Monthly Archives: April 2012

Rookie Fantasy Rankings – Pre-Draft

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As rookies join the NFL, everyone assesses their potential as an NFL player. Some, however, assess their potential as a fantasy player. Here is how I rank the top rookies in this draft class in terms of fantasy potential over the next 3-5 years. In order to do this, I consider a player’s overall talent (obviously), his position, and his skill set.

The parameters for ranking these players are PPR scoring, start 3 WR leagues (as that format comes the closest to equally weighing each position).

After the draft, we’ll re-visit these rankings and see how much each player’s situation changes his ranking. For the top seven players, I’ll include a fact or two from his scouting report and an opinion of mine (because I know those are in such high demand).

1. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
“Shows the patience to allow the hole to develop, however, and has the vision and burst to bounce outside should there be a better opportunity available there.”
“Possesses very good vision for cutback lanes…”
Richardson is the best prospect at the position since Adrian Peterson.

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Throw Back These Throwbacks

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It has been a while since my last post.  Between personal/professional things and a lack of in-season activity from the two sports that make up the name of this here little blog’o'mine, I haven’t had the time nor the good ideas to post. 

With the unveiling of these  monstrosities by my favorite team in all of sports, I was inspired (un-spired?) to create a post to memorialize the worst fashion decisions in all of sports (limited to “throwback” jerseys).  In the spirit of continuity – despite the long absence between posts – I want to do another countdown.  From all of sports, here are the worst throwbacks of all time, counted down from 10 to 1.

10. Green Bay “Acme” Packers (circa 1929)

The beauty of most throwbacks (even the Steelers’ jersey above) is that some contain some cool sock striping. These don’t feature that, have weird circles around the numbers, and – worst of all – have a plain brown helmet used to simulate the old “leatherhead” look.

Continue looking at the worst throwbacks in all of sports

NCAA Championship in Review – A Sweet 16 of Moments

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The Dance is over, and we’re without college hoops for a long time now.  Here’s my attempt to re-live the NCAA Championship and also hold us over for five months with a list of moments from the tournament. Because there are 16 seeds in each region, let’s go with 16 moments. Just like in the real brackets, not all seeds are good.

16. First Four Comebacks
The tournament started in Dayton, so this countdown will too. Western Kentucky came back from down 16 with five minutes left to beat Mississippi Valley State. BYU then allowed 55 points in the first half against Iona and was down by 25. They held Iona to just 17 in the second half for a miracle comeback win.

15. Royce White’s Personal NBA Draft Audition
Strong. Fast. Versatile. Those three words describe Royce White. He went for a modest 15 and 13 in the Round of 64 game against UCONN but really turned it on against Kentucky in the Round of 32.  White was basically the only Cyclone to show up – to the tune of 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.

14. Bradley Beal Comes of Age in the Sweet 16
Florida freshman Bradley Beal has garnered comparisons to Ray Allen, and in this game, he showed that the people who made those comparisons may be on to something. 21 pts, 6 rebs, 4 ast on 8-10 from the field. Nice night at the office.

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The Biggest Dance

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Obviously, I’m going to do a prediction for the National Title Game. Since I got both right Saturday, let’s stick with the same format. My level of excitement for this game is right on par with this year’s Super Bowl. It has “Classic Potential” written all over it.

Another great thing about tonight’s game is that I’m truly able to root for a close game. If Kentucky wins, I come in 4th in my Bracket Pool. If Kansas wins, I win a relatively small stakes winner-take-all contest between myself and three friends in which we drafted teams on the plane ride to Vegas. Yes, we started gambling before arriving – obviously. The differential in winnings is all of $5 so I can honestly say I don’t care who wins tonight.

Kansas vs Kentucky
How the Game Will Play
It won’t be the fastest game you’ve ever seen, but there are so many athletes on the floor that fast breaks and running will occur throughout. One thing to keep an eye on is turnovers – particularly when Kansas has the ball. Kentucky has one flaw – they’re 297th in Turnover Percentage Defense (Kansas is 123rd on the Offensive side). Kentucky more than makes up for this flaw by blocking shot after shot after shot.

(Huge “IF” Alert coming) If Kansas can avoid getting too many shots blocked or get Anthony Davis in foul trouble, Kentucky may not have many opportunities to string together multiple stops.

Unknown Fact
This is one I’ve been waiting to unleash since before I wrote Saturday’s previews. I discussed Jeff Withey’s blocking prowess when I called for him to have Unexpected Hero Potential, but what I didn’t say is that this game contains the 1st-ranked player in all the land in Block Percentage. Here’s the unknown part – it’s not Anthony Davis. It’s Jeff Withey.

*Bonus Unknown Fact*
This game features the 1st and 2nd ranked teams in the nation in Two Point Field Goal Percentage Defense. Another surprise: despite all the accolades for blocking shots, Kentucky is actually 2nd. It’s Kansas that’s 1st.

Matchup to Watch
Tyshawn Taylor vs Marquis Teague. One is a senior. One is a freshman. Sometimes, though, their play and decision-making makes it difficult to tell which is which. Taylor needs to play like a senior (and perhaps finally make a couple three’s in a dome) for Kansas to have a shot. They won’t win another game without him being a factor scoring the basketball (one of my favorite over-used terms, by the way).

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