QUARTERBACKS
Donovan McNabb broke his rib on a touchdown run in the 3rd
quarter against Carolina. It’s too
early for Michael Vick, so the Eagles grabbed Jeff Garcia to pair up with Kevin
Kolb. Tom Brady looked rusty in the
early going, but ended up with 383 yards and 2 TD’s. He faces a revamped Jets’ defense in week 2, so don’t expect him
to throw the ball 53 times again. Jason
Campbell did very little last week against the stout NY Giants defense only
completing 19 passes for 211 yards and a TD.
He’s not really someone you can depend on, but he gets a St. Louis
defense that allowed 279 yards and 3 TDs in week 1.
RUNNING BACKS
Cadillac Williams had 13 carries for 97 yards and 1 TD in
Tampa’s odd 2-2-1 RB rotation. Derrick
Ward ran the ball 12 times for 62 yards and a TD and is the more stable
back. The Bucs didn’t pay Ward 18
million dollars for kicks, but Williams’ presence will hold back his fantasy
value in the short term – until the Cadillac gets a flat. LT2’s status for week 2 is in doubt. Sproles is an awfully enticing handcuff, but
he faces a Ravens defense that held Larry Johnson to 20 yards on 11
carries. The Saints’ Mike Bell trounced
Detroit for 180 yards. It was an
impressive showing, but it is the Lions defense after all. Despite Reggie Bush’s pedigree and Pierre
Thomas’ eminent return, Mike Bell is rumored to have earned a prominent role in
the Saints’ offense.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Dallas’ wide receiver trio blistered Tampa Bay’s secondary
with three deep touchdown passes – Roy Williams (66), Miles Austin (42), and
Patrick Crayton (80). It was Austin’s
only catch of the night, while Crayton hauled in 4 total receptions for 135
yards. Raiders’ rookie Louis Murphy
out-produced first rounder DHB by hauling in 4 passes for 87 yards against the
Chargers on Monday night. Chaz Schilens
is still questionable for week 2, so Murphy will get another shot against a
Kansas City team that allowed 38 points against the Ravens in week 1. It’s just very difficult to depend on a QB
like JaMINKus Russell to get your guy the ball. Tennessee’s Justin Gage and Kenny Britt combined for 11
receptions and 163 yards. Gage is still
the primary fantasy option, and Britt should still see some work even after
Nate Washington returns.
TIGHT ENDS
John Carlson caught 2 touchdown passes versus St. Louis in
week 1. It’s encouraging to see him
receive a fair amount of targets from a veteran QB that has never really
utilized the tight end in the passing game.
There was a Ben Watson sighting on Monday Night after the veteran tight
end hauled in 2 TD passes. Considering
what Seattle’s Carlson was able to do against the Rams, look for Chris Cooley
to build upon his solid 68-yard 1 TD effort in week 1.
