Keeping It Tight With a New Era of Tight Ends

Brent Celek: Philadelphia Eagles

Even though Brent Celek is going into his fourth year as a pro, you can say that he has had only two real seasons starting. Many have considered his success a fluke. With Donovan McNabb jerseys departing Philadelphia this year, many have said that Celek's production will drastically decrease.

Disregarding my being an Eagles fan since 1989, I have a hard time believing this. Coach Andy Reid has a new young quarterback named Kevin Kolb. Kevin Kolb will have guidance from coach Reid throughout the season. Kolb will throw a lot of short passes, and by doing so, Celek will have his hands full all season.

Brent Celek's production won't decrease—I see him contributing the same amount as last year. For fantasy owners, I think Celek is a great pick. He's young, productive, and he will light up the screen come fantasy football season.

2009 stats: 76 receptions, 971 yards receiving, 8 touchdowns
Projection 2010: 77 receptions, 970 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns

Jermichael Finley: Green Bay Packers jerseys

If there were a breakout player at the tight end position that I would consider, my pen and paper would write "Jermichael Finley." Finley surprised many across the football world. He was drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Ever since then, Jermichael Finley has shocked many skeptics with his athletic abilities. At age 23, he is only starting his career. He's a great pick for fantasy owners because he can contribute in an enormous way.

With Aaron Rodgers jerseys at quarterback, Finley will see his numbers increase over the years. His speed and size will place him at the slot position at times, and that will set him up for some deep ball plays.

2009 stats: 55 receptions, 676 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns
2010 projection: 64 receptions, 875 yards receiving, 8 touchdowns

John Carlson: Seattle Seahawks

Entering his third year as a pro football player, John Carlson has placed his feet in the NFL as a future star tight end. His numbers have stayed the same in the past two years, but the future looks great for young Carlson.

With the running game hopefully coming back in Seattle, John Carlson can expect a variety of passes from Matt Hasselback. His receiving yards did decline in the past two years, but his touchdown statistics saw a slight increase. He managed seven touchdowns in 2009, two better than in the previous year.

Moving forward, I see Carlson's role in Seattle becoming more important, especially after the loss of some receivers. If I were selecting a tight end for a fantasy football league, I would consider John Carlson a predominant player for the years to come.

2009 stats: 51 receptions, 574 yards receiving, 7 touchdowns
2010 projection: 56 receptions, 675 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns

The most important storylines at the camps I'll be visiting

WHO MAKES THE BIGGEST LEAP?

There are a number of players poised to take a big step in their careers, and it starts with an excellent training camp and preseason. Here are five guys I will be watching to see if they are ready to emerge.

» New 49ers jerseys QB Alex Smith: He finished last season strong, and all indications coming out of the locker room are that he's the real leader of the team and is ready to go to the 25-touchdown level.

» Jaguars QB David Garrard: He had a very solid offseason for Jacksonville after making the Pro Bowl a year ago. His rookie offensive tackles are now veterans, and his receivers are maturing.

» Packers TE Jermichael Finley: He is ready to explode. After talking to A.J. Hawk and Aaron Rodgers this summer, it sounds like Finley's time is now.

» Redskins TE Fred Davis: He came on strong to close last season and now gets to work with Donovan McNabb. Davis could be moving up into the 60-reception range or even higher considering Mike Shanahan loves the tight end in the passing game.

» Cardinals RB Beanie Wells: He is another player ready to make a quantum leap. Arizona moved more toward the run before Warner retired and now will lean on the ground game even more to give Matt Leinart jersey a better chance to succeed. Wells averaged 4.5 yards on 176 carries with seven touchdowns as a rookie. This year it could easily be 225 carries, 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

ROOKIES WHO SHOULD MAKE AN IMPACT

Rookies who miss time trying to get a contract fall so far behind that they really can't catch up and make an immediate impact. Beyond that, if opening day holds true to form, we should see between 20-25 rookies starting. With 704 total starters on offense and defense that means three to four percent will be rookies.

Here are the first-round rookies I think have the best chance to make a difference right away. Detroit's Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best, Kansas City's Eric Berry, San Diego's Ryan Mathews, and Seattle's Earl Thomas.

The second-round picks also have talent, but a lot less pressure, meaning there might even be a few more players who can quickly emerge. Philadelphia's Nate Allen, Miami's Koa Misi and Cleveland's Montario Hardesty are guys to watch.

HANDLING SUSPENDED PLAYERS AND HOLD OUTS

The more reps Ben Roethlisberger takes now, the less time the eventual starter while Roethlisberger is suspended gets to prepare. It is a tough balancing act, and it will be interesting to watch how coach Mike Tomlin handles practice and preseason games.

