Putting Money on it: Five Sure Things in the 2010 Season

Hello again, and welcome back for another weekly update here at Fourth and Goal.  Now as we all know, there's just no such thing as a 100 percent guarantee in fantasy football. Ask Tom Brady owners from 2008. Or the unfortunate people who drafted Matt Forte as their RB1 last season. Everyone who's had Roy Williams on their fantasy roster since he became a Cowboy. I could go on, but no need: a player has let all of us down as some point. For me, it was DeSean Jackson's premature celebration in '08. Now, having said that, here are five things that I am absolutely positive will happen during the 2010 NFL season. If you were to believe in a sure thing, these are the ones you want your money riding on.




5.) Maurice Jones-Drew will be the 2010 rushing leader


  Don't make that face at me. MJD will get this done. Last season, with a bad passing game, really bad defense, and even worse O-line, he still managed to gain 1,391 yards on the ground, and averaged 4.5 YPC. This year, the Jags are a little different. Last season's two rookie linemen, Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, have a year under their belts. Veterans Kynan Forney and Justin Smiley were added in the offseason, providing a depth on the O-line the Jags haven't had before. David Garrard is looking to improve this season, and the evolution of Mike Sims-Walker should unload the box some this season against the run. I'm predicting close to 1,800 yards and an average of 5.3 YPC. Put it in the books. If you don't believe me, just look at what MJD is capable of.







4.) Kyle Orton will lose the starting job in Denver...and so will Matt Moore in Carolina

No big surprises here, right? Obviously, Orton was never meant to be the long-term solution at QB for the Broncos. But it's not if he loses the starting job(for he will), but when. Any early-season implosion will likely put Brady Quinn under center, while if he makes it to the waning weeks of the season, Tim Tebow will likely get the opportunity to start working towards next season. Now Matt Moore is an entirely different story. I actually like Moore. Last season he took over as the starting QB, and over five games completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,053 yards, 8 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. The problem for him is Jimmy Clausen.  Clausen has been impressive so far in the preseason, including making a strong case for himself Thursday night against the Ravens. If Matt Moore has even a few sub-par games, expect Clausen to get the nod.



3.) Matt Leinart will prove his doubters right

Photo courtesy of LOL Jocks

Again, no one will faint in shock when this prediction comes true. Matt Leinart may be listed on the Cardinals' roster as a quarterback, but he's a professional ball-dropper. Remember the 2008 preseason, when he basically handed the starting job back to Kurt Warner? Expect the same thing, just over a longer period of time, since Derek Anderson isn't great either. Best case scenario, he becomes an average signal caller, and keeps the starting job for a season or two. But he'll never live up to being the 10th overall draft pick. By the way, check out LOL Jocks for more awesome pictures like this one.












2.) The Cowboys will win more than one playoff game

Last season, Dallas put all the pieces together at the right time, going 8-3 after their week six bye. Their defense stepped up, Miles Austin became a monster Wide receiver, and guys like Mike Jenkins and Anthony Spencer became leaders. Look for that to continue this season, as the defense should be even better this season, and Dez Bryant gives a versatile offense another weapon to force opposing D's to consider. They also managed to beat the Eagles 34-14 in the opening round of the playoffs, notching their first playoff win since 1996. They're looking to expand on that, and don't be surprised when the 'Boys show up in the NFC championship game. I'll be the guy on this website typing "I told you so." And in case you forgot just how good Dallas can be, here's a reminder: Their week 15 victory over the eventual world champion Saints.









1.) Brett Farve will play for the Vikings

Does anyone still believe the hoopla about Brett Farve toying with retirement? Look, if he were retiring, he wouldn't have had ankle surgery during the offseason. Let's call it what it is: An old guy that doesn't want to go through training camp. He'll be back on the field for the Vikes, and he'll be trying to get them back to within a game of the Super Bowl. Honestly, I don't mind the old fella skipping training camp, as long as he can still do this.






Well, that will do it for this week people. Check back next week to see what's we've got going on, and get ready for the regular season live video broadcasts. Peace.

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