Ask the Experts

July 23, 2014

Which training camp battle are you most intrigued by?

ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly from training camp through Super Bowl with answers to a new question being posted Thursday morning. How the guest experts responded when we asked them: Which upcoming training camp battle are you most intrigued by?

DAVID DOREY

I am interested in the Giants training camp where the No. 2 WR is not completely firm yet. Reuben Randle is the likely starter and will be going into camp. But the rookie Odell Beckham has a chance to unseat Randle and the 1.12 pick out of LSU is a burner. We forget what the Giants passing game can be like since Gilbride’s offensive scheme was far too dated but a new coordinator means no allegiance to anyone and I want to see what Beckham looks like this summer.

Dorey is the co-founder and lead NFL analyst for The Huddle and author of Fantasy Football: The Next Level. He has projected and predicted every NFL game and player performance since 1997 and has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, radio and television.

MICHAEL NAZAREK

I'm looking forward to the battle between MJD and Run DMC in Oakland for the starting tailback job. Although Run DMC has the edge to start, he simply can't stay healthy over the long haul, so look for MJD to eventually win that job, giving him more fantasy value.

Nazarek is the CEO of Fantasy Football Mastermind Inc. His company offers a preseason draft guide, customizable cheat sheets, a multi-use fantasy drafting program including auction values, weekly in-season fantasy newsletters, injury reports and free NFL news (updated daily) at its web site. He has been playing fantasy football since 1988 and is a four-peat champion of the SI.com Experts Fantasy League, a nationally published writer in several fantasy magazines and a former columnist for SI.com. For more info go to www.ffmastermind.com. Nazarek can be reached via email at miken@ffmastermind.com.

BRYAN HOUGH

The camp battle that I'm most interested in is the running backs in Cleveland. For now, Ben Tate is the starter, but rookie Terrance West has impressed head coach Mike Pettine, with his agility, nimble footwork and cutback ability. Whom ever wins the starting job will make a nice RB 2. The Browns plan on running more this year; with no sure wide receivers, they will want to take pressure off rookie Manziel or veteran Hoyer. Ben Tate is being drafted in the 5th round of drafts and Terrance West in the 9th round. My advice is to draft both of them for now, but my money is on West.

Fantasytitan101.com is in its first year. It is a fantasy football advice site ran by Bryan Hough, a High Stakes player, along with his technical guy Tony Lee. The site offers live draft results from High Stake drafts along with draft strategies, matchups and analysis, real-time cheat sheets, late breaking news, live injury updates, start'em/sit'em, sleepers, busts, breakouts, gut-check picks, best waiver wire options, player projections and rankings and much more!

IAN ALLAN

I’m interested in having a look at the San Francisco running backs. Frank Gore is getting up there; he can’t go on forever. I will be very surprised if he plays all 16 games. With that in mind, let’s see what Carlos Hyde looks like in August. If he winds up with that backup job, my hunch is he’ll be very good at some point this year. That team can really run the ball. They’ve also got Kendall Hunter and Marcus Lattimore (and even LaMichael James) so lots of depth there.

Allan is the senior writer for Fantasy Football Index. He's been in that role since 1987, generating most of the player rankings and analysis for that publication. His work can be seen in Fantasy Football Index magazine, and also at www.fantasyindex.com.

MICAH JAMES

It might not be the most sexy camp battle, but I'll be very interested in watching how the Falcons' backfield shapes up over the next few weeks. Steven Jackson struggled last season; whether injuries will be a factor again in 2014 is something to pay attention to especially given Jackson's current position as a bottom-tier RB3. If Jackson doesn't look ready to carry the load, rookie Devonta Freeman should be quite capable. Also available in the RB4 range, whichever of these two players seizes the starting role could pay huge dividends for fantasy owners.

James, the Fantasy Football MagicMan, currently hosts the weekly FFToolbox Fantasy Football Radio Show. In 2012, the FFMagicMan won the Fantasy Sports Trade Association’s Preseason Accuracy Rankings Challenge, and followed that performance with a Runner-Up finish in 2013. James posts his in-season rankings on the FantasyPros Experts’ rankings every week, and you can find his latest musings at ffmagicman.com. Follow him on Twitter at @FFMagicMan.

