Minnesota Vikings - On paper, the Vikings D should be very, very good. However, not good enough to be the overwhelming choice as best defense in the fantasy universe.

Green Bay Packers - If the Brett Favre mess isn’t solved soon, it well end up hurting the entire team.

New York Giants - Michael Strahan and the post-Super Bowl hangover are both worrisome plot lines for the 2008 Giants.

Read more

1. New England Patriots - The Patriots have the most talent once again.
2. Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys are explosive on both sides of the field.
3. Indianapolis Colts - Manning is arguably the best player in the game.
4. San Diego Chargers - Can the Chargers finally break through?
5. Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers should be very tough once again.
6. New York Giants - With Strahan retired, can the Giants regroup?
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jags looks very good on paper.
8. Cleveland Browns - Their offense should put up plenty of points.
9. New Orleans Saints - The Saints should bounce back after a bad 2007.
10. Minnesota Vikings - If their offense is decent, they should win games.

Can the Giants be great without Strahan?

Photo: Newscom

1. Minnesota Vikings - With Jared Allen added, Vikings D should produce.
2. New England Patriots - The Pats are always an explosive D.
3. San Diego Chargers - Chargers will once again be an elite D.
4. Chicago Bears - After an off year, Bears should bounce back.
5. New York Giants - Strahan retiring hurts but Giants should be good.
6. Dallas Cowboys - The young Cowboys D is getting stronger.
7. Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have the most underrated D.
8. Green Bay Packers - The Packers are young and talented.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - If healthy, Jaguars should be stout.
10. Baltimore Ravens - Ravens always seem to find a way to produce.

Plaxico Burress is unhappy with his contract and is refusing to practice with the New York Giants. Burress is making around $4 million this year and wants that to be bumped up to be in line with other elite receivers.

Burress was a key part of the 2007 NFL Super Bowl champion New York Giants. He was unquestionably the team’s best receiver and came up with big plays time and time again in their championship run. While the Giants have been reluctant to give him a raise, they likely won’t have a choice when it comes down to it.

Burress isn’t the only drama the Giants are currently dealing with on their football team. Michael Strahan retired, leaving approximately $5 million on the table. Jeremy Shockey is upset and would like to be traded.

As far as fantasy football is concerned, Burress remains a very good option at wide receiver. Don’t pay too much attention to his contract status unless his holdout carries on into training camp and the preseason.

Here is a video about Plaxico Burress and his contract situation:

Michael Strahan of the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants has decided to call it a career. Strahan, who spent 15 years in the NFL, will reportedly take a job in television.

Although Strahan wasn’t as dominant as he used to be, he remained one of the best defensive linemen in the league. The Giants will definitely miss his presence. New York should be able to replace him but they would have been better with him than without him.

In terms of fantasy football, the retirement of Strahan makes their defense less valuable. The Giants defense is still a top seven fantasy football defense but it shouldn’t be considered an elite defense right now.

Here a video discussing more about the impact of Strahan’s retirement:

While crystal balls used to be the object that held special magical powers to tell the future, the powers of crystal skulls is the new rage in the supernatural world. In fantasy football, many fantasy owners will resort to any type of supernatural powers to help them win any given week.

Using my metaphoric crystal skull, here are my spoilers and predictions concerning current events in the football world. If you don’t have a crystal skull to play along with, you can always use the old school crystal ball.

1. Marvin Harrison will have a bounce back season. Although Marvin Harrison is currently in legal trouble, I see Harrison being cleared of all wrongdoing. He’ll enter the 2008 fantasy football season as somewhat of a sleeper and wills surprise.

2. Vince Young will be a top ten fantasy quarterback. He looked really bad in his second season and stories about a drunk Vince Young don’t exactly make Tennessee Titans coaches or fans feel good, but Young will bounce back. He’s too talented and he’s too much of a natural winner to not figure things out.

3. Michael Strahan won’t retire. There’s talk about Michael Strahan retiring but it’s just too difficult to imagine him walking away from a Super Bowl team. Expect the New York Giants to give him a pay raise and for him to stick around.

4. Darren McFadden will easily become the best player from the 2008 NFL Draft. McFadden will make the Oakland Raiders look smart. He’ll have a nice rookie season but will really blossom in years two and three.

5. The New England Patriots will win the 2008 Super Bowl. With Spygate all but over and the bitter taste of defeat in their mouth, the Patriots will come back stronger and finish the deal in 2008.

Photo: Newscom

Michael Strahan of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants has indicated that he’s thinking about retiring. In fact, he says that he’s close to announcing his intentions. Some sources close to the team expect Strahan to retire to take a broadcasting job.

Even though the 36-year-old Strahan isn’t as dominant as he used to be, he’s still a very good football player. He was a huge key last season for the Giants. His size, strength and ability to rush the passer was vital.

Last season, Strahan skipped training camp but played well during the regular season. He finished the season with nine sacks – the ninth time in his career that he had at least nine sacks.

If Strahan is to retire, the Giants defense would be worth a lot less in fantasy football. As of now, the Giants defense has to be regarded as one of the better defenses due to their ability to rush the quarterback and cause turnovers. Without Strahan, the Giants wouldn’t be nearly as good at getting after the passer.

Keep an eye on what Strahan does if you are considering drafting the Giants defense. He’s due approximately $4 million, so there’s definitely a chance that he’ll play another year.

Photo: Newscom

If you are looking for some stud defensive players for your fantasy team for the Super Bowl, look at these players.

Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Vrabel is a big game player who is playing arguably the best football of his career. The Patriots use him all over the field and he routinely comes up with big plays. A nice thing about him is he also plays on their offensive goal line sets, so he can also get you an offensive touchdown to help your fantasy football team.

Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
Umenyiora is the most explosive of all the Giants defensive players. As he showed earlier in the season, he’s capable of taking over a game by himself. Umenyiora is great at getting to quarterbacks and there’s little doubt his main mission for the Super Bowl will be getting at Tom Brady.

Asante Samuel, New England Patriots
If you want an interception, look at Samuel. This guy is just an interception waiting to happen. While Eli Manning has yet to throw an interception in the playoffs, Samuel is a threat to break that streak. Once he intercepts a pass, Samuel is a threat to return all the way to the house.

Michael Strahan, New York Giants
Strahan is one of the best pass rushers of all-time. He can pick sacks in a hurry. With the Giants having a lot of quality defensive lineman on their roster, Strahan remains fresh and therefore effective. During the Super Bowl Strahan will give it his all to make big plays for New York.

Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots
Bruschi is the heart and soul of the Patriots. After recovering from a stroke, he’s become one of the most respected players in the league. What’s often forgotten is how good of a football player he is. Look for Bruschi to make a big impact during the Super Bowl.