By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

By themselves, offensive linemen obviously are obviously not draftable for a fantasy team.

But they could very well be the most influential players in football when it comes to deciding who you should draft.

After only three weeks, the 2011 NFL season has proven that.

A team’s offensive line is something you should definitely pay attention to when picking up players. Everyone who has Michael Vick as a starting quarterback is extremely frustrated at the Philadelphia Eagles’ o-line for not protecting their QB. The teams’ offensive linemen can’t take all the blame for the concussion and bruised hand he suffered in back-to-back weeks, but they should definitely shoulder a majority of it.

Vick is just one example of an elite fantasy player whose numbers could suffer because he plays with a suspect offensive line. The men in the trenches are extremely crucial to every part of a team’s offense, which makes them very important for your fantasy team.

When considering which players to pick up from the waiver list, think about their offensive lines. If the team has a strong line, it will probably boost the chances for a quarterback or running back to play well. By giving the quarterback more time to throw, the o-line could also give wide receivers a chance to run intricate routes and get open.

Teams like the New York Giants, Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots all have dependable offensive lines, and it’s a good idea to take a look at players on those teams when you’re adding someone from waivers. Look for players like Raiders running back Michael Bush, a big, bruising runner who excels in short-yardage situations and runs behind a solid line. Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz probably got picked up by fantasy owners all over the nation after his performance last week, and Torrey Smith of the Ravens, who also have a good o-line, was no doubt a popular pick-up. Both are examples of players who got opportunities to produce because their quarterbacks are usually not pressured.

The offensive line will probably mean the most to you during next year’s draft. At that time, consider a quarterback like Eli Manning or Joe Flacco over someone like Vick, who obviously has the potential to put up huge fantasy numbers but could also be sidelined because of injuries.

For now, you should keep this in mind as you make mid-season pick-ups. You never know which no-name running back or wide receiver could suddenly emerge as a starter because he benefits from a great offensive line.

By Vidur Malik

 notjustagame23@gmail.com

Cam Newton – Getting picked at No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers wasn’t much of a surprise, and now Newton will have to learn how to capitalize on his athleticism without relying on it. He doesn’t have many weapons to throw to, making his task much more difficult, so it will be interesting to see how his career unfolds. Newton has the potential to be successful if he can become a Ben Roethlisberger-type quarterback who can pass in the pocket and also have the ability to move in the pocket and run if necessary.

Jake Locker – While Newton’s early selection in the draft didn’t shock anyone, the Tennessee Titans taking Locker and eighth overall is one of the most surprising picks of the draft. Though he went much earlier than anyone thought, Locker does have a chance to be a solid quarterback. The Titans have an elite running back in Chris Johnson and a great defense, giving Locker the luxury of not having to lead the team if he becomes the starter. Like Newton, Locker will need to quiet his many doubters and prove that he can play quarterback in the NFL.

Blaine Gabbert – The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team in need of some excitement, and Gabbert could give it to them. Gabbert seems to have more NFL readiness than Newton or Locker, so there aren’t as many questions surrounding his selection. With a versatile running back in Maurice Jones-Drew and an emerging star in tight ends Marcedes Lewis, Gabbert does have some targets to go to. Based on current projections, it seems like Gabbert will be the most prepared to have a successful pro career.

Christian Ponder – The Minnesota Vikings selecting Ponder at No. 12 was easily the most surprising pick of the first round and probably of the entire draft. The Vikings could definitely use some competition at quarterback, and Ponder should probably have a chance to compete for the starting job. There is no shortage of talent on Minnesota’s offense, with running back Adrian Peterson in the backfield and Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe giving Ponder several downfield threats to throw to.

Andy Dalton – With their quarterback situation in limbo, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Dalton early in the second round to take a shot at leading their offense. Dalton’s collegiate success at TCU should translate well to the NFL. He may not be as athletic as other rookies at his position, but he should be able to make the mental adjustment. With rookie receiver A.J. Green also coming to Cincinnati and joining Chad Ochocinco and running back Cedric Benson, Dalton should have a good nucleus of weapons to lead.

