Dwayne Jarrett gets in car accident

A couple days ago Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Dwayne Jarrett got in a car accident that could have caused severe injuries but he was unharmed and only has some bruises.

Jarrett was a huge playmaker at USC and has the oppurtunity to try and start for the Panthers right away. He could make a big impact this season but for fantasy leagues select him in the middle rounds for rookie or keeper leagues. But if you are in a regular league select him as a possible sleeper candidate as a 3 or 4 receiver. For his stats expect around 700 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Fantasy Football top 10 quarterbacks

1. Peyton Manning Colts: This is as obvious as it gets as Manning is the best quarterback in fantasy football as he racks up yardage and gets lots of touchdowns. Expect around 4200 yards and 32 touchdowns.

2. Carson Palmer Bengals: Palmer is now fully healthy from his horrible injury in 2005 and it will make all of his fantasy owners very happy. Carson also can distribute the ball but he loses red zone target Chris Henry to a 8 game suspension so his touchdown numbers might be down a little in the first half. Expect around 4100 yards and 28 touchdowns.

3. Tom Brady Patriots: Brady is always a solid fantasy quarterback as he get everybody involved and his receivers are much improved with the additions of Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss. Expect around 4000 yards and 26 touchdowns.

4. Drew Brees Saints: Brees was a late round selection in many drafts last year. That won't happen again as Brees put up elite numbers with over 4400 yards and 30 touchdowns. If Devery Henderson steps up to replace Joe Horn Brees could have an even better season. expect around 4300 yards and 24 touchdowns.

5. Marc Bulger Rams: Bulger had a pro bowl year last year putting up over 4000 yards and 24 touchdowns. With Torry Holt and Steven Jackson to team up with him, expect more of the same this year like 4100 yards and 23 touchdowns.

6. Donovan McNabb Eagles: This pick is made assuming that McNabb is fully healthy and will start from the beggining of the season. The Eagles offense is very pass oriented so McNabb will certainly have his oppurtunities. Expect around 3800 yards and 21 touchdowns.

7. Vince Young Titans: I don't think Young is a established passer yet but his running ability puts him here. His top two receivers left in free agency and the team didn't exactly build around him in the offseason so expect around 2700 total yards and 19 touchdowns.

8. Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks: Hasselbeck was hurt for some of last year but had a good stretch of games that showes he is healthy. He lost his favorite target in Darrell Jackson but Deion Branch should replace that after a year knowing the system. Expect around 3600 yards and 20 touchdowns.

9. Philip Rivers Chargers: Many people were unsure about Rivers in the beggining of last season but that soon changed as opponents noticed they can't just stop LT to win. Rivers has some solid targets plus all world tight end Antonio Gates. Expect around 3400 yards and 18 touchdowns.

10. Matt Leinart Cardinals: This is my sleeper of the group as I think a year of experince will benifit Leinart. Plus he has two pro bowl receivers to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Expect around 3200 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Defensive Rookie of the year candidates

Yesterday I had my offensive candidates today I turn it over to the defensive side of the ball.

Patrick Willis LB 49ers: Willis could start right away and improve a 49ers defense that finished 26th in total defense. He is a big playmaker and could become an all pro calibar player.

Lawrence Timmons LB Steelers: Timmons could become an impact player in a Joey Porter like role for the Steelers. He should start right away and with his speed will go great with Dick LeBeau's exotic blitz schemes.

Anthony Spencer DE Cowboys: Not many people had heard of Spencer in college but he was one of the most dominant pass rushers in the big ten. His head coach now is Wade Phillips who as defensive coordinator for the Chargers turned Shawne Merriman into one of the leagues most elite pass rushers.

Fantasy Football top 10 wide receivers

1. Chad Johnson Bengals: " Ocho Cinco" had solid numbers last year but lots of them came from a two week stretch. But with Carson Palmer fully healthy Johnson should be ready to roll. Expect around 1600 yards and 8 touchdowns.

2. Steve Smith Panthers: Smith is one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL and a hamstring injury hurt his production the first couple weeks of the season. He should get back to full health this year and put up huge numbers expect around 1500 yards and 9 touchdowns.

3. Marvin Harrison Colts: Harrison is as consistent as you can get in fantasy football. He always puts up 1000 yards seasons with 10 plus touchdowns. Don't expect him to slow down this season. Expect around 1300 yards and 12 touchdowns.

4. Torry Holt Rams: Holt is one of the best receivers in fantasy football as he always puts up huge numbers and double digit touchdowns. Expect 1400 yards and 10 touchdowns.

5. Reggie Wayne Colts: Wayne has gone from the other receiver on the Colts to a stud as he got his first pro bowl birth after a huge season. He should continue to build on that and expect around 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns.

6. Terrell Owens Cowboys: T.O. is a touchdown machine as he is always a lock for double digit touchdowns. If he improves and doesn't drop as many passes he should be one of the top fantasy receivers this season. Expect around 1100 yards and 14 touchdowns.

7. Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals: Fitzgerald had a solid season considering he missed a couple games to injury but with a new head coach he should do much better. Plus there won't be any double teams considering Anquan Boldin is on the other side of him. Expect around 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns.

8. Anquan Boldin Cardinals: Boldin should improve on his 2006 campaign now that that Matt Leinart is more experienced and Fitzgerald is back from injury. Expect around 1300 yards and 8 touchdowns.

9. Roy Williams Lions: Williams had a big season last year and should look to build on that now that he has another deep threat on the opposite side of him in Calvin Johnson. So less double teams and playing from behind most of the time should make for a good fantasy wide out. Expect around 1400 yards and 7 touchdowns.

10. Javon Walker Broncos: Walker proved he was fully healthy from injury after he had a 1000 yard campaign and showed he was the go-to-guy for the Broncos. Jay Cutler loves to throw deep and Walker knows how to go up and get it. Expect around 1100 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Fantasy Football top 10 running backs

1. Ladanian Tomlinson Chargers: After last season is there anything else left to say? LT is the best player in fantasy football and is definitley worth the 1st selection. Don't expect 30 touchdowns this year my guess is around 19 and 1600 yards.

2. Steven Jackson Rams: Jackson is a big physical back who can handle a 25 carries a game. He also caught over 90 passes last year so he could go first in leagues that count points for receptions. Plus with that high powered offense expect around 15 touchdowns along with 1500 yards.

3. Frank Gore 49ers: Gore was a sleeper last year as he was picked up on lots of waiver wires during the preseason. That's not going to happen anymore as he established himself as a premiere back. He also catches a lot of passes as he 61 receptions last year. With an improved 49ers offense expect around 1600 yards and 10 touchdowns.

4. Shaun Alexander Seahawks: Is the NFC West that good that three of the top 4 are from that divison are is the defensive play that bad? Well either way Alexander should have a much better season this year as he will be healthy from a broken foot. Plus he won't be on Madden this year so expect 1300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

5. Brian Westbrook Eagles: Westbrook had a breakout year last year as he finally stayed healthy and had career highs across the board. He is very involved in the passing game so he is also a good choice for reception leagues. Expect around 1800 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

6. Willie Parker Steelers: "Fast Willie" showed he wasn't a fluke last year getting almost 1500 yards and 16 touchdowns as the Steelers never found a goal line back to replace Jerome Bettis. Expect around 1500 yards and 12 touchdowns.

7. Larry Johnson Chiefs: If it wasn't for the situation with the new quarterback and the holdout he would be much higher. Johnson should have another good year unless if his body brakes down from all the wear and tear he suffered last year like Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson did. Expect around 1400 yards and 17 touchdowns if he stays healthy.

8. Joseph Addai Colts: Addai should have an even better sophmore campaign as he will get all the carries now that Dominic Rhodes is gone. Plus his offense is so explosive it will give him lots of goal line oppurtunities. Expect around 1400 yards and 11 touchdowns.

9. Laurence Maroney Patriots: Maroney had a solid rookie season but now that goal line back Corey Dillon is gone Maroney will carry the load and get lots of touchdowns. Expect around 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns.

10. Travis Henry Broncos: In years past fantasy owners didn't know what Bronco would get the majority of carries. They don't have to worry this year as Henry is proven he can carry the load. Plus there offensive line is so good I could run for 1000 yards. Expect around 1600 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

As fantasy drafts are starting it is popular to get a heads up on the competiton by finding sleepers. Late Round picks that could turn into big time players for your fantasy team. This happened to me as I picked up both Frank Gore and Maurice Jones-Drew on the waiver wire. Here are my sleepers.

QB: Matt Leinart Cardinals: Leinart did ok last year but now with a full year under his belt and with receivers like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald he should have a great season. Expect between 3200 yards and 20 touchdowns.

RB: Vernand Morency Packers: With Ahman Green gone Vernand is now the frontrunner to take over the job. He has shown signs of potential but be careful because rookie Brandon Jackson should get lots of carries also. Expect between 1100 yards and 7 touchdowns. WR:

Santonio Holmes Steelers: Santonio put together a great stretch of games to end the season as he showcased he has potential to be a pro bowl calibar receiver in the league now that Ben Rothlisberger is healthy expect around 1000 yards and 6 touchdowns.

TE: Vernon Davis 49ers: Vernon is a physical freak who can outrun cornerbacks and run over linebackers. He was injured for a good chunk of last year but with Alex Smith maturing Davis should have a breakout year. Expect between 700 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Offensive Rookie of the year candidates

There was so much hype surrounding the draft it is time to look at some preseason rookie of the year candidates.

Marshawn Lynch RB Bills: Marshawn is a great talent and with a weak running back situation in Buffalo he could start immediatley. If he does he could put up over 1000 yards and around 8 td's that is rookie of the year numbers.

Calvin Johnson WR Lions: Calvin is a physical freak who can match up with any corner in the league. With the Lions playing from behind a lot there are lots of oppurtunities for the ball to be thrown his way.

