Team Needs After Free Agency and FA review

Every NFL Teams Urgent Needs. 
Whether they fill these needs with home grown players, through the draft or via free agency remains to be seen.

AZ-DL, LB (added Mike Lupati OG, two DE and LB)
ATL-TE, pass rusher, DB
BAL-RB, OL, pass rusher (resigned J Forsett-RB)
BUF-QB, S, LB (L McCoy-RB, Matt Cassel-QB, Percy Harin-WR)
CAR-pass rusher, OT, CB
CHI-every defensive position (DL, LB, DB) (OLB McPhee)
CIN-CB, S, K
CLE-WR, ILB, OL (Josh McCown-QB, CB-Tramon Williams)
DAL-CB, DL (Greg Hardy-DE)
DEN-DL, LB, TE 
DET-CB, DL, PK (DT-H Ngata)
GB-ILB, DL, TE (OT-Bryan Bulaga)
HOU-QB, WR, OT (Cecil Shorts-WR, R Mallett/B Hoyer-QB, V Wilfork-DT, Kareem Jackson-CB, Derek Newton-OT) 
IND-OL, ILB, S (Andre Johnson-WR)
JAX-OT, CB, RB (Julius Thomas-TE, J Parnell-OT D House-CB)
KC-WR, OT, CB (Jeremy Maclin-WR, Ben Grubbs-OG, Justin Houston-OLB)
MIA-LB, OT, CB (Kenny Still-WR, J Cameron-TE, N Suh-DT)
MIN-OT, CB, RB (Mike Wallace-WR)
NE-WR, RB, DL
NYG-pass rusher, ILB, OL (S Vereen-RB)
NYJ-QB, CB, OT (B Marshall-WR, R Fitzpatrick-QB, CBs)
NO-CB, pass rusher, QB? (C. J. Spiller-RB, B Browner-CB, M Unger-C, 
OAK-pass rusher, WR, CB
PHI-S, OLB, CB (DeMarco Murray/Ryan Mathws-RB, Sam Bradford-QB, Kiki Alonso-OLB, B Maxwell-CB)
PIT-S, CB, DL
SD-CB, NT, OL (Jacoby Jones-WR, Brandon Flowers-CB)
SF-DL, OL, WR (Torrey Smith-WR, Darnell Dockett-DE)
STL-CB, RB, QB (Nick Foles-QB, Nick Fairley-DT)
SEA-TE, OL, DL (Jimmy Graham-TE)
TB-QB, OL, pass rusher (Chris Conte-S)
TEN-QB, CB, pass rusher (P, Da'Norris Searcy-S, Brian Orakpo-OLB
WAS-DB, OT, pass rusher (DT x 2, CB)



Check out the latest book from Sam Hendricks…

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

2015 NFL Free Agency Update-Cecil Shorts to HOU, Percy Harvin with BUF

Latest FA News
Mike Wallace traded from MIA to MIN
Greg Jennings released by MIN
Reggie Bush (DET)-signed by SF
DeMarco Murray (DAL)-signs with PHI 5 Yr $42M
Jordan Cameron (CLE)-signs with MIA
C.J. Spiller (BUF)-signs with NO
Darren McFadden (OAK)-signs with DAL
Justin Forsett re-signs with BAL 3 Yr $9M
Julius Thomas (DEN)-signs with JAX
Ryan Mathews (SD)-signs with PHI
Shane Vereen (NE)-signs with NYG
Roy Helu (WAS)-signs with OAK
Chi Bears say Cutler is their QB
Shutdown corner D. Revis back to NYJ
Sam Bradford traded to PHI for Nick Foles
Jimmy Graham traded to SEA for C Max Unger
Jake Locker (TEN)-retires
Frank Gore goes to IND 3 Yr $12M
Randal Cobb stays with GB
Jeremy Maclin goes to KC
Mark Ingram stays in NO
Torrey Smith signs with SF
Ngata goes to DET
Nick Fairley signs with STL
Andre Johnson (HOU)-IND


