If Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow, Brett Favre, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods all got together in competition anywhere for anything, would Skip Bayless’s head explode? Honestly, I see no reason not to try it to see if it actually does. Same goes for ESPN. Actually, let’s get a death match between the 5 and have Skip ref the event! Talk about conflicts of interest. I saw a stat on Sportscenter the other day which showed the throwing numbers at, like the first day of Jet’s training camp between Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez…seriously. ESPN was giving the starting edge to Tebow because of his better completion percentage and the fact that Sanchez threw a pick. Sal Pal was doing the report and didn’t fail to mention that Tebow heard some heckling (Hello!? The guy’s in New York!!). I can’t imagine what this train wreck is going to be like come the end of preseason. Training camp is just underway. Let’s take a look at some position battles that may affect your fantasy and dynasty football drafts.
File Photo: Courtesy ESPN
Who did…Well?
LeGarrette Blount vs Doug Martin, RBs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
File Photo: Associated Press
First round pick Doug Martin is going into training camp as the starter. Can you blame Coach Schiano for this after what Blount didn’t do last year (everything pretty much). I jumped on the bandwagon last year and thought he was going to build on his torrid end to the previous season and along with QB Josh Freeman propel the Bucs into the playoffs. Well, twas not the first time nor the last I was wrong. People who monitored the Blount situation should have seen this coming. Anyone remember the infamous KO Blount gave an opposing player his last year at the University of Oregon? On top of that, he’s continuously late to meetings where he enjoys nap time and long walks on the beach after a nice candle light dinner. Did I mention that he lives 2 miles from the Bucs headquarters? (uh, I just did mention it…) I expect to grab Martin in all my drafts this year. Martin brings a lot more to the table than Blount. He’s quick, explosive, and can run with some power to gain that extra yard. On top of that, while Blount may 1-up Martin at catching naps, Martin can 1-up Blount catching the football. I never really understood how some RBs can’t catch the flippin’ ball. Seriously. How can they not? Feel free to target Martin as a later round sleeper who will be the featured back and get the majority of the carries unless the Bucs go out and get a Cedric Benson to mentor Mr. Blount. Well, maybe not…
Alshon Jeffrey vs Edgar Bennett, WRs Chicago Bears
File Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Wanna hear something funny? If you’ve read my first W.E.B., you’d know I like reading NFL mock drafts. Way back in November I saw one, which I’m not naming, that had Alshon Jeffrey going #1 overall over Andrew Luck (Insert uproarious laughter here). Only Jerry Jones would take a WR #1 overall. Oh boy, I would LOVE to see that happen! Anyway, what Bennett has over Jeffrey at this juncture is chemistry. They were the QB-WR combo that helped Vanderbilt football actually win a game a few years ago. Bennett is more effective out of the slot. I actually saw him tear up the Eagles secondary last year (Insert second uproarious laughter here) on Monday Night Football in Philly. The guy was constantly open. Alshon Jeffrey brings the size and speed of a #1 NFL receiver but we probably won’t see that for at least another year or two. I loved when the Bears traded up in the 2nd round this past draft to land him. For awhile he was a projected top 10 WR talent but character issues got the best of him. Think of Mr. Bennett as a late round sleeper in your fantasy drafts. Think of Mr. Jeffrey as a future #1 WR in your dynasty drafts to help you in the years to come. He’s got my attention…
Who did…Eh?
Lee Evans vs Justin Blackmon, WRs Jacksonville Jaguars
File Photo: Rick Dole/Getty Images
Please, bare with me. I like Lee Evans. I’ve followed his career since his days at Wisconsin. I like Justin Blackmon. I’d like him even more if he laid off the bottle for, oh I don’t know…the rest of his life?!? With Laurent Robinson entrenched as the #1 target for Blaine Gabbert, the battle is between Evans and Blackmon as Robinson’s opposite on the line. Evans still has the speed for the deep ball but his height leaves more desired as a red-zone target. Blackmon, on the other hand, has the size and athleticism to be the full package. He lit up the Big XII the past two years and as everyone hopes, will do the same in the NFL in the years to come. Will it happen? Maybe if he gets a better QB in Jacksonville, signs a contract, or enjoys the sober life. Actually, I chose D: All of the above. If I’m drafting in a 12-team fantasy league I may take a chance with Evans very late. Blackmon should definitely be a must-have in all fantasy/dynasty formats.
John Skelton vs Kevin Kolb, QBs Arizona Cardinals
File Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
This one is strictly for those leagues that feature two starting QB’s. Hey, they’re out there, I’m in one and it is very, very fun. Something I think all formats should switch to. Well, any 8 or 10-team formats. I tried it with a 12-team and it got very frustrating. Whatever, Skelton vs Kolb. When I say it out loud I think of Montana vs Young (Insert third uproarious laughter here). If you do play in a 2-QB league, you’re gonna have to choose between these two. I don’t recommend them as starters unless you’ve got Rodgers in the 1st and have a pretty formidable lineup to this point. Other than that, they’re bye week fill-ins; Nothing more. I bought into the Kolb hype two years ago in Philly and I’ve been kicking myself ever since. How could I be so naïve? Oh my, imagine if they didn’t have the option of Larry Fitzgerald to throw to? Again, only take either of these two in if you’re in a 2-QB starting league.
Who did…Blah?
Beanie Wells vs Ryan Williams, RBs Arizona Cardinals
File Photo: Norm Hall/Getty Images
One of the best picks I had last year was Beanie Wells in the 8th round. I took a flier because I needed another RB and he was the best available at that time. My gamble paid off for the most part till (surprise, surprise) his knee started acting up again. The rookie, Ryan Williams, reported to camp out of shape which led to his torn ACL in the preseason. Many pundits were high on Williams maybe just because he was a 2nd round pick out of Virginia Tech which is a hotbed of RB prospects in the NFL…not. (Wayne’s World, what! what!) I’m not buying into anyone who stands behind the QB in AZ this season. Wells does catch the ball well but has not been able to prove he can be consistent in the NFL with his knee problems. Ryan Williams (for some reason I keep typing, ‘Aaron’), I’m not buying either. Most teams go with the RB-By-Committee these days and this is a toxic combination that I don’t want even Skip Bayless to be around.
Coby Fleener vs. Dwayne Allen, TEs Indianapolis Colts
File Photo: Mitchell Dyer/Getty Images
Outside of the position battles I mentioned last week which would have been listed here, I’m stuck with the Colts own position battle at Tight End. Ugh. Is this the second coming of Gronkowski/Hernandez? I’d put my money on…NO. In many sports teams try to re-create the wheel when it comes to a dynamic duo but without much success. Besides, Fleener has yet to play a down in the NFL and he missed most of OTA’s and minicamp due to finishing his degree at Stanford. Ultimately, I believe the Colts are going to do all they can do to help Fleener succeed seeing that they used a 2nd round pick on him. But, I guess with the way the TE is used in the NFL now-a-days, it is justifiable. We’ll have to wait and see because his own success also hangs in the balance (and arm) of the first player taken in the draft: Andrew Luck…ever heard of him?
Getting you caught up in the W.E.B. since before NBC tape delayed the Olympics!
Note: Going on vacation for a bit so no W.E.B. next week. See ya in two weeks! (Try not to miss me)
Colin Pratt
Dynasty Sports Empire
@DSEmpire_Colin
