Ask the Experts

ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly with answers to a new question being posted Thursday morning. How the guest experts responded when we asked them:

Which player has most impressed you this preseason?

SCOTT ENDSLEY

Before getting hurt we might have said Chaz Schilens but the injury is a big setback. Tough to narrow to just one -- nobody has blown us away but Tom Brady has looked like he hasn't missed a step. Some rust would have been normal and expected but we haven't seen it. LeSean McCoy has been solid, but that didn't surprise us -- we've had our eye on this rookie for a while. And it looks like Darren McFadden may become a nice fantasy producer this season.

Endsley is co-owner and a senior fantasy football consultant for FantasyDraftEdge.com offering customizable fantasy football cheat sheets and professional VIP advice all season long. For more info, go to www.fantasydraftedge.com.

HEATH SEVIN

Although I expect this guy to continue to excel, I have to say Michael Turner has looked even better this year than last. He appears to be the second coming of LT who, ironically, he backed up just two years ago. He's averaging just under 10 yards a carry in only 13 attempts but has two scores. He's had two of his runs go for longer than 20 and two more go for more than 40 yards. This guy just looks dynamic. If Matt Ryan can keep the defense honest I believe Turner could push 1800-plus yards if he stays healthy.

Sevin is CEO of Draftwizard.com, which offers current player notes, player rankings, injury reports, and start/sit projections. The site is dedicated to preparing you for your draft and assisting you with the in-season tools necessary to win your league. Draftwizard's message board has a following of dedicated and knowledgeable fantasy footballers, along with industry experts, to quickly answer your questions and offer unique insight gained from years of "playing in the trenches". For more information, visit www.draftwizard.com or send e-mails to packerdogs@draftwizard.com.

RICK HAWES

One guy who has done a complete about face is Chad Ochocinco. This time last year, he was in full diva mode, wanting out of Cincinnati and not even tying his shoes for practice. It seems that his pride was bruised by last season’s debacle, as he "appears" to be putting forth-maximum effort in an attempt to return to Pro Bowl form. On a lesser note, the light appears to have come on for Troy Williamson, who has been a colossal bust during his four-year career. In two preseason games, he has compiled seven receptions for 221 yards (31.6 yards per catch) and a score. I’m really anxious to see what he does in the Jaguars third preseason game at Philadelphia. Head coach Jack Del Rio has been singing his praises, and I've even nabbed him in the next-to-the-last round in a couple of my recent drafts.

Hawes is the Managing Editor of NFL content at Fanball.com. Fanball.com and OwnersEdge.com offer league management software, daily play fantasy games, Live Advice, up-to-date news, free and premium content, player rankings, custom projections and cheat sheets, in-depth IDP analysis, Fantasy Buffet Radio Show, NFL Draft Kit, Fanball Blog Network, daily newsletter, a vast array of fantasy football tools, including Draft Analyzer software and five magazines featuring the Pro Football Draft Preview, as well as four Fantasy Football publications. For more information send e-mail to rhawes@fanball.com.

MIKE NAZAREK

New Patriots tight end Chris Baker scored twice in their first preseason game and appears on track to start for the team. As a result, we've replaced gimpy TE Ben Watson with Baker in our fantasy TE player rankings and added Baker as a darkhorse sleeper this week when we did a Sleeper feature update in our premium draft guide.

Nazarek is the CEO of Fantasy Football Mastermind Inc. His company offers an online rookie draft kit, preseason draft guide, customizable cheat sheets, fantasy auction & regular drafting programs, weekly in-season fantasy newsletters, injury reports and free NFL news (updated daily) at its web site. He has been playing fantasy football since 1988 and is the reigning four-peat champion of the SI.com Experts Fantasy League, a nationally published writer in several fantasy magazines and a columnist for SI.com. For more info go to www.ffmastermind.com. Nazarek can be reached at 702-568-7118 or miken@ffmastermind.com.

SAM HENDRICKS

Many of my sleepers are impressing but then again I expected them to do that. So I am looking for a player I did not expect to do well who has done well. Ray Rice seems to have solidified his role in the BAL running game more than I expected (I had him at the low end of the starting RBs) and seems ready to take over there (making him a RB26 now). He also looks to get more passes out of the backfield, which moves up his value in PPR leagues too.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips and Fantasy Football Almanac 2009, all available at his website, www.ffguidebook.com, at all major bookstores, and at www.amazon.com. He is a 19-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th overall in the 2008 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

IAN ALLAN

As of right now, my All-Preseason Team for 2009 would consist of QB Aaron Rodgers (G.B), RB Michael Turner (Atl.), RB Glen Coffee (S.F.), WR Chris Henry (Cin.), WR Troy Williamson (Jac.), TE Jermichael Finley (G.B.) and K Ryan Succop (K.C.). Of that group, the biggest surprises have been Coffee and Williamson. Prior to August, I didn’t consider either player to even be worth drafting. Now I view both are worthy of late-round picks in most leagues.

Allan is the senior writer for Fantasy Football Index. He’s been in that role since 1987, generating most of the player rankings and analysis for that publication. His work can be seen in Fantasy Football Index magazine, and also at the company’s website, www.fantasyindex.com.