QB
Sam Bradford (STL) traded to PHI for Nick Foles
Nick Foles (PHI) traded to STL
Peyton Manning (DEN) will play in 2015
Mark Sanchez (NYJ)-re-signed with PHI 2 Yr $9M
Brian Hoyer (CLE)-signs with HOU (competing with Mallett)
Josh McCown signed by CLE 3 Yr $14M (starter?)
Matt Cassel (MIN)-signs with BUF (starter?)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (HOU)-signs with NYJ
Jake Locker (TEN)-retires
Colt McCoy (CLE)-signs with WAS
Mike Vick (NYJ)
Matt Moore (MIA)-re-signed


Backups

Ryan Mallett (HOU)-re-signed 2 Yr $7M
Matt Hasselbeck (IND)-re-signed 1Yr $3M
Dan Orlovsky (DET)-re-signed 1 Yr $1.05M
Kellen Moore (DET)-re-signed 2 Yr deal
Jimmy Clausen (CHI)-re-signs (will back up Cutler)
Christian Ponder (MIN)-signed by OAK
Tavaris Jackson (SEA)
Shaun Hill (STL) signed by MIN
Tyrod Taylor-signs with BAL

RB
LeSean McCoy (PHI) traded to BUF
Marshawn Lynch (SEA) signs a 1 yr $11M deal
Le'Veon Bell (PIT)-could be suspended 2-4 games
DeMarco Murray (DAL)-signs with PHI 5 yr $42M
C. J. Spiller (BUF)-signs with NO
Ryan Mathews (SD)-signs with PHI
Mark Ingram (NO)-re-signed 4 Yr $16M
Frank Gore (SF)-signs with IND 3 Yr $12M
Justin Forsett (BAL)-re-signs with BAL 3 Yr $9M
Shane Vereen (NE)-signs with NYG
Steven Ridley (NE)
Ahmad Bradshaw (IND)
Ray Rice (BAL)
Antoine Smith (ATL)-resigns with ATL
Darren McFadden (OAK)-signs with DAL
Roy Helu (WAS)-signs with OAK
Dan Herron (IND)-tendered
Daniel Thomas (MIA)
Maurice Jones-Drew-retires
Reggie Bush-signed by SF
Matt Asiata-re-signs with MIN
Knowshon Moreno
Adrian Peterson (MIN)-????
Pierre Thomas
Ben Tate
Bobby Rainey
DeAngelo Williams-signs with PIT
Steven Jackson
Chris Johnson
Jacquizz Rodgers
Chris Polk
Trent Richardson-signs with OAK
DuJuan Harris-signed by MIN
Bernard Pierce (BAL) claimed off waivers by JAX



WR
Dez Bryant (DAL)-franchise tag
DeMaryius Thomas (DEN)-franchise tag
Randall Cobb (GB)-re-signed 4 Yr $40M
Brandon Marshall traded from CHI to NYJ
Andre Johnson (HOU)-IND 3 Yr $21M
Percy Harvin-(SEA)-Released
Torrey Smith (BAL)-SF 5 yr $40M
Mike Wallace (MIA)-traded to MIN
Jeremy Maclin (PHI)-signs multi year deal with KC
Percy Harvin (NYJ)-BUF
Greg Jennings (MIN-released by MIN
Michael Crabtree (SF)
Kenny Britt-re-signs with STL 2 yr $14M
Cecil Shorts-signs with HOU
Brian Hartine (MIA)-signs with CLE
Eddie Royal- signs with CHI
Nate Washington
Wes Welker (DEN)
Reggie Wayne (IND)-FA
Hakeem Nicks
Mike Williams
Leonard Hankerson (WAS)-signs 1 yr deal with ATL
Denarius Moore
Ted Gin Jr.-signs 2 Yr deal with CAR
Harry Doulgas-signs with TEN
Dwanye Harris-signs with NYG
Vincent Brown
Brandon Gibson-signs with NE
Jacoby Jones (BAL)-signs 2 Yr $5.5M with SD
Marques Colsten-re-signs
Jermaine Kearse (SEA)-re-signs
Jerome Simpson (MIN)-signed by SF
Dwayne Bowe (KC)-signs with CLE
Kenny Still (NO)-traded to MIA
Jason Avant-(KC)-re-signed
Cole Beasley (DAL)-resigned
Stevie Johnson (SF)-signs with SD


