The Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant "divorce" by the numbers

USA Today Sports / Kyle Terada

Now that NBA fans saw act one of the Russell Westbrook versus Kevin Durant rivalry, the missing ingredient -- head-to-head play -- has been added to the pot for this dish to simmer until fully cooked.
You already know that Durant got his first victory over his former teammate last week. You know that Westbrook was playfully prepared upon arriving to Oracle Arena with his official photographer outfit (Durant is an avid photographer). But what don't you know?
There is a lot of information to sift through so let's begin with Westbrook and Durant's time together.
According to statmuse.com, as teammates Westbrook and Durant have 527 games played together, Westbrook has 66 games without Durant and Durant has 40 games without Westbrook.
Together is the far greater sample size so that will be the starting point.

Photo from fullhdpictures.com

Westbrook averaged 20.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Durant averaged 28.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Westbrook shot 43.7 percent from the field, while Durant made 48.9 percent of his shot attempts. As far as 3-point shooting goes, Westbrook was 30.4 percent while Durant hit 38 percent from downtown.
To be fair, Westbrook is not known as a shooter but rather a scorer, and Durant's strength offensively is his ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor.
Yet, Westbrook was taking an average of 16.7 field goals -- making a low percentage -- and 6.5 free throw attempts per game and only scoring 20.7 per game? One would think that having Durant on the floor would help Westbrook be efficient, but he was not.
Despite the ball being in Westbrook's hands for a majority of the time, Durant found a way to score more points efficiently. The strongest weapon for the Thunder did the best he could when he actually got the ball. The ball-centric, shoot-first point guard did not.

Associated Press / Alonzo Adams (from forbes.com)

Both Durant and Westbrook missed a good chunk of time due to injury (Durant more than Westbrook), but the sample size is sufficient.
When Durant had to lead the Thunder without his floor general he responded by increasing his production. In those 40 games, Durant averaged 32.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He also improved his field goal percentage to 51.5 percent (38 percent on 3-pointers) and distribution with 5.5 assists per game. The Thunder went 27-13 (67.5 winning percentage) in that time.
Westbrook had 66 games to showcase his abilities, and he did not waste it. During that stretch he bumped up his scoring (28.6 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg) and passing (8.5 apg). And of course Westbrook was taking more shots (22.8 per game) but was only making 42.3 percent from the field. Oklahoma City went 38-28 (57.6 winning percentage) with Westbrook minus Durant.

Associated Press / Ben Margot (from forbes.com)

The final piece to evaluate in this comparison has data, but it is not yet a large enough sample to make a true conclusion. It's like trying to figure out who is getting the better deal between Frances and Robert on HBO's Divorce without letting it play out, but let's look at it anyway.
In Westbrook's six games as the sole leader in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have gone 5-1. The Golden State Warriors have played seven games with Durant, and their record is 5-2. 
The Thunder is getting the best version of Westbrook in his NBA career so far as he sports a 33.2/9.0/9.7 slash line (points/rebounds/assists), and they are all career bests. 
Westbrook is shooting more than he ever has too as he's averaging 24.8 field goals, 5.7 3-pointers and 11.3 free throw attempts per game. Both overall shooting (44.3 percent) and 3-point shooting (41.2 percent) are the highest they have ever been, but Westbrook's also turning the ball over more than he has ever done too.
Durant is also the best version of himself in his short time in the bay area. The former league MVP is scoring 28.9 points per game off of 57.6 percent (40.6 percent from 3-point range) while taking less shots per game (17.9) while playing a career-low of 35.2 minutes per game.
Again, the sample is so small, but that is what we have to look at so far.

Photo from nbalead.com

All the data in the world isn't enough to figure this out, but one more thing can help (technically two); your eyes.
My eyes have shown me a happy and frustrated Durant in Oklahoma City. I realize he was mostly happy for the majority of his time there -- with Westbrook and the city -- but the end showed me a burnt out Durant. He didn't hate the team, the city or Westbrook.
He was ready to be the player he wanted to be, and the Warriors sold him on what they could do.
Westbrook has not shown much change at all. He still plays with the same energy, physicality and chip-on-his-shoulder mentality. He didn't look like he felt guilty about hogging the ball with Durant around, and now he can keep playing that way without some of the judgment the media threw his way.
They both can focus on being who they have always wanted to be.
Durant can now be a 1A/1B option on offense, and this edge that fans and the media have wanted to see from him has come out; a killer instinct if you will.
Durant is smiling again, and he should be.

