2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC South(Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)


Tampa Bay Bucs Fantasy Preview:

Astute fantasy football owners had to appreciate the Bucs last year. Even though injuries and age decimated many of their projected stars (most notably RB Cadillac Williams), there was at least one gem on this team that some owners snatched on their way to the playoffs. Earnest Graham took over in week 6 and never looked back, rushing for 898 yards and 10 tds while starting in only 10 games. He was so impressive that the Bucs recently signed him to a 3 year, 11 million dollar contract extension, so he figures prominently in their current and future plans. As for the rest of the skill positions . . . eh. Jeff Garcia returns from a decent season to again lead the squad (and at age 38, how many good seasons can he have left in him?), Joey Galloway returns as the lead receiver (and at age 37, how many seasons does he have left?) along with (32 year old) Ike Hilliard and chronic underachiever Michael Clayton. The main reason this team won the NFC South and made the playoffs last year was a surprising defensive performance from a veteran group. The team added retread RB Warrick Dunn (who at age 33 probably doesn't have much left either) to back up Graham while Cadillac Williams rehabs, and also brought in veteran WR (and proven knuckle-head) Antonio Bryant, TE Ben Troupe, and S Eugene Wilson. It is doubtful if any of these additions will make any significant fantasy impact for the team this year. This is a team that could gear up for 1 more playoff run, or a team that could really implode as a lot of veteran players ride off into the sunset.

The defense was the strength of this team last year, and should once again be a strength. CB Ronde Barber will get some assistance this year with newly drafted 1st rd pick Aqib Talib (if he can get his head on straight), and this unit should still be able to put pressure on the QB with LBs Barrett Ruud and Derrick Brooks. It would not be a stretch for this unit to end up in the top 10 fantasy defenses. This is a great later rounds pick for a fantasy defensive unit.

As mentioned earlier, 1st rd pick CB Aqib Talib should be a good one. If he can get his act together mentally, he can put his immense talent to good use. Also drafted in rd 2 was WR Dexter Jackson, who could push for playing time and kick returning duties. Other than that, there doesn't look to be anyone worthy of fantasy consideration, and neither of these players should have a considerable fantasy impact this year.


Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Earnest Graham, RB

I like Earnest Graham. I think he has a chance to really come on the scene this year, now that he is the undisputed starter. Cadillac Williams may be back sometime later in the year, but he is coming off of a serious knee injury and may not be back to regular form anytime this year. Graham's only competition are Warrick Dunn and 7th rd draft pick Cory Boyd. With an older Jeff Garcia directing the offense and suspect WR talent, look for Graham to be the beneficiary and have a stellar year. He'll make a great #2 RB and a borderline #1.

Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Jeff Garcia, QB

At age 38, I just can't see Garcia having too many good years left, even in a contract season. He used to be known as an "athletic" QB, and now he is just known as an "intelligent veteran", which means he's gotten old and slow. He has never had the best arm, and he has questionable talent around him at WR (with the possible exception of almost as old Joey Galloway). He was decent last year, but not great, and its not out of the realm of possibility that he is replaced sometime this season with one of the other many QBs on this roster. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Bucs Defense

There just aren't many options to choose from here. If you're looking for draft value, look no further than the Bucs defense. There are few options here that will give you any value whatsoever, but the Bucs defense should be a quality choice late in your draft. They have a chance to finish in the top 10 or higher, and they will be around long after the Steelers, Patriots, Vikings, Chargers and Bears are chosen. Pick them late and you should feel good about your defensive position all season long.

Next Up: Chicago Bears

2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Carolina Panthers

NFC South (Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview:

Last season was a fantasy football season to forget for the Panthers. What started out as such as promising season for WR Steve Smith and QB Jake Delhomme quickly turned to disappointment once Delhomme went down. After that, Steve Smith disappeared, and pretty much took everyone else with him. With David Carr, Vinny Testaverde, and undrafted rookie Matt Moore under center, things didn't go as planned for the Panthers for the rest of the season. Injuries shut down a pretty promising defense, and overall, left the season a huge disappointment. Gone are defensive stalwarts DE Mike Rucker, LB Dan Morgan, & DT Kris Jenkins. Gone are offensive contributors RB DeShaun Foster, QBs David Carr and Vinny Testaverde, and WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter. The team invested heavily in RB Jonathan Stewart (1st rd, 13 overall), and brought back WR Mushin Muhammad (who had arguably his most fantasy relevant years in Carolina). They brought in WR DJ Hackett from Seattle and RB LaBrandon Toefield from Jacksonville to add offensive depth. However, none of these things will make much of a difference without a healthy Jake Delhomme. If he remains healthy, this team will make another run for the playoffs and many of these guys will again be fantasy relevant. If not, it will be another long year for the Panthers. Look for the former, and for a bounce back season for all-star WR Steve Smith.

There is no question that injuries and a stagnant offense destroyed this defense last year, which is a shame when you consider what they have been over the last few years. They lost a few big names, but the pieces are still there for this to be a good fantasy defense. Julius Peppers should have a much better year this year, and I expect this defense to at least be fantasy relevant. Should you draft them? That remains to be seen. Just keep them on the radar.

