Again, I wasn’t saying that Peterson won’t be a solid fantasy option in 2010, just that he is in a position, especially now that Chester Taylor has moved on to greener, grassier stadiums, where he could start to see a statistical decline.

Now it is time to stoke the pot again. Perhaps not as controversial of a selection for my trade-now campaign, I still think it is time you seriously consider moving Reggie Wayne, who is coming off his best season since 2007. And here’s why:

First, Reggie Wayne’s statistics have been fairly inconsistent. He has scored double-digit TDs three times in his pro career, none of those seasons consecutively. His most in a single season was 12 in 2004, when he had 77 receptions for 1,210 yards.

Three years later, Wayne had his best season, catching a career-high 104 passes for a career-high 1,510 yards and 10 TDs.

Two years after that … last season … he had 95 catches for 1,243 yards and 10 TDs in 15 games.

Between each of those three elite campaigns, Wayne’s total yardage and touchdowns took significant hits. In 2008, even through a full 16-game schedule, Wayne saw a drop of 20 receptions and 400 yards and four touchdowns from his 2007 season.

What concerns me even more was his statistical roller coaster in 2009. Sure, his season-ending numbers were more than impressive. He had an outstanding start to the season, notching two games over more than 130 yards in the first three regular season contests of the year. He had five games during the regular season where he went for over 100 yards and scored in nine different games.

But look at the final six regular-season affairs. Outside of a 5-for-132 game against Jacksonville in Week 15, Wayne averaged just 3.8 receptions for 32.8 yards per game.

During this time, young receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie emerged as legitimate threats in the passing game. Combined with tight end Dallas Clark, the two formed reliable options for Peyton Manning to spread the ball to.

In 2010, Reggie Wayne will be 32 years old and will find himself on a roster with multiple receivers that Manning has grown accustomed to … and the talented Anthony Gonzalez figures to be a part of the equation, too.

While I don’t expect Reggie Wayne to fall off the fantasy football table in 2010, ala previous teammate Marvin Harrison, I do expect his career pattern of peaks and valleys to continue, especially with the weapons surrounding him in that offense. Consider Wayne a sell high candidate in dynasty circles, and see if you can snag a younger player with a higher ceiling, such as Roddy White or Miles Austin while improving yourself elsewhere in your starting lineup.

What is your opinion on Wayne and his long-term value? We’d love to hear your thoughts in our comments section below.

Related posts

• Projected all-value second-half fantasy studs (1)
• Dissecting fantasy football auction leads to sound drafting advice (2)
• Week 2 Waiver Wonders: Guys to grab now, celebrate later (1)
• Ninja sense: Ten things you’ll see happen in Week 2 (1)
• Ninja sense: Ten things that you’ll see happen in Week 1 (2)

And considering that most fantasy trades take time to develop, now is the time to really assess your team and determine if you need to make some moves.

Notice that your team is weak at a certain position? Lacking depth in key areas? Think you are out of contention in your dynasty league and looking to rebuild for 2010? Now is the time for action.

Obviously the mantra for most successful trading is to sell high and buy low.

Here are some position-by-position players to consider trading away or dealing for before the coming trade deadline.

Quarterbacks

Trade for:

Kurt Warner, ARI. Coming off one of the worst games of his career against the Panthers last week (27-for-46 for 242 yards and five interceptions), Warner’s stock is very low at the moment. He’s 16th in scoring among all fantasy QBs. However, Warner has a really easy schedule coming up … one almost too easy for quarterbacks to have significant value. However, the Cardinals offense is centered around the pass. With playmakers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to throw to, Warner’s numbers can’t continue to be this pedestrian. Warner’s best statistical outputs came against the three easiest teams during the first eight weeks: Jacksonville, Houston and Seattle. Now after a game in Week 9 where the Cardinals match up with an up and down Chicago defense, Arizona then plays Seattle, St. Louis, Tennessee, Minnesota (yes, the Vikings are weak in passing defense), San Francisco, Detroit and St. Louis. Warner should be targetted the hardest in all redraft leagues. It is hard to imagine him having much value beyond this season, however. If you do land Warner, make sure to pick up Matt Leinart off waivers … if Warner does somehow struggle against cupcake teams like he did against Carolina, Leinart could see more action in an offense that is loaded with talent.

