INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Ben Roethlisberger eclipsed 4,000 yards passing for just the second time during his career in 2011 while enjoying his third-best passing TD mark (21) ever.  However, he only had five games where produced multiple TD passes and only eclipsed the 300-yard mark passing five times, leaving owners with some pretty mediocre weeks.  Over the team’s final eight games in 2011, Big Ben missed one start and averaged 254 yards per game with 7 PaTD and 7 INT during that span.

SCHEDULE
The Steelers rank in the middle of the pack in their strength of schedule as they tied with three other teams for the 14th toughest slate in the league. Not surprisingly they have five nationally televised games, all coming before Week 12.  Following a Week 4 bye, the Steelers play three games in a span of 14 days in October, including road tilts at Tennessee and Cincinnati. Their fantasy playoff matchups of San Diego, at Dallas, and Cincinnati in Weeks 14-16 are favorable.

STUD
After a very public contract dispute this offseason, Mike Wallace is out to prove he’s worth big money and it could pay big dividends for fantasy owners.  Few receivers in football can stretch the field as well as the Steelers’ big-play receiver which should translate into some monster performances. The lack of consistent production though keeps him out of being a top five or tier one fantasy wideout, but you can’t argue with his final numbers a year ago where he finished with career highs across the board – 72 receptions for 1,193 yards and 8 TD’s.

DUD
A torn ACL in Week 17 cut Rashard Mendenhall’s season short in 2011 and is likely going to cost him significant time in 2012. The veteran running back is expected to start the season on the PUP list and even if he’s able to return it remains to be seen what type of shape he’ll be in. While grabbing him on the cheap in the latter stages of the draft as a stash-away option may not be a bad idea, owners may want to avoid the situation altogether. Consider even before the injury Mendenhall only had two 100-yard games and managed to score in just seven contests.

SLEEPER
It may be hard to justify wide receiver Antonio Brown as a “sleeper”. After all, he finished 2011 with 69 catches for 1,108 yards.  A look at the early drafts recaps suggest he could be one of the best valued players come draft day. He currently is the 25th wideout being taken with an ADP of 55.81. That puts going in mid-to-late Round 5 in most leagues. There’s a ton to suggest though that Brown is primed for an even better 2012. He’s entering the magical third year for a receiver. With the running game in disarray the Steelers are going to throw early and often. It won’t be hard for Brown to build on his two touchdowns from a year ago and if you take numbers from the final 10 weeks a year ago and project them out to a full season it would produce a stat line of 81 catches for 1,354 yards.

NEW ADDITION
Former Chiefs’ head coach Todd Haley replaces Bruce Arians as the team’s offensive coordinator. While there has been plenty of off-season chatter about Roethlisberger’s disappointment with the team for axing Arians, Haley does offer some intrigue for fantasy owners. The Steelers have transitioned from a power-running attack to pass-first football team in recent years and with Mendenhall hobbled Haley is going to keep that trend going.

POSITION BATTLE
With Mendenhall out of the mix for now, Isaac Redman is currently atop the depth chart with Jonathan Dwyer sitting behind him as the team’s RB2.  Redman averaged an impressive 4.4 yards per carry in 2011 and shined in the team’s playoff loss to Denver starting in Mendenhall’s place. He has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and the size to produce at the goalline. While Redman has clear fantasy value (RB3), it will be interesting to see how Dwyer performs in his third season and just how many touches he winds up getting. He’s worth keeping your eyes on.

BENCH BUILDER
Like Brown, fellow wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is entering his third year in the league and will benefit from Haley’s play calling. There’s no been any question surrounding Sanders’ skills set, but durability has been a concern. If he can stay healthy expect his best year yet. With Hines Ward out of the mix following retirement, Sanders will be on the field more frequently and see a steady increase in targets. Don’t get too carried away, but Sanders could prove to be a nice WR4 or WR5 in larger leagues.

Fantasy Football, NFL 2012 nfl preview, pittsburgh steelers, ben roethlisberger, rashard mendenhall, mike wallace, antonio brown, isaac redman, emmanuel sanders

The 2012 NBA Draft had a heavy UK flavor as the first two players to go off the board, Anthony Davis and Michael Gidd-Gilchrist, were both Kentucky Wildcats. In total, six players from this year's championship team were selected. Here's a look at which local players got drafted and when and where they went:

FIRST ROUND
1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis (Center - Kentucky)
2. Charlotte Bobcats - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Forward - Kentucky)
3. Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal (Guard - Florida)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Dion Waiters (Guard - Syracuse)
5. Sacramento Kings - Thomas Robinson (Forward - Kansas)
18. Houston Rockets - Terrence Jones (Forward - Kentucky)
21. Boston Celtics - Jared Sullinger (Forward - Ohio St.)
29. Chicago Bulls - Marquis Teague (Guard - Kentucky)

SECOND ROUND
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Doron Lamb (Guard - Kentucky)
16. New Orleans Hornets - Darius Miller (Forward - Kentucky)

COMPLETE DRAFT RECAP (NBA.com)