TE
Jimmy Graham (NO)-Traded to SEA for C Max Unger
Julius Thomas (DEN)-signs with JAX 5 Yr $46M
Jordan Cameron (CLE)-signs with MIA
Charles Clay (MIA)-signs with BUF
Jermaine Gresham (CIN)
Niles Paul (WAS)-re-signed 3 Yr $6M
Rob Housler (AZ)
Zach Miller-Released
Owen Daniels (BAL)-signs with DEN 3 Yr
Greg Olsen (CAR)-extension 3 yr $22.5M
Scott Chandler (BUF)-sign with NE
Tony Moeaki (SEA)-signs with ATL

K
Stephen Gostkowski (NE)-franchise tag
Matt Bryant (ATL)
Jason Tucker (BAL)
Matt Prater (DET)-re-signs 3 yr $9M
Mike Nugent (CIN)-re-signs
Ryan Succop (TEN)-re-signs 3 yr deal
Jay Feely (CHI)
Billy Cundiff (FA)
Shatne Graham-resigned 1 yr with NO

Check out the latest book from Sam Hendricks…

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

Footballguys Players Championship (FPC) is Now Open For Signup

The Footballguys Players Championship (FPC) has begun taking signups!

First let me add a disclaimer. I won in one of the FPC leagues last year-Won the whole thing in fact. $1500 in cash. I could have gone with a Fantasy Football Players Championship Main Event team for 2015 (worth $1,750) but I decided to take the money and wait to join the FFPC later. I also placed in the money in the Championship round and won a Lifetimes Subscription to Footballguys.com
What a great contest!!!!!!

Anyway…the FPC is now taking signups. Entry is just $350 or 3 teams for $1,000. 

Once again they are offering $2 Million in Prize Money including a best-ever $300,000 Grand Prize! And payouts down to 650th place. 
League prizes are $1,500 and $500

Drafts begin July 4th and run through September 10th.
Rules, scoring and format are like the FFPC. 

Sign-up today. I have played every year since the FPC started. And I hope to play again this year. See ya there!

Check out the latest book from Sam Hendricks…

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

Just One More… new military thriller just $7.04 29% Off At Amazon

Just One More… 

Description:

On a fateful night in Afghanistan, a flawed NATO airstrike sets into motion a chain of events that reaches across the world, from Vancouver to Copenhagen to London. How far will one person go for revenge?

In the sleepy English countryside, an F15E Strike Eagle team gears up for a live weapons mission. Can lead pilot "Rider" keep his head in the game and overcome the demons of his past? Hundreds of lives will depend on the answer as a deadly Al Qaeda terrorist cell, and maverick CIA and MI6 agents descend on US soil in a jaw-dropping climax where anything goes.

Available in paperback from Amazon, BN and other online retailers. 

Also available in Ebook (Kindle).

Just One More... $9.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428642

BN.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-more-sam-hendricks/1024930949?ean=9780982428641

Kindle/Ebook $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/Just-One-More-Sam-Hendricks-ebook/dp/B00OYWOH0E/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415107021&sr=1-26&keywords=Just+One+More...

2015 TE Rankings

Check out the latest book from Sam Hendricks…

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

Just One More… New Military Thriller Available at Amazon and BN.com (and as a Kindle ebook)

Just One More… 

Description:

On a fateful night in Afghanistan, a flawed NATO airstrike sets into motion a chain of events that reaches across the world, from Vancouver to Copenhagen to London. How far will one person go for revenge?

In the sleepy English countryside, an F15E Strike Eagle team gears up for a live weapons mission. Can lead pilot "Rider" keep his head in the game and overcome the demons of his past? Hundreds of lives will depend on the answer as a deadly Al Qaeda terrorist cell, and maverick CIA and MI6 agents descend on US soil in a jaw-dropping climax where anything goes.

