2008 League preview

[Frost Giant]

OK, after many an hour poring through rosters, what follows is my annual season preview. This is current as of tonight (not including the many pending transactions).
My scoring system is complex and I won't post all of the details here, but essentially half of a player's worth is determined by how he did last year and half is determined by how I think he might do this year (taking into account the fantasy situation, risk of losing his starting spot, possibility of gaining a starting spot, injury risk, age - is he on the decline, etc.).
Typically, teams with players who are trying to come back from a season-ending injury last year and those with players who may be second or third-year guys who are struggling to establish themselves could be puzzled why they are ranked so low in a certain category. For example, I have rated my DE Trevor Pryce at 8/20 because he lost last season to injury, but do I personally think he should be rated below Tim Crowder of Denver, who scored 9/20? Nope.
Beyond that, I've taken the typical defensive and offensive formations teams play (2CB, 2S, 2 DE, 1 DT, 2 ILB, 2OLB and 1 C, 2 G, 2 OT, 1 TE, 3 WR, 1 RB, 1 QB, 1 K, 1 P) and rated each team in every area. The rating takes into account starter strength and depth strength. Starters get their full points, backups get half points in determining the ranking.
Again, if your team is set up to play a different formation or formations than that above, your ranking could be skewed.
Furthermore, this ranking doesn't take into account that some positions are more valuable than others.
What I'm saying is this preview is simply an on-paper ranking: How your team should perform against the league at a given position.
Give me a bit and I'll post this in a reply to this post.

[Frost Giant]

OVERALL RANKINGS:
1. Swamp Dwellers 564
2. Crazy Canucks 538
3. The Munsters (formerly Tijuana Chongos) 532.5
4. Raven Maniacs 529.5
5. Creekside Indians 518
6. Reading Redskins 516.5
7. Greyriders 505.5
8. The Menaces 505
9. Muckers 503.5
10. Arctic Invaders 501.5
11. Sack Exchange 500
12. Aquablues 497
13. Golden Smactalkers 472.5
14. Black Attack 465.5
15. Lugheads 449.5
16. Jokers 441

More to come ...

[Frost Giant]

Offensive rankings:
1. Swamp Dwellers 281
2. Crazy Canucks 252.5
3. Raven Maniacs 236.5
4. The Munsters 233
5. Muckers 231
6. Reading Redskins 230.5
7. Creekside Indians 224
8. Lugheads 222
9. Arctic Invaders 216
10. The Menaces 215.5
11. Sack Exchange 212
12. Black Attack 205.5
13. Greyriders 202.5
14. Golden Smactalkers 199
15. Aquablues 198.5
16. Jokers 174.5

Defensive rankings:
1. The Munsters 255.5
2. Swamp Dwellers 254
3. Greyriders 248
3. Aquablues 248
5. Raven Maniacs 245.5
6. Creekside Indians 245
7. Jokers 241.5
8. Arctic Invaders 240.5
9. The Menaces 239
9. Sack Exchange 239
11. Reading Redskins 236.5
12. Crazy Canucks 236
13. Muckers 235.5
14. Golden Smactalkers 224
15. Black Attack 210.5
16. Lugheads 186.5

Special teams rankings (only kickers and punters here, not returners):
1. Greyriders 55 ... Top-rated group led by punter Andy Lee
2. Aquablues 50.5 ... Koenen should be top-five again
2. The Menaces 50.5 ... Solid depth led by Houston kicker Kris Brown
4. Black Attack 49.5 ... Gotta love Scifres
4. Reading Redskins 49.5 ... Good, if not great starting options
4. Crazy Canucks 49.5 ... Crosby backed up by Rackers
4. Golden Smactalkers 49.5 ... Both kickers could start for anyone
8. Sack Exchange 49 ... Lechler is a superstar. Depth a concern.
8. Creekside Indians 49 ... Kicking situation is average.
10. Raven Maniacs 47.5 ... Punting situation is average.
11. Arctic Invaders 45 ... Sepulveda likely done for year.
12. The Munsters 44 ... Injury-prone Scobee + little depth.
13. Lugheads 41 ... Loses points for no backup punter.
14. Muckers 37 ... No depth at either position.
15. Swamp Dwellers 29 ... Ditto, with mediocre starters.
16. Jokers 25 ... Ditto, with weak, weak starters.

