Welcome to the latest trip to ‘Wally’s World.’ If this is your first look at this particular article then my first question is…”Where have you been?” My second question is the obvious one…”How much do you love fantasy football that you are checking out articles in mid June?” Yep, you are my type of people and I heartily thank you for stopping by. For those of you that have read past editions you know this a rambling account of things I find interesting in the fantasy football realm. We are not heavy on analytics here and we won’t be breaking down depth charts (back to the middle of June point made earlier) but we will talk about things that make us say, “Hmmm…” With minicamps in full swing, I figured it was time to dust off the laptop and get busy. Well, that is a bit of a fib as I have been hard at work contributing to the USA Today Fantasy Football Magazine as well as continuously updating my rankings. What can I say? I love this wonderful hobby (OK, obsession) and I get to do it for a living. As we set off down the ‘Holiday Road’ of the fantasy landscape during minicamp season let me first put a few things out there. Do not fret over holdouts at this early, early stage of the season. Franchise-tagged players, and I am looking at you Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, often posture mightily at this time of year only to show up for training camp. Also, do not panic over injury reports out of minicamp unless the words torn, broken or ruptured appear in the update. It’s the time of year that players routinely miss portions of practice (especially veterans) and teams are required to report these absences with injuries attached. I guess the NFL frowns on “just because” as a reason a player sits out. All right then, enough house cleaning. Let’s see what is keeping Uncle Waldo up at night from a fantasy perspective these days. Just as the swallows return to Capistrano, the annual Marquess Wilson could have a breakout year at WR for the Chicago Bears chatter has been picking up steam. Which will soon be followed by the… (fill in a lower leg injury) will sideline Wilson for a few weeks. Other than Carlos Hyde as a ‘makes me nervous behind that offensive line’ RB2 option, ...

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jameis Winston (QB) Florida St. Important Free Agency Moves: Signed: - Bruce Carter (LB) - Major Wright (SS) - Henry Melton (DL) - Chris Conte (FS) Departures: - Michael Johnson (DE) - Anthony Collins (OL) - Mason Foster (LB) The Buccaneers were quiet on Day 1 of free agency, unlike 2014, and methodically went after people that fit their defensive scheme. They have the pieces on offense with Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and a young running back corps. They desperately need to fix the offensive line, which will be a priority as free agency continues and in the early rounds of the draft. The Buccaneers need a “Face of the Franchise” and find it with their No. 1 overall pick. We all know that his off-the-field issues could make it tough for him make it in the NFL. On the field, he is the best prospect at QB for the 2015 draft. He has the strength, accuracy, and confidence in his throwing to be a solid pocket passer at the next level. He has the ability to “lead his receivers open” and create an easier catch situation for his target. On tape and the combine, he looked great. He has the physical attributes of a franchise-type quarterback. Rumor has it that he nailed the combine interviews and has a high football IQ. Lovie Smith has been to a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman, who is an average quarterback at best. Lovie makes this pick, lets Koetter (who coached Matt Ryan) mold him into a capable starter, and works...

Week one of the fantasy football playoffs is in the books and owners of victorious teams are knee deep in week two lineup preparations. There is no rest for the weary at this point in the season and the level of opposition rises from one week to the next. There were plenty of surprises last week with some big name players coming up short (I'm looking at you Daryl Washington and Chad Greenway) of expectation while others stepped up and flourished (Hello Ziggy Hood and Joselio Hanson) from out of nowhere. For the IDP owners who have managed to survive and advance despite some of the aforementioned names disappointing as they did last week it is time to swing for the fences. Matchups and momentum are as important as season stats and it is a ‘what have you done for me lately' world. With that in mind we have skewed this week's sleepers towards players that may have more big play potential than impressive season to date numbers. What players have done up until now is irrelevant and is all about what will they do moving forward. Let's take a look at the top sleeper candidates heading into week 15... DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Frostee Rucker, DE, CLEVELAND vs. WASHINGTON: The Browns had a rare blowout victory and Rucker enjoyed a very productive day with seven total tackles and a sack. In his last three games Rucker has posted 12 total tackles, a sack and one pass batted down. He is an excellent option this week as the Redskins will continue to ride rookie running back Alfred Morris and that will equal tackle opportunities. There will also chances to get to the quarterback, as it will be either the much less mobile Kirk Cousins or a limited Robert Griffin III under center for the Redskins. Michael Brockers, DT, ST LOUIS, vs. MINNESOTA: Brockers is hitting his stride for the Rams after battling through an early season ankle injury that cost him a few games. Over the past month he has amassed 21 total tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. Surprisingly, the Vikings are not really very fantasy friendly to the defensive line position despite pounding the rock with Adrian Peterson as much as they do. That being said, Brockers has been playing so well of late that he is borderline matchup proof and look for nice fantasy totals this week. Lawrence Jackson, DE, DETROIT, at ARIZONA: The Lions defensive line has taken some hits on the injury front lately with tackle Nick Fairley suffering a shoulder injury last week and Corey Williams being placed on IR with his knee problem...

