This week’s bye team: CincinnatiNFC East
Arizona — Because of the injury to WR Rob Moore, look for MarTay
Jenkins to play an increased role in the offense — at least early on. While
there will likely be fewer three-WR sets than originally planned, Jenkins is expected to
be the third wideout on the field in those situations. He is very athletic and made some
impressive plays in the preseason.
Dallas — The addition of TE O.J. Santiago could ultimately have a
negative impact on the fantasy production of Jackie Harris. Harris was expected to
play a prominent role in the offense this season as the second tight end. With Santiago on
board, Harris may see fewer touches. The plan calls for Harris and Santiago to be on the
field together in some two-TE formations.
New York Giants — Head coach Jim Fassel has said that RBs Ron Dayne
and Tiki Barber will be co-starters at running back. He has indicated he
wants to get both players about 20 touches this week. Still, Dayne should have the higher
fantasy impact because he’ll get the ball near the goal line.
Philadelphia — The names of WRs Charles Johnson and Torrance Small
don’t generally strike fear into opposing secondaries. However, this week, these two
players could be pretty productive. (Make sure that Small is good to go. He was listed as
probable because of a hamstring ailment.) Johnson and Small will be facing a Cowboys CB
corps that is being built from scratch. Veteran Ryan McNeil will start at one
corner. Even though the team signed Phillippi Sparks this week, he won’t be
ready to start, which means rookie Kareem Larrimore will be on the field. Look for
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb to target Larrimore, who was responsible for some
breakdowns in the preseason.
NFC Central
Chicago — Though head coach Dick Jauron wouldn’t commit to it, most
Bears observers believe Eddie Kennison is the team’s No. 3 wideout behind Marcus
Robinson and Bobby Engram. The reason for Jauron’s apprehension: Marty
Booker, the Bears’ No. 4 receiver. Jauron and staff are big fans of Booker, and
they don’t want to close the door on him taking the third spot. Booker is not very
fast, but he has great strength and is hard to jam at the line. He also has good
elusiveness after the catch.
Detroit — After entering training camp as the likely No. 3 quarterback, Stoney
Case will enter the regular season as the Lions’ starting quarterback. The team
opted for the cautious approach in sitting Charlie Batch, who continues his
recovery from a broken kneecap. Batch may still be the No. 2 quarterback Sunday at New
Orleans, but head coach Bobby Ross will likely make that decision on game day.
Batch’s status for Week Two will be determined next week.
Green Bay — Without much attention paid to him, WR Bill Schroeder had a
very nice training camp. He caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns and did a
better job of catching the ball with his hands rather than using his chest. There’s
no question Schroeder has matured as a football player, and his stock as a fantasy player
has greatly increased over the years. As Brett Favre’s No. 2 wideout,
Schroeder is definitely an every-week starter. … RB Ahman Green
should be ready to go Sunday vs. the Jets in place of the injured Dorsey Levens
(knee).
NFC West
Atlanta — The good news for RB Jamal Anderson is that he’s going up a
raw, baby-faced 49ers defense that is expected to have lots of growing pains, especially
early on. The bad news is that Anderson is nowhere near being in the same kind of shape he
was two seasons ago, when he set a league-record in rushing attempts. Heading into the
opener, Anderson’s right leg is at about 85 percent, and he seems to be lacking his
normal quickness in his cuts and especially his power at the point of attack. Look for 15
carries maximum from Jamal.
Carolina — Surprisingly, RB Natrone Means might be a fantasy factor after
all (he’s probable vs. Washington). Late last week, Means was limping around big-time
and seemed destined for the physically-unable-to-perform list, but he now apparently is
ready to rumble in relief of Tshimanga Biakabutuka, who the Panthers hope will be
in for his best season ever. Don’t be worried by the fact TE Wesley Walls
caught just one pass in the preseason. Walls never does much in training camp or the
preseason. Look for ex-Titan Isaac Byrd to possibly contribute this weekend in his
new role replacing the injured Jim Turner as the team’s No. 3 WR. As far as
the new No. 2 guy, Donald Hayes, replacing the injured Patrick Jeffers, we
hear his route running still leaves a lot to be desired.
New Orleans — Considering the Saints’ first-string offense really was kept
under wraps much of the preseason, it’s really hard to make any judgments on what to
expect from a fantasy standpoint. One thing is sure: Ricky Williams had a great
preseason and looks like he will be a legitimate double threat, and rookie Chad Morton
looks like a legitimate Dave Meggett-type complement. As far as QB Jeff Blake,
WRs Joe Horn and Jake Reed and TE Andrew Glover go, though, the
verdict is very much out. As impressive as the Saints' starting receivers this preseason
was Willie Jackson, who forced Keith Poole’s demotion to the No.
