Michigan's "Pursuit Of Japiness" Taking You Into The Weekend

The Wolverines are more than likely going to get bent over by the defending champs tomorrow night in Arlington, so the least I could do to lift Big Blue spirits would be to re-post one of my all time favorite YouTube videos, "Pursuit of Japiness". Enjoy LDW and E-Zoo you crazy fools, the Tide aren't going to be the only ones rolling come Saturday.

BBM? You know I got itttt

What's your piiiiiiiiin?

-fresh (@danye33)

7 BOLDER Predictions For The 2012 NFL Season

This is my rebuttal to J-Font's post from yesterday

1. Blane Gabbart will complete 51% of his passes

Sunshine barely missed out on this historically pathetic benchmark last season, coming in at an abysmal 50.8%. But with the addition of Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon, I could see him making the leap to Area 51 this time around. With MJD still in full on prima donna mode, this team has less fantasy prospects than the Browns.  The only thing the Jags have going for them is that all of their games are going to be blacked out in local markets so their non-existent fan base won't have to watch them curl up in the fetal position and get Sandusky'd week after week. Oh yea, and Shad Khan looks like what would happen if Vinny Chase fucked Erik Estrada and then threw on a goofy ass mustache just to make sure no one takes his team seriously.

2. Greg McElroy will be the Jets starter by week 14

Mark Sanchez is an inaccurate, horn dog, who displays the same amount of confidence in the pocket as Scotty Smalls did the first time he played at the Sandlot. Tim Tebow is an inaccurate, virgin, whose inexplicable luck is about to run dry on this side show attraction of a team. McElroy inherits the starting gig by default once Sanchbow throw the season away to the tune of a 3-9 start. Just like Jonah Hill said in Funny People, there's nothing funny about a physically fit man. Sexy Rexy was 100% more likable when his waist size matched his mouth.

3. Jahvid Best will make it through an entire game without getting a concussion

Just kidding! He won't play a down this season.

4. Ryan Tannehill's wife divorces him by the end of the season

This may be a horrible thing to say, but not nearly as horrible as the Dolphins are going to play this season. We're talking about a team that traded away their best offensive (Brandon Marshall) and defensive (Vontae Davis) player, missed out on Peyton Manning, failed to lure even one halfway decent player in free agency and spent a top 10 pick on a player who was the sixth highest rated passer IN HIS CONFERENCE last year! Tannehill didn't even know what conference the Chiefs played in, how is he supposed to know how to get his smokeshow wife off? Lauren's gonna be blowing the lawn guy come Christmas.

5. Rob Gronkowski will not play week 13 against the Dolphins

Gronk will spend that Sunday at Jackson Memorial hospital after nearly OD'ing on Molly the night before at Prive.

6. T.O. and Ochocinco will fight each other in a celebrity boxing match

Let’s be real here, both of these men have a twisted desire to stay relevant, even long after their NFL worth has diminished. So what better way to make headlines, money and an ass out of themselves than to fight each other in the octagon on live TV?  We could get Randy Moss, Braylon Edwards and Plax to judge it and have Evelyn Lozada as the Round Card Girl. This way she’ll be at arms reach for Ocho to head butt his frustration out on after he inevitably gets his shit pushed in by T.O.

7. Ralph Wilson dies, children promptly move the Bills to Toronto

Ralph was alive for the Black Sox cheating scandal in 1919. If that doesn’t put his cognitive function into perceptive for you, I don’t know what will. How someone this old and cheap is allowed to make executive decisions for a football team is beyond me. It’s only a matter of time before he goes, and when he does, his kids are going to waste no time in separating this organization from the barren tundra that is Buffalo, New York. The only thing more depressing than this team is the city itself. They had four chances to become immortal in the early 90’s and they choked every single one of them away. Don’t expect the same thing to happen once Wilson’s heirs get their hands on the franchise.

-fresh (@danye33)

Chooch's College Football Mega-Preview

After a second monotonous summer of the working life, I’m thrilled to welcome back college football this weekend. I’m also happy to return to making weekly contributions to the 2 Man Weave, which has grown tremendously since I last left it back in January.

Storylines to Watch this Season

SEC’s Dominance- Schools from the SEC have won the past 6 BCS championships, and the conference appears primed for another run this year with 5 schools with realistic shots to go all the way. Last year’s title game participants LSU and Alabama are loaded again, while Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina all start the season in the top 10 and have the talent and experience to make runs. Each year, we wait for the conference’s teams to knock each other out of contention. I think this might be the year we see every SEC team end up with 2 losses, which would effectively knock the conference out of a title game shot. No doubt we’ll hear plenty of complaining from SEC fans if that’s the case, but unfortunately, I can’t disagree with them at this point.

USC’s Resurgence- After 2 years of bowl bans and scholarship reductions, USC is back in the spotlight and ready for another championship run (probably not what the NCAA was expecting when it handed down its rather severe penalties). Lane Kiffin has shown himself to be a competent college head coach and an outstanding recruiter (although let’s be honest: I could recruit elite players to the weather, girls, LA cool, and football tradition of SC). The biggest reason the Trojans are a preseason pick to win it all is the return of senior quarterback Matt Barkley, who forewent an opportunity to be drafted in the top 5 to return for one last run at his childhood favorite. He’ll have 2 of the country’s top receivers to throw to in Robert Woods and Marquise Lee in what should be the best offense in the land by far. The questions will be on defense and overall depth, which has been hurt by the sanctions.

The Big Ten- The conference has taken an image hit recently with the Ohio State and Penn State scandals, but should have a few teams capable of contending nationally this season. Michigan and Michigan State both return a solid amount of starters to teams that won 11 games last season and should be in contention for the Rose Bowl and at large-BCS berths. Michigan will rely on the amazing talents of Denard Robinson at QB, while MSU will feed off one of the best and most physical defenses in the nation. Wisconsin should be a contender again as well behind what is always a great offensive line and the return of Montee Ball, a Heisman front-runner.

Florida State- Perhaps everyone was a bit premature with the pre-season fawning over the Seminoles last season, but 2012 should finally be the year we see a return to the 1990’s Florida State we all know and some of us love. The defense could be the nation’s best, while the offense showed some playmaking ability late last year. There are issues on the offensive line, but starting so many youngsters last season should pay dividends now. There are no more excuses for Florida State. This is the year they should, and will, get it done.

