THREAD THE NEEDLE: TERRELL OWENS VS. RANDY MOSS: 7-30-09
In a sport full of colorful characters, there may not be two individuals whose ability to court controversy nearly exceeds their immense athletic gifts like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: MANNING VS. WARNER: 7-17-09
It’s often been said that it’s not where a man starts his journey, but where he finishes that counts. Truer words have never been spoken in regards to Kurt Warner’s NFL career, especially when it is juxtaposed with that of another outstanding quarterback of his generation, Peyton Manning...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: RONNIE BROWN VS. FRANK GORE: 7-4-09
I don’t know about you, but every yearly fantasy draft I participate in always sees me flirting with the idea of making either Frank Gore or Ronnie Brown a high pick (depending on league setup and size), but, in the end, I let someone else have them...READ
THREAD THE NEEDLE: D. MCNABB VS. C. PENNINGTON 6-25-09
Though their style of play couldn't be more polar opposites, there are an awful lot of similarities between the careers of Donovan McNabb and Chad Pennington. They were both drafted in the first round by teams that had glaring needs at other positions (and whose fan bases were initially less than pleased with their selections)...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: G. JENNINGS VS. S. SMITH: 6-15-09
Wide receivers Steve Smith and Greg Jennings are two wideouts standing at opposite ends of their respective careers...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: A. PETERSON VS. S. SLATON 6-9-09
Talk about an odd couple for Thread The Needle. Consensus #1 overall fantasy pick vs. breakout rookie that isn't projected to go until much later in round one (if at all) in fantasy drafts later this summer. Fact remains, Steve Slaton outscored Mr. "All Day" in 2008 275.9 to 270.4 in high performance formats, making them an intriguing comparison for 2009 and beyond...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: A. BOLDIN VS. B. MARSHALL 5-26-09
This writer fails to recall when the wide receiver position was filled with so much drama. What happened to the days of Art Monk and Wayne “Green Lantern” Chrebet? Catch the ball and shut up. You’re not a linebacker who tries to end lives every play. Use your hands for the reception, evade defenders, pick up yardage, and hope to score. Alas, the National Football League has turned into somewhat of a soap opera. Enter Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: R. GRANT VS. P. THOMAS: 5-23-09
Every year in fantasy football, there are always a few NFL players who seize the opportunity afforded them and vault themselves to prominence. Of course, for every one of those, there are probably three “flash in the pan” types that have one good week and are never heard from again...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: O. DANIELS VS C. COOLEY: 5-13-09
When a fantasy football player prepares for his draft, it’s a guarantee that certain positions are given priority. You’ll almost never hear of anyone ever getting past the first three rounds without taking at least one running back, for instance...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE - S. MOSS VS. V. JACKSON: 4-27-09
At first glance, you wouldn’t see too many similarities between Moss, a speedy, burner type of wide receiver and Jackson, the tall, lanky leaper. However, when you look a little more closely, you will see they share a couple of situations that have affected their numbers: Both play in run-heavy offenses and both have a superstar tight end robbing them of opportunities...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: BERRIAN VS. COTCHERY: 4-13-09
When you think of a true WR1 for an NFL franchise, neither Berrian nor Cotchery will spring to mind. That’s not a slight on either of them: Both are fine receivers and Berrian did play the role of a number one guy when he was with Chicago. However, neither of them has ever cracked 90 receptions or double digit touchdowns in a season...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: ORTON VS. FLACCO 3-29-09
The circumstances under which Kyle Orton and Joe Flacco are compelled to operate are so similar, it’s no wonder they finished side by side in terms of fantasy points scored last year.They both play for teams that employ a "Run First" mentality...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: GONZALEZ VS. WITTEN
It’s a safe bet to say that, even though the order may have varied, the top three tight ends drafted in most leagues last season were Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Jason Witten. As all three of these guys possesses otherworldly talent and each has proven themselves to be among the elite at the position, this declaration should come as a surprise to absolutely no one who pays even the slightest bit of attention to fantasy football...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: L. JOHNSON VS. J. ADDAI
What a difference a year makes for Joseph Addai and Larry Johnson. Both were high round picks (Addai, on average, was taken sixth overall; Johnson eighteenth) that drastically underperformed, almost certainly killing any championship dreams for their respective owners...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: REGGIE WAYNE VS EDDIE ROYAL
Another year, another “passing the torch” scenario. On one side, you have the one of the kings of the wide receiver position, someone who worked extremely hard to get to this point, and on the other side, a young up and comer who wants to be at the top of the food chain. Will the old lion give way to the young pup? Let’s take a look at the particulars...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: JONES-DREW VS. TURNER
Columnist Frank Mazzola evaluates both 2009 and keeper prospects of Maurice Jones-Drew and Michael Turner. Both finished 2008 in a virtual wash (MJD 284.9 fantasy points vs Turner's 282.1 FP). For the tale of the tape...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: E. MANNING VS. M. RYAN
Following his MVP performance in Super Bowl XLII, Manning entered the 2008 season with expectations as high as ever for the former first-rounder. While his eight-round ADP didn’t quite place him in the top-10 among drafted quarterbacks (he was drafted eleventh overall at position), most owners expected Manning to use his playoff performance as a springboard to greater things...READ STORY
THREAD THE NEEDLE: D. WILLIAMS VS. M. FORTE
In the 2008 preseason, fantasy owners approached both of these backs cautiously, but by the end of the season, Williams and Forte sat at #1 (308.5) and #2 (306.5), respectively, in PPR leagues. Forte’s ADP, around pick #75, highlighted the typical owner skepticism surrounding any rookie performer, while Williams’ ADP, around pick #91, was expected due to the young back’s previously underwhelming seasons spent in a solidified RBBC. In fact, Williams’ rookie counterpart, Jonathan Stewart, was generally drafted over 20 spots ahead of him (and several spots ahead of Forte, for that matter), showing just how little faith owners had in Williams.
A funny thing happened on the way to mediocrity, however...READ STORY
