BY JEFF THITOFF

Let’s get this out of the way first. In the preseason, I predicted Ryan Grant would be a top-8 back this year. I was ridiculed by many.

Grant is now 11^th, but just ten points out of seventh. A decent finish by him and my guru-ness will be proven again.

Moving on…

Anxious moments for many this week, myself included. I am in four leagues this year – and made the playoffs in three of them. I think I have a legitimate chance at winning the title in all three of those leagues. Sounds like I should be pleased, right?

Nope.

That fourth league is the one that got me. Conn and I had won the title three straight times, but we got decimated by Michael Turner’s injury and played some hunches down the stretch that cost us.

Regarding Turner, is the 370 curse back in play now? I dismissed it in the preseason, but now?

For what it’s worth, it is highly unlikely that anyone will hit the 370 mark this season. Current leaders after Week 14:

Steven Jackson, St. Louis              285

Chris Johnson, Tennessee           272

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota       270

Thomas Jones, NYJ                          263

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati             257

Johnson would have to average 33 carries per game to get there, and that’s not going to happen. Jackson may not play again this season, and the Vikings won’t give Peterson the ball that much.

Speaking of ADP, we all expected him to be solid this year and he is second among running backs. Obviously, Chris Johnson (1^st) and Maurice Jones-Drew (3^rd) were high draft picks. I am surprised that Ray Rice is fourth, but not shocked.

But who could have seen Thomas Jones and Ricky Williams at fifth and sixth, respectively?

I am wrong sometimes, believe it or not, but I think the player I have been wrong about the most over the last couple of seasons is Thomas Jones.

In 2007, he scored just two touchdowns and rushed for 1,119 yards while averaging 3.6 yards per carry. I announced he was finished. They had Leon Washington ready to take over, and I encouraged all to give up on Jones.

Since I put the fork in him, he’s scored 26 touchdowns. Perhaps I was slightly off on him.

I really want to announce he is done as a fantasy football starter after this year, but I won’t.

After watching DeSean Jackson go nuts on the Giants I looked up his numbers for the season. The guy has scored a ton of points, and doesn’t get many targets from McNabb. It helps Jackson that he also returns kicks, but he still only has 90 targets this season – for 157 points in ESPN standard scoring leagues. Meanwhile, Davone Bess has just one fewer target, but 106 fewer points.

Miles Austin has 93 targets and 157 points, while Torry Holt has 91 targets and just 59 points.

But the most staggering numbers are from Robert Meachem in New Orleans.

Meachem has been targeted just 44 times this season but has 115 points. He is the only player with fewer than 70 targets and more than 100 points.

More proof that you don’t need to waste high draft picks on wide receivers. You could have picked up Meachem and Miles Austin off the scrap heap after the season started.

Good luck in Week 15…

BY JEFF THITOFF

I’ve long argued the point that by this time, only about half of the world’s fantasy football players still care about their seasons. Just a couple of weeks remain in your regular season and I believe more than the bottom third in your standings would rather wait for the start of baseball season.

You are obviously still involved. Thanks for reading, and congratulations…unless you are an owner of the “Mob” or the “Maynard Marauders” in my leagues.

We all have our hits and misses each week - I was way too optimistic about Matt Leinart this week, but I have continued to predict stellarness (new word) for Vince Young. I am loving this Vince Young story. I don’t know if he is destined for fantasy greatness (or stellarness), but he’s a guy I am rooting for. Did someone say Man Crush 2010?

My 2009 man crush Ryan Grant didn’t fare as well as I had hoped against Detroit, but I am still confident he will finish as a top-eight back when the season is over. He’s 12th in ESPN standard scoring leagues, but I think he could pass three of the guys in front of him: Gore, Addai and Turner (if he misses another game or two). If Steven Jackson’s back injury limits him, that’s another guy Grant could pass. That would put him 8th, and put me first in guru-ness.

What on earth were the Falcons thinking? Conn, Helbling and I all agreed that Atlanta should have sat Michael Turner instead of risking further injury. Now the Falcons will likely be without both Turner and Matt Ryan when they face the Eagles. In Week 14, Atlanta plays the Saints. Suddenly, I don’t like their playoff chances.

What on earth was I thinking? Although I did get great value in return, in my two most important leagues I have traded Drew Brees, Justin Forsett and Laurence Maroney at different times. I was smart enough to trade for Ray Rice (I overpaid for him in a keeper league), Wes Welker and Sidney Rice.

