Matthew Stafford

So, when Stafford is available in the middle rounds of your upcoming fantasy drafts, don't be afraid to nab him with a sly look on your face that'll make your fellow, misinformed, league members extremely uneasy. Stafford will be a fantastic fantasy option and it's not the hometown kool-aid talking here. Oh, no it's not.

If you're thinking, "gee, Brian, this sounds awfully nice, but I think you're drunk," then let me defer you to at least one of your trusty 'experts.' ESPN's Erik Kuselias recently predicted that Stafford would have 3,700+ yards and a monstrous season for the Leos. He obviously didn't contribute to the ESPN cheat sheet, but 3,700+ yards would have put Stafford in the top 12 last season in passing and two of those names won't be in there again this season (Warner because he retired and Roethlisberger because he got gropey with a girl in a bar bathroom). 

The six quarterbacks who are hard to argue against as tops in the NFL are Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Matt Schaub, and Philip Rivers. After that, there are several names that could compete to round out the top 10 and Stafford has to be included. Of those names (Matt Ryan jersey , Jay Cutler, Brett Favre, Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Kevin Kolb), Stafford has arguably the best wide receiver (if not the best in all of the NFL), Calvin Johnson. That factor alone should significantly raise his stock.

Further, the Lions expectedly bad defense will probably force the Lions to throw quite a bit, especially late in games. It's a fantasy player's dream to see his quarterback rack up chunks of otherwise meaningless yards and touchdowns in the final quarter. The Lions schedule features several games in which Stafford could put up silly, video game numbers as a result.

A big reason for the noticeable improvements are the additions the wholesale Lions  jersey made in the offseason. The Lions improved their offensive line, drafted Jahvid Best, a potentially game-changing running back, signed a one-time 1,000-yard receiver Nate Burelson and traded for Tony Scheffler, another quality receiving tight end to complement Brandon Pettigrew. Depending on the offensive set, Stafford will have five viable weapons to choose from. As he's shown this preseason, that will make things much easier for him, allowing him to fully take advantage of his powerful arm and above-average football instincts.

Thus far this preseason, Stafford's in the top three in completion percentage (74%!) and amongst the top six in quarterback rating (106.4).  Although it is the preseason, he looks like a completely different quarterback from the one that threw 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 10 games a year ago.

But if you've watched the first three preseason games, you haven't seen a bottom half quarterback. In fact, you've seen an elite quarterback, exactly what the Lions hoped they were getting when they selected the former Georgia quarterback No. 1 overall last year.

As of August 27, cheap Stafford jersey is ranked No. 18 for quarterbacks on the 2010 ESPN Fantasy Football positional cheat sheet. Last season, Stafford finished 26th in fantasy points among all quarterbacks (using ESPN's default scoring system). Most Lions fans would be happy with this kind of improvement. I think most expect this kind of improvement just by having a healthier, more experienced Stafford.

Now, before you stop reading, scoff at me for wasting half a minute of your time and X out, I ask that you reconsider and remember I'm one of the millions of 2009 fantasy champs. Hear me out on this one.

I bring up that trap because I want to stress that I don't think I'm falling into it when I boldly proclaim that Matthew Stafford will be a stud this (fantasy) season. I'm talking top 10 stud.

One of the biggest pitfalls in fantasy football is being blinded by bias. Often times you'll see somebody pick their favorite player or a hometown team's guy, rather than picking the best player available. I'm definitely guilty of this in the past, but I am getting better at resisting the temptations.

With fantasy football drafts in full swing (I have two today), it's not the worst time to make projections for the upcoming cheap NFL hats  season. Who will be this year's studs? Duds? Who will be the sleepers? The fantasy players who are well-informed and have awesome foresight usually have a pretty good idea what those answers will be and, in turn, do well in their leagues. As the reigning champ in my keeper league, I'd like to think I have these special powers.