Conference Shake-ups- West Virginia and TCU join the Big XII conference this season to replace Texas A&M and Missouri (both departed for the SEC). Football-wise, this trade is probably a wash for the Big XII, with WVU and TCU actually representing a potential upgrade on the field. However, it will be strange not to see some old rivalries out there this year (particularly Texas-Texas A&M).  Texas A&M and Missouri will get a quick introduction to the SEC by hosting Florida and Georgia respectively in week 2.

5 New Coaches to Watch this Season

1. Urban Meyer- Ohio State: The 2-time national champion at Florida suddenly felt well enough to take one of the most pressure-filled jobs out there, although it makes sense for him as a Buckeye state native. The Buckeyes won’t be eligible for a bowl this season due to hangover sanctions from the Tressel years, but should be improved from last season’s 6-7 record. Meyer has a quarterback that fits his system (Braxton Miller) and lots of talent on defense. Year 1 will be a honeymoon, but expectations will skyrocket in 2013.

2. Rich Rodriguez- Arizona: The former West Virginia and Michigan head coach takes over at an Arizona program that had hit a plateau under Mike Stoops (now the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma). Rich-Rod brings an exciting spread offense that should thrive in the wide-open Pac 12, as compared to the stodgy Big Ten. The biggest coup for Rodriguez: getting his former West Virginia DC Jeff Casteel to join him at Arizon.

3. Mike Leach-Washington Sate: The pirate returns to the coaching ranks after his bizarre exit from Texas Tech a few years ago. Like Rich Rod’s, Leach’s offense should thrive in the Pac-12. This was a great hire for a Cougar program looking for a spark. Expect Washington State to become a consistent bowl team under Leach, but it should take a few years at least before we see it.

4. Larry Fedora- North Carolina: Fedora makes the jump to the BCS level after leading Southern Miss to prominence the past few years. There’s nothing flashy about Fedora, but he’s a very good football coach who should instill some discipline into a program that clearly lacked it under Butch Davis.

5. Kevin Sumlin-Texas A&M: Sumlin takes over an A&M program in a state of flux, having just fallen flat on its face at 6-6 in 2011 (a season which saw them open in the top 10), and having just joined the toughest conference in the country (the SEC). Sumlin brings his high-powered spread passing attack from Houston and it will be fascinating to see if it can work in a defensive conference like the SEC.

5 Players with the Biggest Shoes to Fill

1. Josh Nunes-QB-Stanford- Replacing the number one overall draft pick and a college legend is never easy, but the task at Stanford will be especially arduous. Luck became the face of the program’s resurgence over the past few seasons and Nunes will have to continue that momentum. The Cardinal should have a great running game and defense, but how well they replace Luck will determine whether they can contend for another BCS bid.

2. Notre Dame Wide Receivers- All-time leading receiver Michael Floyd is now gone, so the throw- it-up-in-his-general-direction play is now stricken from the playbook. No single receiver will replace Floyd’s production, so a team effort of TJ Jones, John Goodman, Davaris Daniels, and freshmen Chris Brown and Davonte Neal will need to make plays.

3. William Campbell-DT-Michigan- The Wolverines lose 4-year started Mike Martin, who made up for any physical limitations with a great motor and intensity. He’ll be missed in the middle of the line, as will Ryan Van Bergen. William Campbell is a former 5-star recruit who has battled weight and motivation problems throughout his career. Michigan really needs him to step up and play to his potential to shore up its run defense. It will be tested right out of the gate against Alabama.

4. Andrew Maxwell-QB-Michigan State- Kirk Cousins quietly had one of the best college careers in recent memory and was the driving force behind the Spartans’ emergence as a perennial Big Ten championship. Maxwell is a 4th year player who should be ready for the spotlight. He’ll lean on what should be an elite running game at first, but eventually he’ll need to make plays if the Spartans are going to make a run at the Rose Bowl.

5. Wes Lunt-QB-Oklahoma State- Coach Mike Gundy wasted little time naming true freshman Wes Lunt as the starter this spring. He has a big task ahead of him, replacing the most prolific passer in school history and first round pick Brandon Weeden.

5 Impact Freshmen

1. TJ Yeldon-RB-Alabama- Yeldon was committed to Auburn until late January last year, then flipped to arch-rival Alabama. He has elite size, strength, speed, and vision. In short, he can do it all, and will get a shot to help replace top 3 pick Trent Richardson.

2. Dorial Green-Beckham –WR-Missouri: The Tigers scored a huge recruiting victory when the elite in-state receiver chose to stay home over a host of SEC schools. A 6-6, 220+ pound matchup nightmare, Green-Beckham has a chance to become a star from day-one.

3. Shaq Thompson-S-Washington- Thompson was committed to Cal for awhile before switching to the Huskies on signing day. He is an elite defensive back prospect, with the size and physicality of a linebacker combined with the speed and cover skills of a cornerback.

4. Stafon Diggs-WR-Maryland- Diggs shocked most recruiters when he opted to stay home and attend in-state Maryland over Ohio State and Florida. He brings elite speed and agility and should see the field right away for the reeling Terrapins.

5. Ondre Pipkins-DT-Michigan- Pipkins should see the defensive tackle rotation early at Michigan, which seeks to replace uber-productive Mike Martin at the center of the Wolverines’ defense. At 6-3, 325, he has the size and strength to hold up.

Honorable Mention: Davonte Neal-WR/PR-Notre Dame- The Irish landed Davonte Neal after signing day last March, and it was a huge pickup. The diminutive Arizona native (5-9) brings elusiveness and speed to ND’s slot receiver position and the punt return unit.

Games to Watch - Week 1

1. Boise State at Michigan State (Friday) Boise State has made a killing on these season-openers when they have all offseason to prepare, but they won’t have Kellen Moore for the first time since 2007. Michigan State looks for a statement win in week 1 and should have success running the ball.



2. NC State vs. Tennessee (Friday-Atlanta) NC State is a sleeper in the ACC this season, with senior QB Mike Glennon leading the way. Tennessee is looking to take a step forward in a pressure-filled 3rd season for Derek Dooley. A loss would be crippling to Tennessee and really rile a frustrated Vols fanbase.

3. Notre Dame at Navy (Dublin, Ireland) The game itself isn’t overly meaningful (besides to me), but it will be interesting to see a game overseas, and one that starts at 9 am.

4. Clemson vs. Auburn (Atlanta) A huge game for both teams to start the season on the right foot. Clemson looks to build upon last year’s ACC title season (while erasing the memory of the 70-33 beatdown taken in the Orange Bowl), though they must do so without superstar sophomore WR Sammy Watkins, who is suspended for the first few games. Auburn looks to get back on track after slipping to 7-5 last season. This is also a big SEC-ACC matchup, as is NC State-Tennessee.