We’ll see how it all plays out, but in my four leagues I am in my combined record is 30-17-1. I clinched playoff berths in two leagues, I control my destiny in one and I need a little help in the other.

I love this stuff.

In this week’s hangover, I am going to pimp some of our upcoming materials and I’m going to provide you some links to the stories I found to be the most informative over the last couple of days.

Our own Adam Helbling knows his stuff. He was the only expert I know of that predicted Vince Young would be the starter coming out of the Titans’ bye week. He also had Josh Freeman starting this year for Tampa. What would that perfecta bet pay? His Waiver Wire story is here, and it’s a must-read.

I always read Peter King. His MMQB column is full of info, including news about the Colts resting their starters down the stretch.

The leader in our Experts Contest, CBS’ Dave Richard, offers his weekly “Fantasy and Reality” column. In it, he discusses some of his frustration with the whole Turner/Snelling/Falcons brass situation this week.

RotoExpert Mike Gilbert is calling this an important week for Carson Palmer and the Bengals receivers in his “Furious Five.”

According to ESPN’s Week 13 projections, Palmer bounces back against Oakland. The worldwide leader in sports has Thomas Jones going off this week.

CBS’ Jamey Eisenberg wonders why Brett Favre isn’t being started in more than 57 percent of leagues. I think part of this is due to teams out of the playoff race aren’t making lineup changes. Favre was off in Week Nine, so teams that benched him during the bye week (and fell out of contention) never put him back in the starting lineup.

Ralph Mancini from Fantasy Phenoms has some names of people you should consider while Searching the Scrap Heap.

Helbling’s “Risk Management” is going to be up shortly and make sure you check out the Thursday night show on Blog Talk radio at 9 PM ET. You won’t be disappointed…probably. No promises. It could suck. But you’ll be entertained. I think.

BY JEFF THITOFF

“I can’t believe the news today. I can’t close my eyes and make it go away.” Bono, from the song “Sunday Bloody Sunday”

“The beat goes on.” Sonny Bono from “The Beat Goes On”

I wanted to include a quote from Steve Bono, but those are impossible to find.

Nonetheless, the theme for this week’s podcast lies somewhere in the middle of Sunday Bloody Sunday and The Beat Goes On. I’m not comparing it to the 1972 ambush that U2 was referencing, but Sunday was a tough day for some key players:

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia: A couple of weeks ago, I said his concussion was a good thing. I lied. He may not play again this season.

Michael Turner, Atlanta: Dude had nine carries for 111 yards before leaving with a high-ankle sprain. I know low-ankle sprains hurt like hell and I heard high-ankle sprains are worse.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: Doesn’t sound too serious, but that didn’t stop a desperate owner in one of my leagues to jump on Bernard Scott. Guys with names like “Bernard Scott” don’t normally do well in the NFL.

Ronnie Brown, Miami: Suffered an ankle injury, and was off to a solid start before being sidelined. What’s up with Auburn running backs always getting hurt? Brown, Cadillac Williams and do you remember Kenny Irons?

Julius Jones, Seattle: I actually read on CBS Sports a report that said Jones’ injury was “not considered life-threatening.” Any time someone has to say that about an injury, I get concerned.

Also, Kyle Orton goes down (and takes Brandon Marshall with him) and now Dwayne Bowe has been suspended four games.

If you have any of the above players, it looks like you might lose a starter (except for Jones). You are probably still in the postseason race for your league, or you wouldn’t be checking out The Hangover. Or maybe you are just a fan. Either way, thanks for reading.

My point is this – you need some advice about what to do. I am not going to tell you the “who” – I will leave that to Adam Conn’s Waiver Wire piece. Instead, I am offering a checklist that will outline how to deal:

1. “Don’t believe the hype” – Chuck D

I read a report on ESPN that actually asked “Does Seattle have the next MJD?” in Justin Forsett. That is a bit of hype, I believe. I immediately went out and traded Forsett away for more than he is worth.
Could he be good? Yes. Could he be MJD-good? Highly doubtful. I would still get him on waivers, but I wouldn’t overpay for him in a trade.
I’d rather have a guy who has proven he can do it for more than one week. Give me Betts over Forsett.

2. “Relax” – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

You are in playoff contention for a reason. You drafted well, managed the team well – don’t panic and make some drastic move just because one of your running backs might miss a game or two.

