BumpAndRun.com’s 2011 NFL Season Predictions

What would an NFL season be without predictions? As we countdown to a beauty of a game tonight at Lambeau Field, the BumpAndRun.com staffers revealed our individual award winners, division winners, wild card teams, and Super Bowl champion. One of us sees Philip Rivers bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the 619 for the first time in franchise history, while the other predicts Brady and Belichick will win their fourth Super Bowl together and cement their respective legacies as the best to ever do it. Without further ado, our 2011 NFL season predictions: … Continue Reading

Fantasy Impact: 10 Rookies to Watch in 2011

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at ten rookies poised to make noise in 2011 - maybe for your fantasy team:

1. Mark Ingram, RB (Saints) - The former Heisman Trophy winner looks to have the inside track to the Saints’ starting running back job, but he shouldn’t feel too comfortable with veteran Pierre Thomas and second-year bruiser Chris Ivory nipping at his heels. Ingram was drafted to bring some stability to an unreliable New Orleans backfield. If he can avoid the injury bug – something his counterparts have been unable to do in past seasons - expect solid RB2 numbers.

2. Julio Jones, WR (Falcons) - The Julio Jones bandwagon in gaining steam, and with good reason. The rook from Alabama immediately gets inserted into an offense that includes Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, hall-of-fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and arguably the game’s best receiver, Roddy White. If the Falcons’ third preseason game against the Steelers was any indication, Matty Ice will be chucking the rock a ton in 2011. Ryan put it up 42 times in the first half and targeted Jones 13 times. Remember, defenses need to account for Roddy White — which means Julio will have ample opportunities to make plays. I like Jones as a fringe WR3 with upside (think Dez Bryant in 2010).

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Fantasy Impact: 5 Players Entering 2011 With Questions

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at five players entering 2011 with some question marks:

1. Peyton Manning, QB (Colts) – The Colts’ tradition of uninspired preseason play has never been a red flag in past seasons. However, the chatter surrounding Peyton Manning’s neck injury and his availability for the season opener against Houston has Colts fans and fantasy owners alike on pins and needles. Manning has not only been the NFL’s modern day iron man, but also one of the more reliable and consistent fantasy quarterbacks, maybe ever. When drafting, don’t select Manning before Vick, Rodgers, Brady, Brees or Rivers. But if you’re able to stock up on top backs and receivers early and Manning is staring you in the face in the fourth-round, snag him.

2. Chris Johnson, RB (Titans) - CJ2K’s contract dispute is just another reason why it’s always best to conduct your fantasy draft as late as possible. Remember, there’s a new head coach, quarterback and offensive coordinator in Tennessee this season — and training camp is now officially over with no sign of the Titans’ electrifying running back. While we think it’s likely that Johnson will be signed and ready to go by Week 1, there’s still some risk there.  If Johnson signed today, he’s a top-three pick, no questions asked. But at this point I’d feel more comfortable drafting Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles and maybe even Ray Rice before Johnson. Monitor the situation – and if you have a top-five pick, think of ways to delay your draft.

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Fantasy Impact: 10 Players with New Teams in 2011

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at the fantasy impact of 10 players with new teams in 2011:

1. Chad Ochocinco, WR (Patriots) – An afterthought just two weeks ago, Ochocinco has made the most dramatic climb up the fantasy ranks since being traded to New England. Having Tom Brady as his quarterback as opposed to Andy Dalton or Bruce Gradkowski in Cincy makes Ocho a legit WR2 and a steal as a WR3 in most fantasy formats. That said, be sure to keep tabs on how comfortable he looks in the Pats’ offense this preseason. Target anywhere from Rounds 6-8.

2. Reggie Bush, RB (Dolphins) -  Let’s make one thing clear: Bush is not going to be an every-down back in Miami. The Dolphins drafted rookie Daniel Thomas to run between the tackles 12-15 times per game. While Bush’s role will be expanded from what it was in New Orleans, Drew Brees ain’t under center in South Beach. Target Bush as a flex in Round 10 or higher.

3. Darren Sproles, RB (Saints) – The Saints were able acquire Reggie Bush’s replacement at a discounted rate. With a log-jam at running back (Ingram, Ivory, Thomas), expect Sproles to be used heavily in the passing game and obviously as the punt returner. Fantasy owners should view Sproles as a reserve running back and a nice spot flex play. There are a lot of weapons for Drew Brees to appease in New Orleans, so don’t overreach — target in late rounds.

