This week’s bye team: ArizonaAFC East
Buffalo — Don’t jump on the bandwagon for RB Travis Henry
to start just yet. The Bills will play the Saints this week, and while Henry seems to be
the Bills’ best weapon on offense at this point, it might behoove you to wait a week
before plunking him into your starting lineup.
Indianapolis — There’s hardly ever a reason to worry about
the Colts’ skill-position players, but fantasy owners got a bit of a scare two weeks
ago when QB Peyton Manning sprained his knee and ankle. Manning sat out the final
preseason game, and should be ready to go. The injuries were minor, but they may have
served as a wake-up call to the Colts and fantasy owners to convince them to find some
depth behind Manning.
Miami — Despite starting against last season’s top-ranked
defense (Tennessee), the Dolphins offense could find its groove if offensive coordinator Chan
Gailey decides to show off some new wrinkles in the offense. If you don’t have
any top-flight receivers or a top-flight quarterback, you might consider starting QB Jay
Fiedler or WRs James McKnight or Oronde Gadsden. Any of those three
could benefit from lapses in the Titans’ concentration. RB Lamar Smith
isn’t a best bet to put up huge numbers against the Titans, but he’ll certainly
get a huge number of carries.
New England — This might be the week to start any Patriots you
have, since they’re battling the Bengals. But be wary that QB Drew Bledsoe
didn’t have a very good preseason and that while RB J.R. Redmond is the
starter, he’ll split time with Antowain Smith.
N.Y. Jets — Keep an eye on what WR Laveranues Coles does
against the Colts this week. If his electrifying preseason performances carry over to the
regular season, he could make significant strides on fantasy depth charts.
AFC Central
Baltimore — With RB Jamal Lewis lost for the season, it
would appear the Ravens will go with a much more pass-oriented attack, which means QB Elvis
Grbac will most definitely get a good opportunity to put up some big-time passing
numbers. Unfortunately for Elvis, he doesn’t have nearly the same kind of receiving
corps to work with in Baltimore that he had in Kansas City. Short of TE Shannon Sharpe,
who figures to see a lot of balls come his way, you’re probably best served staying
away from Ravens receivers for fantasy purposes, although Brandon Stokley, who had
a marvelous preseason, could be a sleeper to watch. Probably the best fantasy bet is the Ravens’
defense, especially against a weak Bears offense. When the defensive starters played
in the preseason, they were just as awesome as they were all of last season.
Cincinnati — WR Peter Warrick will be returning punts for
the Bengals, most likely splitting time with CB Rodney Heath. With the problems the
Bengals’ offensive line has had adapting to new pass protection schemes during the
preseason, expect the Patrtiots and Bill Belichick to blitz often, which should free up
room for draw plays and short passes to RB Corey Dillon.
Cleveland — You may want to stay away from Cleveland running
backs this week, as head coach Butch Davis is keeping mum on who will get the Week One
start. In fact, each of the three backs — James Jackson, Ben Gay and Jamel
White — will probably see action, as they all bring something different to the
table. You may want to watch this situation closely over the course of the first few games
to see if one back emerges, or if Davis sticks with a RB-by-committee approach.
Jacksonville — TE Kyle Brady says he expects to play this
weekend, despite still recovering from a serious staph infection he contracted a couple of
weeks ago. Also, WR Keenan McCardell also is optimistic about playing this weekend, even
though he underwent hernia surgery just three weeks ago. However, stay tuned to the
Sunday-morning TV reports before turning in your lineup if you are counting on either of
these players, as either player could wind up being a game-day scratch.
Pittsburgh — RB Jerome Bettis has said he feels better
than he has in a long time, and that can only be a good thing for fantasy owners. Once
again, the Steelers will try to establish a passing game this season, but I wouldn’t
start QB Kordell Stewart or his receivers until we see what they can do this year.