Photo from Getty Images (gq.com)

*other information was obtained from basketball-reference.com and espn.com

MLB's 2016 World Series: Major League versus Rookie of the Year

The 2016 World Series is officially set for Oct 25, and features two franchises -- the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians -- that are desperately in need of ending championship droughts (actively the first and second-longest in MLB).

Photo from sportingnews.com

One one side, you have the Cubs chasing history because they have not won the World Series since 1908, and their last appearance was in 1945. On the other side, the Indians have not won a championship since 1948, but have had three other opportunities (1954, 1995 and 1997) to win a

Photo from wallstreetjournal.com

World Series title since. Either way, both teams have a lot a stake.
So much can be evaluated in this matchup from pitching, all-stars, postseason heroes, managers and even baseball movies from yesteryear.
I meant that last one. Baseball movies have given pop-culture plenty for the sports library, and some are even iconic. Many would reference Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, The Natural, Eight Men Out, A League of Their Own, etc.
But in this World Series the Cubs have 1993's Rookie of the Year, and the Indians have the 1989 classic Major League.

Photo from adventureamigos.net

Even for their respective time, both movies involved teams that had a history of despair as they were the laughing stocks for both films. Baseball fans are well aware of the franchise's misfortunes (the Cubs more so nationally).
So let's use both movies in comparison to make our case for the favorite to win the World Series. I realize this is unorthodox, but humor me for the sake of having a laugh.

Photo from youtube.com

Each team has their star power, and both movies had theirs as well.
Major League had Wesley Snipes (Blade), Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men) and Renee Russo (The Thomas Crown Affair). We will even include Tom Berenger (Inception), Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law), Dennis Haysbert (24) and Bob Uecker (Mr. Belvedere).
Rookie of the Year had Thomas Ian Nichols (American Pie), Daniel Stern (Home Alone), the late John Candy (Planes, Trains and Automobiles), Gary Busey (Lethal Weapon), Dan Hedaya (Clueless), Neil Flynn (The Middle), W. Earl Brown (Deadwood) as well as Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla.
Major League gets the check mark here by a hair.

Rookie of the Year had Henry Rowengartner (Nichols), a pitcher throwing fireballs because of an accident during his little league game, and the Cubs have that in Aroldis Chapman.
Major League had a pitcher dealing some heat too in Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Sheen), and though Andrew Miller is not THAT kind of a power pitcher, he has practically been perfect.

Photo from rantlifestyle.com

Rookie of the Year wins this battle by a very slight edge.
Most funny moments must play a role in this argument since both movies are comedies.
Major League had Cerrano performing (or at least trying) sacrifices and leaving gifts for Jobu, Doyle drinking heavily or cursing during radio broadcasts when the Indians stunk, the team improvising by creating a whirlpool tub by using a boat engine to agitate the water, etc.

Photo from quotesgram.com

Rookie of the Year had the hilarious Phil Brickma slapstick moments where his moronic behavior was on full display, Rowengartner breaking his orthopedist's nose causing the doctor to say "funky buttlovin'" and Henry's heckling of an opposing pitcher while on first base (among other less memorable moments).

Major League wins the tiebreaker and the 1990s baseball movie matchup.
Even though this will have zero bearing on how the series will turn out, it still helps some nostalgia remind us of these enjoyable films.
In reality, a Cubs World Series win is more likely, is best for the league and makes for the best story overall.
I picked Chicago to win it all before the postseason began, and I also picked this matchup for the championship series.
Go, Cubs, Go!

