Paper Pigskin Point Potential 2014 - Green Bay Packers

This is a series on my 2014 outlook of players you would want to have on your Paper Pigskin team (fantasy football).  What you'll find here are my views based on years of playing experience and countless hours of geeking out researching stats, trends, and film.  I'll advise where to reach and whose hype not to believe.

GREEN BAY PACKERS - Passing 267 ypg    Rushing 134 ypg

The Packers are a well-oiled machine on offense that has typically used a high powered West Coast passing attack over the years but lacked a run game. Their star QB missed seven games with a collar bone injury, and during that time, the team unearthed an element to their game that they have been lacking. Now head coach Mike McCarthy has the balance that he's always wanted. As opponents have to pick their poison, you as a Paper Pigskin player get to choose your remedy.  This team is going to be a headache to prepare for.

NFL Brain Dump - Injured Feelings

I feel like I should say something about the situation going in Washington regarding their coach and the quarterback that loves to take off and scramble. After all he’s a coach that made a ballsy decision to go with a quarterback at the beginning of a season when nobody had any real idea as to how he would perform. Even after losing this past week, there’s no doubt that the coach chose a leader of men whom in which all of his teammates will go to battle for. This week, his team is on the road in a city that they’ll most likely visit in February. Of course, I'm speaking of the team that plays in Seattle, Washington.

NFL Brain Dump- Midseason Musings

Is there anything newsworthy from the past couple weeks to discuss? I have had so much to say about the Incognito situation that I thought it was best to stay out of harms way and don't say anything. However, I can't just say nothing even though I learned that's the path to take if it's not anything nice. That's the conclusion I've come to on this situation.  Maybe if Incognito didn't have the reputation of a jerk, he would have probably been given a pass.  Because after all, America loves to give people who are contrite a second chance and even third chances unless you happen to run a dog fi. . . nevermind, see I have too much to say.

NFL Brain Dump: Checking The Climate

This week's brain dump will take a brief look at some of the league's on-goings.  Even though we're approaching week 9, we haven't quite reached the half-way mark because only half of the teams have completed half of their schedule due to the bye weeks.  There have been a few surprises and many disappointments.

Aaron Rodgers continues to lead the Green Bay Packers to victory.  There are some quarterbacks who have been under performing  this season and the media have given them outs by saying this is the result of injuries to their top wide receivers.   No such excuses are coming from the Packers' organization.  Green Bay has lost their top three wide receivers from last season and Rodgers just keep piling on the wins.  This is nothing new.

Colin Kaepernick isn't playing like he's the future of the NFL.  This shouldn't be a concern for any fan of the San Francisco 49'ers because he is doing what he is supposed to do, which is executing the game plan set forth by his head coach.  If anything, the underwhelming performance early in the season can be attested to Coach Harbaugh wanting to show off his toy but it can't work right without the proper accessories (Crabtree).  What they have done in the bay is revert back to running the ball which has been a recipe for their success in the past. This shouldn't surprise anyone.

Alex Smith is a terrible quarterback.  No, I don't really believe this.  This is something that people like to say because he isn't putting up flashy numbers and doesn't take chances beyond the intermediate level of the defense.  He is a game manager who is completing the assignment given to him by Kansas City Chief's head coach Andy Reid.  Are we really going to argue with the results he has produced? Many quarterbacks in his situation will listen to the chatter from the peanut gallery and try to show people how wrong they are.  Alex Smith is is playing within himself and being the best that he can be.  I thought KC would do good but being undefeated is surprising.

There is something really wrong with the Dallas Cowboys.  This has nothing to do with Tony Romo choking away games because he is playing some amazing football this season.  This has nothing to do with the over-hyped outburst by Dez Bryant in last weeks loss; I love the passion he displayed.  I'd much rather go to battle with somebody that I know cares about me surviving than somebody who acts like everything is cool.  Over the years, Dallas has put talented players on the field but have lost a lot of close games.  Maybe it's the coaching.  Maybe its the owner that doesn't know how to chill.  They have the best team on paper in their division.  Their results have been a disappointment.

Greg Schiano has no idea how to lead a group of men.  Neither the old players or new players like him.  I'm really surprised he hasn't been fired yet; I can imagine this is disappointing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans.  Tony Dungy put in work during his tenure in Tampa and built a culture of winning football, just to have ownership sacrifice that for a quickie super bowl win.  Now it seems like they've chosen to fully embrace their traditional losing culture.

That's all I really have to say this time around.  Next week will bring a full mid-season report.

Let me know what you think of these musings in the comments section.

Paper Pigskin Point Potential NFC North

This is a series on my 2013 outlook of players you would want to have on your Paper Pigskin team (fantasy football).  I'll be organizing them by division.  What you'll find here are my views based on years of playing experience and countless hours of geeking out researching stats, trends, and articles.  I'll advise where to reach and whose hype not to believe.

Green Bay Packers  253 passing ypg  106 rushing ypg  (posted August 26, 2013)

QB:   Aaron Rodgers is the most efficient play maker in the league.  Last season he threw a touchdown pass for every 110 yards and was only intercepted eight times compared to 39 touchdowns.  Rodgers should be one of the first two quarterback selected always.  The Packers play at a deliberate pace on offense, if not for this, Rodgers' Paper Pigskin production would be threw the roof.  His lack of negative points resulting from interceptions and his running ability is what keeps him on the same level as a 5,000 yard passer.  The legitimate threat of a rushing attack in Green Bay will open up more opportunities for big plays.