Derek Anderson is not Dennis Green

Derek Anderson wants you to know that he wasn't laughing on the sidelines during last night's loss to the 49ers, even if he actually was. And then after he tells you that a few times, he won't answer more questions.



But even though it's impossible to doubt Anderson's anger and frustration, his outburst pales in comparison to Dennis Green's tirade from 2006.



Sorry, Derek, but not only did you come up short on the field yesterday, but your post-game blowup wasn't even the Cardinals' best in the last five years.

(And yes, I realize that this is neither D.C. sports nor Orioles related, but tirades and outbursts from players and coaches are always relevant here.)

Breakdown of 2008 fantasy football picks

For two years now, I've written a brief article where I selected a few football players who I didn't think would perform to the level that they were being selected in fantasy football drafts. Last year, I chose Shaun Alexander, Randy Moss, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Matt Hasselbeck, Eli Manning, and Antonio Gates. I was basically right on four of those seven, which is average, I guess.

This year, I only picked five players, but I think I did a little bit better. Those five were Michael Turner, Carson Palmer, Willis McGahee, Derek Anderson, and Laveranues Coles.

Let's get to the breakdown, which follows the same format as the last one:

Michael Turner

Basically, what I'm trying to say is this: the Falcons probably won't be very good on offense, and Turner will be looking to give away at least a significant portion of his carries to Norwood. Norwood also appears to be the favorite in the passing game, which the Falcons will be in often. Jordan surprised many people with his strong season in 2005. No one knows exactly what Turner can do, and if he's in part-time duty, selecting him in the first few rounds might just not be worth the risk.

2007: 16 games, 71 carries, 316 yards, 1 TD
2008: 16 games, 376 carries, 1,699 yards, 17 TD

Wow, was I wrong about Turner and the Falcons this year. First of all, Turner did not split carries with Jerious Norwood. Norwood had just 95 carries in 2008; Turner had 376. Norwood was definitely a factor in the passing game though; he caught 36 passes out of the backfield for 338 yards, and Turner had only six catches for 41 yards.

But the receiving yards don't really matter much. Turner finished second in the NFL in rushing yards (behind Adrian Peterson), first in carries, second in rushing touchdowns (behind DeAngelo Williams), and tied for ninth in yards per carry (4.5). (Also: Notice that I don't say/write "National Football League" every single time like every football analyst out there. How annoying is that?)

For me, though, the surprise wasn't that Turner played well but that the Falcons' offense dramatically improved so quickly. The Falcons, shockingly, ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring with 24.4 points per game. I didn't think that both Matt Ryan and the team's offensive line would perform as well as they did, but they got the job done (until the playoffs) and allowed Turner to run for so many yards and touchdowns.

At the end of the season, Turner was the second-highest scoring running back in fantasy football, and he'll surely be a top five pick in drafts next year.

Verdict: Wrong

Carson Palmer

I think Palmer is a very good quarterback, but I don't think he'll have that great of a season to warrant being the fifth-best fantasy football quarterback, which he currently is being selected as. With 4,131 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes, and 20 interceptions, Palmer scored just the ninth-most points out of all quarterbacks. Palmer also has two solid receivers in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and he really should have better numbers.

Also, the Bengals have a schedule that may be more difficult than last season: at Baltimore, Tennessee, at NY Giants, Cleveland, at Dallas, at NY Jets, Pittsburgh, bye, Jacksonville, at Houston, Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh, Baltimore, at Indianapolis, Washington, at Cleveland, Kansas City. Besides the two games against Cleveland and the games against Washington and Kansas City, a lot of question marks remain as far as facing questionable defenses. The only good thing, or bad thing depending on how you look at it, is that the Bengals will probably be behind a lot and will have to throw the football. Still, Palmer could struggle against good defensive teams.

2007: 16 games, 4,131 yards, 26 TD, 20 INT
2008: 4 games, 731 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT

This breakdown is pretty simple because Palmer's season was shut down by a right elbow injury after only four games. Obviously I didn't know he would get hurt, but the Bengals just weren't very good this year anyway -- even with Palmer in the lineup to start the season. If he's truly healthy next year, he could have a solid season. But having to play the Steelers' and Ravens' defenses a combined four times each season doesn't help his fantasy football value at all.