3. “Let me tell you how it will be; There’s one for you, nineteen for me.” – George Harrison

Just as Frankie said to relax, George is encouraging you to find the owner that is in panic mode and take advantage of the situation. If you have Larry Johnson, sell him to the Benson owner in your league. Ship Norwood or Snelling to the Turner owner in your league.
Quite frankly, those guys are “fill-ins” for a reason. None of those backups are going to win a title for you.

4. “Right down through the wire, even through the fire” – Kanye West

See, another person encourages you to read the Waiver Wire.

Questions? Shoot them to jeff@411fantasy.com.

 

BY JEFF THITOFF

Josh Freeman came out of nowhere and scored 22 points. Jason Hill was a top receiver this week. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew caught seven passes for 70 yards a score. Totally random and unpredictable performances.

Things like that are tough to predict, but I have spent hour of research to discover the key to winning fantasy football.  Pop culture from the 1970’s.

That’s right, if you would have drafted based on what was groovy three decades ago you could be winning your league right now. With a nod to VH-1…let’s go back in time and create a cheat sheet for this year’s draft.

I used ESPN’s experts mock draft from August 20.

Round one: The correct choice? Gotta go with Rocky’s wife. Best player in the round is Adrian Peterson. Other choices could be “Some people call me Maurice (Jones-Drew)…” from Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” or Ted (Michael) Turner.

Round two:  As 70’s TV dads go, the conversation about the best starts and ends with Mike Brady. Choice here is Tom Brady. If you were a fan of “Every Which Way but Loose” and “Annie Hall” actress Beverly D’Angelo, you could take a Carolina running back here.

Round three:  Need a receiver here. Let’s go with Reg Dunlop from Slap Shot (1977)…or Reggie Wayne from Indianapolis.

Round four: Who was the coolest animated dude in the 70’s? Freddy Jones, voiced by Frank Welker. Take Wes Welker here.

Round five: We’ve already used the Brady’s once, but they come into play here as well. In a three-episode marathon of a vacation, the multi-married and the steps run into Vincent Price. Using that logic, your pick is Vincent Jackson.

Round six: Need a tight end? Now is the best chance to get one, and where better to look than South Fork. Grab Dallas Clark.

Round seven: Ray Leonard won gold in ’76 and was fighter of the year in 1979. Roll the dice with Ray Rice.

Round eight: When the series started in 1979, he was simply the head of household affairs for Governor Eugene Gatling. Benson quickly moved up the ladder and eventually became Lieutenant Governor. A similar upswing for Cedric Benson, so grab him here.

So eight rounds in you have the best team in your league. You roll through the season, as long as you avoid trading for Lily Tomlinson.

BY JEFF THITOFF

Is it time? Has it been time for some time?

My 2009 Man Crush, Ryan Grant, hasn’t been great this year. I get harassed electronically and in person about my preseason prediction of a top-5 year for Grant. Against Minnesota, Grant only produced 30 yards on 10 carries and didn’t score. He only has three touchdowns this year.

A bust?

Hardly.

Despite an awful and injured offensive line, Grant is still tied for 13^th among running backs in ESPN standard scoring leagues – and he can still move up rather easily. I doubt he will achieve top-5 status, but he will be top-10.

Over the next four weeks, he has some very attractive matchups: at Tampa, home against Dallas and San Francisco and at Detroit.

Those of you that think I should jump off the bus, think again. Find the Grant owner in your league and go get him.

Some other advice as you drive toward the playoffs in your leagues:

The “Steve Slaton Era” isn’t over in Houston, but his value takes a hit for the rest of the season. Ryan Moats showed he could handle the load and hang onto the ball. Slaton was obviously upset with being benched this past week, and I think Moats is a worthy pickup. Is Slaton the biggest bust this season? Starting to look that way…

In Detroit, Kevin Smith continues to get injured and Maurice Morris is next in line. Morris picked up 63 yards rushing on 14 carries, but should be counted on as nothing more than a handcuff for Smith. Don’t rush out and grab Morris unless you rely on Kevin Smith heavily every week.

I advise you to keep an eye on the Jets and, more importantly, Shonn Greene. If the Jets continue to fade, Greene will get an increased workload. Clearly, Greene is the future and Thomas Jones (although he’s been great this year) is not. I think if you can get Shonn Greene cheap now, do it.