Alex Smith, SF. Warner too expensive for your wallet? Try Smith for a cheap source of stats the rest of the way. Smith has fared well since taking over the reins from Shaun Hill two weeks ago, and has a sexy-good slate of opposing defenses down the stretch. The Niners finish with Tennessee, Chicago, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Seattle, Arizona, Philadelphia and Detroit. San Francisco’s young receiving corps is improving with time, especially rookie Michael Crabtree, who had six catches for 81 yards against the Colts.

Trade away:

Matt Schaub, HOU. It may seem crazy to deal away a player that has probably carried your team this season, and who is currently the second-highest fantasy scoring QB in the NFL at the moment. However, it is hard to imagine him keeping up his torrid pace. He lost one of his most trusted receiving options (tight end Owen Daniels is out for the season), and the Texans still have their bye on the horizon (week 10). Plus, Houston has some really questionable matchups in the near future, including two against the Colts in the next four weeks and Miami in what will be the championship game of many fantasy leagues. Questions about Steve Slaton’s availability moving forward thanks to issues with fumbles means that Schaub may see yet another hit in his receiving options.

Brett Favre, MIN. He is tied with Matt Schaub for the lead in QB touchdown throws this year. He is coming off a 33-point performance (in leagues where he earned six points per TD and one point per 25 yards passing) in his revenge match against the Green Bay Packers. After this week’s bye, however, the Vikings play a series of games against teams who are mediocre at best. Favre won’t be needed to carry the team … it will be Adrian Peterson’s show for the forseeable future. Plus, Favre followed this same pattern last season — playing great the first half of the season until injuries took their toll and slowed him the rest of the way. Not saying he’ll break down again this year — he does have a much better supporting cast in Minnesota — but there is always the possibility.

Running backs

Trade for:

Ronnie Brown, MIA. Remember the mantra: Buy low, sell high. Ronnie owners are seething right now after consecutive weeks of Ricky Williams stealing Brown’s thunder. Add in an unfavorable matchup for Miami this week in New England, and you have all the ingredients for a good buy-low stew. However, you can forget Ricky Williams after this week … the Dolphins play such a run-friendly slate the rest of the way, there will be plenty of stats to go around. Starting in Week 10, Miami plays Tampa Bay, Carolina, Buffalo, New England, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Houston. Brown, who is integral for the team’s wildcat scheme and catches his fair share of passes, as well, will see much better days as the season progresses. Pounce now, or kick yourself later.

Beanie Wells, ARI. In redraft leagues, many are nervous that Tim Hightower will continue to eat away at Beanie’s opportunities. However, watching both players, it is obvious that Wells has so much more to offer in terms of explosiveness, big-play ability and all-around potential. The Cardinals are struggling this season and need to find their identity. The passing game isn’t the cure-all it was last year, and it is just a matter of time until Wells becomes the team’s defacto go-to weapon. Too boot, the Cardinals have a sweet schedule the rest of the way, especially during the fantasy playoffs, where Beanie will be lighting up the fantasy scoreboard against the Lions and Rams, respectively.

Trade away:

Matt Forte, CHI. You trade players when their value is maxed out, and that is exactly where Forte is at the moment. There have been few players more disappointing this season as Forte — a consensus top-five pick in most fantasy drafts this summer. He has struggled against all except the easiest of opposing teams (only decent games were against Detroit and Cleveland), and has a slew of challenging matchups as the season progresses. The kicker is looking ahead to the fantasy playoff weeks, where Forte plays arguably the toughest run defense slate in back-to-back contests with Baltimore and Minnesota.

Michael Turner, ATL. It amazes me how much love this guy got in PPR leagues to start the season considering how uninvolved he is in the Falcons passing game. This year, he has just three catches all season, and has struggled to be the TD machine that defined his breakout campaign in 2008. He is coming off 151 yards rushing and a TD against the New Orleans Saints, but has a smattering of really tough defenses in the horizon. His Week 16 (typical fantasy championship) matchup with Buffalo is really juicy, but his play the rest of the fantasy regular season may doom any chances of you getting to that point.