5. Michigan vs. Alabama (Arlington) There’s no question that this is the biggest game of the weekend, as the two historical powers will meet in shiny new Jerryworld. The Crimson Tide must replace a bevy of starters on defense, but there’s always talent there for Nick Saban. Michigan has some holes, but they also have Denard Robinson, and accordingly enter the season as a national title contender. The Wolverines could also provide a big lift for the Big Ten’s national reputation with a win here.

-Chooch

7 Bold Predictions For The 2012 NFL Season

1. Peyton Manning plays all 16 games for the Denver Broncos, but they go 8-8 and miss the playoffs

The Sheriff and his Laser Rocket Arm have looked healthy in preseason so far, which should be encouraging for a roster that won their division and a home playoff game with Tim Tebow taking the snaps. What isn't encouraging is the brutal schedule Manning and the Broncos will face after making the playoffs a season ago: Pittsburgh, at Atlanta, Houston, Oakland, at New England, at San Diego to start the season, with games against New Orleans, at Cincinnati andat Baltimore after the bye week. It's also been well-documented that Peyton is much better indoors, having played eight home games every year in Lucas Oil as a Colt. In 2012, Denver's only dome game is Week 2 on the road against the Falcons. Even if he stays healthy, the transition to a new offense, the adjustment to playing at Mile High, the year away from football, and the arduous schedule (five nationally televised night games) add up to exactly eight wins, and second place in the AFC West at best. For the first time since 2001, a team led by Peyton Manning will miss the playoffs.

2. The Jets go 6-10 and Rex Ryan doesn't get fired

Everything about the Jets’ offense screams mediocre, from their below-average receiving corps to their lack of explosiveness in the running game, and especially the poor play of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow in the preseason (two players who both have a lot to prove). Their defense should be good enough to keep them competitive, but an offensive revolution is taking place in the NFL - by focusing most of their resources on their offensive line and defensive backfield, Gang Green is missing the boat. They've let their pass rush and vertical passing game fall too far behind the rest of the league, despite drafting Quinton Coples and Stephen Hill, which is kind of like trying to fix a burst pipe with paper towels and Scotch tape. The Jets are one key injury and a Santonio meltdown away from the first losing season of the Rex Ryan Era, with a few hard lessons in team-building along the way.


3. The New York Giants start the season 5-0...and don't win 10 games

The logic here is simple. Their first five games: Dallas, Tampa, at Carolina, at Philadelphia, Cleveland. What is nightmarish: games against San Fransisco, Green Bay, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, with four divisional games sprinkled in. Yikes. There is also some historical context to this bold prediction. After winning the Super Bowl in 2007, the 2008 G-Men started the season 12-1, but lost four of their next five after Plaxico Burress accidentally put a bullet in his own leg. The 2009 campaign started 5-0, but ultimately resulted in a disappointing 8-8 finish when the schedule got tougher. 9-7 may still be good enough to
win the NFC East this season, with divisional games playing a crucialpart as always.

4. All 3 1st-round rookie running backs lead their teams in rushing

Assuming he bounces back from arthroscopic knee surgery, Trent Richardson shouldn't see much competition for carries in the Browns’ backfield. Doug Martin is the clear-cut starter in Tampa Bay, with coaches and experts predicting at least two-thirds of the carries going to him instead of LeGarrette Blount (great name, better right cross) the x-factor in this prediction is David Wilson, the Giants’ first-rounder who's expected to start the season behind Ahmad Bradshaw. With Bradshaw struggling to stay healthy last season, and Brandon Jacobs now in the crowded San Francisco backfield, I'm willing to bet Wilson racks up the most yards of any Giants running back. Fantasy footballers, take notice.

5. The New England Patriots go 14-2, sweep their division, and only lose to coaches named "Harbaugh"

The defending AFC champs play only four games against teams that made the playoffs last year. Two of them are coached by the Harbaugh brothers, with the other two being the Broncos and Texans. The last time New England lost the Super Bowl to the New York Football Giants, they finished the following season 11-5 with Matt Cassel at quarterback, and STILL somehow missed the playoffs. With the additions of veteran wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, and first-rounders Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower, the Pats are poised to improve upon their 13-win campaign from a year ago.


6. The Minnesota Vikings lose their last 8 games of the regular season

First half of the schedule isn't too bad... until Week 9: At Seattle, Detroit, at Chicago, at Green Bay, Chicago, at St. Louis, at Houston, Green Bay. Hey Minneapolis, good luck winning this division anytime between now and 2017. Especially with Christian Ponder under center.Is it Timberwolves season yet?

7. For the 2nd time in NFL History, 10 QBs pass for 4,000+ yards

It's not difficult to picture a scenario where Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler, Michal Vick, Robert Griffin III and Sam Bradford all clear the 4,000-yard mark, and that's only considering the NFC. Throw in Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, and Andrew Luck, and this seems less like a bold prediction and more like a mortal lock. I'm going to get even bolder and say that for the 1st time in NFL history, 12 QBs will pass for over 4,000 yards.

BOOM!

-J Fonts (@JohnAnthony37)

Great Moments In Unfriended History- Vol. 1

This is a new segment here at the Weave where we take a look at some examples of unacceptable behavior on Facebook. The names have been blurred out to protect the guilty, but do let this serve as an example for what type of shit has no business being posted on the internet. I have a feeling this series is going to turn into a fan favorite very quickly.

Have an annoying "friend" taking up space on your newsfeed? Screen shot his or her status and send it my way to dan.chiavetta@gmail.com.

-fresh (@danye33)

Music Videos That Don't Suck Vol. 12

Because all MTV airs lately is Twilight spin-offs, gelled up DJ's and lactating teens, I've taken the responsibility to provide you, the reader, with worthwhile music videos to watch. The below video, Puzzling Thing, is the debut single off Bramzig's second mixtape of '12, Newer York, and features the kid strolling around in his second stomping ground- Bean town.

When we last heard from Bramzwig, he getting ready to take his talents to Australia's Golden Coast. Well the twenty one year old rapper has since returned state side, and picked up right where he left off. With the release of July's Newer York, Bramzwig has propelled himself to iconic status as he enters his senior year at Bentley University in Boston, Mass. Look no further than the comment section on any one of his videos if you don't believe the hype- you'll find a plethora of requests for collaborations, concerts and new music. 

