http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/49 Recent articles about the Carolina Panthers en-us All in all, Jackson should once again be considered an elite back heading into 2008. In fact, it wouldn't be crazy to select him with the first overall pick in your league's draft as Jackson could very well outshine all other backs in 2008. Still, with the questions surrounding his health, the Bruno Boys still believe there are.... To read the rest of the article about Steven Jackson, click below.... Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:40:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292727 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292727 Do you think the Chicago Bears will trade Ricky Manning Jr? Yes, it sure seems like he is the odd man out. Ricky Manning Jr. signed with the Chicago Bears in 2006, he set a career high, and he tied for the team lead and tied for 10th in the NFL with five INTs In the postseason he had a big INT against the Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Playoff. Became first Bears defensive back since Jerry Azumah (12/30/01) to record 2 sacks in one game (12/17/06 vs. TB Bucs). Last season, Ricky Manning Jr. played in every regular season game, but failed to record an interception. He was the starting nickel back for the whole season. The Chicago Bears are looking to use former first round pick Danieal Manning at nickelback because of the emergence of Brandon McGowan and Mike Brown coming back. Besides the obvious starters Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher, the Bears have two second year pros in Corey Graham and Trumaine McBride. Don't forget this years fifth round pick Zackary Bowman. If they do move Ricky Manning Jr, it might work out like Chris Harris in last years training camp. Chris Harris started 15 games with the Panthers last season, recorded one INT and eight forced fumbles. All the Chicago Bears got in that trade was a fifth round pick. I still am upset at that trade. So, if they move Ricky Manning Jr. it could turn out the same as Chris Harris's last year in training camp. It never hurts to have to many bodies and we all the know the Chicago Bears get alot of injuries. It looks Ricky Manning Jr. who is signed through 2010, might get sent packing sooner than later. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:51:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292706 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292706 This is the greatest online game ever! It is a football simulation game that lets you create a player and bring him through the ranks of a 40 day season. Your allowed to sign contracts, even make a whole team and go get your players! Its like Madden Franchise mode if you own a team, and better than Superstar mode when you are a player! To sign up, use this link because it is a way to earn points. When you sign up, you will get a link of your own to get ppl to join and it gives you points to make players/teams or boost your player! The game goes on forever (unless you retire)!!! http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=17209534 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:30:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292628 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292628 Much of the Bears' success on offense this year will rest on Chris Williams' ability to digest the blocking scheme and improve his run-blocking skills. If he does, Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton will have the much-needed time to throw and lanes will open for fellow rookie Matt Forte. If he fails, opposing defenses will be in the Bears backfield — as another famous Commodore put it — all night long. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:09:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292615 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292615 Fantasy football drafts are right around the corner, so who looks to be the hits and misses? This guide's a long read, but it's in-depth, and it channels the wayback machine for some who are older than they'd like to admit (or buy lots of old DVDs). Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:36:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292572 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292572 Ouija Boards, magic eight balls, tarot cards. For centuries, man has looked for supernatural ways to try and get answers. We here at Bruno Boys Fantasy Football are no different. Always looking for an edge for the upcoming fantasy season, we look to higher powers and turn to our magical crystal ball. The article below is the fifth of many that will reveal what we have seen. This time our look into the future is focused on the likes of Minnesota Vikings running back, Adrian Peterson. To read what's in store for Peterson's 2008 fantasy football season, be sure to click below. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:18:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292443 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292443 Reggie Wayne established career receiving marks last year, and Foxsports.com fantasy writer Mike Harmon expects him to be first in yards for 2008. A complete list of the top 15 fantasy wide receivers. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:23:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292329 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292329 How should you plan for your standard drafts in your fantasy football leagues this year? AccuScore Analyst Tim Williams previews his strategy and offers two words of advice: wing it. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:10:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292281 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292281 If you're looking for a change of pace from the usual standard leagues, why not try points per reception leagues. Tim Williams gives you his draft strategies for each position in PPR leagues. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:58:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292273 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292273 When we're not preaching a draft strategy or a sleeper, we're telling you that Fantasy Football is all about the matchups. Thing is, we know what these matchups are before The Duke leaves the tee on the first game of the year. In an effort to further give you a leg up on your competition, we're breaking down every team's week-by-week schedule for the 2008 season. Remember to stick with players from teams with easy schedules and think twice before drafting a player with a tough schedule. OK, that might be obvious, but this isn't: The strength-of-schedule chart that people lean on and fawn over every year is chock full of old information. If you think teams are going to repeat exactly what they did a year earlier, you're clearly not up to speed on how the competitive balance of the NFL is close to an all-time high. Granted, the Dolphins, Falcons and Chiefs are expected to struggle, but teams like the Vikings, Bills and Eagles should be competitive despite not making the playoffs last season. NFC East Dallas Cowboys 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @CLE PHI @GB WAS CIN @ARI @STL TB @NYG bye @WAS SF SEA @PIT NYG BAL @PHI Tough start for Dallas until they get the Bengals at home in Week 5. From there it looks like a pretty safe stretch until they play at the Giants in Week 9. Weeks 13 through 17 do not look pretty, though they'll be well rested for that game at Pittsburgh after the 10-day layoff after the Thanksgiving home game vs. Seattle. New York Giants 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 WAS @STL CIN bye SEA @CLE SF @PIT DAL @PHI BAL @ARI @WAS PHI @DAL CAR @MIN Great opening schedule for the defending champions, including the first game of the year vs. Washington. But after that, save for home games vs. the 49ers and Ravens, the Giants have it tough. Ending the year with games against three strong defenses -- the Cowboys, Panthers and Vikings -- will make getting a high playoff seed tough for New York. Philadelphia Eagles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 STL @DAL PIT @CHI WAS @SF bye ATL @SEA NYG @CIN @BAL ARI @NYG CLE @WAS DAL No perks in the Eagles' schedule from where we sit. Home games against the Rams, Falcons and Cardinals on Thanksgiving night are nice, but their overall itinerary is still rough. Part of the reason for it is because they play four of their six divisional battles between Weeks 10 and 17. Their run defense better be ready for a big year -- unless you count the Bears, Falcons and Cardinals' run games as iffy, the Eagles won't catch a break vs. opposing running backs all year. Washington Redskins 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @NYG NO ARI @DAL @PHI STL CLE @DET PIT bye DAL @SEA NYG @BAL @CIN PHI @SF The good news for the Redskins is that five of their first eight games are against teams with questionable secondaries. The bad news is that the three games that aren't against teams with questionable secondaries are divisional games on the road! Washington's other curveball: Four of the last seven games are on the road, with two on the West Coast. The three home games in between? Division opponents. NFC North Chicago Bears 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @IND @CAR TB PHI @DET @ATL MIN bye DET TEN @GB @STL @MIN JAC NO GB @HOU Four of Chicago's first six games are on the road, then they've got four straight weeks of home cooking (three games, one bye). But after that stretch, Chicago plays three road games -- at the Packers, Rams and Vikings. The Bears' Thursday night game vs. the Saints isn't very promising considering they'll be three days removed