Also See: I don’t know about you, but the beginning of each NFL
regular season feels like “The Lottery.” Not the ” short story
version, where a village holds a drawing each year to see which member
of the community will get stoned to death as a sacrifice to ensure a
good harvest. I go into each new season holding my breath that the
fantasy football gods will spare my studs. Also See: I
don’t know about you, but the beginning of each NFL regular
season feels like “The Lottery.” Not the “ short
story version, where a village holds a drawing each year to see which
member of the community will get stoned to death as a sacrifice to
ensure a good harvest. I go into each new season holding my breath
that the fantasy football gods will spare my studs.
This Bird was grounded early in 1999.
(AP)
Sometimes the immolation comes early, like Jamal Anderson in ‘99
(Week 2). Sometimes the gods stretch the tension out a nerve-fraying
seven weeks (, ‘07). But, make no mistake, there’s no
avoiding this annual sacrifice – someone is going to go down,
and go down hard. Obviously, we didn’t have to wait long for
the sacrificial offering of ‘08. By now, everyone is aware that
a major knee injury against Kansas City on Sunday has knocked is
checking out with an ACL injury, too – I can’t help but
hear the words of George Costanza: “The sea was angry that day,
my friends – like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli
…” Thankfully, I was unscathed. I’m running 10
teams, and not one sports the league’s reigning MVP or the
Seahawks top receiver – But, it’s looking like I’ll
be going 2-8 in opening weekend matchups, so I’m suffering too,
it’s just a much more temporary pain. As for Brady owners, what
can you say? It sucks. Move on. Pick up (21 TD passes in final eight
games) somewhere along the way. You’re down, but you most
certainly aren’t out. Week 1: Take 10 A look at 10 significant
developments/situations from Week 1 1. Fantasy experts across the
land are feeling vindicated as the dust settles on Week 1. All that
effort put forth in hyping ad nauseam this year’s crop of rookie
running backs returned immediate dividends, as Chicago’s going
on Monday night. In the case of Johnson, we probably didn’t
hype him enough – and that’s saying something, because
there was plenty of love being sent his way this preseason. Against a
good Jacksonville defense, he looked other-worldly special. And Forte,
with a different style – shiftiness and a fantastic ability to
keep his body squared away and pointed downfield at all times –
was nearly as impressive in a tough environment (at the opening of
Lucas Oil Field in Indy). The one disappointment was
Baltimore’s upstaged Rice with 19 rushes for 87 yards. I’m
not close to giving up on Rice, though. Better days are coming soon.
Ten carries and a score for Morris in Week 1.
(US Presswire)
2. I said this on our . He carried the ball at least 10 times in each
of the six games he played, and he stole Maroney’s thunder at
the goal line. As Week 1 unfolded, there was Morris back in a familiar
role, handling 10 carries for 53 yards, including a five-yard glory
plunge into the end zone. 3. If you started a Philadelphia player
in Week 1, odds are you’re feeling pretty good about it right
now. No rushed for 91 yards and a TD and also scored on a one-yard
pass from McNabb. 4. While Dallas may have the most balanced
offense in the league, you still can’t excuse Cleveland’s
defense for its pitiful showing on Sunday. combined for three
touchdowns and 168 rushing yards on 30 carries. If you watched the
game, it comes as little surprise to see Dallas atop the leaders in
Week 1 for time of possession (37:29). I think you have to be a
little concerned about Cleveland QB . His team is not going to face a
juggernaut like Dallas every week, but the defense has to get off the
field more often. Anderson is the kind of quarterback who needs a lot
of reps to get in a rhythm. His splits from ‘07 bear that out
– his QB rating was just 60.1 in attempts 1-10, but he was above
a 92 rating for attempts 11-20 and 21-30. Because the Browns were on
offense for a league-low 22:31 minutes on Sunday, Anderson was able to
throw just 24 times. A complete return to health by , who carried
just 13 times for an effective 62 yards should help, but the defense
has to take a long look in the mirror and figure some things out.
5. I went into the season thinking – by the way, Jenkins ran
away from the Lions secondary on that play with a Usain Bolt-type
ease. By rushing the ball 42 times for a league-high 318 yards,
the Falcons made it clear where their identity lies. threw 17 TD
passes and averaged 187 passing yards in 14 games in a similar set-up
with Pittsburgh in his ‘04 rookie season. I think Ryan has the
leadership qualities, decision-making skills and accuracy as a passer
to post numbers akin to Big Ben’s rookie season.
Better days for Holmes (right) are ahead.
