TheFantasyExchange.com

If you haven’t already entered the FF Weekly Playoffs Challenge, I recommend doing so immediately because www.TheFantasyExchange.com is giving away a prize package to the winner of the competition.

All you need to do to enter is post a comment in the section below or just e-mail joe@thefantasyexchange.com, type “PLAYOFFS” in the subject and you’re in!

You can also hit me up on twitter at @FantasyExchange to enter and keep up with the competition as it’s going on.

League Home Page: http://www27.myfantasyleague.com/2011/home/70549

RULES

This a Weekly Pick ‘Em pool that requires each owner to submit their best group of players each week to score the most points throughout all four weeks of the playoffs.

YOU CAN ONLY USE A PLAYER ONCE DURING THIS COMPETITION

It’s free to enter and you can play fantasy football in the post-season for a chance at a prize package, what more could you ask for? OK – I’ll work on getting some scantily clad women in the picture.

Is it WAY too early to start thinking about 2012 rankings?

Maybe it is but that isn’t stopping our friend Shane P Hallam, who is compiling a master list of fantasy football experts and their initial PPR Rankings over at GOAheadScore.com.

Why not post some of these here at TFE? Well the following is my entry for the master list which cannot include rookies and is a limited number of players but it may be helpful if you, like Shane, also have an early draft to prepare for.

Feel free to rip these rankings in the comment section or just hit me up on twitter: @FantasyExchange

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QBs
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Matt Stafford
5. Tony Romo
6. Cam Newton
7. Philip Rivers
8. Michael Vick
9. Eli Manning
10. Ben Roethlisberger
11. Peyton Manning
12. Matt Schaub
13. Jay Cutler
14. Carson Palmer
15. Matt Ryan
16. Josh Freeman
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
18. Sam Bradford
19. Andy Dalton
20. Joe Flacco
21. Mark Sanchez
22. Jake Locker
23. Christian Ponder
24. Kyle Orton

Read more…

On our last episode of “IDP Report Radio”, we brought up our initial 2012 Rankings and I had a lot of people asking where they can access that online.

Well, here’s my list from the show that includes extra sleeper picks just in case you would like to make fun of them at some point this off-season.

Don’t worry, this is NOT a final edition and you can expect some more extensive rankings when the draft is a little closer but until then, please enjoy ripping these apart…

Feel free to submit some feedback here or up on twitter: @FantasyExchange

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• Defensive Linemen Rankings
1. Jared Allen-MIN
2. Jason Pierre-Paul-NYG
3. Terrell Suggs-BAL
4. Trent Cole-PHI
5. Justin Smith-SFO
6. Julius Peppers-CHI
7. Calais Campbell-ARI
8. Jeremy Mincey-JAX
9. Charles Johnson-CAR
10. Chris Long-STL

Read more…

Offensive Coordinator: Jay Gruden

The Bengals finally gave Bob Bratkowski the old heave ho, but don’t expect their run-heavy ways to stop. Head coach Marvin Lewis commented in the off-season that the team would get back to running the ball even more.  Jay Gruden is the brother of Jon Gruden and has most of his coaching experience in the Arena League and UFL, outside of being an offensive assistant for his brother with the Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008.  He was a successful Arena League quarterback and will look to implement some of those quick-hit passing concepts into Cincinnati’s offense.

Fantasy Football Impact

QB Andy Dalton: It’s to be assumed that Carson Palmer has played his last game as a Bengal and while the though of that of that might scare most, Dalton not only inherits a very talented young receiving corps but will also be coached by what most league insiders consider to be an up and coming offensive mind. Dalton will most certainly have rough stretches of the season but he does have some potential to be a matchup play during the course of the year.
RB Bernard Scott: Gruden will certainly have a lot of screen plays and check downs to the backs, featuring more high percentage passes for rookie passer to potentially work with. I’d expect some odd formations from the arena league offensive mind which would likely feature a talented receiver like Scott lining up in the slot, as well as in the same backfield as Cedric Benson (or whoever they bring in via free agency). Scott gets an upgrade in PPR leagues and makes for a nice mid round pick in most formats.
WR AJ Green: This year’s Bengals might be a rough version of what Gruden has in mind when it comes to the potential of starting somebody other than Carson Palmer for the first time in seven years. The positive is that AJ Green has the talent to overcome a bad situation and will likely lead Cincinnati in receptions and yardage in 2011. While that may not amount to a weekly starter in PPR leagues, I’d bet on him as a #4 receiver based on talent alone. (If you don’t believe me when I say that Green is one of the best receivers to come out since Calvin Johnson, then maybe you’ll believe this guy → AJ Green Profile).
WR Jordan Shipley: Shipley might end up being the player who benefits the most in the new offense because of his skill set and the passing attack featuring more timing based routes that will command precise route runners in the slot. His sure hands and ability to recognize the weaknesses in an opposing secondary will likely turn into a safety blanket underneath for whoever the quarterback ends up being. He’s going to be a nice late round receiver to take chance on because of his increased role in his second year.
TE Jermaine Gresham: Gresham is a forgotten man by some but Bengals fans in the know are expecting big things from the Oklahoma product. His ability to beat linebackers and safeties down the seam will be utilized quite often in this offense, it will also help that Gresham is going to be more than two full years removed from his torn ACL that cost him his senior season in college. While he may not be an ideal starter, he is a high end backup that’s brimming with potential.

Want more info or have questions on other players? Hit me up on Twitter → @FantasyExchange

With the NFL Draft right around the corner, there’s more than a few players that are starting to standout from the rest of the other prospects at their position.

We’re starting a Series on “Fantasy Football Weekly” leading right up to the NFL Draft.

Countdown to the Draft: FF Rookie Rankings – We’ll spend a bulk of each show profiling all the names to know at each important fantasy football position. Get the edge on scouting the soon to be rookies in your fantasy draft with us each week!

SCHEDULE

March 30th: TIGHT ENDS – http://tobtr.com/s/1628295
April 6th: IDP PLAYERS – http://tobtr.com/s/1628299
April 13th: QUARTERBACKS – http://tobtr.com/s/1677777
April 20th: WIDE RECEIVERS – http://tobtr.com/s/1677793
April 27th: RUNNINGBACKS – http://tobtr.com/s/1677805

Join us every Wednesday at 9:00pm EST during the month of April for our “Countdown to the Draft Series“…

Also – Please check us out on facebook if you haven’t already because we have our own fancy Page at: http://www.facebook.com/FantasyExchange

I know, I know… “You’re Late!“.

I deserve that. Not only should a blog be useful but it should be timely and that’s fine if you want to criticize me if you’ve been waiting a whole day.

I’m just glad to have week 6 out of the way. I mean what a kick in the ass. With all of my awesomeness last week, I think karma just decided to give me a nice smack on the face to make things balance out.

Either way, it’s about time to get to what went on this week before we get to the waiver picks.

• Terrible news for Houston Texans all-pro LB DeMeco Ryans this week, as he’s been placed on injured reserve for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. While DeMeco Ryans owners might be hurt by this news, it is a huge opportunity for Zach Diles who will replace Ryans as the team’s starting middle linebacker.
• Sorry Sean Weatherspoon owners but it looks like the outstanding rookie from Missouri will be shelved once again with an ongoing knee issue. Stephen Nicholas should enjoy yet another fine week in tackle heavy IDP leagues, especially since he’ll likely be rookie Jermaine Gresham’s shadow this week. He’s a great short term starter as long as Weatherspoon remains injured.
Read more…