PRETZEL MAY

I am torn with this one. My initial thought was Glen Coffee of the 49ers. Coffee came into league as a highly touted rookie but I don't think anyone expected to see him running with the fire he has shown thus far. He seems to be running with great anticipation, patience and vision, this is not always common with rookies. Coffee is also playing behind a runner with a big workload and history of injuries...could make for a great sleeper pick. My other choice would be DeAngelo Williams. Williams started his career unable to beat out DeShaun Foster as the clear starter. Last season he was the guy most likely to lose his job to a rookie, the changed quickly. This year he seems determined to show that he is not a one hit wonder.

The May brothers have more than 16 years of combined fantasy football experience and are the co-founders of FantasyDraftMaster.com. The cornerstone of FDM is the UberRank which is a revolutionary approach to the traditional fantasy football cheat sheet. FantasyDraftMaster.com also offers insightful and humorous commentary on football happenings as well as recommendations on waiver wire pickups, line up submissions and weekly pick em' pools. For more info, visit www.fantasydraftmaster.com or email us at info@fantasydraftmaster.com.

LOUIS TRANQUILLI

Willie Parker. He is lined up for a super value pick, drafters are leaving him alone like he's a Swine Flu outbreak waiting to happen. He is still fast, can catch passes and has a schedule that lines up pretty nicely for fantasy football. At his 7th-round ADP, he's impressed me enough to reach up a round earlier and grab him, he's looked fast and seeing him bolt into the end zone on a toss was a football vision of beauty.

Tranquilli is the founder and the primary "brains" (if you stretch it) of BFDFANTASYfootball.com. BFD is about delivering the information players want, not fluff, just opinions that matter to fantasy football players. Lou has worked with NFL players and gives a unique perspective because of it. We'll be giving MORE teams away in 2009 to BFD subscribers!

CORY BONINI

I have been surprised with New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw's power. He looks bigger and stronger than ever before while maintaining his speed. Running over people wasn't part of his repertoire before this preseason. I was skeptical of his ability to take on a bigger workload, and he appears poised to excel with more touches. Granted, it is preseason football, but he has impressed me more than anyone else so far.

KFFL.com offers fantasy football, fantasy baseball and fantasy NASCAR content. We have captured well more than a dozen expert league championships. Founded in 1996, KFFL offers award-winning daily news feeds, preseason draft guides, player rankings, sleepers, busts, weekly newsletters and more. KFFL is completely free! For more information, visit www.kffl.com.

JEFFREY KAMYS

Not that he is going to be a starter, but Glen Coffee has looked exceptional so far for the 49ers. Coffee becomes an absolute must as a handcuff for Gore owners and could provide 10 touches a week as the 49ers are likely to run it often this season.

Kamys is president of Dr. Stats Fantasy Sports. His company, via the web, offers player news, injury reports, cheat sheets, projections, weekly matchups, statistics, and a customized team tracker. Dr. Stats Fantasy Sports also e-mails preseason newsletters and reports throughout the season. For more info visit www.docstats.com or send email to webmaster@docstats.com.

NATHAN ZEGURA

I think Ray Rice is showing that he can be the featured back for the Ravens. Staying in at the goal line and scoring against the Jets was a big play for him. He is climbing up my board and looks like he could be a solid RB2 this year.

The Fantasy Consultant, the only fantasy football site on the web run by a former McKinsey and Co. consultant, provides in-depth, statistical analysis and uses a proprietary model to produce weekly and full-season player projections customized to your scoring system. TFC focuses on the most relevant fantasy-oriented stats (targets, red zone and GL performance, Opp yards/TDs allowed by position) and provides real-time injury updates to ensure that you have everything you need to set your ideal lineup every week. Heading in to the draft, you get full season projections customized to your scoring system, in-depth player profiles, plus position primers that identify bounce-back players, breakout candidates, and sleepers and busts. In a record setting 2008 season, 94% of Premium subscribers (87% of Standard) went to the playoffs and 62% (40% standard) WON their leagues. Check out thefantasyconsultant.com today.

DAVID DOREY

Leon Washington looked outstanding against the Ravens first team defense when he ran for 48 yards on eight carries and added a touchdown from his two catches for 35 yards. The Jets were giving him a fulltime load in the first half on Monday night and he was more than up to the task. I definitely need to rethink my projections for him. The Jets will still use a committee so Washington is not about to become a top ten running back but he’s a talent that has to see the field more this year.

Dorey is the co-founder and Senior NFL Analyst at The Huddle since 1997. He has produced award winning rankings and has projected the fantasy stats for every game over the last 13 years. David produces the bulk of The Huddle rankings and his “Predictions and Projections” breaks down every single NFL game every week through the Super Bowl. You can find more about David at TheHuddle.com.

ANDY RICHARDSON

Lots of guys. Leon Washington was very impressive against the Ravens the other night. Chaz Schilens caught my eye for the Raiders, at least until he got hurt. I am also impressed by what I've seen out of Laurent Robinson in St. Louis. That said, I guess I'll go with Brandon Jacobs, who just looks like a monster with the Giants, and Ahmad Bradshaw, who should be a better No. 2 than Derrick Ward was. Another big year coming for the Giants running game.

Richardson has been a columnist and contributor to the Fantasy Football Index magazine and web site for the past eight years. His responsibilities include team defense and IDP projections, as well as various site features. He has run the magazine's annual draft and auction leagues since their inception. His A DAY OF FOOTBALL wrap-up column appears Mondays during the NFL season.

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