Falcons Ready for Patriots

The Bird Cage is back and ready to go after a short break and the week of preseason and training camp have definitely started to make things a little more clear than they were on the first day of Training Camp when the Falcons opened in shorts and helmets. Some names have risen to the top of the heap and some, unfortunately, have already seen the Turk. After a pretty good showing against the lowly Chiefs, fans expect the Falcons to ramp up the competition as they play one of the best teams of the 21st century in the New England Patriots. As the Birds prepare for a big preseason test (and their last preseason game at home), The Bird Cage ponders several questions and looks forward to getting the true experts (Bird Cage and Falcons fans) opinion as preseason rolls forward:

1) Are the Piling-Up Injuries a Major Concern?

No Falcons fan in their right mind could believe that the devastating injury bug could strike nearly as bad as it did last year. The Falcons lost reserves, starters, and even franchise cornerstones to multiple injuries where they missed many games and, in some cases, major parts of the season. The Falcons lost both their 1st and 2nd round picks essentially for the year (Peria Jerry and William Moore). They lost Harry Douglas for the entire season. Brian Williams missed almost three-fourths of the season. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Sam Baker…..well you get the picture. The Falcons haven't had many major injuries yet, but their big off-season signing, Dunta Robinson, has barely participated since the first week of Training Camp. Brent Grimes just injured his groin. Jerious Norwood, Thomas Johnson, and William Moore have all missed time and Michael Jenkins is out 4-6 weeks. Besides Jenkins, they're all expected to make a pretty quick return, but is heartbeat beating faster than it should be?
2) Is Matt Ryan Again Depending on Tony Gonzalez Too Much?

Granted, Ryan only played a handful of snaps in his first preseason game and almost everyone looked rusty in some form against the Chiefs, but Ryan going to Gonzalez repeatedly may cause some concern for fans. Its hard to argue throwing to #88 (he is a future Hall of Famer, by the way), but fans saw what happened when they took Gonzo and Roddy White away….bad things happened. Lack of wide receiver production and poor play-calling were major factors as well, buts its hard to argue that the Falcons haven't improved their WR depth (albeit very young) and Mularkey hopefully will improve. Its way too early, but Ryan's got to spread around the wealth, doesn't he?
3) Should the Falcons Put Norwood on the Block?

Most fans will immediately scoff and say no, but considering that the Falcons seem to have found some gems in Dmitri Nance and Antone Smith, who are nicely complementary to each other, and Jerious Norwood can not stay on the field….literally. Norwood ended the season hurt and has begun the preseason hurt without getting many reps or looks for a rebound season. Before dismissing it outright, Norwood's vast potential is only just that if he continues to stay hurt. It's pretty easy to say that Norwood is injury-prone at this point. Disregarding the NFL Owners and Player's Union current strife, the Falcons will eventually have to decide between either Snelling or Norwood, because both will seek to be at least number 2 backs and be paid as such. Even though injured, Norwood's potential would probably garner some interest and that would allow the Falcons to develop the gems they mined in Nance and Smith. Even though the Falcons definitely probably will never entertain offers for #32, should they?

4) Is the Falcons Defensive Tackle Position Finally a Strength?

Only two short years ago, the Falcons defensive tackle position was in total disarray and easily considered one of the weakest areas of the team. Grady Jackson was the star and he was let go. Jonathan Babineaux represented potential, but hadn't arrived. Journeyman Jason Jefferson and like occupied the DT spots. But after good signings and draft picks, has the Birds D-Tackle position finally become strength? The Falcons boast a potential Pro Bowler in Babineaux (should have got it last year), a promising 1st round draft pick determined to get back in Peria Jerry, a rookie who has quickly created a buzz at camp in Corey Peters, two players that played extremely well in starting roles at the end of the season in Vance Walker and Thomas Johnson, and the x-factor in Jamaal Anderson moving inside and adding weight, push, and run-stuffing ability to middle. The Falcons also have Trey Lewis trying to get back his rookie form and nab a spot. Even though Peters is a rookie and Jerry's injury history is worrisome, have the Falcons finally transformed DT into a strength?