-fresh (@danye33)

Don't Sleep On "Asleep In The Machine"

The last time we heard from Dan Carret, our Canadian correspondent, he was weighing in on the mystery of the severed foot. Since then, Luka Magnotta has been caught, which frees us up to talk about some more important issues- like the release of Asleep In The Machine's latest single "Pretty Little Liar". Dan formed the Canadian rock band along guitarist Trevor Matthews and singer Nicholas Cerny in February of 2011, and after making a name for themselves across the greater Toronto area, the guys have now set their sights stateside. With both electric and acoustic songs in their arsenal, there is something in their song book for everyone.

As a sign of the change in times, the guys have chosen to forgo putting out an entire album right off the bat, instead opting to release tracks single by single on iTunes. To go along with "Pretty Little Liar", you can also purchase fan favorites "Bones" and "Lonely Lives".

When asked about how soon we can expect to see them on American soil, Carret was realistic about the need to build up their pull to cover expenses, but noted that if one of their videos goes viral, we might be seeing them sooner than later.

The band certainly has the determination and focus to break through in the music industry, and with some more time to grow, and some increased exposure, Asleep may very well find themselves living the dream.

Check out Asleep In The Machine's cover of Muse's "Hysteria" and 'like' them on Facebook.

-fresh (@danye33)

My Obsession With "Say Anything" Parodies Continues

(Source: blackblackgold, via licoricenecklace)

-fresh (@danye33)

Awesome 90's Songs You May Have Forgotten- Marcy Playground "Sex and Candy"

Top 1 all-time of songs that made car rides with your parents uncomfortable every time it came on the radio as a kid.


-fresh (@danye33)

The Emergence of Russell Wilson

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has never been one to shy away from brash statements and radical decision making. Some have cost him his job (his stint with the Jets comes to mind) while others have helped him find wild amounts of success (National Championships, albeit not without controversy, at USC). In his latest high risk, high reward decision, Carroll has opted to start the season with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson instead of Matt Flynn--whom many thought would be the franchise quarterback after inking a contract with Seattle during the off season.

Wilson, who was a third round selection in April’s Draft, has looked more like a seasoned vet than a green rookie during the preseason. In two games against the Titans and Broncos, Wilson looked impressive against the opponent’s second team defenses, hurting both with his arm and legs. Wilson had been building momentum, becoming increasingly comfortable in Carroll’s offensive scheme and with Flynn out with an injury this past weekend against the Chiefs, Wilson seized his opportunity and showed why the coaching staff--and Carroll in particular--have been raving about the young man from Richmond, Virginia.

Arrowhead Stadium is an intimidating setting for any quarterback (preseason game or not), especially for a rookie making his first start in the NFL and most pundits believed that once& Wilson faced a first-team defense he would be exposed. But Wilson showed the same poise that helped him lead the Wisconsin Badgers to a Rose Bowl during his lone season in Madison. The rookie quarterback looked like he was ready for the spotlight, torching the Chiefs defense with a 13-19, 185 yard, 2 touchdown passing performance while throwing in runs of 37 and 21 yards to keep the hype machine rolling. By the time he was replaced by Tarvaris Jackson, the Seahawks were up 44-7 and Wilson’s legacy had been birthed.

Wilson has the skillset of the new generation of quarterback with his ability to hurt teams through the air and on the ground. At 5’11’’ he may not be as physically big or explosive (though he did run an impressive 4.55 40 at the combine) as guys like Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton, but he has great instincts and the leadership qualities that coaches dream about.

Starting a rookie quarterback is always a risky move and Pete Carroll’s decision to go with Wilson will either make him a hero or a put him on the unemployment line. Fortunately for both Carroll and his quarterback, the Seahawks have some legitimate weapons to help ease the inevitable growing pains that will come during the regular season. Running back Marshawn Lynch is a potential 1,000 yard runner and will take pressure off of Wilson and while wideouts Golden Tate and Sidney Rice have underwhelmed during their stints in Seattle, a new man under center might provide a spark.

Most importantly, the Seahawks have two great options at the tight end position in Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow. During Cam Newton’s rookie season in Carolina, the tight end tandem of Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey did wonders for Cam, providing a safety outlet for the talented quarterback helping him build confidence as the season went along. Expect a similar situation in Seattle as Miller and Winslow provide Wilson with reliable hands over the middle and threats in the red zone. When healthy, Miller has shown he can be a trusted receiver and Winslow has quietly been one of the most consistent tight ends in the League (16 games, 75 catches last season in Tampa Bay). Both tight ends will be relied on heavily to help bring along Wilson and their veteran experience will only make their quarterback’s transition run smoothly.

Yes, it’s only the preseason and yes, there is a lot of hype surrounding an undersized quarterback with one professional start under his belt. But, there is a lot to like about Russell Wilson and he will breathe life into the franchise, providing one of the most rabid fan bases in football a new hope in the Pacific Northwest.

-Dubs

This Is How You Make A God Damn Trailer

The latest installment of The Challenge: Battle of the Seasons kicks off September 19th and holy shit does it look good. This is like the bizarro-Real World St. Thomas preview. Bikini's and fight scene swag for days. I think I'm actually more excited for this season than I am for the football season and this is coming from a guy who has already spent more than twenty hours researching, writing about and participating in fantasy drafts. Below you can find my preseason power-rankings, by team, for Battle of the Seasons. You can expect a full preview as the premiere date approaches.

8. Brooklyn-  because even MTV wanted to see Chet fail.
7. New Orleans- because Preston once rubbed a housemates toothbrush on his brown eye.
6. Cancun- because C.J. had aspirations of being an NFL punter.
5. St. Thomas- because if Robb would go so far as to hit himself, imagine what he might do to the competition?
4. Las Vegas- because if Dustin Zito can handle living in "fratpad", he can handle living in the Challenge house.
3. San Diego- because Frank isn't intimidated by Wes what-so-fucking-ever (see above video).
2. Sydney- because Dunbar once starred in a reality tv themed porn.
1. Austin- because every season needs a villain, and this year, the bulls-eye is on Wes. 

-fresh (@danye33)

Must See YouTube Video Of The Week- Dipset Freestyle On Rap City

Here are three reasons this Rap City performance is cooler than anything else I've seen in the rap game in the past five years:

3) Jim Jones is wearing a Priest Holmes jersey with a du-rag, fitted cap and bandanna- SIMULTANEOUSLY.