Fantasy football position rankings: Top 10 RBs

Welcome to part two of Informed and Unfiltered's 2016 fantasy football positions rankings series.
Part one featured the top five quarterbacks or this year's upcoming fantasy draft, but part two will be slightly different.
A standard league will require two running backs in a starting lineup so we will double our rankings list top 10. Because the position requires so many players, there will be an honorable mention of 10 more.
This is where drafts can be a little fuzzy since running back value has not been what it what was, but in ESPN mock drafts running backs are still getting picked in early rounds.
Once again we will evaluate ESPN's position rankings using 2015 statistics and 2016 projections.

No. 10 running back: Thomas Rawls

Thomas Rawls has some large shoes to fill in Seattle. The Seahawks are going from an all-pro in Marshawn Lynch to undrafted, second-year player. Photo from cover32.com

Rawls has a lot to prove after an interesting sample from 2015.
When he filled in for an injured Marshawn Lynch for six weeks, Rawls was No. 3 in points among fantasy running backs.
Rawls' running style is very similar to Lynch's as he is used mostly between the tackles for power runs, short-yardage downs and goal line situations.
In 2015, Rawls ran for 830 yards and four touchdowns in 147 carries. The receiving numbers indicate Rawls may not be a dual-threat back as he only had nine catches, 76 yards and one touchdown.
The upside is that Rawls has the opportunity to compile 16 games worth of stats for fantasy owners who take a chance on him.
2016 projections show Rawls running for 1166 yards, six touchdowns and getting 174 points. Receiving expectations are still low as Rawls is only projected to get 22 catches for 174 yards and only one touchdown.
In my opinion, the expectations are something that you should not let you dictate if you want RB 1 in Seattle. The Seahawks love to run the ball, and early on Rawls will get his touches. Just monitor his production.
I would not draft him in the first five rounds, but that is just me. I would rather let somebody else take the chance on Rawls.

No. 9 running back: Mark Ingram

Saints running back Mark Ingram is the primary back in New Orleans, but how much can he give to fantasy owners if he is on a team that throws the ball as much as it does? Photo from blacksportsonline.com

The Saints have a very good running back in Ingram, and he had a disappointing 2015. But maybe the 26-year-old is starting to come into his own.
After rushing for 769 yards, 6 touchdowns and totaling 143 points, Ingram also happened to catch 50 passes for 405 yards.
There is some value with this potential, but be aware of the risk. Ingram has missed at least three games in four of his five professional seasons.
The 2016 projections are a little more optimistic as ESPN has Ingram running for 984 yards, getting 390 receiving yards, finishing with 10 touchdowns total and racking up 195 fantasy points.
Ingram's ceiling has yet to be reached because of his durability issues, but what makes him valuable is his role as a pass-catching back.
He should be in his physical prime, and he is on a team that loves to throw the ball.
Drew Brees is getting older and throwing downfield is going to be less frequent for him. That is where Ingram can be an attractive back.
He should be available in the third round so, but if you want him that bad to take a back earlier, look elsewhere.
He's a fringe RB 1.

No. 8 running back: Doug Martin

Doug Martin has been an attractive fantasy running back since his breakout season in 2012, but injuries have plagued him for half of his young career. Perhaps his value is high in 2016 though. Photo from cover32.com  

The Muscle Hamster (actually do not call him that because he hates it) crashed the fantasy party in 2012 with a surprising season.
2013 and 2014 snuffed him out with nagging injuries, but 2015 was a complete year for Martin as he played all 16 games.
With 1,402 rushing yards and six touchdowns, Martin went on to score 187 fantasy points with the help of 271 receiving yards.
Martin has a nice value for an RB 1, but like almost any good back there is injury risk. Two of his four NFL seasons were full seasons. How reliable is he?
Pretty reliable, but 2016 may not warrant a high pick.
Martin's projections show 1,200 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns, 245 receiving yards and 185 fantasy points.
It is not a surprise these projections expect less from Martin, but one can argue that Martin benefits from having a still very young quarterback in Jameis Winston.
Would I take Martin in the first three rounds? No. But I would think pretty hard about Martin in the fourth.
Once again, proceed with caution.