Roy Williams Upcoming Season Critical to His Legacy

The 2009-10 season is behind Roy Williams, head basketball coach of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. It was a bad time for players and fans. But worse for Roy Williams. In fact, for those who remember the Matt Doherty years, there were some uncomfortable similarities to Roy's antics last season. And some that may have been worse.

Roy Williams is a successful Hall of Fame college coach. His teams have done some great things in the NCAA. The University of Kansas came close to winning a championship under Williams. They were consistently competitive. And they and Roy showed class throughout his tenure with the Jayhawks.

Last year prevented Williams from enjoying the same reputation at Carolina. In fact, it came close to undoing everything he has done since he arrived at UNC. Tarnishing his reputation, his Tar Heels were hardly competitive in many games. Unlike Duke's Krzyzewski, who he has bested regularly, Williams failed to be stoic about his team last year. In fact, he regularly berated the team, putting himself before his team blaming them for the losses. At least once or twice last season he said that he felt the team was uncoachable.

These are not the kind of words one expects from a coach of William's caliber. And they are the kind of words that loses team members. Witness the transfer of the California Wear twins to UCLA.

So this year, with a lot of youth, one might expect Williams to have another difficult year. But his team is not as depleted as before, and with one of the best recruiting years in quite some time, Williams stands poised to have another of his traditional successful years coaching.

If he does not, the ill-effects of his intemperate behavior last year could be blamed. 

Williams should be above attacking his team and its team members. The Real Truth is that if he repeats his behavior this season, his reputation could be in jeopardy.

2010 Fantasy Football Outlook: Giants RB Brandon Jacobs

Brandon Jacobs had a rough season last year. After two straight 1,000 plus yard seasons and consecutive years averaging 5 yards per carry, Jacobs slumped to only 835 rushing yards and 3.7 yards per carry. Additionally, his touchdown total went from 15 in 2008, to only 5 last season. Jacobs didn't seem to break as many tackles as he had in the past and one has to wonder if perhaps he's simply wearing down.

Fantasy Upside

Brandon Jacobs is a battering ram, and while he didn't seem to run over people with the same effectiveness last year as in years prior, he still has the size and strength to push the pile. This makes him an effective goal line back, so he should get enough looks inside the red zone. Jacobs will also be motivated to bounce back after a season that had him obviously frustrated.

Fantasy Downside

Unfortunately, there's more not to like about Jacobs this season than there is to suggest he'll bounce back. He's another year older. Ahmad Bradshaw looks to play a bigger role in the offense this year, and the Giants will likely be happy to reduce Jacobs' workload. Also, Jacobs has never been particularly durable. While he did start 15 games last year, the pounding he consistently takes kept him out of two games in 2008 and five in 2007. He just turned 28 years old, and he already looks like he's hitting that 30 year old wall.

Bottom Line

Brandon Jacobs should be considered a bench option/flex player this season. While 4for4 has him ranked as the 19th best running back, I would use caution relying on him in your fantasy lineup. Consider him a solid backup option on your fantasy squad, but likely nothing more than that. As Bradshaw gets more work, Jacobs is likely to see his carries drop.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga

Through six days and nine practices, the Bengals' defensive coordinator has been pleased with the progress of his unit, which ranked fourth in the NFL last year.

"We seem to have good retention from (organized team activities) and last year in what we're trying to get done," Zimmer said. "Last night I forgot to put a check in and they made the check from the OTAs. There's been some good carryover."

Zimmer's main message has been not to rest on last year's laurels. With two years of building a solid foundation, he is looking for the unit to take a step up.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga missed practice today after tweaking his hamstring during Monday night's practice. He's listed as day-to-day and hopes to return later this week and participate in Sunday's Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The former USC standout is entering his second year with the Bengals and was a key part to the success of the rushing defense as a rookie last season. The team struggled during the final two games against the New York Jets as their rushing attack took advantage of Maualuga's absence. Despite Cincinnati's defense allowing their opponents to average just 87.7 rushing yards per game the first 15 games of the season, the Jets ran for a combined 428 yards during the regular season finale and Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Last season,Maualuga finished fourth on the team with 63 tackles and recorded one sack. Unfortunately,  was placed on injured reserve after fracturing his ankle against the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 16. He also forced three fumbles.

