Here at Football Fanatics we take Fantasy Football seriously. For some it’s not just a game – but a lifestyle. Hours and hours of preparation went into the league setup and live draft. Everyone has their teams drafted, their team names picked and now the NFL season is officially underway. Several members of the staff feel that their team is the best or that other teams won’t win a game. So much so that a “friendly wager” was placed. Watch the video for details:

Football fans everywhere are holding Fantasy Football drafts this time of year. Whether you’re in a keeper league or a redraft, the one thing you’re looking for in a draft are SLEEPERS. In today’s blog post I’ll go over my sleeper picks for each position. I’m evaluating sleepers based on past performance, average draft position, strength of schedule, injury to the starter potential and gut instinct.

Quarterback – My quarterback sleeper for 2009 is Cincinnati Bengal Carson Palmer. Palmer is currently the 11th rated quarterback and being selected behind guys like Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub. Just 3 years ago, Palmer was arguably the second best fantasy QB in the league. The Bengals brought in Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry should play all 16 games this season. Couple that with an improved running game and a much improved defense and Palmer could be a top 5 QB in 2009.

Running Back – My running back sleeper pick for 2009 in Kansas City Chief Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson is still the No. 1 back in Kansas City and one of the few backs remaining who doesn’t split carriers. Johnson has the ability to rush for 1,100+ yards and double digit touchdowns. The Chiefs can’t be any worse than they were in 2008 when Johnson averaged 4.5 YPC.

Wide Receiver – My wide receiver sleeper pick for 2009 is Chicago Bear Earl Bennett. The Bears brought in Jay Cutler in the offseason who brings in a gunslinger mentality. The Bears will look to put up points and Cutler will need someone to throw to. Look no further than Earl Bennett – Cutlers go to receiver at Vanderbilt. Bennett is currently rated as the 53rd best WR in most drafts, behind guys like Justin Gage and Miles Austin!

Tight End – My tight end sleeper pick for 2009 is Oakland Raider Zach Miller. Miller is going into his third year and caught 56 balls in 2008 – probably leading the Raiders. His touchdown numbers lacked, but he did put up 778 yards. We can’t expect a whole lot out of the Raiders offense again in 2009. I’m guessing Miller will put up similar yardage numbers but 3-5 total touchdowns… making him worth a lot more than the 14th ranked TE.

Who are your fantasy football sleeper picks for 2009?

The following top 40 players are ranked on how I would draft them if the draft was held today. These ranks may change and I will adjust them based on FA signings, drafts, trades, and injuries. I will try to update these rankings once a month during the fantasy football off-season.

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Michael Turner
3. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears – 2008 was just the beginning for this dual threat. He proved that not only he can top 20 carries a game, but he can add 5-6 catches as well. Forte is a younger, and now better version of Brian Westbrook.
4. Clinton Portis
5. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers – You can argue he should be ranked #1 or 2 based on his numbers last year but honestly how many 1 yard TD carries will be available? I project 5-6 fewer TD’s in 2009 but somewhere around 1500 yards again.
6. Steven Jackson
7. Kevin Smith
8. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints – #1 in yardage, tied for 1st with 34 TD’s, #1 in TFP (traditional fantasy points). Safest bet in the draft.
9. Steve Slaton
10. Brian Westbrook
11. Marian Barber
12. Marshawn Lynch
13. Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets – I’m a little surprised to hear Thomas Jones trashing Brett Favre in post-season interviews since I’d see his value going down if Favre doesn’t come back.
14. Peyton Manning
15. Maurice Jones-Drew
16. Brandon Jacobs
17. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Clear cut #1 in the draft next year at WR. This has been a curse in recent years.
18. LaDainian Tomlinson
19. Frank Gore
20. Chris Johnson
21. Andre Johnson
22. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Numbers should get even better in Matt Ryan’s second season behind center.
23. Ryan Grant
24. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys – You can blame injuries but he just plain lacked confidence at the end of the season. He has the weapons and arm though to be the #1 fantasy QB.
25. Steve Smith
26. Aaron Rogers
27. Greg Jennings
28. Brandon Marshall
29. Reggie Bush
30. Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – No longer “Fast” Willie Parker, but 3 more TD’s in 2008 than 2007 in 4 fewer games. Despite the waning numbers the Steelers are financially committed to Parker so he will be the #1 RB there for at least the next couple of seasons.
31. Ronnie brown
32. Jay Cutler
33. Philip Rivers
34. Randy Moss
35. Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants – For now he is a NY Giant. This rank assumes he signs elsewhere like Arizona or Seattle where they desperately need a feature RB.
36. Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts – I’m not sure I could actually bring myself to drafting Addai after the last 2 seasons, but his upside is still that of a top 10 RB.
37. Calvin Johnson
38. Vincent Jackson
39. Terrell Owens
40. Tyler Thigpen, QB, Kansas City Chiefs – Surprised? 18 TDs and 386 rushing yards in 12 full games as a starter. Thigpen was the #3 fantasy QB in the second half of 2008. What a find for Kansas City in the 7th round of the draft.

