Recession Proof Fantasy Football Stocks

The European economy has wreaked havoc on financial markets around the world. Stocks in almost every country have taken massive hits as an uncertain economic outlook looms over the world’s largest economies. With so much gloom out there, it’s tough to find some positive news when it comes to stocks these days. But, I think that I found some of the most recession proof stocks out there. In fact, these stocks have not only weathered the unstable financial markets, but they have increased their value substantially this year. Going into 2012, the owners of these particular stocks will be very happy with the return they will get on their investment. The stocks of fantasy football players having breakout seasons have never been higher (hope you weren’t looking for some penny stock recommendations), and here are some guys who will help you dominate your league next season!

Here is the 2012 Fantasy Football Rising Stock List:

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots (75 Receptions/1,141 Receiving Yards/15 TDs)

Affectionately known as “Gronk” to New England fans, Gronkowski’s 2011 season has been one for the record books. If a wide-receiver had Gronkowski’s numbers through Week 15 we would be talking about that WR being the best in the NFL, but instead we are talking about a tightend who set the NFL single-season TD record! It’s clear that he has become Tom Brady’s favorite target everywhere on the field, but especially in the redzone. Gronk has also become the toughest guy in the league to bring down, a la Mike Alstott of days gone, and is averaging a very un-tightend like 15.2 yards a reception. Tom Brady just became the second QB in league history to have 3 or more 35+ TD seasons, and Gronk will be central in Brady’s attempt next year to do the same. He will be the first TE off the board in 2012 drafts and you may even want to consider taking him with the Top 10 WRs.

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions (93.8 QBR/4145 Passing Yards/33 TDs):

The Detroit Lions have a future and it appears that the future is now (never thought I’d be saying those words aloud). In his third season, Stafford has emerged as not only a very good quarterback, but also as one of the elite QBs in the entire league. He is fresh off orchestrating his 4^th comeback of the season when his team trailed by more than 13 points. This season, unlike years past, he seems to have figured out how to stay on the field without sustaining the big injury and the payoff for the Lions franchise has been tremendous. He has also figured out how to spread the ball around, and it has led to teams trying to take Calvin Johnson out of the game having to pay the price of leaving the other receivers one-on-one. A big time arm, ability to make plays in the 4^th quarter and a dynamic set of receivers makes Stafford a lock to finish in the Top 5 QBs this season…and many seasons to come

A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals (61 Receptions/1,006 Receiving Yards/7 TDs)

Well A.J.’s arrival on the elite WR scene did not take very long. In fact, he only waited until his second career game to put up 10 receptions, 124 receiving yards and a TD. Since then, he has been a Top 10 wideout in the AFC. He has benefited nicely from great chemistry with fellow rookie Andy Dalton, who looks for Green on almost every redzone opportunity (just ask Keyshawn “Give Me The Damn Ball” Johnson how important that is to being a top WR). Green has also been able to answer most important question of being a top wideout…when everyone in the stadium knows you will be getting the throw can you make the catch? The answer has been an emphatic ‘YES’ as he has consistently beaten double teams and tight-roped the sidelines to make highlight worthy catches. We may be witnessing the next addition to the Calvin Johnson/Greg Jennings/Roddy White group of elite receivers.

Honorable mention:

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (82.3 QBR/3,722 Passing Yards/609 Rushing Yards/30 Total TDs)

Jimmy Graham New Orleans Saints (87 Receptions/1,171 Receiving Yards/9 TDs)

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys (51 Receptions/796 Receiving Yards/9 TDs)

Check out this great article by Eric Mack, of SI.com, on next season’s WR rankings (click here).

Also, follow my useless ramblings on twitter @joshuabrier.

Playoffs?!?...Playoffs?!?

You spent hours preparing for your draft in August. You probably destroyed half a forest with cheat sheets detailing player rankings and depth charts for every NFL team (and maybe a few Canadian Football League teams just so you could be ready to draft the next Doug Flutie). You agonized over your first round selection and eventually took Chris Johnson or Peyton Hillis (both of who are stealing money like Justin Timberlake steals money…will somebody please tell me what that no-talent-hack actually does that’s worth paying for?!?). But you’ve rebounded and all of that time spent prepping, energy spent tweaking draft strategy and the forests you destroyed are about to pay off because it is FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TIME!! That depth you built up by drafting nine RB’s is going to put you into prime position to capture your league’s crown. Everyone will know that you are the superior sports manager and they should bow to you at next season’s draft. If by chance your team is not poised to make a playoff run in your fantasy league then you are a disgrace to everyone who has ever placed a waiver claim on the next great Denver Broncos running back (during the Shanahan glory days). You don’t deserve to be in a fantasy league and you should take up crocheting or some other useless and time consuming hobby, because wasting time is all you did this season!

