Fantasy Football News 2011/2012

[HacheMan]

Newton/Smith: More goodness ahead?

Eric Karabell

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 419 passing yards and three touchdowns Thursday. Green Bay Packers leader Aaron Rodgers was nearly as good. Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes Sunday in Kansas City and Michael Vick was again a fantasy monster.

And Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton beat them all for standard fantasy scoring.


Look, I won't try to tell you I expected Newton to throw for 400 yards Sunday. No rookie in his NFL debut had ever done that. Newton had a somewhat erratic preseason for a team that was 2-14 a year ago, and this was a road game. I thought Kevin Kolb and the Arizona Cardinals would blow out the Panthers. The ESPN Fantasy rankers didn't think Newton was worthy of being in the top 25 heading into Week 1 … and there are only 32 teams. Fantasy owners had him active in just 2.1 percent of leagues, good for 27th at quarterback.
But heading into the Sunday night game, with Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo gearing up, Newton was the top fantasy quarterback for the opening week, with 422 passing yards and two touchdowns (and one interception). He also rushed for 18 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was pretty impressive, falling just short of a fourth touchdown in the closing minute that would have tied the game. He still totaled 29 standard fantasy points. Consider that last season 10 quarterbacks threw for 400 yards in a game 11 times (Philip Rivers did it twice). Green Bay's Rodgers was the youngest of that crew, at 27 years old. Newton is just 22.
OK, so few fantasy owners enjoyed this game. The question is, will there be more to come and should fantasy owners buy in? Newton, owned in 23.7 percent of ESPN standard leagues (and actually down a tad over the past week), should be a very popular free-agent choice this week. The problem is, he probably shouldn't be. It was a great game. And Newton should be very fantasy-relevant within two years. But this is premature attention. Last year's top rookie quarterback for fantasy was the St. Louis Rams' Sam Bradford, a more pure passer; he finished 20th in fantasy scoring. I love Bradford's future, and I think Newton has a bright one as well, but we're talking rookies. Ben Roethlisberger was barely top 20 as a rookie as well. Peyton Manning sneaked into the top 10, but he's an exception. I don't think Newton is there yet.
Look for my end-of-season rankings Tuesday; Newton will not be in my top 20. Not above Kolb or Bradford or even Sanchez, Kyle Orton or Jay Cutler. Not yet.
However, I think the big story from the Panthers offensive show -- Carolina still lost to Arizona 28-21 -- was that veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, not so long ago a fantasy stud and top-5 receiver, looked like his ol' self again. Smith was awfully quiet during the 2010 season, as quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore just couldn't get him the football enough. On Sunday, Newton and Smith abused the Arizona secondary for eight receptions (on 11 targets), 178 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Smith looked rejuvenated. I ranked Smith 26th at wide receiver for this week, not a star but still useful and certainly ownable in every league; he was active in 18.2 percent of ESPN leagues, good for 29th at his position. While Newton's performance might be more impressive, Smith is the one more likely to move up in my Week 2 rankings, when the Panthers host the Packers, to a fantasy starting role, though I doubt he'll be top 20. Still, what a performance for the few owners who took a chance on at least one of those guys and were able to enjoy it. A lot more owners enjoyed what Smith did (and tight end Greg Olsen also was productive), and I think while the rookie deals with mistakes and inconsistency moving forward, the wide receiver will continue to thrive.

 

[HacheMan]

Week 1 Injuries: Rams Wrecked

As indicated by its headline (and as you may recall from last season), the purpose of this column is to stockpile all of Sunday’s key injuries and analyze their immediate impact. And with Week 1 proving itself to be altogether wretched for the Rams as far as ligaments, joints, muscles and appendages are concerned, St. Louis has the dubious honor of leading off the injury roll call:

Sam Bradford, QB, STL (finger)

The Injury: X-rays on Bradford’s right index finger came back negative, but Peter King reports that the Rams are concerned that he may have “some nerve damage,” a diagnosis that had coach Steve Spagnuolo divulging that “I'll be praying all night.” Bradford, meanwhile, is more optimistic (as players often are), telling reporters after the game that “I don't see any way that I'm not going to be on that field [playing] next Monday.”

Fantasy Impact: If Bradford’s head coach is holding his breath, then fantasy owners should be as well. Especially since the next person in line to start is 34-year-old A.J. Feeley, who went 2-for-6 for 21 yards in his first regular season NFL appearance since 2007.

Steven Jackson, RB, STL (quad)

The Injury: After not showing much in the way of wheels during the preseason, Jackson showcased some trademark explosive running on a 47-yard TD run in the first quarter, but had only one more carry on the day due to quad trouble.

Fantasy Impact: The Rams are expected to update Jackson’s status Monday morning, and fantasy owners should be prepared to use a waiver claim on Cadillac Williams (19 rush, 91 yds; 6 rec, 49 yds) pending the results of that update.

Danny Amendola, WR, STL (elbow)

The Injury: How bad is Amendola’s dislocated left elbow? The answer: very. Shortly after the injury happened, the Rams announced via Twitter that Amendola’s “season is likely in doubt,” with ESPN’s John Clayton later sharing the slightly less pessimistic report that Amendola is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

Fantasy Impact: Rookie Greg Salas got a look on Sunday after a highly disappointing training camp, and had an ugly drop (in addition to one catch for 21 yards). Salas shouldn’t be a consideration in fantasy leagues at the moment, and Brandon Gibson (3 rec, 50 yds) seems like a more likely beneficiary. It’s also worth noting that Adam Caplan of FOX Sports has floated the suggestion that the Rams sign Brandon Stokley to take over Amendola’s slot role.

Arian Foster, RB, HOU (hamstring)

The Injury: After Foster showed up to the stadium in a golf cart (and was subsequently inactive), Gary Kubiak was noncommittal about his star RB’s status for Week 2, saying (per the team’s Twitter feed) that "I think until he steps on the field, there's some question. The next test will be Wednesday [at practice]."

Fantasy Impact: Derrick Ward (11 rush, 39 yds, 1 TD) got the early carries Sunday, but left the blowout win over the Colts with an ankle injury. Ward told the Houston Chronicle that his departure was precautionary, and even if Ward does play next week, Ben Tate (24 rush, 116 yds, 1 TD) has the look of a must-start against Miami next week if Foster is out.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG (knee)

The Injury: Nicks (7 rec, 122 yds) had X-rays on his knee after Sunday’s game, which came back negative.

Fantasy Impact: We’ll be watching closely for updates as the week progresses, but at the moment it doesn’t sound like there’s a significant cause for concern here.

Mike Tolbert, RB, SD (knee)

The Injury: Things didn’t look good for Tolbert (93 total yards, 3 TDs) when he limped off the field late in the fourth quarter, but Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com reports that the injury is "not believed to be serious."

Fantasy Impact: Any missed time for Tolbert would be a big development for Ryan Mathews’ value, but as of now it doesn’t look like Tolbert is slated to miss significant time.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, JAX (calf)

The Injury: Initially thought to be dealing with leg cramps, Lewis (2 rec, 28 yds) may actually have a calf strain, according to beat writer Tania Ganguli.

Fantasy Impact: Lewis missed significant time during Sunday’s game, which helps explain his limited production. If he does miss a game or games due to the injury, fantasy owners will want to look outside of Jacksonville for a TE replacement rather than turn to Jacksonville’s version of Zach Miller.

Roy Williams, CHI, WR (groin)

The Injury: Williams (4 rec, 55 yds) came up with a slight limp and immediately took a seat on the bench after picking up a fourth-quarter first down.

Fantasy Impact: Williams showed some modest signs of statistical life on Sunday, but Johnny Knox (3 rec, 60 yds) remains the better long-term option, and would see a considerable boost in value if Williams is out next week.

Michael Crabtree, WR, SF (foot)

The Injury: Crabtree told the Sacramento Bee that his surgically-repaired left foot “hurt so bad” during Sunday’s game, then went for an MRI, which came back negative.

Fantasy Impact: Crabtree had just one catch for four yards, and even when healthy remains quite far from being trustworthy in fantasy leagues.

Andy Dalton, QB, CIN (wrist)

The Injury: Dalton (10-for-15, 81 yds, TD) didn’t play in the second half due to wrist trouble, but early indications are that he avoided a serious injury. Dalton is being called probable for Week 2.

Fantasy Impact: Bruce Gradkowski (5-for-12, 92 yds, TD) would start if Dalton is somehow forced to sit, but this is really only a situation to monitor in extremely deep leagues or two-QB formats.

Kevin Walter, WR, HOU (shoulder)

The Injury: Profootballtalk.com reports that Walter is out 10-12 weeks with a “broken” left shoulder.

Fantasy Impact: Jacoby Jones (3 rec, 43 yds, one return TD) stands to benefit, but probably isn’t worth an add unless you’re playing in a deeper league.

Editor’s note: If you want to play Daily Salary Cap Fantasy Baseball for real money, check out SnapDraft here.

Other Injury Notes: More bad news for the Rams: RT Jason Smith is believed to have a high ankle sprain, and his backup (Adam Goldberg) struggled badly in pass protection last year … The Rams also lost LCB Ronald Bartell due to a shoulder stinger, but it’s not believed to be serious … Trouble in San Diego: Nate Kaeding reportedly suffered a torn left ACL on Sunday’s opening kickoff, and DE Luis Castillo – a vital cog in the Chargers’ defense – reportedly suffered a broken tibia … Steelers OLB James Harrison left in the fourth quarter with an apparent right knee injury … After a fast start, Dez Bryant was visibly hindered by leg cramps during the latter part of Sunday night's game ... Felix Jones briefly came up limping in the fourth quarter, but returned on Dallas' next possession ... Ravens rookie CB Jimmy Smith (ankle) left early, though X-rays were negative … Titans DE William Hayes suffered a shoulder injury, leaving Tennessee’s top three defensive ends currently sidelined … Per beat writer Joe Person, Panthers MLB Jon Beason has what coach Ron Rivera labeled a “dire” left ankle injury … Bills LCB Terrence McGee (hamstring) and linebacker Shawne Merriman (shoulder) both left Sunday’s game early … Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick was carted to the locker room with an ankle injury, and RCB Mike Jenkins left after taking a shot to the upper body, further depleting an already thin Dallas secondary … The Kansas City Star reports that SS Eric Berry’s knee injury “could be serious.”

 

[HacheMan]

Carolina on My Mind
The NFL's tribute to 9/11 featured several poignant moments, from the playing of Taps to watching Presidents Obama and Bush walk together in Pennsylvania with their wives to Amazing Grace on bagpipes and Robert DeNiro's tribute. For pure bone-chilling inspiration, though, nothing beat Jim Cornelison's tone-setting national anthem at Soldier Field, "belted out with majestic gusto."


Eighty-nine players currently on NFL rosters, including Carolina's Steve Smith, were playing on 9/11. Cam Newton was entering junior high. The two combined to steal the show on the NFL's opening weekend. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Newton shattered Hall of Famer Otto Graham's 1950 record for most passing yards (346) in an NFL debut. Newton's 422 yards are more than Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady, Jim Kelly, Bart Starr or Frank Tarkenton ever managed in a single game. The only players with more passing yards in the season opener are Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, and Peyton Manning, who have combined for seven MVP awards. For a player who was under pre-draft scrutiny for everything from his passing mechanics to his mental makeup, the performance was more important than his first loss since Navarro Junior College. With only a month to prepare for the season, Newton provided more thrills for the Panthers fan base than they experienced all of last season.


Smith, who famously told Jimmy Clausen to apologize for his play last season, said it was "an honor" just to be on the field with Newton Sunday. "Man … I am just happy," said Smith. "I am happy to be on the field with a guy like that. ... He was everything everybody didn’t expect him to be. He was on point, he made some great runs, he made some great reads, made some fantastic throws. He made some throws out there that honestly as a receiver it made it easy to catch them."


How does a passer go from 42 percent in the preseason to the most electrifying performance in the NFL's opening weekend? I don't understand it, but it's a good bet that the Cardinals' inept pass defense, Smith's presence for four quarters, and Newton's ability to come through on the big stage were the main ingredients. Rotoworld has been recommending Newton as a high-upside QB2 since June, but this output will be the exception rather than the rule. He won't be a recommended fantasy start against the Super Bowl champs next week.


Two sidenotes on Newton before we delve into Smith's performance: 1. Bias and hyperbole are at play here, but check out Bo Jackson's quote on the Jim Rome Show last week: "[Newton] has the arm strength and power of Dan Marino and John Elway combined. He is quicker than Michael Vick -- faster than Michael Vick (Author's Note: No way). And he will run over you with the power of a Jerome Bettis." 2. If you watched NFL Network game highlights over the past month, you've probably noticed Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin yelling, "Cam, whoa, Cam!" every time Newton makes a play. It's a reference to 1988 new jack swing hit "Teddy's Jam" from the R&B group Guy. I only know this from the 1990 NBA Superstars video that came free with a Sports Illustrated subscription.


Smith's dominant 8/178/2 performance was no fluke. He would have soared past the 200-yard mark had a 41-yard gain not been overturned on replay. As part of Rotoworld's Bold Predictions series in this year's Draft Guide, I noted that Smith still has the ability to lead all fantasy receivers in scoring with a major upgrade at quarterback. In games not started by Vinny Testaverde, Chris Weinke, Jimmy Clausen, and Brian St. Pierre, Smith has produced at the same 90-100 yards-per-game level as Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. It remains to be seen if Newton constitutes that major upgrade as a passer, but Sunday's game was certainly a step in that direction. If the Smith owner in your league is looking to sell high, don't be afraid to take the bait. He's a WR2 with WR1 upside this season.


Game Balls

Joe Flacco / Ray Rice - As Profootballtalk's Mike Florio points out, Flacco has actually out-played the more highly regarded Matt Ryan since the two entered the league in 2008. Despite four road playoff victories, though, Flacco had never won a game started by Ben Roethlisberger entering the 2011 season. He was only sacked once behind a much-maligned offensive line Sunday, threading a handful of the prettiest passes of his career. "It was the Joe Flacco show," Rice said. "I was just a co-star in it." For matchup start purposes, note that Flacco is 11-1 in 12 home-field starts with a 22:2 TD-to-INT ratio dating back to November of 2009.

It was Rice, however, who had the look of a potential 2011 fantasy MVP, showing 2009 form behind the improved O-Line. With excellent burst, balance, and body control, Rice did extensive damage at the second level of Pittsburgh's vaunted run defense. The Ravens' 170 rushing yards were the most against the Steelers since 2009 and 22 more than Baltimore's combined output in three games last season. In fact, Rice has the only two 100-yard performances against the Steelers in their last 51 games. "That was a physical, (well-) executed beat down," Rice said of Sunday's domination.

Matthew Stafford / Calvin Johnson - Upon drafting Stafford three years ago, coach Jim Schwartz declared "It's probably time to find a replacement for Bobby Layne." Stafford burned the Bucs for 305 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, becoming the first Lions quarterback to top 300 yards in a season opener since Layne in 1953. (Side note from Hall of Famer Yale Lary: "When Bobby said block, you blocked. When Bobby said drink, you drank.") His decision-making continues to surpass expectations, as evidenced by a 118.9 passer rating coming off a preseason rating of 154.7. If he stays healthy in Scott Linehan's pass-first offense, Stafford won't finish outside the top-five fantasy QBs.

Johnson can thank aggressive play-calling for his monster fantasy day. Down 10-6 in the second quarter, the Lions went for broke on fourth-and-3 from the Bucs' 36-yard line. Teams often eschew the long field goal in favor of a short passing route, but Linehan and Schwartz opted instead to send Johnson deep against a heavy pass rush. Stafford found Johnson's outstretched arms just over shadow corner Aqib Talib for the first of two Megatron scores. He's going to push for 15 touchdowns this year.

Rex Grossman / Fred Davis - After starting slowly with his usual assortment of Rex issues, Grossman finished 21-of-34 for 305 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions (110.5 rating). Want to know why Grossman is a sneaky QB1 play with OC Kyle Shanahan letting him sling the ball all over the field? In his nine-year career Grossman has four 300-yard games, three of which have come with the Redskins in his last four starts. In a matchup with Arizona, Grossman has the look of a legit top-10 option for Week 2.

Down a dozen pounds from last season, a streamlined Davis outplayed a gimpy Chris Cooley. Davis got open at will and racked up major yardage after the catch. Cooley may not be healthy all season, leaving Davis as a potential TE1. He was a recommended waiver wire addition last week and will be high on the list for Week 2.


Michael Vick - Behind a shaky offensive line, Vick’s superhuman athleticism saved the day. Even though his passing numbers (14-of-32 for 187 yards) were his worst with the Eagles, Vick still managed 26 standard-scoring fantasy points. He would have topped 30 had DeSean Jackson not dropped a perfectly thrown pass that would have gone for 90 yards and a score. "It felt great to know that I can go and play lights out, not have to worry about anything," said Vick. "I trained very hard this offseason. I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. I felt quicker than I ever felt before. ... I feel like I could play another four quarters right now."


Ryan Fitzpatrick - We've always had faith in coach Chan Gailey's system. The only question was how a physically overmatched offensive line would hold up. The Bills' 41 points were their most in a season-opener since 1975. Should we have been surprised? They brought back more starters than any other team in football this season, and Fitzpatrick rewarded Gailey's faith in neglecting to upgrade at quarterback during the offseason. Gailey exacted sweet revenge on Todd Haley, who jettisoned him as offensive coordinator just before the 2009 season.

Kevin Kolb - After passing for a pin-point accurate 309 yards and two touchdowns, Kolb immediately provided legitimacy to a Cardinals offense that failed to produce a 300-yard passer in any game last season. In fact, Kolb has now surpassed 300 yards in four of his eight career starts. Don't worry about Larry Fitzgerald. Determined to stop Arizona's best player, Panthers used brackett coverage with Chris Gamble shadowing and safety help over the top.

Matt Forte - Pay the man. Forte has averaged 127 yards from scrimmage in his last 10 games, combining for at least 98 yards in nine of the ten. As evidenced by his 56-yard screen-pass touchdown, Forte remains in the discussion for the best receiving back in the game while showing lateral quickness and agility on the ground against a stout Falcons run defense. Forte should remain a solid RB1 all season long.

Kenny Britt - All of the August concerns about his hamstring injury and possible suspension were for naught. The lone bright spot in Tennessee's offense, Britt turned a desperation flip into an 80-yard score and high-pointed a pass in the end zone for a leaping grab over Rashean Mathis. "He played exactly how we thought he could play," coach Mike Munchak said. "He … has a chance to be a difference-maker for us." If he stays healthy, Britt is going to be a top-10 fantasy receiver this year.

Committee Time

Texans - When healthy, Arian Foster is the clear feature back. Whether that will be the case in Week 2 remains to be seen. Derrick Ward (11 carries, 39 yards) started, but sat out the second half as a precaution after sustaining a minor ankle injury. Ben Tate carried the load the rest of the way, impressing coach Gary Kubiak on his way to 116 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. According to Pro Football Focus, Tate averaged 3.2 yards per attempt after contact compared to Ward's 2.1 and a league average of 2.5. We still believe the more talented and explosive Tate is the handcuff to own here, and he could carve out 6-8 carries per week behind Foster.