Wide receivers

Trade for:

Calvin Johnson, DET. Say what you will about Calvin’s recent injury woes and the inconsistent rookie play at quarterback for the Lions … the bottom line is that when Megatron plays, he produces. His last full game of action was a Week 4 matchup with the Bears in which he had eight catches for 133 yards. As soon as he returns to the field, expect instant dividends, and all signs are pointing towards a return this week. The remaining schedule is passing-friendly, and Calvin will finish the year ranked up where he belongs — among the WR elite.

Steve Smith, CAR. Has any player underperformed as hideously as Steve Smith this year? Much like the much-hyped Carolina Panthers, Smith has been non-existent. He has found himself riding the fantasy pine in many leagues and even dropped by a few short-sighted managers. However, look closer to his performance the past two weeks … a 6-for-99 outing against Buffalo and a 3-for-56 (and a long-awaited TD) against Arizona this past week. The Panthers made a statement against the Cardinals, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to expect the team to start riding that momentum to a much-needed torrid stretch. Smith will rebound, and he can be had at the moment for a few empty peanut shells.

Trade away:

Donald Driver, GB. Currently the 12th-highest scoring receiver in football, it is hard to expect Driver to keep up the pace for an entire season. Aaron Rodgers struggles to stay upright game in and game out due to a horrific O-line. Rodgers has also mastered the art of spreading around his passes (especially recently) and Greg Jennings, who has a much higher ceiling, is primed to cut more and more into Drivers’ production.

Steve Smith, NYG. After an amazingly torrid start to the season, Smith has cooled off considerably. He hasn’t scored a TD in four straight games and hasn’t had over 100 yards receiving since his Week 4 matchup with Kansas City. The Giants are really spreading the ball around, and Smith will continue to struggle with consistency down the stretch because of that. Thanks to such a huge start, Smith still has plenty of trade interest in fantasy circles … but if you can swing him for Calvin Johnson or Steve Smith, than by all means, go for it.

Tight ends

Trade for:

Jason Witten, DAL. No one in their right mind would have expected Witten to be 16th among all tight ends at this point in the season in terms of fantasy scoring. A major reason for that was the emergence of Miles Austin. What makes Witten’s numbers so deceiving is that he’s scored just one TD all season. It isn’t that he’s not targeted in the offense — in fact, he’s tied for fourth in the league in receptions (with Antonio Gates and Brent Celek). As Austin demands more and more attention from opposing defenses, the short passing game will get more breathing room and Witten will start notching some touchdowns. He’s about as cheap as he’ll be all season.

Jermichael Finley, GB. This is more a dynasty league suggestion than anything else, but Finley has proven that he’s the apple of Rodgers’ eye when it comes to tight ends on the Packers. Finley has been sidelined with a knee injury, and will likely miss this week’s contest against Tampa Bay. However, Finley will be explosive again when he returns and should be a top tight end for years to come if he can build off the momentum he started with a 6-for-128 performance against Minnesota in Week 4.

Trade away:

Vernon Davis, SF. Davis looks like a favorite of new QB Alex Smith. However, his stats are greatly inflated from his 7-for-93 (with three TD) game against Houston during Week 7. Since then, the team has welcomed rookie Michael Crabtree into the fold, and Crabtree continues to see more and more looks and action in the passing game. Davis will be affected the most by this. I’m not saying he won’t still have some solid games … just that they’ll sporadic moving forward.

Which players are you targeting in your respective leagues? Which are you looking to move? Using your suggestions, I’d love to develop a comprehensive list of guys you should be targeting as the trade deadline looms.

Related posts

• Trade-aholic tidbits: Ten players who should be mentioned in fantasy trade talks (1)
• NFC North: Loaded with offensive potential (2)
• Projected all-value second-half fantasy studs (1)
• AFC-South: Not just Peyton’s place anymore (1)
• The most extensive 2010 dynasty quarterback rankings on the net (7)

Which got me thinking some very important thoughts.