No. 7 running back: Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller is about to embark on his first year in Houston with Brock Osweiler as his quarterback. It could be scary to some fantasy owners, and could be a sleeper to others. Which one are you? Photo from houseofhouston.com

Fantasy owners should be aware of Miller's production and reliability.
He does not strike you as a great fantasy back, but he does not miss games, and he gives you solid value.
Miami did not know how to use Miller, but he overcame that with 1,269 yards from rushing and receiving. Miller also saw paydirt a total of 10 times, and ended up with 173 fantasy points.
His situation has improved, but with strings attached.
Houston has an unproven quarterback in Brock Osweiler, and Miller will be looked at to carry the load like Arian Foster was in previous years.
2016 projections have Miller accruing 1,227 rushing yards, 319 receiving yards, seven total touchdowns and 198 fantasy points.
Having a back that can produce nearly 200 points is truly valuable in modern fantasy football.
Miller could actually get more if head coach Bill O'Brien knows how to utilize Miller's talents.
It would not hurt to test Miller's durability by giving him the ball as much as possible and relieve pressure on Osweiler.
If Miller touches the ball more than 250 times, there is no telling what the results could be.
The definition of a sleeper could be Miller this year, but do not let him slip away if you want a steal.
Look to him in the third round if he is available, but any earlier may be a reach.

No. 6 running back: Le'veon Bell

The Steelers have a stellar running back in Le'veon Bell, but his off-the-field problems continue, he may be another Aldon Smith. High risk, but high reward. Photo from imageif.com

Bell has proven he has the tools to be one of the best in the NFL, but his personal problems have been a disaster to his career.
A two game suspension and a knee injury killed Bell's 2015 season, and another violation of the league's substance violation policy has put Bell in the four game suspension boat (potentially).
The positive side is Bell had a nice five-game showing with 556 rush yards, 136 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 83 points. In five games.
Bell can be a top RB 1 in fantasy. How many owners are willing to take that risk though?
The positives are that Bell is in a class organization, has an elite quarterback and a playmaker at wide receiver.
2016 could be promising as 904 rushing yards, 449 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns and 185 fantasy points could justify drafting Bell.
The question is when. Bell will be highly valued by most owners so it might be in your best interest to look at him in the third round. Just make sure you loaded up so his absence does not hurt.
If you are desperate, he is not the immediate answer.
Do not rely on Bell to be your early-season savior.

No. 5 running back: Devonta Freeman

The Falcons have a potential star in Devonta Freeman, but could he be a false fantasy god? Atlanta has to at least try to find out if they want to be contenders. Photo from heavy.com

Freeman is a dynamic, skilled back who can give so much to any fantasy owner.
He has an impressive workload in both the rushing and passing game.
2015 proved that as Freeman gained 1,056 rushing yards, 578 receiving yards, 14 total touchdowns (11 rushing) and 230 fantasy points.
Freeman has the luxury of coming off of a hot year, and not having much competition in the backfield. He has the job on lockdown; for now.
2016 may have a dip according to ESPN projections, but Freeman's upside is high. Expectations are set for 965 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards, nine total touchdowns (seven rushing) and 203 fantasy points.
That dip is a small projected dip. Freeman may be the back that helps an owner win a league.
Where should he be drafted? The best round for him is probably third, but if you are lacking an RB 1 at that point, take a shot at Freeman.

No. 4 running back: David Johnson

Arizona's David Johnson may be the biggest unknown running back of all of fantasy. Having an experienced quarterback, wide receiver and smart head coach will help him immensely. Photo from arizonasports.com

Johnson displayed a promising talent during his time as RB 1 for the Cardinals during Chris Johnson's injury, and he did not disappoint.
His 2015 campaign brought fantasy owners 164 points from 581 rushing yards, 457 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns from 161 touches.
That is going to make any fantasy owner have googly eyes.
Now that the backfield is completely his, 2016 brings some new pressure and expectations.
ESPN projects a good season from Johnson with 1,121 rushing yards, 521 receiving yards, 11 total touchdowns (eight rushing) and 225 points.
Johnson has Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd as well-respected decoys to assist in not just the passing game but the running as well.
Arizona's offensive line has also been a solid rock making room for runners in the backfield.
This puts Johnson in the elite status, and should make him a highly sought-after running back. He could very well go in the first round, but it may be better to snag him up in the second should he be available.

