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PFW takes a look at fantasy news and notes from around the NFL
By PFW staff
July 6, 2008
With training camps a few weeks away from opening and the 2008 season just around the corner, the PFW staff has been hard at work collecting the hottest fantasy-related rumors and player news from around the NFL. Here, we present an excerpt from "The Fantasy Buzz" that was published in our current print edition (cover date: July 2008), which features a 16-page fantasy football pullout section. If you want to read about the seven divisions other than the NFC West, you can find the print edition at newsstands and bookstores across the country, or you can purchase a copy (print or PDF) online at PFWstore.com.
 The fantasy buzz is building around Cardinals star WR Larry Fitzgerald, who we’ve repeatedly been told is being pushed hard by Arizona coaches this offseason to turn his overall game up a notch after signing a hefty new contract. Word is the pressure is on Fitzgerald to fine-tune his route running and do a better job of finishing his runs after his catches, which could translate into more receiving yards. Team sources tell us Fitzgerald has been a lot more physical in practices so far this offseason. But even as good as he has looked, we hear the team’s best-looking receiver so far this offseason continues to be Steve Breaston, who appears to have made a quantum leap as a pass catcher entering his second season. He could be an emerging fantasy sleeper in the team’s No. 3 WR role.
Speaking of fantasy sleepers, no team has more candidates than Mike Martz’s new-look Niners, with sixth-round rookie WR Josh Morgan, second-year WR Jason Hill and newly signed TE Delanie Walker each possessing the potential to become fantasy secret weapons. Morgan, who immediately started passing the eyeball test with his size, speed and ability to outmuscle defenders, received a surprising amount of work in the Niners’ OTAs, according to observers. Hill remains the fastest receiver on the team and figures to get an opportunity to become the 49ers’ designated deep threat. Walker, a converted wideout who can stretch the field, recently received a three-year, $6 million deal and is said to have really impressed Martz with the flexibility he adds to the offense. Don’t be surprised if the Niners line up in a lot of two-TE formations that can instantly turn into three-WR sets, with Walker or fellow TE Vernon Davis splitting out wide or lining up in the slot.
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Nate Burleson
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Even though the Seahawks’ coaches continue to talk as if WR Deion Branch will be good to go in Week One, we continue to hear that he still has a long way to go in his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery and remains a strong candidate to be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list, which would put him on the shelf for the first six weeks of the ’08 season. More likely than not, look for Seattle’s starting receivers in Week One to be Bobby Engram at flanker and Nate Burleson at split end. Our Seahawks sources believe Burleson was the offense’s most consistent performer in the team’s OTAs.
Rams WR Drew Bennett will be the first one to tell you he was a big disappointment in his first season with the team. But like everybody else on the offense, we’re told Bennett genuinely believes new offensive coordinator Al Saunders will bring out the best in him this season as the team’s projected No. 2 receiver, replacing Isaac Bruce. It should help that Bennett has received a completely clean bill of health after being limited by thigh and hamstring injuries the first half of last season.
Coming Monday: PFW's first 2008 draft board
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