0-16. Four years later, it still hurts. My name is Rob, and I am a Detroit Lions fan
living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rooting for a team
that’s accustomed to heartbreak and disappointment on the football field, it’s
easy to associate with the Vikings fans here.
Although the Vikings have made four Super Bowls, and played in the NFC
Championship game in 2010, the pessimism and anxiety surrounding the team is
high. The jury is still out on Christian
Ponder, and everyone is wondering if Adrian Peterson will be healthy to start,
and most importantly to finish the season.
As a Lions fan, I wish I could experience their
anxiety and pain, as we haven’t won a playoff game since I was two years old!
 |
| Expect big things from the Detroit Lions in 2012! |
As both our teams fail the litmus test for a successful NFL
franchise, there’s another common entity the Vikings and Lions share: Adrian
Peterson and Calvin Johnson are, respectively, the best players on their teams,
and fantasy studs. Before last season,
Peterson was a top-5 RB each season he played.
In 2011, Megatron caught 96 balls for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns last
year, and is undeniably the best receiver in the game. That being said, unfortunately neither of them
makes my top five this year. Below are my top-five fantasy players for the 2012
NFL season.
((1)
Aaron Rodgers
As much as I loathe the Green Bay
Packers, Mr. Rodgers has established himself as T-1 with Tom Brady as the best
QB in football. He was also the top scorer in ESPN standard leagues in 2011. Rodgers leads an extremely dynamic Packers
offense with many weapons, however, what makes Rodgers so special is his
accuracy. His completion percentage has
increased each year as a starter, from 63.6% in 2008 to 68.3% in 2011. His marksman-like precision sets him apart
from other quarterbacks with his arm strength, and with so many weapons around
him, he should be the best player in fantasy football this year.
((2)
Tom Brady
Brady finished T-3rd in
fantasy points in ESPN standard leagues last year. Considering the addition of Brandon Lloyd,
and another year for Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to develop, I expect
Brady to match his numbers from last season.
Brady’s precision and sheer volume of attempts will allow him, like
Rodgers, to remain entrenched at the top of the fantasy football point’s
ladder.
((3)
LeSean McCoy
Will the Real Slim ‘Shady’ please
stand up? Shady McCoy and the Eagles will be out to prove that last season was
a fluke, although despite missing the playoffs McCoy still managed 20 TDs and over
1300 rushing yards. With or without a
healthy Michael Vick, McCoy is a duel threat out the backfield that will star
in the Eagles powerful offense.
Considering the injury histories of Arian Foster and Adrian Peterson, I
expect McCoy to be the top RB in fantasy this year, and the #3 overall player.
( (4)
Ray Rice
Who doesn’t like a little R&R?
Whether it’s rest and relaxation, getting rough and rowdy, or #27
Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens! Rice led the NFL in yards from scrimmage, and
doesn’t have much of a threat to share carries with him. As the #1 fantasy
scorer among running backs in 2011, it would be ill-advised to bet against
Rice, who’s played all 48 games the past three seasons and has only fumbled
five times in four NFL seasons!
((5)
Matthew Stafford
I’ll admit, I’m a Lions homer. But
Stafford’s statistics from last season speak for themselves. 5th among QBs and 5th
overall in fantasy scoring, Stafford returns all his major weapons and has
another season of experience under his belt.
Even if opposing teams triple cover Megatron, (wouldn’t be surprised if
they did…) the lack of a running game and a mediocre defense should allow
Stafford to light up the scoreboard, throwing to Calvin Johnson, Brandon
Pettigrew, Nate Burleson, and my sleeper pick…
Sleeper: Titus Young
As a proud Lions fan, I can’t help
but label Titus Young as my sleeper pick for the 2012 fantasy season. Young caught 48 passes for 607 yards and 6
TDs last year, and those numbers should escalate this year. Rumor has it Young will be operating opposite
Megatron this year, with Nate Burleson working out of the slot. Thus, if Stafford throws the ball as much as
he did last season (very likely) Young should be in for a huge year, assuming
he can consistently beat his coverage.
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