For those who made the playoffs, and also who happen to be the superior human beings on the planet, here is a LOVE/HATE list for the fantasy playoffs first round matchups:

LOVE

Matthew Stafford @ Minnesota- The Vikings have been just AWFUL on defense this year. They are allowing a whopping 27 points a game to opposing offenses (good for 3^rd worst in the league), and more than 250 yards passing to the opposing signal caller (good for 5^th worst in the league). Plus, Stafford only threw for 378 yards and 2 TD’s against them in Week 3.

Joe Flacco/Ray Rice/Ed Dickson/Torrey Smith/ENTIRE BALTIMORE OFFENSE  vs. Indianapolis- Okay, it is very easy to pick on the Colts these days. They have been absolutely terrible on both sides of the ball, and have been particularly awful on defense. Perhaps that is an understatement, because they allow a league worst 30 points a game and about 400 yards of total offense to the opposition. Let’s just say that with the turnovers created by the number one ranked Ravens D, Flacco et al will have a MONSTER fantasy day against the Indianapolis Ponies.

Matt Ryan/Julio Jones @ Carolina- Cam Newton has been one of the nicer surprises of the 2011 season. The only problem for Carolina is that Cam only plays on offense. The Panthers D is giving up an incredible 28 points per game and has allowed the most passing TD’s against in the NFL. This bodes well for the Falcons and the deep threat that Jones provides Ryan. Look for these two to hook-up for long plays and often. This game will be a high scoring affair, as the Panthers can score, and that will give Matty Ice many opportunities to have his best game of the season.

HATE

Andy Dalton/A.J. Green vs. Houston- Who said rookie QB’s can’t win in this league? Dalton has done nothing but put up a Top 15 QB rating and placed the Bungals Bengals in playoff contention. Green has provided him with a consistent deep threat and both are going to get plenty of love from ROY voters. But, this is not the week this rookie duo puts up big numbers. The Texans have been very stingy on defense, allowing the second fewest points per game in the NFL. Add to that the likelihood that Houston will lean heavily on their run offense while playing their 3^rd string QB, and there will be less clock available for Cincy to put points of the board.

LeSean McCoy @ Miami- Don’t let the Dolphins horrible record fool you. This team had some very close losses at the beginning of the season and their defense has been strong all season against opposing RB’s. They have the 7^th best run defense in the league and have allowed only a few rushing TD’s against them all season. While McCoy has been a TD machine, he will run into some engine trouble in humid Miami.

Matt Forte @ Denver- If you know a Broncos fan they will probably try to convince you that Tim Tebow changes jerseys when the offense is not on the field, and he plays linebacker for this recently hot defensive unit. While the story has been Tebow’s late game heroics, the real story should be the dramatic improvement the Broncos D has made in recent games. Chicago’s offense has been sputtering since Cutler injured his thumb and 8 Broncos defensive players in the box will shut down Matt Forte. Add to the dismal Chicago offense that the Broncos are the heaviest run oriented offense in the league and you can expect a very low scoring affair between these two teams in the thin Rocky Mountain air.

Good luck to your team in the playoffs. For those of you who are watching the playoffs from the sideline, I suggest getting a head start on next year’s draft prep. You don’t want to disappoint your family again with a pathetic showing next season- do you?!?

Check out this great article by SI.com’s Thomas Casale on why it is time to give up on Philip Rivers.

Also, follow my useless ramblings on twitter @joshuabrier 

Best Day of The Year

The football gods are good. I know this because each year football fans across the country are given a special treat on the last Thursday in November. As if Thanksgiving was not already an incredible holiday - with incredible food, family and relaxation - the geniuses at the NFL graciously bring us three Thanksgiving Day games. It’s as if they decided to bring early gifts to football fans everywhere that kicks-off the season of giving (how else would you explain Black Friday existing on the day after three football games?). This year happens to also feature some outstanding matchups, and everyone who has said “why do the Lions get to host every year on Thanksgiving” will finally shut-the-gobble-up…the football gods are most good indeed (click here to understand why the Lions and Cowboys always host).

