Miami Dolphins Fantasy Team Preview

Last Season: 7-9 (Third in the AFC East)

Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall, LB Karlos Dansby, LB Tim Dobbins, OG Richie Incognito, CB Benny Sapp, Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan

Key Losses: WR Greg Camarillo, WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB Jason Taylor, LB Joey Porter, LB Reggie Torbor, LB Akin Ayodele, S Gibril Wilson, S Nate Jones, OG Justin Smiley

Key Draft Picks: DE Jared Odrick, LB Koa Misi, OL John Jerry, LB A.J Edds, CB Nolan Jones, S Reshad Jones

The Detroit Lions hit rock bottom two years ago when they finished 0-16, the first time a team had lost all of their games since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.  And since their defense has been about as bad as any team’s defense in the history of the NFL, the Lions hired Jim Schwartz, previously the defensive coordinator in Tennessee, to run the team.  Schwartz responded with a fiery team effort in 2009, though they still only won twice. 

Tennessee Titans Fantasy Team Preview

Last season: (8-8, third in the AFC South)

Key Additions: DE Raheem Brock, DE Jason Babin, CB Tye Hill, QB Chris Simms, LB Will Weatherspoon

Key Losses: LB Keith Bulluck, RB LenDale White, TE Alge Crumpler, C Kevin Mawae, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, DT Kevin Vickerson,

 Key Draft Picks: DE Derrick Morgan, WR Damian Williams, LB Rennie Curran, CB Alterraun Verner, S Robert Johnson, S Myron Rolle

Offensive Ranks:

22.1 points per game (16^th)

185.9 passing yards per game (23^rd)

162 rushing yards per game (second)

5.2 yards per attempt (first)

19 rushing touchdowns (sixth)

Defensive Ranks:

25.1 points per game (28^th)

106.9 rushing yards per game (t-11^th)

259 passing yards per game (31^st)

31 passing touchdowns allowed (t-30^th)

Special Teams:

K Rod Bironas finished second in the NFL with five field goals, 50+ yards, and 10 field goals from 40-49 yards made. He made at least two field goals in eight games. In his career he holds an 84% accuracy rating. The strong legged kicker has finished as a top-10 option in three straight seasons. In 2007 he kicked eight field goals in one game.

Key Games:

1 Sun, Sep 12^th Oakland 1 PM

2 Sun, Sep 19^th Pitt 1 PM

3 Sun, Sep 26^th  at NYG 1PM

4 Sun, Oct 3^rd Denver 1 PM

6 Mon, Oct 18th at Jax 8:30 PM

8 Sun, Oct 31^st at San Diego 4:05 PM

9 Bye

10 Sun, November 14th at Miami 1:00 PM

 12 Sun, Nov 28th at Houston 1 PM

 13 Sun, Dec 5^th Jax 1PM

 14 Thu, Dec 9^th Indy 8:20 PM

15 Sun, Dec 19^th Houston 1 PM

16 Sun, Dec 26^th Kansas City 1PM

Insight: The Titans have a favorable schedule against the run facing the AFC West. The Broncos, Raiders and Chiefs each allowed over 128 rushing yards per game. CJ rushed for 142 yards and caught three passes for 37 yards last year vs. the Chargers.

The Giants allowed 31 passing touchdowns and 26.7 points per game. The Dolphins defense finished last in the NFL in yards per attempt and allowed 235 pass yards per game.

The fantasy playoffs feature two home games including a juicy matchup in the final week. Last year in Week 11 VY had 73 rushing yards against the Texans. In Week 13 vs. the Colts he threw for  241 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs allowed 26.5 points per game and 388.2 yards of total offense per game.

 IDP Watch:

ILB Stephen Tulloch: Tulloch had a breakout season leading the team with 94 solo tackles last year. He finished eighth in the NFL with 121 total tackles and had seven games of at least 10+ tackles.

Key Players:

QB Vince Young (Breakout): As a starter Young has an impressive 26-13 record. In the final 10 games last season he led the Titans to an 8-2 finish. He recorded a career high 7.3 yards per attempt. He also rushed for at least 40 yards in four games and scored two touchdowns on the ground.

VY enters his fifth season and is the unquestionable starter this year. He has the potential to lead all quarterbacks in rushing yards. In his rookie season in 2006 he rushed for 552 yards and scored seven times. Last season marked the second time he was selected to the Pro Bowl. He is the 20^th QB off the board (12^th round).

RB Chris Johnson: Johnson is the consensus number one pick heading into 2010. Last season he led all running backs with 358 carries and 2,006 rushing yards (582 more yards than the second-place rusher). He finished second with 503 receiving yards, tied for second with 5.6 yards per carry and t-second with 14 rushing touchdowns. His 2,509 yards from scrimmage was an NFL record.

He was only the sixth back in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000 yard rush mark. The 25 year old has an 11-game streak of 100-yard rush performances heading into Week 1. Johnson says he is aiming for 2,500 rush yards, which would be another NFL record.

Against the AFC South he averaged 134.3 rush yards and scored five total touchdowns. CJ’s best games came against the division. He had a season high 228 rush yards vs. the Jags in Week 8 and 197 yards in Week 2 vs. the Texans. He is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and is a lock for 20-25 touches per game. While his carries could come down this season his receptions should rise.

WR Kenny Britt (Sleeper): Britt had a solid rookie season (42 catches for 701 yards and three touchdowns). He led the team in receiving yards and finished sixth in the NFL with 16.7 yards per catch.  The Rutgers product has had an interesting off-season with inconsistency in training camp and off-the field legal problems.

However, the second year receiver is the most talented option on the roster. The 6’3” receiver showed flashes last season with four games of 75+ yards. He has the physical and leaping ability to make him a strong late round flier and emerge into VY’s favorite target. Britt has the potential to finish with 800+ yards and six touchdowns this season. All his touchdowns came in the red zone last season. He is the first receiver and only player worth owning from the Titans. His ADP is the 46^th WR off the board (12^th round).

Justin Gage (Bust): Gage has missed four games in each of his past two seasons. Gage looks to receive less targets with the addition of Damian Williams and the improvement of Kenny Britt. He had productive seasons his first two seasons with the Titans, but like WR Nate Washington his stock has decreased.

Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Team Preview

Last season: (14-2, first in the AFC South, Super Bowl runner up)

Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Team Preview

Last Season: (4-12, last in the AFC West)