Football Fanatics Fantasy Football Guide

Just a little post today to announce our first annual Football Fanatics Fantasy Football Guide.

The guide will be released online on July 31 as a PDF downloadable file. The guide is jam-packed with winning fantasy strategies, draft day tactics that guarantee a winning team, cheat sheets and player rankings and team analysis.

Best of all the Football Fanatics Fantasy Football Guide is 100% absolutely, positively free!

You heard right, no money needed. Zip, zilch, nada.

Details for downloading the guide will be available soon as well as a complete description of all the stuffed to the gills information inside.

Fantasy Football 2006: The Top 30 Players

(This is the final installment of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top 30 fantasy players overall.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the sixth part of this series, we looked at and rated the top 20 kickers and top 15 defenses in the league. Today we turn our attention to the top 30 overall players.

These are the guys that should be snatched up first and foremost in virtually any fantasy league based on basic scoring and yardage parameters. Whether its a keeper league or not - the top 30 players remains unchanged. These are the best of the best.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 30 players in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Shaun Alexander - Seattle Seahawks
2. LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers
3. Larry Johnson - Kansas City Chiefs
4. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
5. Edgerrin James - Arizona Cardinals
6. Tom Brady - New England Patriots
7. Tiki Barber - New York Giants
8. Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals
9. Steve Smith - Carolina Panthers
10. Rudi Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals
11. Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins
12. Chad Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals
13. Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams
14. Carnell Williams - Miami Dolphins
15. Ronnie Brown - Miami Dolphins
16. Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams
17. Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals
18. Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle Seahawks
19. Marvin Harrison - Indianapolis Colts
20. Terrell Owens - Dallas Cowboys
21. Eli Manning - New York Giants
22. Anquan Boldin - Arizona Cardinals
23. Randy Moss - Oakland Raiders
24. Antonio Gates - San Diego Chargers
25. Lamont Jordan - Oakland Raiders
26. Jake Delhomme - Carolina Panthers
27. Marc Bulger - St. Louis Rams
28. Tony Gonzalez - Kansas City Chiefs
29. Hines Ward - Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Willis McGahee - Buffalo Bills

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Kickers & Defense

(This is the sixth of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top kickers and defenses.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the fifth part of this series, we looked at and rated the top 20 tight ends in the league. Today we turn our attention to the kickers and defenses.

Kickers and defense, although important for the makeup of your fantasy squad, should be saved for the later rounds. In our league we draft two quarterbacks, four running backs, five receivers, two tight ends, two kickers and two defenses for a total of 17 rounds. I like to draft my kickers and defense in rounds 14-17. Kickers are pretty much even for the most part and while a defense can make or break you sometimes, it's not good strategy to draft a defense ahead of a position player.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 kickers in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Adam Vinatieri - Indianapolis Colts
2. Shayne Graham - Cincinnati Bengals
3. Neil Rackers - Arizona Cardinals
4. Jason Elam - Denver Broncos
5. Mike Vanderjagt - Dallas Cowboys
6. David Akers - Philadelphia Eagles
7. Josh Brown - Seattle Seahawks
8. Jay Feely - New York Giants
9. Lawrence Tynes - Kansas City Chiefs
10. Jeff Wilkins - St. Louis Rams
11. Matt Stover - Baltimore Ravens
12. Nate Kaeding - San Diego Chargers
13. Jeff Reed - Pittsburgh Steelers
14. John Kasay - Carolina Panthers
15. Ryan Longwell - Minnesota Vikings
16. Olindo Mare - Miami Dolphins
17. John Hall - Washington Redskins
18. Matt Bryant - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Sebastian Janikowski - Oakland Raiders
20. Mike Nugent - New York Jets

Sleeper: Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
Overrated: Janikowski.
Rookies to watch: Gostkowski.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 15 defenses in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Chicago Bears
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Washington Redskins
7. Indianapolis Colts
8. Dallas Cowboys
9. Atlanta Falcons
10. Seattle Seahawks
11. New York Giants
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Denver Broncos
14. Miami Dolphins
15. New England Patriots

Sleeper: Jaguars
Overrated: San Diego Chargers

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Tight Ends

(This is the fifth of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top tight ends.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the fourth part of this series, we looked at and rated the top 20 wide receivers in the league. Today we turn our attention to the tight ends.

