Fantasy Football Preview: The Kickers
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/874/1/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Kickers/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Kickers.html
Andrew Mindzak
After a long and successful 15 year baseball career that started off walking his first 8 batters, then hitting the 9th before getting pulled, he has switched gears to writing about sports instead of playing them (although he is always up for a game of wiffleball).
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
By Andrew Mindzak
Published on 08/3/2007
Jeff Wilkins may not be as great an athlete as most of his Rams teammates, but as a fantasy stud he could make the difference for your team this season. ASM's preview takes on the kickers, and Wilkins at the top of the heap.
Jeff Wilkins may not be as great an athlete as most of his Rams teammates, but as a fantasy stud he could make the difference for your team this season. ASM's preview takes on the kickers, and Wilkins at the top of the heap.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Kickers
Kickers are like jobs…we hate them, but at the end of the day, we still need one. Fantasy football buys into this theory as you need that kicker on your roster. The last 2 years, the number 1 kicker wasn’t even drafted, so I hope you remember this when you go to draft Adam Vinatieri in the 5th round and think you’re the smart one in the draft. Wait ‘til the end, and know that if you have a mediocre kicker in the draft, odds are you can pick someone up off waivers early in the season to pick up the slack. Here are the top 10 kickers (has anyone seen Mike Vanderjagt??):
1. Jeff Wilkins – K St. Louis Rams
Jeff Wilkins put up a solid 131 points in 2006 which was good enough for 3rd amongst kickers in the NFL. A huge benefit to Wilkins, is that he kicks indoors, has an explosive offense, and was 3 for 3 from 50+ yards, so he is a very solid option. Look for him to shine even more in 2007, especially with the new offensive additions the Rams made in the off season.
2. Nate Kaeding – K San Diego Chargers
Nate Kaeding had the 2nd most points in 2006, putting up 136. His team is young, talented, and playing in the warm San Diego sun, which is a kickers dream. Kaeding was 26 for 29 kicking last year, and I would look for that trend to continue in 2007.
3. Adam Vinatieri – K Indianapolis Colts
Adam Vinatieri won yet another ring during his first year in Indy. He was 25 for 28 kicking last year while accumulating 113 points. Kicking for a very high powered offense will give him several opportunities for points in 2007. I would look for Adam to be around 125 points this year, and maybe another ring??
4. Neil Rackers – K Arizona Cardinals
Sure, crack your jokes that Neil Rackers was a huge bust in 2006, but with a young, yet potent offense, look for Rackers to rack up the points in 2007. Sure he was 28 for 37 kicking last year, but look for the confidence to be high in the desert this year with a more mature offense, and an even better Rackers.
5. Shayne Graham – K Cincinnati Bengals
Shayne Graham is the best kicker you never heard of. He put up 115 points in 2006, and made 25 of 30 field goals last year. Playing on a team like the Bengals will produce a lot of scoring opportunities. If only he could help his other teammates ‘kick’ their habits….
6. Robbie Gould – K Chicago Bears
Robbie Gould came out of nowhere in 2006 to lead all kickers in scoring with 143 points, while making 32 of 36 field goals. With an offense like the Bears, I would expect more field goal opportunities, rather than extra points after scoring TD’s. He should have a solid year, just don’t look for the same production as ’06 saw.
7. Matt Stover – K Baltimore Ravens
Matt Stover is still kicking around (yes, the pun was intended) and put up 121 points in 2006. He made 28 of 30 field goals last year, and is still a very solid option in the fantasy world. With a few new faces in the Ravens offense this year, look for Stover to stay around 120 points in 2007.
8. Josh Brown – K Seattle Seahawks
Josh Brown put up 111 points in 2006 while making 25 of 31 kicks. Brown has a huge leg, making 3 of 5 FG’s from 50+ yards. The decline in his points could be directly attributed to the injuries sustained by Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, cutting back on their offensive output as a team. I would look for a nice rebound season from Brown in 2007.
1. Jeff Wilkins – K St. Louis Rams
Jeff Wilkins put up a solid 131 points in 2006 which was good enough for 3rd amongst kickers in the NFL. A huge benefit to Wilkins, is that he kicks indoors, has an explosive offense, and was 3 for 3 from 50+ yards, so he is a very solid option. Look for him to shine even more in 2007, especially with the new offensive additions the Rams made in the off season.
2. Nate Kaeding – K San Diego Chargers
Nate Kaeding had the 2nd most points in 2006, putting up 136. His team is young, talented, and playing in the warm San Diego sun, which is a kickers dream. Kaeding was 26 for 29 kicking last year, and I would look for that trend to continue in 2007.
3. Adam Vinatieri – K Indianapolis Colts
Adam Vinatieri won yet another ring during his first year in Indy. He was 25 for 28 kicking last year while accumulating 113 points. Kicking for a very high powered offense will give him several opportunities for points in 2007. I would look for Adam to be around 125 points this year, and maybe another ring??
4. Neil Rackers – K Arizona Cardinals
Sure, crack your jokes that Neil Rackers was a huge bust in 2006, but with a young, yet potent offense, look for Rackers to rack up the points in 2007. Sure he was 28 for 37 kicking last year, but look for the confidence to be high in the desert this year with a more mature offense, and an even better Rackers.
5. Shayne Graham – K Cincinnati Bengals
Shayne Graham is the best kicker you never heard of. He put up 115 points in 2006, and made 25 of 30 field goals last year. Playing on a team like the Bengals will produce a lot of scoring opportunities. If only he could help his other teammates ‘kick’ their habits….