Tennessee — WR Kevin Dyson, who missed all but two games
last season with a serious knee injury, returned to the starting lineup this week in
practice. Dyson’s recovery has been nothing short of amazing, as he’s run the
40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. He will start opposite Derrick Mason. … The
Titans claimed former Bears RB Skip Hicks on waivers and plan to make him the
primary backup to Eddie George, bumping Mike Green to No. 3. Said GM Floyd
Reese: "We said from the beginning we were trying to find an experienced backup guy
and I think (Hicks) brings us that. Mike really hasn’t carried the ball much, and
Skip has been in the league for three years."
AFC West
Denver — At presstime, it appeared likely that Terrell Davis
would get the start at running back for the Broncos, but expect all three running backs to
see a fair amount of time in the backfield. FB Patrick Hape, who was moved over
from his backup TE role, looked solid in the backfield, but don’t expect him to be
anything more than a blocker.
Kansas City — WR Derrick Alexander’s sore Achilles
tendon does not appear to be too serious and shouldn’t hold him back in Week One. He
was kept out of late-preseason action mostly as a precaution. Converted WR Mikhael
Ricks will see a lot of time as a second tight end for the Chiefs and looked like a
natural there during the preseason.
Oakland — James Jett has slid from the Raiders’ No. 2
wide receiver last year down to the fourth, and possibly fifth wideout this season once
second-year player Jerry Porter gets back to full health. New TE Roland Williams
looked impressive catching the football during the preseason and could fill the void
there.
San Diego — Don’t expect the Chargers to hold rookie RB LaDainian
Tmolinson back because the rookie missed a month of the preseason by holding out. He
won’t see much action on third downs, however, as that role belongs to Terrell
Fletcher. The Chargers’ offensive line could be missing three projected starters
in Week One.
NFC East
Arizona — Week One Bye.
Dallas —Emmitt Smith is a good fantasy bet this year, as
the Cowboys are expected to ride their top running back because they don’t want to
put too much pressure on rookie QB Quincy Carter. However, this might not be the
week to expect big things out of Smith, as he is facing a very tough Buccaneers defense.
Smith needs just 104 yards to surpass former Lions RB Barry Sanders as the No. 2
all-time NFL rusher. It probably won’t happen in Week One, but is very likely to
happen in Week Two — in of all places, Detroit.
N.Y. Giants —WR Ike Hilliard is listed as questionable for
Week One while still recovering from toe surgery. It’s a good bet that he won’t
go this week vs. the Broncos, as the team doesn’t want to rush him back and risk
further injury. Hilliard has done some running, but he still is not doing much cutting.
Leave him out of your lineup this week, and check on his status for Week Two, which is the
game the Giants are hoping he will be able to return. Joe Jurevicius had a decent
training camp, and could be a decent play if you are desperate at the WR position.
Philadelphia— Rookie WR Freddie Mitchell, the team’s
first-round pick, is currently considered the team’s fourth wide receiver, which
means he won’t do you very much good early this season. In fact, we hear that he
probably will be almost a non-factor for the first half of the year, as he is still
learning the Eagles’ complicated offense. If you are into high risk-reward scenarios,
try Todd Pinkston this week vs. the Rams’ revamped defense. It may take a
couple of weeks for St. Louis’ defense to come together, which means the Eagles
offense could have a good showing in Week One. Pinkston had a very good training camp and
the Eagles are expecting big things from the former second-round pick.
Washington — All reports suggest that QB Jeff George is
throwing the ball nicely after a lengthy bout with tendonitis in his shoulder. If you have
him on your roster, he should be a safe starter this week.
NFC CENTRAL
Chicago — Though he returned to practice this week, WR Marcus
Robinson (back) is unlikely to play in the season opener at Baltimore. Next
week’s home opener vs. Jacksonville, however, is a distinct possibility. In the
meantime, look for Dez White and Marty Booker to start, with No. 1 pick David
Terrell serving as the third receiver. Terrell should still see plenty of action in
three-WR sets and is a better starting option than both White and Booker. … Keep an
eye on TE John Davis. Fred Baxter, the Bears’ starting tight end, has
long been known for his hands of stone, but Davis flashed some ability last season with
the Vikings (17 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown). The team should look to Davis in
the wake of Kaseem Sinceno’s season-ending ankle injury.
