Fantasy Football

So I decided to talk some fantasy football today. Last year I came in first in a league with my friends, and I came in second in a strangers league. I personally think I'm pretty good at fantasy football, the only reason, I'm good is because I do a lot of research.
Last year, my strategy was get runningbacks. At the end of the season, my roster for my friends league looked like this:
Matt Stafford
Carson Palmer
Ray Rice
Chris Johnson
Maurice Jones-Drew
Willis McGahee
Hakeem Nicks
C.J. Spiller
Jimmy Graham
Marques Colston
Dwayne Bowe
Laurent Robinson
Torrey Smith
Demaryius Thomas
Evan Royster
Danny Woodhead
Giants D/ST
Dan Bailey
Ryan Grant
(Adrian Peterson)*
(DeMarco Murray)*
*Peterson and Murray were put on IR last year, so I released them. They would of most likely been on my roster at the end of the season.
Last year I tried my best to stack up on runningbacks. I traded eleven times. At the beginning of the season I traded for Calvin Johnson, then traded him away that week.
The first of my methods is buy and sell. Buy a great player and then sell him, at his highest point. It is a lot like buying stocks. When you see potential you buy, and when you see them drawing even, you sell. I sent Calvin Johnson, Shonn Greene, Michael Turner, and received Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson, and Hakeem Nicks. Before I traded him he had eight touchdowns through four games. In the next twelve games he had eight touchdowns.
This year I drafted a lot of good wide receivers. In one of my leagues I drafted A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall, Steve Smith (CAR), Eric Decker, Malcom Floyd, Michael Floyd, Doug Baldwin, and I traded for Rueben Randle. The key point is I drafted smart. In the second round, players like Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, Ryan Matthews, and Mike Wallace were available. I went for A.J. Green because he has more physical tools then the receivers available and two because he outproduced most of the players available. In the fourth round, Roy Helu, Steve Smith, Dez Bryant, Darren Sproles, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Mark Ingram were available. I took the producer Steve Smith. He outproduced both receivers (Brandon Marshall and A.J. Green) I took before him. In the fifteenth round players like Devery Henderson, Delone Carter, Dan Bailey, Doug Baldwin, Rob Bironas, and LaMichael James were available. I took Doug Baldwin, a guy who went undrafted last year and still placed 4th in yardage , 4th in catches, and 6th in touchdowns among rookies. Devery Henderson is also a good pick because of the loss of Robert Meachem.
The key for drafting is to look for production and not look at the best player available on auto pick.

Old Work

I am going to give you a sample of some of my old work. This is from approximately two years ago. This piece is from my old website nflstatmaster.weebly.com.
    Danny Woodhead, the little general came in from no where and stole America's heart. He went to Chadron State a Division II He won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2006 and again in 2007. His 9,259 all purpose yards ranks second in NCAA history. In his first year he had 1,840 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. In his second year he had 1,769 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. In his third year he had 2,756 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. In his final year at Chadron State he had 1,597 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. For Chadron State he wore number 3.
       He ran a 4.3 Forty Yard Dash at the combine. He went undrafted in the 2008 draft. He was called by the New York Jets before the draft ended. Soon after that he signed a undrafted rookie free agent contract. He spent his whole rookie season on waived/injured list. On September 3, 2009, in a preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, he rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He wore number 22 for the Jets in the preseason. He made the final cuts but was waived on September 6. He was resigned to the Jets on October 17, he was moved to receiver, but was mainly used in the backfield. He wore number 83, and rushed for 64 yards and caught 87 yards. Despite having an ok preseason with 57 rushing yards and a fumble recovery he was cut after the Jets first game.
        After he was released by the Jets he was signed by the Patriots. At first people thought they signed him to learn more of the Jets plan, then after a game against the Bills we knew Belichick found a star. In his second game after the Patriot got him he had 42 rushing yards and his first touchdown off of 3 carries. In the next game against the Dolphins he had a 11 yard receiving touchdown. He found the endzone again in Randy Moss's home on a direct snap from three yards out. He had a 36 yard touchdown run in the Patriots 31-28 win over Colts. He had a 104 yard receiving performance against the Jets in a Monday Night game. His next scoring game was against the Bears. His last score of the regular season was against the Buffalo Bills. He finshed the regular season with 547 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. He also had 379 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
http://cmkelham.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/
http://www.csc.edu/athletics/football/
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=7nojjsgq15xjegiqtichf47vr
http://www.nfl.com/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/12/05/vikings-photos/
http://www.eurthisnthat.com/2010/09/13/video-patriots-randy-moss-pulling-a-lebron/
http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2009/09/56-white-running-back-runs-for-158.html
http://www.jerseyjetsfan.com/2010/05/19/danny-woodhead-moving-back-to-rb/

