ffdh win championships

Chris Brown

Their couldn't be a better tonic for Brown then the Jets. They are clearly the worst team in the N.F.L. and are hoping to just say uncle and get back up with the season over.

Brown's trade talk, all his, was a misguided effort. Why these millionaire players can't act responsible to their contracts and maturely go about the business of being a team-mate and team player I don't know.

Isn't the examples of Rudi Johnson and Tiki Barber enough to teach these youngsters about the right way to handle themselves.

Brown's running style early on opened him to criticism as an injury risk and he obliged by missing games to injury.

A solid, injury free outing this year would be a godsend for his career and future contracts.

Regardless, he's a great waiver wire start in the first week!

101. Derrick Mason

Reunited was a song I hated in high school. It was so sappy, and they played it over and over and over; ugh.

Now whenever I hear it I reminisce and feel good about a truly magical time, and I don't mean high school; the 70's.

You had to be there.

With McNair in the Raven's covey, he finds himself hooking up with an old friend.

They were a prolific duo, that know each other well.

Take Mason late and expect some fantasy love. He's a good sleeper.

Baltimore is on the rise and as it gels, and, the McNair/Mason relationship finds itself again, they could very easily be prolific.

Mason is mostly a possession receiver right now, but, in the second half of the season he could be a solid starter for your team.

84. Chris Brown

I wonder how many people realize that the phrase 'writing on the wall' comes from the book of Soloman.

Jones is not getting a message from God but he is surely getting a message from Chow.

He has a straight up running style that everyone said reminded them of Eddie George. They may have drafted him with this in mind,  ignoring the warning that this style lends itself to injury, and, the fact that Jones is not George.

He had some exciting games before the injuries derailed him and sent his fantasy owners to the waiver wire. He even was injured on a long, bonus bomb, run where he was stopped short of the goal line erasing a 9 point fantasy score and more then a few F.F. victories.

Travis Henry was not a suitable replacement.

Climbing out of salary cap hell is a painful process and never easy; just ask San Francisco.

In trying to get back to the Superbowl after the heart-wrenching loss to St, Louis, many extensions were paid and free agents signed. A few disappointing years later the Peter came looking for the money they had given Paul. (Is that a biblical reference?)

Now they are a reborn team and have made savvy moves that are making the hopelessly mired Forty-Niners blush, and, subsequently green with envy.

Norm Chow is an awesome addition to a team on the rise.

The defense is starting to come alive and the division is starting to level.

If Brown can screw his head on right, the team wants and needs him right now. What these modern players fail to understand is that if they just perform they will get paid, and, the guy in camp to replace them will sit on the bench.

If Brown wants job security, then he needs to prove on the field that he deserves it.

White hurt himself with a bad attitude and dropped like a rock in the draft. He is Chow's project and Tennessee got him cheap. There is no guarantee that he will make it in the physically, and psychologically grinding punishment absorbed by a back in the N.F.L.

Increasingly the league is seeing the value in a two back approach, and, even if the second quality starter doesn't see the field right away, injuries are just around the corner to give him that chance. With runningbacks being the highest rate of attrition then having a second is the smartest move a team can make.

Before drafting White it would have been courteous and diplomatic for the coach to have called Brown and explained to him that he was the man and they were making a value, best available player. pick-up and that he was valued by the team and should not feel threatened by it.

This could have saved some pain. And yet, how many of us think out the consequences of our actions and how they effect others.

Tennessee will still have a tough time this year, but, Volek is the real deal and the receivers are good.

The O-line is ranked 31st out of 32, but, they are improving.

Brown will play all year if he stays healthy. White will get increasing playing time, depending on his attitude.

Brown is the #1 runningback on his team and in Chow's system an important part of the scoring attack.

As a late pick he is a solid value. He will go earlier and due to the many questions that surround him it's probably better if you designate him as a cannon fodder player. There are better choices to focus on.

65. Billy Volek

Sleeper alert!

Volek was one of the most productive back-ups for years and now he gets his chance to be the man.

Last year he came in and was a fantasy relief, for McNair's suffering owners. He hooked up with Drew Bennett as if they were Manning - Harrison.

