By Zack Cimini

Arrogance and cockiness go hand in hand with the elite players in sports. Most can tone it down to keep the view of the audience oblivious to a players actions. Whether its yapping of the mouth to the opposing team, or basic body language. DeSean Jackson has never been one to tone down his talents.

He has high stepped the last ten yards of touchdowns, ran twenty yards sideways inside the five yard line on a punt return touchdown against the Giants, and flipped the football before the end zone against the Cowboys on Monday Night football. Those are just a few of Jackson’s antics that have been just a natural part of his on-the-field demeanor.

At points in a professional athletes career humbling times occur. Last year for the Eagles was an eye opener, as a team and an individual level for DeSean Jackson. Playing as a franchise tagged athlete, Jackson had the type of numbers that would make a team let the athlete walk away. The team seemed to fold as he did, and never had any type of consistency. Jackson has admitted he did not play at his highest levels a year ago. Based on the Eagles play he likely was not the only one.

The Eagles know and the NFL knows that Jackson is a gem of a talent. Still only 25, Jackson seems like he has been in the league much longer. He played in the latter last hooray for Donovan McNabb in which he first became the deep threat people know of today. Against the Cardinals in the 2009 NFC Championship, Jackson made one of the best catches for a touchdown in recent playoff memories.

He has been through the short lived Kevin Kolb era, and now entering his third season with Mike Vick.

Maturity seemed to start to hit Jackson as the Eagles season imploded last year, and he realized his future could be in jeopardy. His contract could have been much higher than what he received in the off-season. Only 18 million of it is guaranteed, which means Jackson is going to have to earn the rest of the mid 50 million dollar contract.

Maybe watching greats just when he was a rookie like Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, and Terrell Owens struggle to find jobs suddenly and fade so quickly awoken him.

Media circles our stating Jackson seems like a new person, and much more focused. Philadelphia has one of the top defenses in the NFL, Mike Vick, and LeSean McCoy. The difference though will be with Jackson. Jackson’s open field speed and ability to get open just creates that extra dimension teams can’t stop.

The focus will always be on Vick because of his history and being the quarterback. In many rankings, Jackson can be found in the late teens and even early twenties. That is much too low for a player of Jackson’s caliber. I expect a breakout year from him, and to be a top ten fantasy receiver this season, and top five in a handful of weeks this year.

He never has been a top fantasy receiver, but has been one of the top open field and speed receivers in the NFL. Sooner or later that should lead to a breakout year, which will be this season.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Miami’s HBO series of Hard Knocks just had some drama enter, and it’s not from the quarterback battle. Chad Johnson who was expected to revive and have a turn around season, has been released from the team. In similar fashion as in New England, Johnson did little to nothing as a Dolphin. In one preseason game he had one dropped ball.

This has more to do with an off the field issue than Johnson’s performance on the field, but the Dolphins have moved on to a new chapter. Now it leaves the opportunity open for other receivers to shine even more.

The fact that Miami could go through three quarterbacks this season is a big enough reason to stir clear from talent. Even with Chad Henne and Matt Moore last season, Miami’s offense was not too shabby. The offense should bolster even more with head coach Tony Sparano gone and new head coach, Joe Philbin in. Miami seemed to end the season well with great use of Reggie Bush and quick hit throws with Davone Bess and Brian Hartline.

Chad Johnson was the big name amongst the receivers, but was not necessarily a sure fire result producer. Davone Bess has put together a nice string of seasons for Miami, and now is their number one receiver with Brandon Marshall gone. It’ll be seen early if Bess can handle the role or if Miami will need to use spread formations to make up for lacking a big play receiver.

Legedu Naanee currently has the third receiver position now with Johnson gone. Naanee is who he is, and can fill the third spot decently. By no means is he a sleeper wide receiver. If anything with Miami’s current top slotted receivers only Davone Bess has value. Rank Miami with the Seattle’s and St. Louis’s of fantasy football as they’re lost in the Bermuda triangle for fantasy value at receiver.

Maybe if an injury occurs and Ryan Tannehill enters by midseason a receiver buried could advance to a different level. Often times receivers develop that do not get many reps with the first team develop chemistry better with the backup quarterbacks. There won’t be a Victor Cruz on Miami but it’s worth keeping an eye on once Tannehill is inserted.

If there is an area where Miami will shine it may be with pass catching running backs. From Reggie Bush all the way to Steve Slaton Miami has four backs that could all be effective. Slaton was once a 1,000 yard rusher in Houston and likely will be a special teamer for Miami. Daniel Thomas and rookie Lamar Miller figure to get carries in some form even with how Reggie Bush concluded last season. Splitting out one while having another behind the quarterback could be a tinker they play with on many formations.