Verdict: Right

Willis McGahee

With a questionable passing game and the possibility of rookie Joe Flacco starting at quarterback, the Ravens are going to have to run the football this year. But McGahee already has some injury concerns with the same knee he injured in that gruesome injury in college against Ohio State. McGahee had 1,207 rushing yards and 8 total touchdowns last season in a relatively good year, but with some injuries and the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, the offensive line could struggle and fail to open up enough holes for McGahee. The Ravens also really like rookie running back Ray Rice, who could steal some carries and receptions on third downs as he tries to carve out a niche on the team.

2007: 15 games, 294 carries, 1,207 yards, 7 TD, 43 receptions, 231 yards, 1 TD
2008: 13 games, 170 carries, 671 yards, 7 TD, 24 receptions, 173 yards

McGahee still had seven rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive season, but he received 124 fewer carries in 2008 and caught 19 fewer passes out of the backfield. Rookie Ray Rice received 107 carries, but the big surprise was the addition of the bruising running style of 260-pound Le'Ron McClain. McClain went from running the ball eight times in 2007 to a whopping 232 times in 2008. Both McGahee and McClain had a yards per carry average of 3.9, but McClain did score three more rushing touchdowns.

If McGahee had the job to himself, he probably would have had a better statistical season. Unfortunately for him, but importantly for the Ravens, they had a more diversified attack this season and didn't need McGahee to carry the ball nearly 300 times. Again, this was/is good news for the Ravens and bad news for fantasy owners who drafted McGahee so early.

Verdict: Right

Derek Anderson

Anderson had a fantastic 2007 season; no one could say he/she saw that coming, except for maybe Anderson himself (probably not). He also has plenty of weapons on offense this year in Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Kellen Winslow, and Jamal Lewis. But as of right now, he is still recovering from a concussion that he suffered during the preseason. I just don't think Anderson will have the same kind of season he did last year, and I also think if he struggles, the Browns may cave in to some pressure to give Brady Quinn an opportunity at some point.

2007: 16 games, 3,787 yards, 29 TD, 19 INT
2008: 10 games, 1,615 yards, 9 TD, 8 INT

I basically nailed this one. The Browns really only looked solid in one game this season, against the Giants of all teams, but the offense as a unit severely underachieved -- especially Braylon Edwards. Anderson eventually lost his job to Brady Quinn before both quarterbacks got hurt and were lost for the rest of the season. According to new Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini, both Anderson and Quinn will fight for the job next season. Look for Quinn to win the battle.

Verdict: Right

Laveranues Coles

Brett Favre's presence should certainly help the passing game and the whole offense, but Coles's demeanor really leaves a lot to be desired. He's a professional and should still play hard, but I wonder if his heart is really still in it without his buddy in New York.

Jerricho Cotchery (82 receptions, 1,130 yards, 2 TDs) also seems like he's taken over the role as the team's best wide receiver from Coles (55 receptions, 646 yards, 6 TDs). Coles could still have a decent year, but he shouldn't be relied upon as a number two wide receiver option for any standard leagues with 10 or 12 teams.

2007: 12 games, 55 receptions, 646 yards, 6 TD
2008: 16 games, 70 receptions, 850 yards, 7 TD

Looking at the total numbers, Coles seemingly had a better season than last year. But really, he played in all 16 games, even if he wasn't 100 percent, and he more than likely would have surpassed this year's numbers last year if he'd played a full season.

Granted, that didn't happen. Another thing that didn't happen: Favre didn't throw the ball to Jerricho Cotchery enough. Cotchery finished the season with 71 receptions, 858 yards, and five touchdowns; I figured that he could have easily duplicated his 2007 numbers.

But rules are rules. I said that Coles shouldn't be relied on in either a 10- or 12-team league. He was essentially the 24th-ranked wide receiver, which would qualify him for a decent second wide receiver option. It's close, but I was just a bit off.

