From a Fantasy Football perspective, AP has been hyped up to the point that some people are drafting him first overall, or at least second in most leagues. Now first of all I don’t know how there is even any kind of debate on whether one should draft LT or AP first overall, that is just ludicrous. Everyone is putting all their hopes on an injury prone RB who had an excellent ROOKIE year. Does anyone remember Cadillac Williams’ rookie year? How about Kevin Jones? Where are they now? In fact, I don’t know if either running back was actually drafted in my most recent fantasy draft.

Now lets get into the facts about Each running back. Adrian Peterson broke into the league by gaining over 100yds in 4 of his first 5 games — with 224 yds in one game. However, after week6, he only broke the 80yd mark twice for the rest of the year. Stephen Jackson on the other hand started off the season much slower with only one 100yd rushing game in the first 3 weeks, and then he was injured and missed the next 4 weeks of the season. The main thing I want to look at is how the two Running Backs finished in the second half of the season. Obviously no defense was expecting Adrian Peterson to cause them so many problems, but once defenses around the league started to catch on, they made life for AP a lot tougher in the NFL.

I compared the stats for both players from weeks 10-17to see who finished the season stronger. From weeks 10-17, Adrian Peterson averaged 50.83 yds per game in 6 games and 16.2 yds receiving for a total of about 67 total yard per game. He also scored 4 total TDs in that span. Stephen Jackson finished out the season with an average of 91 rushing yard per game, throughout 8 games, and added another 25.6 yds receiving for a total of 116.6 total yds per game. So in the second half of the season, Stephen Jackson averaged almost double the yards that Peterson did throughout the final 8 weeks of the season. Jackson also scored a total of 5 TDs in that span. Even if you add in Peterson’s record breaking 296 yds in week 9 to his second half average, he still would have averaged only 85.8 yds per game. Overall, the stats clearly show that Jackson ended the season MUCH stronger than Peterson did, and he was far more consistent as well. In the second half of the season, Jackson rushed for 75+ yds in 7 of those 8 weeks, had 4 or mor ereceptions in 5 of those games, and also scored a TD in 5 different games. Peterson rushed for 75+yds only twice in 6 games, including a 3 yard outing against the 49ers, and did not catch more than 3 passes in any game.

Some other factors that clearly lead me to believe that Jackson is the better back include:

- The fact that Stephen Jackson not only missed 4 games due to injury and still reached 1000yds on the season, but also the fact that Jackson played another two games without his starting QB.

- The fact that Stephen Jackson played behind a mind boggling 18 different Offensive Line combinations throughout the season. While Peterson’s OL stayed pretty much intact for the entire season.

I am not saying that AP is not a good player, in fact I think that he will be an elite RB in the NFL for years to come, if he can stay healthy. I mean the guy set the single game rushing record in his rookie season. However, if you looka t AP’s two biggest games (296yds 3TDs against San Diego, and 224yds 3 TDs against Chicago) combined, he gained 520 yards and scored 6 TDs. That does not say much for AP’s consistency however, because those two games alone made up almost 40% of his total rushing yards for the season and 50% of his TD total.

Sure, fantasy owners were very happy in those weeks that AP blew up, but how about the game against San Francisco where he rushed 14 times for 3 yards? Jackson never failed to reach 50 yards in a game last year, where Peterson failed to reach the 50 yard mark 4 times.

I feel like everyone has been hyping Adrian Peterson up so much over the past year because of what a great season he had last year, and yeah it was a good season, but he was actually very inconsistent. Therefore, I have to say that whether looking at the two from a fantasy perspective or just in general, I feel like the stats and the facts all say that the controversy over the best RB in the league should not be between LT and AP, but instead be between LT and SJ….

Panthers stud Wide Receiver Steve Smith is now officially suspended for the first two games of the 2008-09 season for his involvement in an altercation that took place during training camp practice yesterday between Smith and corner back Ken Lucas. The fight took place during one of the rest periods of the practice, at this time both players had their helmets off, it was said that it is unclear what exactly started the outburst but the end result was Steve Smith punching teammate Lucas in the face. Lucas was carted off the field with a broken nose.

First off let me just say how mad this whole situation made me. Steve Smith is a grown man and a proffessional football player and under NO circumstances should you punch a teammate in the face! Especially with all the reporters that were there reporting on Panthers training camp. Seems a little bad for team chemistry if you ask me.

Leagues Top five Quarterbacks…

Tom Brady.

now everybody knows this is basically as safe of a guess that one can possibly make, but after years of trying to convince myself that Tom Brady is not actually that good, i have finally given in and put him in his rightful spot. And although i must admit that Tom is among the leagues elite, don’t look for him to put up the same numbers he did last year. By no means will he have a bad season, but he will not have a repeat of last year. Season Predictions- 3,900 pass yards. 39 TD’s 11 Int’s

Peyton Manning- This was a tough one for me because although i feel that Manning belongs at the top, i just could not justify putting him above Brady, That being said, I do feel that Manning is gonna come to play this year and will regain his top spot as the leagues top QB. After all, he still has a good combo of Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison as well as a young talent in Anthony Gonzalez who looks to be a future star in this league. also lets not forget the fact that Manning has Joseph Addai ande on of the NFL’s top coaching crews. Season Predictions- 4,100 yards, 34 TD’s 9 Int’s