Colin Kaepernick – Another surprise quarterback pick, Kaepernick will go from leading Nevada’s pistol offense to trying to make it as a leader of a pro-style offense. At 6-foot-5 and 233 lbs., Kaepernick has the physical tools to make the transition, but having to learn a professional offense will be a daunting task for him. As part of a team that hasn’t had a consistent starting quarterback for almost a decade, Kaepernick might get the chance to prove himself soon.

Ryan Mallett – The New England Patriots made an intriguing selection by picking Mallet in the third round. The Patriots won’t be having a quarterback controversy anytime soon, but Mallett gives the team a chance to prepare for life after Tom Brady is no longer under center. Physically, he’s got everything he needs to be a good NFL quarterback, and there is enough young talent on the Patriots’ offense to help him find success whenever he gets his chance.

By Vidur Malik

 notjustagame23@gmail.com

San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs have been struggling lately and might lose the top spot in the West by season’s end, but they’re the kind of team that won’t be affected in the postseason by regular-season issues. If Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and the solid role players around them stay healthy, the Spurs could very well be hoisting another trophy in June.

Los Angeles Lakers – If the Spurs do indeed lose the No. 1 seed by playoff time, it will probably go to the Lakers. They’ve got all the tools to accomplish a three-peat. Their size is a huge advantage on offense and defense, they’ve got athleticism and experience in the backcourt and Kobe Bryant has willed his team to victory so many times before that it would almost be surprising not to see him in the Finals.

Dallas Mavericks – Time is winding down for Dirk Nowitzki to win a ring. The players around him can score, rebound and play defense, making the Mavs a well-rounded team. Dallas will have to contend with teams like the Spurs, Lakers and Thunder before they can think about getting out of the West, so this postseason will be as tough as any other for Nowitzki and the Mavs.

Oklahoma City Thunder – The Thunder are one of the teams of the future, and they’ll make things interesting in the playoffs, but they won’t get too far. If the season ended today they would be playing the Denver Nuggets in the first round, which is a winnable series, but there’s still too much talent and playoff experience for the Thunder to deal with.

Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets will probably enter the postseason with the most momentum of any team in the league, but that doesn’t mean much when the playoffs start. Don’t expect Denver to make it out of the first round. They’ll give Oklahoma City a good fight, but the Nuggets will make another first round exit this year.

New Orleans Hornets – Losing David West for the season was a tough loss for the Hornets, who, if they will be playing the Lakers in the first round, might be able to steal a few games because of Chris Paul’s leadership and the talented role players the team has around him.

Portland Trail Blazers – If they play the Lakers in the first round, as they would based on current standings, the Blazers could play a competitive series. LaMarcus Aldridge, Gerald Wallace and the young Blazers have the energy to win at least a few games in the first round, and though they’ll probably leave the playoffs early, they can push their opponent out of their comfort zone and expose some weaknesses.

Memphis Grizzlies – The Grizzlies aren’t going to give the Spurs any trouble in the first round, but they do have the pieces to be a playoff team for a long time. They’ve got size in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, a proven scorer in Rudy Gay, and solid players at the guard and forward spots.

Eastern Conference

Chicago Bulls – The Bulls have been an elite team the entire season, and will stay in that category for a while. Derrick Rose has grown into a leader and a superstar, and has the drive to push his team far into the playoffs. They’re still too young to get past teams like the Boston Celtics, but this team will make noise in the East for a long time.

Boston Celtics – Though the Bulls and Heat are higher seeds, the Celtics still have more championship experience than those teams and should never be counted out. No one would be surprised if the Celtics knocked off the Bulls and advanced to the Finals behind the leadership of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. The shock of losing Kendrick Perkins would all but disappear if Boston went back to the Finals this year.