More to come ...

[Frost Giant]

Cornerbacks:
1. The Munsters 50.5 ... Has luxury of rotating three top-15 guys here.
2. Black Attack 50 ... Wouldn't allow Trufant to be stolen in free agency.
3. Muckers 49 ... Best depth of anyone, with eight CBs. Who will he start?
4. Golden Smactalkers 47.5 ... Led by Revis, most promising CB core.
4. Arctic Invaders 47.5 ... Can McGee hang onto No. 1 ranking?
6. Sack Exchange 47 ... No superstars, just enviable depth.
7. Jokers 42.5 ... Everyone would want to have Cromartie.
8. Greyriders 42 ... Marshall, Harper and a bunch of projects.
9. Lugheads 41.5 ... Gave up a lot to get Ike, but it could pay off.
10. Creekside Indians 40.5 ... Clements is Grade A. Questions after that.
10. Reading Redskins 40.5 ... Adds McKelvin to solid, but injury-prone group
12. Swamp Dwellers 40 ... Has the Champ, but depth is just not there.
12. The Menaces 40 ... The Lito uncertainty looms large. Depth dearth.
14. Raven Maniacs 37.5 ... Desperately relying on PacMan's return to form.
15. Crazy Canucks 33.5 ... Average starters with almost no depth.
16. Aquablues 30 ... Way behind. Rookies give hope for the future.

Safeties:
1. Raven Maniacs 53.5 ... Kerry Rhodes just may be his third best safety.
2. The Munsters 49 ... Michael Lewis is a tackling machine.
3. Jokers 48.5 ... In two drafts, adds Landry and Johnson.
4. Aquablues 47 ... If Bob Sanders comes back fine, this group is awesome.
5. Reading Redskins 46 ... Ed Reed just may be his third best safety.
6. Swamp Dwellers 45 ... Works nicely if Sean Jones keeps up his picks.
7. The Menaces 43 ... Roman Harper with some decent depth.
8. Greyriders 42 ... Four legitimate starter possibilities. Nice problem.
8. Creekside Indians 42 ... Nothing great, nothing that will kill ya.
10. Crazy Canucks 41.5 ... Adrian Wilson must stay healthy.
11. Golden Smactalkers 41 ... Two all-star starters, but very little depth.
12. Sack Exchange 40 ... Starters are above average, but depth is poor.
13. Muckers 39 ... Clinton Hart is his highest-ranked safety. Nuff said.
14. Lugheads 33.5 ... He might have to bank on a guy with no spleen.
15. Arctic Invaders 32 ... Lots of what ifs and developing prospects.
16. Black Attack 30 ... Highest-rated is Alexander, who may be a backup.

More to come ...

[Frost Giant]

Defensive ends:
1. Aquablues 58 ... Almost perfect - Allen, Uminyiora, Carter, Dumervil.
2. Reading Redskins 52 ... Tuck your tails and run when you see these guys.
3. Swamp Dwellers 50 ... The puzzling Peppers + several beasts.
4. Crazy Canucks 47 ... Kampman is a terror, but depth could be better.
4. Jokers 47 ... Starters have 'em dancing for joy - Taylor and Super Mario.
6. Raven Maniacs 46 ... Underrated Trent Cole leads a solid group.
7. Creekside Indians 45.5 ... Rookie Harvey could one day be his best guy.
8. Greyriders 45 ... Tried to trade Kerney, but no takers. Sucks to be us.
9. The Menaces 42 ... Can Castillo stay on the field?
9. Golden Smactalkers 42 ... Long lineup to choose from. Chris Long will star.
11. Sack Exchange 40.5 ... A whole lotta Ngata. That was a joke. Ha. Ha.
12. Muckers 39.5 ... Ogunleye is great, but question marks for other starter.
13. Arctic Invaders 38 ... The Pryce is wrong, beaatch?! Nobody knows.
14. The Munsters 37 ... In celebration of mediocrity.
15. Lugheads 30.5 ... Part-time rusher Juqua Thomas is his best bet.
16. Black Attack 28.5 ... Has next to nothing after a very injured Freeney.