Such as … where do the fruit flies come from? There wasn’t a single fruit fly in the house one moment, and suddenly a wave of insects was treating my melon rind as if the fruit flies were the paparazzi and the rind was an incoherent Brittany Spears.

And … where do the fruit flies go when the fruit is removed? How quickly do they find the next over-ripened banana or half-eaten pear? Is there any insect or animal more obsessive or overzealous as the fruit fly?

And then it dawned on me … the one truth I had been searching for as I prepared to write my Week 1 recap:

Fantasy football owners are the fruit flies of the sports world.

Want proof?

Joe Flacco threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns in the Ravens’ season-opener last week against Kansas City. Suddenly, like that cantaloupe sitting on my kitchen counter, Flacco was flooded with attention from fantasy owners in leagues of all shapes and sizes. He was picked up in favor of many slow-starting QB options. In one of my leagues, actually, someone dropped Ben Roethlisberger for Flacco. This after Roethlisberger proved his own worth against an otherwise stingy Titans defense last Thursday. Flacco does deserve some attention, but let’s be reasonable here. He still is throwing to a mediocre receiving cast and his huge stats came against the Chiefs’ defense.

Another young QB that many are trying to snag after week one is Mark Sanchez. Those who were ahead of the curve (like those who read my sleeper QB column a few weeks ago) were able to avoid the Black Friday-esque fight to get Sanchez off the waiver wire. As I mentioned in the column, Sanchez has the “it” factor that will help him excel at the NFL level. Even though his receivers are fairly unknown, they are really reliable, if non-flashy, options.

Cadillac Williams is also a now-hot commodity in fantasy circles after a 97-yard, one-TD performance against Dallas. While he’s the flavor of the week in the Bucs’ backfield, remember that Tampa has a stable of able backs (Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward to name a few) and talk is that the Buccaneers will keep Cadillac around 15 or less carries a game. He’s worth a roster bench spot if you have room, just don’t expect consistent fantasy production from him.

Don’t be just another fruit fly

How are you handling your waivers and team management after week one? Are you going with the masses and trying to snag every player who scored a few fantasy points in hopes that it is the start of a trend? Or, are you going against the grain?

While the rest of the fruit flies buzz to the waiver wire for the flavor of the week pickup, why not throw a few offers at league owners who are panicking after just one week? There are plenty of players who were horrific in week one that you may be able to fish away from someone else in your league. Some players to consider:

1. Andre Johnson. OK, landing him may take a small act of God, but you may be surprised how many people are looking at the Texans right now and wondering if the sky is falling in Houston. Many forget that the Jets defense was really solid at the end of last season, and made some major strides this offseason to be even more dominant. On the flip side, the Texans next face a Titans defense that allowed the Steelers to light it up through the air. Expect Johnson to bounce back to reality sooner rather than later … and this may be the lowest value he’ll be the rest of the way.
2. Chris Johnson. Johnson was mediocre at best last Thursday against the Steelers. Plus, I’m not totally sold that Johnson will be a fantasy beast again in 2009. However, his Thursday stats were against the best defense in football, and next he’s playing against a Houston team that allowed the Jets to run amok in week one. Here’s another Johnson who’s value will increase significantly this weekend.
3. Clinton Portis. See Chris Johnson. A mediocre week one against an incredibly tough defense (as predicted here) followed this Sunday by a cakewalk matchup (against St. Louis). Portis has the added bonus of rushing against the Detroit Lions in week three. Again, like with CJ, I’m not sold on Portis this year for the long haul, but he’s a player who could be the most productive back over the next two weeks of play and will be a hot commodity when dangled before week four to the fruit flies in your respective legues.
4. Matt Schaub. Hard to stick up for a guy who killed my chances for a “W” in many leagues last week, but as long as Schaub can stay upright, he’ll be a viable fantasy option. The Titans defense allowed Roethlisberger to look like Dan Marino, and Schaub may use the same matchup to bounce back into the limelight.
5. Matt Forte. The Bears offense looks like a mess at the moment. Cutler wasn’t exactly a superstar last week against the Packers. However, Forte and company will bounce back. Possibly not this week, against the Steelers run defense, but after week 2, Forte’s value may be the lowest you’ll see it moving forward.
6. Michael Turner. A guy I was afraid of going into the season due to his exceptionally high workload last year, Turner still has a lot more to offer than his 65-yard, zero-TD performance last week.
7. Steve Smith. Three catches and 21 yards is nothing to write home about, but the Eagles defense had Jake Delhomme’s number from the start. Some QB controversy is brewing in Carolina, but no matter who is throwing the ball, Smith’s stats will even out sooner rather than later.
8. Roddy White. Another WR with many expectations but many disappointments in week one, White is too talented, his QB too talented and his supporting cast too talented for the numbers to continue being in the doghouse.

