Over the next several days we will take a look at the outlook of the 32 NFL Teams. They will be informative for both the fan of football and also some have information for you fantasy football buffs too. Give us your feedback by leaving your comments. Thank you and have a great season...
2008 Team Outlook: Kansas City
As per Chris Weeks, Ask around and anyone who knows football will tell you the Chiefs had one of the best, if not the best, draft in 2008. They began the draft with 13 picks and finished the day with 12 new team members. Entering the draft, Kansas City's biggest gaps were the defensive and offensive lines. With two first round picks and a little luck ,the Chiefs should have been able to fill these gaps with some very talented rookies.
With their first pick, 5th overall, the Chiefs addressed one of these gaps. They selected LSU's defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (one of the most talented athletes entering this draft). Dorsey will help fill the shoes vacated by NFL sack leader Jared Allen, who was traded to the Vikings this off season. The Chiefs used their second pick, 15th overall, (from the Vikings Allen trade and a draft day trade with Detroit) to select one of the most coveted offensive linemen in the draft Virginia's Branden Albert. For most of his college career, Albert lined up at guard (which should cause some concern for Chiefs fans, seeing as he will likely be asked to play tackle this season). The adjustment will take some time, but Albert's size and athleticism will help him make the adjustment.
From a fantasy perspective, these moves were great news. The Chiefs' offense was horrible last year and their lack of success started with the offensive line. Their inability to successfully run the ball allowed defenses to concentrate on the pass. However, even with these talented new rookies, I don't expect the Chiefs' offensive players to play a huge roll for fantasy owners this season. Young teams, almost a quarter of their roster could be rookies, need time to mature and develop.
QB Brodie Croyle, KC (QB - #28) - Bye Week Fill-in
2008 will be Brodie's third season in the NFL. Last year he played in 9 games, completing 127 of 224 pass attempts for 1227 yards with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. These are not great fantasy numbers and defiantly not what fantasy owners are looking for from a starting quarterback. However, the Chiefs did a lot to address last year's weaknesses this off season. With their revamped offensive line, the running game should be more successful and (in turn) the passing game should be better. Still, I wouldn't expect great things from Croyle, but he could become an excellent backup option.
RB Larry Johnson, KC (RB - #7) - Stud (low risk)
Before suffering what ended up becoming a season ending foot injury, Johnson carried the ball 158 times for just 559 yards and 3 touchdowns over an 8 game span. Typically Johnson starts out the season slow and he finishes strong. Last year we didn't have a chance to see his final numbers due to this injury. In some ways, this is good news because Larry's foot has had plenty of time to heal and he is well rested. On the flip side, had his numbers continued down the path they started, he would have had his worst season since becoming a full time starter in 2005. While he would have eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark, the lack of touchdowns would have severely hurt his fantasy value. Taking into account his 2005 and 2006 performances and how well he finished off those years, I'd be willing to bet his 2008 numbers will once again make him one of fantasy football's top 5 running backs.
RB Kolby Smith, KC (RB - #59) - Fantasy Handcuff
When the 2007 season began, Smith held little fantasy value to anyone other than LJ's owners. Unless something happened to LJ, Kolby would see limited action. As luck would have it (bad or good depending on whom you are I guess), LJ suffered a season ending foot injury in the Green Bay game and Kolby became the starting back. Over the next 8 weeks Smith would carry the ball 112 times for 407 yards with 2 touchdowns. His average yards per carry were one tenth better than LJ's in the first 8 games. So what does that mean from a fantasy perspective? It's simple: the guy is now a viable backup that every owner should consider drafting.
WR Dwayne Bowe, KC (WR - #27) - Solid/Safe Pick
From a fantasy perspective, rookie wide receivers tend to be a big risk. In the later rounds of your draft (when you're ready to take a chance on a player), it's not a bad idea to try out one of these rookies. Last year Bowe was one of those guys many owners took a chance on. In week 4 against the Chargers, Dwayne showed us why he could be a top tier receiver as he pulled in 8 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. For the most part his performance last season was consistent with an occasional bright spot. When the season ended, his numbers looked pretty good: 70 receptions for 995 yards and 5 touchdowns are very solid for a veteran (let alone a rookie). This season I expect to see very similar numbers from Bowe. With the improvements in the offensive line, Croyle should have no problem finding a wide open Bowe this season.
