Pick #5

Greetings FF fans. It's time for my pick in the blogger mock draft set up by The Hazean. Pick #1 went to LT of course, pick #2 to SJax, and I'll be honest, I was surprised by pick #3 to Joseph Addai (though the more I thought about it, the more it made a lot of sense, nicely done MWC Football), and pick #4 to Larry Johnson.

So I gathered rankings from 12 different "experts" in the fantasy football field. I'm sitting here staring at my spreadsheet and am wondering just how much these supposed experts know. Of the 12 rankings, 4 have Frank Gore slotted in #5, 2 have Shaun Alexander, 2 have Willie Parker, and 1 each for Addai, Peyton, Westbrook, and then one guy ranked Gore/Westbrook/Bush/Addai all as equals. Interesting stuff. Larry Johnson just does not exist below the #3 ranking on any of these. So after some deliberation, and consideration of the fact that I won't be picking again until July 20th, I narrowed it down to the final two contenders for pick #5: Frank Gore and Shaun Alexander. Peyton was tempting but not at #5 - soon though, I imagine. I also really like Laurence Maroney but am not sure he's a #5 quite yet, either.

Let's start with Gore [photo: Phil Coale, AP]. I'm already crazy about this guy since he did wonders for two of my leagues last year. And as stated previously, we have a last name in common. I'm a total sucker for that sort of stuff...

Gore Pros:

• This man has made the 49ers respectable again
• In 2006, he had 9 games for 100+ yards, and 3 for 150+ yards.
• Last year he had 61 catches for 485 yards; in a league that rewards 1 point per 10 yards rushing and receiving, an RB like Gore that runs and receives is just money. Total package.
• Nolan wants 25 touches per game for Gore and Gore wants a 2200 yard season. Drive and desire like that can be unstoppable.
• An improving 49ers offense = an improving Gore

Gore Cons:

• As already stated, Gore is a yardage monster but his TD count is low
• Adios, Norv Turner, and what does that do to Gore's stats? As noted by Fabiano, "former stud runners such as Stephen Davis, Ricky Williams and LaMont Jordan all produced decreased numbers the season after Turner left their respective teams."
• Gore's history of knee and shoulder problems
• Tied with Willie Parker for the highest number of RB fumbles last season with 7 fumbles

Shaun Alexander is up next [photo: squibkick.com]. Again, this guy did wonders for my league...but in 2005. But with great risk comes great reward, thus he's a final contender.

Alexander Pros:

• 2005 stats: 1880 yards and 25 TDs
• 2006: Scored 7 times in the last 7 games he played in (includes the post-season)
• He will not be losing TDs to a goal line RB - he is the RB in Seattle
• Seattle's o-line has some definite potential this season

Alexander Cons:

• Unhealed foot crack? (though supposedly this isn't the case...)
• He'll hit the ancient age of 30 this August 30th (30 on the 30th, isn't that what they call a golden birthday? And a golden season perhaps?)
• His yards per carry dropped in 2006 to 3.6
• With Darrell Jackson leaving, the pressure on Alexander mounts a bit as Seattle's passing game weakens (though they still have Deion Branch, DJ Hackett, Nate Burleson, and Bobby Engram...not too shabby)

So with these considerations in mind, I surprise no one and take Frank Gore with pick #5.