Three Up, Three Down

With two weeks of NFL action in the books, it's safe to make some early predictions about the movers and shakers around the league. The reason this sport is so exciting is because each season you never know what's going to happen. Unlike baseball, where the best teams are almost always at the top, football features a ton of shifting of gears from year to year. Especially this season with the insanity of the short free agent period following the lockout. Of course some stalwarts are almost always going to be in the mix, but it's never a guarantee. Heading into Week 3, let's take a look at the top three and bottom three teams in the NFL so far.

Joker Continues to Rule the Court

Nobody can seem to stop Novak Djokovic. Not Rafael Nadal. Not Roger Federer. The World's #1 player proved once again that he is in a league of his own in 2011 topping both Rafa and Fed en route to the U.S. Open Championship.  With his third major title of the year, it's clear that Djokovic is having one of the greatest tennis seasons of all-time.

2011 NFL Season Predictions

It's "Christmas Day" for NFL fans with the first kickoff of the year set for tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A prime time match up between the past two Super Bowl Champions definitely has America salivating. Could one of these teams create a dynasty before our eyes, or will a new winner rise to the top? Before the opening coin toss, I'm going to put on my "Jimmy The Greek" hat and go out on a limb with some predictions for the upcoming season.

Tight End Breakouts and Busts

It's time for the final segment of a four part series on breakouts and busts for the 2011 fantasy football season. Last, but not least, it's Tight Ends.

Breakout: Jimmy Graham- When you hear the term "freak athlete", chances are Jimmy Graham fits the bill. At 6'6" and 260 lbs, he is match up nightmare. The Saints TE has an outstanding opportunity to join the top tier at his position this year. Obviously, the fact that he's a member of the top-ranked New Orleans passing attack doesn't hurt. Drew Brees has a knack for finding his tight ends in the end zone, and he's never had a physical specimen like Graham before (sorry Jeremy Shockey, that doesn't apply to you). Like his predecessor at the position, Graham comes from "The U", a school that's knowing for pumping out star TE's. In his rookie year in 2010, the ex-Hurricane stormed onto the scene with 4 TD's in his final three games. Pace that out to a whole season, and you're looking at broken records.
Prediction: 900 Receiving Yards, 10 TD's

Wide Receiver Breakouts and Busts

We're moving on to part three of a four part series on fantasy football breakouts and busts. Today, I'm breaking down the most under and overhyped wide receivers for the 2011 seasons. Coincidentally, both are connected to Manning brothers. Check out my breakdowns of RB's and QB's while you're at it.

Breakout: Mario Manningham- Last year, Hakeem Nicks was the big breakout candidate for the Giants, but this season it could be his team mate Mario Manningham who steals the show.  Manningham didn't get a ton of pub early in 2010, but down the stretch he was dynamite. In his final three games, the Giants wideout tallied an astonishing 346 yards and 4 TD's. The former Michigan man is about to earn his stripes for Big Blue. Look, we know the Giants offense is going to score plenty of points with Eli Manning tossing the rock on regular basis. With Nicks garnering the top attention from opposing defenses, look for Manningham to exploit a number cornerbacks for monster games. I wouldn't be surprised if both Giants WR's put up top 10 totals at their position this season.
Prediction: 1200 Receiving Yards, 12 TD's

Running Back Breakouts and Busts

Part two of the breakouts and busts feature spotlights the most overrated and underrated running backs heading into the 2011 season. This will focus on the statistical perspective as it relates to fantasy football.

Breakout: Felix Jones- No one has ever denied Jones' talent, but despite occasional flashes of brilliance over his first three years in the league, he has yet to put it together for a full season. That will all change this year. A combination of system, maturation, and opportunity will create a perfect storm for the Cowboys lightning bug. In previous years, Felix the cat has had to share a crowded backfield in Big D with the likes of over-the-hill vets Julius Jones, Marion Barber, and more. With those guys gone, the feature role is now all on the Arkansas alum and he'll have plenty of opportunities to shine in the high-octane Tony Romo-led offense. I foresee a rise to elite level, in the vein of LeSean "Shady" McCoy.
Prediction: 1100 Rushing Yards, 500 Receiving Yards, 8 total TD's.

Quarterback Breakouts and Busts

The summer of chaos is over and in just four days NFL fans will be brought back to stability. This Thursday, all will be forgiven when the first kick off of the season takes place. What better place to start it up than the home of the team that took the last Lombardi Trophy, the Green Bay Packers. It will be a fantasy lover's dream as two of the game's most potent offenses square off. The high flying Pack vs. the 2009 Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints. Tough to top any matchup that features elite QB's Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. As excited as I am to see the juggernauts butt heads, I'm here today to talk about the guys that are severely overrated at their position and those that don't get the credit they deserve. Welcome to Breakouts and Busts: Quarterback Edition.