It's almost fantasy season...start it with a dose of Fantasy Guy attitude

All the fireworks have died down and now we find ourselves in the middle of summer. Wimbledon, Women’s Soccer, and Baseball’s All-Star Break lead the headlines. While I can appreciate listening to Chris Berman announce the Home Run Derby----“Back, back, back , back……… gone!” it’s about time to seriously start thinking about football season. New promise has come out in the past couple of weeks that keeps us hopeful of an agreement an end to the lockout and an official call to get on with the show. Therefore, I thought this would be a great time to whip out a pre-camp Love/Hate article for the upcoming season. This is a list of guys I will be pressing hard to draft and others that I won’t even consider. You may agree to disagree, and that’s what it’s all about, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I LOVE ME SOME……

RASHARD MENDENHALL, STEELERS – Mendenhall goes into his 4th season with the Super Bowl runner ups. He’s only gotten better week in and week out and you know they are going to be running in Pittsburgh. The days of the 300-carry back are a vanishing breed, but Mendy in one guy who is still in position to handle most of the workload. There were two knocks on him last season. The first knock was that he was soft and injury prone. The second knock was simply the brutal schedule the Steelers had. Rashard proved it not to be a problem by running for 1200 yards and he was second in the league with 13 rushing TDs. Expect those numbers to be even higher this year.

VINCENT JACKSON, CHARGERS – I was never a fan of VJ, that is until I played against him in week 14 of the fantasy playoffs when he went off for 3 TDs. Jackson may have been out for most of the 2010 season, but he was not forgotten. The fact he was able to make the kind of impact he did in limited action as well as limited practice is scary. With a Rivers behind center on a Chargers team that likes to air it out, VJ can single-handedly get you a win any given week. Don’t let him slip.

JONATHAN STEWART, PANTHERS – I will be talking about J-Stew this entire off-season so get used to it. If there is anybody to keep an eye on in camp and preseason it’s this guy. He’s the obvious pick to jump up the RBs charts in 2011. The Panthers are likely to let go of DeAngelo Williams, which completely opens up the floodgates for Stewart to show off his true talent. They will also look to run the ball with a couple of young QBs fighting to start week 1. Look for Stew to have a Stephen Davis-type ‘03 breakout season and plenty of trips to the end zone.

DEZ BRYANT, COWBOYS – A man among boys. That’s pretty much all I gotta say. I watched this kid play when he was in Stillwater and you just knew he was going to be great. As long as he can keep it all together, he is just as good as any elite wideout in this league. I have a feeling you won’t be hearing Miles Austin’s name as much as we are used to.

STEVIE JOHNSON, BILLS – The guy is too low in rankings. Many sites have him barely cracking the list of top 20 wideouts and I think it’s outrageous. He was a top 10 fantasy wideout and was on waiver wires for nearly half the season. Yes, he had a couple of inconsistent games, but that might be a product of the system. The relationship between Fitzpatrick and Johnson will only build and he has thrust himself into the spotlight rather quickly. He’s cool, confident, and has high expectations for himself. That’s what I want on my squad.

MATT RYAN, FALCONS – The dude just doesn’t get respect. He’s barely considered a starting fantasy quarterback, yet he is as solid as a rock in your lineup. If there is a better value pick in the 8th round, I don’t know of it. The Falcons our right on the cusp of becoming one of the top 5 teams in this league and with weapons like Michael Turner, Roddy White, and the new rook Julio Jones, watch out!

TIM TEBOW, BRONCOS – This will be a topic all off-season. There’s a lot of unanswered questions here, but that doesn’t make it a risky pick. Tebow isn’t going to be the top starter you draft, but he very well maybe the guy you go with towards the end of the year. He’s got the will to get better and he will. While he may not have the best arm, he knows how to escape with his feet and make things happen. Double-digit rushing TDs are a very nice stat for fantasy QBs.

JORDY NELSON, PACKERS – I love love love the Assassin from Manhattan this year. The kid can play and might very well have the best hands out of any receiver on that team. With James Jones likely parting ways and Donald Driver hitting his late 50s, the door has swung wide open for Jordy to step up and become a force. Keep an eye on this guy.