Saints - Mark Ingram is the primary early-down, between-the-tackles back. Darren Sproles is the passing-down specialist. Pierre Thomas is a mixture of both. Over the long haul, Ingram is easily the best fantasy bet. Much like the Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis, his role is limited when the Saints are playing from behind. Most weeks, that won't be the case. He's a player to target if owners are panicked by the first game.

Chargers - Sunday's game went just as expected, with Mike Tolbert (21 touches, 93 yards, 3 TDs) handling red-zone work and third downs. Ryan Mathews (15 touches, 118 yards) showed his homerun hitting ability in the passing game, but won't see the end zone with much regularity. Tolbert's knee injury isn't expected to keep him out for more than a week -- if that.

Giants - Ahmad Bradshaw (14 touches, 54 yards) had the timeshare advantage over Brandon Jacobs (6 touches, 29 yards) this week, but it's going to be an unpredictable rotation throughout the year. Jacobs was curiously left on the bench in several short-yardage situations, so it's tough to get a read on the goal-line situation.

Packers - James Starks is the back to own in Green Bay. He's bigger and more explosive this season, lowering his shoulder and running through Saints defenders. Ryan Grant, on the other hand, appears to have lost a step. Starks' role will continue to expand at Grant's expense.

Chiefs - There were two major takeaways from Sunday's loss to the Bills: 1. Thomas Jones' (2 touches, 3 yards) role has been diminished to the point where Dexter McCluster (9 touches, 67 yards) may actually have more fantasy value. 2. The Chiefs offense is in the tank since Charlie Weis left after a falling out with Todd Haley. Jamaal Charles (15 touches, 65 yards, TD) is the feature back.

Buccaneers - Sunday's game confirmed what we already suspected about LeGarrette Blount (5 touches, 15 yards): He's bench bound when the Bucs are playing from behind. It's the primary reason Rotoworld advised letting someone else draft Blount in the early third round. Despite training camp puff pieces to the contrary, Blount is among the worst receiving backs in the NFL and the Bucs don't trust him in pass protection. Earnest Graham (14 touches, 71 yards) isn't a waiver pickup this week, but he's going to siphon fantasy value from Blount all year long. For an alleged power runner, it's also interesting to note that Blount was bypassed in short-yardage situations as well.

Panthers - $43 million man DeAngelo Williams (13 touches, 36 yards) started, but was outplayed by Jonathan Stewart (9 touches, 40 yards). Stewart had two big plays called back due to penalties and broke tackles in impressive fashion. He's going to continue to eat into Williams' value.

Colts - Built for a passing offense as a strong receiver and pass protector, Joseph Addai is in for a long season with Kerry Collins under center. He rushed just eight times for 39 yards while rookie Delone Carter took nine totes of his own for 25 yards. There's little fantasy upside in this backfield for 2011.

Bills - Outside of an impressive 9-yard score, C.J. Spiller had just seven yards on four carries while Fred Jackson broke the century mark on 20 attempts. As much as the Bills want to increase Spiller's role, F-Jax remains the top fantasy back in Buffalo.

<!--RW-->Injury Ward

Sam Bradford - Finger
Andy Dalton - Wrist
Steven Jackson - Quad
Mike Tolbert - Knee
Derrick Ward - Ankle
Danny Amendola - Elbow
Dez Bryant - Legs
Michael Crabtree - Foot
Roy Williams - Groin
Kevin Walter - Shoulder
Marcedes Lewis - Calf
Nate Kaeding - Knee
Jon Beason - Achilles
Eric Berry - Knee
Daryl Washington - Calf
James Harrison - Knee

Check out @MattStroup's "Rams Wrecked" for in-depth analysis of Sunday's M*A*S*H unit fallout.

Shutdown Corner

Darrelle Revis took turns shadowing Dez Bryant and Miles Austin Sunday night. Aqib Talib was abused by Calvin Johnson, which makes him no different than any other corner. Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole noted, however, that Talib looked out of shape. Nnamdi Asomugha shut down Mike Sims-Walker. The salient news for fantasy leaguers is that Joe Haden of the Browns is emerging as a shutdown force to be reckoned with. He shadowed A.J. Green, holding the impressive rookie without a catch until a quick-snap 41-yard touchdown when the Browns were still in their defensive huddle.

Awards Section

Stat of the Week: Over the last 10 regular seasons, the Colts were only held to seven or fewer points once -- in a meaningless Week 17 game last season. The Colts went into halftime trailing 34-0 Sunday, the largest halftime deficit in franchise history. In Peyton Manning’s 13 years as the starter, the Colts were never behind by more than 24 at halftime.


Runner-Up: Ted Ginn is the first player to have a kickoff-return touchdown and punt-return touchdown on opening weekend. His single-game total of 268 return yards ranks 15th in the NFL since 1950. The three kickoff return touchdowns so far are tied for the most ever on Kickoff Weekend. As @NFLfootballinfo suggests, reports of the death of kickoff returns have been great exaggerated.


Quote of the Week: ESPN.com's Rick Reilly: "Peyton Manning will keep his streak alive. If you think he's going to miss a start because of a neck problem, you've been chugging paint thinner. This guy hasn't missed a start since 1994 at Tennessee. Do you know how long ago it was when Manning didn't start for the Colts? Google was two days old. Kim Kardashian was 17. Russell Crowe was skinny! If Manning doesn't start Game 1, I will come to your house and eat things that are stuck in your carpet."


Runner-Up: NBC's Rodney Harrison on Steve Smith's offseason desire for a trade: "Wouldn't you want out of Carolina if you had to play with Jimmy Clausen?"


Tweet of the Week: From ESPN's @MrMichael_Smith: 400 yards in your first NFL game? After this performance Jerry Richardson may get a Cam Newton tattoo.


Runner-Up: From @DanWetzel of Yahoo! Sports after a spectacular 24-yard catch: Dez Bryant just set up a beach chair on Revis Island.


Second Runner-Up: From Vikings beat writer @TomPelissero of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities: Is there a better almost-porno name in the NFL than Quentin Jammer?


Third Runner-Up: From @RumfordJohnny of 2mugsff.com, describing the Cowboys' oft-injured cornerback: Mike Jenkins has more cramps than a Judy Blume book.


Fantasy MVP of Week 1: Steve Smith, Panthers


Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 1: Ben Tate, Texans


Fantasy Rookie of Week 1: Cam Newton, Panthers


Fantasy Disappointment of Week 1: Chris Johnson, Titans


Fantasy Fraud of Week 1: Chiefs, Colts Offense


Fantasy Fluke of Week 1: Scott Chandler, Bills


Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses


1. Packers
2. Cowboys
3. Eagles
4. Chargers
5. Lions
6. Saints
7. Patriots
8. Steelers
9. Falcons
10. Ravens
11. Giants
12. Cardinals
13. Redskins
14. Bills
15. Buccaneers


Week 2 Heavy-Weight Bouts

Eagles at Falcons
Chargers at Patriots
Bears at Saints


Early Waiver Look


QB: Cam Newton, Rex Grossman
RB: Cadillac Williams, Jerome Harrison, Deji Karim, Darren Sproles
WR: Lance Moore, Jacoby Jones, Devery Henderson, Brandon Gibson, Mohamed Massaquoi, Jabar Gaffney, Greg Salas, David Nelson, Doug Baldwin
TE: Fred Davis, Jermaine Gresham, Evan Moore, Ed Dickson

 

[HacheMan]

Monday Night Football Matchups

New England @ Miami

The Patriots' backfield will become muddied over the course of the season, but expect it to open the year like it finished 2010. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the clock-killing early-down back, and Danny Woodhead the rich man's version of Kevin Faulk as a receiver, slot man, occasional inside ball carrier, and blitz protector. Rookies Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley may be the future, but there is no reason to believe they're the present. At least not yet. ... Green-Ellis has scored in three of his four career meetings with Miami. This game sets up well for "Law Firm" because he dominates when New England has the lead. And the Fins look like a pushover opponent. Last season, Green-Ellis averaged over 16 carries a game in New England's wins, and scored 10 of his 13 touchdowns when the Pats had the lead. ... Woodhead can be expected to receive 10-12 touches. I personally would've wanted a Sunday option with more upside. ... Wes Welker has at least eight receptions in each of his last four games against the Fins. Start 'em, especially in PPR.

The Dolphins field one of the NFL's better outside corner duos with Vontae Davis on the left and Sean Smith on the right. The Pats' three-receiver set is comprised of Welker, Chad Ochocinco, and Deion Branch. Branch and Ocho are the outside receivers on most snaps. Perhaps one of them will score a fluky touchdown, but neither has a good-looking matchup. I'd like to know more about the Patriots' receiver rotation before investing in it, anyhow. ... Rob Gronkowski caught six balls for 102 yards and a score in his last meeting with the Dolphins. I'm just not sure how the Fins are going to stop him, barring a game plan that employs Gronkowski strictly as a blocker. ... Aaron Hernandez is coming off a big August and has rare athleticism for a tight end. The TE position is just so deep in fantasy, and Hernandez plays about 50 percent of the snaps. He's too boom or bust for my liking. Hernandez faced Miami once last season, finishing with 29 yards on five grabs.

The Pats-Fins over-under is the second largest of Week 1. If there ever was one, this is the week to play Reggie Bush. Daniel Thomas pulled his hamstring in practice last week, and the franchise has never shown faith in Lex Hilliard. Bush is in line for 18-20 touches, opening the year as a true feature back. ESPN's Wendi Nix reported Monday that Miami's coaching staff is "targeting" 20 all-purpose touches for Bush. ... Especially in PPR, I'll take these career averages against New England from Brandon Marshall: Seven catches for 74 yards with two touchdowns in four games. Marshall is a shoo-in WR2. He looked as athletic and fast as ever this preseason, and the Fins are intent on getting Marshall the ball. He'll play all over the formation, seeing action against slot cornerback Kyle Arrington as well as Patriots outside CBs Leigh Bodden and Devin McCourty.

Davone Bess is never a sexy fantasy start, but he gets open and catches passes. He's a borderline every-week WR3 in PPR leagues. Bess should benefit if the Dolphins fall behind early. ... Chad Henne has a career 58.6 completion rate against the Patriots with four touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 6.64 yards-per-attempt average. Henne's solid finish to the preseason may have given Dolphins fans hope, but he's a very low-end QB2 option from a fantasy perspective. ... Keep an eye on Miami rookie burner Clyde Gates, who is expected to share time at outside receiver with Brian Hartline. Gates is a WR5/6, but could open up some things over the middle for Marshall, Bush, and Bess if Henne hits him for an early bomb. The Dolphins are expected to increase their aggressiveness on offense this year, and Gates is their fastest skill position player.

Score Prediction: Patriots 24, Dolphins 13


Oakland @ Denver

Denver is rushing back NT Brodrick Bunkley from a knee injury that cost him over two weeks of camp. New to the system, Bunkley is likely to be at least somewhat behind the curve and perhaps a bit out of shape. Even if Bunkley were in top condition, the Broncos are going to contend for the worst run defense in football. Darren McFadden, legs fresh after a carry-less preseason, has faced Denver six career times. He's averaged an otherworldly 6.16 yards per carry with six touchdowns. McFadden also averages 98 total yards per game against Denver, though that's only on an average of 15 touches. He'll get the rock 25 times on Monday night. ... Michael Bush is strictly a McFadden handcuff until proven otherwise. Raiders coach Hue Jackson leaned much more toward a feature-back approach when divvying up backfield snaps as Oakland playcaller last year. Now head coach, Jackson has publicly re-anointed McFadden his offensive centerpiece.

Another key injury in Denver's front seven is WLB D.J. Williams' dislocated elbow. One of the Broncos' top run defenders, Williams has been ruled out for this game. ... Jacoby Ford is going to be much better than his fantasy draft slotting indicated, but this is a week to wait and see. Don't mess with Champ Bailey. ... Jason Campbell is basically in the same boat. Oakland needs to pound the Broncos with the run, shying away from an underrated Denver pass defense. ... The Raiders' listed starters at receiver are Ford (Z, slot in 3-wide formations) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (X). Denarius Moore is behind Heyward-Bey at split end, though Chaz Schilens is also in the mix for snaps. We're all excited to see Moore play after a monster August, but he's still a WR5. That could change quickly when the Raiders realize Heyward-Bey isn't a starting-caliber player.

The Raiders have lost 11 straight prime-time games, seven of them on Monday night. So Broncos fans have something to get excited about; it certainly won't be their team's offense. All indications from Denver's preseason were that John Fox will install a heavily run-oriented attack, as expected according to his history. Knowshon Moreno will get the vast majority of the work between the 20s and is a candidate for 18-plus weekly touches. Willis McGahee is a roll of the dice as a goal-line back who will kill you if he doesn't score. ... Brandon Lloyd should've been the happiest guy in the room when Nnamdi Asomugha left Oakland in free agency. Lloyd struggled against a healthy Asomugha last season, and Stanford Routt isn't quite as intimidating. Lloyd is the Broncos' pass catcher to start in this one. ... Kyle Orton's attempts will be down, and he did not fare well in his lone 2010 meeting with the Raiders, going 12-of-29 for 198 yards. That's a 41.4 completion rate.

Eddie Royal is the Broncos' other starting receiver, with Eric Decker likely to play when the team uses three wides. In a run-dominated offense, however, Decker can't expect over 50 percent of the snaps. Royal's value has never been the same since his big rookie year. He couldn't even flourish under pass-happy coach Josh McDaniels. ... Julius Thomas is an interesting rookie on Denver's side. The Portland State power forward turned NFL tight end will open the year behind plodding starter Daniel Fells. Just keep in mind that Fox and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy have no history of using tight ends in the passing game. Perhaps Thomas will change their minds.

Score Prediction: Raiders 21, Broncos 17

 

[HacheMan]

2011 ranks update: Indy options slide

Eric Karabell

Welcome to Tuesday, a day marked on my weekly schedule as END-OF-SEASON RANKINGS day (and yes, it is in all capital letters). These are fun. Just a note, though: I'm not the type of guy who will overrate things that happen in a first week of any season, so you might not see as much change in these position rankings (or the top 100) as you would with other rankers. But if you want to pump up Week 1 performances, go right ahead. They are, after all, your teams. If you want to drop Ben Roethlisberger to add Cam Newton or Ryan Fitzpatrick, well, good for you and lemme know if you have room in your league in 2012!


These rankings will be updated every Tuesday, and as always I look forward to your comments. I've made my own comments to the left of the rankings for each position. But let me re-emphasize that these are not my Week 2 rankings. Those week-specific rankings from me and a few of my cohorts are published each Wednesday. I'm thinking long-term (the rest of the season) in this blog entry. In other words, if I were drafting today, these would be my rankings. Quick click by position, for easy reference:
Top 40 Quarterbacks | Top 60 Running Backs | Top 60 Wide Receivers
Top 30 Tight Ends | Top 32 Defense/Special Teams | Top 100 Overall

Top 40 Quarterbacks


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 200px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Rodgers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tom Brady </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Brees </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Vick </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philip Rivers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Romo </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Schaub </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Roethlisberger </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Freeman </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eli Manning </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Flacco </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Kolb </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matthew Stafford </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Ryan </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sam Bradford </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Orton </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Cutler </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Sanchez </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Fitzpatrick </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Cassel </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cam Newton </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Colt McCoy </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Donovan McNabb </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Campbell </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Hasselbeck </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Henne </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rex Grossman </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Luke McCown </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Smith </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tarvaris Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kerry Collins </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bruce Gradkowski </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peyton Manning </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andy Dalton </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Tebow </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vince Young </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Blaine Gabbert </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Beck </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Charlie Whitehurst </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shaun Hill </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



• The last time I did these rankings, on Sept. 2 -- also the first time, by the way -- we didn't have nearly the information we do now on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Yep, he missed a game, and he's going to miss more. In fact, he might not play at all in 2011. I've left him in the rankings just in case the news turns more positive in the coming week and he makes a triumphant return down the road. It's not like the Colts need him, you know. Kerry Collins looked fantastic against the Houston Texans on Sunday. (Yes, I'm being facetious.) Collins remains ranked, though. He's still a starting quarterback, and I'll bet he isn't nearly as bad this week. He moves up not because he played well in Week 1, but because he has some job security right now that he didn't have the last time I did these rankings. And I just couldn't see putting him behind the Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks.
• Collins was not the worst quarterback for fantasy purposes in Week 1; in fact, five starting quarterbacks fared worse, at least statistically. One of them was -- and remains -- a top-10 option. Ben Roethlisberger actually moves up a spot, because of Manning's drop. I'm not giving up on Big Ben by any means. He'll be fine. I do, however, have some concerns about a few of the others that couldn't reach Collins' seven fantasy points. Sam Bradford drops a few spots. Man, he needs receiving help. Matt Cassel drops a spot, and Donovan McNabb, now known to me as Mr. 39 (those were his passing yards for the game), is headed in the wrong direction.
• Who moves up? Well, both quarterbacks in the Arizona-Carolina game look better today than they did a week ago. I expected that from Kevin Kolb, who is now closing in on my top 10. Joe Flacco and Matthew Stafford also rose with him and are similarly enticing. Rookie Cam Newton also made a nice leap, but for now he's still outside the top 20. Look, I know many of you love him -- the comments on my Sunday-night Newton blog entry prove it! -- but I think we'll know a bit more about his value after he faces the defending Super Bowl champs this coming weekend. Newton moves to No. 21, one spot ahead of Colt McCoy, who I also want to see more of before trusting.
Top 60 Running Backs


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 200px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Peterson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jamaal Charles </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ray Rice </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeSean McCoy </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Arian Foster </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Maurice Jones-Drew </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rashard Mendenhall </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Turner </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Gore </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Forte </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peyton Hillis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Darren McFadden </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ahmad Bradshaw </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steven Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeGarrette Blount </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeAngelo Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">BenJarvus Green-Ellis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Beanie Wells </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Knowshon Moreno </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jahvid Best </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cedric Benson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Tolbert </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Mathews </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shonn Greene </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Stewart </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fred Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hightower </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Starks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Thomas </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marshawn Lynch </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joseph Addai </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Tate </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Bush </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Ingram </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Grant </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">C.J. Spiller </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cadillac Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LaDainian Tomlinson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Daniel Thomas </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Jacobs </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Bush </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Thomas Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derrick Ward </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Willis McGahee </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Darren Sproles </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tashard Choice </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Danny Woodhead </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Montario Hardesty </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jerome Harrison </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Earnest Graham </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Bernard Scott </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anthony Dixon </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Delone Carter </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jamie Harper </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Torain </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Snelling </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Deji Karim </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



