Fantasy advice from the Fantasy-aholic: Part 2

Mediator: Ok everyone, grab your coffee and bear claw and sit back down. Sean was just about to continue.

Sean: Thanks sweety. 

Mediator: Don't call me sweety.

Jack: Hey where's the bear claw? Didn't you say there were bear claws? Aw, what the hell.

Sean: Folks I mentioned before that my addiction to fantasy has been deemed 'repulsive' and 'utterly pathetic' but I want to help you out. Help me help you, ask me your most difficult questions and I will give you what I got. 

"When is a good time to draft a kicker?" -- RevengeoftheBrowns02

In the final round. That's it, there's no reasonable explanation if you take a kicker earlier than the last round. Seriously don't get me going on this. 

Last year the consensus number one kicker was Adam Vinatieri, and what did he do? Well low and behold Mr.Reliable finished tied for tenth overall; while Mason Crosby of Green Bay, a sixth-round rookie, was the Fantasy's world leading kicker.

The difference between kickers is so miniscule that it's not worth racking your brain over. Just look for a kicker from a potent offense, Crosby, Vinatieri, Nick Folk of Dallas, Stephen Gostkowski of New England, and Nate Kaeding of San Diego are all top-tier kickers to choose from. 

Ding! Ding! That's the bell, enough with the easy ones let's get it on.

"Whose number 2, Tony Romo or Peyton Manning?" --ManningisGod18

I have a weird inclination about this one, but I have a feeling you want me to say Manning?

Manning and Romo had near identical numbers last season. The pretty boy from Dallas put up 36 TDs and 4,211 passing yards but also threw 19 INTs. As for America's favorite quarter back, Manning threw 31 TDs and 4,040 yards but gave the ball to the defense 14 times (his most since the 2002 season)

Remember Manning was without his favorite target Marvin Harrison for eleven games last season. This year the most dangerous duo in NFL history is back.  

Both teams are pass first run later, and each quarterbacks is surrounded by a plethora of talent. Clark and Witten at TE, Wayne/Harrison TO/Crayton, and Addai/ Barber in the backfield.

I'd give the edge to the less mobile Manning, but not by much.

 This isn't like years past when it was Manning and Brady then everyone else. Now it's Brady and Manning/Romo/Brees/5 others. 

Other arms: Drew Brees NO, Matt Hasselback Sea, Ben Roethlisberger Pit, Phillip Rivers SD, Carson Palmer CIN, and David Garrard JAC...what I'm trying to get at is there are a slew of talented quarterbacks out there for you to pick from.

"I'm in a keeper league, should I keep Brian Westbrook or Drew Brees?" -- DuhBears86

Oh poor you, a perennial pro-bowl running back or a superstar qb?  

On one side of the ball you have an elite running back, who, by nearly everyone's standards is the third best RB in the draft and a top five player overall. Than on the other side you have a top 5 quarterback, and player in the top 20-25.

Running backs are usually the bread makers for your fantasy team, so from that standpoint I'd keep Brian Westbrook. A negative however is Westbrook plays in the NFC East, he has eight combined games versus the Giants, Cowboys, and Redskins -- all top ten defenses -- all who can cause sever pain and possibly injury.

Drew Brees has an arsenal of offensive power around him; Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, Marques Colston and Jeremy Schockey are just a few to name. Brees also plays in a a weak NFC South, and will benefit from an easier schedule thanks to last years poor performance. 

The final line is I'd lean toward Westbrook because running backs are the backbone to all solid fantasy teams. Brees is a rare talent but in the over all scheme of things a good running back is harder to find than a good quarterback. 

If you're smart you'll see how your league is scored and factor that in to.

"Now that the Patriots signed LaMont Jordan, what's the deal with Laurence Maroney?" -- BringBackMarino13

Laurence Maroney was the leading candidate for a breakout season, he was given more touches and producing better than ever, and that's why I took him with the 16th overall (4th in the 2nd round) pick in my draft. Oh the agony!

LaMont Jordan isn't at all what he used to be -- a solid producer in the fantasy game -- injuries slowed him down in Oakland and he was never able to live up to the Hype that surrounded him once he left the New York Jets.

The presence of Jordan will cut into the number of touches Maroney gets, and Bill Belichick has never truly had a supreme number one back -- it's always a slew of #2 backs that win Super Bowls.

Maroney will make for a very good #2 back on your team, and a mediocre #1. Keep an eye on him when the later weeks roll around, because Maroney doesn't get as many touches as other true number one backs he is fresh (and very devastating) toward the final weeks of the regular season.

Sean Youngberg is a journalism and sports communication major at James Madison University who finds himself aching to talk sports with anyone willing to listen -- but can't because he lives in a college town Population: Me -- he must put his thoughts into words for the internet world to see.

Is there a fantasy question that's busting you brain? Do you wonder why Santana Moss constantly let's you down year in and year out? Does it bother you that DeShaun Foster never lived up to the hype and handicapped your team? Well if so e-mail him your questions and concerns to sayoungberg@gmail.com -- remember that along with you the question/comment/or concern to include your "name" (i.e. IsThisTheYearVinceYoung?)