2) Jim Jones refers to himself as "Young Mohamad Atta" because of the way he breaks down cocaine towers. 

1) Cam'ron counts his money stack throughout the entire video, even while freestyling. 

"I'm Anfernee, do things the Hard-a-way"

-fresh (@danye33)

R.I.P. Tyrell Thompson

When I got the text message earlier this afternoon telling me that former Kennedy High School star and current Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Tyrell Thompson, had passed away during a pick up basketball game at his station in Virginia, I didn't want to believe the words that my brain was processing. How could this happen to someone with such a bright future? And although we may never truly know why it happened, I can speak to the legacy this great man left behind.

Growing up in the Westchester hoops scene, you got to know your competition pretty quickly. Tyrell and I were in the same grade, but from a young age it was apparent that he was cut from a different type of cloth. After dominating my CYO team (the Holy Innocents Friars) for the better half of our middle school years, I thought maybe I would have a better shot against him in high school.

I didn't.  

Thompson would go on to star for Kennedy Catholic in Somers, New York. In his three years as a member of the varsity team, he finished with over 1,300 career points, a class B State and Federation title in 2004, and two more trips to the State Championship in his junior and senior seasons. 

Oh yea, and a 5-0 record against yours truly. In my eyes, Tyrell was the Michael Jordan of Section One basketball. It didn't matter if you double teamed him, box and 1'd him, at times even triple teamed him, he was going to get his 25 points, and there was nothing you could do to stop it. Those Gales teams were a force to be reckoned with, steam rolling through conference play en route to three consecutive League and Section titles, but everyone from the coaches, to the players, to the fans, knew he was the guy who made them click.

What I admired most about Tyrell, aside from his incredible basketball ability, was the way he presented himself on and off the court. Despite routinely running us out of the gym with his silky, lefty jumper or effortless slashes to the hoop, he never show boated or trash talked. Every game was business as usual.

He wasn't there to embarrass his opponents, he was there to win.  

After high school Thompson would go on to play Division 1 basketball, while serving our country, as a member of the U.S. Army at West Point. In 2010 he was named the Journal News Section One Class B Player of the Decade. He could have easily played professionally overseas. Instead he chose to fight for our freedom overseas.

In a perfect world, I had dreamed of organizing a pick up game with all my rivals from the Class of '06 for old times sake. 

In a perfect world, Tyrell would still be here. 

-fresh (@danye33)

5 Wide Receivers To Proceed With Caution

Dez Bryant, Cowboys

No player at his skill level has a tendency to disappear for longer stretches of a game than Dez Bryant. In fact, more than 50% of his 9 touchdowns last year came in the first quarter. With Miles Austin recovering slower than expected from his hamstring injury, the opportunities for Bryant to shine should be plentiful. Whether or not he is mature enough to step in and fill that void remains to be seen. Remember, this is a player who went high in drafts last year and finished with up with only two games of 80+ receiving yards, failing to hit the century mark altogether.

Dez is being hyped up as the Cowboys #1 receiver heading into this season, which is all fine and dandy, but you should think twice before spending a third or fourth round pick on him.  For where he is projected to go in drafts this year, you’re better off going with someone like Julio Jones or Jordy Nelson.

 Kenny Britt, Titans

It was 1993's A Bronx Tale that taught us that the saddest thing in life was wasted talent. That is exactly how fantasy owners and Tennessee Titans management have felt about Kenny Britt since he entered the league as a first round pick in '09.  Since then he's racked up nearly as many arrests (8) as he has touchdowns (15) and after missing more than three quarters of the '11 season with a torn ACL, it's understandable to question whether or not he will ever live up to expectations.

When healthy, there's only a handful of receivers that are better than Britt. He's a lifetime 17+ YPC guy who put up a ridiculous 271 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first two games of last season. But can you bank on him staying out trouble and remaining healthy for an entire season? If his most recent incident of stupidity in which he posted a picture to Instagram of a $9,915 fine he got from the Titans is any indication of his maturity level, fantasy owners should not bank on a drama-free season with Britt. If he falls to you in the seventh round, you can make the case that he's worth the gamble. If not, wait it out and draft teammate Kendall Wright a few rounds later. Britt's woes could lead to huge gains for the rookie out of Baylor.

Laurent Robinson, Jaguars

I served with Tony Romo, I knew Tony Romo, Tony Romo was a friend of mine. Blane Gabbart, you're no Tony Romo.

After Laurent's 858/11 breakout season in Dallas, fantasy owners had high hopes for the 6th year wide out heading into '12. Then he signed a 5 year/$32.5 million deal with Jacksonville and his fantasy stock went up in smoke faster than the Hindenburg. The Jags threw for just 12 touchdowns last year and a league worst 136 YPG in the air, and with Sunshine lining up under center for a second year in a row, don't expect new results. Avoid everyone on this team not named Maurice Jones-Drew like the plague until all your starting slots are filled.  

DeSean Jackson, Eagles

The years of heading into your fantasy season with DeSean as your WR1 are no longer acceptable. He's the type of boom or bust player that burns defenses deep once or twice per game, but goes long stretches without any meaningful contributions. In Yahoo! standard scoring leagues last year, Jackson was the 29th best wide out. He saw only 14 red zone targets in all of '11, and his touchdown total decreased for a third year in a row (9 to 6 to 4). After finally signing the lucrative deal he so desperately wanted, one has to wonder whether or not his hungriest days are behind him. If you have your heart set on drafting an Eagles WR, go with Jeremy Maclin. He can be had a round later than Jackson and will catch a minimum of twenty more balls.

Santonio Holmes, Jets

Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley and Chaz Schilens.

No those aren't the actors names from April's remake of "The Three Stooges", those are the Jets wide receivers alongside Santonio Holmes. It's no wonder Antonio Cromartie announced at training camp that he would be the second best receiver on this team if he switched from defense to offense. They've got nobody. Holmes can expect double teams and errant passes all year long. Even with Plaxico stretching defenses a year ago, Holmes only managed a measly 654 receiving yards. His red zone production is what makes him a viable option at the flex position, but other than Shonn Greene, you should stay away from drafting any Jets player. They're far too inconsistent.

-fresh (@danye33)

5 Wide Receiver Sleepers To Keep An Eye On

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos

Thomas’ 80 yard walk-off touchdown reception versus the Steelers in round one of last year’s playoffs marked the official start of the “Age of Demaryius” in Denver. The second year receiver out of Georgia Tech averaged an impressive 17+ YPC last season with the oft-inaccurate Tim Tebow throwing him the ball, so you can bet he’ll be licking his chops at the chance to play catch with Peyton. You would have to go back to 1998, Manning’s rookie season, to find a year in which one of his receivers did not crack 1,000+ yards. Thomas is a shoo-in to hit that milestone this year.