There was only 1 draft pick that fantasy owners will care about this year: RB Jonathan Stewart. At 5'11" and 235 lbs, Stewart is the big bruising back this team has missed since Stephen Davis, and his skills (1700+ yards & 11 TDs his senior season at Oregon) should translate into nice fantasy production on this team next year. 1200 yards and 8TDs are not out of reach for Stewart, even in a time share with DeAngelo Williams, and he should make an good #2 RB as a rookie.

Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Jake Delhomme, QB

Not much of a surprise here. When Jake Delhomme went down last year, this team was done. It was Jake that almost single-handedly won this team a Super Bowl in 2004, and his absence was the reason for this team's dreadful performance on the field last season. If Delhomme returns for a full season, this team will thrive. Delhomme was on the verge of a great season last year before injury, and if he picks up where he left off, he will put up #1 QB numbers. You should be able to grab him in the mid to late rounds of your draft as a #2, or as a low end #1 if you wait too long to grab a starting QB. He shouldn't disappoint in 2008.

Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: DeAngelo Williams, RB

Williams just can't seem to catch a break. There was talk of him getting more carries last season when DeShaun Foster didn't seem very effective, but that never really materialized. Now, going into the off season, he seems as if he'd get a chance to be a feature back, but the team drafts Jonathan Stewart to handle the load. He may have speed to burn, but he won't get the opportunities to make the most of it. He is oozing with potential, but unless Stewart goes down, he'll have to settle once again for being a change of pace guy. If he rushes for more than 5 TDs this year, he should consider himself extremely fortunate.

Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Steve Smith, WR

Steve Smith started the season on fire last year, catching 16 passes for 281 yards and 4 TDs. Unfortunately, once Jake Delhomme left, so did his production. As a result, he probably left a bad taste in the mouths of many fantasy owners, which will push his draft value down. However, with Delhomme back under center, and with DJ Hackett and Mushin Muhammad helping take defensive pressure away from him, Smith should again have top 3 WR numbers, and will be a steal if drafted in the 3rd round or later. There's a reason he was being discussed last year as the best WR in the game. Don't forget that on draft day.

Up Next: New Orleans Saints

2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: San Francisco 49ers

NFC West (Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals)

San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Preview:

This was a team chock full of disappointment last year. Pick a fantasy football player . . . any fantasy football player, and there was disappointment to share. Alex Smith? check. Frank Gore? check. Darrell Jackson? check. Vernon Davis? check. Ashley Lelie? ouch. Odds are if you had to rely on 49ers last year, you didn't do very well. Therefore, Mike Nolan and the 49ers brass made some major changes. Adios Darrell Jackson. So long Trend Dilfer. Please welcome Mike Martz to run the new and (hopefully) improved offense (and maybe make something fantasy relevant out of Alex Smith). Enter new wide receivers Bryant Johnson (from Arizona) and Issac Bruce (from St. Louis), new (backup) running back DeShaun Foster (from Carolina), and new return man Allen Rossum (from Pittsburgh). If these guys can gel with the incumbents, and Martz can get the most out of them, then this team could be fantasy relevant again. That's a lot of ifs, though. Still, we saw what Martz did with a Detroit team that arguably had less talent to work with, especially at QB, so that at least bodes well for Alex Smith. This could also be the opportunity Bryant Johnson has needed to become fantasy relevant.

The defense was good, but not great last year (and even that is debatable). However, the really bright spot was rookie Patrick Willis, who was simply amazing at inside linebacker. The team is looking to add another player to give him some assistance on the inside, such as Takeo Spikes. The team also signed DE Justin Smith (from Cincinnati) to give them an impact pass rusher (because, he was just soooo good in Cincinnati, right? Still wondering why they gave HIM so much money since he was a colossal bust in Cinci). Avoid this defense in your draft.

The 49ers didn't draft anyone who will make a fantasy impact this year.


Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Bryant Johnson, WR

Johnson was signed away from Arizona to be the team's new #1 WR (replacing Darrell Jackson). Bryant has the size and speed to be a really good #2 WR on your fantasy team, and could really excel in Mike Martz's system. If Alex Smith can do a Jon Kitna impersonation, Bryant's fantasy value will soar in 2008.

Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Frank Gore, RB

I'm still not sold on Gore. He's going to again be drafted in the mid to early first round, and he does have great skills. However, he's always been injury prone (even in college, which is why his draft stock fell), and he's a complainer. He could have a bounce back year, but the offense won't be built entirely around him, and I wonder if his touches will be reduced by both the addition of DeShaun Foster and the system of Mike Martz. I think he'll be good, but not worthy of his lofty draft status, which means he will again be a disappointment.

Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Vernon Davis, TE

Davis has a disappointing year last year. However, he (like Bryant Johnson) stands to benefit most from the new Mike Martz system. He could really blossom this year, as he has the skills to be a great receiving tight end in this league (like Antonio Gates and Jason Witten). I can see him being a great value pick in the mid to late rounds, and should finish as a top 5 TE.

Next Up: St. Louis Rams