The Owen Daniels injury is a huge blow in the fantasy world and for the Texans. Daniels was in the “Dallas Clark Zone,” but his torn ACL ends his season and lowers the value of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub. I like Tony Romo, with the emerging Miles Austin, better than Schaub the rest of the season.

How about Austin? He is absolutely the best weapon at wide receiver that Romo has ever had.

Malcolm Floyd is a hot name now because the Chargers released Chris Chambers, but I’m not buying it. It’s still Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and then a bunch of other guys. Hard to believe Chambers used to be good enough to have a pair of 11-touchdown seasons. He was worthless in San Diego.

I do like Michael Crabtree as long as Alex Smith is the quarterback in San Francisco. Hard to believe Crabtree has been this good after missing so much time, and he will only continue to improve. Crabtree also has a decent schedule down the stretch. Get him.

And, just to repeat – don’t give up on Grant. Buy low if you can, but don’t sell low.

BY JEFF THITOFF

I actually uttered the following words on Monday night: “I’m glad it’s just a concussion and something more serious.” I was referring to Brian Westbrook – a key player on my most important fantasy team.

As I was in my car listening to the Eagles-Redskins game on the radio, the announcers uttered phrases like:

“Westbrook isn’t getting up and it appears to be serious.”

“Both teams are taking a knee and Westbrook doesn’t appear to be moving.”

Whenever Westbrook goes down, initial fears are about his knees and ankles. The league in which I own him has been in existence for 20 years, and winning a title in it is a big deal. It has all the elements you need for a successful league. It’s got a detailed history, passionate and knowledgable owners and friendly trash talk.

Winning that league is so paramount that, in that moment, I actually expressed relief that it was “just a concussion” for Westbrook.

In the more intense leagues, players are de-humanized when injuries happen. Every injury that cripples one team can be a huge advantage for another.

Westbrook out? LeSean McCoy owners rejoice. Leon Washington done for the year? Good news for Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. Chris Cooley breaks his ankle? Good news for those that get Fred Davis on waivers.

If it were one of my friends? I’d rather have them tear an ACL instead of getting a bruised brain. For my fantasy team? A different desire…

On to a few guys we like more and a few guys we like less, courtesy of Adam Helbling:

GUYS WE LIKE MORE

Mike Bell was just depth during the pre-season. He was just a fill-in when Pierre Thomas was out early in the season with an injury. When Thomas came back, Bell was second fiddle in a RBBC. This week, with the game on the line, Mike Bell was getting the bulk of the work. If this trend continues, you should feel pretty smart if you held on to Bell.

He won’t play the Raiders every week, but with 144 yards rushing and two touchdowns last week Shonn Greene showed why he was a deep sleeper entering the season. Entering last week Leon Washington was being utilized in 16 plays per game. The majority of those plays will now go to Greene with Washington out for the season with a fractured tibia and fibula.

Playing the Cleveland Browns will do a lot to help your stats and it did wonders for Ryan Grant. His numbers last week were certainly encouraging, but what was more encouraging was to see how committed Mike McCarthy was to establishing the running game especially when it wasn’t clicking early.

GUYS WE LIKE LESS

Jerry Jones said that Tashard Choice would get an increased workload this week. It made perfect sense with both Marion Barber and Felix Jones not at 100 percent. Choice finished last week with one reception and zero carries. We like Jerry Jones less as a guy for inside info and Choice isn’t even worthy of a roster spot.

Jay Cutler’s gunslinger attitude is capable of putting up big points for fantasy owners. However, when your best wide receiver is a converted kick returner it tends to lead to more mistakes than points. Cutler’s three interceptions last week was his fourth game with at least two turnovers and he only has one three hundred yard passing game this year.

Over the first five weeks of the season Eli Manning was making a strong case to be considered as a must start at the quarterback position. With the Giants finally playing teams with winning records, the Giants are finding out just how much they are going to miss Plaxico Burress and Manning is back to being a nice bye-week and situational start.

hangover0929: An audio edition of the Tuesday Hangover.

