Loading ...Archive for February, 2010
Posted by Paul in Fantasy Advice on Feb 25th 2010 and last modified on Feb 28th 2010. (Print This)
In case you haven't heard the NFL combine kicks off this week. All eyes will be tuned into the annual event that is quickly becoming must see t.v.. In fact the NFL has given out more than 620 media credentials and the NFL network has reportedly sent 21 employees to cover the event. Wow! That’s a lot of media personnel considering the players themselves won’t even be wearing pads. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the combine and an even bigger fan of the NFL draft. I have watched every draft since I was 12 years old. I gush over forty times and love sitting down with the other Brotherhood writers evaluating players and breaking down game film. I know it does not matter what round these players get selected, the important part... read more
Posted by Bill in Fantasy Advice on Feb 17th 2010 and last modified on Feb 18th 2010. (Print This)
This is our last mock draft until after the combine. There will be many players that will see their stock rise and fall based solely on their combine workouts. The combine is a great opportunity to watch the prospects and everyone gets to see their measurables. Practice sessions are very important as well, but the most important part of the entire event is the team interview something that no one except the teams are privy to. This is where the mis-information starts. Teams will say they love players when they don't,compliment skill sets that players lack. The biggest knock on the combine is that a player's production on the field often gets over looked in favor of a blazing forty yard dash or a high repetition count when bench pressing. The Brotherhood will keep you in the know as our coverage of the NFL draft rolls right... read more
Damian Williams WR Junior: USC Height 6'1" , 190 lbs Williams, an Arkansas boy, committed to be a Razorback out of high school, but decided to transfer to USC after Arkansas appeared that they would be a run-first offense behind runningback Darren McFadden. This draft is full of WR prospects who's ceilings were lowered by being trapped in run-first offenses and inadequate quarterback play. Williams refused to let this happen to him. He was forced to sit out the 2007 season due to transfer policies, but his relocation paid off as Hollywood University provided the talented wide-out with the opportunity to play under the national spotlight. You have to wonder what he could have done if Mark Sanchez had opted to return to the Trojans. Despite losing his star quarterback, Williams was able to... read more
Posted by Sean in Fantasy Advice on Feb 11th 2010 and last modified on Feb 18th 2010. (Print This)
Demaryius Thomas WR Junior: Georgia Tech Height: 6'3" , 230 lbs. Update: Thomas broke his foot while training for the combine. We'll continue to monitor the situation. Despite being trapped in a run dominated Tech offense and a below average quarterback, Thomas was able to piece together a decent highlight reel in his three years as a yellow-jacket. Freshman Year 2007: 35 catches, 550 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Year 2008: 35 receptions, 558 receiving yards 4 touchdowns. Junior Year 2009: 46 catches, 1154 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns. His reception numbers were held in check by the team's triple option, but his yards per catch was incredible: 21.5. Strengths: Good luck jamming him at the line. He has decent speed to combine with one of the more dominant frames this draft has to offer. Aggressively attacks the ball at it's peak. Is a... read more
Mardy Gilyard WR Senior: Cincinnati Height 6 foot , 179 lbs. Sophomore Season 2007: 36 catches, 536 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns. Junior Season 2008: 81 catches, 1276 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns. Senior Season 2009: 87 catches, 1191 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns. Strengths:Gilyard was originally recruited as a defensive back, but found his calling when he switch to the offensive side of the ball. He's one of the major factors contributing to the success of the Cincinnati program. The Bearcats are no longer an after thought in college football. He had extremely productive junior and senior seasons in Cincy's pass-happy offense. Smooth route-runner with better than average speed. Has good vision and a high second gear. Can take it to the house from any where on the field. Effective on reverse plays. Gilyard is also one of the premiere return men in the league. He should make an instant impact on special teams. As a senior... read more
Dez Bryant WR Junior: Oklahoma State Height: 6'2" , 220 lbs. Dez Bryant established quite a name for himself coming out of Lufkin High School in Texas. He was heavily recruited throughout the nation but decided to commit to Oklahoma St. His 2009 field absence due to violation of NCAA bylaws has prohibited him from adding to his highlight reel, but he still poses to be a top 15 pick. His violation was relatively minimal, comparably a misdemeanor to what certain prospects have presented with in years past. Scouts will be looking to his combine performance to make sure that he's stayed in shape while away from the field. We predict him to be the first wide-out taken in April. He could potentially land in Denver at the 10 spot, ala Brandon Marshall's departure, or to Miami at #12. He is head and shoulders above the rest of... read more
Posted by Sean in Fantasy Advice on Feb 9th 2010 and last modified on Feb 16th 2010. (Print This)
Benn will look to improve his stock at the combine.Arrelious Benn WR Junior: Illinois Height 6'2" , 220 lbs. Benn is a wildcard in this years draft. His resume is short and his stats non-impressive, but he has the bottom-line basics to make it at the next level. He's shown glimpses in his career at Illinois, but was victim of a run-first offensive approach and was deprived of a true throwing quarterback. Benn has the prototypical size of a wide-out, but his height and weight appear to be his most impressive stats as the Illini offense failed to take advantage of the talented wide-out's skill. Freshman Year 2007: Was an All-American in his first season. Started as a true freshman and made an instant impact. Won Big-10 Freshman of the Year. Pulled down 54 catches for 676 yards. Sophomore Year 2008: His most impressive season, 67 catches, 1,055 receiving yards, but his touchdowns once again struggled... read more
Posted by Sean in Fantasy Advice on Feb 8th 2010 and last modified on Mar 8th 2010. (Print This)
Brandon LaFell WR Senior: LSU Height 6'3" , 209 lbs. LaFell initially declared for the 2009 NFL Draft, but pulled out to return for his senior season at LSU. He entered the 09 season with the potential to be the best receiver the college game had to offer, but his senior year stats would take a hit. LSU's offense struggled all season behind an inexperienced quarterback. LaFell was unable to eclipse his junior year production although he had his best season in terms of touchdowns (11). Had he entered the draft last year, he most likely would have been a first rounder. A year later, his stay atop the wide-receiver board remains in question after a season of inconsistent... read more
Posted by Sean in Fantasy Advice on Feb 7th 2010 and last modified on Mar 8th 2010. (Print This)
Golden Tate WR Junior: Notre Dame Height: 5'11", 195 lbs. The Junior out of South Bend will take his skills to the next level as he enters the 2010 NFL draft. His hand was almost forced with Jimmy Clausen taking the leap, and the exiting of Charlie Weis. Strengths: Would be a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators if he's placed in the slot. Lacks prototypical size, but has the body control and hustle to outwork defenders. He can take it to the house with any touch of the ball. Short dump passes turn into game-changing plays. He has long ball speed, but is effective in moving the chains and WR screens. Is comfortable in the middle of the field and does not shy away from contact. He has a good sense of the field and has the ability to find soft spots in coverages.... read more
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been hit hard on the defensive side of the ball as they have lost many players to age over the years.(Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and Simeon Rice) They let their defense get "old" and they are feeling the effects. A proud defense that was once tops in the league has lost its' mojo and this is the year they try to get it back. In the Crosshairs will break down the recent history of a team's first round picks and try to discover draft day trends and upcoming needs. Recent 1st Round Draft History: 2009: Josh Freeman-QB-Kansas St. 2008: Aqib Talib-DB-Kansas 2007: Gaines Adams-DE-Clemson*R.I.P.* 2006: Davin Joseph-OG-Oklahoma 2005: Cadillac Williams-RB-Auburn 2010 Draft Day Needs: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a solid job in the NFL Draft the last five or so years. They are a team that draft's players by need and they do a good job... read more