Flick's Top 10 Fantasy Running backs

1. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings
*Yes, I'm sure you jumped out of your chair in shock after seeing Peterson at the top of the list. He's not only the unquestioned best pick at running back but the best fantasy choice overall. If Brett Favre can stay healthy, Peterson will become even more dangerous with defenses not being able to key on him only*

2008 stats: 16 games 363 att 1,760 yds 10 TD 21 rec 125 yds 4 fum

2. Matt Forte - Chicago Bears
*As I wrote in a previous post, this guy is ready to explode this year. With the addition of Jay Cutler at QB, Forte should increase his already impressive 1,238 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns as a rookie last year. In PPR leagues, this guy would be definitely two or even one on my list as he had 63 receptions and 4 touchdowns through the air in 2008.*

2008 stats: 16 games 316 att 1,238 yards 8 TD 63 rec 477 yds 4 TD 1 fum

3. Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons
* The man they call "The Burner" quietly rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first full season as a starter in 2008. With QB Matt Ryan having a year of experience under his belt, the offense should be even better this year. CAUTION: If you are in a PPR league (Points Per Recption) you may want to consider another back as Turner had only 8 catches last year.*

2008 stats: 16 games 376 att 1,699 yards 17 TD 6 rec 41 yds 0 TD 2 fum

4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars
*With long-time starter Fred Taylor completely out of the picture and with New England, Jones-Drew will be getting the bulk of the work in the backfield and he earned it. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2008, rushing for 800 plus yards and 12 touchdowns. Throw in the fact that this guy catches a lot of balls out of the backfield (62 receptions in '08) and he quietly becomes a very solid pick.*

2008 stats: 16 games 197 att 824 yards 12 TD 62 rec 565 yds 2 TD 2 fum

5. DeAngelo Williams - Carolina Panthers
*If they gave out an MVP for the second half of the fantasy season, this guy would have won it in '08. In Carolina's final 9 games, Williams rushed for 1,101 yards, and 16 touchdowns. The only concern is how many carries Johnathan Stewart will take away from Williams, but with Stewart always out with injury, I wouldn't be too concerned.*

2008 stats: 16 games 273 att 1,515 yards 18 TD 22 rec 121 yds 2 TD 0 fum

6. LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers
*A case could have been made by some for Tomlinson to be higher on this list and some can say he shouldn't be on it at all. I'll go for somewhere in the middle. If the former rushing champion can stay healthy, there's no reason he can't put up big numbers. Don't forget LT still had over 1,100 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns last year despite his season being considered "terrible". Hmm. Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner also recently said he would like Tomlinson to get 320 carries this year, and predicts he will win the rushing title. I'm telling you, don't hesitate to take this guy.*

2008 stats: 16 games 292 att 1,110 yards 12 TD 52 rec 426 yds 1 TD 0 fum

7. Cliton Portis - Washington Redskins
*Portis has looked good with the football in the preseason and with Washington's better defense and with Derick Dockery at left guard, expect big things from Portis this year. His value would be higher if Reskins Head Coach Jim Zorn would stop hitting the crack pipe and actually use Portis near the goaline instead of Ladell Betts.*

2008 stats: 16 games 342 att 1,487 yards 9 TD 28 rec 218 yds 0 TD 3 fum

8. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans
*Chris Johnson has tremendous speed and agility and is running behind an above average line. He should be a top 5 choice right? Oh yeah, I forgot, the Titans have that LenDale White guy. Johnson should still get 10 touchdowns this year but White will get most carries near the goaline. Consider though that Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher said they plan on using Johnson in the offense more this season.*

2008 stats: 16 games 251 att 1,228 yards 9 TD 43 rec 260 yds 1 TD 1 fum

9. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams
*It's always the big IF with Steven Jackson. IF he can stay healthy. The coaches plan to intall a run-heavy offense and with the Rams upgrading their offensive line this off-season, there will be plenty of chances there for Jackson. The problem is he hasn't topped 1,050 yards or 7 touchdowns since 2006. If he can stay durable, the sky is the limit. Don't count on it though.*

2008 stats: 12 games 253 att 1,042 yards 7 TD 40 rec 379 yds 1 TD 3 fum

10. Brandon Jacobs - New York Giants
* Brandon Jacobs has had an impressive preseason so far, but he will have to split carries with Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown. Either way, he'll still be a touchdown machine and should rush for over 1,000 yards. Don't expect much from him as a reciever out of the backfield though.*

2008 stats: 13 games 219 att 1,089 yards 15 TD 6 rec 36 yds 0 TD 2 fum

Marshall suspended; If you're not a Broncos fan... be glad

From the bottom of my heart, if you are a fan of the Denver Broncos...... I feel bad for you.

I mean this with no disrespect to the history of the franchise (always been a John Elway and Terrell Davis fan) but after today's news of Brandon Marshall getting suspended, you must feel like as if you've been dragged through several minefields.