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A young woman recently moved into the neighborhood. When I met her, she looked like she had just spent a month camping with the Osbournes – not a great look, in my opinion. Bumped into her last night as she was coming home from work and she had done a 180 and looked like a supermodel. My point? I don’t know which one she is…but I know which one these players are:

RUNNING BACKS

Chris Johnson, Tennessee (Six points in Week One, 45 in Week Two): This one’s easy. In the opener, Johnson was going against the Steelers. This week, he faced the Texans. Keep him, start him.
Frank Gore, San Francisco (16-35): If I owned Gore, I would try and trade him now. I’m not saying he won’t be good the rest of the season – I think he will be decent. However, I am a big fan of “selling high.” You shouldn’t rush to dump him, but if you can find the right owner to overpay for Gore – do it.

YOU: “Wait, Tito. Shouldn’t I trade Chris Johnson – you know, “sell high”?

ME: “No, Johnson is explosive and can carry your team. He has more good weeks in him. Gore will be inconsistent.”

YOU: “Wow, Tito – you are a guru.”

ME: “And you are a smart person.”

YOU: “This is ridiculous. Please stop embarrassing yourself.”

Julius Jones, Seattle (18-7): I tried to move Julius Jones after his performance in Week One. I couldn’t move him. I am now stuck with Julius Jones. I am not happy about being stuck with Julius Jones.

Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets (22-7): It’s a really simple rule, and I can explain it in one sentence: If you have an old running back and he’s on a team with two younger, more productive running backs with more upside and the older running back goes off in a week then you should really try and move him before he follows up with a really bad week and then you can’t move him. Okay, it’s a really long “one sentence.” But you get it.

Ronnie Brown, Miami (5-25): Miami will continue to run the ball, and then run the ball…and then run the ball. I like Brown more now than I did in the preseason. See, I can admit when I’m wrong (please forward to all exes).

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville (17-7): Will have a lot more “17 and up” weeks and a lot less “under 10” weeks. Try and trade Gore for him.

QUARTERBACKS

Tony Romo, Dallas (26-9): Remember when Cowboy fans said Romo got worse when he started dating Jessica Simpson? Well, he still stinks. In his last six games, he is averaging 228 yards passing and has nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions. You’re probably stuck with him, because you drafted him too high. Find that goober Cowboy fan in your league.

Tom Brady, New England (21-6): He isn’t 2007-good, but he will be fine.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (19-4): He isn’t 2007-good. He does turn 34 on Friday, but that’s in human years. In dog years, he’s going to be 238. It’s hard to sell an old dog.

Matt Schaub, Houston (4-30): Before the season started, I said he could be a top-5 quarterback this season. I stand by that, and I hope you stood by Schaub. I stand by what I said in August.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Greg Jennings, Green Bay (18-0): He was only targeted five times in Week Two. Think that’s low? He only got eight looks in Week One. I don’t think you should get rid of him, but I wonder if he will be a #1 WR this year.

Andre Johnson, Houston (3-26): See Schaub, Matt.

Marques Colston, New Orleans (9-21): Lots of mouths to feed in New Orleans. I put Colston in the same category as Jennings. I love him as my #2 WR, but I am skeered if he is my #1 WR.

Roy Williams, Dallas (14-1): He is one of those “never have on my team” guys. Don’t trust him, won’t trust him, will let someone else have him.

Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants (8-19): If I had to choose between Smith and Mario Manningham, I would choose Smith.

Steve Smith, Carolina (2-13): Unfortunately, he’s got Jake Delhomme throwing to him. If you can get decent value for him, I say dump him.

John Carlson, Seattle (21-4) and Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans (15-4): These guys are mid-level tight ends. They aren’t elite, but they are better than most. What they did the first two weeks is what you are going to get for the season. Supermodel one week, OzzFest the next.

Here’s hoping you have a lot less Ozzy in your fantasy world.

 

 

 

BRIEFLY

The first Sunday is truly one of the greatest sports days.  The format for the Tuesday Hangover will change slightly each week, but it will ALWAYS be informational and entertaining. And away we go….

 STUDS

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota RB): All he did was go for 198 yards and three touchdowns.  If you had the #1 pick in your draft and passed on ADP, please email jeff@411fantasy.com and I’ll send you an invite for my league mext year.

Drew Brees (New Orleans QB): Sure, we could see the 358 yards coming. But SIX touchdowns? By the way, he’s on pace for 5,728 yards and 96 touchdowns.

Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis WR):  Targeted 14 times, he caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a score.

John Carlson (Seattle TE):  Six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. When you played TE roulette (after the first four were taken), hopefully you landed on his number.

Tony Romo (Dallas QB): Career-high 353 yards and three touchdowns and immediately called and re-dumped Jessica Simpson.