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“Dream Team” Comparison: 2011 Eagles vs. 2000 Redskins

The Eagles struck again on Tuesday, this time signing veteran running back Ronnie Brown to a one-year deal. Hours later the team agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Broncos tackle Ryan Smith. Are they done? Who knows.

Philly’s free agency splurge has sent shockwaves throughout the league. Players, fans and writers alike are calling the 2011 Eagles a “dream team.” It got me to thinking, when was the last time an NFL team garnered this much off-season attention? When did we last witness a team stack its roster with Pro Bowl and Hall-of-Fame caliber free agents in hopes of winning a Super Bowl? When was the last time we threw out terms like dream team and the best team money can buy? Let me take you back eleven years and a few hours down I-95: the 2000 Washington Redskins.

Humor me for a few minutes:

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Jets Lap Giants in Training Camp Attendance

This offseason when Rex Ryan proclaimed to the world in his new book that the Jets were the Giants’ “Big Brother,” most folks playfully took that as just another hot-air track on the Rex Ryan Greatest Disses LP. Well, if early returns are any indication, Ryan’s Jets are lapping Big Blue in training camp attendance – and it’s not even close.

Today’s attendance for Jets training camp was 2,775 fans. The Giants’ three-day attendance total? 2,735.

Does this really mean anything in determining which team is New York’s Big Apple? Of course not. Ryan is excitable. He likes flaunting his superstars, and in turn Jets fans flock. Names like Revis Island, ‘Tone Time, Cro and The Sanchize sound a lot more exciting to watch in August than Eli and Camp Coughlin. And I’m quite sure that’s fine with the Giants’ no-nonsense head coach. Something tells me that TC isn’t too beat up over not having hoards of fans watch him conduct a practice.

Just don’t let Rex get ahold of those attendance numbers – Giants fans will never hear the end of it.

Photo: Flickr

NFC East Round-Up: Ryan Chirps, Beck Struggles, Osi Wants Out?

Dallas Cowboys – New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan may have taken an indirect shot at the Philadelphia Eagles and last week’s free agency splurge.

“I don’t know if we win the all-hype team,” Ryan said (via ESPNDallas.com). “That might have gone to someone else, but we’re going to beat their ass when we play them.”

Our Take: Wow, these Ryan boys sure hate the spotlight, don’t they? You don’t think he’s a little upset that the Cowboys lost The Nnamdi Sweepstakes (his former player) to the Eagles, do you? Rob’s obviously trying to fire up his D and I bet it works. In case you were wondering, the Cowboys visit Philly on October 30th and the Eagles travel to Dallas on Christmas Eve.

New York Giants – The Giants have allowed disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora to seek a trade, but they are asking for a 1st round pick in return. Umenyiora made his feelings known in an email to the Associated Press. He also took a dig at newly-paid Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson:

“How does a guy who had one good year (no disrespect to Charles Johnson) sign a deal and make more than both me and (Justin) Tuck combined? It’s not right.”

Our Take: Sour grapes (no disrespect), Osi? First off, there’s no chance that any team gives up a first-round pick for Umenyiora’s services. None. Second, Umenyiora signed a six-year extension in 2005. Since signing that extension, he has never equaled the 14.5 sacks that he registered in ’05 — the year he got paid. Throw in the injury history and a log jam at the DE position in NY (Tuck, Pierre-Paul, Kiwanuka), why would Jerry Reese rip up his deal and give him a new one?

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Top 100 Fantasy Rankings 1.0: All Day is Our #1

With football finally back and free agency officially set for this Friday, it’s time to dust off the big board and start thinking about how to best build your fantasy squad. We’ve compiled our Top 100 Fantasy Rankings (excluding defenses and kickers, of course) to get you back to thinking like a fantasy GM before your draft(s).

With all the rapid player movement over the next two weeks, this list will obviously change like the wind. Don’t worry, we’ll update our rankings a few more times over the next month.

Click Here to Download Our Top 100 Fantasy Rankings 1.0

See you in 2011!

A big thanks to all of our readers — we look forward to the 2011 season (and yes, there will be a season).

BumpAndRun.com Play Sheet – Week 16

Merry Christmas from BumpAndRun.com! Your FREE Play Sheet provides fantasy rankings, weekly picks and survivor pool solutions on one printable page. It’s sent straight to your inbox every week during football season.
 
As you prepare your fantasy line-up, finalize your weekly picks or decide which team to select in your survivor pool, BumpAndRun.com will serve as your “second opinion.”

Click Here to Download Your Week 16 Play Sheet!