New head coach Josh McDaniel announced Friday that Marshall will be suspended through September 5th for "detrimental" conduct. The Broncos are supposed to reassess the suspension when the preseason ends.

Now, it's not known what exactly Marshall did to warrant said suspension, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. This is the same guy that asked for a trade this off-season when the team wouldn't rework his contract and was held out of last week's game against Seattle after admitting he didn't know the playbook.

Are you kidding me!? Is he and Jay Cutler brothers!?

Grow up and be a man.

The situation looks even worse when his fellow teammates even told the media that they spoke to Marshall behind closed doors, to no avail. Brandon Stokely said he wasn't surprised and something had to be done.

Wow.

That is a pretty huge statement from your teammates when they come out publicly against you.

Meanwhile, since the Super Bowl, Denver Broncos fans have had to endure:

Their long-time head coach Mike Shanahan getting fired under peculiar circumstances.

A star quarterback Jay Cutler being a cry baby and feeling as if the franchise turned his back on him and eventually demanding a trade and then being sent to Kansas City.

And now their top wide receiver being suspended and losing all support from his coaches and teammates.

Thank god for the Rockies.

Michael Vick may be playing but I don't respect him

For the first time in about two years, Michael Vick will be playing in a professional football game tonight as his Philadelphia Eagles host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Field.

This big question is, well okay there's a lot of big questions, but one of them is will the crowd boo him, give him a standing ovation, or maybe a little bit of both? Fans voting on an ESPN poll say a little bit of both, which I guess is easy to say but what would you do?

I know what I'd do.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Michael Vick deserves this chance, to play for a NFL team, after serving his time for what he did. He really does deserve it. But that doesn't mean we have to forget what he did, and I know I haven't.

He was not behind bars just because he made one poor decision, (like Plaxico Burress did) he was in jail because he made many poor decisions. No he didn't kill just one dog, he killed numerous innocent dogs in the most gruesome ways just for his enjoyment. Before that, he was fined by the NFL in '06 for sticking two middle fingers up at fans and in '05 had a truck registered in his name that was carrying marijuana.

I'm sorry but his apology did not do justice for me and if he didn't get caught who knows if he would actually feel guilty about the dog fighting ring.

After Vick uses his blazing speed (if he still has it) on a 45-yard scamper down the sidelines, Eagles fans will forget and forgive all of what he did. That's our society and it's sad.

Does he deserve this chance he gets tonight? Definitely.

Do I respect him as a person? Hell no.

Fantasy Sleeper: TE John Carlson

In a year where Seattle Seahawks wide receivers fell like flies, rookie tight end John Carlson shined on a dismal passing team in '08. However, QB Matt Hasselback is returning this year and with the addition of free agent WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh (formally with Cinci) Carlson should be able to add to what he did last season.

Some believe that Carlson's numbers will be hurt because of WR's Deion Branch and Nate Burleson's return from injury, but it actually will likely help. While Branch, Burleson, and Houshmanzadeh are working the outside, Seattle can utilize Carlson on the inside and work that part of the field. He will have more space to work with.

Don't expect the Notre Dame product to get you a ton of touchdowns, but for those that play in PPR leagues (Points Per Reception) he could come even more useful to you, as he had 55 catches last year.

This guy lacks the big name with all the attention going to Houshmanzadeh, but keep an eye on him! He very quitely had 55 receptions for 627 yards and five touchdowns last year as a rookie.

Not a bad pick especially if your one of the last ones to choose a TE.

FINAL ADVICE: This guy is a great choice for those that are in leagues that must play a TE, and those that give points per reception. Don't expect him to score you a lot of touchdowns, but with one year under his belt and Seattle's offense being better in general, I wouldn't hesitate taking him.

RB Matt Forte set to explode at top of fantasy ranks

Running back Matt Forte was able to make a splash as a rookie with the Chicago Bears last year despite a lack of a passing game with Kyle Orton at the helm. Now, with star quarterback Jay Cutler at QB and Forte having one year of experience under his belt, he's primed to put up huge numbers for his fantasy owners this season.

As a player coming out of Tulane with a very little pedigree, Forte quitetly rushed for 1200 yards in 2008, (7th in the NFL) 8 touchdowns, and caught 63 passes for 477 yards and 4 touchdowns.

If your league is tilted towards the play of recievers (PPR leagues or Points Per Reception) Forte must be considered as a number one choice. His number of catches led all running backs last year and was only 23 less than than the 10th best reciever in the receptions stat category.

Forte is also pretty durable, playing in all 16 games last year and gutting it out through a couple of injuries.

The only con with Forte is he had a meager 3.9 YPC (Yards Per Carry) last season, but the Bears made some changes on the offensive line and with the addition of Cutler, that number likely will be helped out greatly.