ALAN SATTERLEE

To me, the most interesting camp battle is the Cleveland Brown running back situation. First, there could be big potential for whomever gets the starting job given the amount of carries likely from the Cleveland offense under the approach of new coach Mike Pettine. Ben Tate has been considered the favorite since Cleveland signed him in free agency, but Terrance West could be in the mix too. I also want to see the 1st-round rookie QB battles in Cleveland, Jacksonville and Minnesota to see if Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater, respectively, will start or not. I particularly want to see the Minnesota situation as I think Teddy Bridgewater can have solid backup fantasy QB potential given the skill-position talent on the Vikings. I also want to keep tabs on the Panthers camp. Johnathan Stewart is reportedly having his most healthy offseason and I'd like to see how he's looking heading into 2014.

Satterlee is Co-Owner and Chief Editor/COO of FantasyFootballWarehouse.com. FFW features comprehensive profiles for all the major 2013 skill-position rookies, its Trading Spaces series, the team Deep Dives, the Speed Bump competition plus draft strategies, rankings, projections and more. FFW runs in tandem with its dynasty site DynastyFootballWarehouse.com.

SCOTT SACHS

As a member of Browns Town, winter home of Johnny Football, I will ignore the obvious high-profile QB battle which should be everyone in America's No. 1 camp battle to watch. Instead, I will comment on the RB competition. In a close contest, veteran Ben Tate may end up starting, but smart money says Terrance West may end up the better value. Why West? First, did you see that he scored 40+ TDs last year in school—that’s in just one year—not his college career! Although Ben Tate is reunited with his previous OC in Kyle Shanahan, his injury history should concern all of us who bleed brown & orange. Let's remember that Shanahan coached up no-name 6th rounder Alfred Morris into an All-Pro at Washington, so we’re all eager to see what he can do with another anonymous budding talent such as West. Mike Pettine has publicly stated that both Tate and West have similar styles and he expects to have [the dreaded] RBBC situation going into the season. An important note is that West should emerge as the goal-line back from the get-go, adding extra value. As far as the eventual starter, look for the RB situation to mirror the Browns’ QB contest: the vet starts the season, but the rookie emerges by the bye week.

With 2 perfect seasons to his credit, Scott Sachs runs Perfect Season Fantasy Football, featuring LIVE Talk & Text consulting, advice, and opinions. Serving as one of the "Experts" for Fantasy Football Index, was 2011 wire-to-wire winner in Mock Auction Draft League. Also, was named winner of the 2012 Fantasy Football Index Expert's Poll! In 2013 Fantasy Index Leagues, finished No. 2 in Mock Auction, No. 3 in Draft.

SAM HENDRICKS

The Titans RB battle has me worried. People are overvaluing the rookie Bishop Sankey and undervaluing Shonn Greene. Sankey has gone as early as the 3rd round as the 16th RB. Too high for me. I do not rank rookie RBs that high. Greene is 40th for me since there is a chance he is the man in Tennessee. Rookie RBs sometimes have pass blocking issues among other NFL transitions. But until this is sorted out I am leery of Sankey that high or Greene too low and Jackie Battle has some sleeper potential too. Another battle to watch is in Cleveland to see which WR becomes the primary pass catcher. Options there include Nate Burleson, Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin.

Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips and Fantasy Football Basics, all available at ExtraPointPress.com, at all major bookstores, and at Amazon and BN.com. He is a 20-plus year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 competitors) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). Follow him at his web site, www.ffguidebook.com.

ANDY RICHARDSON

There are a lot of good running back battles, but I'll be watching a couple in the AFC East and AFC North. In the East, it seems to be accepted as a given that Stevan Ridley will be the main ballcarrier and that Brandon Bolden is on the roster bubble, but Ridley has been benched too many times for me to take that as a given. Maybe Bolden or rookie James White makes a run at that job. In Miami you've got Lamar Miller and Knowshon Moreno, in Cleveland is the Ben Tate-Terrance West battle. In each case, one of those guys will be the main runner and have some significant value. Lastly, we know Ray Rice will be suspended, and we know Rice and Bernard Pierce both struggled last year. So maybe rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro sneaks up the depth chart. Stranger things have happened.