Verdict: Wrong

The final tally stands at three right and two wrong this year. I should have picked more players, which is what I'll try to do next time.

Two-year combined picks: seven out of 12.

Quick NFL notes

- Redskins DE Jason Taylor will miss next Sunday's game against the Cowboys. His streak of 133 consecutive games played will come to an end.

- Eagles RB Brian Westbrook is day-to-day with a right ankle strain. He will probably be questionable for the team's Sunday night game against the Bears.

- The Browns plan to give backup QB Brady Quinn more reps in practice this week. As the Browns continue to struggle, don't be surprised if he takes over for starter Derek Anderson at some point in the near future.

- Ravens safety Dawan Landry appears to be doing well after being carted off the field yesterday against the Browns.

- Lions QB Jon Kitna sprained his knee against the 49ers. Lions fans don't appear to care too much.

- The Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Kansas City Chiefs are all 0-3. The Houston Texans are 0-2, and if the San Diego Chargers lose tonight against the New York Jets, they would also be 0-3. Very interesting start to the season.

- If the Patriots play anymore games like they did against the Miami Dolphins, pay attention to how Randy Moss acts as the season rolls along and frustration mounts.

- Finally, this isn't any NFL news, but here is a gem from DJ Gallo's Week 3 article for ESPN.

9. There's an NFLshop.com commercial that shows someone's den decked out in Pittsburgh Steelers paraphernalia from floor to ceiling. The camera pans the room, then finally pauses on a traditional lamp with the text: "What's with the lamp?" The commercial is a bit of a cheap shot. Do you want to know what happened to the lamp, NFL Shop? Do you? The Steelers' offensive line was house-sitting for a fan and was asked to protect that lamp. Despite their best efforts, a whole wave of burglars broke in and stole it the second the owner left. But I'm glad you find robbery and home invasion so funny, NFL.

Good stuff there. Enjoy Monday Night Football and Tony Kornheiser hyperventilating over the presence of Brett Favre.

Players I'm avoiding in 2008

Here is a list of players who I would rather not have for fantasy football this year. I've drafted a few teams, and I don't think I have any of these guys on them.

There are only two rules: 1) I can't pick any of the same players from last year's list, and 2) the choices can't be too obvious. Saying that I don't think James Thrash will be a solid fantasy football choice this year really doesn't say much at all.

Michael Turner

Turner's situation reminds me of when LaMont Jordan left the New York Jets for the Oakland Raiders after the 2004-2005 season. With the Jets, Jordan was underutilized as a short yardage and goal line back. He received carries of 39, 84, 46, and 93, respectively, in four seasons with the Jets, then went on to total 272 in 2005 as a Raider. But with those 272 carries Jordan averaged only 3.8 yards per carry. The biggest surprise in 2005 was Jordan's Tomlinson-like 70 receptions out of the backfield for 563 yards. The next two years Jordan was often injured and slowly played his way out of Oakland.

With Tomlinson ahead of him in San Diego, Turner was only needed to give Tomlinson a breather or finish off opponents on the ground when the Chargers already had the game well in hand. Because of his situation, Turner received few carries, but he made the most of them by averaging 5.5 yards per carry in four seasons. He also didn't catch many passes out of the backfield (3 in '06 and 4 in '07) because the Chargers wouldn't need to throw with him in the game, just run. Now Turner is going to an Atlanta Falcons team in rebuilding mode. The Falcons will be starting a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan, and the team's offensive line just isn't very good at the moment. With a young and inexperienced offense and a defense that should struggle, the Falcons will probably be playing from behind often and will have to throw the ball.

Now, Turner certainly figures to be the number one running back, but the Falcons also have Jerious Norwood on the roster. In two seasons with the Falcons, Norwood never received many carries but still averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He also possesses the ability to help out in the passing game; he had 40 receptions in those two seasons.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is this: the Falcons probably won't be very good on offense, and Turner will be looking to give away at least a significant portion of his carries to Norwood. Norwood also appears to be the favorite in the passing game, which the Falcons will be in often. Jordan surprised many people with his strong season in 2005. No one knows exactly what Turner can do, and if he's in part-time duty, selecting him in the first few rounds might just not be worth the risk.