What are your week one viewpoints? What does it mean for the long haul? We’d love to hear your comments.

Related posts

• AFC-South: Not just Peyton’s place anymore (1)
• Ninja sense: Ten things you’ll see happen in Week 2 (1)
• NFC North: Loaded with offensive potential (2)
• Ninja sense: Ten things that you’ll see happen in Week 1 (2)
• Trade-aholic tidbits: Ten players who should be mentioned in fantasy trade talks (1)

Did you see the Black-Eyed Peas’ poor excuse for lip syncing? Did you see the cheesy countdown clock? It was hard to tell if I was waiting for a football game, or getting ready to watch the ball drop on New Years’ Eve.

I wonder if they run that junk to help people better savor the actual start of the game. You can safely turn up the volume on the TV and sink your teeth into some football.

Preseason football is a similar story. It’s all a tease. It’s all just a placeholder, keeping us at bay long enough to drown in our own drool waiting for the actual season to begin. Tomorrow, the wait is officially over. It’s finally safe to turn up the volume, grab a bowl of popcorn and savor the action.

But before we do this, let’s look one last time at some themes, predictions and suggestions before the real day of opening games is upon us. (Also, don’t miss out on my fantasy recap of the Steelers-Titans game from Thursday night.

Ninja sixth sense: Ten things that will happen the rest of Week 1.

1. See Clinton Portis run. See Clinton Portis get whacked by the Giants defense. I personally love Portis as a fantasy player. Few can match his reliability as a running back at a position known for inconsistency. However, his statistical nosedive late last year paired with talk that Ladell Betts will see an increased role in the running game leaves a series of red flags for Portis in 2009. Facing the Giants’ brick wall of a defense won’t help matters. Things will get better against the Rams and Lions in weeks two and three, respectively, but don’t expect huge stats Sunday. For more on Portis an the rest of the NFC-East, click here.

2. Ray Rice has been gaining steam in many season projections this year, and for good reason. He has been named the official starting tailback on a team that loves to run the ball. He matches up against a Kansas City defense that is a work in progress. While he may lose a few touchdowns to Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain, expect Rice to make up for that with Flacco screens and a welcome-to-the-bigtime Week 1 performance. Here’s expecting him to outscore Portis.

3. Still trying to understand how Earl Bennett is owned in just 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. Against a transitioning defensive scheme in Green Bay in a primetime game that screams shootout potential, Bennett will arrive Sunday night in fantasy football leagues. Get him now before waivers close Sunday morning, or you’ll be blowing your waiver priority and be playing a 1-in-12 chance at snagging him Tuesday morning. For more on Earl Bennett and why he’s my top WR sleeper for 2009, click here.

4. Really struggling at quarterback? Want a ninja-esque play? How about Shaun Hill, who will get enough action against a suspect Cardinals defense while playing catchup Sunday. Josh Morgan will fair well, too, as he makes his case to hold down the WR1 spot in San Fran regardless of what Crabtree does contract-wise.

5. Pierre Thomas won’t play for the Saints this week, vaulting Mike Bell into the limelight against the woeful Lions defense. Bell will be a solid play in most every format Sunday, and he’s only owned in 11 percent of Yahoo leagues. Even if you don’t need him as an RB2 or flex player, grab him before Sunday’s games and dangle him like a carrot to whoever falls prey to the week one injury curse.