Richardson has been a contributor and editor to the Fantasy Football Index magazine and www.fantasyindex.com since 2002. His responsibilities include team defense and IDP projections and various site features, and he has run the magazine's annual experts draft and auction leagues since their inception. He previews all the NFL games on Saturdays and writes a wrap-up column on Mondays during the NFL season.

Older

Newer

My dad and I have subscribed since I was 10 years old and I am 38 now. We canʼt go a season without it.

Trevor T. Sparks, Nev.

You guys are great - if you look at my account, I believe I have been a subscriber for around 20 years! Unfortunately, a few years ago a couple of other owners found the same publication (they didnʼt get it from me; I always disguised the sheets while at the draft!)

Michael B. St. Charles, Mo.

I have purchased your magazine since my first fantasy football season ever 12 season ago and love the insight you offer. Thank you for the great service, I look forward to many many more years of enjoying your subscription!

Paul L. Mequon, Wisc.

The magazine is exactly the same as last year, which is perfect. Boys, we have a chance to repeat in the 33rd year of the NWFFL. I am counting on you to help pull it off. FI has been a league staple for decades, one of my guys has every edition. A few years ago, we devised a clever way to use one of your lists to draft a team for an absent owner, the sob won it all. We love you guys. Peace!

Glenn S. Olympia, Wash.

Hi, received my copy over the weekend and I think it's the best work you guys have done (I've been reading your publication since 1988). The writing is terrific and full of good humor, along with more substance than anybody else has.

Keep up the great work!

John L. Madison, Wis.

I'm in 3 leagues. All have different formats. I bought one magazine, the same magazine for 30 years. I keep the Fantasy Football Index handy and refer back to your preseason reports throughout the season to help me evaluate roster moves in every format. This week I'm in two championship games and a semifinal. Did I tell you I'm in three leagues? Three playoff teams! Best fantasy season ever. Thank you.

Henry G. Bartlett, Ill.

Thanks for another great season of Fantasy Index, you avoid group-think and form your own opinions, and always have. I've been using your products since 1992, and you've always been a cut above the rest.

Rob D. Wellington, Fla.

Thank you for all you do and what your team does. Been playing since mid 90s and your mag has been there every year. The mailer I get with the questions on the front is what I consider the beginning of the fantasy football season. Get the updates and listen to the podcast. I write a weekly column for the newspaper I work at and always appreciate the work you put in to produce as much as you do. Just a fan saying thanks and will keep up with you and the site through the season.

Jason C. Tulsa, Okla.

A little feedback from a long time customer.

Our fantasy pool is entering its 25^th year and I have used multiple books and on-line tools over the years.

I have locked on to Fantasy Index as my go to for the last 5 years and have won the pool 3 of those years and finished no lower than 4^th.

Interesting to see how much more accurate you were at the end of the year compared to other books my competitors used.

Having it in a format that allows me to work the forecasts to match our scoring system and then receive updates as the season approaches is invaluable. Whoever your sources are for the forecasts are the best. Hang on to them. Thanks for the help!!

Peter M. London, Ontario, Canada

I did receive the updated draft ranking from you guys in plenty of time for my draft that night. My draft report gave me an A+ and predicted me to go 14-0 and win my league! I just want to say thank you for the excellent customer service that your company provided me. When I first started playing fantasy football more than 15 years ago, I used to buy as many fantasy football magazines as I could find. It wasnʼt long before I only purchased Fantasy Football Index each year. It is by far the most comprehensive, well written fantasy football magazine on the market. Also, I almost always rank in the top three in my fantasy football leagues, and won my league last year. Thank you to you and all of your great team. You have a customer for life!