College Hoops, NBA 2012 nba draft, uk, kentucky wildcats, anthony davis, michael kidd-gilchrist, terrence jones, marquis teague, doron lamb, darius miller

Here's some reaction to the recent annoucement that there will be a four-team playoff to determine a college football champion starting in 2014:

PRESIDENTS GET PLAYOFF PLAN RIGHT (Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN.com)
Everything about the 2014 version of postseason college football is going to be better than what we have now. A Final Four of football is better than a Final Two, especially when the Final Two was determined by a flawed polls model and by computer standings that required interpreters to understand...MORE

PHOOEY TO FOUR-TEAM PLAYOFF FORMAT (Patrick Rishe, Forbes.com)
With a selection committee to reside over the previous BCS system, you invite bias and greater subjectivity into the mix than is otherwise desired. And to top it off, in an act that seems as illogical as the old scheme, they are committing to it for 12 years...MORE

GOOD PLAN, BUT HAS PROBLEMS & LOSERS (John Ziegler, HuffingtonPost.com)
This new plan still has more than a few important kinks to be worked out. From here, it feels more like an engagement than an actual wedding. It will probably come to full fruition, but there is a good chance at least someone is going to regret it...MORE

NEW PLAYOFF SET UP ELIMINATES HAVE-NOTS (Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com)
Removing labels doesn't remove the reality. A playoff probably lessens access for the sport's unwashed. At least makes it more uncertain. That selection committee? Its composition will have to reflect that the Big East is no longer considered a BCS-level conference. The ACC has become less of a factor. That Big Four -- Pac-12, Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 -- are calling the shots. To be precise, the commissioners of those leagues are calling the shots...MORE

College Football college football playoff, bcs, new playoff format

The Cincinnati Reds will wrap up the first half of their season with an 11-day, 11-game road trip to California to take on the Giants, Dodgers and Padres. They entered the stretch of games with a 41-33 mark and holding a two-game lead over the Cardinals and Pirates for first-place inside the NL Central. However, the trip west has never been friendly for the Reds.

History has not been kind to the Reds, even back in the days when these teams were division foes in the NL West. Even during the time of the Big Red Machine. Since the Giants and Dodgers arrived in the late 1950’s and the Padres were born in 1969 California has been where good Reds’ teams go to die.  Overall the Reds are 515-566 against those three teams in their home parks, equaling a dismal .476 winning percentage.

Hall of Fame beat writer Hal McCoy said it best during a recent post for FoxSportsOhio.com, “For the Reds, trips to the west coast have been like booking passage on the Hindenburg, even if they knew what awaited at the end of the trip.”

I remember very well the 2-9 road trip in 2006 that literally took the Reds out of the race.  The team started the mid-August swing one-game back in the NL Central with a 66-61 mark. They won the opening game vs. the Giants to pull into a first-place tie with the Cardinals, but dropped nine of 10 games to drop to six games back and never recovered.

Last season the Reds only played three games at each stadium going an uncharacteristic 6-3 in these games, but were not able to parlay the success into meaningful movement in the standings.

During the team’s division-winning 2010 campaign they had two West Coast trips. They went 3-3 in a rare Interleague swing to Seattle and Oakland, which I attended four games of.  In their more traditional trip west versus NL opponents they pulled off a 6-3 mark during visits to Arizona, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

How will this trip define the team’s 2012 season?  It remains to be seen, but heading into the All-Star break on a good streak is always a successful playoff formula. If the Reds can accomplish that feat while also clearing one of the traditionally biggest hurdles it would be huge!

MLB cincinnati reds, west coast woes, los angeles dodgers, san francisco giants, san diego padres

Kentucky fans are looking forward to watching the NBA Draft more than most...

College Hoops, NBA kentucky wildcats, uk, nba draft, sports nation, anthony davis, michael kidd-gilchrist

Homer Bailey’s arrival to the big leagues was one of the most anticipated debuts in recent Reds history. However, since coming into the league into 2007 inconsistency has plagued the ultra-talented right hander. Overall for his career he’s 30-28 with a 4.78 ERA with a 1.457 WHIP and a 6.87 K/per nine inning rate.

There have flashes of brilliance as well as horrific blowups. The team invested highly in Bailey when they selected him with the 7^th overall pick in MLB’s 2004 Amateur Draft.

Consider that two pitchers from this draft class are Justin Verlander (2^nd overall by DET) and Jered Weaver (12^th overall by LAA). Both have been amazing. Verlander along with another 2004 draftee, Phillip Humber (3^rd overall by NYM), have throw no-hitters this season. Meanwhile, Bailey has mustered just two complete games in parts of five seasons with the Reds.

This season has been a microcosm of Bailey’s career. He’s 5-5 with a 4.20 ERA and 10 of his 14 starts have been quality starts. Yet after taking the loss in Wednesday's game versus the Brewers over his past five outings he’s 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA with 35 hits, 18 ER, 9 BB, 16 K, and 5 HR through 27 innings.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB cincinnati reds, homer bailey, 2004 mlb draft

Here's an early look at the Average Draft Position (ADP) at tight end for 2012...

