmer looking to hit other receivers on principal alone. Chad injured his shoulder during the pre-season and although the Bengals say it is nothing to worry about, they re-signed professional drunk-driver Chris Henry. Henry may be a career criminal, but he has good hands, and could see most of the end zone passes. #85, we remember when you made receivers fun in the days of Moss and Owens egos. Thanks for ruining the ride.

3. Julius Jones, RB Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Alexander is gone, and in steps his replacement Julius Jones. Watching Jones run with Marion Barber III in Dallas was a sure treat, as Barber made his attempts into the end zone an adventure, throwing his body every which way, and earning every yard. Where was Julius? Running between the 20’s and not getting much yardage per game. Sure the Cowboys would throw him a few bones here and there, when Barber needed a breather, but in all honesty, I think Jones would have a hard time finding paydirt with a map, GPS tracking and an open invitation. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren used to know how to turn average backs into studs, such as Dorsey Levens in Green Bay, then the former Seahawk Alexander. But Julius Jones? Don’t expect much. Maurice Morris could actually steal his job with an injury.

4. Steve Smith, WR Carolina Panthers: I love Steve Smith’s catch and run ability, I loved when the points would come piling in after his 200 yd games, where it seemed to happen almost every week. But the Steve Smith of then and now are two different entities. I’d love him to regain his form, but I think a year of David Carr, Vinny Testaverde and some unknown rookie throwing him the ball, he slowed his game up to assist them and it hurt him. His catch skills and his attitude are shaken and even with Jake Delhomme back this year, healthy and throwing hard, I just think Smith’s best days have come and gone but still would make a nice 3^rd or 4^th receiver in leagues. Just don’t grab him in the early rounds.

5. Brett Favre, QB New York Jets: The legend. How can he be a disappointment? The most TD tosses of all time. #4…it’s Brett Favre…what am I thinking? While I think Favre will be right on the many with most of his throws, he doesn’t have the hands up in the air to bring the ball down. Laverneus Coles and Jerricho Cotchery will make as many dazzling plays as bumbling ones. Honestly, it won’t be their fault. Favre throws the football so hard it feels like it’s being thrown to them by a shotgun. Sore hands, in cold weather…when not used to it thanks to Chad Pennington soft tosses, are going to make for some dismal pass attempts. Don’t expect the guts and the glory you’d think of with Favre in Green Bay. It’s the Jets, and its his last hurrah on the field…Just take it easy on him Jets fans.

Top 5 Sleepers

1. Roscoe Parrish, WR Buffalo Bills: Trent Edwards is not J.P. Losman. Parrish is a fast burner on the field who can easily get open, but sadly Losman could not air it out to him. Edwards can and will, I could easily see him getting quite a few touchdowns in the early weeks as defenses learn he is for real, and begin covering him like the talent he is. The same can really be said for Lee Evans, but fans already know what he is capable of doing.

2. Robbie Gould, K Chicago Bears: Karl Malone needs to just pass his nickname down here to Gould. He always delivers, come Chicago hail, rain, sleet or snow. Once he’s lined up to kick, put 3 on the board. Why is a kicker on a sleeper list? Simple. He’s going to be good for about 12-14 pts a week in your league because he will be forced to kick a ton of field goals from stalled out Rex Grossman drives. Remember, Chicago lost Bernard Berrian, who was their only TRUE deep threat and allowed a lot of drives into their opponent’s territory. This won’t happen in 2008. This will be the year of “Just get it to the 32”, and then Gould will trot out.

3. Vincent Jackson, WR San Diego Chargers: Not really a sleeper, I just think he could be the 2^nd coming of Terrell Owens. A large dominant wide receiver with great hands, who has passed his rookie and sophomore years and learned a lot of lessons of the game with some humiliating plays. No more…I expect Philip Rivers to unleash passes on him on almost every series. His value will only increase through the year, as he shows the ability to leap over his defenders and fight for the ball. Quality #2 receiver you can probably grab in the middle rounds.

4. Kurt Warner, QB Arizona Cardinals: The crafty old veteran loves the game. He has shown he can win with “The Greatest Show on Turf”, he took over in New York and although not great, did a wonderful job in teaching Eli in his first year. Then on to Arizona, where he launches precision strikes to Boldin and Fitzgerald. Their running game is stagnant, with Edgerrin James refusing to re-capture any former Colts magic he seemed to have and lost, like a dry cleaning ticket…which causes Warner to have to air it out…and he does so with such skill, that poor Matt Leinart has to sit on the sidelines, counting his money…uh I mean, learning. Warner will be able to easily be had in the “Wow, finally this draft is almost over” rounds.

5. Warrick Dunn RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cadillac Williams is in the shop, starting the season on the PUP list, so in the first 6 weeks, it will be pretty much a “running back by committee” group for the Bucs. One problem for those young guys on the committee, Dunn is a wily veteran who knows that field oh so well, and will slash and gash defenses and remind Bucs fans of the way things used to be with fleet footed running as opposed to Williams “barrel into the defense and hope for that 2 yard gain, and rack up his 60 for the game”. Dunn’s going to hit the end zone a lot, because he remembers where it is. He should hold value for you in the first few weeks.

Top 5 Bench Guys

1. Steve Slaton,RB Houston Texans: Rookie runner devastated defenses at West Virginia with the ability to run and catch. Once Ahman Green (who re-structured his contract today, JUST to have a job) shows he hasn’t lost his talent for keeping a low average YPC or goes down with his annual inhury, Slaton should see more time in the backfield and give a high energy boost to the running game if given his shot to prove its his time. Later in the season, he could become a quality “bye week” replacement, if not a starter.

2. Colt Brennan, QB Washington Redskins: A good preseason for the former Rainbows leader, has him snapping at the heels of Jason Campbell. Don’t be surprised if Campbell struggles in the first few weeks to see coach Jim Zorn try something new and see what he has with the kid. Could be a season saving change if he’s tabbed the starter by week 5.

3. Anthony Gonzalez, WR Indianapolis Colts: He showed a little flash last year but this year could be a breakout for him. Harrison and Wayne provide the sizzle on the field but one injury to either and Gonzalez slides in and you know Peyton Manning won’t miss. He could see a lot of yards this season, but Harrison and Wayne, and even Dallas Clark will see most of the catches for TD’s.

4. Josh Cribbs, WR Cleveland Browns: He can run. He can elude. He can shine. He’s Cleveland’s potent game-changer. If he is running back kicks, or blazing down the sideline blowing past defenders, he’s worth a bench spot. He may not be a big name for you now, but he will be. He’d be a great fill in on a bye week for one of your main receivers.

5. Ricky Williams, RB Miami Dolphins: You know what you have with Ronnie Brown. You know what you could have with Ricky Williams. Which is the lesser of two evils? I’d say poor play could cause Brown to lose the job, and Williams to slide in. He’s got the legs, the talent and the drive to want to run…but can he stay clean. I hope so, and would love to see him rack up a “Comeback Player of the Year”. A couple of good games for him could have him vault into your regular RB rotation if Brown falls on his face.

Thanks for stopping by and giving this blog a read. As always, your comments are always welcome.

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