No. 3 running back: Ezekiel Elliot

Ezekiel Elliot has yet to take an NFL snap, but the offensive line that blocks for him makes him a super, attractive commodity. Where he goes only depends on a few things. Photo from bloggingtheboys.com

Elliot is a very intriguing pick in many ways. He is a rookie, he is a Cowboy, Tony Romo is his quarterback, his offensive line is among the best in the NFL, etc.
The reasons are numerous and fantasy owners are salivating but also scratching their heads as to when to draft this young prospect.
ESPN projections have Elliot running for 1,157 yards, getting 434 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns (eight rushing) and 215 fantasy points.
I already went over the positive things that make Elliot a great pick for your RB 1, but this is the NFL and health is more important than anything.
Elliot has to prove that he can get things done at this level, and nothing but questions come from him right now.
That does not mean he is not a worthy option in the second or third round, it just means maybe you could go with more proven options.
He is a gamble regardless.

No. 2 running back: Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley impressed everyone watching during his rookie season, and his upside  is getting better. With a questionable quarterback situation in Los Angeles, Gurley should expect a big workload. Photo from arizonasports.com

Gurley amazed people when he was a Georgia Bulldog, but his rookie campaign did not let anybody down.
When he started the season on the injury list from an ACL injury in college, few expected anything from him. But he still produced.
Once he became a featured back for St. Louis in week 4, Gurley displayed an amazing prowess as a running back.
1,106 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 176 fantasy points later he made everyone a believer that he was an NFL running back.
The receiving part of his game is not his fault solely as the Rams lacked a competent quarterback that could get him the ball in the passing game.
2016 should be more promising as Gurley has proven to his coaches that he can be trusted with the ball.
ESPN projections have Gurley getting 233 fantasy points from 1,364 rushing yards, 311 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns.
Head coaches with quarterback problems like the Rams have, only think one thing; run the ball.
Gurley will see an increased workload, and it should pay off.
Picking Gurley in the second round is not unreasonable, but how an owner values him is a huge factor. Someone will probably take him in the first round.
He is a fantasy star in the making.

No. 1 running back: Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is yet again the king supreme. Fantasy owners still value him as the best running back option in the NFL. The 31-year-old continues to dominate as a rushing threat as the league has evolved into a passing league. Photo from christianpost.com

If there is anyone who belongs to No. 1 running back, it is Adrian Peterson. He has been nothing but a platinum weapon for any fantasy owner, and he is worthy of a first round pick.
Trepidation with Peterson is futile. He plays pretty much every game, and he produces virtually all of the time.
Peterson had 217 fantasy points in 2015 that came mostly from 1,485 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Peterson will not give an owner much in the passing game so it is wise to have a back who gives that production.
ESPN projects Peterson to get 223 fantasy points from 1,422 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and a little cushion from receiving yards.
Peterson will get the ball on early downs, short yardage plays and goal line situations. He will most likely deliver since he has shown no signs of slowing down.
If there ever was a sure thing as a running back in fantasy football, Peterson is the guy. He may have to go in the first round, but if he is sitting around in the second, do not hesitate.

*Honorable mentions for running backs 11-20 include Eddie Lacy, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Stewart, Carlos Hyde, C.J. Anderson, Matt Forte, Dion Lewis, Jeremy Hill and Latavius Murray

Fantasy football position rankings: Top 5 QBs

As the NFL preseason approaches, so does the draft day for fantasy football leagues everywhere. With that, it is important to all owners to have the information to help plan out a draft. So Informed and Unfiltered is here to break down all the text into the top five players at each position using ESPN's player rankings.
Before we get into that, let's go over a couple of things.
Number one: fantasy football is unpredictable. Surprises happen all of the time so the experts try to tell you what they think is probable. Berry said that nobody saw Kirk Cousins being a better player than Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, but it happened in fantasy football last year.
Number two: The rankings is specifically for a standard league so those of you in a point per reception league must dig a little deeper.
So now that you are a little prepared, we will basically go down the draft sheet from top to bottom. That means quarterbacks will be first today. The list will be a top five with five honorable mentions. You will have to find more details on honorable mentions on your own time.