Defensive tackles:
1. The Menaces 27.5 ... Rookie Ellis backs up Williams and Okoye.
2. Muckers 27 ... Must be tempting to switch to 4-3 with Rogers and Williams.
2. Sack Exchange 27 ... Super Raven Gregg mans the middle.
2. Crazy Canucks 27 ... Dorsey is third-string behind big Pat Williams.
2. Creekside Indians 27 ... Dockett had nine sacks last season.
2. Arctic Invaders 27 ... Haynesworth's playing for another contract.
2. Greyriders 27 ... Farmer's choice between Haye and Wilfork, not pitchfork.
8. The Munsters 26.5 ... He has the other Minnesota fats.
8. Jokers 26.5 ... Has the great, emerging DT duo in Philly.
10. Raven Maniacs 24.5 ... Average all around.
11. Reading Redskins 22 ... Lots of boom potential. Lots of bust potential.
12. Black Attack 21 ... Tommie Harris, unproven rookie depth.
13. Lugheads 19.5 ... Carriker shows promise, but five-deep unit not special.
14. Swamp Dwellers 16 ... Always keeps only one on roster. Low score.
15. Aquablues 14 ... Ditto. But that one is John McCargo.
16. Golden Smactalkers 5 ... Ditto again. But that one is a third-round rookie.

More tomorrow, hopefully ... I'm going to bed!

[Frost Giant]

Inside linebackers:
1. Arctic Invaders 52.5 ... Best starting duo in the league - Barnett, Tatupu.
2. The Munsters 52 ... Beason has progressed much faster than expected.
3. Aquablues 49.5 ... Bart Scott is just a depth player on this roster.
3. Swamp Dwellers 49.5 ... Ryans is one. Six other great options to be second starter.
5. Black Attack 48 ... Can Harris remain an elite option with more talent around him?
6. Crazy Canucks 45.5 ... If Ray Lewis has something left, this 1-2 is excellent.
7. The Menaces 44.5 ... Just three on the roster, but what a trio it is.
8. Jokers 42 ... Willis was the steal of the '07 draft. Will Mayo be the steal of '08?
8. Golden Smactalkers 42 ... Fletcher is expensive, but he's worth it.
10. Raven Maniacs 38.5 ... Kirk Morrison + some questions marks.
10. Creekside Indians 38.5 ... Depth is uncomfortable, but Barrett Ruud should star.
12. Greyriders 38 ... Really needs to start rebuilding the position.
13. Muckers 36 ... Beyond Brackett, not much of anything to scare anybody.
14. Reading Redskins 33 ... Giving away points each week with those starters.
15. Lugheads 32.5 ... If Urlacher goes down, he's starting pylons.
15. Sack Exchange 32.5 ... Has started his rebuild, but has a long ways to go.