• I'm sticking with the top guns here, even though a few of them struggled and the defending top fantasy scorer from last season sat out all together. I do think it's possible Texans stud Arian Foster misses another game or two, especially in light of how good Ben Tate and Derrick Ward looked while replacing him. Why not let Foster rest and heal up? Then again, the Colts' "matador" run defense has issues, so maybe the Tate/Ward combination's Week 1 performance was not a true representation. I'd like to see what the Texans do this week on the ground. Meanwhile, Peyton Hillis owners should be licking their chops for this week's Colts matchup. Foster does drop two spots, in part because of the uncertainty surrounding missed games but also because it's possible Tate keeps getting some of his touches even when Foster returns. Tate does move up quite a bit, to No. 34, but check Foster's availability before starting him. Ward moves up as well, as he's very much in the mix.
• As for well-compensated Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, he didn't please his owners with his four fantasy points, equally divided with two points rushing and receiving the football. Hmm, perhaps even Chris Johnson can't fall out of bed and rush for 100 yards. I still wouldn't worry about him, though. I'm confident he'll easily top 50 total yards this week and rack up plenty more as the season goes on. In fact, I really didn't adjust the top 30 running backs very much. Injured Steven Jackson -- here we go again! -- drops some, but he could suit up in Week 3, so don't panic. LeGarrette Blount's slow start really doesn't concern me much. He's a bit reliant on the Buccaneers having leads -- he doesn't block or catch the ball well -- but luckily for him, his team should have a lot of leads in future weeks.
• The San Diego running back situation is awfully interesting; I actually thought sophomore Ryan Mathews looked very good, producing 118 yards from scrimmage. Of course, mammoth back Mike Tolbert scored three touchdowns, two of them on his nine receptions, and tied Ray Rice for top running back honors in Week 1. I'm not scared to use Mathews as a flex option, but Tolbert remains legit, as well. The early word is Tolbert will play through his current knee injury.
• I liked what Buffalo's Fred Jackson and Washington's Tim Hightower accomplished Sunday, but it was tough to move these top-30 running backs up because I didn't want to drop anyone much. It's still just one week. I can't give up on Jonathan Stewart after one game, though his rank did take a legit hit. Hightower, in particular, still scares me for the long-term this season because we've seen his work in previous seasons -- hold on to the darned ball! -- and coach Mike Shanahan is always willing to change his running backs on a whim.
Top 60 Wide Receivers


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 200px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andre Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roddy White </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Jennings </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hakeem Nicks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Calvin Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Larry Fitzgerald </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Wallace </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Lloyd </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dez Bryant </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vincent Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miles Austin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeSean Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Wayne </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dwayne Bowe </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenny Britt </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santonio Holmes </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wes Welker </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mario Manningham </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Maclin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Percy Harvin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Smith </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Marshall </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anquan Boldin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robert Meachem </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santana Moss </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Thomas </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sidney Rice </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Ochocinco </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Garcon </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Austin Collie </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Knox </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marques Colston </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">A.J. Green </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Plaxico Burress </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Braylon Edwards </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordy Nelson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Moore </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Malcom Floyd </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy E. Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Ford </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Julio Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nate Burleson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Davone Bess </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Deion Branch </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hines Ward </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Danario Alexander </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lee Evans </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Breaston </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Crabtree </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Donald Driver </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mohamed Massaquoi </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Sims-Walker </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Devery Henderson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Gibson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Early Doucet </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



• As with the running backs, there aren't a ton of changes among the wide receiver ranks with the fellows regarded as fantasy starters. It's just too early to give up on anyone who struggled in Week 1. Colts veteran Reggie Wayne does leave my top 10 despite the fact he wasn't bad at all Sunday. In truth, I had dropped Wayne about 10 spots from his preseason spot at No. 8 when the news of Manning's demise was announced, so I ended up splitting the difference. Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon also dropped some, but not too far. Look, Collins was awful, but I still think he'll find his weapons often enough to make them productive.
• I hope fantasy owners don't drop New Orleans Saints No. 1 wide receiver Marques Colston. He broke his collarbone in the Thursday night opener and is scheduled to miss at least a month, but he should return, and when he does his targets will be waiting for him. Robert Meachem becomes my top-ranked Saints option at this position, but Colston is next up. The team's top wideout in Week 1 was Devery Henderson, but we've seen his act before and been burned. He does enter the rankings, however.
• Outside the top 20, there were a number of receivers who made nice jumps. I wrote about Carolina's Steve Smith in the aforementioned Newton blog; he just didn't have quarterbacks who could get him the ball last season, whereas now it appears he does. I thought Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas did fine, getting 11 targets and catching eight passes, but hopefully new quarterback Luke McCown gets to throw the ball downfield a bit more in future weeks. Plaxico Burress and Nate Burleson also moved up, but they were probably due some rankings adjustments in the first place.
• At the back end of the top 60 you'll see some new names. While I'm all aboard the Kolb bandwagon, my preseason pick of Andre Roberts to emerge didn't look so great when Early Doucet scored on a 70-yard pass play (though he was awfully fortunate). I wanted to find room for Cleveland Browns top guy Mohamed Massaquoi the first time I ranked positions. Well, there is room now. And while Danny Amendola and his dislocated elbow had to leave the rankings, Brandon Gibson deserved to get in. I wouldn't get too excited about any of the Rams' wide receivers, though. In fact, you'll see I dropped inconsistent Mike Sims-Walker quite a bit.
Top 30 Tight Ends


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 200px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Gates </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Witten </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dallas Clark </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jermichael Finley </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Davis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Owen Daniels </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kellen Winslow </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jimmy Graham </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marcedes Lewis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Olsen </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rob Gronkowski </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Zach Miller </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Hernandez </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Pettigrew </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Keller </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Gonzalez </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Cooley </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fred Davis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jermaine Gresham </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Kendricks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Scott Chandler </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jared Cook </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Evan Moore </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ed Dickson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brent Celek </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Benjamin Watson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Todd Heap </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Visanthe Shiancoe </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Heath Miller </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Shockey </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



• Well, Bills "no-name" Scott Chandler had to go somewhere. He enters the rankings at No. 21 after scoring a pair of touchdowns Sunday. A year ago, Jaguars veteran Marcedes Lewis scored two touchdowns in Week 1 and fantasy owners pounced; I expect Chandler to be similarly popular this week. Then again, I don't think Chandler is a must fantasy add because this position still possesses a lot of depth. Consider the players he immediately follows, because both Fred Davis of the Redskins and Jermaine Gresham of the Bengals reached double digits in fantasy scoring in Week 1. They couldn't do better than Nos. 18 and 19 in these rankings. Davis put up numbers in 2009 when starter Chris Cooley was injured, but when Cooley was back last season he didn't. Well, Cooley is playing these days, albeit playing hurt.
• There's a minor change near the top of the tight end rankings, as Dallas Clark switches places with Jason Witten. I'm sure some of you expected that Clark, given the team's change in quarterbacks, would drop more. I just can't do that. Collins will look his way. Meanwhile, Witten got plenty of looks Sunday night from Tony Romo, which should -- but probably won't -- put to rest the notion that Witten only got his big numbers last season when Jon Kitna was the fill-in quarterback. Again, I don't buy it. Witten will thrive with Romo.
• I saw every dropped pass by St. Louis Rams rookie Lance Kendricks on Sunday; he had five targets but caught one. Perhaps he was nervous? I still like the upside here, but as with Davis and Gresham, there are just so many decent options. Cleveland's Evan Moore also looks like a nice deep-league choice.
• It sure is good to see a tight end getting 13 targets. Antonio Gates didn't score a touchdown, so his seven fantasy points might look pedestrian for him, but he's still the top guy, easily.
Top 32 Defense/Special Teams


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 40px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 40px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; WIDTH: 5px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 40px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player <CENTER></CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 40px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pittsburgh Steelers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">San Francisco 49ers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">New York Jets </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tampa Bay Buccaneers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Baltimore Ravens </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cleveland Browns </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Green Bay Packers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miami Dolphins </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philadelphia Eagles </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Seattle Seahawks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chicago Bears </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tennessee Titans </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">San Diego Chargers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Houston Texans </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">New England Patriots </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Minnesota Vikings </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Atlanta Falcons </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Washington Redskins </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">New Orleans Saints </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Buffalo Bills </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Detroit Lions </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cincinnati Bengals </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">New York Giants </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Indianapolis Colts </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dallas Cowboys </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Arizona Cardinals </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Oakland Raiders </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacksonville Jaguars </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kansas City Chiefs </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Denver Broncos </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">St. Louis Rams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carolina Panthers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



Top 100 Overall


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%"><THEAD><TR><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Ovr.
Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Player </TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Team </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Pos.
Rank </CENTER></TH><TH style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Next 3
Weeks </CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 50px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom"><CENTER>Prev. </CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Peterson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB, DET, @KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL, DEN, @CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jamaal Charles </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@DET, @SD, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ray Rice </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@TEN, @STL, NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeSean McCoy </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@ATL, NYG, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Arian Foster </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIA, @NO, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Maurice Jones-Drew </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NYJ, @CAR, NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rashard Mendenhall </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA, @IND, @HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Turner </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI, @TB, @SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andre Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIA, @NO, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Gore </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL, @CIN, @PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roddy White </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI, @TB, @SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Forte </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NO, GB, CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Rodgers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Jennings </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peyton Hillis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@IND, MIA, TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Darren McFadden </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@BUF, NYJ, NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tom Brady </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD, @BUF, @OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hakeem Nicks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL, @PHI, @ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Calvin Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC, @MIN, @DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Brees </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Larry Fitzgerald </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@WAS, @SEA, NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Vick </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@ATL, NYG, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Wallace </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA, @IND, @HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ahmad Bradshaw </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL, @PHI, @ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Lloyd </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN, @TEN, @GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dez Bryant </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF, WAS, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steven Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NYG, BAL, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vincent Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miles Austin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF, WAS, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philip Rivers </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeSean Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@ATL, NYG, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeGarrette Blount </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIN, ATL, IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Wayne </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR13 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE, PIT, @TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeAngelo Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB, JAC, @CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR14 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIN, ATL, IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>36 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">BenJarvus Green-Ellis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD, @BUF, @OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Beanie Wells </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@WAS, @SEA, NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Knowshon Moreno </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN, @TEN, @GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Romo </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF, WAS, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jahvid Best </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC, @MIN, @DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>39 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Gates </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE1 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>42 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dwayne Bowe </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR15 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@DET, @SD, MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>44 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cedric Benson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@DEN, SF, BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>45 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenny Britt </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR16 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL, DEN, @CLE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santonio Holmes </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR17 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC, @OAK, @BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Jones </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF, WAS, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>48 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wes Welker </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR18 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD, @BUF, @OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Witten </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE2 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@SF, WAS, DET </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mario Manningham </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR19 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL, @PHI, @ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>51 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Johnson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR20 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK, NE, @CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Maclin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR21 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@ATL, NYG, SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Schaub </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIA, @NO, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Percy Harvin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR22 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB, DET, @KC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>54 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>55 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Smith </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR23 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB, JAC, @CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Tolbert </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Mathews </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>57 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Marshall </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR24 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU, @CLE, @SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>58 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anquan Boldin </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR25 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@TEN, @STL, NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shonn Greene </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC, @OAK, @BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>61 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robert Meachem </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR26 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Roethlisberger </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB8 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA, @IND, @HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dallas Clark </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE3 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE, PIT, @TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>49 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santana Moss </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI, @DAL, @STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Stewart </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB27 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB, JAC, @CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>66 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Thomas </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NYJ, @CAR, NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sidney Rice </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@PIT, ARI, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>60 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Freeman </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB9 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIN, ATL, IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jermichael Finley </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE4 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>67 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fred Jackson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB28 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK, NE, @CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>63 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>71 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hightower </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB29 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI, @DAL, @STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Ochocinco </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD, @BUF, @OAK </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>73 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Garcon </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE, PIT, @TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>64 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Starks </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB30 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eli Manning </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB10 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL, @PHI, @ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>76 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Davis </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE5 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL, @CIN, @PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>74 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Flacco </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB11 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@TEN, @STL, NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Austin Collie </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE, PIT, @TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>79 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Knox </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NO, GB, CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>77 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>80 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Thomas </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB31 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marques Colston </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>82 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marshawn Lynch </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB32 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@PIT, ARI, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>69 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">A.J. Green </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@DEN, SF, BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>83 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joseph Addai </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB33 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CLE, PIT, @TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>72 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Plaxico Burress </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>JAC, @OAK, @BAL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Kolb </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>ARI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>QB12 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@WAS, @SEA, NYG </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Owen Daniels </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE6 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIA, @NO, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>85 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Braylon Edwards </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>DAL, @CIN, @PHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jordy Nelson </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>90 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Tate </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB34 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIA, @NO, PIT </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>91 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Bush </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB35 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>HOU, @CLE, @SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>92 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Ingram </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB36 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>89 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lance Moore </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI, HOU, @JAC </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>87 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>94 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Malcom Floyd </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR40 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NE, KC, MIA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>86 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>95 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Grant </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB37 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@CAR, @CHI, DEN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>88 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">C.J. Spiller </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>BUF </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB38 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>OAK, NE, @CIN </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>93 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>97 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kellen Winslow </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TE7 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@MIN, ATL, IND </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>98 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roy E. Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>CHI </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR41 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NO, GB, CAR </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>96 </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>99 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cadillac Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>STL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>RB39 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@NYG, BAL, WAS </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR><TR class=last><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>100 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Williams </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SEA </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>WR42 </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>@PIT, ARI, ATL </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NR </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Free-agent finds

Tate, Cadillac could get more carries this week; believe in Grossman, Henne?


By Christopher Harris
ESPN.com

Forget about Cam Newton's spectacular debut. That is sooooo Sunday.


Monday night, Tom Brady scoffed at Newton's 422-yard performance, posting 517 yards himself, the fifth-best single-game yardage performance in NFL history. Heck, wouldn't you say Newton's numbers were devalued just a tad by the fact that Chad Henne went for 416 on Monday night?


Of course, while Brady is available in exactly zero fantasy leagues, Newton and Henne are acquirable in a majority of leagues. Are they among the week's best free-agent finds? Read on!


Standard ESPN league finds

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans (owned in 33.5 percent of ESPN.com leagues). Arian Foster may get a "questionable" designation again this week, and could be headed for another game-time decision with his balky hamstring. Certainly, the Texans didn't need Foster in their demolition of the Indianapolis Colts, and the way Brady dissected the Miami Dolphins' defense, I can't say with conviction that Houston will need Foster for their trip to Miami this weekend. It seems Foster will return some time in September, but hamstrings have a way of recurring. Derrick Ward (owned in only 12.5 percent of leagues) got the Week 1 start and Houston's first three carries, but thereafter the rushing workload was split between Ward and Tate. While each man scored, and while Ward didn't play the full game because of an ankle injury, my eyes tell me Tate was the better player: stronger, more punishing and more violent. If I'm choosing a handcuff for Foster right now, it's Tate. And even if I'm not a Foster owner, I still consider Tate a worthy pickup. Things change from year to year. There's a non-zero chance Foster misses significant time this season.


Cadillac Williams, RB, St. Louis Rams (14.3 percent). Meanwhile, we can assume Steven Jackson will miss time: He's almost certainly out for Week 2's Monday night game against the New York Giants with a bad quad. That means Caddy will get the nod, with Jerious Norwood (owned in 0.6 percent of leagues) serving as his backup. Williams had 25 touches for 140 yards versus the Philadelphia Eagles, looking especially dangerous as a pass receiver. There's no way his knees will hold up to that kind of monstrous workload, and after watching the Giants limit Tim Hightower to 2.9 yards per carry Sunday, I don't think you'd say that Week 2 represents a dream matchup for Caddy. But certainly Williams is addable in all leagues. For the moment, he's a clear starting running back again, and Jackson has more touches from scrimmage than any NFL player over the past five years. I'm guessing this isn't S-Jax's last boo-boo of the season, and regardless Caddy looks like he could be a factor in deeper PPR leagues going forward.


Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots (35.1 percent). I know there's a cannibalization issue with fellow Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (owned in 89.1 percent of leagues), but Hernandez should be added in all leagues anyway. Will life always be as sweet as it was Monday night? Probably not. Hernandez caught seven passes for 103 yards and a score, while Gronkowski had six grabs for 86 yards and a TD of his own. To be honest, Gronk was the guy the Pats used most early on, and Hernandez dominated in the second half as Miami's defense folded in the South Florida heat. Opposing defenses simply have to know what's coming, and will try to force New England out of those two-tight-end sets of theirs. I admit that week-to-week, each of these sophomore tight ends has more feast-or-famine to them than I'd like. Still, pick up Hernandez. He might be the Patriots' best downfield receiver.


Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints (15.1 percent). Do I love Henderson's skill set? I do not. He's a fast guy who mostly runs straight down the sideline with his arm up. But Marques Colston is out with a broken collarbone and Lance Moore is likely to remain questionable with the injured groin that kept him out of the Thursday night opener. My preseason binky, Robert Meachem, is still my favorite to be Drew Brees' temporary favorite, but I'd be ignoring the facts if I didn't acknowledge that when the Saints went two-wide versus the Packers, it was Colston and Henderson on the field, with Meachem looking dapper sipping from a water bottle. Week to week, this may continue to be a frustrating scenario to predict, and I'd rank Henderson third as a fantasy option among these receivers (after Meachem and Moore). But if I'm wrong -- perish the thought -- you'll be glad you picked up Devery.

Rex Grossman, QB, Washington Redskins (5.7 percent). That's right, I said it. Am I swayed by Sexy Rexy's 21-of-34 for 305 yards, two TDs and zero picks versus the Giants on Sunday? Maybe a little. He looked pretty good. But for me, this is more of a short-term add for Week 2, when the Redskins face an Arizona Cardinals defense that allowed all those yards (and glaringly wide-open receivers) to Mr. Newton and the Carolina Panthers. When he's good, Grossman is pretty good. He's thrown for 300-plus yards in three of the four games he's started as a Redskin. Of course, the problem with Rex is when he's bad, he's unbearably, fantasy-killing bad. He's got solid raw ability, but has head-clutching tendencies, and will make that one mistake better QBs just don't make. He is, simply put, a gunslinger without elite gun-slinging talent. So yes, I think you can add him as a one-week solution if you're a still-scrambling Peyton Manning owner. Longer term, though, I'm guessing you'll want to look elsewhere.


Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit Lions (18.7 percent). When Matthew Stafford went down with what would merely prove to be leg cramps, the entire War Room on the ESPN campus groaned. It was a groan with a hint of mockery, because everyone seems to expect Stafford to get hurt again. But the kid got up and stuck it out. And boy, he looked good. Calvin Johnson helped by scoring a TD on one questionable long throw, but overall Stafford has the mien and carriage of a breakout star. And Burleson could be a direct beneficiary. He, too, was in and out of Sunday's game because of the heat, but he's obviously the Lions' No. 2 receiver, he got a carry that he took for 20 yards, and he caught all five of his targets. You probably don't pick Burleson up to start him right away, but adding him is a hedged bet in case Detroit's offense winds up being a dominant one. In such a scenario, you'll be glad you own a piece of the action.


Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers (36.9 percent). As I wrote Monday, I'm skeptical that Newton will keep this up. But that doesn't mean I'm a stubborn doof. (Well, at least not about this.) I mean, having watched the Panthers/Cardinals game, I was left with two overwhelming impressions. First, Newton is already a better pro in his rookie season than I thought he'd be, simply by dint of not looking out of place. And second, Arizona's secondary is a disaster area. Newton threw to his first read much of the time, sometimes regardless of what the coverage looked like. That's often going to cost him. However, I'm willing to admit the possibility I'm wrong: Maybe it was less Patrick Peterson not being ready to cover NFL receivers, and more Newton being off-the-charts excellent. Probably not, but hey, there's a possibility. And even if that possibility is 5 percent, if I've got a bench spot available, I'm just fine with investing in a few weeks of Cam. If I catch lightning in a bottle, well, that's how fantasy titles get won.


Deeper league finds

Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos (1.1 percent). He returned a punt for a TD late Monday night, and saw a lot of snaps while catching three passes for 53 yards. Decker passes the eye test, for sure, and Brandon Lloyd left the game late with a groin injury. I don't like the Broncos' passing offense in general, but if Lloyd misses time, Decker would likely be the most valuable receiving commodity in standard-scoring leagues (and Eddie Royal would get that title in PPR leagues).


Deji Karim, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (5.6 percent). Even in standard-sized leagues, Maurice Jones-Drew owners need to grab Karim. He carried it 14 times (albeit for only 33 yards) to MJD's 24 times Sunday. Jones-Drew looked good, and answered many questions about his surgically repaired knee, but when a star of his magnitude has such a clear handcuff (because Rashad Jennings is out for the year), you should grab that handcuff. And in deeper leagues, even if you don't own MJD, Karim is worth a speculative add to your bench.


Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans (8.0 percent). Kevin Walter isn't injured as badly as some of the early reporters rushed to assert (at times like that, I'm eternally grateful that I sit near Stephania Bell in the ESPN War Room, because Stephania always has a measured approach to injury reports that keeps me grounded), but Walter will probably miss a game or two with his bruised collarbone. That puts Jones in line to start in two-receiver sets against a Dolphins secondary that struggled badly versus Brady. I don't think Miami will be so susceptible to mortal QBs. Still, I think the inconsistent Jones -- who also returned a punt for a score Sunday -- is worth an add in deep leagues.


Earnest Graham, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0.9 percent). It won't always be so bad for LeGarrette Blount. He's a big, powerful guy who'll have strong days this year. But he can't catch it, he's a poor pass blocker, and he offers no speed. And when Tampa falls behind, apparently Graham will be the man in their backfield. He played most of the second half Sunday, and got nine touches in that stanza to Blount's one. Listen, I'm betting Blount bounces back with at least 70 yards rushing and a score in Week 2 against the Vikings. He'll have great days. But there will be a couple of games -- and they won't be predictable games -- that go like Week 1 did. In deeper PPR leagues, I think Graham is someone worth rostering, if only because he's both the pass-catching option in the Bucs' offense and a handcuff for Blount.


Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins (7.1 percent). If you ask me who played better in Week 1, Cam Newton or Chad Henne, I will tell you I think it was Henne, and he did it against a stronger opponent. The guy we saw taking chances down the field and rushing the ball when the Patriots gave him the opportunity? That's the guy we all expected to see in 2010. For one game at least, new Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll seemed to pry open Henne's robotic compulsion to stay away from risk, and hardwire him to get the deeper stuff back in play. Now, you still saw Henne look awful in the red zone in key moments, and he probably forced the ball to Brandon Marshall a few times when he shouldn't have. That, along with a frightening body of work last year, is why I consider Newton a better add right now, the devil you don't know being slightly better than the devil you know in this case. But in two-QB leagues, or in a deeper league where you're scuffling for answers, Henne's performance bears watching. If he repeats it against the Texans, we may have something.


Ed Dickson, TE, Baltimore Ravens (3.3 percent). The Ravens have a strikingly similar tight end situations to the Patriots'. They drafted two guys at the position last year (Dickson and Dennis Pitta), and appear willing to use both of them. Dickson had five grabs for 59 yards and a score Sunday, while Pitta had two for 45. But Dickson in particular leapt off the game footage with a couple wide-receiver-like catches. He's probably only barely inside the top 20 among fantasy tight ends at the moment, but there are star-like skills here. (You can also keep an eye on the Cincinnati Bengals' Jermaine Gresham, owned in 8.4 percent of leagues, who had six catches for 58 yards and a score in Jay Gruden's short-passing offense in Cincy.)

 

[HacheMan]

Consistency ratings: Week 2

Don't overreact to one (bad) week


By Tristan H. Cockcroft
ESPN.com

One week does not a season make.


Oh, you -- OK, maybe only I -- might hear fantasy owners endlessly grousing about their Week 1 duds, their Chris Johnsons, Ben Roethlisbergers and Vincent Jacksons. The frustration of a loss tends to be amplified the first week of the season.


If you drafted any of those three players, or even a Rashard Mendenhall, Jeremy Maclin or Dwayne Bowe, I understand how you feel. All six suffer the consequences for their poor efforts in the Week 2 Consistency Ratings; this week's new standards for "Stiff" performances put all six squarely in that department.


To better identify those boom-or-bust players, beginning with this week, a Stiff performance will be classified as this: eight or fewer fantasy points for a quarterback, four or fewer for a running back or wide receiver (five for a running back or seven for a wide receiver in PPR scoring), three points or fewer for a tight end, and four points for a kicker.


The rationale is simple: Those represent half the fantasy points a player would be required to have to be classified a "Start"; it assumes that, in addition to the necessary number of players to populate an entire league's starting roster, there would have been a noticeable handful of players who, despite failing to earn even a starter's number of fantasy points, would still have been better plays.


But just because the theme of this week is the "Stiffs" -- doesn't it always feel as if "early-round picks who stink" is the theme exiting Week 1? -- doesn't necessarily mean it's time to hop off the Johnson, Roethlisberger or Jackson bandwagon. Let's re-examine our Consistency Ratings and see how much theirs were impacted.


To generate more meaningful Consistency Ratings in the early weeks of the season, I'm including 34 weeks -- two 17-week seasons' worth -- of statistics. That means this week's data run from Week 2 of the 2009 season through Week 1 of 2011; that's a large enough sample size to ensure accuracy, yet small enough that it doesn't favor players who have long since faded into obscurity.


One other note: "Stack" ratings haven't been permanently removed; they would all merely be zeros because every player, as well as every defense, has faced only one such opponent. For example, the Miami Dolphins have allowed 34 points to opposing quarterbacks this season and Tom Brady scored 34 points against said Dolphins, so his Stack would result in zero. Stack numbers will return in Week 2, and they should increase in usefulness with each passing week.


Players are initially ranked by the percentage of their teams' scheduled games in which their weekly point total was classified a "Start," though they are also sortable by category this week:


Quarterbacks



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%" jQuery1315949010296="12"><THEAD sizset="0" sizcache="0"><TR sizset="0" sizcache="0"><TH style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="4" column="0" count="0">Player</TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="5" column="1" count="0"><CENTER>Team</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class="header headerSortUp" order="0" jQuery1315949010296="6" column="2" count="2"><CENTER>%</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="7" column="3" count="0"><CENTER>G</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="8" column="4" count="0"><CENTER>START</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="9" column="5" count="0"><CENTER>STUD</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="10" column="6" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="11" column="7" count="0"><CENTER>SAT</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>78.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peyton Manning</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Philip Rivers</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tom Brady</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Drew Brees</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Schaub</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ben Roethlisberger</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Garrard</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>FA</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Cutler</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Eli Manning</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kyle Orton</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Cassel</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Romo</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joe Flacco</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Bal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Freeman</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Vick</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brett Favre</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>--</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Carson Palmer</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Cin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Ryan</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Donovan McNabb</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Min</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Campbell</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sam Bradford</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>StL</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mark Sanchez</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Alex Smith</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Buf</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kurt Warner</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>--</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Henne</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vince Young</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Tebow</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matthew Stafford</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shaun Hill</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jon Kitna</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kerry Collins</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Kolb</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ari</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Ben Roethlisberger: Sure, he was one of the week's worst fantasy scorers with five points (standard ESPN scoring), but look at that number of Stiffs. That's right, in the past 34 weeks -- two seasons' worth of games -- Brady actually would have let you down more frequently than Roethlisberger has. Brady, of course, has a higher Consistency Rating (62.5 percent Start, compared with Roethlisberger's 53.1), and Roethlisberger has missed five games in that span, or more than Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brady combined. (Manning, of course, will now quickly overtake him.) Remember, the opponent was the stingy Baltimore Ravens, a team that has afforded Roethlisberger a ho-hum 210.2 passing yards per game, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 career meetings. If you're pressing the panic button on Roethlisberger, you're going to be burned.


Running backs



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%" jQuery1315949010296="24"><THEAD sizset="0" sizcache="1"><TR sizset="0" sizcache="1"><TH style="WIDTH: 34%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="13" column="0" count="0">Player</TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="14" column="1" count="0"><CENTER>Team</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class="header headerSortUp" order="0" jQuery1315949010296="15" column="2" count="2"><CENTER>%</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="16" column="3" count="0"><CENTER>G</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="17" column="4" count="0"><CENTER>START
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="18" column="5" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="19" column="6" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="20" column="7" count="0"><CENTER>START
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="21" column="8" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="22" column="9" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 6%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="23" column="10" count="0"><CENTER>SAT</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adrian Peterson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Min</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>84.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ray Rice</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Bal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>81.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Johnson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Jac</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steven Jackson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>StL</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>75.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jamaal Charles</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeSean McCoy</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Turner</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Thomas Jones</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>59.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Frank Gore</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cedric Benson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Cin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Forte</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Arian Foster</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joseph Addai</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tim Hightower</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Was</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fred Jackson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Buf</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">BenJarvus Green-Ellis</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ricky Williams</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Bal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Felix Jones</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41.2%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jahvid Best</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41.2%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Car</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Peyton Hillis</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Cle</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Cadillac Williams</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>StL</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Darren McFadden</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Grant</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ronnie Brown</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Thomas</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Mathews</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>35.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Tolbert</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Michael Bush</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Car</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Beanie Wells</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ari</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Darren Sproles</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Justin Forsett</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Sea</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marion Barber</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Danny Woodhead</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Sea</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jerome Harrison</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Maurice Morris</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Slaton</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Willis McGahee</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Laurence Maroney</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>FA</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Donald Brown</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Snelling</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Bush</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Smith</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>FA</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Torain</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Was</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shonn Greene</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Chris Johnson: He had two factors working against him: that the Tennessee Titans had planned all along to limit his workload in his 2011 debut and that the Titans were trailing for the majority of the game. Unfortunately, although the former shouldn't remain a persistent problem, the latter might, considering the team's quarterbacking problems. Johnson might have more "Stud" performances than any other player in the game except Aaron Rodgers (18) in the past 34 weeks, but he also has a lot of Stiff (5) performances for a "top-shelf" running back. Frankly, I look at Ray Rice's consistency ratings and would prefer him looking forward.


Rashard Mendenhall: He has only one more Stiff performance (6) than Johnson, but look at the opponent, a Ravens team that has historically been torture on opposing running backs. Working backward, these are Mendenhall's past five fantasy point totals against the Ravens: 2, 5, 19, 7 and 11. They have limited him to 68.8 total yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry in those contests. There's no way you should be changing your preseason Mendenhall opinion.


DeAngelo Williams: I'm throwing him in here despite the lack of mention in the introduction; Williams had only three fantasy points, the same as backup Jonathan Stewart, and he mustered only five more carries (12) than Stewart (7). Granted, Williams' Consistency Rating (28.1 percent) is skewed by all those missed games last season, but even if you calculated it based only on games played -- as some readers want, but a stance with which I don't agree -- it'd be 47.4, or only 19th best among running backs. He's just not automatic No. 2 material.


Wide receivers



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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%" jQuery1315949010296="36"><THEAD sizset="0" sizcache="2"><TR sizset="0" sizcache="2"><TH style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="25" column="0" count="0">Player</TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="26" column="1" count="0"><CENTER>Team</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class="header headerSortUp" order="0" jQuery1315949010296="27" column="2" count="2"><CENTER>%</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="28" column="3" count="0"><CENTER>G</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="29" column="4" count="0"><CENTER>START
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="30" column="5" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="31" column="6" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="32" column="7" count="0"><CENTER>START
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="33" column="8" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="34" column="9" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="35" column="10" count="0"><CENTER>SAT</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Williams</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>70.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Roddy White</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Andre Johnson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">DeSean Jackson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Miles Austin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ari</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Reggie Wayne</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Calvin Johnson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Wallace</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Jennings</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>56.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Wes Welker</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>53.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marques Colston</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Derrick Mason</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Percy Harvin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Min</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Marshall</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Hines Ward</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mario Manningham</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santonio Holmes</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nate Washington</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>43.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dez Bryant</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41.2%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>StL</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Terrell Owens</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>FA</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Randy Moss</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>FA</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anquan Boldin</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Bal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robert Meachem</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kenny Britt</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Braylon Edwards</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Austin Collie</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Santana Moss</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Was</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Smith</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Car</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Johnny Knox</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sidney Rice</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Sea</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Smith</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Pierre Garcon</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Devin Hester</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brian Hartline</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Jones</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nate Burleson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">James Jones</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Donald Driver</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vincent Jackson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Steve Johnson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Buf</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Malcom Floyd</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Walter</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Deion Branch</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacoby Ford</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Dwayne Bowe: Place the blame on Matt Cassel, who was similarly a Stiff, except that Bowe is the one trusted by a heck of a lot more fantasy owners on a week-to-week basis. Cassel's tendency to play into his matchups has an adverse impact on Bowe's numbers; look how far down the list Bowe's Consistency Rating falls. He's 32nd, and he has been a Start in an ESPN standard league less frequently in the past 34 weeks than Derrick Mason (16), Nate Washington (14) and Braylon Edwards (13). Bowe doesn't even rank among the top 10 at his own position in Stud ratings; he's 11th, tied with Brandon Marshall et al (6). If there's any Week 1 stinker profiled that you should be shopping in fear, it's Bowe.


Vincent Jackson: The San Diego Chargers, and Rivers specifically, should find more time to pass in the coming weeks now that they'll be free of the persistent Minnesota Vikings pass rush. That'll help open things up for Jackson, who, despite only 20 games played in the past 34 NFL weeks, has six Stud performances, tied with the aforementioned Bowe. He'll be boom-or-bust to a degree, but that's a pass-happy offense and, if nagging injuries persist in the Chargers' backfield, even more emphasis might be placed upon Jackson.


Tight ends



<STYLE type=text/css>.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</STYLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%" jQuery1315949010296="48"><THEAD sizset="0" sizcache="3"><TR sizset="0" sizcache="3"><TH style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="37" column="0" count="0">Player</TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="38" column="1" count="0"><CENTER>Team</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class="header headerSortUp" order="0" jQuery1315949010296="39" column="2" count="2"><CENTER>%</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="40" column="3" count="0"><CENTER>G</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="41" column="4" count="0"><CENTER>START
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="42" column="5" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="43" column="6" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(std.)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="44" column="7" count="0"><CENTER>START
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="45" column="8" count="0"><CENTER>STUD
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="46" column="9" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF
(PPR)</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 7%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="47" column="10" count="0"><CENTER>SAT</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Vernon Davis</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>68.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Antonio Gates</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>65.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>52.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Witten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brent Celek</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Phi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>47.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dallas Clark</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kellen Winslow</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jimmy Graham</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>41.2%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Min</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Greg Olsen</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Car</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Zach Miller</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Sea</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Jac</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>27</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Benjamin Watson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Cle</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Fred Davis</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Was</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Heath Miller</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Anthony Fasano</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Kevin Boss</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Owen Daniels</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Todd Heap</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ari</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dustin Keller</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Joel Dreessen</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Chris Cooley</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Was</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>23</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jermichael Finley</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jacob Tamme</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Carlson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Sea</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>19</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Tony Scheffler</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>17</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Zach Miller</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Jac</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




Vernon Davis: With four ESPN standard fantasy points, Davis didn't classify as a Stiff, but he was just a point off that designation. His Week 1 output was frustrating, but the five catches and six targets, both of those team-leading numbers, were encouraging. Then there's this: Davis has been a Stud as often as Antonio Gates (11) the past 34 weeks; he has been a Start (22) more often (21); and he's No. 1 in Consistency Rating (68.8 percent) at his position in that time. You'd be foolish to even consider shopping him.


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<TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 100%" jQuery1315949010296="57"><THEAD sizset="0" sizcache="4"><TR sizset="0" sizcache="4"><TH style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="49" column="0" count="0">Player</TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="50" column="1" count="0"><CENTER>Team</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class="header headerSortUp" order="0" jQuery1315949010296="51" column="2" count="2"><CENTER>%</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="52" column="3" count="0"><CENTER>G</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="53" column="4" count="0"><CENTER>START</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="54" column="5" count="0"><CENTER>STUD</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="55" column="6" count="0"><CENTER>STIFF</CENTER></TH><TH style="WIDTH: 10%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" class=header order="0" jQuery1315949010296="56" column="7" count="0"><CENTER>SAT</CENTER></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Akers</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SF</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>62.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Oak</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>50.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>16</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nate Kaeding</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>SD</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rob Bironas</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ten</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>46.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">John Kasay</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NO</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jeff Reed</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Pit</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>40.6%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>13</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Dan Carpenter</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Mia</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Mason Crosby</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>GB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Stephen Gostkowski</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NE</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>37.5%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Brown</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>StL</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>34.4%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Robbie Gould</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Chi</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jay Feely</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ari</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Longwell</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Min</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Ryan Succop</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>KC</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Neil Rackers</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Hou</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Bryant</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Atl</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Shayne Graham</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYG</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>31.3%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Olindo Mare</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Car</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>15</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Matt Prater</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Den</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Ind</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>22</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>5</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Rian Lindell</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Buf</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>28.1%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>14</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Billy Cundiff</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Bal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>29</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>4</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>11</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Josh Scobee</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Jac</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>12</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Nick Folk</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>NYJ</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>30</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">David Buehler</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Dal</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>25.0%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>32</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>1</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>20</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>0</TD></TR><TR class="last even"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Jason Hanson</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>Det</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>21.9%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>24</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>9</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class="last odd"><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">Connor Barth</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>TB</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>18.8%</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>26</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>7</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" align=middle>6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



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The numbers support a patient approach with the majority of those Week 1 stinkers; there's no reason you should be racing to trade them based upon one week of sour returns. After all, remember that there's a reason you spent such significant resources to land them on draft day …


It's that, historically speaking, they've been consistently reliable.

