Fantasy Football articles - Sports Grumblings.com

WR Lee Evans has developed into a genuine big-play receiver.

It looks like Head Coach Dick Jauron will have to endure another season of covering his eyes as the Bills offense has not been upgraded much during the offseason. Not only did the Bills trade Willis McGahee, but they did not sign anyone threatening to compliment Lee Evans downfield. Unfortunately, the Bills play in a tough division and with three other teams making important upgrades, you’re most likely looking at a last place team. Fact is, Miami, New York and New England either already possess the tools to make the playoffs, or made upgrades to give themselves a better chance at making the playoffs. On paper, the outlook for the Bills is bleak, but this team has “second half sleeper” written all over it.

2007 GAME PLAN

Offense: This is the year we find out if J.P. Losman has what it takes to be a decent fantasy quarterback. The Bills offense does not look explosive enough to make Losman look anything more like a low-end QB2. With Willis McGahee gone, Marshawn Lynch is thrust into the full-time running duties and although talented enough to be a quality featured back, he’ll have to kick it into high gear right off the bat if the offense is going to spark. In case you didn’t know, Lynch tallied 53 touchdowns combined in his last two college seasons with over 2000 rushing yards. He has the size, speed and brains to be a quality running back in the NFL. Give Lynch a few weeks to get acclimated to the league and he’ll lead the way to a big Bills second half.

Lee Evans led the Bills in receptions in 2006 with 82 receptions for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns. Look for those numbers to get better as the Losman-Evans connection gets another full season together. The question this year is who will be the number two? Who will take the pressure off Evans? Could it be Peerless Price, Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish, or Sam Aiken? Price no longer seems like a threat. He won’t hurt you but he’s not the spark the Bills are looking for. Reed has been having a great camp thus far and could break out as the number two and a possible sleeper in deeper fantasy leagues.

Defense: With the Bills defense suddenly in shambles, one bright spot is second round pick, LB Paul Posluszny. When he entered the Bills second preseason game, Posluszny was all over the field, recording nine solo tackles. He lacks the size of most middle linebackers, but his aggressiveness and speed are his best attributes. Also, with Anthony Hargrove suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and DL Ryan Denney out with a broken foot, the Bills need Posluszny to step up in a big way. In IDP leagues however, DL Aaron Schobel with 53 tackles and 14 sacks last year is the Bills most dominant defender and is extremely underrated, while DL Chris Kelsay is not too far behind.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

J.P. Losman, QB: Losman spent all of last season suffering through growing pains and a weak supporting cast. This year, although the upgrades were minimal, Losman should be play smarter and more confident knowing that he has at least one viable deep-threat weapon in Lee Evans. In five starts last December, Losman threw for 1044 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions compared to the 694 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in all of November. His success really depends on his supporting cast, which at the moment needs help. Adding Derrick Dockery and 6’ 8” offensive tackle Langston Walker and could be a huge lift for the Bills offensive line.

Lee Evans, WR: Evans showed promise late last season after a 265 yard, two touchdown performance in late November and then followed it up with a touchdown in four straight games to end the season. With a full year with Losman under his belt, the duo should find more creative ways to click this season as Evans is the go-to guy in this offense. If Marshawn Lynch can find ways to break free and another wide receiver could step up, defenders may spend less time on Evans overall and his fantasy value could skyrocket.

Marshawn Lynch, RB: With McGahee out the door, its Lynch Time! He’s the got size, speed and brains to have a break out year in his first NFL season. He can also block and catch. The Bills will be depending on Lynch to create the spark that McGahee failed to create. With the additions of Langston and Dockery to protect him, Lynch could find the success that we were all waiting for McGahee to capture.

Paul Posluszny, MLB: The 34^th pick of this year’s draft landed a middle linebacker who has been compared to Tedy Bruschi. An “all over the field” type of defender who has the speed and aggressiveness to rack up tackles for fantasy teams and adds a much needed multi-dimensional player to the Bills defense. He lacks size, but his knowledge of the game and eye for the big play make up for his 6’0” frame.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None

TRANSITION PLAYER
None

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
RB Josh Scobey, unrestricted free agent
OT Langston Walker, unrestricted free agent
OG Derrick Dockery, unrestricted free agent
C Jason Whittle, unrestricted free agent

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None acquired

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
None

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
RB Anthony Thomas, unrestricted free agent
CB Kiwaukee Thomas, unrestricted free agent
DT Tim Anderson, restricted free agent
DE Tony Hargrove, restricted free agent

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
RB Marshawn Lynch, signed/draft choice
OT Langston Walker, free agent
OG Derrick Dockery, free agent
RB Josh Scobey, free agent
C Jason Whittle, free agent
LB Paul Posluszny, signed/draft choice
QB Trent Edwards, signed/draft choice
RB Dwayne, Wright, signed/draft choice
S John Wendling, signed/draft choice

PLAYERS LOST
RB Willis McGahee, traded for draft picks
LB London Fletcher, traded
LB Takeo Spikes, traded