WR Devard Darling, KC (WR - #90) - Deep-league Only
Darling was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2004 draft. This spring Devard signed a three year deal to come play for the Chiefs. Over his 4 year career Darling has 20 receptions for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns. If Darling is going to make a name for himself in the NFL, this will be his chance to do so. We expect to see Darling and Webb battling it out to be the Chiefs' #2 receiver. However, even if Darling does win the position, it is unlikely he will play a big enough roll in the offense to provide much fantasy value. The Chiefs like to run the ball and throw to Gonzalez. That doesn't leave much opportunity for guys like Darling and Webb.
WR Jeff Webb, KC (WR - #103) - Deep-league Only
This will be Webb's third season in the NFL. In his rookie year he played in 10 games, making just 3 receptions for 23 yards. Last year he had 28 receptions for 313 yards and he caught his first touchdown as a professional in week 17 against the Jets. From a fantasy perspective, Webb has little to offer. Right now Webb is third on the depth chart on a team that likes to run the ball or throw to the tight end. For his career, he's averaging just 10 yards per reception. Baring injury to Bowe or Darling, fantasy owners will find little-to-no use for Webb on their roster.
TE Tony Gonzalez, KC (TE - #4) - Stud (low risk)
Once again Tony led the Chiefs in receptions last year. When the season came to a close, he had pulled down 99 receptions for 1,172 yards and 5 touchdowns. Once again showing fantasy owners why he is one of the league's elite tight ends. At the beginning of last season some analysts thought Gonzalez had peaked. I guess they were wrong. Maybe this season we'll see a decline in production? While I agree that some time soon his production has to decline, I wouldn't want to be the owner that didn't draft him because I thought this was the year. Unless we hear some horrible news about his health, there's no reason for us not to believe Tony will finish the 2008 season as one of the top 3 fantasy tight ends.
2008 Team Outlook: Kansas City
As per Chris Weeks, Ask around and anyone who knows football will tell you the Chiefs had one of the best, if not the best, draft in 2008. They began the draft with 13 picks and finished the day with 12 new team members. Entering the draft, Kansas City's biggest gaps were the defensive and offensive lines. With two first round picks and a little luck ,the Chiefs should have been able to fill these gaps with some very talented rookies.
With their first pick, 5th overall, the Chiefs addressed one of these gaps. They selected LSU's defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (one of the most talented athletes entering this draft). Dorsey will help fill the shoes vacated by NFL sack leader Jared Allen, who was traded to the Vikings this off season. The Chiefs used their second pick, 15th overall, (from the Vikings Allen trade and a draft day trade with Detroit) to select one of the most coveted offensive linemen in the draft Virginia's Branden Albert. For most of his college career, Albert lined up at guard (which should cause some concern for Chiefs fans, seeing as he will likely be asked to play tackle this season). The adjustment will take some time, but Albert's size and athleticism will help him make the adjustment.
From a fantasy perspective, these moves were great news. The Chiefs' offense was horrible last year and their lack of success started with the offensive line. Their inability to successfully run the ball allowed defenses to concentrate on the pass. However, even with these talented new rookies, I don't expect the Chiefs' offensive players to play a huge roll for fantasy owners this season. Young teams, almost a quarter of their roster could be rookies, need time to mature and develop.
QB Brodie Croyle, KC (QB - #28) - Bye Week Fill-in
2008 will be Brodie's third season in the NFL. Last year he played in 9 games, completing 127 of 224 pass attempts for 1227 yards with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. These are not great fantasy numbers and defiantly not what fantasy owners are looking for from a starting quarterback. However, the Chiefs did a lot to address last year's weaknesses this off season. With their revamped offensive line, the running game should be more successful and (in turn) the passing game should be better. Still, I wouldn't expect great things from Croyle, but he could become an excellent backup option.