Will the Real Mike Williams, Please Stand Up?

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Playing with Greg Paulus as his quarterback during his junior year at Syracuse, Mike Williams broke multiple records at Syracuse. Including consecutive games with a touchdown at nine. Paulus had just went from finishing his basketball career at Duke to using his graduate eligibility at Syracuse to have a shot at quarterback.

For Syracuse fans it still is one of the better seasons offensively in quite some time. 2009, also was costly for Williams as himself and other Syracuse teammates were disciplined by head coach Doug Marrone for violating team rules. Williams was suspended for the rest of Syracuse’s games in 2009, and the team never had the explosiveness it had prior.

Instead of coming back for his senior season, Williams decided to put his name in the NFL Draft. Expecting to get drafted in the first two rounds was out of the question, after his troubled career at Syracuse. Yet, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a gamble on him in the third round, going higher than most draft prognosticators had predicted.

During 2010, Williams and quarterback Josh Freeman were a dynamic duo. With Tampa Bay struggling to find a solid tight end, Williams became Freeman’s main red zone threat. Eleven touchdowns as a rookie is unheard of, and Williams entered the class of rising wide receivers along with Josh Freeman becoming an elite quarterback.

Year two together did not fare very well, as both had awful seasons. Freeman as the quarterback just did not look remotely similar to 2010. He was one of the few quarterbacks that seemed affected by the lockout. Either that or Tampa Bay’s receiving core just was not cutting it.

Josh Freeman dedicated his off-season to getting in shape and lost nearly twenty pounds. Tampa Bay also went out and signed receiver Vincent Jackson. Jackson who was embattled in a contract dispute with San Diego for a couple of seasons, finally was able to land elsewhere.

With a top target alongside him, can Williams come anywhere near his rookie levels? There are always variables to look at. Josh Freeman should have regained confidence, that hopefully can transfer to on the field. Excitement over rookie running back Doug Martin and power back LeGarrette Blount should provide a proper ground attack.

It boils down to Williams. Nothing is just going to come to him. His rookie season he had the hunger of someone that needed to prove something. He played as if he was an undrafted athlete. Fantasy owners should keep a radar eye on Williams during the important second and third preseason games.

If Tampa Bay’s offense looks fluid and Williams looks involved, than touchdowns can be counted on for Williams. Yardage has not been an area Williams has excelled in as he has caught 65 catches in both his seasons. If his touchdown consistency can rise though, Williams will be a high caliber number two fantasy wide receiver.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Drafted in the first and second rounds last year at wide receiver were A.J. Green, Julio Jones, and Torrey Smith. Each of the rookies endured a successful season comparable to expectations of a rookie. With a mini-camp and training camp unlike last season, will a rise occur in statistics from all of them?

Our infatuation rests in the speed of Torrey Smith. Like the receiver beside him in Anquan Boldin, Smith may bolt up in fantasy receiver rankings; ignoring the fact he was a second round pick. A year ago Smith dotted the fantasy spectrum with his three touchdown performance against the St. Louis Rams, and a masterful game winning catch against the Steelers.

How he caught the majority of his touchdowns were on laser throws from Joe Flacco. That is the area that the connection currently lies between Flacco and Smith. The player that was supposed to stretch the field for the Ravens last year was Lee Evans, which never unfolded the way the Ravens would imagined.

With the big seasons first round picks A.J. Green (1,057 yds, 7 Tds) and Julio Jones (959 Yds, 8 Tds), you would of thought their statistics engulfed Torrey Smith’s. In actuality Smith was right there with both of them. Having near 900 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Neither of the three were high volume catchers, but all did great in the department of yards per catch. Averaging between sixteen and eighteen yards amongst each other.

Smith has the most upside of any of the three going into 2012. For one, the Ravens are going to have to unleash Joe Flacco more than they have. Ray Rice is carrying the load far too much. Giving Flacco an extra five to seven throws a game will be beneficial to Smith. Anquan Boldin still has some years left in the league, but has been right up there with Hines Ward in his physicality at the position. Blocks, runs after the catch, and his overall play has resulted in Boldin teetering down quicker at the receiver position.

The area for improvement you can circle for Smith is caught balls. He only had fifty catches in his rookie season. With his speed in the open field, Baltimore has to figure a way to get him more throws. Expect the possibility of the Ravens inserting the New England Patriots quick read throw at the line of scrimmage. Letting Smith catch the ball at the line of scrimmage and try to toast the corner with a quick cut once the cornerback runs up to him.

