Looking Forward To 2012 – Audibles Finale

With the 2011 fantasy football season in the rear view mirror it’s time to examine each team and the questions that loom for the upcoming 2012 season. Who can help you next year?

Arizona Cardinals

So it’s great to see that the Cardinals have found their feature back in Chris ‘
Beanie’ Wells. I think that even when he was nicked-up, he remained a must-start option.

Larry Fitzgerald looked good as usual, as did
Andre Roberts and
Early Doucet at times. The primary question remains with respect to quarterback
Kevin Kolb. Can he continue to mature or should they be looking for a replacement? I am not sold on Kolb or backup
John Skelton. Honestly, I never quite knew what Arizona saw in Kolb. I don’t think that shipping out
Matt Leinart helped matters, but he is a clipboard holder at best. Since the most glaring need is at quarterback, look for Arizona to draft one. One could say that the biggest need is on the defensive side of the ball, but honestly I have way too many concerns with the quarterback play to endorse any receivers other than Fitzgerald.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons need some additional help protecting
Matt Ryan.
Julio Jones,
Roddy White and the ageless wonder (
Tony Gonzalez) are as good as it gets. I see the Falcons looking for the heir apparent to Gonzalez.
Michael Turner is starting to get a little long in the tooth largely due to his bruising upright running style. I think they lessen the load this upcoming year with
Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers has a little value as a flex player in later rounds next year.

Roddy White owners beware as the ceiling is at its highest point now.
Julio Jones is more explosive and merits a look as the next big thing in Atlanta.

Baltimore Ravens

Anquan Boldin did his best disappearing act in way too many games. Boldin is simply a possession receiver at this point. They have new blood in rookie Torrey Smith, who exploded this year despite
Joe Flacco’s mediocre play.
Ray Rice is still the only consistent Raven to own.

Ed Dickson looked very good at points this season. I expect his role to grow as Boldin’s diminishes. The biggest question looming is how much more perennial Pro Bowler
Ray Lewis has in the tank. Lewis has not missed a game in years and suddenly he rides the pine for multiple games when the Ravens needed him most. The most glaring need is on the offensive line and for a backup to
Ray Rice.
Ricky Williams is probably not a long-term player for this team, but I think he makes the team one more season.

Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson is the real deal. His vision is among the best in the game.
Ryan Fitzpatrick went from penthouse to outhouse in about five weeks. You have to love the weapons here. Stevie Johnson,
Donald Jones,
David Nelson and tight end Scott Chandler are all in the mix. An opportunistic defense scores points but can really get burned, too. Look for them to improve that defense.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is the surprise of the year. He is the player that everyone hoped that
Vince Young was.
Steve Smith has a little fire left.
Greg Olsen is bound to have his skill set utilized more next year.
Jonathan Stewart is the back that should have gotten the starting gig while DeAngelo Williams tested the free agent market. It’s not what happened, though. Don’t put too much stock in Williams’ late surge. It’s not enough for you to take a chance on him.

I can see more help is required in the secondary. The receivers returning next year in
David Gettis and Brandon Lafell really benefit Newton. I can’t remember a rookie quarterback having a better season despite losing so many games.

The sky is the limit for this team offensively with Newton being the one to own.