Join Brandon and the Big Noise for some down-home fantasy cookin'. (AP)

Is 9 AM PT an insanely early wake-up call on a Sunday morning?

Yep.

Do we have mid-afternoon/evening family obligations that we can't get out of?

Correct.

Is it entirely too early to make concrete assertions about the NFL?

Absolutely.

Did Manny Pacquiao get completely hosed?

Hell yes.

Join Brandon Funston and Brad Evans for bacon, eggs and plenty of fantasy opinion. For a full hour we will field your pressing baseball and football questions. We only ask you to supply the coffee. Shake off your hangover and join the discussion below:

The Noise isn't convinced Fred Jackson is the Buffalo back to embrace. (AP)

During the climactic scene in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," the emboldened archaeologist is placed in quite the pickle. In order to save his father from imminent death and score one of history's greatest finds, the Holy Grail, he must pick the cup of a carpenter from a vast array of jeweled chalices and goblets and drink from it. Choose wisely and eternal life will be granted. Choose poorly and instant decay occurs, mortifying a rather attractive blonde Nazi in the process.

In this age of indecipherable timeshares, fantasy owners, too, are faced with such perilous decisions.

The Buffalo backfield is one of them.

Prior to fracturing his fibula Week 11 in Miami, Fred Jackson was a runaway steam-train. Over his first eight games, he dragged tacklers, racked yards and splashed six often, becoming the centerpiece in an overachieving Bills offense. During that span, he was the trendsetter in yards after contact per attempt among RBs (3.7) and tallied a robust 6.6 yards per touch, 1,376 total yards and six touchdowns. His subsequent 17.4 points per game output in standard formats was fourth-best, one spot ahead of rush king Maurice Jones-Drew and just off Ray Rice's pace. Sadly, his value vanished instantaneously after he was placed on injured reserve November 23.

In a next-man-up league, when a door closes another one always opens. Second-year rusher C.J. Spiller, long thought to be a complementary-only sidekick by scouts and fans alike, immediately picked up the torch.

Down the homestretch, Spiller showcased the same versatility, breakaway speed and completeness he once exhibited as a do-everything back at Clemson. Most impressively, he bounced off contact, proved tough and gained hard yards between-the-tackles (5.8 ypc when running up the middle), characteristics many felt he sorely lacked. Overall, he amassed 105.5 total yards per game and five end-zone dives during the regular season's final five games. Most importantly, his off-the-hook 21.5 per game output over Weeks 15-17 basked many in championship glory.

Fantasy sports talk is mmmmm...mmmmm...GOOD! (USP)

Absolutely delicious.

That's exactly what Doug Martin's upside is this season.

On this week's delectable program, Brad Evans and Andy Behrens not only explained their affections for the Bucs rusher but also other under-the-radar products that could drive owners to the winner's circle. We also discussed smoke signals in Hotlanta, Eli Manning vs. Michael Vick, the seemingly indecipherable Buffalo backfield and Justin Blackmon's willingness to imbibe gasoline.

Meanwhile in hour numero dos, we touched 'em all, spinning opines about Trevor Bauer, Bryce Harper, overrated/underrated commodities and decide whether we should believe or make believe in Michael Saunders.

Too busy stalking exes on Facebook? No problem. Listen to the replay below or download the podcast here:

LISTEN TO HOUR 1 HERE (NFL)

LISTEN TO HOUR 2 HERE (MLB)

White may concede more looks, receptions to Julio Jones this season. (USP)

• The Hot Roddy may soon cool. Atlanta wideout Roddy White, one of the most consistent and durable receivers in fantasy, could undergo a major makeover next season. That is, in his own unselfish words. Though he's hauled in at least 83 receptions, 1,150 yards and six touchdowns in five consecutive seasons, the eighth player in NFL history to accomplish the feat, he expects to become more of a role player within Dirk Koetter's diversified offense. From the Journal-Constitution:

In order for the Falcons' offense to soar under new coordinator Dirk Koetter, Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White figures that he must do less.

"I know that sounds crazy, but we've got other guys out there that can play," White said. "Julio Jones is going to be a big part of the offense this year. Harry Douglas is going to do wonders in the slot. We have to maximize our talent and get the ball in everyone's hands. …"

Under former coordinator Mike Mularkey, who left to become Jacksonville's head coach, the offense leaned heavily on White and running back Michael Turner.

"We switched some things up," White said. "We are doing the things [Koetter] likes to do. He's a smart guy, and he knows what we do best. …"

White said you can expect to see more five-receiver formations from the Falcons under Koetter.

"There will be a lot of wide receivers out there, tight ends and things like that," White said. "We're going to try to get the ball to the backs in the screen game. We are going to try to get it in everybody's hands."

News of Koetter's desire to implement a no-huddle, spread offense combined with White's socialist perspective lends insight into how the Falcons offense may look in 2012. Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers could form a firm 60-40 committee, especially if a zone-blocking scheme is installed. Meanwhile, White, Jones, Douglas and Tony Gonzalez could also share the sugar.

Watch out ladies. My legs might be smoother than yours. (USP, Behrens Illustration)

Fantasy baseball is a cruel game that rewards the patient and penalizes the impulsive. Owners who make knee-jerk decisions, dropping prized draft picks for the latest "it" player, occasionally benefit . Many times, however, they live to regret their hastiness.