from a tilt with the hard-hitting Jaguars. Detroit Lions 1 2 3 week 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @ATL GB @SF bye CHI @MIN @HOU WAS @CHI JAC @CAR TB TEN MIN @IND NO @GB The Lions say they want to become a run-oriented team, but they're going to have a real hard time accomplishing that after Week 1 (at the Falcons). From Week 2 through the end of the year, with the exception of Week 16, the Lions will match up against clubs with strong defensive lines and linebacker units, including a battle vs. the 49ers, Mike Martz's new home. Not good for Kevin Smith, but it might mean more passing, which helps Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. Green Bay Packers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 MIN @DET DAL @TB ATL @SEA IND bye @TEN @MIN CHI @NO CAR HOU @JAC @CHI DET Of the Packers' first seven games, five opponents were playoff teams last year and should contend for spots this year. That makes for a tough start. Matchups after the bye are tough, too -- the Titans and Vikings on the road back-to-back can't possibly sit well with Ryan Grant. Three of last five games are at home, two against dome teams. Minnesota Vikings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @GB IND CAR @TEN @NO DET @CHI bye HOU GB @TB @JAC CHI @DET @ARI ATL NYG The Vikings have a nice schedule. Other than a home game vs. the Colts and a road game at the Titans, no awesome run defenses jump out against the Vikings until Week 12 at the Jaguars. That should make for an awesome start for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, assuming Tarvaris Jackson can put together a semblance of a passing attack. The Vikings are also a Fantasy-playoff friendly team: Weeks 14 through 16 are at the Lions, at the Cardinals and vs. the Falcons. NFC South Atlanta Falcons 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 DET @TB KC @CAR @GB CHI bye @PHI @OAK NO DEN CAR @SD @NO TB @MIN STL The Falcons don't have a troublesome schedule early on (home games vs. the Lions and Chiefs), but then they play four road contests over six weeks, including two back-to-back jaunts including a trip to Oakland. They make up for it with a three-game homestand, though their hands will be full with the Saints, Broncos and Panthers. Then again, the Falcons are one of the few clubs in the league rebuilding this year, so their hands will be full most every week. If there's any good news, it's that the Falcons don't take on a series of tough run defenses during the year, giving some hope to Michael Turner's prospective Fantasy owners. Carolina Panthers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @SD CHI @MIN ATL KC @TB NO ARI bye @OAK DET @ATL @GB TB DEN @NYG @NO Brutal start to the season with road games at the Chargers and Vikings with the Bears at home sandwiched in between. Jonathan Stewart won't like the NFL early on. But that's followed by four home games over five weeks with the Falcons, Chiefs, Saints and Cardinals. Stewart (and Steve Smith) should be very productive then. They'll follow that up with three road games in four weeks after the bye, but the Raiders and Falcons are among the opponents then. This really is not a rough schedule for the Panthers after those first three games. New Orleans Saints 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 TB @WAS @DEN SF MIN OAK @CAR vsSD bye @ATL @KC GB @TB ATL @CHI @DET CAR The huge strike against the Saints is losing a home game to London when they play the Chargers in what should be an entertaining game in Week 8. Before the London contest, the Saints' secondary will be heavily tested against four West Coast offenses along with battles against talented play callers Mike Martz and Lane Kiffin. After the bye, the Saints have two games with the Falcons in a five-week span, but only three home games. If New Orleans does well this season, they'll have truly earned it. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @NO ATL @CHI GB @DEN CAR SEA @DAL @KC bye MIN @DET NO @CAR @ATL SD OAK Nothing stands out in Tampa Bay's schedule. True, they play suspect defenses like the Saints and Falcons twice each and the Chiefs once, but they also play proven defenses like the Packers, Seahawks and Cowboys -- and all of those matchups come before the bye. Tampa Bay needs a big year from Earnest Graham, and the bottom line is that he should be OK for the first seven weeks of the season. After that, games against the Cowboys (in Dallas) and the Vikings (at home) will hurt him in Weeks 8 and 11 respectively, but the only real challenge after that is San Diego in Week 16, and that's at home. Week 17 vs. Oakland will be interesting, too. NFC West Arizona Cardinals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @SF MIA @WAS @NYJ BUF DAL bye @CAR @STL SF @SEA NYG @PHI STL MIN @NE SEA The Cardinals drew a tough start with three road games in their first four, including two East Coast trips. That's followed up with home games vs. the Bills and Cowboys. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Cardinals make a significant lineup change after their Week 7 bye if they can't put points on the board early on. The Cards also play the Giants at home in Week 12 before a quick turnaround to Philadelphia for a Thanksgiving night contest with the Eagles. In total, Arizona has five trips east with four starting at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT), with the Patriots their final road task of the year in Week 16. San Francisco 49ers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ARI @SEA DET @NO NE PHI @NYG SEA bye @ARI STL @DAL @BUF NYJ @MIA @STL WAS The Niners have a tough schedule early: The Patriots and Eagles at home, the Giants on the road and the Seahawks twice -- and that's all before a Week 9 bye! After the bye the schedule gets easier, but it also calls for five road games with two on the East Coast (Bills, Dolphins) and another at the Cowboys. That said, Frank Gore has done well within his division, but the Niners' passing game hasn't. New coordinator Mike Martz will have his hands full, as will the Niners' defense. St. Louis Rams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @PHI NYG @SEA BUF bye @WAS DAL @NE ARI @NYJ @SF CHI MIA @ARI SEA SF @ATL Hope that Rams' offensive line is fixed -- the first three games are against strong pass-rush defenses: At the Eagles, vs. the Giants, at the Seahawks. In fact, the Rams' schedule is very rough (four games vs. the NFC East in the first seven weeks) until a Week 9 matchup vs. the Cardinals, and then it gets manageable. The positive is that Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and Torry Holt should be studs for Fantasy owners heading into the postseason -- starting in Week 12, the Rams host the Bears and then the Dolphins, followed by a trip at the Cardinals, then home games vs. the Seahawks and 49ers before the finale at the Falcons. Seattle Seahawks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @BUF SF STL bye @NYG GB @TB @SF PHI @MIA ARI WAS @DAL NE @STL NYJ @ARI Four East Coast trips in the first 10 weeks of the season could be a drag for Seahawks, but the reality is that their first-place schedule will make it tough on their retooled offense. Seattle has a home game vs. the Redskins in Week 12, followed by a three-day rest and a trip to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. They get 10 days of rest after that, but then the Patriots come to Qwest Field. Not a great series of matchups to count on for the Fantasy postseason. AFC East Buffalo Bills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 SEA @JAC OAK @STL @ARI bye SD @MIA NYJ @NE CLE @KC SF MIA @NYJ @DEN NE The Bills' schedule isn't tough even though they start vs. the Seahawks and at the Jaguars. After that, they play only one 2007 playoff team (Chargers at home) over their next six games. The Bills are also Fantasy-playoff friendly, particularly for leagues that don't play into Week 17 (when they host the Patriots). Miami Dolphins 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 NYJ @ARI @NE bye SD @HOU BAL BUF @DEN SEA OAK NE @STL @BUF SF @KC @NYJ Frankly, Miami is at the bottom of the league when it comes to overall talent as it rebuilds for the future. Nevertheless, the Dolphins are one of the rare teams with three consecutive home games, even if they include the Seahawks and Patriots. The Dolphins' biggest strength is their run game, and they should get out of the gate on a high note thanks to games vs. the Jets and at the Cardinals. Their final three games (vs. the 49ers, at the Chiefs, at the Jets) should also be nice for their run game if they're still a healthy unit offensively. New England Patriots 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 KC @NYJ MIA bye @SF @SD DEN STL @IND BUF NYJ @MIA PIT @SEA @OAK ARI @BUF Other than the fact that the Patriots make two back-to-back West Coast swings in 2008, their schedule is mostly a cakewalk. Their first four games are vs. the Chiefs, at the Jets, vs. the Dolphins and at San Francisco. A battle at the Colts looms large in Week 9, as does a battle at the Chargers in Week 5 and at the Seahawks in Week 14, but otherwise the Patriots will need to incur some injuries in order to not live up to expectations. Just another reason to like their players again in 2008. New York Jets 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @MIA NE @SD ARI bye CIN @OAK KC @BUF STL @NE @TEN DEN @SF BUF @SEA MIA Aside from playing the Patriots and the Chargers in San Diego in Weeks 2 and 3, the Jets have one of the best first-half schedules in the NFL. Expect a hot start from Thomas Jones. It gets a little scary after their Week 10 home game vs. the Rams -- on three days' rest, they play at the Patriots on Thursday night and follow that up with another road tilt at the Titans as the season winds down. If the Jets' defense can jell quickly, they'll be a sneaky wild-card contender in the AFC. AFC North Baltimore Ravens 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CIN @HOU CLE @PIT TEN @IND @MIA OAK @CLE bye @NYG PHI @CIN WAS PIT @DAL JAC We'd be stunned if Willis McGahee doesn't have a strong start to the '08 season. A game at the Steelers in Week 4 and the Titans at home in Week 5 are the only run-defense bumps in the road (assuming the Browns don't overachieve) for Baltimore until their Week 10 bye. After that, it gets rough: They play the entire NFC East plus the Jaguars as part of a seven-week span to end the season. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Ravens pass attack should go from mediocre to poor as the season rolls on. Cincinnati Bengals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @BAL TEN @NYG CLE @DAL @NYJ PIT bye JAC @HOU PHI @PIT BAL @IND WAS @CLE KC The Bengals want to get back to being run oriented, but they'll have a tough time doing it at the Ravens, vs. the Titans and at the Giants in their first three games. It doesn't let up much after that as in their following five games they get the Cowboys in Dallas and then the Steelers and Jaguars at home. What might result is a lot of passing for the Bengals, which benefits more Fantasy owners anyway since more people are banking on Carson Palmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson than just Rudi Johnson. Cincy also plays the Steelers in Pittsburgh on short rest in Week 12 and follow that up with a home game vs. the Ravens and a battle at the Colts. Cleveland Browns 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 DAL PIT @BAL @CIN bye NYG @WAS @JAC BAL DEN @BUF HOU IND @TEN @PHI CIN @PIT For all the preseason hype the Browns are getting, they're going to have to earn their wins in 2008. True, they open with back-to-back home games, but they're against the Cowboys and Steelers. Three weeks after that, they have a rough four-game stretch with two home games vs. the Giants and Ravens and two road games at the Redskins and Jaguars, and that's followed up with a Thursday game vs. the Broncos in Week 10. Late-season games vs. the Colts, at the Titans, at the Eagles and at the Steelers will only challenge the Browns more. That tremendous offense is going to be tested all season long, but the positive news is that the Browns' no-name secondary gets it pretty easy in 2008. Pittsburgh Steelers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 HOU @CLE @PHI BAL @JAC bye @CIN NYG @WAS IND SD CIN @NE DAL @BAL @TEN CLE The Steelers have the toughest schedule of anyone in the AFC North. In addition to games against the NFC East and the AFC South, the Steelers play home games vs. the Colts and Chargers and at the Patriots. Some prize for finishing in first place last season, huh? Throw in a Thursday game vs. the Bengals and playing the Pats and the Cowboys in subsequent weeks late in the year, and the Steelers' star players look far less appealing. Their easiest game might just be in Week 1 vs. the Texans. AFC South Houston Texans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @PIT BAL @TEN @JAC IND MIA DET bye @MIN CIN @IND @CLE JAC @GB TEN @OAK CHI With four '07 playoff teams in their first five games in 2008 (with three of their first four on the road), the Texans face one of the roughest starts in all the NFL. Playing at the Steelers, vs. the Ravens, at the Titans and at the Jaguars will completely stuff Houston's running game. A two-week break begins in Week 6 in back-to-back homers vs. the Dolphins and Lions before a bye and a trip to play the Vikings in Minnesota thereafter. The Texans' schedule isn't so bad after that game (one game remains against each AFC South rival), but the first chunk is so brutal that any key Texans won't find their stats easy to come by. Indianapolis Colts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CHI @MIN JAC bye @HOU BAL @GB @TEN NE @PIT HOU @SD @CLE CIN DET @JAC TEN Even if we told you that Indianapolis' schedule was difficult, which it is, you'd still crave the Colts' star players for your Fantasy team. Manning & Co. have it tough out of the gate with the Bears at home, the Vikings on the road and the Jaguars at home, and then a bye. After the bye, three of their next four are on the road followed by a date with the Patriots in Week 9. That's followed by another set of three-of-four road games with trips to play the Steelers and Chargers. Three of Indy's last four games are at home, but the lone road trip is to Jacksonville on a short week for a Thursday night game in Week 16. Although it's very Fantasy-playoff friendly starting in Week 13, this is a very difficult schedule for Indy. Jacksonville Jaguars 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @TEN BUF @IND HOU PIT @DEN bye CLE @CIN @DET TEN MIN @HOU @CHI GB IND @BAL Because Jacksonville