The same could be said for Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, who is suspended for four games. Replacement Xavier Adibi needs all the work he can get, especially with the Week 1 matchup against the Colts.

In San Diego, how will the Chargers deal with Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson if they actually decide not to show for camp? Keep in mind, Jackson has already been suspended by the league to start the season. One injury at wide receiver or tackle, and general manager A.J. Smith jersey might have to hit the open market or look for trade opportunities.

WHICH NEW COORDINATOR MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

Jim Haslett might have been criticized by some observers when he was a head coach, but as a defensive coordinator he is in his element. The former linebacker is well-versed in the 4-3 as well as the 3-4. In Washington, Haslett will build an attacking 3-4 that features Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo as the pass rushers. They had 22 sacks between them last year, and the influences of the Steelers' 3-4 will be visible as Haslett molds this defense.

Mike Nolan has to be a lot more creative taking over the Miami defense, which saw its nose tackle retire and two veteran outside linebackers (Joey Porter and Jason Taylor) get shown the door.

Charlie Weis takes over an offensive system in Kansas City that he knows inside out. He also has a quarterback in Matt Cassel who speaks the same language. We should see some early results from that combination.

As for opponents, it can be very challenging to get a feel for the new play-caller. As one NFL advance scout said, "You can throw away all of your computer scouting reports on tendencies of those teams; it's a whole new ball game."

My second stop on my camp tour is at the New York Giants jerseys. It will be very interesting to see what kind of defense Perry Fewell will bring to the G-Men.

the next face of the Falcons

The one-minute performance likely won't be the last Jackson does with ties to Atlanta. Atlanta director Kenny Leon has previously said he'd like for the "Pulp Fiction" star to play the role of Martin Luther King Jr. on Broadway.He's dressed in black and red, and stands on the 50-yard line at the Georgia Dome. His presence is commanding, and his voice is forceful and commanding when he speaks. He's leading a choir.

"I really believe the Falcons jerseys are headed in the right direction," Jackson said.


Jackson, whose ties to Atlanta include a Morehouse diploma, tells ESPN.com it was an honor to film the commercial. He also still has his Steve Bartkowski jersey, he told the magazine.


"It's time we all rise up," Jackson says in the video. "We've been knocking on the door. Now it's time to blow it up."


Instead, the Atlanta Falcons jerseys have gone Hollywood for a video promotion released Friday. Actor Samuel L. Jackson is the man urging fans and the city to "Rise Up" in the powerful production.


If you're thinking Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez jerseysor Michael Turner, you're wrong.

Five rookies who intrigue me

 Dez Bryant , wide receiver, Dallas: He was the most talented wide receiver in the draft, yet he lasted until the 24th pick because people feared he was irresponsible and undependable. Now he looks like a steal for Dallas and an Offensive Rookie of the Year waiting to happen. Speculation centered on Bryant wanting top 10 money. All I know is this guy has top 10 talent and should help the Cowboys, either as one of new Tony Romo jersey's targets or as a returner.

Jimmy Clausen , quarterback, Carolina: Clausen was the second-best quarterback in the draft, but he wasn't drafted until midway through the second round. We've already talked about why potential suitors were scared off. Now it's time to talk about what it means, and it could mean trouble for Carolina's opponents. Don't tell me Clausen doesn't have something to prove. I saw what Aaron Rodgers did after lasting until the 24th pick of the 2006 draft. Clausen went 48th, and, yeah, I'd say he should have a grudge ... against everyone outside the 704 area code.

Ryan Mathews , running back, San Diego: There's a ton of pressure on anyone who follows LaDainian Tomlinson jersey into San Diego, and Ryan Mathews just drew the short straw. The Bolts love him, and it's easy to see why. He's big. He's physical. He has great vision. And he's productive, leading the nation with 157.5 yards per game as a junior. Sound familiar? It should. Mathews wore No. 21 at West High School in Bakersfield in honor of his favorite running back. "When you see this guy play," said coach Norv Turner after the Bolts traded up to acquire Mathews, "you're going to understand why we made the deal we did."

Kyle Wilson , cornerback, New York Jets: Rex Ryan said his brother Rob was interested in him in Cleveland and that the Browns considered him with the seventh overall draft pick. Makes sense to me. Some people had Wilson the best cover corner on the board. The Browns instead chose Joe Haden, and Wilson lasted until the 29th choice. Finding him there was a steal, and he could make a big difference with a team that didn't have enough cornerbacks to stop Peyton Manning a year ago.