Antonio Bryant and Rey Maualuga  didn't practice today, which you already knew about. Bryant's knee still hurts and Rey Maualuga's nursing a tweaked hamstring. What you may not know is rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap didn't practice because he has a concussion.

Dave Rayner is looking good right now. He was 5-6 today which puts him at 11 of his last 12.

Jermaine Gresham made his practice debut today and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski he was "swimming a little bit".

Signing veterans like Terrell Owens  makes the adjustment less difficult for the quarterback and wide receiver because a guy like TO has been around the block a few times and knows his stuff. There is still an adjustment period though. Carson and TO have never been on the same team. It will take a little time to get their timing down. The good news is, they have some time. The bad news is, they don't have that much time....and to have a rapport like Chad and Carson have, takes seasons.

Joe Reedy thinks Palmer and TO's timing is "way off" right now. Two veterans like Palmer and TO shouldn't have a problem getting their timing down over the next couple weeks. After all, that's what practice is for, right? I personally think that, when the regular season rolls around, Palmer and TO will look like they've been on the same team for a long time. We'll find out what kind of rapport they have on Sunday.

The Cardinals drafted Johnson

Last year I watched film, and I looked kind of sloppy," Branch said. "I wanted to make sure I looked good on film and ran better."

Branch has been the biggest disappointment. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick in 2007 in order to move up to select Branch 33rd overall.

Yet, he never has started a game and played in only four in 2008. He was listed at 338 pounds in the media guide but often was considerably heavier.

This off-season, however, he took his conditioning seriously. He's at 320 pounds, the lightest he has been since he played at Michigan.

"The only year I'm disappointed in, when I wasn't a true professional, was my second year, coming to camp overweight," Branch said. "I didn't have the passion I always had for it. It was a deep hole.

"Right now I'm just trying to show the coaches that I'm having fun. If they want to put me in the game, cool. You would probably have fun watching me, too."

Branch didn't do anything special to lose the weight. He credits the acquisition of a girlfriend, who has him reaching for cooking utensils, not takeout menus. Meals prepared at home tend to have fewer calories, he said.

"You don't want to have that rap: This guy ate himself out of the league," Branch said. "So I'm trying to make sure I'm healthy."

Like Branch, Watson is in the best shape of his career. He weighed 324 pounds at the start of camp, and though he still receives treatment for a knee condition, Watson said he is moving better than he has in two seasons.

Only in his second season, Johnson's situation is a bit different Matt Leinart than Watson's and Branch's. His problems last year were on the field. He blew some assignments and missed too many tackles.

"There were definitely times where I was like, 'What's going on? I can play better than this,' " Johnson said. "It was all a comfort level. After a year of playing, an off-season here, I feel a lot more ease on the field."

The Cardinals drafted Johnson out of Alabama because he had a reputation for toughness and intelligence.

First-round draft pick Dan Williams was headed up the hill from Phoenix to training camp after agreeing to terms Friday on a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

The six-foot-three, 327-pound nose tackle from Tennessee is expected Larry Fitzgerald to join in team meetings and participate in the Cardinals' practice on Tuesday.

Williams, the 26th pick overall, will be groomed to play between Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell on Arizona's defensive front. At first, though, he will be behind two-year starter Bryant Robinson on the depth chart

Coach Ken Whisenhunt likes to slowly work his first-round picks into the lineup, making them earn the spot. He did that with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie two years ago and running back Beanie Wells last season.

Williams played in a 4-3 defence in college but will shift to a 3-4 alignment with Arizona.

He was an all-SEC first-team selection last season, when he had 70 tackles, including 2½ sacks with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback pressures.

During the draft, Whisenhunt said one thing stood out when looking at Williams.

"This guy has 70 tackles," Whisenhunt said, "so for me that shows an ability to redirect, chase plays to make tackles, a very active guy. When you combine that with his size. ... That's really something that's intriguing to us. As I made the comparison to basketball the other day, to me he's like a seven-footer who can play."