didn't finish in first place last year, they avoided matchups with the Patriots and Chargers and have instead drawn the Bills and Broncos. Combine that with games against the mostly suspect NFC North and the Jags come out of this with a real chance to win the AFC South. The only powerful offense they face in their first four games is the Colts (at Indy). Jacksonville also has an interesting two-on-the-road, two-at-home series of games beginning in Week 9 that culminates with home games vs. the Packers and a Thursday game vs. the Colts in Weeks 15 and 16. Tennessee Titans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 JAC @CIN HOU MIN @BAL bye @KC IND GB @CHI @JAC NYJ @DET CLE @HOU PIT @IND Tennessee starts the year with three of four games at home and only plays back-to-back weeks on the road once in 2008. That will help them out, as does their lack of strong run-defense opponents. The Jaguars, Vikings and Ravens are all Titans opponents in the first five weeks, but with the exception of two games against the Colts, their schedule is favorable for LenDale White and his rushing teammates after the Week 6 bye. Moreover, the secondaries Tennessee will face after the bye aren't expected to be among the best in the league, either. AFC West Denver Broncos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @OAK SD NO @KC TB JAC @NE bye MIA @CLE @ATL OAK @NYJ KC @CAR BUF @SD The Broncos have four home contests over the first six weeks of the season, with one against division-rival San Diego and another vs. the Jaguars. The road games are at the Raiders and at the Chiefs, so this grades out to be a nice opening for Denver. After a road game at the Patriots, it stays simple for the rest of the season (Week 17 at San Diego is rough, but that won't impact many Fantasy owners). If Selvin Young holds up his end of the offensive bargain and Brandon Marshall isn't suspended, Denver should piece together some wins. Kansas City Chiefs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 @NE OAK @ATL DEN @CAR bye TEN @NYJ TB @SD NO BUF @OAK @DEN SD MIA @CIN The Chiefs are expected to have a hard time this season, and playing the Patriots in New England is not a good way to begin. Luckily, the rest of their schedule isn't the nightmare it was last year. After the Pats, the Chiefs don't face a fierce run defense until they host the Titans in Week 7 and two dates with the Chargers in Weeks 10 (in San Diego) and 15 (at home). Larry Johnson should rebound so long as he's healthy and defeating eight-in-the-box schemes. Oakland Raiders 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 DEN @KC @BUF SD bye @NO NYJ @BAL ATL CAR @MIA @DEN KC @SD NE HOU @TB If Darren McFadden wanted to run a lot, he's gone to the right team. Aside from hairy matchups vs. the Chargers (Week 4) and at the Ravens (Week 8), he should have an amazing start through the first 13 weeks. Then in Week 14, the Raiders play at San Diego on three days rest and then host the Patriots in Week 15. Otherwise, the Raiders have a real shot to surprise some people and put together some wins, particularly if their run defense can rise to the occasion week after week against strong rushing opponents for the better part of the year. However, that is a big 'if.' San Diego Chargers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CAR @DEN NYJ @OAK @MIA NE @BUF vsNO bye KC @PIT IND ATL OAK @KC @TB DEN Don't be surprised if the Chargers start 2008 going 5-0 and making their Week 6 game vs. the Patriots a very interesting contest, especially considering a three-game stretch where they play the Jets, Raiders and Dolphins consecutively. The schedule gets worse starting with their game in London vs. the Saints in Week 8, followed by a bye and a patsy (vs. the Chiefs) before back-to-back games against the Steelers (in Pittsburgh) and the Colts at home. However, their schedule is extremely Fantasy-playoff friendly after that thanks to three home games (the Falcons, Raiders on a short week and Broncos). Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:21:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292198 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292198 Whats your favorite fantasy football line up? Okay all you BARKERS in the YARD....This is your KEEPER League Team, You've been in this league for 4 years now... Needless to say, you can only keep 10 of your 20 players. You've won the Championship Game 3 of the last 4 years, so everyone is out to get your this year. So all you YARDBARKERS, you are the owners and can only keep 10 players from the team below who would you keep? And who does the YARD cut and why? Can the YARD put a competitive team together? Can you win it all? As teams of the league let their players go, we will ask the YARD what player they want to fill the positions players that the YARD cut. We will then post the updated team with the new player the