Fbkid's Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Running Backs

With the regular season approaching, it's time to get ready for fantasy football drafts. Here are the running backs I recommend you target in your draft. The number next to them is their bye week so you can get a reliable backup for when one of your starters isn't playing.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers 9
2. Brian Westbrook Eagles 7
3. Adrian Peterson Vikings 8
4. Joseph Addai Colts 4
5. Steven Jackson Rams 5
6. Clinton Portis Redskins 10
7. Marshawn Lynch Bills 6
8. Frank Gore 49ers 9
9. Marion Barber Cowboys 10
10. Ryan Grant Packers 8
11. Larry Johnson Chiefs 6
12. Willie Parker Steelers 6
13. Jamal Lewis Browns 5
14. Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars 7
15. Willis McGahee Ravens 10
16. Brandon Jacobs Giants 4
17. Laurence Maroney Patriots 6
18. Michael Turner Falcons 9
19. Thomas Jones Jets 5
20. Darren McFadden Raiders 5
21. Ronnie Brown Dolphins 4
22. Reggie Bush Saints 9
23. Earnest Graham Bucs 10
24. Edgerrin James Cardinals 7
25. Fred Taylor Jaguars 7
26. Matt Forte Bears 8
27. Julius Jones Seahawks 4
28. Kevin Smith Lions 4
29. LenDale White Titans 6
30. Selvin Young Broncos 8
31. Chris Johnson Titans 6
32. Ray Rice Ravens 10
33. DeAngelo Williams Panthers 9
34. Rudi Johnson Bengals 8
35. Chester Taylor Vikings 8
36. Felix Jones Cowboys 10
37. Deuce McAllister Saints 9
38. Ricky Williams Dolphins 4
39. Pierre Thomas Saints 9
40. Rashard Mendenall Steelers 6

Gene Upshaw Memorial

Today the NFL community has lost one of its own today in Gene Upshaw. Upshaw was a hall of fame player and has been the executive director of the NFLPA for the last 25 years. With his sudden passing, it is time to reflect on what he did for the game of football.


Playing Days: Not many people could say they had a career like Upshaw's. Upshaw was drafted by the Raiders in the first round in 1967 and the Raiders switched him to left guard. Upshaw then teamed up with Hall of Famers Art Shell and Jim Otto to form one of the greatest offensive lines that football has ever seen. Upshaw was the only player to ever win an AFL and an NFL championship and was also a seven time Pro Bowler. He also started in 207 regular season games. When eligible, Upshaw made the Hall of Fame on his first try and will always be remembered as one of the NFL's elite at the position.

While with the NFLPA, Upshaw did lots of great things that have changed the league forever.

Free Agency: With Upshaw's help, free agency started in 1993. This gave teams the ability to improve in other ways besides the draft and it would make for a more competitive league. Ever since this happened, TV revenue and marketing deals have skyrocketed and the NFL is now the most popular sports league in America.

Salary Cap: This is the main reason why the NFL is as popular as it is today. In baseball, you know that teams like the Red Sox and Yankees will always be in contention as they put together the best teams that money can buy. In football, teams have to build carefully in the draft and in free agency. But most importantly, it doesn't give any teams a competitive edge. Games in the NFL are now more competitive and a team who was 6-10 last year could end up making a deep run in the playoffs the next.

These are all things that Upshaw played a big part in. Today, the NFL loses a Hall of Fame player, a leader, a businessman, a husband and a father. Gene Upshaw will be missed.

Fbkid's Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Quarterbacks

With football season quickly approaching, it's time to get ready for fantasy football drafts. Here are the quarterbacks I recommend you target in your draft. The number next to their name is the players bye week so you can have a reliable backup when your starter isn't playing.



1. Tom Brady Patriots 4
2. Peyton Manning Colts 4
3. Drew Brees Saints 9
4. Tony Romo Cowboys 10
5. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers 6
6. Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks 4
7. Carson Palmer Bengals 8
8. Derek Anderson Browns 5
9. Jay Cutler Broncos 8
10. Donovan McNabb Eagles 7
11. Marc Bulger Rams 5
12. David Garrard Jaguars 7
13. Philip Rivers Chargers 9
14. Eli Manning Giants 4
15. Brett Favre Jets 5
16. Matt Schaub Texans 8
17. Jake Delhomme Panthers 9
18. Aaron Rodgers Packers 8
19. Matt Leinart Cardinals 7
20. Jon Kitna Lions 4
21. Vince Young Titans 6
22. Tarvaris Jackson Vikings 8
23. Jason Campbell Redskins 10
24. Trent Edwards Bills 6
25. JaMarcus Russell Raiders 5
26. Jeff Garcia Buccaneers 10
27. Chad Pennington Dolphins 4
28. Chris Redman Falcons 7
29. Troy Smith Ravens 10
30. Matt Ryan Falcons 7