4 WR spot.
St. Louis — First-round rookie RB Trung Canidate is not expected to be much
of a factor for the Denver game if he plays at all (he’s listed as questionable with
a high-ankle sprain). A "sleeper" to watch — RB Justin Watson, who
is expected to spell main man Marshall Faulk vs. Denver and could be in a
position to do some unexpected damage.
AFC East
Buffalo — Don’t be surprised if the Bills and QB Rob Johnson come out
with guns blazing in a high-powered, big-play passing attack vs. a Titans defense that
ranked just 25th last year. Johnson has looked especially sharp, as has
featured WR Eric Moulds, but No. 2 WR Peerless Price didn’t set the
world fire in the preseason. Two "sleeper" Bills weapons to keep an eye on who
performed well in the preseason— No. 3 WR Jeremy McDaniel and No. 4 RB Sammy
Morris.
Indianapolis — It seems unlikely WR Terrence Wilkins will play this Sunday.
He is still recovering from a concussion and should be held out this week, opening the
door for both Jerome Pathon and E.G. Green.
Miami — The Dolphins’ decision to start Jay Fiedler over Damon
Huard at quarterback might not have pleased Dan Marino, but it may please the
team’s WR corps. Fiedler has a better understanding of the offense, and he gets the
ball downfield more consistently. In leading the Dolphins on an 83-yard TD drive in the
team’s preseason finale, Fielder completed four passes of 10-plus yards to wide
receivers. Fielder has a better arm than Huard, who tends to have trouble when his first
read is not there.
New England — WR Troy Brown, who has a knack for making first-down catches,
moves into the starting rotation with Vincent Brisby’s release. Tony
Simmons also will be used more often as a deep threat, and Chris Calloway will
see time in the slot on third downs.
AFC Central
Baltimore — While rookie No. 1 pick RB Jamal Lewis could see some limited
spot duty, look for Priest Holmes to carry the rushing load vs. a
Steelers defense that ranked 28th last year vs. the run. Holmes could be a good
fantasy gamble this week; he has a knack for getting off to a good start eary in the
season. Another first-round rookie, WR Travis Taylor, will start opposite Qadry
Ismail, who had an excellent training camp and preseason. Taylor was in coach Brian
Billick’s doghouse because of his prolonged contract holdout, but he was just too
talented to keep from playing. One more note on the Ravens: Look for the possibility of
lots of two-TE sets featuring Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates, each of whom
figures to be a viable threat inside the red zone.
Jacksonville — This would be a good week to play RB Stacey Mack if you
have him on your roster. With Fred Taylor out for Week One, and maybe even Week
Two, Mack is assured of getting many carries. Mack will be facing what was the worst
defense in the NFL last year when he goes against Cleveland in Week One. The Browns ranked
30th in run defense in 1999. Also, make sure you don’t play rookie WR
R. Jay Soward, as he is out this week with a high-ankle sprain.
Pittsburgh — If you’ve got QB Kordell Stewart on your roster and are
thinking about playing him this week in hopes that he might get on the field as a
part-time quarterback or receiver, think again. Yes, Stewart may come on for a play or two
in relief of Kent Graham — perhaps in short-yardage situations. But he is not
expected to line up at receiver. Stewart is adamant about remaining a quarterback, and he
doesn’t want to revert back to his days as "Slash."
Tennessee — For those of you with Yancey Thigpen on your fantasy team, you
shouldn’t be big Kevin Dyson fans. Currently, Thigpen ranks third on the
Titans’ WR depth chart behind Carl Pickens and Dyson. Sometime soon —
possibly during Tennessee’s Week Three bye — head coach Jeff Fisher will
name his top two receivers. Fisher has the luxury of putting off the decision for now
because Thigpen is returning from an ankle injury. But when Thigpen returns to full
health, Fisher will have to choose. We hear the better Dyson plays, the better the odds of
Thigpen staying at No. 3.
AFC West
Denver — Robert Brooks and Travis McGriff will both see time at the
No. 3 WR spot, but the Broncos don’t typically go to their third receivers much in
the flow of the game.
Kansas City — Former FB Tony Richardson got the unexpected call to be the
starting running back this week. Mike Cloud had a good preseason and will still get
some carries, but the team went with Richardson, and Donnell Bennett will now
assume the starting FB position.
Oakland — Look for WR Andre Rison to play a fairly big early role with the
Raiders. Oakland is always looking for a quality second receiver and could bring rookie
Jerry Porter along more smoothly if Rison can make an impact. Rison is reportedly in
the best shape of his career — but keep an eye out for off-field legal problems that
could limit his contributions.
San Diego — Ryan Leaf is the man at quarterback, while his main deep
threat, WR Curtis Conway, will play despite still nursing the hamstring injury that
kept him out all of the preseason. Robert Chancey and Jermaine Fazande will
likely split time at running back.
Seattle — Kris Heppner is the new kicker in Seattle, and rookie WR Darrell
Jackson will see action on third downs after his impressive play in the
preseason. |