Detroit — WR Germane Crowell, who was bothered by a knee
injury for much of training camp, did not appear on Lions’ initial injury report.
… Some Lions observers wouldn’t be surprised to see newly acquired backup QB Ty
Detmer act as a relief pitcher for Charlie Batch on occasion if the offense
needs a spark. Head coach Marty Mornhinweg is very comfortable with Detmer’s
knowledge of and ability in the West Coast offense.
Green Bay — Corey Bradford has won the No. 3 WR spot,
beating out Donald Driver. Bradford and Driver are very similar as the team’s
most explosive receivers, but injuries and erratic hands have held them back.
Bradford’s hold on the spot is a tenuous one, though. … Be wary of RBs Ahman
Green (groin) and Dorsey Levens (hand). The Packers don’t know how much
they’ll be able to rely on either. Both haven’t played since the preseason
opener. Green hasn’t been able to "cut it loose yet," and Levens has been
practicing with a cast. He plans to wear a splint Sunday. Third on the depth chart is Rondell
Mealey, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Minnesota — Head coach Dennis Green believes QB Daunte
Culpepper can play even better than he did last season. Said Green: "This is his
third year in (the offense) so he knows more about where the ball is supposed to go."
According to Culpepper, the ball might go to WR Randy Moss more often.
"That’s where you’re going to see a little more this year," Culpepper
said. "Us being on the same page and knowing where to go with the ball, when to get
him the ball. We’re going to try to get him the ball more."
Tampa Bay — Is there a better week to play RB Warrick Dunn?
Last season against the Cowboys, he carried 22 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns, and
the Bucs set a team record for rushing yards with 250. Makes you wonder if FB Mike
Alstott will see a little action.
NFC West
Atlanta — A fact worth noting: The 49ers’ defense is pretty
banged up, especially at linebacker, where second-year stud Julian Peterson is out with a
high ankle sprain. As a result, RB Jamal Anderson, who looks as quick as he was
before his serious ACL injury in ’99, and Falcon tight ends Reggie Kelly and Alge
Crumpler could be dangerous this Sunday. A sleeper weapon? How about Michael Vick,
who figures to be inserted into the offense on a few occasions? Head coach Dan Reeves has
been known to take a fancy to trick plays, and that Niners’ defense is extremely
young and inexperienced.
Carolina — With a brand new QB at the helm in Chris Weinke,
the suggestion here is to stay away from Panters fantasy performers for at least a week
and maybe two, since the offense really is such an unknown commodity right now (Tshimanga
Biakabutuka had 29 carries for 53 yards and a bunch of fumbles in the preseason). With
the team’s ground game continuing to struggle in the preseason, Weinke will probably
be winging it out there vs. a pretty suspect Vikings pass defense. Which means Muhsin
Muhammad and Wesley Walls could possibly benefit — maybe.
New Orleans — Don’t be alarmed by TE Cam Cleeland’s
lack of preseason productivity. Our sources believe the Saints still figure on him being a
very key offensive component this year and are just waiting until the real show begins to
really get him into the scheme of things. As for newcomer WR Albert Connell,
it’s a different story. He might see some action this Sunday opposite Joe Horn, but
Willie Jackson, who had a very productive preseason and did such a good job down the
stretch last season, is starting ahead of Connell this week. Connell has been a complete
nonfactor so far.
St. Louis — No surprises here. The usual weapons are ready to
strut their stuff, but they could have a tougher time than usual vs. Philly’s
rock-solid pass defense. However, if Eagles CB Troy Vincent, who suffered a knee injury in
a Thursday practice is unable to play, WRs Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Zahir
Hakim could really capitalize on his absence. One particular Ram worth keeping an eye
on is TE Ernie Conwell, who sources say could be much more of a weapon this year
with his knees feeling really good for the first time in a while.
San Francisco — The RB game plan figures to be a pretty even
split in playing time between Garrison Hearst and rookie Kevan Barlow, who
has been coming on strong in recent weeks. Keep an eye on another rookie, TE Eric
Johnson, who will be replacing Greg Clark, out with a hamstring injury.
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