DUDS

Jay Cutler (Chicago QB): Four picks and only one touchdown pass, not the start you wanted as a Cutler owner.

Steve Slaton (Houston RB): You spent a first-round pick on him. He had 52 total yards. The person staring at you in the mirror isn’t pleased.

Brandon Jacobs (NY Giants RB): Was outplayed by his backup, the future starter for the Giants.

Roddy White (Atlanta WR): Big things were expected after signing the big offseason contract. Big things didn’t happen.

Anquan Boldin (Arizona WR): Two receptions, 19 yards and one still-bothersome hamstring. 

PROMINENT HITS BY THE 411 STAFF

Predicted a 45-27 New Orleans win. Exactly (CONN)

Didn’t believe in ANY of the Dolphins. (TITO)

Buy Jeremy Shockey. (HELBLING)

Liked Brent Celek as a strong start this week. (CONN)

Sell Willie Parker. (HELBLING)

 Predicted the Eagles would score more than 31 points this week. (TITO)

Sell Antonio Bryant. (HELBLING)

Said to stay away from Broncos, including Brandon Marshall. (TITO)

Forecasted Mike Bell would have a big game. (CONN/HELBLING)

Called for Minnesota to rush for more than 200 yards against Cleveland. (CONN)

Didn’t like any of the Giants or Redskins. (CONN/TITO)

“Buy Nate Burleson; Great value.” (HELBLING)

Liked Matt Hasselbeck as a solid start (CONN)

Predicted Julius Jones would have a good game. (TITO/CONN/HELBLING)

Liked Fred Jackson to get at least 60 yards and a touchdown. (TITO) 

SWINGS AND MISSES BY THE 411 STAFF

 This is the week to start Bengals. (CONN/TITO)

Didn’t endorse any of the Jets. (CONN/TITO)

Buy Chad Pennington. (Helbling)

Touted Matt Schaub. Oops. (TITO)

Downgraded all Cowboys, except Jason Witten. (CONN/TITO)

Sell John Carlson (Seattle TE). (Helbling)

Said to stay away from all Tampa running backs. (CONN/TITO)

Predicted a SF-Arizona shoot-out. (CONN)

Sell Chris Cooley. (Helbling)

Didn’t like Fred Jackson. (CONN)

GUYS WE LIKE MORE

Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay RB): We were ALWAYS fans of Cadillac…we just never talked about it much.

Mark Sanchez (NY Jets QB): Aren’t rookie quarterbacks supposed to struggle?

Joe Flacco (Baltimore QB): Looks like he and Mark Clayton are starting to click.

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans TE): He will be a force in the red zone.

Earl Bennett  (Chicago WR): Former college teammate Cutler targeted him 13 times.

GUYS WE LIKE LESS

Chad Pennington (Miami QB): Round one to Tito – but the 411 internal debate over the value of OCP will continue.

Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay RB): Clearly, clearly, clearly the third option.

Steve Smith (Carolina WR): Can’t catch ‘em if there’s no one to throw ‘em.

Reggie Bush (New Orleans RB): Not so much because of what he did, more because of what Mike Bell did; Bush might be a third-down back when Pierre Thomas comes back.

Marques Colston (New Orleans WR): Brees is going to spread it around, and there are plenty of options.

 

KEY INJURIES

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia QB):  Andy Reid won’t rule McNabb out YET, but would be smart to do so. Cracked ribs on a 32-year old franchise quarterback should result in at least one week off. The signing of Jeff Garcia makes us think it’s going to be more than a one-week thing.

Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis WR): Out two-to-six weeks after straining a ligament in his left knee. Who will step in? We don’t know yet. Marvin Harrison is still unsigned…just saying.

Brian Urlacher (Chicago LB): Huge loss for the Bears defense. They might sign Derrick Brooks, but there’s no way he can fill the void.

Hakeem Nicks (NY Giants WR): He was one of our favorite sleepers, but he’s out at least two weeks with a sprained foot.

Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh SS): A strained MCL, but no significant ligament damage. His loss will be felt against the stronger passing offenses on the schedule, but Steelers will be fine against run-heavy teams.

IN CLOSING…

It’s just one week. If you had a bad start, don’t sweat it. E-mail us. We’re here to help.

Agree? Disagree? Spare a square? Email the411@411fantasy.com

Check back September 1  for a recap of this week’s exhibition games.