By Zack Cimini
Notjustagame23@gmail.com

The advancement and growth of fantasy sports and fantasy football specifically has been exponential year by year. There are many different types of leagues setup by giddy commissioners that drool for preparation each summer. Owners currently find the biggest differences in comparitive leagues based on scoring formats and starting spots. Whether it’s an additional flex spot, or other minimal differences there is a big glaring neglecting hole that needs to be used in 2010. A roster’s bench.

A bench is basically there for owners to have depth in order to sidestep bye weeks, injuries, or unfavorable matchups. It works out perfectly most of the time until you look at your teams loss and see all the accumulated points and non used contributions that sat on your bench. Owners predictably can count on losing multiple games by their boneheaded moves of starting the wrong players.

The main variable that makes fantasy football so enticing is it’s real life management feel on top of watching that come to fruition every Sunday. You deal with the injuries like a true manager, make cuts, trades, and even get into a few spats every now in then with your divisional opponents.

The element missing from fantasy football is the ability to use your bench the same way a coach in the NFL can. Why should you as a fantasy owner have to witness an absolute horrid performance from one of your starters? Just like a coach can yank a poor performing quarterback to give his team a chance at winning, a fantasy owner should be able to as well. When that coach makes the sacrifice it’s not an automatic restart to the game. He lives with that decision in belief his team has a stronger opportunity to grab a win from that point forward.

Losing out on whatever time has surpassed in the game; a quarter or whichever length should easily be a technology ramification Yahoo Sports, ESPN, and many other fantasy football software companies can do. Owners than can decide where to make a move and maybe gain an extra five to ten points to pull out a win. Case in point a quarterback like Kurt Warner is one you can tell if he is going to have a strong or poor game after a few series.

Maybe he comes out flat and you started him because of a favorable matchup. You would still get his crappy performance as part of your team for the length of time it took you to pull him out. If you make that sacrifice too bench Warner for another quarterback playing at the same time the Cardinals game started, you’d take the hit for how many minutes that game is behind the Cardinals game. If the game is ahead minutes wise than whoever you inserts statistics would not count until it met the official time period of Warner being benched.

This would be the same for a player on your bench that’s game is starting later. Software would recognize the time that players statistics can start counting based upon your move. Of course this could backfire and Warner could go out and have an incredible second half as does happen in a game of momentum swings. The best push for this is in the case of injuries. When a player goes down on your fantasy team you usually have to eat that donut of points in costly fashion.

Let the fantasy owner have the ability to utilize his bench in a true manner. Right now it is not a bench it is a minor league team waiting for call up spot duty on a sporadic basis. We truly believe this element needs to be added to fantasy leagues as quick as possible. It’d be comparable to the stock market where making that sell too early could be fatal to your team, but making that daring move can also reap a big pay day and ultimately win for your fantasy team.

Provide us feedback on what you think by emailing us at notjustagame23@gmail.com. Start contacting Yahoo, ESPN, and your favorite league setup to implement this for 2010. Fantasy football needs a new twist to it, and this is it.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Fantasy gurus usually stick their noses out with bold predictions. Some are outrageous claims that get muddled and forgotten through the years transgressions and constant attention on the new hot fantasy topic. We like to stick to our guns and make sure you remember which site to rely on for years to come. Bookmark us and stick with a site that will keep your fantasy sports teams balanced.

Before the season kicked off we projected our top ten fantasy players to disappoint. The link is below here. Lets analyze these ten players and see how correct we were.

http://www.notjustagame.com/2009/09/03/696/

1. Brian Westbrook- Anyone that tried to rely on Westbrook as a number one running back this year probably tried desperately to convert a trade or ferociously glanced the waiver wire in hopes of finding a way to secure some sort of production. It’s been a true tough break year for Westbrook who has battled concussions and the injury bug. Thus far he only has 225 yards rushing and a little over 150 receiving. Ouch.

2. Peyton Manning- Lets remember we made this pick based on Manning’s average draft position, which was many rounds ahead of most quarterbacks. We suggested you could land better value at the same spots Manning was going and still get a quality quarterback to put up near Manning numbers. Grabbing a Philip Rivers or Donovan McNabb two to three rounds later we still believe was the smarter move.

