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Off Season Files - Round 2 Draft Talents of Steven Jackson

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:41

Please remember that when #1 pick in the draft type talent meets opportunity, in the right scheme, you ALWAYS get excellent results.  

-The Coaches and Schemes -

OC Dirk Koetter has found his new toy in Steven Jackson. Steven is coming to a Modified Spread Offense from a Tradition Pro Offense in St. Louis. The difference is that in ATL he will be able to get that ball in space or out of the backfield and the offense will create more running lanes because of the spread formation and 3 WR sets. This means that there will be less defenders crowding the box like it was back in ST. Louis. Before the departure of Michael Turner they never really could get that offense clicking like they wanted due to to Michael Turners one dimensional play. They had to use 2 backs to make a whole and that's why JaQuizz Rodgers got extra time. Now that Steve is in town he is perfect for the scheme. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and he can also mash up the middle and hit the outside. Steven will get the bulk of the carries and he has more than proven that he can still tote the rock at a very high level. Steven Jackson is about to have a career year in ATL.

-The Opportunity-

In the Modified Spread Offense there is no room for a fullback due to the extra receiver on the field. JaQuizz nor Jason Snelling has never proven themselves to be worthy of the spot outright. Now with Jackson in the mix they can run the offense full throttle. Like I said earlier when Turner was there they had to come out of the Spread Offense and line up in Base which tipped the defense off to stack the box and stop the run. Well not anymore because a new back has showed up on the scene. Now in Base packages it is more of a run first offense like the Rams currently run. That's why Turner was perfect for that scheme and ran the ball around 300 times a season. A Modified spread Offense may call for at or around 200-250 but you also are in line to catch 40-65 passes out of the backfield in space. This is where the value for Jackson rises the most. Look for Jackson to easily get 300 touches in this offense.

 -The Talent-

Steven Jackson comes from Oregon State and has secured at least 8 1,000 yard seasons facing a loaded box. This will be the first time in his professional career where he will have some room to roam. If you watched any of the Rams games last year you can clearly see that Jackson has a lot left to offer. Greg Cosell of NFL Films said this about Jackson on twitter  "He's still a very, very good player," said Cosell.  and he still got some quickness. You don't call him a speed back -- he's not that guy -- but he still has some ability to get outside. He's always been a finisher. He's a guy with natural power. He's both strong and physical." CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS 2012  In my dynasty league I scooped up Jackson quickly trading my 2014 Rd #1 and #2 to secure him to my roster now you go and act accordingly. Remember I always say " Never tell a player who he is watch the coaching staff, the scheme, and the talent and let them tell you who they are.   

#1 pick in the draft type talent meets opportunity, in the right scheme, you ALWAYS get excellent results. 

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Fantasy Football: 2013 Year in Review

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:39

I always love this time of year because the NFL playoffs are always so full of storylines and captivating and at the same time I am typically watching with the glow of a fantasy champion. I’m most of you reading this and have frequented our site share a similar glow at this time of year. It’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Just tell your league mates when they start to get sick of said glow, “Haters gotta hate!”

The sucky part about this time of year is that it’s over!! We spend all summer, offseason, preseason, etc prepping for the draft. We spend all season glued to our computer screens and televisions hanging on every carry, pass, or reception. Then nothing. Each carry, pass, and reception has lost its luster. An 8 yard reception by Andre Johnson in the 4^th quarter could be the difference between taking the lead or losing the league, and now it probably just moves the Texans from the 31 to the 39 yard line. It also means it’s time to look back. It’s time to get nostalgic. High school graduation, a wedding day, and so forth when good times are culminated it is only human nature to look back at the great moments and the not so great moments. Our time is now…..

I hope you’ve….. had…… the time of your life……

Until next year that is!

Quarterback Position

-          I for one was a huge advocate of taking big time QBs this year because they were automatic and could single handedly win you games. While there wasn’t the huge separation that there was last year, the big time QBs still led many teams the playoffs and championships. Brees continued his dominance, as did Brady and Rodgers as a familiar 3 finished at the top once again. It’s pretty automatic with these guys year in and year out.

