2007 Fantasy Faceoffs
Boom or Bust Edition

RB Edgerrin James - Arizona Cardinals

Overview: With a new head coach and a run first coordinator in Arizona, Edgerrin James looks poised to bounce back from his disappointing fantasy output of 2006. The team has already committed to giving Edge more carries, and furthered this strategy by drafting punishing run blocker Levi Jones with the teams first pick. The Cardinals want to win now with their young quarterback Matt Leinart, and there's nothing that will help the team more than a healthy Edgerrin James moving the chains.

Fantasy Outlook: Edge looks to complete a very unique feat in fantasy sports: go from a stud one season, to a bust the next, to a sleeper the next. I believe he will be a solid #2 starter this season on any fantasy squad, and if he's available in your league in the third round, pick him and don't look back.

MC's Projection: 1,400 total yards; 9 total touchdowns

WR Randy Moss - New England Patriots

Overview: The Randy Moss/New England experiment begins...and questions abound. Has Moss lost a step? Will Moss be a malcontent? Are there enough balls to go around a very talented New England offense? Well, one thing is certain--Moss's numbers from a year ago can only go up. And the New England offense--featuring a top-rated QB (Brady), a revamped receiving core (Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Kelley Washington, plus last year's scrubs), a solid TE (Watson), and a star-in-the-making RB (Maroney)--could be the most explosive offense in the NFL.

Fantasy Outlook: Look for Moss to rebound strongly this year--however, his role in the Pats' diverse offense is still to be determined. I think the Pats, as they've done year after year, will continue to spread the ball around to a variety of targets, obviously hurting Moss's numbers. But I think the Pats will target Moss in the redzone and obviously on long balls--one of Brady's fortes.

JNR's Projection: Pick Moss in the 4-6 rounds and you will not be disappointed--lower yardage (700-800 yards), but high TD's (9-12 TD's) should be in order. But because this is a new situation and Moss is a volatile x-factor, be careful wasting a precious 1-3 round pick on him; it could ruin your season.

QB Trent Green - Miami Dophins

Overview: What if I told you that Trent Green has been one of the best fantasy QB's in the NFL over the last five years (injury-plagued 2006 notwithstanding)? What if I told you you can get the same production out of the QB spot from Trent Green than from Peyton Manning but expend a 8th round pick rather than a 1st round one? Crazy? Insane? Well, maybe....but only slightly. I have been Trent Green's biggest fantasy fan over the last five years and he has been a consistent performer. In the 2002-04 seasons, he hit over 4000 yards and 24, 26, and 27 TD's....and most drafts had Green going in those years around the 8th round (and usually no higher than the 5th). Green's two other full years with KC, while not stellar (only 17 TD's each year), were solid. Compare Green to perennial top-5 pick Peyton Manning, who also was over 4000 yards and averages between 25-30 TD's per year for his career (record-breaking 2004 notwithstanding), and Green is a bargain.

Fantasy Outlook: The question is--what will become of Trent Green now that he is in Miami? I am one of the few people out there that think he's going to return to form and have an above-average fantasy year. Miami has too many good offensive weapons--Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, and Marty Booker are one of the most underrated offensive trios in the league. Add Ted Ginn, and Green will have some targets to play with. Moreover, supposedly Cam Cameron's history with Trent Green will allow them to work well together (although don't take that to the bank). The biggest risk with Green, in my mind, is Cameron. He just drafted his QB of the future and if things don't go well early in South Beach, then Green could get the hook and the rebuilding could start now.

JNR's Projection: Look for Green to rebound nicely in Miami and put up solid numbers--3200 yards, 17 TD's. However, if Miami can't win some games early, Green could get pulled, essentially halving those numbers. But that's a small risk--after all, you should be able to land Green in the 8th or 9th round. And even if you draft a QB early, Green as an 8th round back-up would be a steal.