Breaking Out: The Top Five preseason performances (so far)

Good news everyone: We are less than three weeks away from the start of the regular season! September 9th cannot get here fast enough. Fortunately, we do have the preseason games to occupy us, and keep us from going insane. Now normally, nobody really enjoys watching more than the first quarter of a preseason game. But players that aren't starters or in the rotation for their respective teams absolutely LOVE the preseason. It gives them the chance to earn a roster spot, get a few touches in the regular season, or prove that they deserve a significant role for their respective teams. It's the great performances in the preseason that make it worth watching, and we've had quite a few in the past few weeks. Here are my favorites.

5.) Tebow makes himself known

Of the big four rookie quarterbacks, the one with the most doubts about his future made the biggest debut. Tebow went 8 of 13 for 105 yards in limited action, immediately making him, at that point, the most successful rookie signal caller.  Then he widened the gap by adding a highly impressive (albeit insignificant) rushing touchdown on the final play of the game, bowling over two Bengals defenders. Even though he was injured on the play (ribs), he proved that he can be successful at the NFL level. And he did it in an entertaining fashion















4.) Mike Williams (TB) proves why he'll be the No. 1 WR for the Bucs

Most people wrote off the Bucs fourth round draft pick a few months ago as a bad decision by the franchise. This was the guy who had so many character issues, nobody wanted to touch him. But Raheem Morris took a chance. The Tampa Bay head coach has spent enough time with this young man that he felt "comfortable enough with the positive role model Mike is to have him around my children." But not only has Williams turned his life around off the field; Reports out of training camp beginning day one was that this would be there guy. He was listed as the starting wideout, and kept doing the right things, being vocal, developing a connection with his QB, and most importantly, making plays. And in the first two preseason games, he proved he's not just living up to the hype, but it needs to catch up with him. In his first game (vs. Miami) he was targeted once, with one catch for 30 yards. In his second game, this time playing the Jags, he had 3 catches for 44 yards. He's big, physical, has a high football IQ, and he'll be one hell of a player to watch for the next few years. Check out the first play in this recap video here.





3.) Matt Forte puts us in our place, demonstrates '08 explosiveness

Remember the expectations every fantasy football owner had for Matt Forte coming into last season? Well he disappointed, mainly due to a lingering knee injury that he played through, but sapped that explosive quality that made him a great rookie back in '08. Well after the Bears' preseason loss to the Raiders a few nights ago, Forte has put many of those owners on notice: last season was a fluke. The young back had 5 carries for 109 yards, including an 89 yard dash to the endzone. Forte is not a back to sleep on, and with the focus defenses will place on Mike Martz' passing scheme, Matt Forte could be valued much higher than his current ADP of 63.









2.) CJ Spiller shows he can be the man

CJ Spiller's fantasy outlook for this season was optimistically clouded at best- until Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson both went down with injuries, leaving Spiller with the bulk of the remaining preseason carries and the opportunity to seize the starting job and never look back. Spiller made the most of it, rushing 10 times for 54 yards against the Colts, including a 31 yard TD scamper. If he plays like that through the rest of the preseason and the first few games of the regular season, CJ could take over and be huge for the
Bills. Check out the TD run below.















1.) Victor Cruz destroys the Jets secondary, scores 3 touchdowns

Had anyone even heard of Victor Cruz before the Giants' preseason victory over the Jets? I didn't think so. Cruz came into the game as an undrafted rookie free agent fighting for a roster spot. He left the field that night almost guaranteed a position with the team, and a guy to keep an eye on in dynasty leagues. Come on, no coach with a brain cuts a guy who finishes a game with 145 yards receiving and 3 TDs. He further solidified a roster position a week later with 2 catches for 30 yards against the Steelers. If the Giants weren't so deep at the WR position, Victor Cruz would be a must-own in deeper leagues. He still may be if he keeps playing like he has been.







Well its goodbye again for this week people. Come back next week for more. We're not stopping anytime soon. On the contrary, once the regular season kicks off, we may have to go to twice-weekly posts. Later.