Hakeem Nicks is something of a risk if drafted as a top-five fantasy receiver since he's missed five games over the first two years of his career and was banged up in others, but he revealed a ton of potential racking up 79 receptions for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns over just 13 games during his second year in the league last season. At 6-1, 215, Nicks is physical and willing to go over the middle yet also possesses plenty of speed, evidenced by his 20 catches for 20-plus yards in 2010. Last year's 8.2 YPT wasn't anything special, but it's worth noting Nicks was one of just eight receivers to see more than 25 percent of his team's targets, according to Pro Football Focus, and that number should only increase with the departure of Steve Smith (Eli Manning relies as much on his X and Z receivers as any quarterback in football). Moreover, Nicks was targeted 12 times inside the 10 last season – the leader was Larry Fitzgerald with 14, and Nicks did that in just 13 games. As a second round pick, there's no doubt Nicks carries some risk with his questionable durability and lack of a track record, but his per-game stats prorated to 97 catches, 1,295 yards and 14 touchdowns over a full season last year, and it's safe to expect him to further improve during his third year as a pro. Larry Fitzgerald and Roddy White are safer options, but only Calvin Johnson matches Nicks' upside from the receiver position.
One of the most sexist ads of all-time.
Deacon Jones, on the other hand, is a staunch backer of equal rights.
I entered summer somewhat down on Felix Jones but have since joined the ever growing hype train (late to the party, I know). His lack of goal-line work (he's just 1-for-6 there over the past two seasons) remains a concern, but he's explosive and plays in a potentially extremely high-powered offense, so while he scored just two total touchdowns last year, there's no reason he can't reach eight or so in a similar way LeSean McCoy can. While Jones saw his YPC drop from 5.9 in 2009 to 4.3 last season, he improved greatly as a pass catcher, as he racked up 49 receptions for 450 receiving yards after entering with a career total of just 21 and 129, respectively. With Marion Barber out of Dallas, Jones is looking at a career-high workload in 2011, barring injury. He's never going to be a 325-carry guy, but with his newfound ability as a receiver, all it would take is 250 rushing attempts (say 15-17 carries a game) for him to be a potential major fantasy factor. Coaches have soured on Tashard Choice, and rookie DeMarco Murray continues to battle the injury-prone label, whereas Jones has had a fantastic camp so far. As the lead back in an offense featuring Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, Jones shouldn't be overlooked in fantasy leagues.
This mockup of sportscasters by "Batting Stance Guy" slayed me. Tim Kurkjian is hilarious.
This is likely the last red card this ref ever considers giving.
What Josh Freeman did last season shouldn't go unnoticed. Considered raw coming out of Kansas State, he completed 61.4 percent of his passes with a 25:6 TD:INT ratio during just his second year in the league. Thanks to a more difficult schedule and some natural regression after the Bucs were generally considered quite lucky in 2010, most expect Tampa Bay to take a step back this year, and Freeman's stats may suffer as a result. While there's little doubt last season's INT|PERCENT| isn't sustainable, from a fantasy perspective, things could actually get better. For one, a tougher schedule should result in playing from behind more often, which should lead to more pass attempts, as the Bucs ranked 23rd in that category last season. Moreover, considering Freeman got 7.6 YPA with a 15:1 TD:INT ratio over the second half of last season, it sure seems like he's improving with more experience, and further growth could be expected in year three. Mike Williams has a ton of talent and should only get better as a sophomore now capable of running more than just a handful of routes, and add in Arrelious Benn along with a healthy Kellen Winslow who had the rare offseason without a knee surgery, and Freeman has more than enough weapons to work with. It would be nice if LeGarrette Blount was a better pass catcher, but his tackle breaking ability will also demand opposing defenses' attention. Carolina is obviously a plus matchup, and it wouldn't be a surprise if shootouts ensued versus the Saints and Falcons, so Tampa's division is also a plus. Finally, only Michael Vick had more rushing yards as a QB than Freeman last year, and at 6-6, 248, it's safe to call it a fluke he didn't run for a single score. Freeman is just another reason to wait on quarterbacks in fantasy leagues, as I'd feel comfortable with him as my QB1.
