Last season was “The Year of the Upset” in college football. Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, and USC will be in the hunt to play in Dolphin Stadium on January 8th, 2009.
Why is Art Monk in the Hall now, and Cris Carter isn't? Well, you have to understand the selection process first, where media representatives make the case for their players.
While everyone focuses on the marquee players that will be drafted on day one this Saturday, the key to building a winning team is by acquiring 5-7 impact makers. It was Marques Colston last year, who will it be this year?
RealGM Search
By Andrew Perna
The offseason has changed the fantasy landscape slightly, so what better time than now to unveil the second version of RealGM’s 2008 Fantasy Football rankings?
Eli Manning’s ‘Super’ performance in February bumped him up several slots while Chad Johnson’s on-going saga in Cincinnati slid him down below the likes of Wes Welker and Braylon Edwards. Read on to begin preparing for your league’s draft later this summer.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Tom Brady QB, NE – Even more focused heading into 2008.
2. Tony Romo QB, DAL – Lacks Brady’s consistency.
3. Peyton Manning QB, IND – Will less spotlight mean more TDs?
4. Drew Brees QB, NO – Let’s hope 2007 was an aberration.
5. Ben Roethlisberger QB, PIT – $100 million means pressure.
6. Derek Anderson QB, CLE – Has even more targets now.
7. Eli Manning QB, NYG – More confident after Super Bowl MVP?
8. Carson Palmer QB, CIN – WR situation should scare you.
9. Philip Rivers QB, SD – Showed a lot of fire last season.
10. Matt Hasselbeck QB, SEA – New runners could help, or hurt.
11. Marc Bulger QB, STL – Health will be key.
12. Jason Campbell QB, WSH – Could take the next step in 2008.
13. David Garrard QB, JAX – Extremely careful with the football.
14. Vince Young QB, TEN – Crumpler could be his go-to guy.
15. Donovan McNabb QB, PHI – Eagles need to get him a top-flight WR.
16. Jeff Garcia QB, TB – Isn’t going to win games for you, but won’t lose any.
17. Jay Cutler QB, DEN – Thin receiver corps in Denver.
18. Jon Kitna QB, DET – He should be slinging again this fall.
19. Jake Delhomme QB, CAR – Has help in Hackett.
20. Kurt Warner QB, ARI – Yeah, I’m just as surprised as you are.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Joseph Addai RB, IND – Ready to be the top-dog?
2. LaDainian Tomlinson RB, SD – Can he maintain his statistical pace?
3. Brian Westbrook RB, PHI – He’s made Andy Reid run more.
4. Adrian Peterson RB, MIN – Can he overcome a ton of defensive attention?
5. Willie Parker RB, PIT – If only he could find the end zone more often.
6. Willis McGahee RB, BAL – Rejuvenated in Baltimore.
7. Steven Jackson RB, STL – Not nearly the back we thought he was.
8. Ronnie Brown RB, MIA – Could be huge in Miami this season.
9. Marion Barber RB, DAL – Julius is out of town now.
10. Clinton Portis RB, WSH – Ladell who?
11. Marshawn Lynch RB, BUF – If only the rest of the Bills were this good.
12. Maurice Jones-Drew RB, JAX – Fred Taylor isn’t getting younger.
13. Frank Gore RB, SF – I think it’s San Fran’s fault not his.
14. Edgerrin James RB, ARI – Did relatively well in 2007.
15. Larry Johnson RB, KC – He needs a hyperbolic chamber.
16. Laurence Maroney RB, NE – The Pats will run more this fall.
17. Ryan Grant RB, GB – Won’t be a waiver-wire wonder anymore.
18. Thomas Jones RB, NYJ – A few more trips to the end zone and he’s higher.
19. Reggie Bush RB, NO – Believe it or not, he needs Deuce back.
20. Jamal Lewis CLE, RB – Cleveland will pass a ton next season.
21. Rudi Johnson RB, CIN – Not consistent anymore.
22. LenDale White RB, TEN – Young needs him to be even better.
23. Cadillac Williams RB, TB – Needs his own personal doctor.
24. DeShaun Foster RB, SF – If Gore does down...
25. Brandon Jacobs RB, NYG – Has one thing on Tiki...
26. Justin Fargas RB, OAK – How did he become Oakland’s best option?
27. Shaun Alexander RB, SEA – Will he even be in Seattle?
28. Fred Taylor RB, JAX – The Favre of running backs.
29. Julius Jones RB, SEA – Will enjoy more carries with Seahawks.
30. Deuce McAllister RB, NO – Seems to think he’s ready to return.
31. Michael Turner RB, ATL – If only the Falcons had a better offensive line.
32. Chester Taylor RB, MIN – Ready should Peterson need a break.
33. Adrian Peterson RB, CHI – No one RB is the key in Chicago.
34. Earnest Graham RB, TB – Might even begin the season ahead of Cadillac.
35. Ahman Green RB, HOU – Do the Texans even have an offense?
36. Derrick Ward RB, NYG – A nice second option for the SB Champs.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Randy Moss WR, NE – Gotta have another super season left.