Miami Heat – Everyone’s least-favorite team has the potential to make it to the Finals, but the Heat could also have a tough time just getting out of the first round. As of now, they would be playing the New York Knicks, a team with its own superstar issues. These teams have made for some dramatic matchups and storylines, and the Heat will probably win an exciting first-round series and go on to make more drama.

Orlando Magic – The Magic don’t have the experience to make it out of the second round of the East, but there’s no doubting their talent. Dwight Howard is the most dominant post player in the game, and he’s surrounded by good shooters and playmakers, but the team doesn’t have the experience or explosiveness to compete with the Celtics, Bulls or Heat for a seven game series.

Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks are slated to play the Magic as the East’s No. 5 seed, and just like the 2010 postseason, they’ll probably be eliminated by Orlando. The Hawks have been hovering around the above-average category in the East, and with their youth, they’ll probably stay there for a while.

New York Knicks – The Knicks have made headlines, but they won’t make it to May. Since the Carmelo Anthony trade, New York has been streaky, going on winning and losing streaks without showing much consistency. It will take a while before Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks develop a chemistry that can make them legitimate contenders.

Philadelphia 76ers – The 76ers are a young team with guards that can score. That could mean one win against the Celtics in the first round, but not much else. If the core of Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and players like Louis Williams and Jrue Holiday stick around, the Sixers should be a consistent playoff team.

Indiana Pacers – There’s enough size and talent on the Pacers to think that they could make things interesting as the No. 8 seed, but they’ll make an early exit from the playoffs after returning to the postseason for the first time in five years.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Of the many recent trades in the NBA recently, the one between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Bobcats isn’t getting much publicity nationwide, but it is one that seems to have worked out for both teams, especially the Blazers.

Portland traded center Joel Pryzbilla, forward Sean Marks, power forward Dante Cunningham and two first-round picks for forward Gerald Wallce. The Trail Blazers gave up a lot for one guy, but Wallace brings a lot to his new team and can help in several ways.

With the Bobcats, Wallace averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and in three games with the Blazers, he’s averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His numbers have dropped, but as he gets more comfortable with his new team, they should go back up. His steals per game have gone up from 1.2 to 2.0 since being traded, and he’s a great athlete who regularly gets play-of-the-night worthy blocks and dunks. Portland didn’t really have that kind of athlete on its roster, so Wallace brings a new element to the team.

Meanwhile, the new Bobcats have not done much since being traded. Pryzbilla and Marks have not scored a point as Bobcats so far, and Cunningham hasn’t played more than 12 minutes in a game. The first-round draft picks are for this year’s draft and for the 2013 draft, and they should help a young Bobcats team that has the pieces for success. Pryzbilla, Cunningham, and Marks could be key role players in Charlotte for a while, but as of now, the Blazers are getting a more immediate impact since the trade.

If you’ve got Wallace on your team, expect more of the same stats he’s been putting up this year. He’s a great player to have coming off the bench to give Portland a boost. It looks like he’s getting close to the same amount of minutes he was getting in Charlotte, so he can still play the same role in Portland. His statline in the Blazers’ 103-87 loss to the Houston Rockets on Mar. 1 is indicative of the many ways in which he can help your team. In that game Wallace had 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and went 3-4 from 3-point range. He can be Portland’s third or fourth-leading scorer and has a chance to be the team’s most complete player.

Look for Wallace to become a crucial part of the Blazers this season and beyond, and expect him to contribute significantly to your fantasy team.

By Vidur Malik

Much has changed in the NBA’s Eastern conference in the past decade. Many of today’s contenders were at the bottom of the East just a few years ago, and the elite teams of the decade’s earlier years are now in rebuilding mode.

The Detroit Pistons are perhaps the best example of this power shift in the East. From 2002 to 2007, the Pistons made it to five straight Eastern conference finals series, and made it to two NBA Finals in that span, including a dominating four-game series win over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and the selfless Piston lineup are either out of Detroit or becoming irrelevant. They’ve taken chances on aging players like Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady without great results, and they’re currently 12-26 and at the bottom of the conference.