3. Michael Turner- We saw this one coming from miles a way. Too many carries last year meant that he was going to wear down in 2009. From the early part of the season he struggled. The only good thing was he was able to still find the end zone with consistency. For a back that doesn’t catch it out of the backfield he has to fall a bit to a late first round back in 2010.

4. LT- Which ever rise people want to try and say on LT being back over the last few weeks we are not buying. He is giving it his all but stats do not lie. Tomlinson is only averaging 3.2 yards a carry and has zero…that’s right zero 100 yard rushing games. He has hit the end of the road and can’t be counted on as a feature fantasy or feature NFL running back ever again.

5. Terrell Owens- Not much to analyze on this one except we said Buffalo wasn’t going to be able to throw the football with their quarterbacks. It didn’t matter who was running routes they weren’t going to be fantasy friendly. Terrell Owens still got drafted based on his name and that is looking like a great pick by those owners that wanted statistics of a fifth receiver on fantasy rosters.

6. Tom Brady- Similar to what we said on value you could find at quarterback in later rounds.

7. Frank Gore- It looked like Gore was going to prove us wrong when he rushed for 200 yards in week two. Instead that has proved to be 1/3 of his season thus far yardage wise. He is sitting at 668 going into week 14 and has not been the same since his knee injury suffered at the tail end of that monster Seattle game. He still has four games to make a season of it, but will not do enough to show enough value of a first round pick.

8. T. J. Houshmandzadeh- Read word for word on what we wrote in the initial article on TJ.

9. Thomas Jones- We’d have to be wrong on at least one player. Jones is one of those rare backs that seems to find that groove and get better later in his career. He is entering that tier one phase of premier backs.

10. Eddie Royal- Royal’s speed and big play ability is similar to DeSean Jackson. The problem is the Broncos do not like to air it out deep and would rather rely on preserving the clock and throwing median route balls to Brandon Marshall. Royal is starting to become a special teams factor and that’s it. It’ll be interesting to see if he can retain a starting job throughout next years training camp.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Looking around the NFL we’ve seen the tussle and round about back and forth changes with starting quarterbacks worse than the coaching carousel. In Cleveland, we’ve seen it with Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, San Francisco with Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, Oakland, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Detroit, and the list goes on and on. You’d expect some teams to have an answer somewhere within their depth charts to position their team and be able to lead them.

With Jake Lockler making the announcement that he will return for his senior season that means that there will be less talent for teams to try and correct these awful issues. The quarterback situations in the NFL are at a point of desperate measures. There have been numerous games this season that showcases this point. The following statistics by these quarterbacks actually translated to a win for their respective teams somehow. Luckily at the top of the crop for quarterbacks there are perennial future hall of famers that are taking much attention for how poor the quarterbacking actually is right now. Even last years rookies that came on strong a year ago have struggled in 2009 in Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco.

Jamarcus Russell- 7-24 for 109 yards…translated to a week two victory 13-10 over the KC Chiefs
Ryan Fitzpatrick- 12-20 for 86 yards translated to a week fourteen victory 16-10 over the KC Chiefs
Derek Anderson- 2-17 for 23 yards translated to a week five 6-3 win over the Buffalo Bills
*Jake Delhomme- 9-17 for 65 yards translated to a week 6 28-21 win over the Tampa Bay Bucs
7-14 for 90 yards translated to a week 8 34-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals

This is just stupefying to see these type of performances continue with winning results. How are teams unable to counter such a terrible performance from the lead catalyst on the other side of the ball? Since teams won’t be able to correct these issues in the draft it means they’ll have to dive deep onto other teams rosters in hope of landing some sort of respectable 2010 season. Some teams have excuses as they’re in a transition phase and trying to develop their young quarterbacks. Most though just need to make that tough decision and move on to a future prospect.

We do know this…the way Mike Vick’s played the last few weeks has likely re-entered teams minds to think hard about getting him on their roster. Vick seems to be settling back into NFL game speed and that has translated into more of his involvement with the Eagles packaging him in on crucial plays. Philadelphia actually has the best talented depth chart at the quarterback position. Kevin Kolb played fantastic in two starts due to McNabb’s rib injury. Philadelphia will have to find a way to continue build for a Super Bowl run and Donovan McNabb isn’t going anywhere. Look for the Eagles to shop their primary backup quarterbacks.

