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I have never been more excited for an upcoming football season as I am right now. I still have high hopes for my favorite team, looking to win a few championships in my leagues and watch all the NFL games I can.
This edition of the
Brew Crew Corner is very special. It will be a four part series covering all the divisions. I will list the players that are drafted in leagues in the order they are selected according to ADP 256. You can expect at least 8 players from each team to be drafted in leagues of 16, an average of 6 players from each team in 12 team leagues. The largest amount of players selected were from
In addition to looking at the upcoming training camps, I have sought the help of established writers from all over the country. These writers are connected to the teams they write about and offer their valuable insight.
I thank everyone that had a chance to submit a section. Unfortunately, I was only able to reach 1/3 of the writers.
We begin our camping tour in the East and make our way across the country.
Note: Players and situations may have changed since the writing of this article.
NFC EAST
New York
Giants
– Training camp starts July 28
Players being drafted from the Giants:
Brandon Jacobs
NYG/9
Plaxico Burress
NYG/9
Jeremy Shockey
NYG/9
Eli Manning
NYG/9
Reuben Droughns
NYG/9 (New Team)
Amani Toomer
NYG/9
Steve Smith
NYG/9 (Rookie)
NYG/9 (New Team)
NYG/9
New York
Giants by Ralph Vacchiano
Columnist for the
Aside from the health of a couple of key stars (Michael Strahan, Amani Toomer), the biggest issues for the Giants surround Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs and Tom Coughlin. Manning is entering Year 4 of his career and needs to start showing some consistency and becoming the leader of this team. Jacobs has the size to fill Tiki Barber’s shoes, but can he be the same type of clutch player? And can a man who loves contact stay healthy enough to do the job?
As for Coughlin, he’s entering another win-now-or-else season and has been given a mandate by his bosses to soften his personality and cut down on the controversies. Can he maintain control of his locker room? Can he play nice with the media? The answers to those questions plus the number of wins he has will give the answer to whether he can keep his job.
If you’re looking for Giants to watch in Fantasy Football, the best bet should be Jacobs who not only will likely top 1200 yards, but also should get 10-15 touchdowns as their goal-line back. Manning is a risky play, whose inconsistency makes him a boom-or-bust pick. The best receiving weapons are Plaxico Burress and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who each should approach or pass 1,000 yards, but might only net 6-8 touchdowns apiece.
Washington Redskins- Training camp begins July 27
Players being drafted from the Redskins:
Was/4
Santana Moss
Was/4
Ladell Betts
Was/4
Chris Cooley
Was/4
Jason Campbell
Was/4
Was/4
Antwaan Randle El
Was/4
Washington
Redskins by Ryan O’Halloran
Columnist for the
Issues entering camp
1. Is QB Jason Campbell ready to be the full-time guy?
2. Did the Redskins make the right decision not addressing defensive tackle in the offseason?
3. Will the revamped secondary — starters Fred SMoot and LaRon Landry and reserves David Macklin and OMar Stoutmire — help a dreadful pass defense?
4. Will life-long tackle Todd Wade made a good transition to left guard?
5. Will a second receivers — Randle El or Lloyd — step up and compliment Santana Moss?
6. Will
Fantasy guys: TE Chris Cooley should have a huge year. RB Ladell Betts will be a good reserve. I would stay away from the defense because they don’t get sacks and don’t create turnovers.
Dallas
Cowboys-
Training camp begins
July 25
Players being drafted from the Cowboys:
Terrell Owens
Dal/8
Marion Barber III
Dal/8
Julius Jones
Dal/8
Tony Romo
Dal/8
Terry Glenn
Dal/8
Jason Witten
Dal/8
Dal/8
Dallas
Cowboys-
The 2007 season opens with a new Head Coach in Wade Phillips. Gone is the tyranny that was Parcells. It seems that it will be a more relaxed atmosphere but is that really what the cowboys need? Jason Garrett is the new offensive coordinator but he has never called plays on the NFL level.
The Tony Romo era is officially on its way as he is the clear starter in
The RB situation is just as confusing as it was last year and the year before. Many see the committee approach but do not know how much of the load each back will carry. Jones is out of Parcell’s dog house and has a chance to prove himself to the new coaching staff. It looks as if Jones will once again get the yards between the 20’s and Barber will be the player punching it in the end zone.
The WR situation remains the same from last year unlike many teams that have made a lot of changes. You know what your getting in both Owens and Glenn but they are both getting up in the 30’s which mean injuries might be a concern. Patrick Crayton worked well with Romo and this could be the year he contributes like a starter.
The Defense is always a solid unit and Phillips was brought in to maximize the teams 3-4 defensive set up. The Cowboys will be aggressive and physical and have the players in place to do so.
Philadelphia
Eagles-
Training camp begins
July 31
Players being drafted from the Eagles:
Brian Westbrook
Phi/5
Donovan McNabb
Phi/5
Reggie Brown
Phi/5
Kevin Curtis
Phi/5 (New Team)
L.J. Smith
Phi/5
Phi/5
Correll Buckhalter
Phi/5
David Akers
Phi/5
Tony Hunt
Phi/5 (New Team)
Hank Baskett
Phi/5
Philadelphia
Eagles-
Many are picking the Eagles to win the division this year and go deep into the playoffs. That remains solely on the health of the team on both sides of the ball. The Eagles have had injuries to key positions at QB, RB, WR, TE and on Defense.
Donovan McNabb remains ahead of schedule in his rehab from his knee injury and many fans and fantasy owners hope that he can come back like Carson Palmer and not like Daunte Culpepper. Last year McNabb was the hottest fantasy player before getting injured. McNabb will have something to prove as he always does. The team drafted Kolb who will be the future of the franchise depending on McNabb’s health or longevity with the team.