Demaryius should be targeted as either a low end WR1 or high end WR2.  He is a perfect fit for owners who like to go QB, RB, RB in the first three rounds, seeing that he should still be on the board in round 4. Teammate Eric Decker may end up leading this team in catches, but look for Thomas to be the wideout that leads his fantasy team to the title, putting up more yards and touchdowns along the way. If Peyton stays healthy, he should have no problem reaching double digit scores.

Jon Baldwin, Chiefs

With Dwayne Bowe still holding out for a new contract in Kansas City, the number one spot on the Chiefs receiving depth chart is Baldwin’s for the taking. Even if Bowe does come to his senses before the season starts and suits up for Week 1, he’ll still be playing catch-up in terms of learning Brian Dobell’s new offense, not to mention the time it will take to get his body back to playing shape. Which is why you should bank on a big time season from this former first rounder out of Pitt.

Baldwin missed the first six games of last season with a thumb injury and had a hard time finding his stride after that. But after a summer full of team workouts and the opportunity to be a starter, all the ingredients are there for a breakout fantasy season. Depending on how fast WR’s are going in your draft you should be able to land Baldwin in the seventh or eighth round.

Robert Meachem, Chargers

After years of putting up spontaneous breakout games from time to time amongst the ever growing rotating cast of Saints receivers, fantasy owners will finally be able to feel a sense of stability starting Meachem week in and week out in San Diego.  With Michael Floyd and the aging Antonio Gates as Rivers only real options to throw too, Robert finds himself in an ideal situation. The Chargers finished sixth in the league in passing a season ago, so you know they like to take it to the air whenever possible, making Meachem an intriguing fantasy prospect.

With Floyd’s injury record serving as a massive red flag, Big Meach should be the first Charger wideout off the board come draft day. Throw him in your flex spot early, and watch as the wins pour in.

Antonio Brown, Steelers

After inking a five year/$42.5 million contract extension this offseason, it’s clear that Pittsburgh intends to move forward with Brown as a focal point of their offense. Unlike teammate Mike Wallace, Brown got the big payday he was looking for after putting up an unexpected 1,108 yards in '11.  He became Big Ben’s favorite target as the season progressed and you can bank on their on-field relationship to progress even more this time around.

Whether or not current holdout Mike Wallace suits up this season for the Steelers, it will still be a win-win for Brown’s fantasy owners. If Wallace does comes back, he will likely demand many double teams, allowing for more man-to-man coverage for Antonio to exploit. If Wallace doesn’t come back, Roethlisberger will have no choice but to throw Brown’s way 10+ times per game. Don’t hesitate to grab him in the 6^th round, 5^th for 12 team leagues. There’s only a handful of 1,000 yard/10 TD’s guys and he has the potential to be one of them.

Torrey Smith, Ravens

No player in the league posed more of a home run threat than Torrey Smith did last season. After going catchless in his first two NFL games, he dove into the fantasy football pool head first during a week 3 game that saw him take each of his first three career catches to the house for scores. He would go on to set the franchise rookie records for  receptions (50), receiving yards (841) and touchdowns (7), and with Anquan Boldin’s production on the decline, the time is now for Smith to shine in Baltimore.

The Ravens like to play it safe for the most part, preferring to either run it or dump it off to Rice in the flats, but Smith’s game-breaking speed requires defenses to play honestly and account for him at all times. He’ll never be a slot receiver that crosses the middle twenty times per game, in fact his single game high for receptions last year was just six, but boy does he make those catches count. At nearly 17 YPC, he’s about as all or nothing as it gets, but if you draft in the right spot, preferably the 6^th round, he just might take your team all the way in 2012. 

-fresh (@danye33)

Does This Look Like The Face Of An Autobot Arrested For DUI?

(TCPalm) A 19-year-old man who said his dad was an "Autobot" was arrested after a deputy stopped his "woogity" car and found he smelled of booze, according to a recently released affidavit. Michael Rexford - the self-described son of an "Autobot" - was jailed on a DUI charge after a Martin County Sheriff's deputy reported spotting his vehicle just before 5:30 a.m.after a "long, plastic-looking piece" dropped from the Saturn, the deputy turned on his emergency lights and the vehicle stopped. Famously led by Optimus Prime, Autobots are a group of heroic robots in the "Transformers" animated series that debuted more than two decades ago. The enemies of the Autobots are the Decepticons, as opposed to sheriff's deputies. The affidavit didn't state whether Rexford specified which Autobot was his father.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend I had any idea what went on in any of the Transformers movies beyond Megan Fox washing cars and robot cars fighting each other. But I know enough that if I’m a cop and someone tells me they’re the son of an Autobot I’m inclined to believe them. Pretty sure I’m out of my jurisdiction. Might be wise to just let Sector 7 come in and take this one. Not like you got the guy on capital murder, it's just a DUI. Last thing I need is some Decepticon ruining my pension or my chance at detective. Best bet is to probably let Michael Rexford walk (or stumble) on this one. Especially with the car getting all “woogity”. Zero chance I’m sticking around to watch this car moprh into some relative of Optimus Prime. Maybe this is the real reason the government bought GM and stopped making Saturns. Truth probably lies somewhere in Detroit at the GM headquarters or with Calvin Johnson, guy is Megatron after all. Either way unless Megan Fox was involved you can count me out.

-Bacon

5 Running Backs To Proceed With Caution

Adrian Peterson, Vikings

After undergoing both ACL and MCL surgery this off-season, now might be a good time to switch up Peterson's nickname from "All Day" to "Day to Day".  With his Week 1 availability still in question, fantasy owners will have a tough decision to make come draft day. When healthy, there is no doubt that he's a top 5 talent, but with limited time to prepare, and no realistic shot at making the playoffs, it may be in the Vikings best interest to protect their investment and ease him back on to the field.

If you do decide to roll the dice on A.P., it's essential that you handcuff Toby Gerhart as a safety precaution. He'll be the guy doing the heavy lifting should Peterson end up missing time. It should also be noted that Minnesota will be playing from behind more often than not, which could be detrimental to their rushing stats.
Wait it out and grab him in the third round if he falls to you.