 

[HacheMan]

Steven Jackson leads post-Week 1 injuries

Stephania Bell

Here we are, at last, with Week 1 of a new NFL season behind us. There were amazing individual performances (here's looking at you, Tom Brady) and outstanding team performances (the Houston Texans delivered). And yes, there were injuries. Some teams (ahem, the St. Louis Rams) seemed to amass more than their fair share. Now comes the time when fantasy owners start scouting the waiver wire or considering trades to fill the roster gaps created by injury. Every Tuesday we will have a blog entry in which we'll share with you the latest updates involving notable fantasy-relevant players and how their status is shaping up early in the week. The emphasis is on the word "early," since no official NFL injury reports are due until Wednesday, and much can happen between now and the next slate of games.
To revisit some of the oft-asked questions surrounding injuries and fantasy football, I revive an excerpt from a piece I posted a couple of years ago.
Following is a compilation of injury guidelines to help fantasy owners navigate the maze of injury-related information that emerges each week. Although injury information may emerge in bits and pieces, swathed in insinuation and innuendo, there are some hints fantasy owners can use to help them stay on course when assessing injury impact on their fantasy teams.
1. No two injuries are identical.
• Injuries often can be graded according to severity. Even then, subtle differences often dictate different healing times.
• Players heal at different rates, so just because one guy recovers from an ankle sprain in two weeks doesn't mean the next guy will recover at the same rate, even when the injury involves the same structures.
2. Player position must be considered when evaluating the impact of an injury.
• Any given injury will affect different position players differently depending on the demands of that position. A classic example is the MCL sprain, which can be more debilitating for a running back, who has to cut frequently, than for a quarterback. It often translates to different amounts of time missed.
3. A player's overall injury history is worth considering, especially if it is a repeat injury.
• A player who has been healthy for years and has his first injury often will return faster than a player who has sustained multiple injuries. This is especially the case when it comes to repetitive muscle strains in the same region. In other words, a guy who is on his fourth right-side hamstring strain should not be expected to heal as quickly or as fully as the guy with his first episode. There are of course exceptions to this (which always should be listed as the first rule of medicine).
4. The severity of an injury cannot always be determined by how it looks on the field.
• Appearances can be deceiving. Just because a guy gets up and walks off the field doesn't mean he's not injured. Sometimes the full nature of the injury is not appreciated until a day or two later. The reverse is also true. An injury can appear devastating because it is initially very painful but then turns out to be not so bad.
5. Beware of the following overused phrases:
• He's "100 percent healthy." No one is 100 percent healthy once the season starts. Usually it means that an athlete has been fully cleared and returned to play, but it doesn't mean there are no underlying long-term changes (such as cartilage damage for instance) that won't crop up again.
• It was a "mild concussion." A concussion is a brain injury. Brain injuries are always serious, so we should acknowledge them as such. We can't determine the true severity until we see how long it took for an athlete to fully recover. Period.
• That guy is "injury-prone." There is bad luck, and then there is bad tissue. Although there is never likely to be consensus on what constitutes injury-prone, it seems that if a player misses time with more than one injury in his career, he gets the label. Football is a contact sport. Injuries happen, and most often they are due to a series of random events. The average career playing time is just a few years for a reason. The term is unfairly overused, and in fantasy, people may be steering clear of a player who is highly valuable but labeled. That player could be a great waiver-wire pickup.


And now, on to the key Week 1 injuries:


Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams: Fantasy owners were no doubt excited to see Jackson scramble for a 47-yard touchdown play right out of the gate. As I watched the play, however, Jackson's last few strides looked suddenly labored, as though something was holding him back. Turns out, a strained right quadriceps was the culprit. Jackson remained in the game for one more carry but then was done for the day. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo has not offered any specifics as to the degree of Jackson's thigh injury but has called him week-to-week and indicated he is likely to miss the Rams' Monday night contest in Week 2. Unfortunately, Jackson is no stranger to soft-tissue injuries, as he has missed time with quad, hamstring and groin injuries in the past. Although there is no way to predict at this moment just how much time he could miss, fantasy owners should plan on his absence for Monday and potentially a couple of weeks beyond. Cadillac Williams came into the game when Jackson left with the injury and finished with 140 total yards of offense.


Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams: Bradford hurt his index finger in the fourth quarter Sunday, and the report of numbness had many worried. A fracture was ruled out when Bradford had his finger X-rayed. The team is referring to his injury as a bruised finger, and he expects to play Monday. The key will be for any swelling to subside and any nerve irritation to quiet down so that Bradford can grip the ball as needed to be effective. Naturally, how he progresses during the week is worth watching, but this could have been far worse.


Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams: The Rams are really being forced to follow the mantra of "next guy up," as they watched so many starters get injured Sunday. Amendola had perhaps the most visually disturbing injury of the day when he landed awkwardly and dislocated his left elbow. Although some said his season would end almost immediately, it's worth noting that the spectrum of damage resulting from an elbow dislocation has a wide range. As the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted, Amendola did not suffer a fracture (which can happen during the process of the dislocation), and head athletic trainer Reggie Scott did not believe Amendola would require surgery (suggesting there was not major ligamentous disruption, either). Nonetheless, this is a painful injury (look at the still photo of the injury if you're not sure), and there is bound to be a fair amount of swelling around the joint. The elbow will need to be protected in a splint for comfort, and treatment will focus on controlling inflammation while the soft tissues heal. Then there's the matter of getting range of motion back in the elbow and normal strength in the arm. It likely will be several weeks before Amendola could be ready to play, but the team is issuing no timetable. The positive news is that it does appear he will be able to avoid IR.


Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants: Nicks did not speak of a knee injury after Sunday's game, but his coach, Tom Coughlin, did on Monday. According to ESPN New York, Coughlin did not elaborate on the injury, explaining it was being checked out, but he did indicate Nicks had swelling in his knee. Citing a source, ESPN New York indicated the MRI on Hicks was negative, but the swelling alone may be enough to limit him. If his knee is significantly swollen, the muscles around the knee will be limited in their capacity to contract, so he cannot be at full strength. It would not be a surprise if Nicks is out for a good portion of this week's practice, as the team will not play until Monday night. I sense a tough fantasy decision approaching for Week 2 when it comes to Nicks' status.


Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints: Colston suffered a broken collarbone in Thursday night's game and will be out at least a month. Clavicle fractures can be highly variable depending on the location and size of the break. Saints coach Sean Payton has indicated he will not update player status until he needs to on Wednesday. Plan on Colston being out at least four weeks but perhaps longer.


Quick hits



• The San Diego Chargers did not emerge from Sunday's contest unscathed in the injury department. Kicker Nate Kaeding was lost for the season to a torn ACL on the first play of the game as he tried to make a tackle during a kickoff return. The team is currently trying out kickers, but Kaeding will be tough to replace. Meanwhile, the Chargers got better news on running back Mike Tolbert, who appeared to injure his right knee late in the game after delivering one rushing and two receiving touchdowns. As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tolbert was cleared by doctors Monday to return to practice and is expected to play in Week 2. Fantasy owners can exhale.

• Another team with several players of interest to fantasy owners is the Houston Texans. Running back Arian Foster and his much-discussed hamstring sat out Week 1, a wise move given that the team proved it could manage without him. Foster had increased his running workouts throughout the past week but had not formally practiced with the team. He reportedly worked out hard again on Monday, but it remains to be seen whether he will return to practice. His progress last week was encouraging, but so was the performance of his teammates in Sunday's game, so the team can afford to be patient.


Those teammates include Derrick Ward, who started in place of Foster on Sunday. Ward was faring well but exited early with a right ankle sprain, opening the fantasy door for Ben Tate. Ward said his removal from the game was precautionary, and coach Gary Kubiak seemed to downplay the injury as well, calling Ward "day-to-day." Wide receiver Kevin Walter has a bruised collarbone (not broken, as was widely reported Sunday) and according to the Houston Chronicle, Walter has not been officially ruled out of anything yet. Kubiak said of Walter's injury, "It's being treated as a bad bruise. He's probably going to miss a few days, and we'll see where he is [Wednesday] and at the end of the week." It would come as no surprise if Walter missed at least this week. A severe bruise can make it difficult to raise the arm overhead, and landing on the area can easily aggravate it.


• On Monday night, the Denver Broncos added a couple of fantasy players to the injury mix in running back Knowshon Moreno and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. The Denver Post reports that MRIs are scheduled for both Lloyd (groin) and Moreno (hamstring), and it's worth mentioning that both have a history of these injuries in their past. Although neither seemed to be in extreme pain, all fantasy owners know how these minor-appearing things sometimes can turn into bigger ones.


We will continue to update these injuries and others as the week progresses.
See you at the injury chats (Tuesday, 3 p.m., and Friday, 11 a.m.), and we'll have further updates with blog entries on Thursday and Saturday (and as news warrants).

 

[HacheMan]

Brady's New Bunch

We knew that the NFL has turned into a league where teams throw to set up the run. But this is ridiculous. Despite the lockout, 14 quarterbacks threw for 300-plus yards in Week 1, four racked up 400 or more and one popped off for 517 yards.

That one was Tom Brady, who absolutely humiliated the Dolphins Monday night. Miami had a month to prepare, but their inept coaching staff still wasn’t ready for the no huddle offense. Brady’s 517 yards were the fifth-most in NFL history and the most since Boomer Esiason went off for 522 yards in 1996.

The fantasy news here isn’t Brady though, it’s his tight ends. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were constant targets, combining for 13 catches, 189 yards and two touchdowns. Owners shouldn’t hesitate to use either one as starters each week -- they will remain a much bigger part of the offense than the secondary receivers. That's because the two tight ends are difference-making, elite talents that dominate one-on-one matchups.

Speaking of those secondary receivers, you can’t say we didn’t warn you on Chad Ochocinco. He has been slow to pick up the offense and drew horrific reviews during the preseason. He’s simply not in a position to contribute right now. Bench him.

And while we’re on the subject of big-name players not worth the hype, the Dolphins were true to their word on Reggie Bush. He was the clear feature back, racking up the 20 touches he wanted. The problem is that no one in the league wanted Bush as a feature back except for the Dolphins for a reason. He predictably struggled between the tackles, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. I wouldn’t hesitate to sell Bush before he really wears down.

PATRIOTS vs. DOLPHINS RANDOM THOUGHTS
Chad Henne hasn’t turned the corner yet, but he has improved tremendously. Brandon Marshall is in position to have a monster year. … Danny Woodhead led the New England backfield as the Patriots ran a ton of no-huddle. BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ weekly value will be dependent on how many times the Pats get inside the 5-yard line. … Lex Hilliard got two short-yardage carries and flubbed them both. … Daniel Thomas was inactive while Larry Johnson suited up. Yikes.

Editor’s Note: For early rankings, exclusive projections, the Running Back Report, chats and much more, check out the Season Pass!

RAIDERS vs. BRONCOS RANDOM THOUGHTS
Michael Bush was used in goal-line situations. Still, I’m not worried if I’m a McFadden owner (which I am). His difference-making speed and power is visible to anyone with two eyes. DMC is a really special talent. He came up one yard short of the end zone on a 47-yard run in the fourth quarter. … Sebastian Janikowski kicked a record-tying 63-yard field goal at the end of the first half. … Jacoby Ford picked up a hamstring injury. Something to monitor. … The Raiders brought in Denarius Moore for a goal-line play, but Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ford were the main wideouts. … Knowshon Moreno looked shifty as a receiver out of the backfield, but the Broncos still can’t open any holes up front. Willis McGahee was used in the red zone, as expected. ... Moreno limped off the field late in the fourth quarter and appeared to be in some real pain.

NEWS OF THE DAY # 1
The Rams got bit by the injury bug right out of the gate. Steven Jackson’s quad strain sounds like it’s at least of the Grade 2 variety as coach Steve Spagnuolo conceded his feature back “probably” won’t play in Week 2. Cadillac Williams is going to have this backfield to himself for at least the next week. While I don’t think Caddy is a good bet for elite production, the Rams are going to give him tons of reps. He got 25 touches after Jackson went down on Sunday.

Meanwhile the news is better on quarterback Sam Bradford. He has a mere contusion, or bruise, on his right index finger. It’s something that he can play through as long as he regains good feeling in there. With the Rams playing on Monday night, he should be fine. However, Bradford won’t have Danny Amendola. The slot machine is out at least three games with a dislocated elbow. Mike Sims-Walker was already the most talented receiver on the Rams and now should see a ton of snaps in the highly productive slot position.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
The Texans backfield continues to drive owners up a wall. Part of the problem is that they have the best offensive line in football, making all their backs look like studs. The other issue, of course, is injuries.

Coach Gary Kubiak said that Arian Foster (hamstring) will have to practice in order to play. At this point, that’s completely up in the air and we likely won’t have an update until Wednesday’s workout. Meanwhile, Derrick Ward said his ankle injury is minor and he left Sunday’s romp as a mere precaution. We could very well be looking at the same scenario in Week 2 as we were in Week 1 -- Foster ruled out late Sunday, Ward starts, but Tate out produces him.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
We’ll stay in Houston and look at the No. 2 receiver job opposite Andre Johnson. Kevin Walter was rumored to have a major shoulder injury that would cost him at least two months. But on Monday, the Texans said that Walter just has a bruise and may even be able to play in Week 2.

Still, I’m adding Jacoby Jones where I can. He’s wildly inconsistent and often a headache, but he’s explosive. If Walter does end up missing significant time, I’ll want Jones’ upside for the bloated bye weeks. Note that over the final four weeks of last season, Jones averaged 5.5 catches for 71.7 yards while sustaining his punt return role.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
The Bucs basically came out and said LeGarrette Blount has to get better in passing situations. When they’re behind, Earnest Graham is going to be the man. … Chris Cooley says he’s healthy, but he’s going to keep losing targets to Fred Davis. As is often the case, the younger player is simply better. … The Titans went out of their way to say Chris Johnson is going to get a bigger workload in Week 2. … Preston Parker is set to fill in as the Bucs’ slot receiver with Sammie Stroughter (foot) out a few weeks. … Victor Cruz had a drop early in Sunday’s game and then ran behind Domenik Hixon the rest of the day.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Dez Bryant has a bruised quad. He’ll probably be taken off punt returns, but should be fine for Week 2. … Mike Tolbert (knee) is also fully expected to play next week. Scoring three touchdowns again will be far more difficult regardless. … Hakeem Nicks went for an MRI on his knee. Not a big deal, but something to monitor. … Sidney Rice (shoulder) remains in doubt for Week 2 and will be a poor option even when active. … Nate Kaeding (ACL) is likely done for the year. How about Jason Hanson as a backup plan? … Marcedes Lewis says he was just cramping in his calf.

Editor’s Note: Sick of your team already? Draft a new one just for Week 2 in SnapDraft!

DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense/special teams each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Last week, we hit a home run with the Texans and Niners as the top two plays. Here are units that might be on waivers to consider this week for streaming purposes:

1. COWBOYS at 49ers - It’s not a concern that Dallas’ secondary is banged up because Alex Smith won’t test them. The Cowboys can stack the box and stop Frank Gore.

2. LIONS vs. Chiefs - The Bucs’ offensive numbers were bloated by a bunch of garbage time drives against Detroit in Week 1. This remains a playmaking defense that posted two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

3. BRONCOS vs. Bengals - I’m not buying the running game the Bengals showed against the Browns in Week 1. Cincy’s offense and Cedric Benson still project as one of the most inefficient units in the league.

 

[HacheMan]

Pyrotechnic Passing

The fallout from the lockout and lost offseason? Quarterbacks are shredding incohesive secondaries, and special teams coaches are having a hard time translating kickoff coverage practice to game-day situations. Among the records broken and landmark performances in Week 1:

• NFL teams passed for 7,842 net yards, the most in any week in NFL history.
• Fourteen QBs passed for more than 300 yards, the most of any week in NFL history.
• Five games in which both QBs passed for more than 300 yards, the most in any week in NFL history.
• Four 400-yard passers were the most in a single week in NFL history.
• The combined 752 points scored are tied for ninth-most in a single week in NFL history.
• The 89 touchdowns are tied for sixth-most in a single week in NFL history.
• The eight combined kickoffs and punts returned for touchdowns are the most in any week in NFL history.
• Games averaged 47.0 total points compared to 36.6 in last year's Kickoff Weekend.
• The 906 net passing yards between the Patriots (516) and Dolphins (390) is the most in a single game in NFL history.
• The Patriots-Dolphins game was also the first in NFL history to feature a both a 500-yard passer and a 400-yard passer.

Perhaps most telling are the performances of two quarterbacks from Monday night's games. Henne went from hearing "We want Orton" cheers in training camp to carving up the Patriots defense for 475 combined passing and rushing yards. Orton had to withstand "We want Tebow" cheers from the Denver crowd while clearing 300 yards against the Raiders. It's no coincidence that the waiver wire features an abundance of quarterback talent entering Week 2.


On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 2. Full writeups of each player are below.

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.


Quarterbacks
Cam Newton
Chad Henne
Rex Grossman
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Alex Smith

Running Backs
Cadillac Williams
Jerome Harrison
Ricky Williams
Deji Karim
Marion Barber
Tashard Choice
Dexter McCluster

Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson
Jacoby Jones
Devery Henderson
Brandon Gibson
Domenik Hixon
Mohamed Massaquoi
Jabar Gaffney
Randall Cobb

*Note: Lance Moore (86), Robert Meachem (62), and Deion Branch (68) are owned in the majority of CBS Sports leagues. Moore would top the list if he was dropped last week. Meachem would be right behind him, with Branch closer to Henderson.

Tight Ends
Fred Davis
Ed Dickson
Jermaine Gresham
Evan Moore
Scott Chandler

*Note: Aaron Hernandez and Greg Olsen are owned in 74 percent of CBS Sports leagues. Rotoworld had Hernandez ranked as a top-10 tight end entering the season. If he's available, Hernandez would be the No. 1 overall waiver pick this week. If Olsen is available, he's a better bet for the long haul than any tight end on the list above.

Defense/Special Teams
Texans
Rams
Browns

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton - Let's be honest: Nobody expects a 42 percent preseason passer to duplicate his masterful performance from his first career regular-season start. Newton could faceplant in a much tougher matchup against the Packers this week. For fantasy purposes, though, he showed an upside that makes him worthy of the top waiver claim this week. No quarterback in college football ran for more yards in any season from 2000 to 2009 than Newton did at Auburn last season, and his weapons are better than advertised. Steve Smith and Greg Olsen are both Pro Bowl caliber talents. If Vince Young could finish as the 13th ranked quarterback as a rookie thanks to 552 rushing yards and seven running touchdowns, Newton can surpass that mark.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Chad Henne - No longer gun-shy, Henne played his best game as a pro in a losing effort Monday night. Along with Matt Cassel and Hall of Famers Steve Young and Bobby Layne, Henne became just the fourth player in NFL history with 400+ passing yards and 50+ rushing yards in the same game. If the light has finally clicked, Henne is in line for a breakout season in an offense that can't run the ball.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Rex Grossman - The inventor of the fumble-six and the master of the pick-six has found new life under the Shanahans. Coordinator Kyle Shanahan has Grossman slinging the ball all over the field, and the results have been surprisingly promising. Grossman has four 300-yard performances in his nine-year career, three of which have come with the Redskins in his last four starts. It gets better. Grossman's Week 2 matchup is against the Cardinals defense that just surrendered a record 422 yards to Cam Newton in the opener. Grossman is arguably a top-10 fantasy option this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Ryan Fitzpatrick - Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Cam Newton stole the spotlight, but it was Fitzpatrick who finished first in ESPN's Total QBR for Week 1 on the strength of an efficient four-touchdown performance against an overmatched Chiefs defense. Fitzpatrick will be up and down all season behind a patchwork offensive line, but coach Chan Gailey's offensive system gives him borderline QB1 value against the weaker secondaries.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Alex Smith - I need a fifth quarterback this week, and I'm admittedly reaching on Smith only for matchup purposes. Mark Sanchez skewered Dallas' secondary for 335 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. The Cowboys will be without Orlando Scandrick while Mike Jenkins (shoulder) and Terence Newman (groin) are on shaky footing themselves. If Smith can't torch this defense, he can't torch any.