Available in paperback from Amazon, BN and other online retailers. 

Also available in Ebook (Kindle).

Just One More... $9.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428642

BN.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-more-sam-hendricks/1024930949?ean=9780982428641

Kindle/Ebook $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/Just-One-More-Sam-Hendricks-ebook/dp/B00OYWOH0E/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415107021&sr=1-26&keywords=Just+One+More...

2015 March Madness Bracket 10 Tips

Ok I know this is a fantasy sports blog-primarily football, but here are some tips for anyone filling out their 2015 NCAA Bracket.



1) Pick a winner first and advance them all the way to the winner circle. One of the most common mistakes when filling out a bracket is NOT picking the overall winner. It is tricky because often the last game is not the same pick method or it is hidden a bit by the tie breaker.

Hint pick a #1 seed as they have won about 15% of the time.


2) Turn in your bracket on time. Remember the play-in games on Tuesday and Wednesday are now called the "Round 1" games. Round 2 starts Thursday and the first tipoff is the deadline when most brackets need to be submitted.

3) The Top Seeds are top seeds for a reason.
#1 seeds make the final four 40% of the time. Pick two #1 seeds to make final four.
Number 2 seeds make the final four 23% of the time and...
Number 3 seeds make the final four 8% of the time
Number 4 seeds make it 6% (Number 6 do so 4%)

So pick two to three #1 seeds to advance and then add in a couple of  #2 or #3 seeds. Have them win all their games into the final four.

Hint: If you add up all the seeds in the final four you should not exceed seven as a rule of thumb. So if you have two #1 seeds and a #3 seed do not pick anything but a 1 or 2 seed to finish out the final four.

4) Use the bookies to pick the winners of the close games-i.e the 8/9 seeds in Round 2. Usually these are 50/50 matchups.

5) Look for upsets in the 5/12 matchups and the 7/10 matchups. The underdogs win 36% in 5 v 12 matchups and 40% in 7 vs 10.
So pick one or two as upsets from category.

6)  Do not pick a #1 seed to lose in their first game. They have never done so. 

7) Only pick 6th or higher seeds to win in later rounds. Again the higher seeds usually win.

8) Look at home field advantage and momentum going into the tourney. I also get some extra help from Jeff Sagarin and his rankings!

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaab/sagarin/

9) Play in all the free brackets-they are free and you never know. Speaking of which YAHOO has a Billion $ Bracket where if you get everything right (never been done before-chances are 1-128 Billion if you know what you are doing) you win a Billion dollars.
Go for it!

10) If you pick an 8 seed to upset the #1 seed in the third round then advance them to the Elite 8. And in general if you pick a team to upset continue to have them win until they face a team higher than the team they faced. So if you think the #13 will beat #4 in round 2 keep them winning the next game vs #5 seed.




My 2015 Picks
Final Four:  (that's 7 if you are counting seeds)
Kentucky, Duke, Arizona and Oklahoma

In Championship:
Arizona vs Duke
Upset picks:
Long shot to win it all: UNC, Maryland, Baylor

Sleeper to go far: NC State


How did I do last year?



My 2014 Pick
Final Four: Florida, Villanova, Arizona and Duke (that's 7 if you are counting seeds) (One out of four)
In Championship: Duke beats Florida 78-74 (hey I am an ACC fan) (Mercer knocks off Duke in first round)

Upset picks: NC State wins two more games, UNC over Iowa State in next round. (Missed on both these)
Long shot: Manhattan (13) defeats Louisville (4) (didn't happen either)

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-baseball-for-beginners-sam-hendricks/1028503683

Fantasy Soccer: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Soccer Players($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635070


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-sam-hendricks/1100639984

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-hockey-sam-hendricks/1106954324

Fantasy Basketball Handbook: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Beginners and Experienced Players ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635097

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-basketball-handbook-sam-hendricks/1107640391