Deep ball catches may even rise. Feel comfortable in having Smith as your number two wide receiver. In Atlanta, the Falcons may have too many weapons, including Roddy White who is not going to decline in any facet. Cincinnati is dealing with a new running back tandem and unproven talent at wide receiver behind A.J. Green.

The possibility of Smith outperforming Jones and Green could be a thought to entertain in your fantasy drafts.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Year one for development for rookie Jake Locker fared well. The Titans knew he needed time to learn and adapt to the NFL level. Instead of throwing him into the lineup they positioned him behind veteran Matt Hasselbeck. Allowing for comfort for Locker, knowing that he would not be forced into the lineup, as what happens with many rookies that are playing behind veteran journeyman quarterbacks.

Year two though for the same quarterback tandem is definitely going to be different. Locker in spot duty showcased freestyle unorthodox skills that adds a different dimension to the Titans offense. Whether throwing on the run or utilizing his legs, Locker proved to be a threat with both abilities. Hasselbeck on the other hand is past his prime but may have a solid few years left in him.

The daunting question arises. Begin building now through bumps with Locker, or continue to try and position? Considering the Titans are in a division with the Colts (Andrew Luck), Jaguars (Blaine Gabbert), and the rising but inconsistent Houston Texans, the plan will likely be too start with Hasselbeck once again.

His numbers were never great last season, but he managed to offset a poor season from Chris Johnson and adjust to playing without big play receiver Kenny Britt. Still, Hasselbeck was unable to stay healthy the full year which has been a pattern dating back to his last few seasons with Seattle. Though he battled through the pain and did not miss a start, management is prepared to insert Locker over an eighty percent Hasselbeck.

Offensive weapons at either quarterbacks disposal is a high area of concern. Somehow the Titans were able to use a platoon of widely unknown receivers with big play receiver Kenny Britt sidelined after a knee injury. The receiver that stepped up the most was Nate Washington. Washington had never been a commodity in fantasy leagues but became a sneaky waiver wire reliable addition. Catching seven touchdowns and having a thousand yard season.

With Kenny Britt just undergoing a second knee procedure July 17^th, it will be interesting to see if Britt can be a viable starting receiver. Snaring jump balls and outrunning defenders was Britt’s forte, basically becoming the new Terrell Owens. Statistically based on other athletes that have come off a serious knee injury no matter what sport, you can expect a main decline overall.

For Britt though he can still be a high value touchdown receiver inside the twenty yard line. Especially for the fact that Chris Johnson is not a true red zone threat, and the Titans feed him the ball much more over the way they use to LenDale White in the red zone.

Rookie Kendall Wright will be expected to add a speed element over the top for the Titans offense. He should blend in well. He will have his work cut out for him though learning the offense and likely being a viable part of the offense from the start of the season.

Mentally teams that know there is a likely quarterback change over usually under perform to start the season. Will see if that happens in Tennessee, and which week Locker is inserted.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

After the 2009 season, we highly recommended Vikings receiver Percy Harvin for you to pick up in the 2010 fantasy draft.

He followed up his rookie season with another great year in 2010, and he has really emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers this season. Those of you that have him on your team have been reaping the rewards as of late. After not getting in the end zone through the air for the first 10 weeks of the season, Harvin has caught four touchdowns in the past three weeks, including two in the Vikings’ 35-32 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. Harvin had his best receiving stats of the year in that game, catching eight passes for 156 yards. He has clearly become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Harvin has caught at least six passes in the last four games, and has a touchdown in the last three. He’s at 59 catches for 710 yards and four touchdowns for the year, and going off of his recent production, he should end this season with career-high totals in all those categories.

Combine his receiving skills with his kick return abilities, and you’ve got yourself an elite scoring threat. He’s run back one kick return for a touchdown this season, and got his name in the record books with a 104-yard run in week 12, which is the longest non-scoring play in NFL history. He also has a rushing touchdown this season, so he can really impact a game in many ways.

There are quite a few playmakers in the NFL who can score at any time in one particular situation. Whether it’s a deep-threat receiver or a kick returner who can take it the distance at any time, these types of players are pretty common. The player who has all these qualities, however, is rare. Consider Harvin in that class. After three years of playmaking as a receiver and kick returner, it’s time to put Harvin in that elite group of guys who must be accounted for by both defenses and special teams. Darren Sproles is probably the only other player who fits this mold, but other than him, there really isn’t anyone else who can put up solid offensive numbers while also returning kicks with the best of them.

If you didn’t draft Harvin this season, make sure to get him next year and for many years to come. You won’t regret it.