Recommendation: Worth a look only in desperation.

Cut Bait: Peyton Manning, Kerry Collins, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Cassel, Luke McCown

Manning will need at least three months to recover from surgery. The Colts may still be looking for their first win by then. Dump him. ... Collins is one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. He's not going to perform CPR on Indy's offense. ... Hasselbeck's Week 1 numbers were skewed by a fluky 80-yard touchdown to Kenny Britt. ... The Chiefs offense is in the tank since Charlie Weis left. ... McCown is only a caretaker in a run-heavy offense.

Watch List: Vince Young, Shaun Hill, Matt Flynn, Chase Daniel, Tim Tebow

<!--RW-->Running Backs

Cadillac Williams - Coach Steve Spagnuolo announced Monday that Steven Jackson (quadriceps) is "probably" not going to play in Week 2, leaving Caddy to take the reins against the Giants. Jackson's injury is to the same quad that has given him trouble in the past; it could be a week-to-week situation. Williams tallied 140 yards on 25 touches as the Rams' workhorse after Jackson went down early in the opener. Though oft-injured himself, Caddy is coming off a strong preseason at age 29. In standard-scoring leagues, he should carry low-end RB2/flex value into Monday night's game. In PPR formats, he's a must start.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Jerome Harrison - The Detroit papers suggested Maurice Morris would be the Lions No. 2 back to enter the season, but that wasn't the case in the opener. A Morris fumble may have been at play. Regardless, Harrison is the better, more productive runner. Jahvid Best was given a workhorse-like 25 touches against the Bucs, which doesn't bode well for his chances of staying healthy for 16 games. Harrison would be a valuable property in Detroit's high-scoring offense if Best goes down.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Ricky Williams - The ageless wonder showed that he still has plenty of burst left, gashing the Steelers defense for 63 yards on 12 carries in clock-killing mode in Week 1. Still an effective receiver as well, Williams would be an every-week fantasy starter if Ray Rice goes down with an injury.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Deji Karim - Karim's 2.4 YPC average against the Titans is nothing to get excited about, but any player with 17 offensive touches should garner fantasy attention. Coach Jack Del Rio confirmed that Maurice Jones-Drew will remain on a "play count" going foward, leaving Karim with a bigger than expected offensive role. The second-year back is more explosive than he showed in the opener.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Marion Barber - The running back pickings are slim this week. Barber has been dropped in quite a few leagues while dealing with a calf injury, but he's expected to return to practice Wednesday. Barber remains Matt Forte's backup and the Bears' primary goal-line back when healthy. He's worth watching in touchdown-heavy leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in TD-heavy leagues.

Tashard Choice - There's still little clarity behind Felix Jones in the Cowboys backfield. Choice saw four touches compared to DeMarco Murray's three against the Jets. The two would likely split touches if Jones goes down with an injury.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Dexter McCluster - McCluster had nine offensive touches for 67 yards in addition to 92 yards on four kickoff returns against the Bills. While the Chiefs won't be in pass-heavy comeback mode as much as they were in the opener, McCluster's role is increasing at Thomas Jones' expense. He's worth a look in PPR return-yardage leagues with a flex spot.

Recommendation: Worth a look in return-yardage PPR leagues.

Cut Bait: Thomas Jones, Donald Brown, Maurice Morris, Leon Washington, Justin Forsett, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen

Jones is an ineffective runner with a declining role in a subpar offense. ... Brown didn't see the field against the Texans. ... Morris played behind Jerome Harrison in the opener. ... Washington and Forsett are role players in a non-dynamic offense. ... Ridley and Vereen are bench-warmers early in the season.

Hold Off: Earnest Graham, Marcel Reece

Graham's role was increased with the Bucs playing the second half in comeback mode. That won't happen on a regular basis. Reece may be the most athletic fullback in NFL history, but he simply doesn't see enough touches.

Watch List: Montario Hardesty, Steve Slaton, Joe McKnight

Hardesty would take over as the starter if Peyton Hillis went down. ... Slaton remains a trade candidate. ... McKnight's role could grow if Shonn Greene continues to struggle.

<!--RW-->Wide Receivers

Jordy Nelson - Nelson is still unowned in roughly half of CBS Sports leagues, primarily because the pecking order at receiver was a guessing game behind Greg Jennings entering the season. The season opener showed that Nelson picked up where he left off in the playoffs -- well ahead of James Jones and a better player than Donald Driver. Nelson has a legit shot at a breakout season and weekly WR3 value. As a major lynchpin in Aaron Rodgers' unstoppable aerial attack, he should be owned in all leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Jacoby Jones - The Reader's Digest fantasy scouting report: Jones has been highly inconsistent as the No. 3 receiver, but has produced when his snaps are increased to near starter level. With Andre Johnson battling an ankle injury in December last year, Jones averaged 5.5 receptions and 72 yards over the final four games. Starter Kevin Walter is likely out at least 1-2 weeks, leaving Jones as a risk/reward WR3 against the Dolphins and Saints.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Devery Henderson - Henderson led the team with 100 yards on nine targets as Drew Brees' most reliable receiver against the Packers in the NFL opener. With Marques Colston (collarbone) out at least a month, Henderson should continue to have an increased role in the offense. Whether he's worth starting as a WR3 against the Bears hinges on Lance Moore's (groin) availability this week, however. Either way, Henderson is a worthwhile pickup as a WR4/5 in 12-team leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned as an injury fill-in.

Brandon Gibson - The Rams' nominal No. 1 receiver was targeted five times in the opener, catching three for 50 yards. Those numbers are almost certain to go up Monday night against the G-Men with Danny Amendola (elbow) out of the lineup. After predictably struggling against the Eagles' Dream Team corners, Sam Bradford is a good bounce-back candidate against the Giants' injury-depleted secondary.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Domenik Hixon - Initial tests on Hakeem Nicks' swollen knee showed no serious damage, but he's "at best, uncertain" for Monday night's game. Hixon saw more targets than Victor Cruz in Week 1 and played in three-wide sets once the Giants went into comeback mode. Should Nicks end up sitting out against the Rams, Hixon would seem to be the favorite to start over Cruz. He's not a bad one-week "handcuff" for Nicks owners lacking depth at receiver.

Recommendation: Worth a look as an injury replacement.

Mohamed Massaquoi - Coach Pat Shurmur employed a mix-and-match approach to his receivers in St. Louis, and that looks to be the case again in Cleveland. Although the tight ends and running backs were heavily involved in the passing game, Massaquoi's seven targets were four more than any other wideout. Greg Little may have more long-term upside, but Massaquoi is the best bet for production early in the season. He'll need improvement from Colt McCoy before gaining WR3 status.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Jabar Gaffney - The Redskins' No. 2 receiver was recommended for PPR leagues last week, and he responded with a 3/54/1 line on seven targets against the Giants. If not for a brutal Rex Grossman overthrow, Gaffney would have added a 78-yard touchdown. There's not a ton of upside here, but Gaffney should see 6-8 targets on a weekly basis.

Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.

Randall Cobb - By the end of the preseason, Cobb was my target at the No. 4 spot in Dynasty rookie drafts. He carried Kentucky's offense as a Percy Harvin-like talent last season and shined on a daily basis in training camp. As Green Bay's fifth receiver Cobb isn't going to have value in standard leagues, but he's worth a look in formats that reward for kickoff- and punt-return yards. He's a dynamic talent.

Recommendation: Should be owned in Dynasty leagues. Worth a look in return-yardage leagues.

Cut Bait: James Jones, Danny Amendola, Kevin Walter, Derrick Mason, Steve Breaston, Earl Bennett, Donald Jones, Harry Douglas, Dezmon Briscoe, Brian Robiskie, Jordan Shipley, Bernard Berrian

Amendola and Walter aren't dynamic enough to take up roster space if they're gong to miss multiple weeks. ... James has no role in Green Bay's offense. ... As we saw late last season, Mason just can't get open at age 37. ... The rest of the group are role players who put on disappearing acts in Week 1.

Hold Off: Early Doucet, Brandon LaFell, Michael Jenkins, Doug Baldwin, Preston Parker, Anthony Armstrong

Doucet's 100-yard game came courtesy of a flukish 70-yard score. He had just three targets. ... Cam Newton is going to pass for 400 yards every week, leaving LaFell without value. ... Jenkins isn't any better than the version that consistently underwhelmed in Atlanta. ... Baldwin's production came with Sidney Rice out and Ben Obomanu sidelined mid-game. ... Parker and Armstrong are No. 3 receivers unlikely to top 50 yards in a given week.

Watch List: Eric Decker, Kevin Ogletree, Adrian Arrington, Greg Salas, David Nelson, Jason Hill, Brian Hartline, Darrius Heyward-Bey

Injuries to starters could put Hixon, Decker, Arrington, Ogletree, Salas on the fantasy radar later this week. Hixon would likely start opposite Mario Manningham if Hakeem Nicks (knee) suffers a setback. The situations with Brandon Lloyd (groin), Lance Moore (groin), and Dez Bryant (quad) are also worth watching this week, though Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem would be the primary beneficiaries if Moore can't go. ... Salas was underwhelming in the opener, and there's talk of Mike Sims-Walker handling slot duties in Danny Amendola's absence. ... Nelson, Hill, Hartline, and DHB are second receivers who need to prove they can produce reliable fantasy numbers on a weekly basis.

<!--RW-->Tight Ends

Fred Davis - Down a dozen pounds from last season, a streamlined Davis gave the Giants defense fits with his ability to get open and run after the catch in the opener. We pointed out last week that Davis has produced TE1 numbers whenever he's been given starter's snaps. The one concern is that there seems to be no set plan for his role, but coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that the Redskins will continue to run two-tight end sets heavily going forward. I'm not convinced Chris Cooley is over the hump with his knee problems. After showing a strong rapport with Rex Grossman, Davis is the tight end to own in Washington.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Ed Dickson - We placed Dickson on the Watch List last week, and he emerged as Joe Flacco's No. 2 target in an offense that will lean on the tight ends more heavily than expected. Dickson's five catches for 59 yards should have been six for 93, but a picture-perfect 34-yard reception was nullified by a holding penalty. Dickson has a legit chance to better Todd Heap's 40/599/5 line from last season.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Jermaine Gresham - Last year's first-rounder is owned in just 25 percent of CBS Sports leagues. The Bengals conservative offense limits his touchdown potential, but the short passing game should boost his targets and receptions over last season's mediocre totals. I prefer Dickson because he could be the No. 2 option in a much higher scoring offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Evan Moore - Moore was a recommendation last week, and he responded with a 3/35/1 line on six targets against the Bengals. The caveat is that Ben Watson recorded a 3/45/1 line of his own on seven targets. Moore has the potential to lead this offense in receptions and touchdowns, but he's not fantasy starter material just yet.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Scott Chandler - Who is Scott Chandler? Week 1's top fantasy tight end is Iowa's second all-time receiving tight end behind Dallas Clark. Chandler is a mammoth 6'7", 265 pounds with good hands but limited mobility. Ryan Fitzpatrick obviously likes to look his way in the red zone, but much of Chandler's production was matchup-based against the Chiefs' under-sized linebackers and safeties. Chandler is worth watching in 12-team leagues, but I wouldn't go chasing last week's points just yet.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Cut Bait: Brent Celek, Heath Miller, Visanthe Shiancoe

All three veterans are better NFL than fantasy tight ends as they concentrate on blocking to help shaky offensive lines.

Hold Off: Jeff King, Jake Ballard

King and Ballard each surpassed 50 yards, but it may stand as a season-high for the blocking specialists.

Watch List: Anthony Fasano, Julius Thomas, Tony Scheffler, Dennis Pitta

Fasano's 80 yards came on 49 pass attempts from Chad Henne. That won't happen again, but he's worth eyeballing to see if he can maintain consistent TE2 production. ... Thomas, Scheffler, and Pitta are worth watching only to see if their snaps increase.

Defense/Special Teams

Texans - Wade Phillips' crew racked up three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and just seven points allowed against Kerry Collins and the Colts in the opener. Throw in a punt return touchdown from Jacoby Jones, and this was an elite fantasy defense in Week 1. There's more where that came from. The Texans square off against a one-dimensional Miami offense that surrendered four sacks to the Patriots.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Rams - The opener went just as we suspected. The Rams front four dominated the trenches, forcing Michael Vick to flee the pocket throughout the game. Eli Manning doesn't have Vick's wheels, and the Giants' offensive line has issues of its own, turning the Redskins into a top-ten fantasy defense in Week 1.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Browns - This is a vote of absolutely no confidence in Kerry Collins, who finished Week 1 with the lowest Total QBR of any quarterback in the league. Collins took three sacks and fumbled three times, including twice inside in his own 20-yard line. The Colts are legitimately one of the NFL's worst teams this season.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

 

[HacheMan]

Week 1 targets and goal-line usage

Steve Smith among players to believe in


By Ken Daube
Special to ESPN.com

Welcome to the 2011-12 version of Trendspotting, a unique fantasy football advice column that aims to look at key performance indicators and factors that impact production rather than the end-result fantasy point totals. The goal of this column is not always to provide my opinion on why Player A is better than Player B, but rather to give you, the reader, more information so that you can make appropriate changes in player valuations. Throughout the season, Trendspotting will focus on the number of targets that top receiving options are getting, the number of carries that running backs are receiving inside their opponent's 10-yard line, and the number of times a running back breaks a run for more than 10 yards. Eventually, as the season progresses, the column will also provide updates about which players have the most favorable schedules going forward and, of course, which ones have the most challenging ones. Obviously, after one week of games, it's impossible to identify any "trends," so this week we'll focus just on the opportunities that your players had for success.


On target


Most Targets, Week 1

<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH>Name</TH><TH>Team</TH><TH>Targets</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>SD</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>Mia</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>Atl</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>Phi</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>NE</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>Hou</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>Den</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>NYG</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>Car</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>Jac</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>Pit</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>Ind</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>Ten</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>Mia</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>NE</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>Det</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>TB</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>Dal</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>NE</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Antonio Brown</TD><TD>Pit</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Plaxico Burress</TD><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>NO</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Earnest Graham</TD><TD>TB</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>NO</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Jerome Simpson</TD><TD>Cin</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>NO</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>SD</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>Pit</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>StL</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>Dal</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>KC</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Dez Bryant</TD><TD>Dal</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>SD</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>Cin</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>Cle</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>NO</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>Was</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jordy Nelson</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>TB</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jason Avant</TD><TD>Phi</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Arrelious Benn</TD><TD>TB</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>Mia</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>Bal</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>Ari</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>Was</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>Atl</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jimmy Graham</TD><TD>NO</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>NE</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Brian Hartline</TD><TD>Mia</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Darrius Heyward-Bey</TD><TD>Oak</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>Ten</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>NYG</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>Cle</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>Den</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Jason Snelling</TD><TD>Atl</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last oddrow"><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>Ten</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class="last evenrow"><TD>Benjamin Watson</TD><TD>Cle</TD><TD>7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



Receiving yardage is the most variable form of yardage, which makes sense because so much of it is dependent on where the quarterback elects to throw the ball. Because of this, variations in the number of times a player is targeted by his quarterback can greatly change a player's value. So while your receiver may have scored just 10 fantasy points this weekend, you need to know if it's reasonable to expect that he can repeat that type of performance on a routine basis. If he had one target that he turned into a 40-yard touchdown, you need to realize that he was one quarterback decision away from posting a goose egg. Conversely, if your wideout had 12 targets and finished with 108 yards receiving, his prospects for consistent fantasy production are significantly greater.


On the right, you'll see all the players who received seven or more targets in Week 1, but here are some of the top storylines from the opening week of play.


• Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers should be counted on as a must-start immediately. While some might view Smith's 77-yard touchdown a product of severely blown coverage (it was), without that play Smith still would have finished the day with over 100 yards and a touchdown. Smith demonstrated he still has top-level speed, and QB Cam Newton has the arm to make Smith an absolute weapon once again.


• There's reason to be encouraged with Mike Thomas' performance, even if he finished with less than seven yards per catch, because Thomas was targeted 11 times by new starting quarterback Luke McCown. When you consider that the Jaguars were leading by a touchdown or more for more than 49 minutes of their game, it's pretty clear that Thomas won't be impacted by conservative play calling.


• The story of Monday night's early game was Tom Brady, but lost in the Welker-Hernandez-Gronkowski lovefest is the fact that Deion Branch was targeted nine times and finished with solid numbers. Since joining the New England Patriots in the early part of last year, Branch has posted seven or more fantasy points in seven of his 12 regular-season games.


• If you lost Marques Colston to injury, you almost have to put in a waiver claim on Devery Henderson or Robert Meachem, but don't expect miracles. Drew Brees distributes the balls evenly throughout this offense, as five players received seven or more targets. What that means going forward is that there isn't likely to be a clear No. 1 receiver, so you'll basically be playing a touchdown roulette game with their receivers. That being said, Darren Sproles should be owned in all point-per-reception leagues.


• After finishing last season with just 25 receptions, Mike Tolbert had the second-most targets on the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. I didn't see that coming, either.


• Peyton Hillis quietly finished 2010 with 61 receptions, so don't view his eight targets that resulted in six receptions as a fluke. He's a bigger all-around threat than he gets credit for. Don't be surprised if he finishes the season with 80 or more receptions, as the Cleveland Browns give more responsibility to Colt McCoy.


• Jabar Gaffney isn't a sexy pick, but he led the Washington Redskins in targets against the New York Giants. Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong are both better bets for long-term fantasy goodness, but Rex Grossman has been a real passing threat as the Redskins' quarterback. Grossman is averaging 287.5 passing yards and 2.3 touchdowns per game in his short tenure as the starter. With those numbers, the third and fourth receiving options on the Redskins become viable fantasy threats.


• In the season that likely amounts to his last chance to make an NFL impact, Darrius Heyward-Bey led the Raiders with seven targets. Those targets accounted for almost a third of the throws from Jason Campbell, so this should be seen as an encouraging sign. The Raiders ran at will against the Broncos, so don't worry about Heyward-Bey's four catches. Focus on the ratio of passing plays where he was targeted instead.


Big plays and up close


There were six NFL players who totaled four or more rushes that gained 10 or more yards each. They were Ben Tate (5), Michael Vick (5), LeSean McCoy (4), Darren McFadden (4), Cadillac Williams (4) and … Chad Henne (4)!


Seeing Williams' name on that list is surprising enough, but Henne's presence can be viewed only as an indicator that the New England Patriots' new defense still has some serious holes. Eventually, Bill Belichick's crew will mesh, but until then, start all quarterbacks playing the Patriots.


The two players with the most carries inside their opponent's 10-yard line were Frank Gore (5) and Fred Jackson (4). Neither crossed the goal line.