Earlier Monday, Whisenhunt said he knew Arizona was close to an agreement with Williams on Sunday night. There were widespread reports of an agreement through the day on Monday, including a Twitter message from Dockett, but the team didn't make it official until late in the afternoon Arizona time, in the midst of the team's second practice of the day.

After practice, Whisenhunt was asked if Williams' participation in summer workouts Anquan Boldin would mitigate the time he has lost in missing three days of training camp.

"No," Whisenhunt said. "We got some good work in the last couple of days and I don't think you can make that up but he's sure going to try."

He said Williams' earlier workouts gave him a lesson in what is expected of an NFL player.

running game woes of the Houston Texans

Meanwhile, Houston coach Gary Kubiak thinks Foster, an undrafted rookie in 2009, may turn out to be a major discovery. The 23-year-old Foster spent the first 10 games of 2009 on Houston's practice squad before emerging as the team's top backfield threat in December.

Kubiak said the 23-year-old Foster is mature beyond his years and will be tough to unseat for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

"He's just growing up and becoming a totally different young man," Kubiak said. "We are not going to have a battle about how he tries to give his effort. That's over. It's all about football with him. He got his chance and he is going to be a fine player. We are all excited to see what he's doing right now."

Foster is approaching this training camp with the same mindset as last year with one difference — instead of fighting for a roster spot, he's aiming for a starting role.

"My mentality hasn't really changed," he said. "Once you get an opportunity, you have to produce. You have to show them what you can do. I wasn't up at 5:30 (a.m.) this offseason for nothing, so my mentality isn't, 'This spot is mine.' My mentality is, 'This spot is going to get taken. I am going to take it.'"

But there's more to establishing a running game than just finding the right running back.

The Texans sustained key early injuries on their offensive line last season, and the unit struggled at times to click in the ground game.

Kubiak hired Rick Dennison to replace offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who went to join his father, Mike, in Washington. Dennison was Kubiak's successor in Denver and under him, the Broncos rushed for 124 yards per game between 2006-08.

Dennison doesn't want to make major scheme changes in Houston, just forge chemistry between the running backs and the line. He said the continuity between the units was missing at times in 2009.

"It wasn't as coordinated, for whatever reason, as a package as I've seen them Brian Cushing do in previous years," Dennison said. "That's all we're trying to do, is make sure everyone is on the same page and being consistent with what we're trying to do."

The Texans' anemic running attack also left them unable to sustain key possessions late in close games. Dennison said that may be the most important area to improve.

The Texans worked out in pads for the first time Sunday morning. They wore shorts, so there wasn't full contact, but there were some collisions.

"I liked them," coach Gary Kubiak said of his five running backs. "This is their first day to get hit. I was interested in watching Steve (Slaton) get hit since he's coming off his (neck surgery). I thought that he looked good. Chris (Henry) continues to impress me. It's a bunch of good, young, fresh legs."

Quarterback Matt Schaub continues to operate without one of his favorite targets — tight end Owen Daniels, who has been out since the eighth game of last season when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Daniels was on a pace for 80 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns - all of which would have been career highs.

Because Daniels isn't healthy enough to pass the team's physical, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. Once he is healthy, he will be activated. The coaches are hoping he will be 100 percent in time for the Indianapolis opener.

"I feel like he can be ready," Schaub said. " From what he says, he's feeling Andre Johnson good and just progressing in his rehab."

In his first season he appeared to be the answer to the running game woes of the Houston Texans. Last season, his sophomore year in the NFL, he was anything but the answer. Rested and recovered from surgery, Steve Slaton is out to prove that he still can be the running back the Texans want.

 With training camp now underway for the Texans, Slaton aims to prove just that.

 "That's what training camp is all about…It's about coming out here and learning from the mistakes that you've made and showing the coaches what you have." (Chron)

 Slaton has been working out with the second team so far; former scout team running back Arian Foster has been getting the first team reps.