YARD's team picked up. We will continue this until the YARD's team is complete. Here is the YARDBARKERS KEEPER TEAM: QB: Donovan McNabb, David Garrard and Trent Edwards RB: Adrian Peterson (both AP's - Minn and Chicago), Maurice Jones-Drew, Edgerrin James, Earnest Graham WR: Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Dwayne Bowe , Bernard Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Amani Toomer TE: Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis K: Mason Crosby and Josh Scobee D/ST: Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:03:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292191 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292191 The NFL season is approaching quickly, and with that, EZB will be providing previews of each division in the league. Up today: the NFC South Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:22:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292151 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292151 Need fantasy football help? Want that edge over your competition? Want it all for FREE? Then make sure to check out the Bruno Boys 2008 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet Webazine... ...With over 100 pages of in-depth fantasy football analysis, 250+ player write-ups, cheat sheet rankings, tiered rankings, positional rankings from all 6 Bruno Boys writers, expert articles to help prepare one for draft day and more, it is something to be admired. Fantasy football owners everywhere need to be put on notice because this is their key to victory! Bruno Boys Fantasy Football "A Fresh New Voice in Fantasy Football" Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:05:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292020 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292020 Hype, hype and more hype!  And it's only July. You've heard it.  I've heard it.  There is no offseason.  There is certainly no offseason for hype, that's for sure. The boss (one of them) has been a busy dude somehow acquiring tickets to the most hyped movie in ten years - The Dark Knight.  I guess he [...] Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:59:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291797 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291797 Brett Favre is in the news yet again after a disturbing sequence of events in a Gulfport, MS area Applebee's. According to Jim Gunson, the manager on duty at the time, Favre ordered the popular Bourbon Street Steak, medium-well, at about 7:34 PM local time. When he received his food, he felt that the kitchen had "disrespected" him by sending out a steak that was medium-rare at best. "You've made a big mistake by not delivering on what could have been a key part of my meal," Favre reportedly yelled at the waitstaff. Waitress Allison Smith offered to send the food back and bring Favre a complimentary margarita while he waited. The rest of the meal passed without incident, until a teary-eyed Favre, done with his steak, announced that he had to use the restroom. The bewildered dining room patrons watched him enter the men's room and then quickly returned to their meals. Gunson began to grow suspicious when Favre did not return for 45 minutes. Upon entering the restroom to investigate, he noticed that the window had been opened wide enough for a body to fit through. At this point, Gunson said he called the police. "Look, I love Brett Favre as much as the next guy, but he needs to realize that we're trying to run a business here. I know he wanted "Ruth's Chris" service, but apparently our offer of a free dessert wasn't good enough for him," Gunson said. After another 15 minutes had passed, a slightly muddy Favre walked in the front doors and said that he could never eat at that Applebee's again, citing feelings of "discomfort and disrespect." An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous said that Favre had been hiding in the bushes weeping for the previous hour. It was at this point that the confrontation between Favre and Gunson turned physical. "Favre tried to leave, and I threw myself in front of the doors. He ordered our food, and there's no way he's taking his business to that Chili's across the street after the trouble he's caused," said Gunson. "I told him to wait until the police showed up, then we could sort this mess out." At this point, Favre began attempting to rally the other diners to his cause. Tables four and seven seemed slightly interested, but only because they could finish their meals in peace after he left. At the time of writing, no charges had been filed. Want to write for Bleacher Report? We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing. Click here to learn more. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:49:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291792 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291792