Don't be dead set in your thought that Mark Ingram is going to be the goal-line back for the New Orleans Saints. Yes, Ingram did have two chances inside the 10. However, other than the one goal-line chance that Ingram didn't convert, the Saints ran three other times inside the 10. Of those carries, Ingram, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas each got one chance to find the end zone.

 

[HacheMan]

Cool it, Cooley

We have always known that Fred Davis can play. A second-round pick out of USC in 2008, Davis brings unique athleticism and agility at 6’4/258. The problem has been a roadblock in the form of Chris Cooley.

Cooley says his knee is healthy now, but that’s no matter. Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that he’s going to continue to run two-tight end sets as his base offense going forward. In the Week 1 win over the Giants, the Redskins used multiple tight ends on nearly 80 percent of their plays. Davis saw 58 snaps while Cooley saw 38, lining up as the primary tight end on third-down plays. And as the Redskins’ offensive line has improved, the tight ends are needed as blockers less.

What we’re seeing now is a changing of the guard. It’s Davis’ time as Cooley is in his age-29 season. Remember that when Cooley went down in Week 7 of the 2009 season, Davis racked up 41 catches for 464 yards and six touchdowns over the final 10 weeks. Along with names like Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, the TE1 bubble continues to grow in the form of Davis.

Editor’s Note: For early rankings, exclusive projections, chats, the Running Back Report and much more, check out the Season Pass!

NEWS OF THE DAY #1
The Dolphins certainly do things their own way. And usually, it ends up being a disaster. Reaching for Pat White, trading away Wes Welker and wasting a first-round pick on Ted Ginn are some recent blunders that come to mind.

Now, trying to fit a square peg (Reggie Bush) into a round hole (feature back) is fixing to be their next debacle. Even though Bush was predictably overmatched while trying to run between the tackles on Monday night, coach Tony Sparano is not wavering.

At his Tuesday press conference, Sparano said he wants to keep giving Bush about 20 touches per game. Good news for owners? For now, yes. In a PPR league, Bush is going to have some monster games.

But at the same time, giving him 20 touches weekly is going to cause bodily harm before long. At this rate, I’d be surprised if Bush lasts a month. Before Monday, he hadn’t had 20 touches in a game since Week 3 of 2008. He also missed 20 games over his final four seasons in New Orleans despite playing a bit role.

Making matters worse for owners, the Dolphins have no faith in Bush at the goal line. They gave the ball to Lex Hilliard in that spot Monday night and attempted a fade to Brian Hartline from the 1-yard line on a crucial fourth-down play.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Hakeem Nicks’ knee injury is flying under the radar, but maybe it shouldn’t be. Nicks’ injury was serious enough to require an MRI and there are reports that he is “at best, uncertain” for Week 2. ESPN’s John Clayton says Nicks is “in doubt.” It sounds like he has some real swelling and a bone bruise. Owners should be prepared with backup options. Domenik Hixon is the likely starter if Nicks sits.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
The usage numbers are in from Week 1, and Austin Collie played 33 of the Colts’ 57 offensive snaps. That doesn’t sound that bad, until we consider that the Colts were down heaps from the jump in this game. Pierre Garcon played on 56-of-57 snaps, meaning Collie is behind Garcon on the depth chart. If the Colts can keep games close, they’ll run two-wide sets the majority of time and leave Collie in the dark.

Unless Collie can pass Garcon on the depth chart, he’s in big trouble. The zero catch performance against the Texans was not a fluke.

NEWS OF THE DAY #4
Speaking of snap counts, you can’t say we didn’t warn you on Chad Ochocinco. He received abysmal preseason reviews, couldn’t pick up the offense and was declining anyway at age 33. Ocho played just 18 of 80 offensive snaps Monday night, far behind Deion Branch’s 62. In other words, Ocho is the No. 5 option in the passing game behind Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Branch. There’s not much reason to think that will change anytime soon.

Editor’s Note: Sick of your team already? Get a new one and win real money with SnapDraft!

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Coach Raheem Morris said he doesn’t want to keep going to the no-huddle attack and take LeGarrette Blount out of the game. That’s easier said than done -- the Bucs need to get leads to keep Blount involved. …. Nick Novak is the Chargers’ new kicker and is on the fantasy radar. … Adrian Arrington could be headed for the No. 3 receiver gig Sunday if Lance Moore (groin) can’t get healthy.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Kevin Walter (shoulder) is expected to miss 1-2 games. Deep-leaguers could do much worse than Jacoby Jones. … Brandon Lloyd (groin) and Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) underwent MRIs Tuesday. For what it’s worth, Moreno’s injury appeared more serious at first glance. … Mike Tolbert (knee) passes all his tests on Monday and it looks like he’ll get a full week of practice in. … Marion Barber (calf) is on track to return in Week 2 and immediately assume goal-line duties. … Marcus Easley (illness) is out for the season. Lock in Donald Jones. … Andy Dalton (forearm) saw a specialist but is expected to be fine. … Colts president Bill Polian reiterated that doctors really don’t know how long it will take for Peyton Manning to regenerate nerves in his throwing arm. I’d be surprised if Peyton played again this season. … Marcedes Lewis has a calf strain and is questionable for Week 2.

 

[HacheMan]

Target Watch: Week 2

Here’s a team-by-team look at passing targets, red zone looks and snap count data. We'll have to wait until we get the week 2 numbers to start discerning the flukes from the patterns, but until then we can wildly speculate on these! Enjoy!

All snap count data comes from our friends over at Pro Football Focus.

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald 7, Beanie Wells 4, Andre Roberts 4, Early Doucet 3, Todd Heap 3, Jeff King 3, LaRod Stephens-Howling 1

The Panthers did a good job of keying in on Larry Fitzgerald in this first game but he still led the team (surprise!) with 7 targets. Early Doucet led the AZ receivers in fantasy points but was third in targets. Unless that number increases, his value as a threat will decrease. Stephens-Howling was only targeted once while Beanie Wells was targeted 4 times. That’s a good sign for Beanie that he will be used even when they are behind and forced to pass. Or as the league calls it, quarters one through four.

Atlanta Falcons

Roddy White 13, Tony Gonzalez 7, Jason Snelling 7, Julio Jones 6, Jacquizz Rodgers 5, Michael Turner 4, Harry Douglas 4

Roddy White continues to be the target hog of old while Tony Gonzalez and rookie Julio Jones had healthy target numbers. Nothing too out of the norm here, except that Gonzo, despite being old as dirt, will continue to be productive and take some looks away from the young gun.

With the Falcons down for most of the game they were often in pass mode. Jason Snelling actually was in the game for 36 plays to Michael Turner’s 29 and Rodgers 22. Thankfully for Turner owners he averaged 10 yards a carry on his 10 carries. Adding to this tempest in the teapot is that Rodgers had two looks in the red zone compared to one each for Turner and Snelling. It seems the coaching staff has a lot of confidence in the rookie.

Baltimore Ravens

Anquan Boldin 7, Ray Rice 5, Ed Dickson 5, Lee Evans 4, Vonta Leach 3, Ricky Williams 2, Dennis Pitta 2, Torrey Smith 1

The Ravens are very much the Ray Rice show. Of his 24 total looks, 7 of them came in the red zone. But we already knew that Rice was a stud. What else can we learn here? The tight end tag team of Pitta and Dickson was won by Dickson even though Pitta did well with his 2 targets, catching both for 45 yards. Dickson also did well in catching all 5 of his targets, including 2 in the red zone. If this keeps up Dickson will be the guy to hold.

Seriously, did you just giggle at that?

Buffalo Bills

Stevie Johnson 6, David Nelson 6, Scott Chandler 5, Donald Jones 5, Roscoe Parrish 2, Fred Jackson 1, C.J. Spiller 1

Ryan Fitzpatrick was almost too efficient to have a ton of passes in this game. We can’t take too much from the target numbers in this one, but digging deeper there is some interesting data. David Nelson had one more target than Donald Jones, but Jones was on the field for 25 more snaps and was targeted in the red zone twice to Nelson’s zilch. If this trend continues Jones is the guy to own here. And unless Scott Chandler sees the field more often (38 snaps), it will be hard for him to even come close to his big day again.

Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith 11, Greg Olsen 6, Legedu Naanee 5, Brandon LaFell 5, Jeremy Shockey 3, Jonathan Stewart 3, DeAngelo Williams 2, Mike Goodson 2

Cam Newton is smart enough to know to throw the ball toward the talent and Steve Smith got the majority of the looks (oh, did I mention he’s the talent?). Smith should continue to lead the targets each week. Otherwise the ball was spread around pretty well. The only receiver to see any red zone targets was Legedu Naanee. This could be a fluky stat, but it’s worth watching who between Naanee and LaFell pulls ahead, if anyone. Yes, that is what she said. Now stop it.
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Chicago Bears

Matt Forte 6, Devin Hester 5, Kellen Davis 5, Roy Williams 4, Earl Bennett 4, Johnny Knox 4, Matt Spaeth 2, Kahlil Bell 1, Dane Sanzenbacher 1

So with all the press about who was who on the Bears depth chart it didn’t really matter when it came down to targets. The target numbers are about as evenly distributed as you can get. Matt Forte is the clear winner here and most likely will continue to be the only safe fantasy play for the Bears week to week.

Looking at the number of pass plays run by each Bears receiver is interesting: Hester 33, Bennett 28, Forte 21, Williams 20, Knox 16 and Sanzenbacher 9, but for fantasy purposes we need one of those guys (preferably Knox and/or Bennett) to run 35-plus pass routes. I’ll call you when it happens.

Cincinnati Bengals

Jerome Simpson 9, Jermaine Gresham 8, A.J. Green 4, Brian Leonard 2, Jordan Shipley 2, Cedric Benson 1, Andre Caldwell 1

Simpson and Gresham hoarded most of the targets in this tilt and if they had a seasoned quarterback I’d be all over both, but there are going to be plenty of growing pains in Cincinnati and that will most likely lead to inconsistency all around in the passing game. But it does make us double take on Jerome Simpson. He finished last season strong and was on many a sleeper list, but the addition of A.J. Green and subtraction of Carson Palmer helped quell the hype. It seems likely that Green, who does have elite skills, will edge ahead of Simpson in the target department. Can you wait it out? The tension is killing me.

Cleveland Browns

Peyton Hillis 8, Ben Watson 7, Mohamed Massaquoi 7, Evan Moore 6, Josh Cribbs 3, Brian Robiskie 3, Greg Little 3, Jordan Norwood 1, Colt McCoy 1

Colt McCoy’s arm is more suited for tossing the ball to running backs and tight ends, which he did often. Hillis led the team in passing targets and rushing attempts. Montario Hardesty did have 5 rushes, but no pass targets. I believe that the every down back status for Hillis is safe.

Both Browns tight ends could be viable fantasy players if they weren’t on the same team. The Browns offense can only sustain so many fake football starters. They unfortunately don’t have Tom Brady throwing to them. Moore had 2 targets in the end zone and if that continues he will become more attractive in fantasy. And yes, Colt McCoy did catch his own pass for -5 yards.

Greg Little is the only receiver I trust to come out of this mess as a No. 1 receiver, but with only 3 targets he has a ways to go.

Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten 9, Miles Austin 9, Dez Bryant 8, Felix Jones 4, Kevin Ogletree 2, John Phillips 2, Tashard Choice 1, DeMarco Murray 1

This breakdown looks about perfect. If the top 4 continue to get targets like this they will all continue to be every week starters on your team. Even the red zone looks were spread out between the big 4 with Jones 4, Austin 3, Bryant 2 and Witten 2. As long as they can stay healthy they shouldn’t hurt each others value as the season goes on.

Denver Broncos

Brandon Lloyd 11, Willis McGahee 7, Daniel Fells 6, Eddie Royal 6, Eric Decker 5, Knowshon Moreno 3, Julius Thomas 3, Matt Willis 2, Lance Ball 1

It doesn’t look like Brandon Lloyd owners have much to fear (except fear itself). He will continue to be the No. 1 target week in and week out because he is actually pretty good at his job. We saw some good things out of Eric Decker and it’s good to see Eddie Royal get targets again, but for the most part this game was such a disaster it’s hard to judge what will happen from here on out.

Both McGahee and Moreno were unremarkable and their numbers are going to fluctuate dramatically until one of them steps up. The battle between Daniel Fells and Julius Thomas was won by Fells, but the fact that Julius Thomas got a red zone look and 3 targets says he is doing what he needs to in practice to get on the big boy field. Look for him to keep moving up the target list.

Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson 10, Brandon Pettigrew 6, Nate Burleson 5, Jahvid Best 5, Maurice Morris 2, Rashied Davis 1, Tony Scheffler 1, Maurice Stovall 1, Titus Young 1

For some unknown reason Matthew Stafford threw the ball to Calvin Johnson more than any other receiver. Weird. These numbers seem to jibe with what we expected coming into the season. I was worried that we might see Tony Scheffler take away looks from Brandon Pettigrew, but he looks safe for now. Pettigrew ran 27 pass routes compared to Scheffler’s 10.

The red zone stats favor Nate Burleson with 3 targets to Johnson 2, Best 2, Pettigrew 2, Scheffler 1 and Harrison 1. And I’d be pushing hard for the fantasy world to go after Burleson if it wasn’t for the fact that Titus Young ran 23 routes, which makes him the statistical No. 3 receiver. After missing much of preseason it’s encouraging to see him out there that much. And if he continues to progress he could start taking looks away from Burleson.
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Green Bay Packers

Greg Jennings 8, Jordy Nelson 8, Donald Driver 7, Jermichael Finley 4, John Kuhn 2, Randall Cobb 2, Ryan Grant 1, James Jones 1, Tom Crabtree 1 James Starks 1

This game seems like it was a month ago. The biggest news from these numbers are Jordy Nelson’s 8 targets. Were they at the expense of Jermichael Finley’s targets? Hard to say for sure, but it is likely that Finley’s numbers will normally be higher. He did run 30 routes compared to 19 by Nelson. The numbers between Nelson and Driver are what I’ll be watching closely and as we go along I believe Nelson will cut into Driver’s time.
The running back situation is the one most of us are interested in and there is no doubt who the man was in that game. James Starks was in the game for 47 plays compared to Ryan Grant who was in for 17. The worry for some was that Grant was more trusted as a pass blocker, but Starks was in on almost all of the passing downs. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have your new Green Bay running back.

Houston Texans

Andre Johnson 11, Jacoby Jones 3, James Casey 3, Kevin Walter 2, Owen Daniels 2, Steve Slaton 2, Joel Dreessen 1

The Texans got up big and ran the ball 41 times compared to throwing it 24 times. That fact skews the target numbers some, but also shows you that no matter how the game goes, Andre Johnson will get his. Owen Daniels was a huge fantasy dud, but also was second in number of passing routes run and both his targets were in the red zone. He will bounce back from this one. After that it’s a bit of mess with limited data, but it is pretty clear that Jacoby Jones would pick up more work if Kevin Walter is out.

Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne 10, Pierre Garcon 6, Dallas Clark 5, Joseph Addai 4, Austin Collie 3, Jacob Tamme 1

It’s hard to get much good information from this game except to say the Colts are in trouble, but you knew that already. They were down big and had to throw quite a bit and even then Reggie Wayne was the only fantasy beneficiary. These guys are toxic right now.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike Thomas 11, Jason Hill 3, Marcedes Lewis 3, Deji Karim 3, Greg Jones 1, Brock Bolen 1

If you own Mike Thomas in a PPR league you have to be pretty happy with these 11 targets. If this keeps up he’s in for a decent season. After that the targets fall off a dark precipice into the fantasy abyss.

Pro Football Focus’ numbers tell an interesting story here. I noticed that Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t have one target and Deji Karim had three, and looking at their pass routes Karim ran 15 to MJD’s 6. Jones-Drew has been a PPR king, but this is something to pay attention to. The snap count that MJD was on can explain Karim’s 15 carries, but the passing routes are intriguing. Stay tuned. In fact, schedule it for Tivo.

Kansas City Chiefs

Dwayne Bowe 8, Leonard Pope 6, Jamaal Charles 6, Dexter McCluster 5, Keary Colbert 3, Jerheme Urban 2, Steve Breaston 2, Terrance Copper 1, Matt Cassel 1, Jackie Battle 1, Jake O’Connell 1

Wow, that’s a who’s who of mediocrity. I think maybe those passes to Battle and O’Connell could have been better served for oh, Jamaal Charles? But I digress. The Chiefs passing game has been de-Weised and I’m not sure how they are going to recover. Dwayne Bowe still got his targets at least and that’s about all Bowe owners can hang their hat on right now. They have pills for that, by the way.

Dexter McCluster is an interesting case. He was on the field for 28 plays compared to Jamaal Charles’ 35. If you are a JC Superstar worshiper like myself you no longer need to worry about Thomas Jones who was on the field a whopping 3 times, but we do have to start keeping an eye on this McCluster fella.

Miami Dolphins

Brandon Marshall 13, Reggie Bush 10, Davone Bess 7, Brian Hartline 7, Anthony Fasano 6, Clyde Gates 4, Roberto Wallace 1

The Dolphins are a PPRer’s dream with Marshall, Bush and Bess being targeted all over the field. Of course they were going against a 500-plus yard passing attack and have no real running game, but Chad Henne did look better than his normal, not-so-good self.

Brian Hartline’s 7 targets will most likely go down along with the inordinate amount of passes that Henne threw. But the workload of Reggie Bush should continue to stay high until he is hurt, so use him while you can.
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Minnesota Vikings

Percy Harvin 5, Michael Jenkins 3, Adrian Peterson 3, Bernard Berrian 2, Visanthe Shiancoe 2, Kyle Rudolph 1

With only 15 total targets it’s difficult to see what might materialize in a normal game (Viking fans better pray this isn’t normal), but we know that Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson are the Vikings only real threats at this point and it looks like they are at least trying to get them the ball. Harvin also had 4 carries, which is good to see and will continue to be the focus of their passing attack, if you can call it that.

New England Patriots

Wes Welker 12, Aaron Hernandez 10, Deion Branch 9, Rob Gronkowski 7, Chad Ochocinco 3, Matt Slater 2, Julian Edelman 2, BenJarvus Green-Ellis 1, Danny Woodhead 1

The Brady Bunch no-huddled the Dolphins secondary into the unemployment line/infirmary and had no trouble picking them apart for 517 yards, but sadly for us fake footballers Belichick could try the old no forward pass strategy next week. But for the sake of argument let’s say he doesn’t. We knew Welker would get his targets, but it’s never easy to decipher the distribution after that. Hernandez and Gronkowski almost split everything 50/50 and with so many targets to go around it worked well for fantasy owners of each. That won’t happen every time, but they are used like receivers and get red zone looks (each had 3) so you have to play them both.

Danny Woodhead had more carries than he’s ever had in his short life span. He’s serviceable in PPR, but don’t expect him to be the new running back in New England when they aren’t constantly in hurry up.