Trey C. Fort Worth, Texas

Thank you for all the updates etc. In the last 14 or 15 years, we have placed in the top three 9 times winning it all 4 times. I have been a customer of yours for many years. Our success is partially due to luck, but I think your magazine with all of the good stuff has been a real contributing factor. Keep up the good work. Will be a customer until the time I can't read anymore.

Richard M. Imperial, Neb.

I just wanted to send everyone at Fantasy Football Index an apology. Since 2003 (Ricky Williams cover), I've protected my source of information and have gone out of my way to hide Fantasy Football Index from my leagues prying eyes. I've won championships in leagues and money playing Daily Fantasy and your Training Camp updates are the highlight of my summer and a recurring order for me every single season. I just wanted to Thank You and everyone there (customer service, the writers, janitors, secretaries and assistants) for your hard work and dedication.

You are appreciated and valued part of my Fantasy Football Operations department even if i never speak your name in fear that others in my league will discover the wondrous bounty of knowledge contained in your pages…

From the bottom of a champion's heart,

Dave M. Elma, N.Y.

I wanted to send a quick note and thank you for your great magazine! The information you provide, has allowed me to win my league 3 years in a row!

The payoff in the league is not bad, six hundred dollars to be exact, but it is those all important bragging rights that really make it fun!

I epically enjoyed this last issue because you included all the covers for the past 30 years, I did not buy 87, and 88, but all the rest I have purchased.

All I have to do is read and then plug and play, thanks again for doing all the work so I don't have to, except for cash the check of course! Lol.

I will be continue to purchase your magazine, and recommend it to others, although I don't like to give away my secret!

I typically don't write emails to magazines, but after 3 wins in a row, and others which I did not list, I felt like you would like to know.

Thanks again to you and your staff,

Darrell W. Holt, Mich.

I wanted to let you know I finished my season going 16-0 winning my league, breaking every record in our 19 year history along the way. A special thank you to FI for the insightful knowledge as it provided me much help along the way.

Ryan M. Lynnwood, Wash.

You guys do a great job. I got laughed at by a few people at the draft but they're not laughing now. I'm leading the league in record (8-1) and PF thus far.

John W. Aylett, Va.

And a side note… we've got a re-draft 16-team, 20 players drafted league (drafting water boys by the 17^th round) that I've won 2 years in a row. Nobody's ever done that in 21 years… using your cheat sheet. it's an old school league that used to draft out of piles of magazines.

Thanks again,

Todd S. Grand Junction, Colo.

This is my ninth year competing with my two very savey adult children and their 11 regulars to make it a 14 team draft with a $200 bid limit. Your SuperFanatic package has put me into the 6 team play- offs 4 out of the 8 years and there is no way I could compete with these guys without my cheat sheets! They still have no idea how I can be so lucky every year :-) Cheaters do prosper!!!!

Robert A.

I wanted to thank you for such an amazing product and your customer service. I ordered the wrong date for my update and called to correct the mistake. Your customer service person was very kind, helpful and took care of the issue immediately.

I have used your product for the past 18 years or so… Every now and then I will be tempted and look at what other magazines have to offer, quickly realizing no one comes close.

In addition to the magazine, I started buying the weekly updates years ago when my dad taught me a lesson. The draft came and dad was sitting in the 12 hole for his pick. He told me he felt very comfortable about who he was going to select but would not tell me who his prized gem was to be. I was doubtful. The pick? Priest Holmes (his first dynamite year). I remember telling my dad, "that is a decent pick but they plan to pull him at the goal line." Ever the teacher, dad explained he had purchased the Fantasy Football Index update and read Holmes would get the goal line carries. "Update?", I asked. That was 2002 and Holmes had 21 rushing TDs and Dad won the title! Lesson learned.

By the way, I have made the title game for the last 5 years in a row. Thanks for the detailed, hard work and an great product!

David R. Queen Creek, Ariz.

Fantasy Index

Customer Service

Ask the Experts

Which training camp battle are you most intrigued by?

Today's Trivia

Mailbag

Member updates

Follow

Why Choose Fantasy Index?

Quick hits

Your Stuff

In-Depth

Resources

All Products

Help & Support

Fantasy Index

Customer Service

Customer Service