COMPLETE BREAKDOWN (FFToolbox.com)

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, adp, 2012, average draft position, tight ends

James Adams joins me on our latest podcast previewing the 2012 season. We talk WR's in this edition of the Fantasy Football Frenzy...

PODCAST - FANTASY FOOTBALL FRENZY - WR PREVIEW

--Top 5 players at the position
--Draft Strategy
--New Faces, New Places
--Rating the Rookies
--Studs, Duds, and Sleepers

LISTEN NOW | QB PREVIEW

Fantasy Football fantasy football frenzy, podcasts, fantasy advice, 2012, wide receivers, wr preview, sleepers

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Fantasy owners keep waiting for the aging Tony Gonzalez to start a drastic decline, but the veteran continues to produce. Gonzo caught 80 balls for 875 yards and seven TD’s a year ago, his best season as a Falcon, and remained a top-five fantasy option. The 36-year old has missed just two games 15 NFL seasons and has averaged 83.5 receptions for 921.3 yards and 6.5 TD’s since turning thirty. While the age factor remains a risk, the future Hall of Famer should provide great value for owners that don’t go after the young, big-name tight ends in the early rounds.

SCHEDULE
The Falcons strength of schedule is very favorable as their opponents finished 125-131 a year ago, putting them in a tie with the 49ers for the seventh easiest schedule in the league. Interestingly, the Falcons don’t play consecutive games at home or on the road the entire season. For the second straight year the Falcons were given four national TV appearances, giving owners plenty of chance to watch their players. Going against weak NFC South defenses help the Falcons. They rank as the No. 1 schedule for fantasy QB’s and RB’s and eight for WR’s based off last year’s points allowed.

STUDS
It was back-to-back 100-catch campaigns for Roddy White, who led the NFL in targets for the second time in as many years. The veteran was huge down the stretch of the 2011 season, finishing with 53 receptions for 733 yards and five touchdowns over his final seven games. Julio Jones led all rookies with eight TD catches last season, including six in the final four games. Entering his sophomore campaign, Jones will need to prove he can stay healthy, but there’s no questioning his talent. Both Falcons’ wideouts have top 10 potential. White is safe bet and Jones is a high-end fantasy WR2.

DUD
The decline in age is raising concern around Michael Turner. He carried the rock for over 300 times for the third time in four year and produced double-digit touchdowns for the fourth straight season. However, Turner has now hit the dreadful age of 30 for running backs. The Falcons have already stated they will look to cut down on his carries this year in order to keep him healthy. He should still see enough goal line carries to keep up his scoring pace, but the yardage numbers will drop enough to make him a weak RB1 option for fantasy owners.

SLEEPER
For the fourth straight season Matt Ryan enjoyed statistical growth under center for the Falcons, including posting career-high marks in 2011 for passing yards (4,177) and passing touchdowns (29).  With the friendly schedule and the team transitioning to a more pass-oriented offense, expect even better numbers in 2012 for Ryan. His durability and penchant for not turning the ball over (55 turnovers in 62 career starts) make him a safe QB1 option. He may not approach top 5 numbers this season, but with his 66.34 ADP (10th overall quarterback) Ryan will come at a great price for owners looking to get a player on the upswing.

NEW ADDITION
The team dealt many of their top picks in the 2012 draft last year in a move to nab Julio Jones and made very few significant free agent moves. They did acquire veteran cornerback Asante Samuel from the Eagles in an exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.  At 31, Samuel is on the decline and was limited in a crowded Philadelphia secondary a year ago. His 39 interceptions over the past six years is the best mark in the NFL during that span and playing time won’t be a problem in Atlanta. He should provide nice late IDP value and makes the Falcons DEF/ST immediately better as well.

POSITION BATTLE
With the team planning on decreasing Turner’s touches, the battle for No. 2 on the depth chart at running back becomes one of great fantasy interest.  Jason Snelling will compete with Jacquizz Rodgers for playing time. After averaging 114.5 carries over the previous two seasons, Snelling only had 44 rushes in 2011 though he was still involved as a receiver out of the backfield. Rodgers is younger and more explosive though and is expected to be the favorite to be the change-of-pace back and the top handcuff option as he braces for his second season.

BENCH BUILDER
The Falcons have so many weapons that it is easy to overlook the talent of wide receiver Harry Douglas. He made the most of his opportunities last season, tallying 498 yards and a touchdown on 39 receptions. He could become a factor if Atlanta suffers some injury within its passing attack. Even if everyone remains healthy, Douglas’ explosiveness makes his a worthy option in the team’s passing game. Entering his fifth season, the best may still be ahead for Douglas. He’s worth stashing in deeper PPR formats as a WR5 or WR6.

Fantasy Football, NFL 2012 nfl preview, atlanta falcons, tony gonzalez, roddy white, julio jones, matt ryan, michael turner

Swedish-born actress Malin Akerman is our latest Hottie...

MORE PHOTOS (Maxim.com)

Just For Fun gsi hotties, hot girls, malin akerman