There is certainly some cause for concern for Peterson owners in keeper leagues as well, seeing that his rushing total decreased last season for the fourth year in a row, and with close to fifteen hundred carries under his belt already, it looks like some of the wear and tear is already starting to catch up with him.

DeMarco Murray, Cowboys

Murray was a top tier wavier wire pickup last season, and this time around, he's projected to be one of the top 10 running backs off the board. There's a lot to love about this guy, including his running back leading 5.5 YPC (Cam rushed for 5.6), game breaking speed, and potential to get monster touches in the Cowboy offense. However, there are some red flags that need to be considered before investing a second round pick on the second year back out of Oklahoma.

For starters, the Boys haven't had a thousand yard rusher since Julius Jones rushed for 1,084 in '06. This is not to say that Murray's potential isn't light years ahead of whatever Marion the Barbarian, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice or any other back Big D brought to the table these past five years, but it is evidence of a heavy, pass-first trend. With Tony Romo under center and Miles Austin back from a nasty hamstring injury, a strong dose of passing attack should be just what the doctor (Jason Garrett) ordered.

With a roster that oozes offensive talent, the Cowboys are one of those teams like Green Bay and New Orleans that suffer from New Englanditis, not enough balls to go around. Hence DeMarco Murray's 85:1 touches to touchdown ratio in his rookie campaign.  That number was unrealistically high, and he should see the end zone 7-9 times in '12, but it is something to consider while you're on the clock.

Frank Gore, 49ers

To the untrained eye, Frank Gore had a career year last season for the 13-3 49ers. The eight year vet rushed for more than 1,200 yards with eight scores and appeared in all sixteen regular season games for the first time since '06. But after further examination, it becomes painfully clear that his production dropped significantly in the second half of last season, a trend that looks to continue heading into '12 with the acquisitions of LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs to the already crowded San Fran backfield.

For the first half of the season last year, Gore averaged a remarkable 97.5 rushing YPG, including a streak of five consecutive games where he broke the century mark. That number dropped off to a more pedestrian 53.6 rushing YPG in the second half of the season, where he saw an average of close to five fewer carries per contest. He also only caught 17 balls last year, the first time he's had a season with under 40 receptions since his he was a rookie.

Gore is still a viable option as a RB2 for the sheer reason that the Niners' offense caters to the ground and pound game, just be prepared for a major drop-off. Look for Kendall Hunter to see the majority of the action on third downs, while Jacobs continues to do what he does best: steal touchdowns.

Willis McGahee, Broncos

Willis benefited last season in Denver from being in the right place at the right time. With Tebow at the helm, John Fox knew that eating the clock, minimizing turnovers and keeping the ball on the ground was the only game plan that would give them a shot at being successful, and to their credit, it worked perfectly. McGahee fell a yard shy of 1,200, surpassing the coveted thousand yard milestone for the first time since '07, yet inexplicably only scored 4 touchdowns on 261 touches.

If Willis had a hard time finding his way into the end-zone on a team that ran the ball 546 times last year, then it's going to be extra hard this time around with Peyton Manning under center slinging the ball 40 times per game. From Week 5 on, McGahee only caught one pass for 2 yards. Manning has a long track record of using his running backs as safety blankets when nothing is open down field, so look for the Broncos to give each of their five RB's a shot at becoming Peyton's dump off guy. Also, look for McGahee to find himself on the sidelines during obvious passing situations.

At the end of the day, he's still the number one back on the Broncos depth chart, so clearly there is some fantasy value to be had by drafting him at the right spot. Just don't bank on a repeat of last season.

Mark Ingram, Saints

Only the Lions took to the air more often than the Saints did a year ago, in an offense that saw Drew Brees shatter the record for most passing yards in a single season with 5,476. So it goes without saying that touches in the New Orleans backfield come few and far between. Fantasy owners had high hopes for the former Heisman winner heading into his rookie season, but after putting up underwhelming stats in limited opportunities (474 and 5 on the ground with a sub 4 YPC), it's safe to say Mark won't be getting drafted nearly as high as he did last year (4th-6th round).

Surely some of his lack of production can be attributed to the breakout success of Darren Sprolles, the 5'6 speedster who caught 86 passes out of the backfield to go along with his 6.9 YPC (on 87 attempts), and nagging injuries (Ingram missed six games due to turf toe), but even in the games he did play in, it never really felt like he was a good fit for this team.

From a fantasy standpoint the Saints have three elite players in Brees, Sprolles and Jimmy Graham. Then things get dicey. Ingram certainly has the potential to have a breakout season, but whether or not that will happen is far from guaranteed. Draft with caution, preferably sometime after the seventh round.

-fresh (@danye33)

Reader Text- What Man Would Order This Burger?

What man would order this burger?

-Deez

I'll tell you what type of man would order this burger. A man who's either A) incredibly comfortable with his sexuality or B) incredibly cheap. Why wouldn't you just spend the extra fifty cents for some delicious cheese and save yourself the embarrassment?

-fresh (@danye33)

Bill Plaschke Highly Recommends Making Andrew Luck Your Backup Fantasy Quarterback This Season

image via

Bill Plaschke, the award winning L.A. Times columnist and recurring talking head on Around The Horn, was very impressed with what he saw out of the number one overall pick, Andrew Luck, last night. Luck went 16 for 25 with a pair of picks in a 26-24 preseason loss to the Steelers at Heinz Field. Though to his credit, he did orchestrate two drives which resulted in touchdowns, including a game tying rushing score with under two minutes to go in the first half. Let’s see what our friend Bill thought about Mr. Luck’s seemingly pedestrian night, shall we?

That seems like a fairly reasonable place to draft Luck at. Quarterbacks are always a hot commodity in fantasy leagues and the Colts should find themselves playing from behind often, leading to lots of garbage time yards. I'm with you so far Bill, if you want to go RB-RB-WR-WR and roll the dice with Luck as your starter, all the more power to you. 

Andddd just like that you've lost me. So now you're suggesting that your aforementioned fifth round pick on Andrew Luck is to fulfill a BACKUP role? You've got to be kidding me. That means with players like DeSean Jackson, The Law Firm, Denarius Moore, Reggie Bush and Vincent Jackson (more than likely) available you're instead going to draft a SECOND quarterback for the sole reason that you "want him on (your) team"? Dude this is FANTASY football. Leadership and camaraderie don't mean shit. If he's not going to be in your starting lineup getting you points each week then what good is he to you? I feel like I'm being trolled by some old dude who wants to seem "hip" with the youngsters by being "in" on the hot, new rookie.