For fantasy football owners this is almost like having two Sundays in one week, with the three games on turkey day and then a full slate on Sunday. So, let’s deep dive into Thursday’s matchups with a Thanksgiving Fantasy Focus:

Packers at Lions (Kick-off: 12:30 PM EST)

Of the three games scheduled, this one probably will be the most fantasy relevant. Two of the top 5 scoring QB’s will face off in what should be a high scoring affair. Green Bay’s pass defense gives up an average of 23.5 points to opposing QB’s, and is ranked 30^th in points given up to QB’s. This should mean plenty of opportunity for Matthew Stafford to find his targets, and expect a HUGE day from Calvin Johnson because Green Bay’s defense is ranked 31^st in points allowed to WR’s. There should also be a few rushing opportunities, and catches out of the backfield, for the suddenly-relevant-again Kevin Smith. Smith had a huge game last week with a pair of TD’s and over 200 yards in total offense. Offensively, the Packers are no slouches. Aaron Rodgers, the league’s highest scoring QB, will be expected once again to carry the offensive load for the Packers (with James Starks banged up and Ryan Grant being very ineffective running the ball). Get all your Lions/Packers into the lineup because this game will end up being a Turkey Shootout. Final score has the Lions giving the Packers their first loss of the year, 41-35.

Dolphins at Cowboys (Kick-off: 4:15 PM EST)

It is a good thing that the new Cowboys stadium has a retractable roof, so if snow is in the forecast it will not mean a repeat of this Thanksgiving Day classic rematch from 1993. Don’t you remember? The Cowboys were leading the Dolphins 14-13 with fifteen seconds left in the game. Miami attempted a field goal and their kicker slipped causing the ball to land well short of the goal post and the game was over. But it wasn’t because, in the clearest sports example of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Leon Lett decided to try and belly-flop on the ball. Well, he did a successful belly-flop but ended up fumbling the ball back to the Dolphins who went on to kick the game winning field goal. Anyway, this year’s meeting should be a higher scoring match than that “snow bowl” in ’93. The Dolphins come into the game riding the high of a three game win streak (basically killing any chances of getting Andrew Luck, but that’s a conversation for another day) and the Cowboys coming off of a thrilling OT win over the Redskins last week in D.C. If Dallas is going to put up points it will have to be with Tony Romo in the air, as the Fins are 23^rd in points given up to QB’s but 2^nd against RB’s. While I generally would not recommend any Dolphins to start on your fantasy team, this game should have some defensive lapses with both teams coming off a short week. Matt Moore (3 TD passes last week) and Brandon Marshall (with a Dallas D giving up almost 20 points a week to WR’s) are worth gambles if you’re in a pinch. Final score has the Dolphins making Cowboy fans lose their appetite, 30-24.

49ers at Ravens (Kick-off: 8:20 PM EST)

The Har-Bowl should provide decent evening drama, as two head coach brothers face-off against one another for the first time in NFL history. These teams also happen to be two of the more defensively sound units in all of football (49ers D is ranked 1^st and Ravens D is ranked 4^th), so don’t expect a high scoring affair. Add to the tough defenses that Frank Gore is banged up, and you should only be excited about this game if you have either kicker participating. Alex Smith and Joe Flacco will both do nothing, therefore their receivers will do nothing, and Frank Gore and Ray Rice will have plenty of chances to hug the opposing linebackers in their own backfield. Good storyline for the NFL, but REALLY ugly fantasy matchup. Everyone goes into their turkey-induced comas during the second quarter as older brother John and the Ravens gain family bragging rights over Jim and the 49ers, 10-6.

Check out this great article by Brad Evans, of Yahoo.com, on this season’s “All-Turkey Team” (click here).

Also, follow my useless ramblings on twitter @joshuabrier

The Happy Thankless-giving Fantasy Team

It’s November, the month of turkey and pumpkin pie. The month of falling leaves and crisp fall air. The month of the greatest American holiday…Thanksgiving! A day in which you can stuff yourself with an array of wonderful foods, give gifts to no one and watch several games of professional football…what is more American than that? November is also for being thankful. Thankful for the things we do, or do not, have. Friends and family, for the things we are grateful to have, and Ebola or the Bird Flu, for the things we are grateful not to have. But every year there are things and individuals who do not get the “thanks” that they deserve. Things like the refrigerator, which keeps your food cold and fresh and is an afterthought (unless you happen to live in New England where a freak October snow storm claimed your electricity for a week, and you are well aware of how wonderful a job the refrigerator does when working). This same “thankless” moniker can be placed on some NFL players, who have had pretty stellar seasons to this point, but for some reason are not getting any stuffing or mashed potatoes from fantasy owners. Here’s to you…the Mid-Season All Thankless Team:

RB-Marshawn Lynch (398 rushing yards, 4.1 YPC, 91 receiving yards and 4 TD’s)

Number one on our list is the only player I have ever known to cause an earthquake (click here), and he is quietly having a very solid season. More importantly he has scored a touchdown in his last four games, so he is starting to get comfortable in an improving Seattle Seahawks offense. Keep in mind that he missed one game this season (so the stats should be a little better), and he is on track to set a career high in rushing touchdowns. Small chance he is available on the waiver wire after the last four weeks performances with TDs, but he is a very solid number two RB option for the rest of the season if you can get him.