The RB situation returns Westbrook after having a big year last year. When McNabb went down, the team leaned on Westbrook to shoulder the load and he did. Westbrook has had his share of injuries and the team might lessen his touches to prevent him from re-injuring himself. They drafted Hunt who is a big back and they still have Buckhalter who has injury concerns of his own.
The WR is slightly changed as Donte’ Stallworth left for
L.J. Smith has been one of the key cogs in the Eagles offense. He is coming off a sports hernia injury and has had some other injuries through out his career.
The defense added Takeo Spikes and two defensive tackles in hopes to maintain the aggressive blitzing they love to run. They have had injuries to Kearse and must stay healthy to continue their physical style of play.
AFC EAST
New York
Jets
– Training camp starts July 28
Players being drafted from the Jets:
Thomas Jones
NYJ/10 (New Team)
Laveranues Coles
NYJ/10
Jerricho Cotchery
NYJ/10
Leon Washington
NYJ/10
NYJ/10
NYJ/10
Cedric Houston
NYJ/10 (May not return)
Mike Nugent
NYJ/10
New York
Jets-
The Jets last year surprised many people by making the playoffs when they were expected to struggle. Lead by Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington, they played well. Pennington is going to always be an injury concern but after playing a full season, the team is hoping the injury bug is behind him.
The team pulled off one of the biggest trades of the offseason by acquiring Tomas Jones from the Bears. Jones was a key factor in the Bears success and will look to improve the Jets running game that was average last year. Leon Washington looks to be in the mix as Cedric Houston left the team for personal reasons.
The team had solid WR play from both Coles and Cotchery but there is not much depth behind them as McCareins remains the 3rd WR on the team.
The team defense is an average unit and employs a very difficult system to learn. It remains to be seen if they have the players to fit the 3-4.
New England Patriots
– Training camp starts July 28
Players being drafted from the Patriots:
Laurence Maroney
NE/10
Tom Brady
NE/10
Randy Moss
NE/10 (New Team)
Donte’ Stallworth
NE/10 (New Team)
NE/10
Ben Watson
NE/10
Stephen Gostkowski
NE/10
Wes Welker
NE/10 (New Team)
Sammy Morris
NE/10 (New Team)
Kevin Faulk
NE/10
New England
Patriots-
The Patriots have been the talk of the town following all the offseason moves they have made. After letting Givins and Branch go in the past because they didn’t want to pay them big contracts. The Patriots went out and over stocked their WR cabinet.
Brady has been one of the top QB’s in the game and has often had average receivers to work with. My concern with the players that they brought in is if they fit Brady’s style of play. Moss and Stallworth are players that will stretch the field but will Brady be a guy that will start airing it out? Those plays can often lead to more turnovers.
The WR position is one the Patriots addressed pretty heavily and the team added Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelly Washington and they still have Chad Jackson, Troy Brown, Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. That’s a pretty long list of players and you have to believe that some of them will be let go prior to the season. Out of this group I like Welker underneath. The question remains if Brady starts spreading the ball to the TE’s, the RB’s and to different receivers, will Moss and Stallworth remain happy and play hard every down.
While the WR situation gets the attention, the RB situation has been a little hush-hush. Maroney had two procedures done on his shoulders and the team has been cautious with him. They let Dillon walk and brought in Sammy Morris so the bulk of the load will have to be carried by Maroney. If he can not stay healthy, the team will struggle with the run.
The defense is an aging unit but the addition of Thomas and hopefully the signing of Samuels to his franchise tag will make this unit one of the strongest in the division.
Buffalo Bills
– Training camp starts July 26
Players being drafted from the Bills:
Lee Evans
Buf/6
Marshawn Lynch
Buf/6 (Rookie)
J.P. Losman
Buf/6
Anthony Thomas
Buf/6
Buf/6
Roscoe Parrish
Buf/6
J.P Losman got into a rhythm last year and played better for the Bills. He relied early and often on Evens as his go-to-guy. The Bills upgraded their offensive line and if they play well will give Losman a better chance at being more successful.
The Bills traded
Will someone step up and give Lee Evens some help? Evens was a bright spot at receiver for the Bills but after him it’s anyone’s guess. Peerless Price has not stepped up and is on the decline. Parrish ran well in the slot but only had 23 catches. Reed provides some mismatches but has to improve on his drops.
The
Miami
Dolphins
– Training camp starts July 28
Players being drafted from the Dolphins:
Ronnie Brown
Mia/9
Chris Chambers
Mia/9
Mia/9
Trent Green
Mia/9 (New Team)
Lorenzo Booker
Mia/9 (Rookie)
Marty Booker
Mia/9
Ted Ginn
Mia/9 (Rookie)
David Martin
Mia/9 (New Team)
Another team that made a lot of changes in the offseason was the Dolphins. Nick Saban returned to college which opened the door for Cam Cameron.
The team addressed their QB situation which seemed like an eternity to straighten out. After selecting John Beck in the draft, the Dolphins traded for Trent Green. Culpepper demanded a release and was finally granted. Green will be the team’s starter and hopefully will not have another concussion that cost him most of the 2006 season.
Ronnie Brown disappointed last year and looks to rebound. Ricky Williams proved he wasn’t ready to return by failing another test and the team drafted Larenzo Booker. Brown must start strong to prevent a committee from happening.
The team lost two of its main receiving threats in Free Agency. Welker signed with rival New England and McMichael signed with
That concludes the 1st stop on the camping tour. Be sure to check out the next stops in the North, South, and West.
Happy Camping!