While it seems like the season just kicked off, week eleven is actually upon us and the bye weeks are coming to an end. Fantasy owners will have their full complement of players to choose from when setting line-ups for the stretch run and drive for the championship. As the fantasy regular season draws to an end every week is vitally important and being able to find that sleeper who blows up for a stellar week can be the difference between making the playoffs and just playing for pride. Examining the match-ups and deciphering the trends is what it's all about this time of year. Seeing who has just been missing sacks but getting consistent pressure on the quarterback or who is being thrown at the most and is poised for that two interception game. I smile like the butcher's dog the whole time that I research and write this column because of the ups and downs that fantasy football brings us on a weekly basis. Trying to stay ahead of the crowd in locating the next big thing on the defensive side of the ball from deep down NFL rosters isn't always easy, but it sure is always fun. That being said, let's get to the week eleven sleeper options. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Tyson Alualu, DT, JACKSONVILLE, at HOUSTON: Alualu has had a very nice season on a very bad team. He's posted 27 total tackles and two sacks this season, including ten solo stops and a sack over his last four games. The Texans have been a fantasy friendly match-up for defensive lineman and Alualu registered six solo tackles in their first meeting back in week two. Look for similar numbers in week eleven from the Jaguars big defensive tackle. Henry Melton, DT, CHICAGO, at SAN FRANCISCO: While he has not posted a sack since week four, Melton has been stellar against the run for Chicago and has 31 total tackles and a forced fumble. This match-up with the 49ers looks to be a slugfest dominated by rushing attacks and Melton will benefit from that type of game. He does have four sacks and has been credited with 14 QB hurries so the possibility of a sack is always there. Phil Taylor, DT, CLEVELAND, at DALLAS: Taylor finally made his season debut in week nine and logged 34 snaps, registering a single solo tackle. He will have a much better second game back against a Cowboy team that is allowing just less than nine solo tackles a week to defensive lineman. Taylor may not be in total game shape for a couple weeks but he plays on an underrated defensive front that brings plenty of pressure up the middle where ...

undefinedundefinedundefined undefined undefinedundefinedundefined undefined undefinedundefinedundefined undefined undefinedundefinedundefined undefined As we gear up for week three of the 2011 season some IDP storylines are taking shape, from studs in the making to fading stars to injuries and lineup switches. Plenty of drama, loads of action...all we need is some popcorn and a cold one and we'll be set. With that in mind, here's a look at some players you should give serious consideration to getting into your lineups or who could outperform expectations (Studs) and some that, for whatever reason, you may want to consider leaving alone, or at least take into account that they may be a relative disappointment this week. (Duds) STUDS Chris Clemons -- DE, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI): Clemons has been off to a bit of a slow start this season, but a home date against a shaky Cardinals offensive line should be just what the doctor ordered. Michael Johnson -- DE, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. SF): Coming off a rock-solid seven solo, one sack, forced fumble effort last week and gets a favorable matchup with superstar quarterback Alex freaking Smith. Derrick Morgan -- DE, Tennessee Titans (vs. DEN): Looked pretty good last week, and if Morgan can stay on the field maybe he'll start living up to the potential that got him drafted so early. James Anderson -- OLB, Carolina Panthers (vs. JAX): Anderson's the last man standing among the Panthers starting linebackers, and the folks that reached for him in IDP drafts may not have done so much reaching after all. Jamar Chaney -- MLB, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG): Chaney's been bumped back to the middle for the Eagles and matches up with Bradshaw, Jacobs, and the Giants running attack this week. Derrick Johnson -- ILB, Kansas City Chiefs (at SD): Given that the Chiefs offense can't stay on the field and the Kansas City defense can't get off it Johnson's been a disappointment to this point, but that changes this week in sunny San Diego. Tim Jennings -- CB, Chicago Bears (vs. GB): Jenning's been a pleasant IDP surprise to this point, and there's no reason to believe that will stop this week against Green Bay's potent offensive attack. Johnathan Joseph -- CB, Houston Texans (at NO): Joseph's a bit dinged up but reportedly good to go, and Drew Brees has a tendency to keep opposing cornerbacks plenty occupied, especially at the Superdome. Charlie Peprah -- SS, Green Bay Packers (at CHI): With Nick Collins out Peprah's back in the ...