2014 Keeper Analysis: Eastern Conference

Part two of our keeper analysis. The Western Conference review is here.

Lebowski Achievers
Mandalorian Warriors -2(15): Drew Brees (3) LeSean McCoy (3) Brandon Marshall (3) Larry Fitzgerald (2) Julian Edelman (2) Greg Olsen (2)
Shoguns of Harlem +0(13): Tony Romo (2)  Arian Foster (2) Chris Johnson (1) Ben Tate (2)Alshon Jeffery (3) Vernon Davis (3)
Detroit Players -1(11): Robert Griffin III (2)  DeMarco Murray (2) Mark Ingram (1) AJ Green 3) Zach Ertz (1) Kyle Rudolph (2)
Sweep The Leg Zabka +1(10): Andy Dalton (1) Maurice Jones-Drew (1) Knowshon Moreno (2) Rashad Jennings (1) Torrey Smith (2) Rob Gronkowski (3)

When you are one point off a perfect keeper core score of 18, it’s hard not to come down to the pack a bit. That’s what’s happened to Mandalorian Warriors, even though they are still very strong on paper. I mean, for one, Warriors traded away Rob Gronkowski, who graded out as a gold player. New TE Greg Olsen isn’t on the Gronk’s level, but he’s far less prone to injury and he’s a nice starter. Drew Brees, LeSean McCoy, and Brandon Marshall are all tops at their positions, and the swap of Roddy White for Larry Fitzgerald isn’t exactly a downgrade. Julian Edelman basically took over everthing Danny Amendola was supposed to provide for New England and he rounds out another strong contender for Matt.

DM Paper Company has been rebranded "Shoguns of Harlem" and Mike is hoping a new name leads to more success after a 4-9 season. The two new faces on the keeper core, Alshon Jeffery and Ben Tate, should revitalize the team. Jeffery is already gold level, and there’s a chance Tate could join him. Vernon Davis is a franchise TE, but Tony Romo, Arian Foster, and Chris Johnson have all seen better days. If these Shoguns want to return to their winning ways -- they were 27-12 in the three years prior to last -- they’ll need the new blood to really step up.

There was a time when Detroit Players ruled this division, and the league. After three losing campaigns, Ariel’s team came back strong last year and got into the post-season. Their keeper core lost a point overall, but that’s mainly due to Robert Griffin’s slight regression. He could just as easily vault back to gold status, but for now, this team relies on A.J. Green’s continued ascendance. DeMarco Murray is quietly a top ten RB, but we have to admit that we’re confused by the keeper selection of Mark Ingram. Last year was a lost season for Kyle Rudolph and Zach Ertz wasn’t as effective as anticipated. However, both have lots of potential and Detroit Players could play both at the same time, taking advantage of our new flex rules for tight ends. For now, it’s the young core of RG3, Green, and Murray that will have to power Players’ re-ascent to the top.

We love how quickly Alan has moved to put his stamp on Sweep The Leg Zabka. We all know a league is more exciting with lots of player movement and Alan has replaced four keepers from last year’s Wayne State Tartars. Three of the new keepers were acquired via trade, and even if Rob Gronkowski can’t always stay healthy, the Gronk brings a chaotic energy to a new franchise looking for an identity. Knowshown Moreno should start again, and maybe Maurice Jones-Drew can bounce back in a big way, or Rashad Jennings will pound his way to the top of the Giants’ depth chart. Nobody is that excited about Andy Dalton but at least he’ll have speedster Torrey Smith to chuck the ball to. Zabka isn’t a contender by any means but they’ve already taken multiple steps in the right direction by being bold and leaping fearlessly into the future.