Brett Favre’s proved aging at quarterback can be a good thing. Arizona’s Kurt Warner is two years younger (38) and not showing any signs of slowing down. The game he missed with post concussion symptoms showcased just how far along he is running this team than backup Matt Leinart. Once the off-season comes around the Cardinals will likely look for Warner to give them an answer on how many years he plans on playing. If he has multiple years left in the tank look for the Cardinals to shop Leinart and give him a chance to go through actual growing pains on the field.

A couple of other quarterbacks to keep an eye on happen to be quarterbacks that lost their jobs this season. Tarvaris Jackson is in a position where he will have too much pressure and no shot at ever fielding a game in a Minnesota Vikings uniform as a starter. The way Brett Favre has come out and won is exactly how Brad Childress pictured it. It isn’t Jackson that you see Favre going to asking what he is seeing from another set of quarterbacks eyes. It is Sage Rosenfels.

In San Francisco Shaun Hill inevitably was yanked due to his Delhomme like performances and inability to stretch the field. A year ago though he was doing a fine job and had this team clicking. Maybe the pressure of having a former number one pick breathing down his neck to take his job finally got too him. Nevertheless teams like proven winners that can get the job done, and Hill has shown that he can do just that. It appears that Alex Smith is doing enough now that this quarterback battle of three years may finally be over.

By Zack Cimini

Donovan McNabb and the word controversy have seemingly been linked together since he was booed on his draft day. After last years up and down run that ended with another conference championship loss, it seemed that McNabb’s days in Philadelphia would be numbered. Rumors quickly peaked again once the Eagles signed Michael Vick. Was he brought in to get back in rhythm and then eventually unseat McNabb?

While most starters likely would have exposed attitudes to the signing McNabb welcomed it. He has rooted for Vicks success during his struggles and now as a teammate. The other area where McNabb couldn’t shake his reputation was a knack for injury. He went down game one to a hard hit that broke a few of his ribs. After all of his preparation and hard work in the off-season this type of start to a year could have sidetracked him to a dismal season. Especially when Kevin Kolb the guy that Philadelphia tried to bring in after benching McNabb last year came in while McNabb was hurt and had some stellar statistical games.

Now the Eagles knew what they wanted to know last year that Kolb can be there guy. So McNabb came back in and has went 6-3 since his injury. His critics are quick to point out that McNabb has been erratic. Certain games he is precision sharp and others the offense can be stagnant and missing the spark from the quarterback position. Name a team besides New Orleans that’s offense hasn’t been in that same mode at times. That’s why a team plays a complete season. People are too enamored by the trends of teams getting close to undefeated seasons year in and year out. That’s just not realistic as teams are going to go through growing pains all season.

McNabb has also missed Brian Westbrook for a good part of the season which has led to him having to rely on rookie running back Lesean McCoy. McCoy is going to be a great back some day but doesn’t bring all the dimensions a Brian Westbrook does. Westbrook as we all know has been an elite running back in the NFL for quite some time but he does so much as far as being a threat out of the backfield. McNabb has had to go elsewhere and has found the NFL’s newest deep threat for years to come in DeSean Jackson. The big play threat Eagles have also brought along rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin nicely. He has had some great games and has been really coming along as of late.

For McNabbs critics that will never go away their favorite time of year is right around the corner. Unlike Peyton Manning who goes through most regular seasons like a scrimmage but folds early in the playoffs, McNabb usually has his best performances and leads his team deep in the playoffs. This year should be no different. The Eagles have been banged up all season but have found ways to win. They’re starting to get healthy just at the right time. McNabb will be displaying that typical smile of his once playoff time comes.

By: Raymond Ayala

Cedric Benson is a name that college football fans are familiar with, but now NFL fans will start to follow him the same way. Benson was a two way star in high school, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Benson turned down a pro-baseball contract, in order to play football. After accepting a scholarship to the University of Texas, Benson became a star. In 2005, the Chicago Bears with the 5th overall pick drafted Benson. The Bears were a playoff caliber team, and Benson was expected to be the final piece of the puzzle. After a lengthy holdout, Benson got a cold reception from his Bears’ teammates, mostly due to his cocky attitude. After a couple of big games, his attitude and immaturity eventually sent him packing out of Chicago. But now Benson has reemerged with the Cincinnati Bengals. His emergence has convinced me that Cedric Benson should be the comeback player of the year thus far.