Tight ends can and should be drafted in the later rounds, unless an Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez are available. If one of those is still around by the sixth round, then you might consider pulling the trigger. If not, you can still find solid tight ends later in the draft.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 tight ends in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Antonio Gates - San Diego Chargers
2. Tony Gonzalez - Kansas City Chiefs
3. Jeremy Shockey - New York Giants
4. Todd Heap - Baltimore Ravens
5. Jason Witten - Dallas Cowboys
6. Alge Crumpler - Atlanta Falcons
7. Randy McMichael - Miami Dolphins
8. Chris Cooley - Washington Redskins
9. Vernon Davis - San Francisco 49ers
10. L.J. Smith - Philadelphia Eagles
11. Kellen Winslow Jr. - Cleveland Browns
12. Jerramy Stevens - Seattle Seahawks
13. Jermaine Wiggins - Minnesota Vikings
14. Heath Miller - Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Dallas Clark - Indianapolis Colts
16. Ben Troupe - Tennessee Titans
17. Ben Watson - New England Patriots
18. Marcus Pollard - Detroit Lions
19. Alex Smith - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Zach Hilton - New Orleans Saints

Sleeper: Alex Smith
Overrated: Winslow
Rookies to watch: Davis, Joe Klopfenstein, St. Louis Rams; Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars; Anthony Fasano, Dallas Cowboys; Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos; and Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals.

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Wide Receivers

(This is the fourth of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top wide receivers.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the third part of this series, we looked at and rated the top 20 running backs in the league. Today we turn our attention to the wide receivers.

Wide receivers can have a tremendous value in fantasy football, just look at Steve Smith last season. While not as important as running backs or arguably quarterbacks - most fantasy owners should grab two wideouts within the first six rounds of your draft. After you get your two main starters, grab depth in the later rounds where decent players are still available.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 wide receivers in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Steve Smith - Carolina Panthers
2. Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams
3. Chad Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals
4. Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals
5. Marvin Harrison - Indianapolis Colts
6. Terrell Owens - Dallas Cowboys
7. Anquan Boldin - Arizona Cardinals
8. Randy Moss - Oakland Raiders
9. Hines Ward - Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Plaxico Burress - New York Giants
11. Reggie Wayne - Indianapolis Colts
12. Santana Moss - Washington Redskins
13. Chris Chambers - Miami Dolphins
14. Javon Walker - Denver Broncos
15. Roy Williams - Detroit Lions
16. Donald Driver - Green Bay Packers
17. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Cincinnati Bengals
18. Darrell Jackson - Seattle Seahawks
19. Derrick Mason - Baltimore Ravens
20. Joey Galloway - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sleeper: Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
Overrated: Joe Horn, New Orleans Saints
Rookies to watch: Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers; Chad Jackson, New England Patriots; Sinorice Moss, New York Giants; Jason Avant, Philadelphia Eagles; Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers; Derek Hagan, Miami Dolphins; and Maurice Stovall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Running Backs

(This is the third of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top running backs.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the second part of this series, we looked at and rated the top 20 quarterbacks in the league. Today we turn our attention to the running backs.

Running backs are the most important position in fantasy football. They are the yardage makers and touchdown scorers. You always want to grab your starting backs within the first three picks of your draft. Don't let that rule slide or you could be in trouble this season. I like to take both of my starting backs with the first two picks and go for a wideout or a starting quarterback with the third pick. It's a very successful strategy to follow.

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 running backs in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks
2. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
3. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals
5. Tiki Barber, New York Giants
6. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
8. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
9. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
11. Lamont Jordan, Oakland Raiders
12. Willis McGahee, Buffalo Bills
13. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
14. Domanick Davis, Houston Texans
15. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
16. Julius Jones, Dallas Cowboys
17. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings
19. Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos
20. Kevin Jones, Detroit Lions

Sleeper: Taylor
Overrated: Cedric Benson, Chicago Bears
Rookies to watch: Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints; DAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers; Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts; Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots; LenDale White, Tennessee Titans; Maurice Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars; and Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons.