FINAL ADVICE: Forte should be great for any fantasy scoring system, but he will excel in PPR leagues. If you are in one of those leagues, I wouldn't hesitate to take him with your first pick. If you are not in a PPR league, Forte would likely be a low first round to high second round choice depending on how many teams are drafting.

Show Roethlisberger some love!

Does anyone realize Ben Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowl rings?

UGHEMMMMM..... hello? Is this thing on?

Roethlisberger probably will never be picked in the first round in anyone's fantasy drafts in his career... well at least this year he won't. But that doesn't mean if you were an NFL owner and had to choose a starting quarterback for your team he wouldn't at LEAST be in the conversation.

Well, for bonehead Aaron Schatz of profootballoutsiders.com, Big Ben doesn't even "belong in the conversation."

Sir whatever your drinking, please stop.

In a recent interview with Joe Starkey who writes for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Schatz said his top four quarterbacks are Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.

I'll respect his choices and agree about everyone minus Rivers, but how in WORLD can you say Roethlisberger "doesn't belong in the conversation"?

Are you kidding me!?

In his five year career, Ben has won two Super Bowl championships (including engineering a game winning last-minute drive against Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII), owns the seventh best passer rating in NFL history, and has basically changed the quarterback position with his tremendous size, cannon of a arm, and playmaking ability.

Philip Rivers? Well....... he has a post-season record of 3-3 despite San Diego having a solid defense and a great running game.

You may be wondering.... but Flick in your fantasy QB top 10, Roethlisberer isn't even mentioned?

Hence the word "Fantasy" in the title. Winning in the NFL is not all about the numbers. It's about wins, and Roethlisberger knows how to do it just as good as anyone.

If I had the choice of a quarterback engineering a drive to win me a football game as a owner or head coach, my options would be between Brady and Roethlisberger.

Philip Rivers?.......

Do I even need to answer that Andy Schatz?

Flick's Top 10 Fantasy Quarterback's

The rankings are based on a standard scoring system as follows:

• Touchdown - 6 points
• Passing Yards - 1 point for every 25/50 yards
• Two-Point Conversion - 2 points

1. Drew Brees - New Orleans
*Brees threw for 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns last year and there's no reason to think he won't put up similar numbers in '09 with no major personnel changes*

2008 stats: 16 games 413 comp 635 att 5,069 yds 34 TD 17 INT

2. Tom Brady - New England
*There's still some questions about his return from a serious knee injury, but it's very hard to discount a three-time Super Bowl winner especially when he's throwing to Randy Moss and had 50 touchdowns in 2007*

2008 stats: DNP - Injury

3. Kurt Warner - Arizona
*Some have Warner ranked lower on their top quarterback lists which totally mystifies me. His 30 touchdowns last year was second in the league and he's still throwing to the likes of Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston with very little running game*

2008 stats: 16 games 402 comp 599 att 4,582 yds 30 TD 14 INT

4. Phillip Rivers - San Diego
*Rivers quietly led the league in TD passes (along with Brees) with 34 in 2008. With Tomlinson and Sprowles returning to the backfield Rivers may not air it out like some other QB's but will still get his fantasy owners major points*

2008 stats: 16 games 312 comp 478 att 4,004 yds 34 TD 11 INT

5. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis
* Losing his long-time wide reciever Marvin Harrison won't slow Manning down much with Reggie Wayne and emerging receiver Anthony Gonzalez returning*

2008 stats: 16 games 371 comp 555 att 4,002 yds 27 TD 12 INT

6. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay
*After an impressive first season as a NFL starter in which he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28 TD's, Rodgers will be looking to improve on those lofty numbers*

2008 stats: 16 games 341 comp 536 att 4,038 yds 28 TD 13 INT

7. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia
*McNabb is still without a major big-play receiver but has a strong underrated group to work with. It remains to be seen if Michael Vick will have an impact in the offense.*

2008 stats: 16 games 345 comp 571 att 3,916 yds 23 TD 11 INT

8. Tony Romo - Dallas
*He lost T.O. but that may be a good thing. Now that he won't be forcing balls his way, Romo can spread it around to Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Jason Witten*

2008 stats: 13 games 276 comp 451 att 3,448 yds 26 TD 14 INT

9. Matt Schaub - Houston
*When your throwing to the likes of Andre Johnson and Steve Slayton, Schaub may be a solid pick this year.*

2008 stats: 11 games 251 comp 380 att 3,043 yds 15 TD 10 INT

10. Jay Cutler - Chicago
*After the dramatic crybaby forced Denver to trade him to the Bears, Cutler's value to fantasy owners is kind of a question mark He threw for over 4500 yards last year but with Devin Hester being his number one option to start the season, I'd be a big skeptical to take Cutler unless he can make his receivers better which is possible. *

2008 stats: 16 games 384 comp 616 att 4,525 yds 25 TD 18 INT