The Wood
100 Acre Wood Pooh Bears -1(16): Cam Newton (3) Shane Vereen (2) Dez Bryant (3) Antonio Brown (3) Cordarrelle Patterson (2) Jimmy Graham (3)
Squirtle Squad +4(14): Adrian Peterson (3) Zac Stacy (2) Josh Gordon (1) Randall Cobb (3) Keenan Allen (2) Julius Thomas (3)
*Fockers +1(13): Andrew Luck (3) Montee Ball (2) Le'Veon Bell (2) Demaryius Thomas (3) Pierre Garcon (2) Antonio Gates (1
Italian Stallionz -4(11): Matthew Stafford (3 Jamaal Charles (3) Andre Ellington (2) Stevan Ridley (1) Mike Wallace (1) DeAndre Hopkins (1)

Not to be outdone by Mandalorian Warriors, defending champ Pooh Bears also had a near perfect keeper core last year with five gold players. They’ll take a little dip this year, but they still boast the top keeper core heading into 2014. Cam Newton and Jimmy Graham are the cornerstones here, with Dez Bryant being joined by Antonio Brown to form a fantastic foursome. Last year’s backfield of the future didn’t last long, as Ray Rice and Doug Martin quickly lost their gold luster and were traded. So now the RB duties fall to Shane Vereen, who’s more a pass catcher than a runner. Cordarrelle Patterson had a huge last month of last season and could be set to vault into stardom if someone can get him the deep ball. Overall, Pooh Bears have become a bit unbalanced between run-pass, but they’ll have three first rounders in 2014 to rectify that, not to mention the #1 overall pick!

What a difference a superb rookie running back makes! Much like Pogiboys with Eddie Lacy, Squirtle Squad hit jackpot with Zac Stacy and could now have a near franchise back on their hands. In addition, Keenan Allen was the best rookie receiver last year, and Julius Thomas could challenge for top two TE status. Those three are a clear upgrade over last year’s keepers of Ronnie Hillman, Ryan Tannehill, and T.Y. Hilton. Maybe just a little. Add in a top ten receiver in Randall Cobb, plus the freak that is Adrian Peterson, and Brian’s team should be one of the favorites for the title right? Unfortunately, Josh Gordon’s playing status for the year is up in the air. If he plays, he’s a gold player, and Squirtles has the best keepers in the land. But for now, Gordon can only receive a bronze rating, if not an outright zero. Don’t do drugs kids!

Making all the right moves since entering Maize and Blue is co-GM Hong, who has been quietly pulling the strings for *Fockers. So far he’s correctly chosen Andrew Luck over MatthewStafford, moved Stafford for Demaryius Thomas and picks, and then had both his rookie running backs pan out in fine fashion. Bell and Ball aren’t the best backfield in the land, but if they fulfill their potential, they easily could challenge for a top combo. Pierre Garcon is a great WR#2, and his value will increase when his many receptions start scoring points. The only weak link here is new acquisition Antonio Gates, who isn’t long for the NFL world, but Gates is still an upgrade over last year’s disaster at tight end -- a hole that likely kept this team out of the playoffs. This looks like the year that Fockers is poised to challenge the top dogs in this ultra-difficult division.

Italian Stallionz only finished one game under 0.500 but somehow it seems like their team is tailspinning. Last season, Stallionz were the darlings of The Wood, and had an enviable keeper core. Now, they’ve lost Tony Gonzalez to retirement, Reggie Wayne to injury and old age, and are now counting on unproven youngsters like Andre Ellington and DeAndre Hopkins to keep them competitive. Matthew Stafford and Jamaal Charles are gold plated, but there’s literally no good receiving threat on this team, unless you count new acquisition Mike Wallace. Stevan Ridley might cure his fumblitis but it’s more likely he’ll watch from the bench as Ellington (hopefully) explodes into a star. In a division this tough, even a little slip is enough to send you to the bottom.

Top Five Keeper Cores

1. 100 Acre Wood Pooh Bears (16): A slight fall but rose to the top! And soon to add a #1 pick!
2. Mandalorian Warriors (15): This core has descended from Mount Olympus and is now only demi-god status
3. Another Bad Creation (15): If Reggie Bush and Joique Bell were combined into one back, this would be the perfect six
4. MoRRie’s Pogiboys (15): Oh Trent, if only you were good. This keeper core could be easily two points higher.
5. Squirtle Squad (14): Josh Gordon could vault this team to the top, as Squirtles gained huge off last year’s rookie draft