With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.
In 2007, the Ravens finished a disappointing 5-11, stuck with an offense that created scoring opportunities about as effectively as a broken Brita filter cleans water. A draft later, the Ravens picked up lesser-known Joe Flacco, who fell into the job as starting quarterback and led Baltimore to the AFC Conference Championship, eventually losing to the NFL Champion Steelers. The Ravens filled holes at running back last year when they snagged Ray Rice in the second round.
Now, the Ravens know they can win even with a spotty offense, but it is something they need to focus on. Last year, only one wideout, Derrick Mason, caught over 700 yards, and he is 35.
Let's face it, this year was all about the Rookie RB when talking about fantasy football. Depending on the scoring system for your league, three rookies most likely finished in the Top 10 RB producers. This made for arguably the single greatest rookie RB class in recent memory, not only from a realistic perspective, but also for fantasy purposes.
Is this the new trend and will we lust over the rookie class next season as we prepare for our drafts? Well, let's not jump the gun just yet. However, what we can depend on will be the spiked draft day values of the returning sophomore class. Many of these talents have already become mainstays on the fantasy football horizon.
And so today, we take a quick look back at the season that was, but more importantly gage the values of this heralded class moving forward. Follow along and in order...
I think it's fair to say that when running back Chris Johnson went down during the second quarter of last Saturday's game against the Ravens, so too did the Titans' playoff hopes. In those first 30 minutes, Johnson rushed for 72 yards on 11 carries, and added another 28 yards on his lone reception.
After he made his way to the sidelines, Tennessee's running game became much more predictable (LenDale plods right, LenDale plods right, etc...), and Baltimore promptly made the Titans one-dimensional.
Some five months before the 2007 season, the Ravens, having jettisoned Jamal Lewis, were in the market for a feature back. They would send their '07 third- and seventh-round picks, as well as a 2008 third-rounder to the Bills for Willis McGahee, Buffalo's 2003 first-round selection.
It was a lot to give up, but the Ravens, coming off a 13-win season, felt they were one player away from a serious run at another Super Bowl. Turns out, they'd only win five games and head coach Brian Billick would lose his job.
McGahee would rush for more than 1,200 yards in his first season in Baltimore (4.1 average), with seven touchdowns, but he's struggled this year. In 10 games, he's managed just 521 yards on 3.4 yards per carry, and now splits time with rookie Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain.
Last Sunday against the Redskins was one of McGahee's worst efforts since coming to Baltimore (11 rushes, 32 yards, lost fumble), and he readily admitted as much yesterday. Via the Carroll County Times' Aaron Wilson:
I'm a huge Married With Children fan ... so the title of this piece is a reference to that show. If you remember, whenever Al Bundy did something the rest of his family didn't like, Peggy would say, "thank your Father, kids." Kelly and Bud would then say, in the most digusted way possible, "thanks Dad."
Well, after this past two weeks, the fantasy world would like to say, "thanks Ravens." (remember to say it with disdain, like the disdain you felt when Tom Brady went down injured)
On Halloween weekend, we were told that Willis McGahee would be a game-time decision. Well, that decision was seemingly made when the Ravens suited him up and listed him as active. Only he didn't even see the field. Why would you bother to dress a player if he wasn't going to play? Ray Rice ran all over the Browns and LeRon McClain scored a touchdown as the goal-line back.
Headed into yesterday, reports were surfacing that McGahee would be part of a three-headed monster at running back against a weak run defense in Houston. That game plan was apparently thrown out the window, as McGahee ran wild on the Texans (112 yards on 25 carries). He even kept the goal-line carries, scoring twice.
They aren't anywhere near the Broncos on the fantasy hated list, but this doesn't make legions of fantasy fans happy.
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive commentary of the key injuries for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.
The Arizona Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald- Fitty missed his Wednesday practice and was not a full participant on Thursday due to a thumb injury. Remember though, this is Larry Fitzgerald, so even if he only had one hand he would be a must-start.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - Willis McGahee is part of the fantasy circus this week after Ray Rice filled in with a humongous game last week. Now Baltimore's offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, looks to be leaning toward Rice regardless, but nothing is set as of this point. Given McGahee's lingering injury, I would sit this week out and see what happens unless some very concrete news surfaces about McGahee's availability and the safety of his starting job.
