theRUNDOWN
My rundown is back and better than ever. As readers
have realized, my fantasy knowledge is tip top,
and I'm here to help you sort out the champs
from the chumps - this is my weekly start'em and sit'em
section. For all your fantasy questions, feel
free to Ask
Papa Weimer @ papaweimer@hotmail.com.
As for questions directed at me, good Ol' Lucky Lester,
throw your questions to lester@luckylester.com.
Let the Fantasy Football season begin the point
tallies - and feel free to knock me on my picks! But
do it prior to the games, I'm not all that interested
in your perfect hindsight.
This
Week's Top Team: The best of Week 1.
QB:
Drew Brees vs. Colts:
Peyton's team might get the win, but I have a feeling
Drew Brees will throw for more yards in this one. Brees
has been a sniper in pre-season action, and he should
only be stronger in his 2nd season back from surgery.
Look for Brees to launch early and often, and dump for
big yards to his check-down options.
RB:
Frank Gore vs. Cardinals:
I think the Cardinals defense is underrated, but Frank
Gore is going to attack the Cardinals from start to
finish. Gore has his fumbling problems at the goal line
out of the way, and he's primed for a huge season if
he can stay healthy. He's going to be healthy for Week
1, so I'd say he's a safe bet in Monday Night's showdown
with the Cardinals.
RB:
LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Chicago:
Yeah, I have to go with LT in week 1, even with Chicago's
vaunted defense ready to attempt a shutdown on the league's
most dynamic offensive player. LT will get every important
carry for the Chargers, and I expect them to beat the
Bears this weekend. Phillip Rivers will keep the Bears
honest, but LT will continue his touchdown hold on the
NFL with a couple this weekend.
WR:
Steve Smith vs. St.
Louis: I like Steve Smith any day of the week, but
especially in a game that should have plenty of scoring.
Not only will it be high scoring, but he Panthers could
be down late, and that's a Steve Smith recipe for fantasy
numbers.
WR:
Chad Johnson vs. Ravens:
Look at the stats, Chad Johnson beats up on the Ravens.
Its probably because the Ravens are too stubborn to
roll all coverages at Chad like every other defense.
Well, I like Chad's new found attitude this year, and
I imagine he'll start hot right out of the gates.
TE:
Todd Heap vs. Bengals:
Cincinnati doesn't have much of a defense, and Todd
Heap is the main man in Steve McNair's checks. I expect
Todd to be 7-11 on Sunday.
K:
Jeff Wilkins vs. Carolina:
I think Carolina's defense is good enough to slow the
Rams offense enough to make Jeff Wilkins attempt at
least 3 field goals. Jeff will hit those field goals
and tack on some extra points. He's as solid an option
as you get in Week 1.
D:
Steelers vs. Browns:
The Browns just don't have an offensive game. I know
their offensive line is stacked, but without a game
breaker running the ball, or a quarterback that strikes
fear into their defense, Pittsburgh will be all over
that line of scrimmage. Sacks and turnovers be ware,
Mike Tomlin will have his guys ready in Week 1.
LUCKY'S
Week 1 SLEEPERS
Ben
Roethlisberger: You could tell from the get go that
Ben Roethlisberger was a competitor - because even when
there was no business for him starting and winning football
games as a rookie, that's just what he did. Last season
had to kill the big guy, as his play was sub par. He'll
be back this season, starting in Cleveland.
Jason
Campbell: Campbell won't get many starts in Fantasy
leagues early on, but I'd be happy starting the young
Washington
Quarterback. He's a threat to run, and strong enough
to score on the goal line. He'll find some deep balls
to Santana Moss, the Dolphins' secondary just isn't
that good.
Julius
Jones: Jones won't get too many starting nods in
Week 1, and that's understandable, why would you put
a guy in who's sharing carries as your starter if you
don't have to? Well, I see about 100 yards and a score
out of Jones. That's worth a start for more than a few
teams out there.