No. 5 QB: Tom Brady

Despite being out for the first four games of the season, Tom Brady is projected as a No. 5 fantasy quarterback. Photo from downtrend.com

It is pretty unbelievable to think that Brady could be in the top five of Berry's rankings since he is missing the first fours weeks, but before we go there let's look at 2015 first. Of the top performers in fantasy last year, Brady had 4,770 pass yards (only Drew Brees had more), 36 touchdowns, seven interceptions and had a total of 335 points (good for second of all fantasy players).
Brady's suspension could be a spark for revenge that could make him still be in the top five, but of course it would take some serious production to get higher than five, but this ranking is plausible.
If his yards drop by 1,000 and his touchdowns drop by eight, that is still good enough to be top 10. I am not buying this ranking personally, but even a top 10 quarterback is good enough to be competitive.
Brady's 2016 projections are 3,324 pass yards, 26 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 229 points. Good for eighth of all quarterbacks.
Drafting Brady before the fourth round is a reach in my opinion, so try to take him anywhere from fifth to seventh. Of course this would depend on how many teams are in your respective league.

No. 4 QB: Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has been a solid fantasy quarterback since his rookie year, but there could be some questions on Wilson's production with Marshawn Lynch's retirement. Photo from sportsonearth.com

 Wilson has been an nothing but productive, and he had a phenomenal 2015 since he was the third best fantasy player. Wilson threw for 4,024 yards, 34 touchdowns (third most), eight interceptions and 322 points. Fantasy owners also get a juicy bonus from Wilson as he ran for 553 yards.
Now any person who pays attention to the NFL can tell you Wilson benefited from having Marshawn Lynch in his backfield. Defenses had to respect Lynch as a threat and it helped open up the rest of the offense for Wilson. That said, Wilson still had to make plays; and he did.
Wilson's 2016 projections are 3,689 pass yards, 34 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 495 rush yards and 302 points. Some of these numbers are down, but Wilson could be a top three quarterback according to ESPN.
Looking at these numbers still makes me wonder if it is realistic or if Wilson is actually due for a bad year.
Wilson does not have to be a pick earlier than the third round depending on the size of the league, and could be available in most 10 or 12 team leagues by the fourth round.

No. 3 QB: Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is coming off of an injury-plagued 2015, and the weight will still be on his shoulders to lead the Colts to the playoffs in 2016. Photo from nytimes.com

Let's face it; Luck had a horrendous 2015. He played in seven of the nine games the Colts had before their bye week, and never came back as he sat the rest of the season out.
But Luck deserves a pass for that because his offensive line did him no favors, and the Colts use a vertical passing offense so he was running for his life. He also threw a lot of interceptions (12), but to be clear he had no time to let plays develop.
You try playing with a lacerated kidney and see what happens. You probably would not even get on the field. Luck played a few games with it.
It is safe to expect more than 15 touchdowns from Luck as long as he stays healthy, but the interceptions will have you pulling your hair out.
Luck is still worth the risk though because his 2016 projections justify it. ESPN estimates 4,207 pass yards, 33 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 265 rush yards and 292 points.
Do not be surprised if Luck can cut down on the interceptions and add more rushing yards/touchdowns for some extra value.
Still, it may be wise to not take Luck earlier than the fourth round (depending on the league). Waiting later would be risky, but there may be some who will not want to risk investing their QB 1 slot on him. Maybe someone will get lucky (no pun intended, seriously).