TE-Jake Ballard (395 receiving yards and 3 TD’s)

Hate Eli Manning all you want, and say he doesn’t belong in the “elite” category with Tom Brady, but this guy loves his tight-ends. And year-over-year he brings an unknown tight-end into fantasy relevance when most people hadn’t heard their name to start the season (a la Kevin Boss in 2010). Ballard fits this mold perfectly, as he graduated from Ohio State in 2009 but didn’t catch on in the NFL in 2010. In his first season now in 2011 he is off to a great start with an outside shot at 1,000 yards receiving and 6 TD’s. That would put him in the top 10 TE ranks for any season. ESPN.com has him listed as available in almost 75 percent of leagues, so get to your waiver wire as he is in the top 10 for receiving yards and TD’s amongst tight-ends.

QB- Andy Dalton (1,696 passing yards, 12 TD’s and 7 INT’s)

Coming into the NFL this season, evaluators questioned Dalton’s ability to make all of the NFL throws. Through the first half of the season the only thing that is left to be questioned is “will he lead the Bengals to the playoffs”? Dalton has been mighty impressive thus far and it only makes sense that he will get better. He has the weapons (A.J. Green, Cedric Benson and Jermaine Gresham) and is gaining crucial experience and reps each week. Who would have thought through the first half of the season that he would have a better QB rating than Jay Cutler, Mark Sanchez, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco and Josh Freeman? Oh, and he’s available in over 75 percent of ESPN.com leagues…

Check out this great article by Eric Mack, of SI.com, on players who look to rebound in the second half (click here).

Also, follow my useless ramblings on twitter @joshuabrier.

Tebow Or Not Tebow: That is the Question!

“THE DILEMMA”
As I furiously searched the free agent wire in my fantasy league Sunday evening, in need of another quarterback thanks to the frail butterfly that is Jason Campbell, I was beginning to believe that Campbell’s back-up, Kyle Boller, was going to be my best option (slim pickings for QB’s in a 12-team league). I refuse to consider John Beck of the Redskins as I am a Miami Dolphin fan with too good a memory about his brief SoFla tenure. Beck also couldn’t beat out Rex Grossman for the starting gig in Washington. Yes, the same Rex Grossman that occupies the nightmares of almost every Chicago Bear fan and is the football equivalent of Kevin Costner…HOW DOES THIS GUY KEEP GETTING WORK?!?…back to my initial problem. Not having a solid QB option is an invite to selecting at the top of next year’s fantasy draft. It was during my thoughts about drafting Aaron Rodgers number one next season when I stumbled upon the enigmatic Tim Tebow, who was still sitting in the free agent pool. Was he worth the gamble, or should I bite the bullet and offer up some of my RB depth to get the likes of Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb? This led to research and I was surprised with what I found…Tebow could be a fantasy monster with some modest improvement from last year’s stint as a starter!

“SURVEY SAYS”
Consider the following- in 3 games of meaningful playing time last year he threw for 651 yards, tossed 4 TD’s (to 3 INT’s), rushed for 199 yards and had 3 rushing TD’s. That is nearly a 30 point per game average! We are talking Michael Vick territory (when Vick’s not throwing to receivers on the other team) and one would expect that the guy would at least show some modicum of improvement year-over-year in the passing game. What he does with his legs will not change, that was his strength coming into the league (remember that he ONLY rushed for 49 TD’s in 3 years as the Gator’s starting QB). He showed just as much in leading a second half comeback against the Chargers last week when he threw for 79 yards, rushed for 38 yards and scored 2 TD’s (1 rushing). That was an 18 point performance in just one-half of work and against a 4-1 Charger team that had only allowed one team to score more than 20 points against their defense in the first 4 games (and that team was the New England Patriots who score more than 30 points on almost everyone they face).

“YAHTZEE”
Buy low while you can. The Broncos schedule for the remainder of the season has them playing the porous defenses of Miami, Buffalo, Minnesota, Kansas City (twice) and Oakland (who Orton threw for 300 yards against in week one). Tebow is also getting back wide-receiver Demaryius Thomas, who was the receiver prospect ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. compared to Calvin Johnson coming out of the same Georgia Tech program in 2010 (he missed most of last season and the first few games this year due to injury). Tebow deserves love in all fantasy formats as he will be a top 10 performer from here on out. Don’t believe me…watch someone else in your league reap the benefits.

“SOME LOVE”
Check out the da number one rated Chicago Bears blog @ http://www.chicagonow.com/da-bears-blog (full disclaimer- Da Bears blog is written by my cousin Noah and he is awesome!)

Also, follow my useless ramblings on twitter @joshuabrier.