Having your Cake, and Eating it Too Pt.1

Good news everyone!

Are you a Ravens fan?  Yes?  Great!

Do you partake in the ever so popular game of fantasy football?  Yes?  Fantastic!

One last question. Do you like cake?

Click  “Continue Reading” in order to read on, and see what the heck I am talking about.

Ladies and Gentleman, I am not crazy, and  I do have a point. And I will make that point…eventually.

This upcoming fantasy football season marks a first for many Baltimore Ravens’ fanatics who own teams in a  fantasy football league. I have been in leagues with a lot of Ravens fans, and there is always one thing that I have noticed; their fantasy team names will have to do with the Ravens (Flacco Seagulls, Hakuna Ngata, and now with our recent acquisitions: Bulger in your Pants, and the controversial one in one of my leagues, Donte’s Driving School), but they won’t have one Raven on their team. There would be an exception of a Ray Rice here, or a Flacco there. Maybe a Todd Heap or a deep sleeper pick of Demetrius Williams. THOSE TIMES ARE OVER. For the first time since the Jamal Lewis era, there is a legitimate Raven that can be taken in the first round without you sacrificing your fantasy team’s success, and/or yoursports knowledge dignity.  And for the first time, ever, the Baltimore Ravens have multiple fantasy options that aren’t shots in the dark.

Player Capsules: Fantasy Football Stats and Analysis, broken down by yours truly. (Sorry, the graphs suck, WordPress doesn’t like pretty things, and likes to make life difficult, but I did the best I could.)

G

Comp

ATT

YDS

YPG

TD

INT

Rush

YdsRush

TD08162574282,971185.71412180209163154993,613225.72112560Proj.163245194,008250.52413821Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profile

Joe Flacco burst onto the fantasy football scene after throwing 11 touchdowns in his first six games of 2009, three of those games; he also threw for over 300 yards. He then proceeded to throw 4 TDs in the next 7 games, and never threw for more than 300 yards again. Now, heading into the 2010 season, Flacco has some new toys to play with. With the offseason acquisitions of Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth (finally someone who can help Flacco utilize his cannon of an arm), and two pass catching tight ends through the draft, Flacco is poised for a statistical breakout.

G

ATT

YDS

AVG

TD

REC

REC

YdsREC

TDTotal

TD08131074544.20332730009162541,3995.377870218Proj.162471,2485.11084680111Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

Move over Steven Jackson. Move over Frank Gore. Ray Rice has unseated multiple top tier fantasy running backs and has supplanted himself into the upper echelon of fantasy football scorers. Rice now has a full season under his belt, and a pretty good one at that. Well, it was good if you consider a little over 2,000 total yards good. I do. The only thing that limits Ray is his backfield counterpart, Willis McGahee, who stole valuable 6 point touchdowns from Rice twelve times. Despite all of that, Ray Rice is one of the best fantasy options out there, and won’t fall out of the top 5 picks in most drafts. Top 3 if your league gives a point for every reception.

G

REC

YDS

AVG

TD

Rush

AttRush

YdsRush

TDTotal

TD0812891,03811.7119670110915841,02412.2431215Proj.147598213.180008Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

Welcome to Baltimore Mr. Boldin. If you plan on winning, and being a part of a successful franchise, you will be extremely happy here. If you came for increasing your fantasy value? Not so much. The addition of Anquan Boldin will be a great one for Flacco and the Ravens’ balanced offensive attack (if it becomes a little bit more powerful, it can be called a blitzkrieg). However, for the fantasy owner, Boldin is still a viable WR option, most likely a #2, but won’t put up the flashy numbers typically attached to his name. With Mason still in B-More and Ray Rice eating up receptions and carries, Boldin will be productive, but one can only be as productive as times the ball is thrown one’s way. Fringe starter at best, solid #2 option.

G

REC

YDS

AVG

TD

Rush

AttRush

YdsRush

TDTotal

TD0816801,03713.0513050916731,02814.171207Proj.166478212.250005Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

Consistency is the name of the game, and they aren’t made much more consistent than Derrick Mason. He has had 1,000 yards receiving 8 out of the past 9 seasons, and hasn’t missed a game since 2002. While Boldin will steal targets away from Mason, Mason will still have a rapport with his young quarterback, and remain a 3^rd down target. Furthermore, Anquan Boldin hasn’t played a full season since 2006. If he goes down, then you are getting Top 20 WR numbers from Derrick Mason. Derrick Mason is currently going outside of the top 40 WRs according to ESPN’s live draft results, and to me, that is a steal. Target him later in drafts for depth, and as a possible flex option.

G

REC

YDS

AVG

TD

Rush

AttRush

YdsRush

TDTotal

TD07164669715.231120308111717010.011-401Proj.102534113.830003Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

2009 Statistics not available due to Suspension

Due to his league suspension last year, Donte Stallworth missed the 2009 NFL season, but is back and apparently in shape for the upcoming season. The Ravens’ scouts and coaching staff have been amazed by his vertical speed and despite having to compete with Boldin and Mason for targets, Stallworth will be the Ravens go to downfield threat. Stallworth will go undrafted in most to all drafts, and depending on how the season plays out for him; he may be a valuable late season waiver wire wonder.

G

REC

YDS

AVG

TD

Rush

AttRush

YdsRush

TDTotal

TD08164153117.036811409143469514.1242802Proj.162848012.410001Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

Let this be considered Mark Clayton’s fantasy value’s obituary. He was targeted less and less as the season went on last year, mostly due to suckiness and playing like a pile of donkey turd. He dropped the ball, ran indecisive routes, and now he has to compete a lot more for looks. Mark Clayton will not be drafted. Mark Clayton will not be picked up in fantasy leagues. If I am wrong, I will do something embarrassing, like take him #1 in a draft for the 2011 season.

G

REC

YDS

AVG

TD

Rush

AttRush

YdsRush

TDTotal

TD08163540311.53000309165359311.261206Proj.163135011.330003Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

Todd Heap was once a fantasy stud, but that was back in 2005. Now, the Ravens are preparing for the future by drafting Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, and Todd Heap’s NFL career has almost had a blackout with the word “Fin” written across it. But, for now Todd Heap is a back up fantasy tight end at best. Draft him for sentimental reasons if you need to, but his days of fantasy production are relatively over.

INT

FR

D-TD

Sacks

Rush

YPGPass

YPGTotal

YPGPPGReturn

TD0826863481.4179.7261.115.2009221033293.2207.2300.516.31Proj.151833792.4218.1310.517.12Projections are from ESPN 2010 Fantasy Football Player Profiles

The Baltimore Ravens are known for one thing; and that thing is defense. They won a Super Bowl with defense, and they have two of the best defensive players of the decade in Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. With the addition of Terrence Cody in the middle, hopefully Ngata and Gregg can open up the offensive line, so the linebacking corps led by Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs can decapitate some plays in the backfield. The Ravens need healthier corners, and for Ed Reed to come back as soon as possible. The Ravens will be a solid #1 fantasy D/ST option this year.

• Here is a link to the Baltimore Ravens schedule for the 2010 season. I will post something in the near future analyzing what weeks will be the most and least fantasy productive for our Baltimore Ravens.
• Check out the latest depth charts in order to determine who is winning pertinent position battles. (i.e.: Dennis Pitta vs. Ed Dickson vs. Todd Heap or the Oh So exciting battle of the kickers; Shayne Graham vs. Billy Cundiff)
• The Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, Dennis Pitta, and Ed Dickson capsules will be in the next part of Having Your Cake and Eating it Too…