Quite a few news tidbits to talk with you about … let’s get to it!

* Brian Banks was exonerated last month after serving five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Banks’ accuser admitted she had lied about the alleged incident. Since then he’s been trying to fulfill a dream he thought would never be possible … to play in the NFL.

Banks has had work out privately with the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. He’ll take part in a three-day rookie mini-camp with the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings, Redskins, Falcons and Giants also have inquired.

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll believes Banks, who has been away from football for 10 years, needs to get himself in better shape before his dream can become a reality.

So what is Banks doing?

According to FoxSports.com,  Banks will begin working with noted trainer Travelle Gaines this week. He also has done MMA-style training with FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer, who works with several NFL players at his Las Vegas gym.

Here’s a little more on the comeback Banks is attempting.

Next?

* Plaxico Burress wants to play for the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately that feeling is not mutual. At. All. Burress’s skills appeared diminished last season as he just wasn’t as speedy and couldn’t break away as fast as he had in the past. Is his body still trying to recuperate from a 22-month prison stay… maybe, maybe not. But, as long as his skills are still weak, it certainly is a dark spot on his resume to continue his NFL career. Here’s a little more on Burress.

Next!

* Ryan Tannehill is getting to rep time with the Miami Dolphins first team offense. After David Garrard and Matt Moore have seen the most time, Head Coach Joe Philbin is pleased with the progress being made by the organization’s first round draft pick. Philbin said the QB’s work will need to pick up in the two-minute drill, as he’s thrown interceptions during practice. Here’s  a little more on Tannehill.

Next!

* Randy Moss looks to be a starting receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. What? I’m telling you the truth! See… Yes! After a year off and a ton of work this off season, Moss looks to have landed a starting role with the Niners. NFL.com was certain to note the practices Moss has participated in have been no-tackle and the press hasn’t covered the practices. But teammates insist Moss is an incredibly positive teammate. So… we shall see how things progress the closer we get to the season. Sounds like things could get a little interesting! Read more on Moss here.

Miranda Remaklus is lead writer for Aerys Offsides. She’s also a contributor at Aaron Miles’ Fastball in the MLB section. Follow her on Twitter, @missmiranda. 

 By Kristine Reese & Corinna Evans

With the final week of Fantasy Football behind us, we figured this was an appropriate time to reflect on the 2011 season. In 2011, the NFL ladies of Aerys decided to host their first Fantasy Football league. The league was compromised of 10 team managers: Patty (Rams), Miranda (Offsides), Brandyn (Eagles), Kristine (Jets), Corinna (Jaguars), Jae (Cowboys), Melissa (Lions), Brenda (Broncos), & Emily (Steelers). To fill the 10^th spot we selected a lucky follower, David Yoon. 

We wanted the NFL girls to come together to play Fantasy Football this year not only because we are the NFL writers and it made sense, but because Fantasy Football is one of our favorite things in the world and we want to share its brilliance with as many people as possible. 

Kristine suggested people fill in their auto draft boards prior to the draft or make themselves some kind of cheat sheet before we got into the draft room so that they were not caught off guard and most people felt that was a huge help.  

Obviously these ladies (and gentleman) know their football and they drafted accordingly, though several ladies selected auto draft for the entire draft because it was their first time playing. The combination of live drafting and auto drafting (and Emily’s sorting hat) actually made this one of the more difficult drafts either of us had done this season and it was hard to predict what would happen next.  

Based on draft alone, Brandyn probably ended up with the best team (she auto drafted), because auto draft was not afraid to select players like Fred Jackson, someone that was mostly off the radar in the preseason. Brandyn went on quite the roll for a while there but her team was decimated by injuries (McFadden, Jackson, etc) later in the year.  

Only two trades took place in our league this season: DeMarco Murray for Phillip Rivers & David Nelson for Plaxico Burress.  

While the trades may have been minimal, the free agency pickups were not. Each week the team managers were scrambling to the waiver wires to pick up the next top player available.

Notable free agency pick ups:

• Darren Sproles – Kristine
• Aaron Hernandez – Patty
• Cam Newton – Kristine
• Marshawn Lynch – Jae
• Tim Tebow – Kristine (How did she end up with both of the breakout QBs this season?)
• Victor Cruz – Patty
• Andy Dalton – Corinna
• DeMarco Murray – David
• Jermaine Gresham – Brenda 

Clearly, Kristine got the better end of the free agency list. These are just a few of the free agency pickups that occurred in our league this season. 

With that being said, is there such a thing as being too aggressive with pick ups. You have to manage each payer and each situation on an individual basis and you have to examine all the factors before making a move: Why did that player produce? What defense was he facing? Did it come in garbage time? You can count on few things aside from targets and touches. Look at trends not one week wonders. These guys are human beings, not robots and not every player can deliver the exact same production week to week. Know when to be patient and also know when it’s time to move on. 

After an intense season of fantasy football, there can only be one victor. While both Brenda & Miranda put up a good fight they didn’t manage to come out on top. Who would be more deserving than the fantasy football queen herself, Kristine Reese. Congrats on the win! 

Check back tomorrow when the ladies of Aerys Sports share their tips for a successful fantasy football season.

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This edition of Fantasy Football Fix is brought to you by Kristine Reese & Corinna Evans. Kristine Reese is the lead New York Jets writer and Corinna Evans is the lead Jacksonville Jaguars writer for Aerys Sports. They are also regular contributors of Fantasy content for Aerys Offsides. You can follow them on Twitter @kristinereese or @RoarBlackNTeal.