6. One wide receiver that will really shine Sunday will be new Seahawk T.J. Houshmanzadeh. Seattle will be chomping at the bit to unveil its new weapon, Matt Hasselbeck is itching to put last season in the rearview mirror and the Seahawks are matching up against the Rams. If you think the stars are aligned for Housh, also consider that Deion Branch is looking less and less likely to play.

7. There are so many rookie receivers this year that could make some noise, that it is easy to forget about PSU grad Deon Butler, also a Seahawk. For all the reasons listed above for Housh (especially the part where Branch will likely sit), I expect Butler to get some sneaky-good stats.

8. Donnie Avery was hamped by injury this preseason and not expected to be available so quickly. However, he will start Sunday against the Seahawks, who aren’t exactly the Steel Curtain. Avery is the best receiving threat on that offense, and will see targets early and often in a game that promises to be a shootout.

 9. If you are starting anyone on the Cleveland Browns, you should reconsider quickly. I’m expecting the Vikings-Browns game to be one of the most lopsided games in recent memory, and not in the Browns’ favor.

10. I’m a huge Texans advocate in fantasy circles this year, including one who expects continued solid play from Steve Slaton. However, I think he may struggle some in week one against the Jets’ vastly improved defense. Slaton was fairly mediocre in preseason play and the Jets matchup will be tough one right out of the gates. I don’t expect him to be horrible in the game, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him miss the 100-yard mark on the ground and manage one TD at best.

What are your predictions for Week 1? We’d love to hear them. Tune in later Saturday for a list of players you should seriously consider adding to your fantasy rosters before waivers close Sunday morning … including one player who I feel will be one of the best sleepers in 2009.

Related posts

• Trade-aholic tidbits: Ten players who should be mentioned in fantasy trade talks (1)
• Week One waiver wonders: Guys to grab before gametime (0)
• Ninja sense: Ten things you’ll see happen in Week 2 (1)
• AFC-South: Not just Peyton’s place anymore (1)
• The 2009 Sock Exchange: Week 2 (0)

I called the column The Sock Exchange in honor of my favorite team New York Jet “Sack Exchange.” I must give them partial credit for the name.

On to the games:

1. Tennessee at Pittsburgh

Titans: The vaunted running game of Chris Johnson and LenDale White will face perhaps their toughest task of the season against the stingy run stuffing defense of the Steelers. White’s terrible towel antics from last year’s game will be remembered I am sure and the fans as well as the Steelers will be extremely ready for his every move. I am not sure that Kerry Collins or any of the receivers on the team are anything other than a bye week play, which means none of them should be in your starting lineup this week. The Titans defense played the Steelers well in the game last year at Tennessee even without Haynesworth. I see no reason why they cannot keep this game deadlocked into a low-scoring affair throughout the evening.

Steelers: The defending Super Bowl Champs open with a tough contest with a well disciplined Titans team. I see Willie Parker coming out to this game with some attitude and producing 80 yards rushing along with a TD.
I also foresee a late scoring drive led by clutch QB Roethlisberger and a TD pass to Hines Ward to win the game. The Steelers defense should be a good play against the one dimensional attack of the Titans.

2. Miami at Atlanta

Dolphins: Ronnie Brown should be a decent play against the Falcon defense. He could amass 100 yards and a TD. Chad Pennington and the passing game should also do well in this one. Look for him to possible connect with Ted Ginn for a score. Anthony Fasano could be another decent play at TE in this contest. I would shy away from starting the Dolphins defense in this one as they face an explosive offense starting the season on their home turf.

Falcons: This will be a huge day for Michael Turner probably turning in a 150 yard performance with 2 TD. Ryan should also connect with either Tony Gonzalez or Roddy White for a score in this one as well. I would not recommend starting the Falcons defense this week.