Matt Hasselbeck-

Now for all the Tony Romo fans out there who feel that this spot belong to Romo, relax, he is next on the list. The reason Hasselbeck comes in above Romo in my oppinion is that every full season he plays, Hasselbeck Seems to get better and better and this season will be no different. This season has all the looks of a stellar season for Matt. One of the major reasons he is poised for such a breakout season, is that last year he put up huge number, and did this with one of the NFL’s worst running games backing him. This means that he couldn’t get the playaction passes he wanted in order to get the defense to bite. Also he was not facing an eight man front meaning that he had more DB’s or Drop back linebackers to throw into, and even with all of that he produce. This year he gets something he sorely needed, a Running back. Julius Jones should provide Hasselbeck with the solid running game he needs to complete his game. Look for the seahawks to pound the ball and then let Hasselbeck run some play action and really open the offense up. Season Predictions- 3,800 yards 33 TD’s 12 Int’s

Tony Romo- Ok the first thing i have to say here is why does everyone look at the fact that he dates Jessica Simpson as a negative thing (ARE THESE PEOPLE NUTS?!?!) basically 99 percent of all men would date her if they could so i think we should cut this guy some slack as far as that one goes. Now back to football, Romo is a young player and yet he keeps on producing and putting up stellar numbers. One thing i don’t like about him though is decision making, he throws into double coverage too much and he turns it over to much (which is the reason that Drew Brees is not making the top five, now i know what you’re thinking, “Brees threw less INT’s than Romo” that is true but Brees had overall more turnovers last season, plus i think Romo will use last year’s experience to grow and cut back on the Int’s.)He returns this year with Marion Barber pounding the ball as well as a stud rookie in Felix Jones. These two backs will have the defence on it’s heels and really tire them out. Doing this will let Romo do what he does best, drop back set his feet and release (to T.O. of course who will then take the 5 yard pass for 70 yards and a touchdown) but seriously, look for Romo to put up big number this year, he has in my opinion a a better offense surrounding him than last year as well as another year of experience under his belt. Season Predictions-3,900 yards 32 TD’s 14 INT’s

and now for my suprise pick…landing himself in the top five by finishing the post season in top form and looking to build on those numbers….

Phillip Rivers- (and no i am not on drugs, this is a real prediction)

Yes this pick seems a little crazy, but when you take into consideration how he played in the playoffs and what he has to work with, this is a very realistic pick. Rivers really stepped up in the playoffs and if it were not for his injury, the Chargers may have made it to the bowl. Rivers is looking to build off of a sub par season last year, but lucky for him, he has everything he needs to do so. Rivers returns this season with LaDainian Tomlinson who is the easily the top Back in the NFL but that is not the only weapon that Rivers has, he has a young and extremely talented WR who really stepped up in the playoffs in Vincent Jackson, Jackson will continue to get better and better and will provide Rivers with a big target who can take it the distance. After getting that akward first season with a new team thing out of the way, look for Chris Chambers to also step up and haul in alot more passes. As if that was not impressive enough, Rivers also has the leagues top TE in Antonio Gates (Gonzalez and Winslow are close seconds) and he has a young player yet to emerge in wide receiver Craig “Buster” Davis. All in all i look for Rivers to make the biggest turn around of any player this season and really step his game up. Season Predictions- 3,800 yards 31 TD’s 13 INT’s

Honorable Mention- Drew Brees (too many Turnovers) Carson Palmer (Receivers are a mess) Derek Anderson (one year wonder?)

Stay tuned next week for the top five Running backs of the 08-09 Season

“The key to that to me is staying healthy. Everything else, I believe in wholeheartedly. It’s not like I said something to try to get a laugh or to smile or to get people to pay attention to me. It’s something I believe is in me.”

-Selvin Young regarding him rushing for 2000 yards this season.

In 2007 Selvin Young had 140 carries, 729 yards, and 1 TD.

His Teammate well, former teammate, Travis Henry, had 167 carries for 691 yards and 4 touchdowns. And now the new backup Andre Hall had 44 carries for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2007.

Yes, I understand this is crazy for a running back to say before starting only his second season after being an undrafted longhorn. But guess what, he is on the Denver Broncos, and is on the most consistent rushing offense in recent football history.

2007 – Selvin Young 729 yards + Travis Henry 691 yards

2006 – Tatum Bell 1,025 yards + Mike Bell 677 yards

2005 – Mike Anderson 1,014 yards + Tatum Bell 921 yards

2004 – Reuben Droughns 1,240 yards + Quentin Griffin 311 yards

2003 – Clinton Portis 1,591 yards + Quentin Griffin 345 yards

2002 – Clintin Portis 1,508

2001 – Terrell Davis 701 yards + Mike Anderson 678 yards

2000 – Mike Anderson 1,487 yards + Terrell Davis 282 yards

1999 – Olandis Gary 1,159 yards + Terrell Davis 211 yards

1998 – Terrell Davis 2,008 yards

Guess what, it’s been 10 years and it is time for there to be another 2,000 yard rusher in Denver. They have the zone blocking scheme. And according to history, they seem to be a pretty good rushing team…

Kansas City, Oakland, and the Chargers are in their division… Guess who was #31 and #27 in the league in rushing defense in 2007, Oakland and KC, and the chargers were #16.

In 2008, the Broncos do not even play a 2007 top 5 ranked rushing defense; and they only play 1 team in the top ten! Which is #10 Patriots. They play #11 Jacksonville, and then the next hardest rush defense they play is #16 San Diego Chargers. Leaving 12 teams left to play ranked between #16 and #32.

So what I am saying, is that playing only two teams in the top 15 of the nfl’s rushed defense leaves him plenty of opportunity to do this feat. Do I think he will do it? No, I would put my money on Adrian Peterson, B-Westbrook, LT, or Steven Jackson, but that is why this kid just moved up a notch in my book. This season I will be drafting Selvin Young in Fantasy Football just because if he doesn’t rush for 2000 yards, I have a reason to hunt him down and send Mike Vick’s dog’s after him.