JOSEPH ADDAI, COLTS – Okay, I realize the guy has been banged up worse than a pinata at Mike Tyson’s birthday party, but we are talking about a possible 4th string RB on your team who is capable of 1st string numbers. The guy is at the end of the year, but Donald Brown as yet to show he is ready to take over the reigns and as long as Peyton is moving the ball, there are points to be had. (NOTE: Addai is an unrestricted free agent and there is no guarantee he will be in Indy once the free agency bonanza starts. Keep an eye on him to see where he lands.)

JIMMY GRAHAM, SAINTS – I had to throw a tight end in there and this is my guy for 2011. Honestly I expect him to be on everyone of my teams. Graham is a converted basketball player much like Antonio Gates and is in an explosive offense in New Orleans. I will say right now, I expect this guy to lead all tight ends in TDs and be a top 5 for his position in 2011.

I JUST AIN’T FEELIN IT……

CHRIS JOHNSON, TITANS – This may come as a surprise, but let me explain. Nothing positive is happening right now in Tennessee, in fact it looks as if they might be shifting into a rebuilding phase. The only bright spot is C.J. but one man can’t carry a team - this isn’t the NBA. It is a contract year for Johnson, but I don’t see him having a problem getting the money he is due. Last year he got a glimpse of what an 8-man box looked like and teams are figuring out how to slow this guy down. Let’s face it, the man has disgusting speed and is as elusive as anybody ever to be a part of this league, but I’m not buying top 3 status this time around.

MILES AUSTIN, COWBOYS – I was as high as anybody on this guy last year, drafting him in the first round of three of my drafts. After the first six games of the season I looked like a genius. Then, Romo went down, Wade Phillips was fired, and Miles was dropping passes left and right. Dez Bryant was the one guy that showed any kind of heart in a lost season with so much promise. I expect Austin to get his, but with his inconsistency and a faster, stronger wideout on the other side, I’m out.

MIKE WILLIAMS, BUCCANEERS – Here is another guy that I absolutely love and think has the ability to kick some serious ass for many years in the league. However, in fantasy football circles, he’s getting elite status and he is just not quite there yet. He’s got all the talent in the world, but I’m not jumping on the Josh Freeman train just yet. The Buccaneers were overachievers last season and I think a wake-up call is coming. If he lingers into round 6, I’m swooping, but just not ready to spend a 4th round draft pick with proven stars still available.

BRANDON LLOYD, BRONCOS – The Fantasy MVP a year ago went undrafted in nearly all leagues. He’s always been capable of putting up numbers and constantly comes down with highlight reel catches. However, I don’t expect the Broncos to throw nearly as much and I also expect guys like Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas to get more involved. Not worth the value.

FELIX JONES, COWBOYS – Every year we’ve been waiting for this guy to breakout and as electric as he is to watch, he is just not worth the risk. Yes, he may see a higher percentage of the workload this year, but he’s never been used to that and still can’t stay 100%. He runs almost too hard and I can’t invest my time in a player who’s sees equal time in the trainer’s room as he does on the field.

KENNY BRITT, TITANS – The dude has all the ability to break out in his third year in the league, but the off the field issues along with the immaturity are always a cause for concern. Not to mention, we don’t even know who is going to be throwing to him. Unless this guy falls, I’m staying away. The upside is enough to keep you curious, but be cautious here.

JAHVID BEST, LIONS – It looks like the front office in Detroit isn’t sold on having JB as their go to guy in the backfield. After spending a high draft pick on the brawny Mikel Leshoure, it looks as if a new thunder/lighting duo might emerge which unfortunately hurst Best’s fantasy stock quite a bit. There are several Lions that look sexy in 2011, but for me Best is not one of them.

JOE FLACCO, RAVENS – Even with all the talent he had last season, Flacco put up mediocre numbers. Constantly I was found waiting for this guy week-in-and-week-out to put up the numbers that were expected of him. Flacco is one of the great young QBs in this league, but he’s not for fantasy football.

JASON WITTEN, COWBOYS – Another Cowboy makes the list. I’m sorry, the guy is getting up there and moves like a turtle. I want some explosiveness and that seems to be all but behind Jason Witten. Give him credit, because he can find a lane better than anybody in this league, but there are better options to wait on.

FRED JACKSON, BILLS – Strictly because I think Spiller is about to show us what he is all about. Everyone is sleeping on C.J. Much rather spend a 10th on him, than a 6th on Jackson, I’m just sayin’!