He's got a decent O-line, a good group of receivers, good runningbacks, and a new, awesome coordinator.

The defense is improving, and even though Tennessee will struggle to make a .500 record, teams will know they were in a game. Volek will play well.

With an entire training camp and preseason as the designated #1 quarterback, Volek will finally be prepared and comfortable for the role.

He wont stop Young from taking over the job, but, he can prove to the league that he can be an effective starter, and, get awarded with a big contract in a place that appreciates him.

Tennessee could open 1-5, and, the schedule doesn't get any better. But, Volek looks like a lock to score points, especially if he finds himself coming back from behind every week. Knowing this is his chance, he will not be depressed by the, basically, expected losses and will play on, inspiring his team with an undaunted spirit.

He will be this year's Drew Brees.

It will take time for everything to gel and the team is looking at this year as the first step on the road back from cap-casualty hell. They are up and coming and will surprise a few teams. If the young players step up sooner then expected then it will be an interesting year.

Jeff Fisher is a good and tenured coach and he always wants to win.

Volek will be available later, and, if you've neglected the position in a 14 team draft he's an excellent value pick-up. As a second quarterback, he's the best choice to cover your bet.

 

55. Lendale White

I'm concerned, that, with his future on the line and millions of dollars at risk, a gifted young man would show up at the Combine overweight and unprepared. If Norm Chow was still at U.S.C., how far would he have dropped?

It looks like Chow believes in him and he seems to be responding to the old coach. I've read reports that he is getting into shape and working hard.

Chris Brown has been a huge underachiever. His running style makes him prone to injury. The team seemed to think they could get a clone of Eddie George and it would work out. Brown has already requested a trade. (Strangely his agent is saying that he is passing on the request but not going to be serious about it. What, a responsible agent?)

These events have ratcheted White up the list, in an increasingly thin runningback field.

An R.B.B.C. is likely, but when Brown goes down to injury, or attitude, then White will probably perform well.

Tennessee will move the ball. Volek is a better passer then analysts give him credit for. It's different when you are thrust into a game from the bench, as opposed to, having a pre-season camp preparing to be the starter.

White will see the field, and, by splitting time, will be able to handle the longer, Pro season. He saw more time on the field then Bush and was always the pile mover. He couldn't move the last pile, but, that was clearly the wrong call by the coaches that day.

Kevin Mawae is one of the greatest centers in the game, and, brings instant chops to a still developing line. He will be a rock and a mover.

The schedule is difficult, but, the Titans will advance the ball. White will score more touchdowns in the second half of the season and that may be just when you need them.

You don't want a team that comes out strong and fades, leaving you at the doorstep of the playoffs. Planning for the second half of the season is good strategy in the later choices of the draft. This philosophy netted Larry Johnson, for me, last year. 

50. Drew Bennett

Does it mean anything that this is the first player from Tennessee on this list?

Billy Volek and Drew Bennett have a connection. After watching the Manning-Harrison duo and so many others in the history of the N.F.L., I'm ready to buy into the new thing.

Actually he's been on my teams both of the last two years and even gave me a great game in the semifinal last year.

He's tall and talented and if he could just stay on the field for a whole season would be a fantasy star!

There are some speedy receivers in Tennessee, but none of them have asserted themselves.

Part of Roethlisberger's great first year was having a tall outlet sitting in the end-zone in Plaxico Burress. Atlanta has surrounded Vick with a basketball team in the hopes that he won't miss them either.

I'm not sure why McNair couldn't find the 6' 5" Bennett that often, but, Volek sure can.

They have a history and a chance of making history. Volek needs to play all year so that Young can absorb the knowledge of his new job.

Tennessee does not want just another Michael Vick, but, that might be what they have. After the rumors of failed intelligence tests I have some serious doubts about Young.

The quarterback needs to be smart. Volek is. This is his chance to pull a Brees and get a starting job somewhere in the league. He's only in his seventh season and had one of the best instructors for an understudy.

Bennett is only a year removed from 1200 yards and 11 T.D.s. His three week fantasy run, with Volek at quarterback, of 24, 24, 15 is incredible! I'll take that for a season, any day!

He'll be around in the later rounds and will be worth having.