No. 2 QB: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and in fantasy football. 2015 was a tough year without his favorite target Jordy Nelson, but Nelson is ready for 2016. Photo from sportsrapport.com

Rodgers has been a perennial top quarterback pick in fantasy football for several years, and it is no secret that he is considered to be one of the best in the NFL.
2015 was a difficult season for Rodgers as the biggest news of the preseason was Jordy Nelson's injury that kept him out the whole regular season.
Rodgers was ranked seventh of fantasy quarterbacks with 3,821 pass yards, 31 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 344 rush yards and 286 points. And that was a down year for the all-pro.
His favorite target (Nelson) is back, Eddie Lacy is expected to have better year after dropping some weight and that is enough to help Rodgers in his 2016 fantasy campaign.
There are some questions about the offensive line, but they have been there for years past and Rodgers still found a way to produce.
His 2016 projections show 4,236 pass yards, 33 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 238 rush yards and 312 points. Those extra points will help anybody who drafts Rodgers to win every week (and maybe a shot at a league championship.
If there is any doubt Rodgers cannot live up to the expectations they would be injury related.
The guy is very reliable, so if you have him on your draft board make sure to not let him go to the third round in your league.

No. 1 QB: Cam Newton

Cam Newton proved that he deserves to be in the conversation of top quarterback in the NFL and in fantasy football with his 2015 season. Can he improve -- or at least repeat -- his MVP season?

Newton was unbelievable last season, and the Panthers are hoping there is more where that came from.
Last year's MVP also ended the drought of Heisman underachievers -- at least the ones who won it before him. The verdict is not in the ones who won after him yet.
Newton's 2015 delivered 3,837 pass yards, 45 touchdowns (10 rushing), 10 interceptions, 636 rush yards and the most points of any fantasy player (373).
Matching those numbers will be tough -- especially the rushing touchdowns -- but it does not mean it is impossible. His physical prowess is obvious, and he showed he can make he offensive teammates better.
I am no longer a doubter, but even if his points take a 50 point dip a fantasy team can still win with Newton as QB 1.
ESPN's 2016 projections for Newton include 3,781 pass yards, 34 touchdowns (5 rushing), 13 interceptions, 682 rushing yards and 335 points.
Newton will be like every other top fantasy player coming off of a season like the year before. He will be highly coveted, and will be on every person's draft board.
I would not recommend picking him in the first round, but someone in your league will -- and it is logical. It is truly a judgment call for every person drafting.

*Honorable mentions for quarterbacks 6-10 include Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers

Tom Brady's submission is not a guilty admission

New England's quarterback Tom Brady ended his fight against the NFL with a loss, and he is not used to losing.
He's been a target of the league for several months after the DeflateGate scandal that still has no conclusion, but needed a scapegoat.
Might as well be Tom as the league looked like amateur night trying to find out how deflated footballs were in the Patriots' equipment.
The league took its time trying to find any evidence that proved Brady to be involved in the controversial game that eventually led to a championship.
In my opinion, they failed. And they knew it.
The NFL behaved liked the scorned ex-girlfriend who was ready to claim their relationship was never fulfilling.
It constantly pushed to get Brady at any cost; even if it meant looking foolish and appearing babyish.
In the end, the NFL got what they wanted, even if it meant assassinating one of the greatest stars the league has.
Cheating was the No. 1 claim of this situation, but cheating happens on every play.
The league wants you to believe that Brady cheated by having footballs that were below league standards for PSI, but Aaron Rodgers expressed his desire to have footballs that were over the PSI limit.
Has he been investigated? The answer is no.
The NFL needed a scapegoat, much like MLB needed Alex Rodriguez to be the fall guy for P.E.D. use.

Photo by cbssports.com - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it his career goal to take down Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. In the end, all he did was hurt the shield.

The NFL has prided itself on being the most progressive league in professional sports, but this comes across as a pissing contest that Goodell was not willing to lose.
Be careful players. The league made a line. And what was traditionally practiced and preached will no longer be tolerated. DO NOT CHEAT...

WWE possibly leaked SmackDown GM on mobile site

Photo from bleacherreport.com - Vince McMahon (right) appointed Stephanie McMahon (center) and Shane McMahon (left) as commissioners of Monday Night RAW and SmackDown respectively to conclude the episode on July 11.