RB Larry Johnson, KC (RB - #7) - Stud (low risk)
Before suffering what ended up becoming a season ending foot injury, Johnson carried the ball 158 times for just 559 yards and 3 touchdowns over an 8 game span. Typically Johnson starts out the season slow and he finishes strong. Last year we didn't have a chance to see his final numbers due to this injury. In some ways, this is good news because Larry's foot has had plenty of time to heal and he is well rested. On the flip side, had his numbers continued down the path they started, he would have had his worst season since becoming a full time starter in 2005. While he would have eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark, the lack of touchdowns would have severely hurt his fantasy value. Taking into account his 2005 and 2006 performances and how well he finished off those years, I'd be willing to bet his 2008 numbers will once again make him one of fantasy football's top 5 running backs.
RB Kolby Smith, KC (RB - #59) - Fantasy Handcuff
When the 2007 season began, Smith held little fantasy value to anyone other than LJ's owners. Unless something happened to LJ, Kolby would see limited action. As luck would have it (bad or good depending on whom you are I guess), LJ suffered a season ending foot injury in the Green Bay game and Kolby became the starting back. Over the next 8 weeks Smith would carry the ball 112 times for 407 yards with 2 touchdowns. His average yards per carry were one tenth better than LJ's in the first 8 games. So what does that mean from a fantasy perspective? It's simple: the guy is now a viable backup that every owner should consider drafting.
WR Dwayne Bowe, KC (WR - #27) - Solid/Safe Pick
From a fantasy perspective, rookie wide receivers tend to be a big risk. In the later rounds of your draft (when you're ready to take a chance on a player), it's not a bad idea to try out one of these rookies. Last year Bowe was one of those guys many owners took a chance on. In week 4 against the Chargers, Dwayne showed us why he could be a top tier receiver as he pulled in 8 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. For the most part his performance last season was consistent with an occasional bright spot. When the season ended, his numbers looked pretty good: 70 receptions for 995 yards and 5 touchdowns are very solid for a veteran (let alone a rookie). This season I expect to see very similar numbers from Bowe. With the improvements in the offensive line, Croyle should have no problem finding a wide open Bowe this season.
WR Devard Darling, KC (WR - #90) - Deep-league Only
Darling was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2004 draft. This spring Devard signed a three year deal to come play for the Chiefs. Over his 4 year career Darling has 20 receptions for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns. If Darling is going to make a name for himself in the NFL, this will be his chance to do so. We expect to see Darling and Webb battling it out to be the Chiefs' #2 receiver. However, even if Darling does win the position, it is unlikely he will play a big enough roll in the offense to provide much fantasy value. The Chiefs like to run the ball and throw to Gonzalez. That doesn't leave much opportunity for guys like Darling and Webb.
WR Jeff Webb, KC (WR - #103) - Deep-league Only
This will be Webb's third season in the NFL. In his rookie year he played in 10 games, making just 3 receptions for 23 yards. Last year he had 28 receptions for 313 yards and he caught his first touchdown as a professional in week 17 against the Jets. From a fantasy perspective, Webb has little to offer. Right now Webb is third on the depth chart on a team that likes to run the ball or throw to the tight end. For his career, he's averaging just 10 yards per reception. Baring injury to Bowe or Darling, fantasy owners will find little-to-no use for Webb on their roster.
TE Tony Gonzalez, KC (TE - #4) - Stud (low risk)
Once again Tony led the Chiefs in receptions last year. When the season came to a close, he had pulled down 99 receptions for 1,172 yards and 5 touchdowns. Once again showing fantasy owners why he is one of the league's elite tight ends. At the beginning of last season some analysts thought Gonzalez had peaked. I guess they were wrong. Maybe this season we'll see a decline in production? While I agree that some time soon his production has to decline, I wouldn't want to be the owner that didn't draft him because I thought this was the year. Unless we hear some horrible news about his health, there's no reason for us not to believe Tony will finish the 2008 season as one of the top 3 fantasy tight ends.