This chimp makes a gorilla look like a chump.
I'm guessing this marriage didn't end happily.
I've been burned by Beanie Wells each of the past two years, yet still find myself willing to give him another chance this season. I'm not some crazy apologist – he's clearly injury-prone and was downright awful when on the field in 2010. During his rookie season, fumbles could be blamed for his lack of carries. Last year's excuse was a preseason knee injury that lingered throughout and sapped all his explosiveness. With Tim Hightower jettisoned, this is seemingly Wells' make-or-break year, as even with second round pick Ryan Williams in tow, Arizona's coaching staff is apparently going to give Wells every chance to act as the team's feature back in 2011. When healthy, he has the physical tools to take advantage of it, but at some point, that statement comes off as me saying if I threw 100 mph I'd pitch in the majors or if my uncle had a sex change he'd be my aunt, as Wells needs to actually prove he can remain durable. I'm not the biggest Kevin Kolb fan, but there's little doubt he'll be an upgrade at QB (last year Arizona quarterbacks combined for a 50.8 completion percentage with 5.8 YPA and a 10:19 TD:INT ratio), and it's an inherent advantage playing in the weak NFC West. Fool me once, shame on Wells. Fool me twice, shame on me. Is there a third saying to this?
LeBron James getting schooled at a youth camp.
Tony Romo's bachelor party sounds like it got out of control.
Dallas police looking for a robbery suspect wearing underwear as a mask.
After Vincent Jackson's impressive, albeit brief, performance on national TV recently, he's likely shot up draft boards, and rightfully so. VJax has never had 70 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards or double-digit touchdowns in a season during his career, but I wouldn't be surprised if he passed all those marks in 2011. As a deep threat, he loses some value in PPR formats, but at 6-5, 230 and in a dominant passing attack, there's no reason he can't reach a dozen touchdowns, especially with Antonio Gates continuing to battle foot problems and TD machine LaDainian Tomlinson no longer on the roster. Once again playing for a big contract, Jackson will be highly motivated and has the benefit of one of the best quarterbacks in football throwing to him as the team's clear WR1. After missing the first 14 weeks of last season thanks to a holdout and calf injury, he promptly racked up 112 yards and three touchdowns in his second game, revealing the kind of upside matched only by a handful of other receivers. One year after Jackson got a whopping 11.8 YPT (the highest since the yards-per-target stat was tracked) on a ridiculous 69 percent catch rate, Jackson got 10.3 YPT in his brief action last season, so even a modest increase in looks would make him an easy top-five WR. I'd certainly prefer Jackson over Dwayne Bowe.
55-year-old casino exec releases one of the worst rap videos ever.
Me and Chris Liss yelling at each other.
I've never been a big Tim Hightower fan (of course, this probably has everything to do with owning Beanie Wells the past two years), and Pro Football Focus actually graded him as the worst running back in the NFL last season, with his biggest liabilities coming as a pass catcher and blocker, which doesn't exactly fit his narrative as a great third down back. Regardless, what matters most to fantasy owners is that Mike Shanahan is apparently a big believer, and with the competition dwindling (I like Ryan Torain, but he can't stay healthy, and while I still consider Roy Helu a nice late round flier, he appears a ways off from contributing), Hightower is seemingly Washington's feature back, although it's worth noting his previous fumbling problem has carried over into practices this year. While I admittedly question Hightower's talent, this is a back who's one year removed from racking up 63 receptions, got 4.8 YPC last season playing in a bad offense and has totaled 23 rushing touchdowns over the past three years despite never seeing more than 153 carries, so if he truly becomes a lead back in a Shanahan offense, a role that looks increasingly likely, he's going to make an impact in fantasy leagues.