Despite its struggles, there is enough young talent on the team to instill hope for the future. Guard Rodney Stuckey and forward Tayshaun Prince have been reliable players for a while now, and there are younger players who are showing signs of solid play. Rookie center Greg Monroe has seen a huge improvement in his numbers recently. He is averaging 5.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game this year, but he’s had a double-double in his past four games. That kind of consistency is something that can benefit your fantasy team. If four-straight games of double-digit points and rebounds aren’t enough to convince you to pick him up, keep an eye on him to see if he keeps it up. If Monroe continues to develop, he could be the East’s next great big man and have some epic battles with Dwight Howard.

Though his numbers might not be as impressive as Monroe’s, Pistons forward Austin Daye has also been playing well recently. Daye has improved his numbers in important categories in his second year in the league. His scoring average has gone from 5.1 in his rookie year to 6.6, he’s getting more minutes and his three-point percentage has risen significantly. Day hit 29 3-pointers in 2009, and has already made 27 this year. If you’re looking for a forward who you don’t need to depend on for big numbers every night, consider Daye. He might not be a consistent scorer, but if you want to take a chance on someone, he would be a good pick.

The championship-caliber teams of the early-to-mid 2000’s are gone, but there is a new group that could make the Pistons a playoff team again. You’ll benefit from picking up those players and seeing how they can add to your team’s production.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Ed Davis – Davis has seen a boost in minutes lately, and an increase in production as well. In the Toronto Raptors’ win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, Davis saw his first extended playing time of the season. He led the Raptors with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes. Davis can also contribute a few blocks and steals per game, so he should be able to get you points in a wide range of categories.

Beno Udrih – Udrih is a starter again for the Sacramento Kings, and he’s had a solid year so far. He scores 13.8 points per game, the highest total of his career. He’s also averaging 32 minutes per game for the season, so whether or not he’s starting, he’ll get his opportunities. If your guards aren’t cutting it in terms of scoring, you should seriously consider picking up Udrih.

Wes Johnson – On a struggling team like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Johnson is getting a chance to show his skills. The rookie swingman from Syracuse can be a good scoring guard for your team. The Timberwolves have size, so Johnson doesn’t get many rebounds despite his height advantage over most guards, but he is shooting well from the floor and is an efficient scorer, meaning that he doesn’t need many shots to get you points.

Marvin Williams – Williams is part of a young and athletic Atlanta Hawks team, and has begun his sixth year in the NBA on a good note. He’s shooting 48%, the highest mark of his career in that category, and is putting up 11 points per game with just under five rebounds a game. He’s become a key member of the Hawks, and if they can contend with the elite teams in the league, Williams will have to play a major role. Pick him up if you’re looking for more rebounds and points on a more consistent basis.

Jonny Flynn – Like Johnson, Flynn is a young player getting opportunities on the Timberwolves. Flynn has been making use of the playing time he gets and can be a good pickup if you’re looking for another guard to provide some points. He won’t give you a lot of points or assists if he continues to get the amount of minutes he’s getting now, but if you need more production, it wouldn’t hurt to get him off waivers and see what he can do.

Terrence Williams – Williams has yet to get playing time after being traded to the Houston Rockets, but when he does, he could be another scoring option. Williams also averages 3.6 rebounds a game this year, but that number should increase on a team that doesn’t have a player who averages double-digit rebounds per night. Forward Luis Scola leads the Rockets with 8.4 rebounds a game, so there should be plenty of opportunities for Williams to both score and rebound on his new team.

Shawne Williams- Williams is garnering more playing time every night he continues to produce in limited minutes. His coming out onto the court and adding another deep threat from three for the Knicks. He is currently 19 of 32 from three point range. An astounding 60%. He may be the new Channing Frye in Dantoni’s system.