Players on tap: Tim Hightower, Matt Cassel, Donovan McNabb, LenDale White, Chris “Beanie” Wells, Matt Ryan, Kurt Warner, Lance Moore, Antonio Bryant, Cadillac Williams, Dwayne Bowe, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston, Eddie Royal, Kevin Walter, Braylon Edwards, DeSean Jackson, Lee Evans, Ted Ginn Jr., Jonathon Stewart, Tony Gonzalez, Visanthe Shiancoe, Jason Whitten, Dallas Clark, Matt Shaub, Shaun Hill, TJ Houshmanzadeh.

The Affiliate Program at Football Fanatics has tons of great benefits and even some fun contests that affiliates are encouraged to participate in such as the infamous world-wide Fantasy Football Leagues.  Congratulations to the following:

In third place was “Step Your Game Up”.  He was rewarded with a $25 Football Fanatics gift card.  Second place was “Ready or Not”, who was ahead the entire season but lost in the final game against first place winner, “Slow Elk”.  “Ready or Not” received a $50 gift card, and “Slow Elk” received $125.  Congratulations!

On behalf of Affiliate Manager, Jason R., thanks to all the teams that participated.

Congratulations Brian!  Brian recently was announced the winner of the Fantasy Football League here at FF.  In the finals he battled against Megan F. 

If you see him in halls, be sure to congratulate him on his BIG win!

Posted on December 16th:

Playoffs were scheduled this past weekend for the Fantasy Football League here at FF.  Owners of the teams playing on the gridiron were Megan F. against Jeff C., and Brian O. battling Dylan M.  The stakes were high, as the four played for spots in the Championship game, which will be taking place this upcoming weekend.  The champion will receive ultimate bragging rights, endless trash-talking privileges, and much respect around here, for at least a couple of days. 

So which owners will be advancing to the big game?…Megan F. and Brian O.  Congratulations you two, and good luck.

Let us know the winners and losers of your league.  Share updates on your Fantasy Football Leagues below.

Posted on December 10th:

Another exciting weekend of NFL games has passed which means there are some new leaders and losers in the FF Fantasy Football League.  Here is the latest -

Brian O. beat Zeke 91-90…oh so close, but not close enough (Sorry Zeke).  Brian O’s big win advanced him to the semifinals where he will be challenged by Dylan.  The game between Megan and Stephanie was also pretty close.  Stephanie was down by 20 on Sunday, although her player had a great performance on the field Monday night, earning her double-digit points, Megan will be going on to the semifinals to face Jeff. 

So that’s Brian against Dylan, and Megan against Jeff.  All four teams are playing for a spot in the Finals.  Check back later to see who will win the title! 

Posted on December 2nd: 

Fantasy Football leagues are created all over. And the turf at Football Fanatics is no exception. For those of you who are just getting into the Fantasy Football loop, I’ve done some research to fill you in.

It is a fantasy sports game in which participants (“owners”) are arranged into a league. The league is created by the commissioner, who also keeps track of the owners’ scores. In the beginning of the season the owners draft real-life NFL players. These are players that they believe will be praised on SportsCenter highlights for their outstanding statistical on-the-field performances, ultimately gaining the owners points, which is how scores are determined. Each week, teams are randomly chosen to play other teams. At the end of the season, the teams with the highest scores advance on to Playoffs (yes, there are playoffs folks – crazy huh?). So that’s it in a nutshell.

Here is the 411 on the Fantasy Football league here at Football Fanatics.

The owners: Jeff C. (also the commissioner), Dylan M., Mike C., Tom A., Steve T., Stephanie F., Mike H., Tony T., Jorel M., Brian O., Dave C., Zeke A., Richard P., Megan F., Mike M., Jason R.

First place: Dylan M.

Dead last: Jorel M.

Be sure to check back to see the results of this league, and most importantly what the winner will receive. There is a lot of talk about a tall, shiny trophy!