To touch on Plaschke's next tweet, Cam Newton scored the fourth most points in Yahoo! Standing Scoring leagues a season ago, so to say that rookie QBs can be "legit fantasy backups" is kind of a moot point. But once again, this is either some kind of bizarre backhanded compliment to rookies or another failed attempt at being "in the know". I'm pretty sure talent plays a greater role than the new "sophistication of college programs", but what do I know?

Cave Man Translation for Tweet #2- "NFL HAVE LOT OF GOOD QBS. MUST DRAFT HIGH"

As far as Bill missing out on Cam Newton last year, he can go ahead and cry me a river. Players come out of the woodwork and overachieve every single year. It's part of the game- deal with it. Don't overcompensate by wasting a top 50 pick on a player you only intend on starting once this season.

Oh, and enjoy last place.

-fresh (@danye33)

5 Running Back Sleepers To Keep An Eye On

Doug Martin, Buccaneers 

Aside from Indianapolis, no team took a bigger step backwards last season than Tampa Bay. But after a stellar off-season that saw them rebuild from the top down with acquisitions like new head coach Greg Schiano (Rutgers), to free agent signings like Vincent Jackson, Eric Wright, Carl Nicks and Dallas Clark, the Buccs proved they have no intention of staying down for long. Another crucial piece to their quick rebuilding process was the addition of rookie running back Doug Martin, whom they drafted 31st overall. Martin, also known as the "Muscle Hamster", runs a 4.47 40, and catches balls with ease out of the backfield, a skill that ultimately lead to the demise of LeGarrette Blount's tenure as the team's starting running back.

Doug is a do-it-all back cut from the same cloth as Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy, and should see close to three hundred touches this season when it's all said and done. He had 32 touchdowns in his final two years at Boise State, and could be just the weapon Josh Freeman needs to get his groove back. If things go right, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Martin finishes this year as a top 10 fantasy running back. He would make for an ideal RB2 on any fantasy roster.

Donald Brown, Colts

Despite talks that Delone Carter could see an increased role in the Indy backfield this year as well, drafting Donald Brown is not only a safe pick, it's the smart pick. Brown should have a breakout year, but that might have more to do with who's lining up under center than it does with who's running the ball. Rookie quarterbacks love their running backs. They're their safety blankets and most backs generally see an increased workload with an inexperienced shot caller taking the snaps. Let's take a look at the rookie seasons of Sam Bradford, Joe Flacco and Eli Manning, three former first round picks, as an example of this trend.

Bradford was the 1st overall pick in the '10 draft and in his rookie season lead back Steven Jackson rushed for 1,240 yards on 330 carries.  In '09, Joe Flacco's rookie year, Ray Rice cruised for 1,339 yards on 254 carries. In '04, Eli's rookie year, Tiki Barber ran wild for 1,518 yards on 322 touches. Now these numbers by no means assure Brown of a career year, but it is something to take into consideration when building a fantasy team. They're not going to want to throw Andrew Luck to the wolves right off the bat, which could lead to some heavy duty lifting for Donald in his first year as the team's starting back.

Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis, Bengals

With The Law Firm set to open up shop in Cincinnati, things just got a whole lot tougher for opposing AFC North defenses. Hate on his lack of break away speed all you want (he was the only starting RB who failed to break a run of 20+ yards a year ago), but you have got to love his efficiency in short yardage situations. In the past two seasons, Green-Ellis has rushed for over 100 first downs, and only Arian Foster has found the end zone on the ground more times (26 and 24 total TDs respectively).

After being stuck in a running-back-by-committee during his first four years in New England, it will be exciting to see what kind of numbers he puts up as the go-to-guy in Cincy. As a team, the Bengals put up the 5th lowest yards per carry last year, but look for that to change with a revamped Ben-Jarvis at the helm and some new additions to the offensive line. Such as drafting consensus All-American Kevin Zeitler, a guard from Wisconsin, and Travelle Wharton, whom they signed from Carolina.

Green-Ellis is the only back in the last decade to carry the ball over 500 times without fumbling, so that has to count for something. If you can grab him as your flex back this year, you should be primed to make a run for the title.

Steven Ridley, Patriots

Drafting a running back from the Patriots can be risky due to the abundance of mouths to feed in that offense, but it can also be extremely rewarding. In the past three years the Pats have scored 56 rushing touchdowns. That's good for tops in the league.  Both Joseph Addai and Danny Woodhead's best days are far behind them, leaving Ridley's only true threat in the backfield to be fellow second year back Shane Vereen from Cal. Even if the two do end up splitting carries in Foxborough, look for Ridley to step right into the aforementioned Law Firm's role of goal line back and walk away with double digit touchdowns. Anytime from the seventh round on would be a good time to take a flier on this young bruiser out of LSU.

Isaac Redman, Steelers

With Rashard Mendenhall set to miss some serious time due to a knee injury suffered in the final regular season game of last year, look for Redman, the third year back out of Bowie State, to step right in and carry the majority of the Steelers rushing workload without skipping a beat. Isaac ran for 121 yards on just 17 carries in Pittsburgh's first round playoff loss to the Broncos in January and Steeler faithful are confident he can pick up right where he left off.  The starting role was really his to lose even before Mendenhall went down, seeing that Redman is younger and has had a higher yards per carry in each of the past two seasons. Look for him to be anywhere from the thirteenth to eighteenth running back drafted in most standard fantasy leagues, although his 4.3 yards per reception could be a cause for concern in PPR format play.


Also keep an eye on the touchdown poachers 

Peyton Hillis (K.C.), Michael Bush (Chi) and Brandon Jacobs (S.F.) all find themselves on new teams, playing behind backs who were oft-injured during the 2011 season, with Kansas City's Jamaal Charles almost missing it entirely. This should lead to plenty of carries for the new guys, especially in goal line situations after long, grueling drives down the field. Of these three, you should draft Bush first (anytime after the eighth round) due to Forte's slim frame and constant knack for taking beatings. Followed by Hillis anytime after the tenth (he's good for a  half dozen trips to the end zone this year) and Jacobs in whatever your league's final round is. There are just too many runners on that San Fran roster, with rookie LaMichael James and second year standout Kendall Hunter already foaming at the mouth to steal carries away from Frank Gore. However, choosing Jacobs as your "Mr. Irrelevant" could have a nice payoff if he can win out the battle for goal line back.

-fresh (@danye33)

Dan Chiavetta is the Editor in Chief of the 2 Man Weave