Outside linebacker:
1. Swamp Dwellers 53.5 ... Merriman leads as deep and a talented group as there is.
2. Sack Exchange 52 ... The poster boy example for playing someone out of position.
3. Creekside Indians 51.5 ... Can't underrate Boley anymore. Depth is awesome.
4. Aquablues 49.5 ... Two Grade A starters: Howard and Johnson. No not the hotel.
5. Greyriders 47.5 ... Trading for James Harrison was a very nice move.
6. Golden Smactalkers 46.5 ... Ware and Wembley are both giant beasts on the field.
7. Raven Maniacs 45.5 ... Three great starting possibilities. No fourth option.
8. Muckers 45 ... Will Suggs be in camp? He needs him.
9. Arctic Invaders 43.5 ... Starters can hold their own. Depth is a big concern.
10. Reading Redskins 43 ... Is this the year A.J. Hawk becomes an elite option?
11. The Menaces 42 ... Briggs, check. Second starter? This could be dicey.
12. Crazy Canucks 41.5 ... Nobody will make you shake in your boots here.
13. The Munsters 40.5 ... Nine on roster. That's called throwing money at the problem.
14. Jokers 35 ... Aging Derrick Brooks is his only starting calibre option.
15. Black Attack 33 ... How fast can Gholston develop?
16. Lugheads 29 ... Rebuilding and banking on June being elite again.

More to come later ...

[coachl]

Dude so far its awesome, I appreciate the work and love reading it. Always wanting more.

[Frost Giant]

Centers:
1. Lugheads 28 ... Finally first in something! Cleveland-Detroit starters.
2. Reading Redskins 27.5 ... Patriots are coveted above all.
2. Raven Maniacs 27.5 ... Dallas's aging offense still remains elite.
4. Swamp Dwellers 27 ... Great, though, not awesome starters. Huge depth
5. The Menaces 25.5 ... Could move to top of these rankings if Jets soar.
5. Muckers 25.5 ... Has Seattle and Arizona options. Could be far worse.
7. The Munsters 24 ... Pro Bowler Birk would be elite if Minny could pass.
8. Jokers 23.5 ... Casey Rabach's decent, but depth is quite thin.
9. Crazy Canucks 22 ... Has to hope Oakland gets rolling this season.
10. Arctic Invaders 20.5 ... Added Mawae in free agency. But still average.
10. Greyriders 20.5 ... Will climb this chart quickly when Goodwin starts.
12. Creekside Indians 18 ... Kalil, backed up by ... Atlanta. Grit your teeth.
13. Golden Smactalkers 17.5 ... Denver guys didn't excel last year.
14. Sack Exchange 16.5 ... Satele and his line will be good. Just not yet.
15. Black Attack 16 ... Has just one guy and Pitt's line could be the pitts.
16. Aquablues 15 ... Also lost points by only having one starter - Harwick.

Guards:
1. Crazy Canucks 51.5 ... Dallas, Cinci to start. Great depth, too.
2. Reading Redskins 50 ... Has a piece of that Indy line. Great prospects.
3. Swamp Dwellers 47 ... Drafted Pollack, but was in good shape already.
4. Arctic Invaders 45.5 ... Continues gravy train with both Saints starters.
5. Raven Maniacs 43.5 ... No elite options, but a spicy mish-mash of talent
6. Greyriders 42.5 ... Logan Mankins, but his second starter will rotate.
7. Muckers 41.5 ... Doesn't lose much between starters and backups.
8. Aquablues 39 ... Has at least one Bengals guy, but it's cloudy after that.
8. The Menaces 39 ... Some potential behind Arizona's Reggie Wells.
10. Creekside Indians 36 ... He has a Brown! After that it's a big drop down
11. Golden Smactalkers 34 ... Could be good, could be bad, could be ugly.
12. The Munsters 25 ... This group will have to come out of nowhere.
13. Sack Exchange 22.5 ... OK, he has Manuwai. Next? Mr. and Mrs. Noway
13. Black Attack 22.5 ... Still has retired Benji Olsen pencilled in to start.
15. Jokers 16 ... Could have just one guard if Bridges is moved to tackle.
16. Lugheads 15 ... Numbers problem also; could climb if Jets get rolling.