6. Robbie Gould – K Chicago Bears
Robbie Gould came out of nowhere in 2006 to lead all kickers in scoring with 143 points, while making 32 of 36 field goals. With an offense like the Bears, I would expect more field goal opportunities, rather than extra points after scoring TD’s. He should have a solid year, just don’t look for the same production as ’06 saw.
7. Matt Stover – K Baltimore Ravens
Matt Stover is still kicking around (yes, the pun was intended) and put up 121 points in 2006. He made 28 of 30 field goals last year, and is still a very solid option in the fantasy world. With a few new faces in the Ravens offense this year, look for Stover to stay around 120 points in 2007.
8. Josh Brown – K Seattle Seahawks
Josh Brown put up 111 points in 2006 while making 25 of 31 kicks. Brown has a huge leg, making 3 of 5 FG’s from 50+ yards. The decline in his points could be directly attributed to the injuries sustained by Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, cutting back on their offensive output as a team. I would look for a nice rebound season from Brown in 2007.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Kickers
9. David Akers – K Philadelphia Eagles
David Akers made 18 of 23 field goals in 2006, which was good for 102 points. His numbers were his lowest total while playing a full season, however their starting QB did not play the full season, so I would look for Akers to pick his game up, and post his typical Akers numbers in 2007.
10. Jason Elam – K Denver Broncos
It seems like yesterday when Jason Elam broke into the league…. Actually, it seems like forever ago, but he still is one of the best kickers in the game, especially since he made 27 of 29 kicks for 115 points last year. With Jay Cutler gaining more experience in the offense, look for Elam’s numbers to remain the same or even improve in 2007.
The best of the rest...
11. Stephen Gostkowski – K New England Patriots: Solid kicker on a team with an explosive offense, look for big things from Gostkowski in 2007.
12. Lawrence Tynes – K Kansas City Chiefs: One of the more consistent kickers in the game, Tynes was 2 for 4 from 50+ in 2006….
13. Josh Scobee – K Jacksonville Jaguars: Solid 2006 season with 119 points, look for more of the same from Scobee. (If you call him Scobee-Doo, you should get kicked in the shins by the person sitting to your right at your draft)
14. John Kasay – K Carolina Panthers: John Kasay is a kicking wonder, making 4 of 7 FG’s from 50+ yards. Look for the Panthers to put up more points in ’07.
15. Olindo Mare – K New Orleans Saints: A change of scenery to an indoor stadium with a highly explosive offense, look for Mare to have a field day in 2007.
16. Joe Nedney – K San Francisco 49ers: Put up 116 points in 2006, and with an improved 49ers offense, could do better in ’07.
17. Jason Hanson – K Detroit Lions: Potentially dangerous offense and indoor conditions make Hanson a solid choice.
18. Mike Nugent – K New York Jets: Made 2 of 3 from 50+ yards in 2006, look for Nugent to keep the long boots coming.
19. Jay Feely – K Miami Dolphins: Leaving windy Meadowlands and heading to sunny Miami, look for slight improvement from Feely.
20. Rian Lindell – K Buffalo Bills: Made 23 of 25 field goals in 2006, but in windy Buffalo, anything is possible.
David Akers made 18 of 23 field goals in 2006, which was good for 102 points. His numbers were his lowest total while playing a full season, however their starting QB did not play the full season, so I would look for Akers to pick his game up, and post his typical Akers numbers in 2007.
10. Jason Elam – K Denver Broncos
It seems like yesterday when Jason Elam broke into the league…. Actually, it seems like forever ago, but he still is one of the best kickers in the game, especially since he made 27 of 29 kicks for 115 points last year. With Jay Cutler gaining more experience in the offense, look for Elam’s numbers to remain the same or even improve in 2007.
The best of the rest...
11. Stephen Gostkowski – K New England Patriots: Solid kicker on a team with an explosive offense, look for big things from Gostkowski in 2007.
12. Lawrence Tynes – K Kansas City Chiefs: One of the more consistent kickers in the game, Tynes was 2 for 4 from 50+ in 2006….
13. Josh Scobee – K Jacksonville Jaguars: Solid 2006 season with 119 points, look for more of the same from Scobee. (If you call him Scobee-Doo, you should get kicked in the shins by the person sitting to your right at your draft)
14. John Kasay – K Carolina Panthers: John Kasay is a kicking wonder, making 4 of 7 FG’s from 50+ yards. Look for the Panthers to put up more points in ’07.
15. Olindo Mare – K New Orleans Saints: A change of scenery to an indoor stadium with a highly explosive offense, look for Mare to have a field day in 2007.
16. Joe Nedney – K San Francisco 49ers: Put up 116 points in 2006, and with an improved 49ers offense, could do better in ’07.
17. Jason Hanson – K Detroit Lions: Potentially dangerous offense and indoor conditions make Hanson a solid choice.
18. Mike Nugent – K New York Jets: Made 2 of 3 from 50+ yards in 2006, look for Nugent to keep the long boots coming.
19. Jay Feely – K Miami Dolphins: Leaving windy Meadowlands and heading to sunny Miami, look for slight improvement from Feely.
20. Rian Lindell – K Buffalo Bills: Made 23 of 25 field goals in 2006, but in windy Buffalo, anything is possible.