Victor Cruz Preseason

Alan Maglaque-US PRESSWIRE ©
Go to this link and watch the video. It's about Victor Cruz in his first preseason game.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d819cfd57/Victor-Cruz-highlights
In Victor Cruz' first preseason game he had six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. He came out as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts. He wasn't supposed to make the team, but he stunned almost everyone, but himself in the preseason. He forced his onto the roster, and became one of the best players in the league the next year. Most players from small universities don't make the roster, but Victor did. So when I'm saying Victor Cruz preseason, I just mean a great preseason.
Maglague, Alan. NFL Rewind: New York Jets Getting their First Taste of New York Giants’ Victor Cruz in 2010 Preseason. 2012. NFL Rewind: New York Jets Getting their First Taste of New York Giants’ Victor Cruz in 2010 Preseason, New Jersey. Rant Sports NFL. Web. 13 Aug. 2012.

New York Giants' Defensive Lineman Part 2

 Anthony Mongelluzzo©

I decided to add a Part 3 to the Giants Defensive line saga. I realized that trying to fit 9 players into one section was a bad idea, I rather get more details in about each player. 

Adrian Tracy is a guy the Giants converted to a linebacker, but is listed at defensive end on the Giants' depth chart. The Giants have kept him around for two years, and this will probably be his last year with the team if he does not make the roster. He is not a great pass rusher, but is good against the run, which is something the Giants want to improve this season. He will have to really battle it out in the preseason in order to make the roster because of Justin Trattou. 

Justin Trattou played in six games last year with the Giants as an undrafted free agent, right now he's out with what seems like a sprained ankle. He says he has trouble walking on it, but he will likely be back within the next two weeks. He showed good depth last year, but did not shine in any one way. He is a decent pass rusher and a decent run stopper. He is likely to make the roster, and be a backup defensive end.  

Shaun Rogers' best season came in 2007 with the Detroit Lions, when he had 7.0 sacks and one interception. He has appeared lazy and without a good work ethic, he was added to provide depth on the inside on the Giants' defensive line. With the signing of Rocky Bernard he is unlikely to make the roster, unless he has a Victor Cruz preseason. 

Craig Marshall is a defensive end from the University of South Florida, he totaled 9.0 sacks in his career. He is a former teammate of Jason Pierre-Paul, I will go as far to say he reminds me of Justin Tuck. He can make the roster if he outperforms Adrian Tracy, and Justin Trattou,  which is not surprising if he does. He has a high motor and he could crack the rotation on the defensive line later in the season, if he makes the roster. 

Martin Parker a defensive tackle, was on the Giants practice squad last year. He is unlikely to make the roster because of the return of both Rocky Bernard and Marvin Austin, he could make the roster or practice squad, with a Victor Cruz preseason. He had 3.0 career sacks in college. 

Next is the final part of defensive ends.Mongelluzzo, Anthony. "Justin Tuck Air Guitar." 2012. Raw image file.

"Giants.com | Depth Chart." New York Giants Training Camp Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Aug. 2012. <http://www.giants.com/team/depth-chart.html>. 

Schauer, Pete. "New York Giants: One Burning Question for Every Member of the Roster | Bleacher Report."Bleacher Report | Entertaining sports news, photos and slideshows. N.p., 8 Aug. 2012. Web. 9 Aug. 2012. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1288196-one-burning-question-for-every-member-of-the-new-york-giants-roster/page/6>.

Logan, Scott. "New York Giants' 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0 | Bleacher Report." Bleacher Report | Entertaining sports news, photos and slideshows. N.p., 18 June 2012. Web. 9 Aug. 2012. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1221668-new-york-giants-53-man-roster-projection-20/page/8>.

New York Giants' Defensive Lineman Part 1

 Anthony Mongelluzzo©

The captain Justin Tuck, will again be leading the Giants defense this year. He has been playing the inside and outside. He had a monster postseason with the Giants, having 3.5 sacks. In his last six games of the season he had 5.5 sacks. Jason Pierre-Paul had a breakout season, totaling 16.5 sacks, almost quadrupling his numbers from the prior year. His play of the season was him blocking the Cowboys' game tying field goal in Week 15. 

Osi Umenyiora totaled 9 sacks in nine games with the Giants in the regular season, and then added in 3.5 sacks in the postseason. He signed a new contract with the Giants, so the Giants trio of pass rushers will be back in 2012. Chris Canty is on the PUP list, with an injured knee. He will be the starter if he returns before about the third preseason game. Linval Joseph was a great run stopper this past year for the Giants. He helped to shut down "The Burner" Michael Turner in the Wild Card round. He also had a career high 2.0 sacks. Marvin Austin, Giants defensive tackle had a total of nine sack in college, and he hasn't  played football since 2009. He was dismissed from the University of North Carolina football team in 2010 and then tore a pectoral muscle in the preseason with the Giants last year. Defensive Tackle Rocky Bernard turned 33 in April, but he is still going strong. He was a run stopper last year, with no sacks in the regular season and one sack in the postseason. He was signed before training camp to provide experience at the tackle position. 
Part Two will be put up next.
Mongelluzzo, Anthony. "Justin Tuck Air Guitar." 2012. Raw image file.