Ray Rice - As if the backfield situation in Baltimore was not confusing enough already, Ray Rice has been limited in practice this week with a chest injury. Still, he looks ready to go and should be a pretty strong start this week.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart- Stewart seems to have pretty serious pain in his heel and has been wearing the boot. At this point, he is considered day-to-day, but this seems worse than just day-to-day. He explained that he feels intense pain every time he puts pressure on the foot, so I'd go elsewhere this week. Plus, even if he is healthy, he'll be sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams.
With Ray Rice and Tim Hightower announcing their presence with authority this weekend, we are continuing to witness easily the best draft class of running backs in NFL history. No class even comes remotely close to this one, should even half of the guys continue to make good on the potential we've seen through just a half season.
You know what that means in fantasy football ... lots of possible horses to lock up for their entire career on your keeper league team. You know there are people out there who drafted LaDanian Tomlinson his rookie year and have enjoyed every single season of his production since. Does this year's draft class sport one of those?
With Ray Rice and Tim Hightower announcing their presence with authority this weekend, we are continuing to witness easily the best draft class of running backs in NFL history. No class even comes remotely close to this one, should even half of the guys continue to make good on the potential we've seen through just a half season.
You know what that means in fantasy football ... lots of possible horses to lock up for their entire career on your keeper league team. You know there are people out there who drafted LaDanian Tomlinson his rookie year and have enjoyed every single season of his production since. Does this year's draft class sport one of those?
Value Machine checks out the overall perceived value of fantasy players. If you want to commit a fantasy felony, you'll sell high on the up arrow guys and buy low on the down arrow guys.
Brady Quinn has never started an NFL game. He's only appeared in one, completing only three of eight passing attempts for 45 yards.
And I'll guarantee you he's the hottest waiver wire add this week in fantasy football. He may even have been rostered in many leagues (only six percent in fleaflicker leagues, though), but now the guy who did own him thinks he's struck fantasy gold.
Can he measure up?
The Browns do have some explosive options at receiver, even if they have issues with dropping balls or staph infections. They have a quality offensive line to provide protection for the youngster, and Jamal Lewis is an established feature back. The offense just put up its fair share of points against a really solid Baltimore Ravens defense, though they were missing personnel in the defensive backfield.
Also, don't discount the learning Quinn did while holding a clipboard for a season and a half, not to mention the built up proverbial fire in the belly. He's a competitor, and he's always been thought of as a smart QB.
For Baltimore fans, it took a rookie quarterback to make football fun again.
Barely a name even to experts before the season started, Joe Flacco has the Ravens on a three game winning streak with the victory today in Cleveland against a Browns team that was starting to get hot.
Flacco began the season with seven interceptions to one touchdown, but the last three have been a different story, with four touchdowns and no interceptions during the winning streak. This game gave us understanding on both the Ravens and Browns.
Baltimore can live in the AFC with a decent offense, a "better than anyone expected" defense and a special teams that doesn't seem to make a ton of mistakes (I'm obviously ignoring the 92 yard return by Joshua Cribbs). The Browns will continue to dwell near the bottom of the AFC North with a quarterback that looks lost, a defense that couldn't figure out that Flacco's favorite target was Derrick Mason and the inability to stop the run (Ray Rice went for 154 yards today).
Derek Anderson has looked like a starting quarterback the last month, winning three of four games for the Browns and throwing five touchdowns to only one interception. The problem is he's about as consistent as a politician, throwing a pass to Terrell Suggs, who plays for the other team, that clinched the game for the Ravens and had Browns fans chanting "Bra-dy, Bra-dy!"
With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.
Let's face it, this year was all about the Rookie RB when talking about fantasy football. Depending on the scoring system for your league, three rookies most likely finished in the Top 10 RB producers. This made for arguably the single greatest rookie RB class in recent memory, not only from a realistic perspective, but also for fantasy purposes. 
I think it's fair to say that when running back 
Some five months before the 2007 season, the Ravens, having jettisoned 
I'm a huge Married With Children fan ... so the title of this piece is a reference to that show. If you remember, whenever Al Bundy did something the rest of his family didn't like, Peggy would say, "thank your Father, kids." Kelly and Bud would then say, in the most digusted way possible, "thanks Dad." 
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive commentary of the key injuries for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments. 
Value Machine checks out the overall perceived value of fantasy players. If you want to commit a fantasy felony, you'll sell high on the up arrow guys and buy low on the down arrow guys.
For Baltimore fans, it took a rookie quarterback to make football fun again. 
