The Dream Becomes...Fantasy?

photo courtesy of projectshanks.com

Every die hard or even casual fan partakes in the glory that is excellence which is fantasy sports. It is that time of the year where everyone squeezes in their drafts over the holiday. While making sure to possibly make a friend or loved one throw their phone, tablet or computer out the window when their player is "stolen." I figure what better time to give advice then right after most are done with their picks. Right?

Well let's be realistic. Even the most die hard Raven fan doesn't want Joe Flacco as their number 1 option at QB. Purple Reign's own Phil Gentile has him ranked at number 22. Placing him in the sandwich of fail that is Ryan Tannehill and Eli "Remember when I won 2 Super Bowls" Manning. Personally I like ice cream sandwiches more than the old failwich but I can live with where Phil(and most experts) have him. We all know Flacco isn't going to light up the fantasy boards. While he has increased his total yardage, the stat most important to fantasy nerds is touchdown(TD) to interception(INT) ratio. His best season in 2010 he had 25 TDs, a career high, 10 INTs and a 93.6 passer rating. However last season while he led the team with 4.9 YPC (yards per carry), mostly from running for his life with a poor offensive line, he regressed in his important fantasy numbers. 22 INTs compared to only 19 TDs. Joe ran for more yards in a season than he had in the previous 2 seasons combined but lacked the time to improve on his TD to INT ratio.

Has this scared anyone away from drafting Flacco this season? With only 35% of teams owning him in Yahoo, one would have to believe so. 4% have him as their starter right now. Which means 4% of teams better be run by his mom. That is the only excuse. Flacco is a solid backup or bye week filler with great potential. Flacco has never really had this many weapons at his disposal. Saying the line gets him time and he executes Kubiak's quick passing attack, the sky could be the limit. Steve Smith Sr. proved he still has great hands with his fabulous end zone catch and slide, which felt like he was just going to glide right into the locker room. Steve's presence mentoring Torrey will only improve upon his great receiving numbers. His first lesson should be teaching him how to find the end zone. He could only muster 4 TDs last season. The list goes on of talented receivers at Joe's disposal. A healthy Dennis Pitta, improving speedster Jacoby Jones, suspended with something to prove Ray Rice and old but not forgotten Owen Daniels. Not to mention a fullback with every awkward letter in the alphabet in his name and the ability to catch the ball in the flat, punishing those who step in his way. Yeah, that's right, not one but 2 Z's in Juszczyk.

Some might be saying, "what's the point of all that?" The point of that was, don't drink and draft. Don't drink purple Kool-Aid with Ravens shades on and draft Flacco as your starting QB in the 3rd round. Seriously I saw someone do this in the second round of my draft. Before my fantasy lord and savior Drew "Breesus!" Before anyone asks, no I do not play fantasy football with Joe Flacco's dad or any of his relatives. Just some crazed Raven fans.

Most of which know where I may be going with my sleeper pick for this season. Keep an eye on Lorenzo Taliaferro. I'm not saying his 243 rushing yards this preseason have impressed me. Bowling over a guy who is going to be bagging groceries next week doesn't phase me. What does are his impeccable college numbers from last season which proved he could handle the rock (276 attempts) and be productive (1729 yards, 6.3 YPC, 27 TDs). With Bernard "Mr. Glass" Pierce possibly missing time and Ray Rice missing the first two games who knows if he will get some playing time. The biggest concern for Taliaferro besides his playing time is his need to be prescribed Robitussin. That is the only thing that may cure his coughing up the football. He is only owned in 1% of Yahoo leagues. He has potential value for the first two games of the season with Pierce recently cleared from a concussion (one hit could change that) and Rice's previously mentioned suspension. Perhaps in a 12-14 team league, scoop him up. Anyone relying on Rice's services should have him on their watch list.

Photo Courtesy of AP

Here's hoping for an excellent season for Harbaugh So Hard, Ray Rice and Beans, Smith Family Robinson, Raven Mad, Suggernauts or whatever anyone can think of supporting their Raven fandom with their fantasy team. Good luck in those runs through the season, unless perhaps I'm in the league with you.