Those who prematurely kicked Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt to the curb are a prime example.

After beating up on Double-A pitching for a large portion of 2011 (.306/.435/1.061), the Schmidt earned a late-season portion to showcase his wares. He immediately delivered. Seizing the D-Backs' first base job in August, he slashed an impressive .250-8-26-28-4 line over just 156 at-bats. Most outstandingly, the thunderous booms he delivered in key moments down the stretch helped vault Arizona into the playoffs.

Entering 2012, the Snake's scintillating finish raised the bar of exception to astronomical heights.

You're welcome.

Back in March, when not rapping about college hoop RPIs and efficiency stats, the Noise incessantly fueled the Goldschmidt hype machine. On radio, local TV, webcasts and in print, bold predictions were made, most of which were admittedly regrettable (e.g. Goldy will finish ahead of Mark Teixeira). Still, I practiced what was preached, drafting the hulky power hitter in every league imaginable, including in the seventh round (No. 83 overall) of the Friends and Family league, a full round ahead of former boy toy Billy Butler.

To say he's disappointed would be a gross understatement.

Contract, knee concerns make Forte a risky option this year. (USP)

When you entered the draft room last August, optimism brimmed. You felt fully prepared. For weeks prior, volumes of "expert" opines, player notes and insightful stats were consumed. In your fantasy laboratory, the perfect strategy was created. Anything and everything was possible.

Granted the eighth pick in a 12-team standard league, you debated internally floor versus ceiling. Go quarterback, and you minimized risk, though there were great values available much later. Go wide receiver, and you would be faced with a difficult Round 2 decision. Go running back, and the dice rolled.

After seven picks, two adult beverages and intense self-reflection, the spotlight shined on you.

90 seconds

Aaron Rodgers? He is the lifeblood of a high-powered Green Bay offense, has oodles of weapons, is consistent and pads his stellar passing numbers with excellent ground returns.

60 seconds

Andre Johnson? He's the key fixture in the Texans passing game, a truly elite talent. Downside: Hulk Hogan's tank tops are more durable.

30 seconds

Rashard Mendenhall? His yards per carry shrunk in 2010, but he's a high-tiered, workhorse back in a ball control offense. Steady production should be the norm, not the exception.

With the sands of the hourglass running thin, you calmly, confidently clicked your pick: Mendenhall.

Little did you know, that one misstep likely cost you a title shot. …

Time to sport your favorite outdated jersey, Yahoo! Fantasy Football '12 is LIVE. (AP)

Revenge will be had.

For the past five months, you've attempted to numb the pain with various libations — beer, whiskey, straight gasoline. Nothing has helped.

Stupid C.J. Spiller.

If not for his ridiculous 19.8-point thrashing of Denver in Week 16, you would have emerged victorious over arch-rival "Show Me Your TDs." Instead you apathetically cashed second prize, yearning for another chance at redemption.

Well gamer, your day has finally arrived. Yahoo! Fantasy 2012 is officially open for business.

In this week's jaw-dropping episode, Brad Evans and Scott Pianowski ran windsprints to help you get a leg up on the competition. At the top of the program, we discussed the new bells and whistles Yahoo! Fantasy Football 2012 has to offer (now open), revealed our sleepers, busts and Hail Marys for the upcoming season, and tussleed over who will be more valuable: Ryan Mathews or Ray Rice?

Meanwhile, in hour numero dos, we bought peanuts and Cracker Jack, talking Dexter Fowler, Roy Oswalt, perplexing 'pens, Johan Santana's magical night and whether or not you can trust Fransucko Liriano.

Too busy preparing for the impending Zombie Apocalypse? No problem. Listen to the replay below or download the program on iTunes:

LISTEN TO HOUR 1 (NFL) HERE

LISTEN TO HOUR 2 (MLB) HERE

Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
• Rafael Nadal stays classy during French radio station's prank call
• Kevin Iole: Floyd Mayweather's jail time has come; what will come of it?
• Tiger's niece making mark as pro golfer

After a down year, Johnson is determined to find redemption. (USP)

Workhorse running backs may be endangered, but Chris Johnson and Trent Richardson are two rushers destined to keep the species alive. Though both are deserving of first round consideration, fanalysts Brad Evans and Brandon Funston believe there's a best horse to saddle up. Peruse. Ponder. And throw in your two cents in the comments section below. Also sign up for a Yahoo! league, cash or free, NOW!

Evans Leads: Everyone can admit last year was an abominable year for Johnson. The artist formerly known as CJ2K morphed into CJ2Lame, racking one demoralizing performance after another. Sizable holes rarely materialized. Hundred yard games were few. Touchdowns sparse. Arguably, the popular top-five pick was the biggest bust in virtual pigskin.

Don't expect a repeat.

Johnson is still relatively young (27), incredibly versatile — he grabbed 57 passes last year, the third-most among RBs — and insanely fast. Though he tended to stutter-step behind the line a season ago instead of attacking it, the former rush king is destined to again don a RB1 crown. Tennessee's offensive line, which received a much needed face-lift this past offseason with the addition of Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson, should be light years better than it was a year ago. That accompanied with offensive coordinator Chris Palmer's desire to incorporate more old school Run 'n Shoot-styled plays will bolster Johnson's scoring potential greatly, especially with Kenny Britt back in the fold and rookie Kendall Wright added to the mix.

And you know CJ is hungry.