Carson Palmer

I think Palmer is a very good quarterback, but I don't think he'll have that great of a season to warrant being the fifth-best fantasy football quarterback, which he currently is being selected as. With 4,131 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes, and 20 interceptions, Palmer scored just the ninth-most points out of all quarterbacks. Palmer also has two solid receivers in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and he really should have better numbers.

Also, the Bengals have a schedule that may be more difficult than last season: at Baltimore, Tennessee, at NY Giants, Cleveland, at Dallas, at NY Jets, Pittsburgh, bye, Jacksonville, at Houston, Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh, Baltimore, at Indianapolis, Washington, at Cleveland, Kansas City. Besides the two games against Cleveland and the games against Washington and Kansas City, a lot of question marks remain as far as facing questionable defenses. The only good thing, or bad thing depending on how you look at it, is that the Bengals will probably be behind a lot and will have to throw the football. Still, Palmer could struggle against good defensive teams.

Willis McGahee

With a questionable passing game and the possibility of rookie Joe Flacco starting at quarterback, the Ravens are going to have to run the football this year. But McGahee already has some injury concerns with the same knee he injured in that gruesome injury in college against Ohio State. McGahee had 1,207 rushing yards and 8 total touchdowns last season in a relatively good year, but with some injuries and the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, the offensive line could struggle and fail to open up enough holes for McGahee. The Ravens also really like rookie running back Ray Rice, who could steal some carries and receptions on third downs as he tries to carve out a niche on the team.

Derek Anderson

Anderson had a fantastic 2007 season; no one could say he/she saw that coming, except for maybe Anderson himself (probably not). He also has plenty of weapons on offense this year in Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Kellen Winslow, and Jamal Lewis. But as of right now, he is still recovering from a concussion that he suffered during the preseason. I just don't think Anderson will have the same kind of season he did last year, and I also think if he struggles, the Browns may cave in to some pressure to give Brady Quinn an opportunity at some point.

Laveranues Coles

Remember the situation with Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley with the Orlando Magic a few years back? Francis was moved to tears in January 2005 when Mobley was traded out of Orlando to Sacramento.

"I can't put it into words," Francis said at the time "Playing with a guy, living with a guy, just knowing that every day when I wake up that's something I can count on, that I'm going to be in practice or in a game with Cuttino. Him not being here is going to be tough for me. I don't know what I'm going to wake up for."

(Random tangent: Francis also had this to say: "You don't wait 30 minutes before a game to tell a guy he's traded. The way you handle relationships, for me, is going to change the way that I approach the game, more businesslike than anything." I never really noticed this before, but that 2004-2005 season was Francis's last good season. Was Francis so upset about the Mobley trade that he stopped playing well altogether for the rest of his career? Does handling the game "more businesslike" meaning playing poorly? Just a very weird situation.)

Anyway, that situation between Francis and Mobley reminds me of Coles and Chad Pennington, who was recently traded to the Miami Dolphins. Coles and Pennington were very close, and Coles stopped talking to the media so he wouldn't have to answer any questions about Pennington's departure. Brett Favre's presence should certainly help the passing game and the whole offense, but Coles's demeanor really leaves a lot to be desired. He's a professional and should still play hard, but I wonder if his heart is really still in it without his buddy in New York.

Jerricho Cotchery (82 receptions, 1,130 yards, 2 TDs) also seems like he's taken over the role as the team's best wide receiver from Coles (55 receptions, 646 yards, 6 TDs). Coles could still have a decent year, but he shouldn't be relied upon as a number two wide receiver option for any standard leagues with 10 or 12 teams.

That's all I have for this year. I picked seven players last year and five this year. For some reason, this year was tougher to pick some players I thought might struggle a bit, but I also tried to back up my picks a little more than before.