Last night's Monday Night RAW confirmed what the WWE Universe has been expecting for several weeks.
Company CEO Vince McMahon announced that Stephanie McMahon would be commissioner of RAW, and Shane McMahon would have the same title for SmackDown.
The Internet has been buzzing over a blunder on WWE's mobile site that had a headline indicating SmackDown's GM would be a certain pioneer of the "Yes! Movement" even though it is all but official.
I heard the news on YouTube's JD From NY "Off the Script" podcast. July 19 is when SmackDown goes live, and the WWE draft will reveal which show the superstars will be on.
Should the leak hold up, SmackDown will have a Shane-O-Mac overseeing the blue brand, and Daniel Bryan would be responsible for the day-to-day operations.
No doubt this should be an exciting pairing for the WWE Universe as SmackDown is moving in a positive direction that is truly something new.
RAW has more of an ambiguous future as Stephanie represents the old format before Shane's return to reclaim his seat at the table.
At this point the question is about which commissioner will have the better draft, show and booking. The WWE Universe is watching and many speculate it could be the blue brand.
Only time will tell.

Photo from tvline.com - Since Daniel Bryan retired he has been involved in other ways from training with Nikki Bella to doing color commentary for the upcoming Cruiserweight Classic on the WWE Network. Bryan is a shoe-in for SmackDown GM.

Dwyane Wade's move from Heat to Bulls best for all parties involved

The Dwyane Wade era in Miami is officially over as the veteran guard decided his immediate future is in his original hometown instead of the glamorous city that adopted him.

Different Heat fans are probably feeling different emotions in reaction to the news. Shock, anger, sadness and despair just to name a few. 

The writing was on the wall though as the crack in the relationship between Wade and the organization grew to the size of a canyon.

Both sides could not come to an agreement on money, and money had been something Wade expected to receive after years of flexibility to allow the team to make moves that led the Heat to multiple championships.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst was reporting Wade sought a deal of two years for $50 million, but the Heat were negotiating a $40 million price tag.

Photo from huffingtonpost.com - Dwyane Wade (above center) will go down as the greatest Miami Heat player in team history to date, but how long will it take for Wade and the Heat to repair the damage done to the relationship?

It is also conceivable that Wade felt cast aside when the Heat made Hassan Whiteside a priority over him. Whiteside was open about wanting a deal on the first day of free agency, and if Miami did not have one he would be looking elsewhere.

Team President Pat Riley typically wins in these games of free agency poker, but he called Whiteside's bet and lost the hand.

Seeing this, Wade should have felt less desired. He was the face of the franchise, and he brought three championships to an organization that had none before he arrived.

Wade wanted to finish his career in Miami, and he wanted to be the team's highest paid player.

But when one reviews the situation really close, this is quite possibly the best thing for so many pieces in this puzzle.

For Wade, it is a homecoming to his native Chicagoland. The fans will love his return, the local media (and perhaps the national media) will play up the narrative that he came home -- but not quite like LeBron James and Cleveland.

Wade's former teammates, Chris Bosh and Whiteside benefit because Bosh can be the centerpiece of a team for the first time since leaving Toronto (assuming his body cooperates). Whiteside will also get more opportunities on offense, and that could lead to a more engaged, focused Whiteside on both sides of the court.

Photo by si.com - Hassan Whiteside got paid this summer. With Wade headed to Chicago, Whiteside should expect more touches on offense. A happy Hassan could be a more productive Hassan.

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler inherits a superstar veteran who can mentor him to become a consummate professional, and corporate sponsors love guys like that. Butler has not shown the desire to be a shill, but maybe Wade can teach the youngster to maximize his career earnings by showing some personality. Plus, Butler will not have to feel the pressure to score with help from Wade.

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and Riley will not have to question whether it was wrong or right to overpay Wade (like the Lakers did with Kobe Bryant) for an aging star passed his prime. Instead, they can look to the future right now and begin the new blueprint for a championship contender.

The city of Miami may be in pain right now, yet it is better to enjoy the good times with Wade than risk his decline to be similar to Kobe's in Los Angeles -- a broken, old horse that should have been sent to the pastures before it was too late.

Bosh, Whiteside, Butler, Arison, Riley, Chicago and Miami should be happy with this; or at least ok.

Most importantly, Wade will get the love from his hometown, the money ($47 million) from a team that inspired his NBA dream and the satisfaction of finally stopping the Heat from taking advantage of his generosity.