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Quarterbacks

(This is the second of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top quarterbacks.)

Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the first part of this series, we covered nine tips to dominate your draft and now we turn our attention to individual positions. First up is the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks are the second most important draft acquisition, next to running backs. Grabbing an elite one early is key to dominating your league. I like to draft running backs with my first two picks and then snatch a QB in the third or fourth round (if there's a big-time receiver like Torry Holt or Chad Johnson left on the board in the third round, I'll grab them first and take a quarterback in the fourth round).

Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 quarterbacks in fantasy football for 2006:

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (if healthy)
4. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks
5. Eli Manning, New York Giants
6. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers
7. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
8. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
9. Drew Bledsoe, Dallas Cowboys
10. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Jake Plummer, Denver Broncos
12. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
13. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
14. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
16. Daunte Culpepper, Miami Dolphins (if healthy he goes higher)
17. Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens
18. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons
19. Mark Brunell, Washington Redskins
20. Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars

Sleeper: Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions
Overrated: Vick
Rookies to watch: Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals; Vince Young, Tennessee Titans; and Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos.

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Fantasy Football 2006: Nine Tips to Dominate Your Draft

(This is the first of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position.)

Welcome to our first ever series on playing winning fantasy football. In part one of this series, we'll look at draft strategies to help you gain the upper edge on your league.

First a little background of why you should listen to what I have to say. I've been playing fantasy football for 13 seasons in various leagues and have won nine championships in 13 years. I don't say it to brag. I just want you to know that I've been there, done that and have been a champion many, many times.

Nine Tips to Dominate Your Draft

1. Grab running backs first, quarterbacks second. - Everyone knows by now that running backs are the most important commodity in fantasy football. I like to make my first two picks running backs and then go for a quarterback, unless one of the big guns at receiver like Torry Holt or Terrell Owens is available. For the most part, you can find solid receivers later on. Most of a receivers production depends on his quarterback, so if the QB struggles, guess who else does?

2. Draft the best available player (after you've taken your two starting running backs and a quarterback) - You should have your own rankings of the top players in the draft regardless of position. If you don't, make a list now. Select who you feel is the best player for your team still on the board.

3. Select an elite tight end by round four - Many fantasy magazines and experts tell you to lay off tight ends until the later rounds of your draft. That can be a mistake. There are very few superstar tight ends and if an Antonio Gates or a Tony Gonzalez is there in round four or beyond, take them! The tight end is back in vogue in many NFL offenses. Take advantage of it.

4. Put some thought into your defensive selections - Many people exercises more of their gray matter in picking a kicker than they do a defense, but a defense can be way more important to your success or failure rate. Kickers are pretty much the same as far as points go, unless one has a monster year like Neil Rackers. For the most part though, they're the same. A good defense can have a say in many of your victories or losses, choose them wisely.

5. Be careful about bye weeks when drafting a second quarterback - This is an obvious one, but many fall victim to it. Don't draft a backup quarterback that has the same bye week as your starter. That's a big and needless no-no.

6. Go for quality backups - Another obvious one, but many fantasy players become enamored with guys from their favorite team and select them as backups. Study the draft and look for players who can significantly contribute. Don't fall in love with players from your favorite team if someone else is more productive.

7. Make some gambles in the later rounds - Take a chance on some skill players with potential who haven't quite reached it yet. This would be a great time to take some rookies like a Vernon Davis or DeAngelo Williams or an up-and-coming receiver like Mark Clayton.

8. Considering trading - One of my best deals last year came during a draft-day trade. One of the guys in our league was enamored with Antonio Gates, who I drafted, and wanted him bad. I convinced him to trade Peyton Manning to me for Gates and he agreed. Thank you Sean! If someone in your league has a crazy desire to have a certain player, and you know the potential trade is in your favor, take advantage of it.

9. Have fun - The most important tip on this list. Fantasy football is about having fun. It's a game, but some people take it way over the top. It's fine to want to win your league and all that, but if you're not having fun, it's not worth getting involved with. So relax, enjoy the season and have fun playing fantasy football.

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