Fantasy Football Tonight 7/24

My training camp preview continues with the...

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS

It is odd for me having lived in Chicago my whole life and followed the Bears so close to now have a real franchise QB to cover. Jay Cutler elevates this offense to an entirely new level. Matt Forte is now a sure fire first round RB while everybody is suggesting random Bears WR's such as Earl Bennett, Rashied Davis and Juaquin Iglesias as sleepers. While I wouldn't doubt that either Bennett or Devin Hester make a big fantasy impact this season, the guy I am watching closely is TE Greg Olsen. I currently have Olsen as the #1 overall fantasy TE on my board. He and Jay Cutler have been like peas and carrots ever since Cutler got traded to the Bears. The two have been spotted hanging out at local bars, restaurants and even an couple of Cubs games. With Olsen's natural ability and a QB who is now his good buddy, the sky is the limit for this kid in 2009.

DETROIT LIONS

I really like what the Lions are doing. The new coaching staff, led by former Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has done a fine job in weeding out some of the problems both in the locker room and on the field. Schwartz also is making it perfectly clear to the team that they will run a single play over and over and over again until everybody gets it right and are on the same page. The Lions are going to be more talented, disciplined and in better shape come this season and I expect a quick turnaround for the only winless team in NFL history. I like Bryant Johnson's chances lining up opposite Calvin Johnson this year. I think Johnson has finally found himself a home where he can plant his roots without much pressure and focus on making plays while facing plenty of single coverages.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers are a team that is under the radar at this point for me and not just because Tom Pelissero isn't returning my calls lately. Just kidding Tom, but seriously man..call a brother back! Anyways, outside of answering ridiculous questions about Brett Favre possibly going to Minnesota the cheese munchers have been quiet for most of the offseason. What I will be watching closely during Packers camp this summer is whether Ryan Grant will be running with the authority that he was back in 2007 when he broke out. Last year he held out and showed up finally not in the best of shape and never really seemed to get his legs under him for most of the year. Reports are that Grant is already in excellent shape and is serious about redeeming himself this year and proving himself worthy of the feature RB money he was given last year.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Brett Favre is the starting QB of the Vikings, I already know that. The whole world should know that will be the case so please let's stop the childish speculating. My gut is telling me that Favre will sign but this will be the year he finally misses a game and his consecutive game streak comes to an end. I feel that Sage Rosenfels will take over and put up good fantasy QB numbers in Favre's place. I thought making the move for Rosenfels was brilliant by the Vikings as there is no doubt in my mind he was the best backup in the league last year. With the talent the Vikings have at WR, RB and along the offensive line any QB should be a solid fantasy producer. So take Favre if you want to. But just remember that you heard it here first. This is the year he misses a game and Sage Rosenfels will be the one to bail out the Vikings.

TOMORROW: NFC EAST

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