New York Giants' Offensive Line

 Anthony Mongelluzzo©

I decided to put the entire offensive line together because the Giants love versatility on the offensive line. Right now the offensive line right tackle to left tackle is Diehl, Snee, Baas, Boothe, Beatty. The backup right tackle to left tackle is Brewer, Petrus, Cordle, Capers, and Locklear. The final group is Reinders, Goodin, White, Mosely, and McCants. 

Diehl, started last year as the Giants starting left guard, but moved to left tackle after Beatty was put on injured reserve. Diehl has been good, but is definitely on the back end of his career. Snee is starting to decline, but is one of the more consistent lineman on the Giants. David Baas struggled early last year, then was injured, but looked good, like all the Giants on their final stretch of games. Boothe was a coach's player last year playing the left guard and center position. He had a stellar year last year. Will Beatty has struggled his entire career and will likely be the starting tackle until someone else dethrones him, which does not seem likely, at least for now. 

Brewer is a guy the Giants expect and want to compete for one of the tackle positions. He has yet to be on the field in a regular season game. Mitch Petrus started 3 games last year for the Giants, and appeared in all of the playoff games. He has improved and eventually will battle for the Giants starting guard position in future years. Jim Cordle played in nine games last year with the Giants, but is not likely to make the roster because of Kevin Boothe's versatility on the offensive line. Selvish Capers who has a lot of potential will have a shot at making the Giants roster, but must compete with the rookies they drafted. Sean Locklear is a guy who might compete for the starting position with the Giants, but will likely just be a backup, when it comes down to it. 

Joel Reinders, Stephen Goodin, and Chris White are all unlikely to make the roster because of the Giants versatility. Brandon Mosely is a fourth round pick of the Giants and is going to make the roster, he is a developmental player. Matt McCants is likely to make the practice squad because of the Giants' depth at tackle. If he surprises everyone in the preseason, I'm sure the Giants will keep him, but a practice squad spot seems likely now. 

Next is defensive line.  

Mongelluzzo, Anthony. "Giants Offensive Line." 2012. Raw image file.

New York Giants' Tightends

 Anthony Mongelluzzo© 

Wow I never thought that a player under contract with the Super Bowl Champions, would ever end up on the loser's team. Jake Ballard had a torn ACL and the Giants tried to sneak him through the waiver system, but failed as the Patriots claimed him. Tom Coughlin, the rest of the organization and fan base were speechless as this happened. Now the Giants have one healthy tightend from last season's active roster. 

Bear Pascoe is that one. He is a hybrid, tightend and fullback. He is more of a blocker than a pass catcher. He scored his first NFL touchdown against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. In Super Bowl XLVI he caught four passes for 33 yards. He most likely will be the starter going into the season, but it will not surprise me if Beckum (when he gets healthy)  or Martellus Bennett surpasses him on the depth chart.
Next is to Martellus Bennett, he is 280 pounds, right now. When he came into training camp he weighed in at 290-295, that's the weight of one of the tackles on the Giants. He is very talented, but he hasn't had the determination or work ethic to put that talent to use. Right now he is either going to boom or bust with the Giants.
Travis Beckum was put on the PUP list (Physically unable to perform) at the start of training camp. The Giants will not take him off until he is a 100%. The Giants will have to make use without him. Beckum hasn't shown a lot of productivity when in the starting position.
Adrien Robinson is a tightend the Giants drafted, he is likely going to be developed this year, and will compete to start when and if he is ready. He has a lot of the physical ability, but lets see how he adjusts to the pro game.
Christian Hopkins who was on the practice squad last year, is going to battle for a roster spot, but it seems right now the Giants are not going to carry a fourth tightend. The Giants have raved about him, but unless he pulls a Victor Cruz, he won't be making the opening day roster. I would not be surprised if he ends up on the practice squad.
Ryan Purvis and Larry Donnell are also on the training camp roster, but both are unlikely to make the roster, because they don't stand out physically, and they haven't put up big statistics in college or the NFL. Ryan Purvis' best season came in 2007 when he had 54 catches for 553 yards and 4 touchdowns. For Larry Donnell it came in 2008 for Grambling State where he caught 18 passes for 235 yards and for six touchdowns. Both are highly unlikely to make the roster.
In the next few days I will put up the tackle situation.
Mongelluzzo, Anthony . "The Giants Training Camp Starters." 2012. Raw image file.