3. Denver at Cincinnati

Broncos: I think this is a team that could surprise us offensively, especially in Week 1 versus a weak Bengals defense. It will be interesting to see how Coach McDaniels handles the RB workload in this one seeing that Knowshon Moreno missed most of camp and the preseason due to holdout or injury. I foresee Correll Buckhalter getting most of the carries in this game and doing an admirable job with it. Eddie Royal could also be a nice fantasy play for this game. I am not sure I would start the Broncos defense even against the Lions and Raiders of the world.

Bengals: This should be a 3 TD performance for Carson Palmer. Look for Chad Ochocinco and Chris Henry to have 100 yard performances with a TD in this one. This is also a good matchup for Cedric Benson as well. He may even add an 80 yard effort with a TD to the cause. I would not start the Bengals defense in most games this season however.

4. Minnesota at Cleveland

Vikings: Adrian Peterson certainly gets a delicious matchup in week one versus the Browns. As long as Favre can move the chains efficiently, look for Peterson to have 175 yards and 2 TD in this one. Look for Favre to just have a so-so day completing most of his passes to Schiancoe and Chester Taylor out of the backfield. The Vikings defense is a solid start against a weak Browns team that still has yet to name its starting QB (Quinn, dummies).

Browns: How do you try to forecast how a team will play when you don’t even know who is leading the ship into battle. Maybe Mangini is trying some of that old Belichick secrecy. Doubt it works for you Eric, because you still have a horrible team. I would not start any on the Browns offensive players in week one. Yes Braylon Edwards’s owners, you can surely find a better option at the WR position. The Browns are another of those almost unstartable defenses this year. Their only saving grace is the points you get from a Josh Cribbs TD.

5. Jacksonville at Indianapolis

Jaguars: Maurice Jones Drew is a must start in this one because he has had sensational games throughout his career against the Colts. This game typically is a nai- biter that comes down to the end. Perhaps Josh Scobee is a solid play here as he hits the game winning field goal late.
The Jaguar defense is an average play as they usually play well in this interdivisional battle.

Colts: Peyton Manning never seems to hit his full stride against this team for some reason. He may have to rely more on the running game of Addai and Brown to make something happen this week. Look for Addai to have about 60 yards rushing and a score. Look for Manning to connect with Dallas Clark for a score in this one. The Colts defense is also an average play in this contest.

6. Detroit at New Orleans

Lions: Look for the Lions to use a heavy dose of Kevin Smith to ease the burden of rookie QB Matt Stafford. Smith is a must start this week. The rest of the offense may struggle with Stafford under center for his first meaningful game as a pro. The Lions defense is unstartable any week.

Saints: All of your Saints players that are healthy should be in your starting lineup week one. Please keep in mind Pierre Thomas owners that it is looking like he may be a game time decision come Sunday. You should keep watch on his health situation; if he does play put him in the lineup as well. The Saints defense may not be a bad plug and play option this week as they face Stafford in his first pro game, where he is bound to make some mistakes (i.e. interceptions).

7. Dallas at Tampa Bay

Cowboys: Felix Jones and Marion Barber should turn in solid performances this week versus the Bucs. In fact I would play my other Dallas starters this week in Romo, Witten and Roy Williams as well. The Cowboy defense is a solid play going against the lowly Bucs offense.

Buccaneers: The 2-2-1 series with the Tampa RBs make almost all of the Tampa backs fantasy irrelevant until someone goes down with an injury or Coach Morris departs from this strategy. That makes them bye week fillers only for now. Don’t start them. The passing game is not that effective either. It should be a long season for the Tampa offense this year. I also would stay away from the Bucs defense in this one as they play a very efficient Dallas offense.

8. Philadelphia at Carolina

Eagles: For some reason over the years the Panthers have always given the Eagles fits when they play them. Brian Westbrook is always a decent play when he is healthy, which they proclaim he is to start the season. Other than that I would probably not start any of the Eagles this week including McNabb if you have other options available. I also do not recommend the Eagle defense this week.
Panthers: I would start DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith for sure this week. You may even want a spot start out of Delhomme this week as he usually plays well at home. For some reason I see the Panthers winning this game so I would consider the defense a start if no other better alternatives were available.

