Fantasy Football Tonight 7/26

My training camp preview continues with the...

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS

I'm interested to see if the Falcons can do it again. I like Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White and the addition of Tony Gonzalez gives the offense another viable weapon. But I'm not sold on the offensive or defensive lines and the secondary is mediocre at best. The Falcons are going to be facing better teams on this years schedule and will have to improve themselves if they want to get back into the playoffs. All the talk is about how they'll take some stress off of Michael Turner's legs this year but that will come at a cost. Turner will still be a good fantasy RB for sure, but the less carries he receives will impact his overall numbers for sure. Last season they took teams by surprise. This year everybody is going to come ready and with a detailed plan of how they want to stop Turner and confuse Matt Ryan. Here's hoping head coach Mike Smith has some new tricks in mind for the new season.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

The RB situation in Carolina is perhaps the deepest and most talented in the NFL but also quite an unknown for us fantasy fanatics. There's no doubt that DeAngelo Williams will be a first round pick in most leagues this year. But, for those making that selection I beg you to not wait very long in selecting Jonathen Stewart to complete this arrangement. I am talking about 4th round or so guys. Do not even think about waiting on this handcuff because Stewart will be off the board very early himself. If you don't like the idea of taking Stewart that early then please do not make the DeAngelo Williams pick in the first place. The ideal situation is for one of these players to establish themselves in the preseason and that is what we all will be looking for I'm sure. But I don't expect that to happen unless there is an injury to one of these guys.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

I got my eyes on Robert Meachem this year. I am worried about the health of Marques Colston going into training camp this year. Meachem is a guy that I've watched closely in his first two years in the league. He was taken by the Saints in the first round of the 2007 draft but has yet to make much of a contribution. He showed some flashes last season, especially on deeper routes. This season I think he will take a giant leap up and could wind up being the best fantasy WR on the Saints. No, this has nothing to do with it being his third year in the league and how dare you ask such a question? That third year WR rule is as ridiculous as those guys in Hangover stealing Mike Tyson's tiger. I know that many of you will go out and draft Lance Moore in the 6th round this year but that will be a mistake. Meachem is the WR on the Saints that you want on your team this year and you will be able to get him anywhere past the 10th round in your draft.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

This is one of the few QB competitions that will be decided strictly in training camp and not by contract status or draft position. Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown will battle it out with the winner claiming the starting job and the loser likely losing his roster spot entirely. Rookie Josh Freeman will be the immediate backup so that means this has all the makings of a good old fashioned shoot out between Leftwich and McCown. From a fantasy perspective I would like to see Leftwich win this one. He is a much better pocket passer than McCown and can push the ball downfield more accurately. If McCown were to win the job, I wouldn't want any part of Antonio Bryant or Michael Clayton this year. I can't wait to see how this one plays out.

TOMORROW: NFC WEST -- THE FINAL PREVIEW

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