Tackles:
1. Lugheads 51.5 ... Heart of his team with Thomas, Shaffer, Clady.
2. Swamp Dwellers 46 ... Has a Patriot if Kaczur holds onto starting job.
3. Sack Exchange 41.5 ... Starters solid, but they just can't get injured.
3. Black Attack 41.5 ... Promising rookies Otah and Albert bolster unit.
5. Creekside Indians 41 ... Two elite guys. I'd be worried about the depth.
6. Jokers 40.5 ... Has Matt Light, but no heavy hitters after that.
7. Arctic Invaders 39 ... Developing unit. Only Barnes is starter material.
8. Crazy Canucks 37 ... Solid starters. Depth will take a hit if Williams is a G
8. Reading Redskins 37 ... Levi Jones still has it. Tra Thomas? Not so much.
8. Muckers 37 ... Wading through nine on the roster. Anything's possible.
11. Raven Maniacs 36 ... Could climb if S.D. gets RT situation figured out.
12. The Munsters 34.5 ... Jammal Brown + questions, questions, questions.
13. Golden Smactalkers 34 ... Average unless O'Callaghan steals starter job
14. The Menaces 32 ... This is not a situation I would wish on my enemies.
15. Greyriders 26 ... One good starter, depth is as bad as a B. Spears song
16. Aquablues 13 ... May start tackling dummies if Wharton moves to guard

More to come ...

[Frost Giant]

Quarterbacks:
1. Swamp Dwellers 28.5 ... Even if Peyton isn't 100%, he still has Cutler or Bulger.
2. Raven Maniacs 28 ... Picking between Romo and Palmer. Where's Ms. Simpson?
3. Muckers 25.5 ... Tom Brady is the best, but he might have to play the bye week, too
3. Lugheads 25.5 ... Added Vince Young to the Hasselbeck-Rodgers mix.
5. Jokers 25 ... Derek Anderson must prove he wasn't a one-year wonder.
6. The Munsters 24.5 ... Will Roethlisberger's line hold up? Delhomme in the wings.
6. Creekside Indians 24.5 ... He's bound to always have a pretty good starting option.
8. Greyriders 24 ... Drew Brees must (I stress must) stay healthy or it's Sexy Rexy.
8. Crazy Canucks 24 ... Won bidding war for Favre. Could start if Rivers is ailing still.
10. Sack Exchange 23 ... Has Houston's starter no matter what. Developing depth.
11. Arctic Invaders 22 ... Favre retired an Invader and went to play elsewhere. WTF!
12. Golden Smactalkers 20.5 ... Does he have a full-timer? Leinart? Warner? Quinn?
13. Black Attack 20 ... Not much but wings and prayers behind Eli Manning.
14. Reading Redskins 18 ... Developing JaMarcus. Has Detroit's guys. Potential here.
15. Aquablues 15.5 ... Was so desperate, he drafted Ryan and Henne this year.
16. The Menaces 14 ... Hanging Chad is his starter in Florida. I want a recount!

Running backs (Note that fullbacks aren't on everyone's roster, so I didn't even include them in the rankings):
1. Sack Exchange 30 ... Could be tops in all of EFS: Tomlinson and Westbrook.
2. Jokers 29.5 ... Addai and Gore. Too bad he can only start one.
3. Muckers 29 ... Needs to rebuild soon, but not before Portis and Jones light it up.
4. The Munsters 28 ... Everyone watches in envy when he starts All Day.
5. The Menaces 26.5 ... Must be biting his nails watching this Steven Jackson saga.
5. Aquablues 26.5 ... Can trot out Lynch or Earnest Graham. Or Chester Taylor, too.
7. Reading Redskins 25.5 ... MJD starts. Keeping Shaun Alexander for old times sake.
8. Lugheads 25 ... Is this the year Maroney becomes a top-10 back?
9. Arctic Invaders 24.5 ... Drafted Mendenhall for the inevitable day Jamal Lewis stops.
10. Creekside Indians 24 ... Marian the Barbarian won't lose a beat.
10. Raven Maniacs 24 ... Depth chart as long as your arm. It appears Grant will start.
10. Swamp Dwellers 24 ... Great depth, but LJ isn't elite anymore. Bush's last chance.
10. Greyriders 24 ... Tough loss in Henry. Nice win in Selvin Young.
10. Golden Smactalkers 24 ... Nervousness is building around McGahee.
15. Crazy Canucks 23 ... Parker could take step back. Rookie Smith has a shot.
16. Black Attack 20.5 ... Building around Darren McFadden. May not pay off just yet.

