The 2010 NFL season is just a week away. It’s time to put on your football thinking caps. What better way to get in the spirit than matching wits against fellow football fans, and yours truly. You have two chances to take me down.     First, there’s the LestersLegends Pick ‘em Challenge. Each week you pick the winners. We’ve stepped it up this year and added the Spread option. Come flex your skills and show everyone what you’re made of.   Group ID: 2088Password: footballURL: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem/register/joingroup  

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.   Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category. Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a Pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.   Ian Kennedy, Arizona DiamondbacksKennedy had 21 strikeouts (9.9 K/9 ratio) over the past 15 days while going 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. On the year he’s 9-9 with 145 Ks (7.9 K/9), a 4.20 ERA, and 1.25 WHIP. Ian...

. . Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday. . . Kosuke Fukodome, Chicago Cubs Fukodome went 3 for 3 with 2 runs and an RBI to raise his average to .281. He’s 14 for 27(.519) in his last nine games. . . Brandon Allen, Arizona Diamondbacks Allen went 2 for 3 with a Grand Slam in his season debut. He had 25 HRs and 86 RBIs for Triple-A Reno so keep an eye on him as a power source. . . Logan Morrison, Florida...

Image courtesy of Icon SMI   With each passing day the likelihood that Vincent Jackson will play a down for the Chargers this season worsens. Even with their new rookie RB Ryan Mathews figuring to provide more balance on offense, this is still Philip Rivers team, meaning they will be throwing the football early and often.   Antonio Gates will likely lead the Chargers in targets, but Floyd will be counted on to use his big frame (6’5″, 225 lbs) similar to the way Vincent Jackson...

Image courtesy of Icon SMI . Tonight I did an online draft with a group of guys that I have competed against in fantasy football, baseball, and basketball the past couple of years. It’s a 12-team draft (non-keeper, non-ppr) and I had the fifth pick. Last year I had a dreadful showing. I’m hoping this year is much better. Here’s my squad. . QB1 Jay Cutler QB2: Ben Roethlisberger RB1: Maurice Jones-Drew RB2: Jonathan Stewart RB3: Jerome Harrison RB4: Ricky Williams WR1: Brandon Marshall WR2: Greg Jennings

Written by Eric Stashin of www.rotoprofessor.com     Michael Crabtree sits atop many people’s 2010 breakout candidate lists, and with good reason. Despite not yet playing in a preseason game due to a neck strain (though he has returned to practice) and playing in just 11 games in his rookie campaign due to a holdout, there is no doubting his talent.   Last season he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and 2 TD, only twice having as few as three receptions (and never having more then six). He was consistent, and that came despite questionable quarterback play...

  Just because you’ve slipped behind in the Stolen Base category doesn’t mean you can’t catch up. Here are some reasonably available SB threats.   Eric Young, Jr., 2B/OF, Colorado RockiesYoung had seven stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting .246 with eight runs. On the year he’s hitting .245 with 12 SBs, 17 runs, and three RBIs in 98 ABs. Eric is owned in 25 percent of CBS and ten percent of ESPN leagues.   Drew Stubbs, OF, Cincinnati RedsStubbs had six stolen bases in the past 15 days while hitting...

  We all spend countless hours researching and analyzing every aspect of the draft. Once the season starts it’s all about the start sit, trades and waiver wire pickups. Don’t waste your time! Let the FantasyKnuckleheads.com staff go to work for you, they have three years of success under their belt and have had huge success in those three years providing people like you with draft and in season applications, advice and services. Check out what they offer:   Custom Draft Cheat...

. Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday. . Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals Zimmerman gave up 1 hit with 9 strikeouts in 6 scoreless innings as he lowered his ERA to 4.50. It was just his second start of the year. . Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles Matusz gave up 2 runs with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings as he improved to 7-12 with a 4.72 ERA. He’s 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his past six starts. . A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox A.J. went 1 for...

  Here’s an updated look at my top 30 fantasy QB rankings.   1. Aaron Rodgers 2. Drew Brees 3. Peyton Manning 4. Tom Brady 5. Tony Romo 6. Matt Schaub 7. Philip Rivers 8. Brett Favre 9. Jay Cutler 10. Kevin Kolb 11. Joe Flacco 12. Eli Manning 13. Donovan McNabb 14. Carson Palmer 15. Matt Ryan 16. Ben Roethlisberger 17. Alex Smith 18. Matthew Stafford 19. Chad Henne 20....