9. Kansas City at Baltimore

Chiefs: What a game to draw for Coach Haley’s first game. I would not start any of the Chiefs in this game including the defense.

Ravens: Look for Ray Rice to shine in his debut as the starter putting up 110 combined yards and a TD. Joe Flacco should also be able to find perhaps Derrick Mason for a TD in this one as well. Ravens defense against the Chiefs is a must start situation.

10. New York Jets at Houston

Jets: And the roller coaster ride with Mark Sanchez at QB this season begins. Look for him to do some positive (a TD pass to Stuckey) and also some negative (two interceptions) in his rookie debut. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are ok plays this week, but if you can do better by all means do it. The Jet defense actually is just an average play as Houston has a fair offense and will be with the home crowd for this one.

Texans: I would start the studs Slaton and Andre Johnson this week. Give Matt Schaub a chance too as he has something to prove this year. The Texans defense could be another plug and play defense like the Saints as they will take advantage of Mark Sanchez’s first game rookie mistakes.

11. Washington at New York Giants

Redskins: Look for this contest to be one of your typical NFC East slobber knocker slugfests. Clinton Portis has historically done well in these early season contests and look for him to do more of the same. Chris Cooley may also be a factor as safety play needs improvement for the Giants. The Redskins defense may not be a bad play here as well as these interdivisional games are low scoring affairs for the most part.

Giants: Look for the Giants to pound the rock with Jacobs and Bradshaw for most of the game and for most of this season for that matter. I would keep Eli Manning on the bench for this one if you can. The Giants defense is also start worthy for the same reason that the Redskins are above.

12. San Francisco at Arizona

Niners: It will be Frank Gore, Frank Gore and more Frank Gore under Coach Singletary this season. They will also use him to try to control the clock and keep Arizona’s high powered offense on the sidelines. Will it work, I seriously doubt it. The Niner defense is a definite bench here in week one.

Cardinals: Defending NFC Champs have looked sluggish in the preseason. They need to turn that around and become the offense they are capable of in this one. I would start all of your Cardinals in this one as they should do well against an improving but still not stellar Niner defense. The Arizona defense is another one of those promising plug and play options for this week.

13. St Louis at Seattle

Rams: If you have Steven Jackson, you should be starting him this week. Other than that I don’t see anyone of fantasy value on the Rams this week including the defense.

Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck is almost a must start this week against the porous Ram defense. Now that he has Houshmandzadeh and some healthy receivers, he should shine in some games this year and this happens to be one of them. You might want to take a chance on the Seahawk defense as well as Steven Jackson is the only legitimate threat offensively for the Rams.

14. Chicago at Green Bay

Bears: Matt Forte should be a solid start against a team that gave up a lot of yardage on the ground last year. The Packers defense has looked much improved with Dom Capers now in tow, however and I don’t see a big effort from the Bears in this one. I would bench the Bears defense this week.

Packers: Aaron Rodgers has looked like a skilled surgeon in leading the offense this preseason. If he can carry that into the regular season, this is an offensive juggernaut in the making. Look for Rodgers to throw for two scores and run for another, and Ryan Grant to add another score in an all out blow out the division rival Bears. I would also start the opportunistic Packer defense this week

15. Buffalo at New England

Bills: I once thought this game was going to have “getch your popcorn ready” excitement. After seeing the Bills anemic offense this preseason on several occasions I would bench all be Bill players (including TO) until they show me something on offense. The Bills defense should be on your bench this week as well.

Patriots: Start them all, just like the Saints, in what should be a blowout to start the season for Tom Brady and the Pats. Even the Pats defense is a solid start against the lowly Bills offense.

16. San Diego at Oakland

Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson should get off to that fast start he was looking for against the weak Raider run defense. Rivers should also be able to hook up with Gates on several occasions in this one. I would sit Vincent Jackson this week because facing Nmadi Asomugha is a daunting task for even the best of receivers. The Charger defense is a solid start this week.

Raiders: Not sure any of the Raider players are start worthy even on better matchup weeks. Darren McFadden and Zach Miller figure to be the key players on offense in this contest. Bench the Raider defense this week.

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