Ahman
Green: I've said for years that Ahman Green would
be perfect in Denver's system. Well, he didn't get the
chance in Denver, but Kubiak runs that system for Green's
new team, the Houston
Texans. Houston's O-Line run blocks just swell,
and I wouldn't be shocked if Green goes over 100 yards
in his first action since exiting Green Bay.
Santonio
Holmes: Hines Ward often has a solid day against
Cleveland,
maybe he just feels faster than someone wearing orange.
Either way, he'll share his secret with Holmes, and
the young speedster will get deep 2 or 3 times against
the Browns secondary. 6 catches for just under 100 yards
and a score; that's my prediction.
Ronald
Curry: This guy is the #1 option in Lane Kiffin's
new offense in Oakland.
I expect the Raiders to be down too much to run the
ball all game using LaMont Jordan, and Curry isn't a
big enough commodity to get double coverage over any
of the other Raider receivers, but he'll get the most
balls from Josh McCowen or Daunte Culpepper, whomever
starts in Oakland. Both have a cannon, and Curry, who
caught 33 balls over the last 4 games, will be a beneficiary
of better quarterbacking and a new-school offense in
Oakland - especially against the Lions' secondary.
Daniel
Graham: Buffalo
is bruised and battered on defense. No, they're healthy,
that's not what I meant, I just meant they're bad. Graham
could catch 60-70 balls in Denver this year - he's a
legit breakout candidate for TEs. I expect big things
from him, especially against Buffalo's defense.
Falcons
DST: I'm all but certain that the Falcons are sitting
on the waiver wire in your league right now, waiting
to be picked up by you. Well, I know the Vikings have
a solid rushing attack, but until they prove to be a
bigger threat throwing the ball, defenses like the Falcons
will put 8 and 9 in the box. No kind of freak offensive
lineman can make holes with that facing them. Atlanta
is fast enough to cause Tarvaris Jackson some problems
when he does pass. The Falcons could be a big point
getter in Week 1.
LUCKY'S
Week 1 Randy Moss's
(This section may need a new name if Randy starts
to prove himself in New
England, but I didn't think it fair to get Randy's
name off this list just because he got traded, he needs
to step up first)
Mike
Vick: His passing just won't get it done this year.
He's got sore legs, and his teammates in San Quentin
just aren't as good as the Falcons he had last year.
Err… What an idiot. Dog fighting - talk about pissing
it all away.
Trent
Green: I just think Green is brutal. I seriously
can throw farther than him, (If someone reading this
can prove that Green can throw farther than 60 yards
- send me an email and I'll stop claiming this) and
his offense isn't that good. He's old with a bad offensive
line, and his best receiver is overrated. Even Washington's
terrible defense will make his efforts look lackluster.
Cedric
Benson: Hey Ced, your teammates don't like you,
but Thomas Jones was sent out of town because you get
paid like a damn basketball player - guess what you
win? A chance to rush against the Chargers! Yeah! Good
luck buddy, and hopefully you've made buddy-buddy with
your O-Line, because if you haven't, I'm sure Merriman
will get a clean look at you in the first couple series'
if not all game long.
Warrick
Dunn: Without Vick, I don't think Dunn will be that
sneaky of a runner like he used to be. Plus, WD20 is
getting older, and his backup is the kid with all the
upside in the world. I don't see Dunn being startable
this season, mainly because he won't get enough touches,
he's wearing down, and he's never been a touchdown threat.
Against a defense that dominates against the run, Week
1 should be tough for the Falcons' #1 runner.
Calvin
Johnson: I'm sure the kid will get his during the
season, but I don't think Week 1 is that time. The Raiders
have a very talented secondary especially with their
fast and athletic corners. CJ will get a tough test
as the #3 guy in Week 1, I don't see him getting starter
numbers. Maybe 45 yards on 3 catches.
Laveranues
Coles: I like Coles a lot, but he doesn't shine
against the Patriots. New England isn't afraid to take
away a team's top targets, and in the passing game,
Coles is definitely that guy for the Jets. Like I said,
I'm sure Coles will have a solid season, I just don't
think the Patriots will let him start in Week 1.
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