Week 1 is upon us folks and with that brings great excitement and intrigue as all teams start fresh with a 0-0 record. There is not another sport out there to where year after year new teams pop up out of nowhere to contend for the title as the balance of talent in the NFL for the most part is outstanding. But, those of you reading this are more interested about what is going on in the NFL that could have an affect on your fantasy football player’s values, and that is why the Bruno Boys offer to you on a weekly basis the Newz and Viewz column. Bruno Boys Larry and Bruno Boys Ziza are no strangers to talking football, as they have argued for years on many NFL topics amongst each other. Some times they will agree, other times you will laugh your butt off as they rip into one another, good naturedly of course! And much like football, each topic usually has one winner and one loser! So let us know what you think about each of their arguments! All comments are welcome! This week the dynamic duo will be discussing the release and then quick signing of RB Rudi Johnson, Kurt Warner being named the starter in Arizona, which powerhouse NFL team contributes the most to fantasy football, as well as a good hearted story about the city of New Orleans.
So nestle snugly into your computer chair, close the doors, and turn off the phones! It is time once again for another edition of Newz and Viewz from two whacky, insane, Detroit Lions fans, Bruno Boys Larry and Bruno Boys Ziza!
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Arizona Cardinals HC Ken Whisenhunt has named Kurt Warner as the starting quarterback over Matt Leinart for Sunday’s game versus the San Francisco 49ers. Which of the two quarterbacks will have more fantasy value this season?
Bruno Boys Larry Viewz: The obvious answer would appear to be Kurt Warner. He was named as the team’s starting quarterback and Sunday he is starting against a San Francsico 49ers team that he torched for 484 yards and 2 TD’s in week 10 of 2007. Well I am here to tell you, Ziza, that the answer is not obvious. Sometimes you have to open your mind beyond the obvious. Matt Leinart was drafted to be the future of this team. He was the one that the Arizona Cardinals used a first round pick on and invested a ton of money in. They brought Leinart here to team up with their young wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to be this generation’s version of Dan Marino and the Marks Brothers (Clayton and Duper, no not really brothers Ziza).
This is a young team that appears to be on the rise. They have good young players on both sides of the ball, but can never seem to become consistent enough as a team to win on a regular basis. Kurt Warner is just another band aide that will keep them a mediocre team. Leinart is the QB that needs to be leading this team if they are going to move beyond mediocrity, and I actually believe that this is head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s plan.
Sometimes the best thing for a young quarterback is to sit and watch. Leinart has been reported as saying that losing out on being the starter is pushing him to be a better quarterback. He also said, “I know my opportunity will come sooner or later.” I say it will be sooner than later. I am not saying that Warner isn’t a good start against the 49ers, because he is. Like I stated above he torched the Niners in Week 10 of ’07. I actually feel Warner is a good start in Week 2 versus the Miami Dolphins as well, but their schedule starts getting a little tougher after Week 2, and I think it will only take one slip up or one small injury for Leinart to get his chance. He then will prove what he has showed small signs of, good fantasy football value and Kurt Warner will be a nice handcuff to have.
Bruno Boys Ziza Viewz: Larry, you don’t have to point out the obvious about Leinart being drafted to be the future of the organization. So was Ryan Leaf, Joey Harrington, David Carr, Akili Smith… Get the point? No, I am not saying Leinart is a bust, but I am saying that don’t just assume that Warner will be out once the schedule gets tough. This is a team that is solid defensively and has very good players on the offensive front. This is an organization that wants to make the playoffs and go somewhere this year. If Leinart is not ready to be the man, he WON’T be the man.
In fact Larry, if the schedule was getting tougher, I find it hard to believe that they would think that the struggling Leinart would be the better option. The only way that Warner is replaced is if he misses time because of injury and Leinart is on fire during that time or if Leinart clearly becomes the better option at some point this year.
It is obvious that the WR’s prefer Warner as the QB as their stats demonstrate. That is a major thing Larry! I could have the best QB skills in the world, but if I threw the ball too hard or not where certain receivers preferred the ball, I wouldn’t have a job. Until Leinart gets a better grasp on the game and the receivers start playing well with Leinart in the lineup, Warner will continue to be the man in Arizona!
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Newz: Former Cincinnati Bengals star RB Rudi Johnson has signed with the Detroit Lions, replacing Tatum Bell on the roster:
BBZ Viewz: I really think that this is a solid signing by the Detroit Lions. Yes, Rudi Johnson has had his fair share of hamstring issues over the past year but even running on one leg he should be able to outperform former Lions RB Tatum Bell. Johnson, according to Lions Brass, looked very good in workouts and even has suggested that if called upon, he is ready to play in Week 1.
This definitely doesn’t help Johnson’s or rookie RB Kevin Smith’s fantasy value as there is a good chance that as the season goes on, that both backs will get their fair share of the work load. But, make no doubts about this, this is Smith’s job to lose! He is a heralded rookie who has impressed coaches immensely ever since being drafted this year.
Neither has starting RB value in fantasy football, as Smith should be considered a RB3 and Rudi Johnson should be considered a RB4 unless he proves to outplay Smith as the top Lions RB. This shouldn’t have too much fantasy impact as Smith was already being drafted as a RB3 throughout all leagues, but none-the-less, this has the potential to really shake things up in the long run if Smith falters and Johnson returns to his former playing self. If that happens, Johnson could prove later in the season to become a RB2. No doubt though that Lions HC Rod Marinelli would prefer Smith to run with the job as he is one of the players that they plan to build around for coming seasons.