2. Reggie Wayne WR, IND – Shined with Harrison injured last year.
3. Terrell Owens WR, DAL – Has been eerily content in Dallas.
4. Braylon Edwards WR, CLE – Stallworth will help take heat off.
5. Larry Fitzgerald WR, ARI – A Cardinal for the long-term.
6. Plaxico Burress WR, NYG – Has a whole new reputation.
7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR, CIN – If Ocho Cinco does get traded...
8. Torry Holt WR, STL – Still Pro Bowl talent.
9. Wes Welker WR, NE – Can he keep his torrid pace up in NE?
10. Chad Johnson WR, CIN – Who knows what 2008 holds for him.
11. Anquan Boldin WR, ARI – Wants Fitz’s money, gets his touches.
12. Marques Colston WR, NO – Had a very quiet, but great 2007 campaign.
13. Steve Smith WR, CAR – Hackett could help him shine once again.
14. Donald Driver WR, GB – No Favre should scare GB receivers.
15. Santonio Holmes WR, PIT – Big Ben’s top threat, aside from TE Miller.
16. Roy Williams WR, DET – Detroit insists he’ll remain a Lion.
17. Joey Galloway WR, TB – He’s what, 45 now?.
18. Calvin Johnson WR, DET – Remember, he’ll be a sophomore...
19. Kevin Curtis WR, PHI – McNabb seemed to prefer him over Reggie Brown.
20. Chris Chambers WR, SD – A full season in San Diego will mean a lot.
21. Donte’ Stallworth WR, CLE – Will be behind Edwards and Winslow for touches.
22. Dwayne Bowe WR, KC – A top QB away from greatness.
23. Javon Walker WR, OAK – Could help JaMarcus Russell mature into starting role.
24. Roddy White ATL, WR – Depends on who Atlanta suits up at QB.
25. Laveranues Coles WR, NYJ – Lower on this list if Pennington isn’t playing.
26. Patrick Crayton WR, DAL – Romo gelled with him, but what does Terry Glenn mean?
27. Greg Jennings WR, GB – Was a favorite of Favre…
28. Hines Ward, WR PIT – Is the former Super Bowl MVP fading?
29. Andre Johnson WR, HOU – Has the talent and potential to be top-ten.
30. D.J. Hackett WR, CAR – Could thrive as a number-two beside Smith.
31. Deion Branch WR, SEA – Too many options in Seattle to count on him.
32. Bernard Berrian WR, MIN – The Vikings should lean on him through the air.
33. Shaun McDonald WR, DET – A contract year with the Lions.
34. Lee Evans WR, BUF – He might need a change of scenery soon.
35. Reggie Williams WR, JAX – Garrard likes too many different targets.
36. Reggie Brown WR, PHI – As inconsistent as they come.
37. Justin Gage WR, TEN – Young has more targets this season.
38. James Jones WR, GB – Favre put three WR's on this list, can Rodgers keep them here?
39. Joe Jurevicius WR, CLE – Pushed aside by Stallworth.
40. Brandon Marshall WR, DEN – Will miss most of the offseason with injuries.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Antonio Gates TE, SD – Witten and Winslow are breathing down his neck.
2. Jason Witten TE, DAL – Romo looks his way more often then you’d think.
3. Kellen Winslow TE, CLE – Leapfrogged Clark, Gonzo and Cooley.
4. Chris Cooley TE, WSH – Versatile and Campbell loves him.
5. Tony Gonzalez TE, KC – Could be his final productive season.
6. Donald Lee TE, GB – A fairly consistent option at TE, even without Brett.
7. Dallas Clark TE, IND – Should bounce back after an injury-plagued ’07.
8. Todd Heap TE, BAL – Would be in the top three in nearly any other offense.
9. Benjamin Watson TE, NE – Runs hot and cold, but when he’s hot…
10. Heath Miller TE, PIT – Could benefit from Ben’s contract more than the QB.
11. Alge Crumpler TE, TEN – Projected to be Vince’s favorite option.
12. Vernon Davis TE, SF – He needs a QB to get him the ball.
13. Randy McMichael TE, STL – Could still be huge in St. Louis.
14. Jeremy Shockey TE, NYG – The Giants won a Super Bowl without him....
15. Alex Smith TE, TB – Seems to weigh heavy in Garcia’s mind.