Mike Walker WR Jaguars: This is my sleeper pick who could turn into a stud receiver for the Jags. He is a big physical receiver who was unheard of coming out of college.Along with a weak receiving core and a now more vertical offense he could be a stud.This years Marques Colston anyone?

AFC Season Preview

Football season is only a couple months away and soon training camp is going to begin so let me analyze my division winners and my sleeper team for the AFC. AFC East: New England Patriots: This choice is as obvious as it gets as they still have a core of players from when they won the superbowl a couple years ago.They added even more talent with the addition of versitile linebacker Adelius Thomas along with the additions of speedy receivers Donte Stallworth and gamebreaker Randy Moss. Plus it doesn't hurt that they have Tom Brady at the helm.

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals: If no more players get arrested and face disipline from the commissioner,this could be an explosive team. They have loads of fire power at offense led by all-pro quarterback Carson Palmer and the dynamic receiving tandem of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. They also have a consistent running threat in Rudi Johnson who will change the pace of games. If the defense improves they are a darkhorse in a deep AFC.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts: The Superbowl champs come back as explosive as ever still led by Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning and have an explosive core with young running back Joseph Addai and all-pro receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.1st round pick Anthony Gonzalez should also fit right in to become a great 3rd receiver. The only big loss on defense was linebacker Cato June to the Bucs. They still have Dwight Freeney up front and explosive safety Bob Sanders to defend the pass. The road to win the AFC will go through Indianapolis. AFC

West: San Diego Chargers: They had the best record in the regular season but there playoff inexperience hurt them as they lost to the Patriots in the 2nd round. They still have the best running back in the league in Ladanian Tomlinson along with improving quarterback Phillip Rivers. The defense is explosive led by Shawne Merriman. If it wasn't for the 'roids Merriman could have challenged the single season sack record as he had 17 in 12 games.

Sleeper: Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags have a great defense along with one of the leagues best running tandems in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew had great production last year with over 15 touchdowns and 950 yards. While Taylor had over 1100 and 5 touchdowns. The only problem is the play at quarterback as Byron Leftwich wasn't completley healthy and David Garrard didn't play like a starting quarterback. The defense though is a whole other story though as Marcus Stroud and John Henderson are among the premiere defensive players in the NFL. This could lead to success for the Jaguars.

2002 draft 5 years later picks 1-10

Today I went into Dick's Sporting goods and ran into Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee and tackle Tony Pashos for a team promotion. I was talking to Tony about my blog and he suggested I do a post about the draft that happened 5 years ago. I thought it was a great idea so here is my 2002 draft review after the players have actually taken the field.


Houston Texans: David Carr QB Fresno St. This was the first draft pick in team history and it certainly wasn't as successful as they hoped. Behind a poor offensive line and a weak supporting cast,Carr was released this year and is now on the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers: Julius Peppers DE North Carolina: Draft analysts were calling Peppers the next Lawrence Taylor when he entered the draft. Ironically they attended the same college and Peppers has become a star. He is one of the most athletic players in the league and has been to the Pro Bowl multiple times.

Detroit Lions: Joey Harrington QB Oregon: Lets just say this wasn't the best pick in the Matt Millen era for the Lions. Harrington was supposed to be a very savvy quarterback with lots of big game experience. That potential was never shown in Detroit and is now the backup for the Falcons behind America's favorite dog breeder, Michael Vick.

Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams T Texas: Williams came into the league with expectations to become a great player right away. That never happened as he was overweight and was slow. He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season but was placed on injured reserve before he reached the field.

San Diego Chargers: Quentin Jammer CB Texas: Jammer was supposed to be a shut down corner coming out of Texas. He has been a solid corner but hasn't lived up to expectations. He is still currently playing for the Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Sims DT North Carolina: This might have been the biggest reach of this draft class. Sims was a first round talent but wasn't worth the 6th pick. He has also had numerous injuries and is now on the Bucs. For the Record Rocky Bernard the starting defensive tackle for the Seahawks was drafted in the 5th round and John Henderson was drafted 3 picks later.

Minnesota Vikings: Bryant McKinnie T Miami(FL): Bryant was a very prolific college player but it hasn't translated to the pros. After holding out half the year,McKinnie never caught up to speed with the offense. He is currently still starting for the Vikings.

Dallas Cowboys: Roy Williams S Oklahoma: Roy was labeled a star coming out and lived up to it his first year winning defensive rookie of the year. He still starts for the Cowboys but you can noticeably tell he has slowed down and can't cover the pass.

Jacksonville Jaguars: John Henderson DT Tennessee: After this pick analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. were going nuts with what a mistake the Jaguars made for picking him after taking Marcus Stroud the year before. Well they were proved wrong. Henderson started right away and he and Stroud have helped turn the Jags into a great rushing defense. He has also been to the Pro Bowl.

Cincinnati Bengals: Levi Jones T Arizona State: When you draft a player 10th overall and he is best known for getting into a fight with Joey Porter in Las Vegas, that isn't a real good thing. Levi starts for the Bengals but he hasn't yet reached his full potential.