NFL Brain Dump - For The Birds

Week 3 of the NFL season didn't provide fans much as far excitement goes; it pretty much was for the birds. Among the 32 franchises that comprise the NFL, five of them are nicknamed after a particular species of birds. All five - Falcons, Ravens, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Eagles - earned themselves a victory in week 3; in this sense, we can definitely say that last week was for the birds.

Both of these birds reached the end zone against the Redskins.

Paper Pigskin Point Potential 2014 - Arizona Cardinals

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 video.  I'll advise where to reach and whose hype not to believe.

ARIZONA CARDINALS - Passing 250 ypg     Rushing 96 ypg

For years, the calling card in the desert has been terrible rushing, and even worse defense. The latter seems to now be under control thanks to Patrick Peterson and friends; the former appears to be making strides, as long as Bruce Arians features the right person. This has the makings of a highly explosive offense.  Arians knows now that he has as many guns as anybody in the West to win a shootout.

NFL Week 13 Power Rankings

1.  Seattle  The league’s most consistent team up until this point. We’ll see what they’re made of this upcoming week against a team that has an explosive offense as well as good D.

2.  New Orleans  Extremely shaky win at Atlanta, now Drew Brees faces the best secondary in the league.  They’ve had trouble stopping the run all season long. Seattle will give them a heavy dose.

3.  New England  The hard part of their schedule is now out of the way.  Look for them to run the rest of the regular season table. Road to the Super Bowl might have to pass through Foxboro.

Paper Pigskin Point Potential NFC West

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.

San Francisco 49ers  206 passing ypg  156 rushing ypg  (posted August 23, 2013)

QB:  Colin Kaepernick has all the tools to produce Paper Pigskin greatness from the quarterback position; running speed, throws lasers, and rarely turns the ball over.  The only question that's needs to be answered before he can be considered a no brain top five pick is if Coach Harbaugh will choose to unleash him with the read option and air it out or will he pound defenses with the pure power running game and short passing.  If the playoffs type aggressiveness is the decision, expect a top three year from Kaep.  If Harbaugh decides to be conservative, you'll still get solid low QB1 contribution.  A late 4th/early 5th round selection is merited.