(Getty Images)
6. Speaking of Roethlisberger, I watched most of Pittsburgh’s
demolition of the Texans and what jumped out at me, other than was in
the passing game. Roethlisberger threw just 14 passes, but seven of
them went the direction of Ward. Ward caught six of those balls for 76
yards and two red zone scores. He also had a 74-yard reception waved
off for offensive pass interference. , gives the opposition
credible threats in the short passing game. This balance should work
to Holmes’ advantage, opening up the deep ball in future, more
contentious, matchups. Holmes is a guy I would throw out a low-ball
offer on this week just to see if the knee-jerk reaction by his owner
is more dramatic than it should be. 7. and failing to come up with
a couple passes that the ‘06 version of Harrison probably would
have caught. But the good news is that he looked quick and fluid
running his routes and showed no issues with a knee that kept him off
the field for 10 regular-season games last year. 8. You figured
that is just not that high in their current situation, Martz or no
Martz. 9. (update coming Tuesday), and Week 1 showed why. His
doubters will tell you he’s not a legit NFL running back, that
he can’t take the pounding, can’t break tackles, dances
too much, etc. But you can’t think of him in traditional running
back terms. New Orleans is the perfect spot for him, surrounded by a
fantastic quarterback (in fact, fantasy’s best now that Brady is
done), and a multitude of skill position weapons. Bush managed just
3.6 yards per carry in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, but he caught eight
balls for 112 yards and touchdown. And be it the occasionally
effective rushing or receiving numbers or his frequent shots at the
end zone in the prolific offense – he now has 17 TDs in his past
23 games in a Saints uniform (postseason included) – Kim
Kardashian ‘s boy toy typically finds a way to validate his
parking spot in your lineup. 10. It’s a great year for tight
end depth, but it’s unlikely that many of you had any of the top
four scorers at the position from Sunday in your active lineup.
Carolina’s helped the Bills to a 34-10 drubbing of the Seahawks
with 52 yards and a score. Of the group, Rosario and Fasano are the
most intriguing, if not yet roster worthy.
Week 2 Short List Players that need to be on your mind heading into
Week 2
Waivers QB Matt Cassel, NE (43% owned) – He may not be the
second-coming of Brady, but he inherits and a great offensive line. QB
, Ten (2%) – Titans will stay ground-oriented, but Collins has
some value and boosts the stock of Titan receivers. QB Chad
Pennington, Mia (31%) – He’s a game-manager with limited
upside, but he’s a premier dink-and-dunker worthy of a fantasy
backup role. QB Matt Ryan, Atl (31%) – As mentioned above, his
rookie season could look very similar to Big Ben’s. But like
Pennington, he’s just a backup. RB , Atl (64%) – Mr. 6YPC
looks like he’ll finally receive the 10-plus carries a week that
he’s long deserved. RB Sammy Morris, Mia (27%) –
He’s picked up where he left off in ‘07, which is to say
he’s driving Maroney owners batty again. RB , Ari (33%) –
Goal-line foil to James for now. Potential for much more down the
road. RB , NO (21%) – Could push Saints to the decision to cut
the Deuce loose soon. RB ’s five.WR , Hou (53%) – He
managed 41 yards and a TD in difficult circumstances. He needs to be
universally owned. WR , Ten (38%) – Life with Collins at
quarterback should be much improved, assuming he can hold onto the
ball. WR , Jac (6%) – 80 yards in the opener. Is this finally
his year? Probably not, but the talent remains gamble-worthy. WR , Ari
(6%) – Finished second on Cards with 54 yards in Week 1. Kurt
Warner has the arm and accuracy to keep this No. 3 wideout relevant.
WR , TB (7%) – Not much production in Week 1, but he’s a
starter and he was targeted a healthy nine times. WR , Sea (7%)
– See Bryant (above). And, there’s extra looks ahead with
Burleson out. WR Hank Baskett, Phi (14%) – Most of production
came on one play, but he’s a starter (for now) in a good
offense. TE Dante Rosario, Car (13%) – Was expected to step up
while is out, but he may be carving a future alongside Smith, as well.
TE Anthony Fasano, Mia (20%) – Many in Miami think he could be
the team’s leading receiver. TE , StL (27%) – McMichael
picked up 77 yards in his first game in Al Saunders’ TE-friendly
system. TE dropped everything thrown his way. Injuries QB , Ten (knee)
– Sprain expected to keep him out 2-4 weeks. QB , TB (ankle)
– Swollen ankle will likely make him a questionable call for
Week 2. QB has taken over for what will likely be at least 2-3
weeks.RB Marion Barber, Dal (ribs) – Bruised ribs aren’t
serious, but Barber owners should at least monitor the situation. RB ,
SD (toe) – Has turf toe, which is very painful (I had it in high
school). But he’ll battle through like a warrior. RB , Bal
(knee) – After sitting out Week 1, McGahee should get some reps
next week. But don’t expect a full load yet. RB could ultimately
have the most value in this backfield when all is said and done.RB ,
NO (knee) – His knee swelled and he couldn’t get into game
versus Tampa Bay. He may not be for long in New Orleans if this keeps
happening. WR , Cle (groin) – Tweaked groin in pre-game warmups.
Browns debut will have to wait at least a week. TE gets value boost if
Clark out for any amount of time.OG , at least in short term.DT , Ten
(concussion) – He’s one of the premier interior D-linemen
in the league. The Titans would lose some run-stuffing bite if he
misses any time.
Brandon Funston is a Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert. Send Brandon a for
potential use in a future column or webcast.
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