More to come ...

[Frost Giant]

Tight Ends:
1. Swamp Dwellers 29.5 ... Doesn't get much better than Gates, Cooley
2. Crazy Canucks 28 ... Gonzalez still has it. Has a fine Marcades in garage.
3. Lugheads 27 ... Jason Witten may be the best. Depth slides off fast.
4. Black Attack 25.5 ... Starts a top-five in Winslow. Backup not an option.
4. Arctic Invaders 25.5 ... Drafted Keller to learn behind Dallas Clark.
6. The Munsters 24.5 ... Scheffler and King are underrated targets.
7. Sack Exchange 24 ... Shockey must make an impact now.
8. Golden Smactalkers 23 ... Drafted Carlson to learn behind Owen Daniels.
8. The Menaces 23 ... New Bengal Utecht could climb into the top 10.
10. Muckers 22.5 ... Donald Lee needs to buy Aaron Rodgers some lunch.
11. Greyriders 21.5 ... A new life for Crumpler or this plan crumples fast.
12. Creekside Indians 21 ... Who's the Boss? Heath isn't exactly elite either
13. Raven Maniacs 20.5 ... Oft-injured Ben Watson is his only real option.
14. Reading Redskins 20 ... Zach Miller needs to take a step forward now.
15. Aquablues 17.5 ... Can only go up from here with the intriguing Olsen.
16. Jokers 4.5 ... Doesn't even have a so-called TE #2. Long year ahead.

Wide Receivers:
1. Swamp Dwellers 79 ... Fitz, Ocho, Bowe, Boldin. And just for fun, Calvin.
2. The Munsters 72.5 ... In an injury hole, but is deep enough to dig out.
3. Aquablues 72 ... Now starting: Moss, Wayne and Stevonne Smith.
4. Crazy Canucks 67 ... In fine shape here with Braylon and Holt.
5. Creekside Indians 59.5 ... Depth drops off quick, but Plax has more left.
5. Black Attack 59.5 ... Building nice youth behind Houshmanzadeh.
7. Raven Maniacs 57 ... Added Driver in free agency. Pool may still be thin.
8. The Menaces 55.5 ... Now starting: Injury risk 1, Ailing 2, Hurt again 3
9. Sack Exchange 54.5 ... Nice young talent. Top guys face new situations
10. Reading Redskins 52.5 ... Shelled out huge bucks for T.O. Depth bad.
11. Lugheads 50 ... Will climb much higher when Branch comes back.
11. Muckers 50 ... Got absolutely raped in free agency. Rebuilding.
13. Golden Smactalkers 46 ... Mediocre starters. A gaggle of hopefuls.
14. Greyriders 44 ... Took a big risk with a No. 1 pick for Marvin Harrison.
15. Arctic Invaders 39 ... Seeds in the ground. Add sun, water. Repeat.
16. Jokers 35.5 ... If he had any tight ends, he might get away with this.

There you have it. 2008 rankings complete. Hope you enjoyed the read.

[boglok]

Great write-up. Pretty accurate overall, though I'd give Aquablues the top WR based on his starters. They are sweeetttt

[Dennis the Menace]

And the beer vendors. The ankle tapers. The goalline striper. The guy who runs out onto the field and gets the kickoff tee.

The Menaces RULE in all of these categories.

See ya in the Super Bowl.


Dennis
The Menaces 1002