On top of the drama with the Chicago Bears, Benson also battled alcoholism. The Bengals decided to give Benson another chance, and so far he was rewarded all those that took a chance on him. Benson has been humble ever since his time with the Bengals. A man who once thought alcohol had ended his playing career, has now resurrected it in the most unlikely of places. Everyone expected Benson to be the Bears golden ticket to the Super Bowl. Now he is the Bengals biggest secret weapon.

Coach Marvin Lewis has been rewarded with a quality running back that is capable of handling a big load. Even though Carson Palmer will always be the feature in the Cincinnati offense, Benson has quickly emerged as a great second option.

He has also rewarded fantasy football fans, with a great and late football pick. Benson was not even ranked in the top 20 by most fantasy experts and now he is a top five-fantasy football running back. Benson has already accumulated 531 rushing yards and four Touchdowns in only six games.

Will he continue at this pace? I think it will, because the Bengals are a legitimate playoff team, who will use Benson to sneak in with a Wild Card berth. While their division also has the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens vying for a playoff spot, but I expect the Steelers to fall in the end and not make the playoffs. The Ravens win the division and the Bengals win a Wild Card spot.

Right now there is a big group of Bengals that should already be taken in most fantasy leagues. Chad Ochocinco is letting his play do the talking this year and Carson Palmer has had his fair share of solid games. The Cincinnati defense has also collected points for fantasy owners thanks to the great play of Antwan Odom. Right now I would sit most Bengals, with the tough schedule they have coming up, except Ochocinco and Palmer. But keep an eye out during Weeks 11-13, when the Bengals face a slew of low-quality opponent.

By Raymond Ayala

The Oakland Raiders have hit rock bottom. If people thought the Detroit Lions organization was bad, enter your 2003 AFC Championship winning Raiders. That was the last time the Raiders even sniffed anything resembling the teams motto of “Generation of Excellence.” That generation of excellence has gone to the gutter, and the loyal fans of the Raiders are struggling with what to do with what already seems like another damned season. The fantasy impact, is plain and simple, don’t have any Raiders on your team.

Jamarcus Russell has been a bust thus far, but I would not give up on him just yet. For 2009, yes he is a dead duck, but in the future I still feel Russell could be a star. It is very rare a quarterback of his size and mobility is available in an NFL Draft. He has the tools, he has the arm, but like the tin man… “If he only had a brain!” After a recent game in Houston, Russell could hardly speak to reporters. Listening to him speak, was like listening to a high school student give a speech in front of a large audience. The guy needs to take some time to learn the playbook, as well as get some help from the Raiders to become a smarter football player. Russell has the tools to be a star quarterback in this league, but the Raiders need to put less emphasis on his physical tools, until he can improve on his mental tools.

Darren McFadden goes down, and so does the Raiders running game. While Michael Bush and Justin Fargas have had their big games, neither should even be thought of as deserving a starting spot in any fantasy league. McFadden has shown yardage increases every game before the injury, but with the terrible offensive line he has, it will be hard for him to have a good game. If you have him, drop him and pick up a backup on a playoff contender over a guy who starts for the Raiders.

Darius Heyward-Bey has been a disappointment. This guy may have speed, but his hands and routes are nowhere near field ready. Heyward-Bey should be returning kicks at this point, and should not even be seeing the playing field other than that. The Raiders will continue to force him out there, but a big game is nowhere in this guys 2009 season. If your in a keeper, hang on to him, but if you are going season to season release him now before it is too late.

The Raiders Organization has a chance to finish the season with just as many felonies on their head coach, as team wins. Head Coach Tom Cable would have been fired from any organization after punching out an assistant, but Al Davis runs the team so he probably just got a contract extension for the deed. The Raiders were once a proud organization that won championship after championship. Now they are the laughing stock of the league, and Al Davis is sitting on his hands doing nothing about it. Until Al Davis appoints someone else in charge, you can kiss any fantasy players from the Raiders goodbye.