Faceoffs: Don't bother with Brady in '09?

Editor's note: Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg start their offseason of debating with a few topics that might interest Fantasy owners are you start looking ahead to the offseason.

Should owners take a chance on Tom Brady in 2009?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
Not only will it be easier to pass on Tom Brady next year compared to last year, but we have no guarantee that the guy will be ready to roll next July. A report came out earlier this week suggesting that Brady was behind in his rehab from a torn ACL and MCL and that he was a candidate to have even more surgery as he had infections from his initial procedure. If that proves to be a correct report, then Brady's status for 2009 will be up in the air. Even if he doesn't miss more time, I'm worried that Brady will take another big hit to his knee (you know teams will aim for it) and be sidelined all over again. Plus, there are so many more valuable Fantasy quarterbacks available in 2009 compared to 2008 that passing on Brady won't result in a big dropoff. I'd be nervous to make him my No. 1 without a very good No. 2.	I'm going on the assumption that Brady will be ready for the season opener. Not the preseason, not even training camp, but the first game. That's all that matters. There's still plenty of time for his knee to heal, even with another surgery. Let's remember, Philip Rivers (in the 2007 playoffs) and Carson Palmer (in the 2005 playoffs) each suffered a torn ACL in January and returned the following season without missing any time. Rivers set all sorts of career highs and finished as the No. 2 Fantasy quarterback in 2008, and Palmer also finished No. 2 in 2006. Donovan McNabb also returned in 2007 following a torn ACL the previous year and finished as the No. 11 Fantasy quarterback. I'll take Brady at less than 100 percent with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Co. over most of the quarterbacks in the league. He will return as a No. 1 Fantasy option.

Will LaDainian Tomlinson be a first round pick in 2009?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
You can point to how well he did down the stretch of the 2008 season (it wasn't really that good, except for Week 17), but there's no denying that Tomlinson wasn't the same this year compared to the past. And after this season ends, he'll have finished eight full years with 2,500 carries. Historically, that's when a running back starts to break down. Here's another red flag: L.T. has had three injuries in the last 12 months (sprained knee, sprained toe, sore groin) and is no spring chicken. With so many hot rookies emerging in '08, Tomlinson is an easy pass in Round 1.	I know all the red flags. He'll be 30, he has eight full seasons in the league and he's coming off the lowest rushing total of his career. Those are all realistic concerns. He's not the No. 1 overall pick anymore, but he's still a first-round selection. Tomlinson can still gain 1,200 total yards and score at least 10 touchdowns. That makes him a top running back in all formats, and you know he will still be involved in the passing game. The Chargers still play in a weak division and should improve the offensive line/fullback situation. I give Tomlinson one more year of above average production before you start to avoid him.

The No. 2 receiver in 2009 Fantasy drafts will be ...?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
It's a close call, but Larry Fitzgerald is simply the safest option -- especially if Kurt Warner is back in Arizona. Fitzgerald is as polished as they get -- an impeccable route runner with hands of glue. Combine that with his size and speed, and you've got a tremendous receiver. The Cardinals may address their running game next year, and Anquan Boldin might be on the move, but if I'm looking for a No. 1 receiver, I want the safest bet out there, and Fitzy is definitely it. Even if Matt Leinart winds up under center, Fitzgerald will be a fantastic No. 1 option worth owning.	When I originally wrote about receivers in 2009 I had Fitzgerald at No. 2 behind Andre Johnson with Randy Moss third and Calvin Johnson fourth. But I've changed my mind and would take Calvin Johnson second. He's going into his third year, so he should improve. He will get a better quarterback, which will help. And his physical tools will continue to develop, and those are already impressive with his speed, size and catching ability. You can't go wrong between Johnson and Fitzgerald, but Johnson showed in 2008 that he can thrive with the three-headed monster of Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Daunte Culpepper. Just imagine how good Johnson will be once he gets a new quarterback. Can I start the Matt Cassel to Detroit rumor now?

Which 2008 dud rookie will be a stud in 2009?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
I'm banking on the Ravens kicking Willis McGahee to the curb and going with the versatile Ray Rice and the physical LeRon McClain as a 1-2 rushing tandem in 2009. It only makes sense -- both will come cheap and offer a powerful combination much like Chris Johnson and LenDale White in Tennessee. Rice didn't work a ton in his first year, but in four starts he totaled 337 yards, which isn't so bad. You'll be drafting him with a middle-round pick, but he'll over-deliver as part of a very talented Ravens offense.	The Steelers drafted Rashard Mendenhall in 2008 because they know Willie Parker is not a good short-yardage back, and he proved that this season. Parker also showed an inability to stay healthy by missing five games, and the Steelers will count on Mendenhall to fill the void in 2009. It will likely remain a tandem, but Mendenhall will be worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy option. You can think of him in the mold of Earnest Graham from 2007 when Graham came on late in the year and helped Fantasy owners down the stretch. Mendenhall could be a candidate for double digits in touchdowns in this offense.

Who will be next year's DeAngelo Williams?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
In a year where so many rookie running backs shined, Kevin Smith got lost in the shuffle. He had a surprisingly strong year, gaining 976 rush yards, 286 receiving yards on 39 catches and finding the end zone eight times. Here's the best part: Smith had six games this year with 10 rushes or less, meaning that the opportunity for bigger production was left on the table. A guy with over 1,200 total yards and eight touchdowns slipping through the cracks? It's going to happen, and the end result will see Smith do better next year, just like the Lions.	Pierre Thomas had a breakthrough year in 2008 with 625 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and 31 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns. He is ready to become a star and plays in the right offense to do it. The only downside for Thomas is sharing time with Reggie Bush, but Bush is almost more of a receiver than a running back. Thomas will get the majority of carries and has the talent to become an elite Fantasy option. And since Bush is injury prone, don't be surprised when Thomas gets several starts again in 2009. He will finish as a top 10 Fantasy running back next year.

Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.