BBL Viewz: I will agree with you Ziza this was a solid signing by the Detroit Lions. The Lions might have finally gotten something right, they needed to get a running back in here with a pulse and they found one. That being said, this is Kevin Smith’s job to lose (as you said), but they needed something better then Tatum Bell to back-up a rookie RB and Johnson is a better RB then Bell.
Now, Ziza you even said it yourself, Smith is a RB3 at this point and Johnson is a RB4. Where I differ from you is that I don’t think if Johnson returns to his old self he can become a RB2 this year. The Lions have a bad offensive line. They had a bad offensive line last year and they lost RT Damien Woody, who may have been their best offensive lineman at the end of last year. They drafted RT Gosder Cherilus with their first round pick this year and apparently he is yet another project, because he couldn’t even beat out George Foster for the starting RT spot. You can’t just change your blocking scheme and expect everything to be better. They need to upgrade the talent on the offensive line and they haven’t.
The Lions finally do have two talented running backs on their roster; it’s just too bad that they don’t have an offensive line to open holes for them. Neither of these backs can be counted on as more then a bye week replacement or a flex player if you are desperate.
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Newz: All of these clubs are fairly healthy and are loaded with talent. With that being said, which NFL team offers the most fantasy football value in 2008? The Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots, the Indianapolis Colts or the San Diego Chargers?
BBL Viewz: I don’t even have to think about this one Ziza, it’s the San Diego Chargers. We debated last week if Shawne Merriman should play this season or have surgery and I said, “He obviously thinks the Chargers have a chance to win this year and he might be right.” I do personally think he is right; they are my pick to win the Super Bowl this year.
Now, I know that a Super Bowl winning team doesn’t have to have the best fantasy players, Eli Manning and Trent Dilfer are proof of that. But, plenty of Super Bowl winning teams had superstar fantasy players and the Chargers have superstar fantasy players all over the place. RB LaDainian Tomlinson is not only the #1 RB in the Bruno Boys Cheat Sheets (and everyone else’s) he is the #1 player on the Bruno Boys Top 150.
BBZ Viewz: Larry, I am shocked that you didn’t mention Antonio Gates, although he is a bit banged up this year. That being said, my pick would be the Dallas Cowboys! When you are talking about overall value, you have to really take every position into account Larry. You can’t just say LT is on this team so they win! That isn’t the way it works. At least, that is not how I see it.
I look at who offers value across the board? The Cowboys are not weak anywhere! The Chargers are weak at QB and their WR’s are solid but nothing to brag about. The New England Patriots don't have a top fantasy RB on their roster. The Indianapolis Colts are pretty close to the Cowboys, but it is still a no cigar as their QB is banged up and aging, their WR2 is getting old, their TE is solid, but certainly not great. And their D, although one of my sleepers for this year certainly isn’t a top defense by any means.
Now look at the Cowboys. Their QB is Tony Romo. A definite up and comer and arguably the second best fantasy QB this year. They have a RB duo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Barber is a definite RB1, Jones has the talent to fill in nicely if Barber were to go down with injury. At WR ,they have Terrell Owens, a top-3 WR and at TE they have Jason Witten, the best TE in the game for the 2008 season. Their K is Nick Folk who is one of the top-2 kickers off of most fantasy boards and then you throw in the Dallas Cowboys DST who are a very solid group and definitely a top-8 defense to have this year. With that being said, the Cowboys have a player at each position that is coveted by fantasy football owners. San Diego can not say that. And even though LT is the best fantasy football player, his teammates clearly are not.
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Newz: Hurricane Gustav has missed New Orleans and in turn is allowing the New Orleans Saints to open at home this year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
BBZ Viewz: This is definitely great news for the city of New Orleans! Fantasy football and the NFL aside, this would have been truly devastating if the storm would have been a direct hit on the city after it has been recently rebuilt after the horrible Katrina instance. That being said, there is a fantasy football impact as well!
The New Orleans Saints players are assured of playing football in their stadium this year, something that is a definite plus! This will allow the players to play in familiar territory and not have to feel like a visiting team 16 times this year.
The Saints are loaded with offensive talent that undoubtedly has made its way to many fantasy football teams this summer, and those teams will be leaning pretty heavily on most of them. For the great citizens of New Orleans, it will be great to be able to travel to the Louisiana Superdome for their NFL season opener and watch the likes of Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey and crew with an ease of mind. In a time where all you hear about is bad things on the news, this is definitely a great heart warmer!
BBL Viewz: Wow Ziza, it has been a while. It has been a while since I agree with you 100 percent, but this time I do. Some things are just bigger than football; I know I can’t believe I said it either, but it is true!
Natural disasters like Hurricane Gustav or Katrina or the brushfire’s that have devastated the West Coast are humbling to us all. We sit there and watch fellow Americans lose everything they have, everything that they have worked for and it helps us to realize how lucky we are. How lucky we are to have our health, our family, even our jobs.
I will also agree with you that not only is it great for the people and the city of New Orleans, but it is great for the Saints and their fantasy football value this year. I am on the Saints fantasy bandwagon. QB Drew Brees has a chance to step up into elite level QB status this year and the addition of TE Jeremy Shockey completes this offense. This Saints team should be fun to watch this year and I am glad that it will happen in New Orleans, a city that deserves something to smile about.
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WEEK 1 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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