FANTASY FOOTBALL EXPERTS ONLY..I've got the first pick..do you guys like Shawn Alexander or Larry Johnson?

Answer 1

Having a first pick in any fantasy draft is always a tough one to pick. Alexander and Johnson, along with Tomlinson, are worthy of being first picks. As a veteran of Fantasy Football, I would have to make a hard decision and go with Alexander and here's why:

1) Johnson is finally getting a shot in his first full year as a starter for KC after having 20 TD starting as a reserve. The numbers could get better but the retirement of Willie Roaf, a new coaching staff, and a tougher schedule could make question marks of how Johnson season would go. Don't be surprise if the numbers fall back down if the passing game falters without Roaf, because it makes it easier for defense to concentrate on LJ. However I say that Johnson could have a great season but he's a questionable mark at #1.

2) Alexander lost Pro-Bowl Guard Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota, so he might not get the same MVP numbers as last season but could be more decent RB. He still has the same offensive unit as last season so it's not a drop off for him anyway but I'm scared about the "Madden" curse (Alexander is on the cover of Madden 2007; those before him had their career tarnish at one point, which include McNabb, Faulk, Culpepper, and anybody else who appear on the cover in the late 90's-early 2000). However, I'm going to believe that Alexander will break that curse, despite his age (28), and along with an easier schedule than KC, I think that the reigning MVP will be the first pick this year.

Answer 2

I think that no matter what the scoring rules are in your league, you should have the following three as your top picks (in order):

1) L Johnson - Absolute stud, big pounding back playing on a very good and minimally changed offense. They did lose Willie Roaf, but In three starts without Roaf last season, LJ averaged exactly 150 rush yards per game including three 100-yard games and one 200-yard game. Johnson has a chance at 2,000 yrds this year. More than the other two backs, he is reliable from a health perspective. And, man, who else would you rather have on 3rd and Goal from the 2?

2) S Alexander - Surely 1a. Alexander is a fantastic back that combines power and agility. Definitely tough to put him 2nd to anyone. I wonder if this year the Seahawks suffer a setback. The loss of Joe Jurevicius might be just enough to bring these guys back to reality. I thought the 'hawks were good last year, but not great. They were blessed with health last year, which rarely happens two years in a row. The Panthers are/were better, but less healthy. On a side note: Whoever comes out of what is sure to be a slugfest in the NFC East will be paying a visit to the Conference top dogs and pulling a big upset.

3) L Tomlinson - Drew Brees left, so you can't burn a #1 overall pick in any fantasy draft on a RB whos starting quarterback just skipped town.

Take LJ!

Answer 3

Dunno why you're leaving out LT, if I had to pick between 2 it would be Alexander and LT, and Johnson would be 3rd by default.

But, to answer your specific question, obviously I'd say Alexander. Here's the thing; 2 seasons ago, KC was contemplating axing Johnson, so he's not the stud everyone makes him out to be, he just stepped into the starting job on a team that, while billed a passing offense, always produced great runners. An offense, which, by the way, is now gone. He'll still do well, but not what everyone thinks he will do. Case in point? Who was Priest Holmes before he landed in Dick Vermeil's offense? I rest my case. On the flip side, despite the big deal everyone's making about Seattle losing someone from their O-line, Alexander is still in a high powered offense with a coach who will feed him the ball often and at the goalline. He just had a monster season, and just now seems to be peaking.

Take Alexander, with glee.

Answer 4

I would take Larry Johnson. Granted losing Roaf is a hit but the kid is a monster. 2093 combined yards and 21 TDs in only 8 starts is insane. I look at Alexander as similar to Johnson in terms of running ability even though they run in different styles. I give the edge to Johnson for 2 reasons. 1) I have confidence in Trent Green being able to keep the defense honest with Tony and Eddie. I have my doubts that the Seahawks can consistantly do that with Jackson and Stevens. Hasselback is a solid QB now but Stevens is an average TE and Jackson has injury issues. 2) Alexander can't catch to save his life. He is below average in terms of a passing recieving RB. Johnson is average at that but KC runs screens and options and Johnson will prob reap 400-600 yrds and maybe 2-3 TDs from that.

And to say Johnson only faced one good running defense last year is a joke. He rushed for 119 yards against NE which had a top 5 run D at the time. 140 against Denver who had the top Rush D at the time and 131 against SD who had the top D at the time and finished Number 1 in rushing D.

Personally I would go LJ, LT, Alexander.

Answer 5

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Both actually have some questions this year.

Alexander has to cope with the loss of Steve Hutchinson, but the cast around him (on field and off) is otherwise the same.

LJ can be impressive, but also lost a major piece of his offensive line. Additionally, there's a new coach (meaning new system and new philosphy) in KC...

All things considered, I think of LJ as more of a high risk/high reward, and Alexander as a model for conistent perfomances (with an occasional outstanding game). I'd take consistency.

Answer 6

Larry Johnson. I think Shaun Alexander is the safer pick, but I think Larry Johnson has more upside and could honestly go for 2,000 yds and 25-30 TD's. You can't go wrong with either player but I would take my chances with LJ. Good Luck on your decision.

Answer 7

LT LJ is overrated reason he dominated last year was he played some pretty bad run defenses with the excpetion of SD and nobody thought that he was actually good, also he lost pro bowl guard willie roaf. Alexander has Madden curse less motivation to play due to the fact he just signed a fatty long term contract and lost an all-pro guard in hutchinson

Answer 8

i think that LJ could have priest holmes as a backup if healthy and you cannot bench a good RB like priest so i dont think that LJ would get as many thouches as a regular starting RB, Defenses are going to be trying to stop shaun alexander and shaun plays a more "safe" football than LJ so he wont be trying to break as many tackles as LJ, if i were you i would take LT he can throw, run and catch what else do u want ...yiure probably thinking that defenses are going to do what they're gonna do to alexander put 8 men in the box BUT thats what they've been trying to do to LT the past 3 years and havent succesed at stoping him, LT can win a league by himself take LT

Answer 9

Alexander is consistant with his numbers, althought he wont have 29 TDs again so keep that in mind. Also if LJ performs like he should we will see a new rushing record this year. Remember he did have 1700 yards in only 8 starts last year

Answer 10

Larry Johnson. I believe in the Madden curse