 Tim Tebow jersey  , quarterback, Denver:  So his name sells a lot of Denver jerseys. Big deal. I don't need an accountant to tell me the guy has a rock-star following. What I want to know is this: Is he qualified to play at this level? The Broncos think he is; a lot of others think he isn't. That's why they play the games.

FANTASY FOOTBALL SPIN

Stud

RB Adrian Peterson

Even in PPR leagues,  I would not shy away from taking AP in the top two and a case can be made for taking him over Chris Johnson in standard scoring leagues.

With Chester Taylor's 44 catches now in Chicago, new Peterson jersey will likely become more involved in the passing game and I'm expecting yardage totals similar to 2008, when AP had close to 1,900 total yards.  In three seasons, Peterson has never failed to top 1,300 yards and has averaged 13 TDs per season.

As long as Favre returns, defenses will be unable to focus their attention on the running game which might allow AP to top 20 touchdowns in 2010.

 

Overvalued

Vikings Defense /ST  

The front four is one of the best in the league as evidenced by the fact that the new Vikings jerseys led the league in sacks in 2009.  However, their secondary is porous and lacks any true playmakers. CB Cedric Griffin is a below average cover corner and is likely to miss part of 2010 recovering from ACL surgery.

His apparent replacement is second round pick Chris Cook, who some GMs had pegged as a safety.

Antoine Winfield is one of the fiercest hitters in the NFL but will need to show that he's recovered from a foot injury that limited his effectiveness for most of the second half of the 2009 season.

 One also must factor in the possibility that there is a good chance of suspension for the Williams wall due to the violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Percy Harvin jersey is a major plus for as long as the team will continue to take advantage of his elite kick return skills (two return TDs in his rookie season).  The Vikings current ADP has them off the board as the #2 DEF/ST but I would caution that their low turnover total from 2009 (24 turnovers: 13 fumbles, 11 interceptions) is a product of a weak secondary that might ultimately cost them a chance at an elusive Super Bowl.

 

Undervalued

WR Percy Harvin

The electric rookie proved his worth in 2009 emerging as the Vikings No. 2 WR and a special teams nightmare for opposing defenses. 

The versatile Harvin and the creativity with which he was utilized by the Vikings coaching staff may have set a precedent for similarly small, speedy, and multi-dimensional threats (see Dexter McCluster).

The departure of Chester Taylor could lead to increased carries for the multi-talented Harvin, further increasing his fantasy value.  He caught 60 passes for 790 yards (13 yds/catch) in 2009 and has the game breaking skill to approach 1,000 yards in his 2nd year in the Vikings system.

The migraine issues are a concern but his upside potential makes him a high end WR3 / low end WR2 and ideal pick in dynasty leagues.

Top QB award: Devlin?

It's also a reminder that Delaware needs to provide the protection, blocking and run-game balance that will make it even more likely that Devlin will be at his best in 2010.

That's a prestigious honor, and a reason why Blue Hen hopes are — and should be — high this season.

Past winners include Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Matt Leinart, Matt Ryan jerseyand Colt McCoy.

The second-year transfer from Penn State is also one of 22 — and the only one from a I-AA school — on the preliminary Watch List for the 2010 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the best quarterback in college football — period.

But Devlin is even going one better there.

When this year's preliminary Watch List came out, which simply signifies preseason candidates for the award, it was no surprise that UD senior quarterback Pat Devlin was there. He deserves to be. Devlin finished 17th in the Payton voting last year (and fifth among returning players).

Several Delaware players have been candidates, including 2003 finalist Andy Hall, quarterback of the Hens' NCAA title team.

Those of us who follow Division I-AA (FCS) football are well aware of the Walter Payton jersey Award, handed annually to the nation's top offensive player at that NCAA level.

QB Matthew Stafford 'becoming a veteran and a pro'

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "Not only being in the system for another year, but having guys around that can really make plays lets us open up the playbook, do a little bit more. I think everyone's getting comfortable with each other."

Besides improving the chemistry with his No. 1 receiver, Stafford jersey also is getting more help around him with new players like receiver Nate Burleson, running back Jahvid Best and tight end Tony Scheffler. And that has helped give Stafford more options and made him feel more comfortable.

"I think he lost some of that newness and that rookie (aspect) and that sort of everything was new to him," Mayhew said during last month's minicamp. "I think he's becoming a veteran and a pro. I think he's communicating with the receivers more. I think that's big. And he's developing a good rapport with Calvin jersey (Johnson), which is important."

But Stafford's second year will be his first full season with the team, with a full complement of off-season preparation. General manager Martin Mayhew said he already has been able to see the difference in Stafford this year.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was praised often as a rookie last season for a big arm and football intelligence.