-          Projections for rookie QBs rose a little bit this year thanks to the emergence of Cam Newton the year before, but once again they exceeded even the most bullish optimists. Both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III finished in the top 9 in standard scoring ahead of the likes of Mathew Stafford and Eli Manning. Griffin even led the league for a majority of the season until a knee injury and concussion slowed him down late in the year. Griffin looks like he may be the new Michael Vick going forward from the perspective of questioning his ability to play 16 games. Extremely dangerous and talented but takes too many hits. Also, don’t sleep on Russell Wilson going into next year. Quietly, he finished 11^th and only 4 points behind Matt Stafford. As the Seahawks have become more comfortable giving him a full load, he has been a fantasy stud both running, passing, and not making mistakes.

-          Busts were all over the quarterback top 10 predictions as the likes of Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Big Ben all finished 15^th or lower. As did Matt Schaub and popular sleeper candidate Jay Cutler.

-          Looking ahead: Next year the QB position will be deeper than ever, especially if RG3 is ready by opening day. I will never be opposed to taking one of those sure fire top studs, but there is a lot of depth behind them these days with Luck, Griffin, and Wilson all jumping to fantasy starter capabilities. Then guys like Freeman and Andy Dalton who showed some good things and could be ready for big break outs with another offseason of work.

Best Picks: (The Big 3), Peyton Manning, Robert Griffin III, Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck

Worst Picks: Eli Manning, Mathew Stafford, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger

Running Back Position

Fantasy Football: 2013 Free Agent Destinations

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:40

Vacations? We don’t need no stinkin’ vacations!!! All a football offseason means is who wants to be prepared to win the following year. The separation is in the preparation people!

As such, it seemed like an appropriate time to touch base with those of you who enjoy that little bit extra information in the offseason and go over some offseason watch lists. The 2013 NFL year officially starts March 13^th so there will be no official news until then at the earliest. Reports are already circulating in regards to the Alex Smith trade to Kansas City and many others in regards to the possible free agent movement but the lack of certainty allows us to do what we do best, speculate! Who doesn’t enjoy a nice “what if” conversation in regards to their favorite football team/fantasy landscape.

Let’s hit a few and see where we might see them/like them to go:

QBs:

Alex Smith: The rumors are already getting pretty confirmed in this one and the destination looks like Kansas City. If Joe Montana can do it right? Hmmmm. Well if there was a coach who could continue to maximize Alex Smith’s talents, I believe it could be Andy Reid. A West Coach QB guru who made temporary stars of guys like Kevin Kolb and AJ Feely once upon a time. He will rely on quick hitting passes, probably a nice screen game with Jamaal Charles (ala Brian Westbrook days), and accurate throws. Smith was among the league leaders in QB rating so we know he can be efficient. The weapons in KC don’t scream QB1 potential, but it should be a solid fit.

Matt Flynn: With Smith supposedly gone, Flynn would seem like the logical next domino. He probably can’t go to the Cardinals being in division, so the Jags would be a great possibility. New Jags coach Gus Bradley comes over from Seattle so he has been in many a meeting with the Hawks brass that discussed acquiring Flynn themselves so he will have a pretty good idea of whether he is worth a shot. Flynn has always impressed when given a chance and believe it or not, there are some weapons in Jacksonville now. With MJD healthy in the backfield and now Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon on the outside, Flynn could put up some decent numbers with the Jags.

RBs

Steven Jackson: Jackson has voided the last year of his deal and will become a free agent. Nearly before ESPN or anybody else could tweet the story, the Falcons were chomping at the bit to get in line for Jackson’s services. It is widely believed, if not forgone conclusioned (made that word up), that Michael Turner will be cut and the Falcons will be in the market. Jackson, while not beastly to the same extent he was 5 years ago, still quietly churns out solid seasons while wasting away in St. Louis. In Atlanta, he would have a playoff invigoration as well as a team around him that would take a whole lot more defensive attention away from him. No disrespect to Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson but let’s Libra Scale those wide receiving cores. Yeah, Jackson could be a very solid fantasy back next year if ended up with Atlanta.