New Orleans Saints

Devery Henderson 9, Darren Sproles 9, Marques Colston 9, Robert Meachem 8, Jimmy Graham 7, Pierre Thomas 5, David Thomas 1

With Marques Colston out for a while and Lance Moore hurt for this game we can throw these numbers out the window and then get fined for littering. They are also skewed because they were trailing for most of the game and needed to pass more often than not. That fact puts a player like Mark Ingram at a disadvantage and one like Darren Sproles at the opposite of that. In a normal Saints game they will either be ahead or much closer and will use play action with Ingram, at least more so than this game where Ingram was only on the field 19 times compared to Sproles’ 32.

If Moore returns you can expect him, Meachem and Graham to get the bulk of the targets, but if he doesn’t, Henderson would once again see a hefty number.

New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks 11, Mario Manningham 7, Domenik Hixon 4, Jake Ballard 3, Ahmad Bradshaw 2, Victor Cruz 2, Brandon Jacobs 1, Danny Ware 1, Henry Hynoski 1

Hakeem Nicks is the no doubt, go to guy for Eli Manning and Manningham, his non-kosher receiver, is his no doubt secondary target. After that? Anybody’s guess. Hixon and Cruz are battling it out for the No. 3 spot and Hixon looks to be in the lead, but unless Nicks is out that won’t matter much. Oh, what’s that you say? He may be out? Well, I’ll say Hixon would benefit the most from that scenario if it presents itself.

The running back breakdown is similar to last season, but for some reason Ahmad Bradshaw was in at the goal line when Brandon Jacobs looked perfectly capable of doing that job and probably better. We’ll have to see how that one plays out.

New York Jets

Santonio Holmes 10, Plaxico Burress 9, Dustin Keller 8, LaDainian Tomlinson 7, Derrick Mason 6, Jeff Cumberland 2, Shonn Greene 1, John Conner 1

Mark Sanchez and company were down most of the game and were playing catch up by passing often. Santonio Holmes is still the No. 1 receiver, but Sanchez felt comfortable throwing it up for Plaxico Burress to go get. I didn’t see Burress getting much separation from defenders, but as long as Sanchez doesn’t mind throwing it his way you have to feel good about his chances of getting into the end zone. The same is true for Dustin Keller who had 3 targets in the red zone.

LaDainian Tomlinson stole the show from Shonn Greene once again. L.T. was in there mainly because they were passing so often and if the Jets are in the lead there’s a good chance you see Greene, but when they are behind Greene owners are going to be seeing red.

Oakland Raiders

Darrius Heyward-Bey 7, Brandon Myers 5, Jacoby Ford 4, Marcel Reece 3, Michael Bush 1, Darren McFadden 1, Denarius Moore 1

Heyward-Bey is the story here, but his inconsistency is going to make me want to see him have a few more games with this many targets and receptions. It’s not like he went off, but for him he did.

If you don’t know who Brandon Myers is, don’t worry; he’s filling in for Kevin Boss. Jacoby Ford hurt his hamstring and Denarius Moore didn’t get much work. Trying to find a usable receiver in this Oakland group is one of the 9 circles of hell.

Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson 12, Jason Avant 7, Brent Celek 3, LeSean McCoy, 3 Jeremy Maclin 3, Owen Schmitt 2, Dion Lewis 1

Even though Jeremy Maclin only had 3 targets he was on the field more than any other receiver. His lack of looks is a little odd, but I feel safe in saying they will head back up into normal range next week and normal range is ahead of Jason Avant.

Ronnie Brown was only on the field for 10 plays compared to LeSean McCoy’s 57 so there is no time share there, but Brown did get two red zone looks. It’s worth monitoring, but McCoy’s workload should keep him in the fantasy money even if Brown vultures here and there.
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Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Wallace 11, Hines Ward 9, Antonio Brown 9, Heath Miller 5, Emmanuel Sanders 3, Mewelde Moore 2, Arnaz Battle 1, Rashard Mendenhall 1

The battle between Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders seemed to have been won by Brown, but he only caught 2 of those 9 targets and Sanders’ 3 targets consisted of 2 red zone targets including a touch down. Add to that the limited preseason work Sanders had and they could just be easing him back into the offense. I’m leaning towards Sanders’ side in this title bout for the third wide receiver in Pittsburgh.

San Diego Chargers

Antonio Gates 13, Mike Tolbert 9, Malcom Floyd 8, Ryan Mathews 5, Jacob Hester 4, Randy McMichael 3, Vincent Jackson 3, Bryan Walters 2

Mike Tolbert had an insane 11 looks in the red zone and he only got in 3 times, pfft. The coaches trust Tolbert more than Ryan Mathews and that’s probably not going to change soon.

If you are a Vincent Jackson owner you have to be a little perplexed as to his 3 targets after his nice preseason and just the fact that he is really pretty darn good. He was on the field for 83 plays and ran 52 routes and had 3 balls thrown his way. That has to be a little frustrating. The Vikings defense was in Philip Rivers face all day and gave them no time for plays to develop down field, so instead he threw it to Antonio Gates and Tolbert over and over and over again.

Seattle Seahawks

Ben Obomanu 6, Doug Baldwin 6, Mike Williams 5, Justin Forsett 5, Golden Tate 5, Zach Miller 4, Leon Washington 2, Marshawn Lynch 2, Anthony McCoy 2

Ugh. This is about as bad as it gets, well, except for Minnesota. You aren’t going to find a fantasy relevant receiver or running back or tight end or quarterback or ball boy in this bunch so stop looking. Hey! I said stop.

San Francisco 49ers

Vernon Davis 6, Braylon Edwards 5, Frank Gore 4, Josh Morgan 2, Delanie Walker 1

What did I say about the Seahawks? Well, the 49ers offense isn’t much better. It runs through Frank Gore and Vernon Davis and that is it. And really it’s just Frank Gore who had 26 looks in only 52 offensive plays. That is exactly half. Do you think Seattle knew who was getting the ball?

St. Louis Rams

Cadillac Williams 9, Danny Amendola 6, Brandon Gibson 5, Lance Kendricks 5, Mike Sims-Walker 4, Billy Bajema 3, Greg Salas 3

The No. 1 receiver in this game as far as amount of plays was Brandon Gibson with 45 routes run. Of course Danny Amendola dislocated his elbow and for some reason came out of the game, but it shows you that Gibson is the guy they trust while Mike Sims-Walker only ran 29 routes and is not as trustworthy. With Amendola gone that number should increase for Sims-Walker, but Gibson is the de facto No. 1 with MSW and Lance Kendricks filling in for No. 2 and No. 3 duties. Hah, No. 2 Duties.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Williams 10, Earnest Graham 9, Kellen Winslow 8, Arrelious Benn 7, Preston Parker 6, Dezmon Briscoe 2, Kregg Lumpkin 1, Luke Stocker 1

Mike Williams is the no doubt No. 1 in Tampa Bay and it’s not even close. When they want to score a touchdown they just throw it at him until he catches it or they kick a field goal. The No. 3 receiver after Williams and Kellen Winslow in this game was Preston Parker. He had 40 routes to Arrelious Benn’s 30. That number should move in favor of Benn as we move forward though.

LeGarrette Blount was on the field for a slim 13 plays while Earnest Graham was in for 46. That’s not how you want things to go if you own Blount. Graham ran 35 pass routes and only ran the ball 6 times. So it’s not hard to see what was going on there. You want the Bucs to get the lead or be close if you own Blount.

Tennessee Titans

Kenny Britt 10, Nate Washington 7, Chris Johnson 7, Craig Stevens 3, Jared Cook 2, Damian Williams 2, Marc Mariani 1, Jamie Harper 2

Kenny Britt should continue to get his looks along with Chris Johnson, but those are the only two we can rely on from week to week. I still have plenty of hope for Jared Cook and believe he is still going to have a good year, but even though he was on the field he just wasn’t seeing the ball. Nate Washington’s numbers look decent enough, but we just can’t count on him producing consistently even if his targets stay in this area.

Washington Redskins

Santana Moss 8, Jabar Gaffney 7, Fred Davis 6, Anthony Armstrong 6, Chris Cooley 3, Tim Hightower 3, Logan Paulsen 1

Tim Hightower saw 47 percent of all the Redskins plays go through him on Sunday. He is officially the workhorse. And after Santana Moss, who will continue to be valuable, especially in PPR, we have a couple of battles for looks. Fred Davis and Chris Cooley, and Amthony Armstrong and Jabar Gaffney are fighting for your fantasy love and the only winner I see is Fred Davis. Rex Grossman likes him and he can stretch the field and go up and make plays. After than you are swimming in the cesspool of waiver wire fodder.

 

[HacheMan]

Studs and duds: Rodgers, Rivers look unstoppable

Studs
•Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: The Carolina Panthers allowed Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb to register his second career 300-yard passing game and throw for two scores. The Panthers will find it far more difficult to stop Green Bay. Rodgers had a superb fantasy outing against a superior New Orleans Saints defense.

• INTERACTIVE: Roger Rotter answers your questions Thursday, noon ET

•Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers: The New England Patriots pass defense ranked 30th in yards last season and is arguably weaker at safety in 2011. In fact, the Patriots permitted Chad Henne to post career bests of 416 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Monday nighter. Rivers led the league with 4,710 yards in 2010 and had only one game of fewer than 200 yards.
•Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens: The Pittsburgh Steelers did not allow a 100-yard rusher last season while yielding four scores to running backs. But Rice ended that streak while posting 149 total yards and finding the end zone twice. He faces the Tennessee Titans' lesser defense, which just gave up 97 yards and a touchdown to Maurice Jones-Drew.
•Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Peterson ran for 98 yards against last year's No. 4 rush defense in Week 1 and meets the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had the NFL's fifth-worst run defense of 2010. The Detroit Lions' Jahvid Best totaled a solid 114 yards against Tampa Bay last week after recording one contest of 100-plus total yards during his rookie season.
•Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions: He has the chance to be the NFL's touchdown leader with a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Johnson looks unstoppable in the red zone and will be after his second consecutive game of multiple scores.
Duds
•Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons: He couldn't reach the end zone and had two turnovers in a Week 1 disaster at the Chicago Bears. The Philadelphia Eagles boasts three elite cornerbacks and held the St. Louis Rams passing attack to 209 yards and no touchdowns.
•Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans: He was shut down by the Jacksonville Jaguars' 28th-ranked defense from 2010. Johnson, who ran for 24 yards on nine carries, will be meeting the Ravens' ferocious front seven.
•DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers: He managed to run for 30 yards against Arizona's woeful defense. The Packers allowed the second-fewest rushing touchdowns (six) last season and looked strong in Week 1.
•Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: He appeared rusty and out-of-sync with QB Michael Vick after missing nearly all preseason. He caught one pass and will be meeting a better Falcons defense in Week 2.
•Mike Williams, WR, Seattle Seahawks: After having a great rapport with Matt Hasselbeck last season, Williams lacked chemistry with new quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He'll take on a Steelers defense focused on redemption in Week 2.
Sleepers
•Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: The Packers' high-scoring offense will likely force the Panthers to pass frequently to keep pace. The Packers yielded 419 yards and three touchdowns through the air against the Saints, so they could be vulnerable to the hot rookie.
•Rex Grossman, QB, Washington Redskins: The Cardinals surrendered 422 yards to Newton in its own stadium. Grossman was hot in Week 1, passing for 305 yards and two scores.
•Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins: The Houston Texans have a high-powered offense like the Patriots, so Miami might be forced to air it out again. Henne showed great improvement, avoiding costly sacks and interceptions by making quicker throws and shrewd decisions.
•James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers: The Panthers allowed Beanie Wells to run for 90 yards and a score and average an excellent 5.0 yards a carry. Starks was impressive with a strong 4.8 rushing average and appears to have the early edge over Ryan Grant.
•Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints: He could assume the Saints' No. 1 wide receiver role with the injury absence of Marques Colston. Even with Colston being healthy for nearly the entire opener, Henderson had 100 receiving yards and a score.

 

[HacheMan]

First Practice for Foster

Eighteen days, 27 Rotoworld blurbs and one tweeted X-ray later, Arian Foster finally returned to Texans practice on Wednesday.

Although he was officially limited, he received starter’s reps, putting him firmly on track to take the field against the Dolphins this Sunday.

But that wasn’t even the best news. That came from HC Gary Kubiak, who said he will not take things slow with his workhorse runner if he’s active this weekend. "If he can play, you play. There won't be being careful with him."

It’s the best possible scenario for the legions of fantasy owners who conspired to make Foster the first off the board by average draft position this summer.

That is not to say there still isn't the possibility that Foster feels a twinge on Thursday or Friday and decides not to give it a go. This injury was an aggravation of an earlier one, after all.

But all signs are pointing toward Foster being in your lineup instead of Ben Tate, Willis McGahee or whomever else you were forced to start in place of your first-round pick last weekend.

Editor’s Note: For early rankings, exclusive projections, chats, the Running Back Report and much more, check out the Season Pass!

NEWS OF THE DAY #1
The news wasn’t as good in St. Louis, where one-time workhorse Steven Jackson was prevented from practicing by his quad injury.

S-Jax has shown a consistent ability to play through pain since coming into the league in 2004, including in 2010, where he shrugged off groin and finger injuries en route to his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign.

But already forecast for decline this season after racking up 1,878 carries before his 28th birthday, this appears to be an ailment Jackson won’t be able to tough out.

In his absence, the Rams are going to go with an even more worn down back in Cadillac Williams. Granted, Caddy did an excellent job filling in for Jackson in Week 1, taking the ball 19 times for 90 yards while hauling in five catches for another 49 yards. But those kind of numbers won't be repeated by a player who has averaged only 3.8 yards per tote during his 71-game career.

Cadillac will be playable in all formats against the Giants, just know he’s almost certainly already turned in his best performance of 2011, and it didn’t even include a touchdown.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Jackson may be trending toward the Week 2 inactives list, but his teammate Sam Bradford appears headed for his 18th straight start.

An injury concern coming into the NFL after a pair shoulder impairments cut short his electrifying college career, Bradford sent the scare of a lifetime through Rams fans when he left last Sunday’s game with a finger injury.

Thankfully, crisis appears to have been averted. In the words of his HC Steve Spagnuolo, Bradford is already “over the hump” and ready to turn in a full week of practice.

So we know Bradford will play on Monday Night Football. What we don’t know is, who will he throw to?

Bradford’s favorite target, Danny Amendola, though already light years ahead of where we thought he would be after he dislocated his left elbow on Sunday, is extremely unlikely to suit up against the Giants despite his pleadings to the contrary.

That leaves either veteran Mike Sims-Walker or rookie Greg Salas to pick up the slack in the slot. Apparently, it will be Salas.

This is in spite of the fact that Salas is coming off both a drop-marred preseason and Week 1. Anyone in the slot in St. Louis will be worth a look in PPR leagues — Amendola’s 123 targets were 20th in the NFL last season — but getting Salas into your lineup before he’s proven he can catch the football without it bouncing off his hands every other time he handles it could be a recipe for a zero-point day from your WR3 spot.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
When we last saw Brandon Stokley, he was leaving an indelible mark on one of the internet’s greatest websites.

Before that, he was seemingly conjured out of thin air by Peyton Manning, who found Stokley for 68 catches, 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns in an out-of-nowhere, and ultimately fluky, 2004 season.

Now, he’s a 35-year-old wideout coming off a quiet 31-catch campaign with the Seahawks looking to solve the Giants woes in the slot.

Tasked with a simple job — go over the middle of the field and catch the ball — in an offense that likes to throw, it’s possible Stokley has enough left in the tank to make one last run at fantasy relevance.

What’s much more possible, however, is that like frantic Gus Johnson touchdown calls on CBS, the 13-year veteran will soon be out of the league.

NEWS OF THE DAY #4
Few players had a more disappointing Week 1 than third year Titans TE Jared Cook. Despite the fact that Tennessee took to the air 34 times against the Jaguars, Cook was targeted just twice, making one catch for seven yards. It was an unexpectedly dismal day for a player predicted to lead the Titans in catches by one of their top beat writers.

Thankfully, Titans HC Mike Munchak appeared just as baffled by the afternoon as fantasy owners did, and has pledged to get Cook more involved. “We definitely feel like he’s still a weapon,” Munchak said of his breakout candidate. “(We just) weren’t able to use (him) the way we hope to use (him) going forward.”

It’s fair to question how serious Munchak really is about getting Cook the ball considering he had every reason to on Sunday, but it would also be ludicrous to give up on someone coming off such a promising preseason after just one bad game.

NEWS OF THE DAY #5
When Harry Douglas was targeted just four times in Sunday’s loss to the Bears, it came as a surprise to many who thought the third-year wideout would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Atlanta’s new-found commitment to the pass.

Now we know it wasn’t by design. The Falcons’ slot receiver has a concussion, and is a long-shot to play against the Eagles this weekend. He’s worth holding onto in PPR formats, but it could be weeks before he’s ready to make an impact.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Mike Tolbert (knee) practiced and “looked fine” on Wednesday, and is in no danger of missing Week 2. … Hakeem Nicks (knee) didn’t practice, but is expecting to by week’s end. … Mohammed Massaquoi unexpectedly showed up on the Browns’ injury report with a hamstring injury, but was still able to practice in a limited fashion. He should be fine for Sunday. … Fresh off a one-catch, four-yard performance, Michael Crabtree sat out of 49ers practice on Wednesday as his chronically injured foot continued to give him fits. The third-year player’s salary and draft position should ensure that he still has plenty of chances left in San Francisco, but fantasy owners have no reason to be as patient. … Lance Moore (groin) was back at Saints practice on Wednesday and “running fluidly.” He’s a good bet to play against the Bears. … “Questionable at best" to play against the Broncos this weekend, there’s less reason than ever to start Andy Dalton in your two-QB league.

 

[HacheMan]

Week 2 Rankings

Snaps might be the most underrated stat in football. Maybe it’s because the numbers aren’t freely available. Perhaps it’s because the point seems too obvious: You can’t score if you aren’t on the field.

In the opening week, plenty of players that were drafted as fantasy starters watched from the sidelines too much.

When the Bucs needed to kickstart their offense to open the second half against Detroit, LeGarrette Blount was watching from the sidelines. Blount still struggles in the passing game, making him rather useless when Tampa is trailing.

Chad Ochocinco is essentially the fifth receiver in New England behind Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski. On a night Tom Brady set records, Ocho barely got on the field. Austin Collie, Ryan Grant, and Shonn Greene are three other highly drafted options that essentially looked like part-time players in Week 1.

One of Bill Belichick’s favorite phrases to his team: “The more you can do, the more you can do.”

The guys above don’t do enough.
Note: Follow Gregg and Wesseling on Twitter.

Week 2 Quarterbacks
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Michael Vick</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Matthew Stafford</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Tony Romo</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Ben Roethlisberger</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Jay Cutler</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Josh Freeman</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Rex Grossman</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>Sexy</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Cam Newton</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Kevin Kolb</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Colt McCoy</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>Probable (ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Kerry Collins</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Alex Smith</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Luke McCown</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Andy Dalton</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>Questionable (wrist)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Tarvaris Jackson</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

QB Notes: The part I loved most about Matthew Stafford’s first week: It could have been much better. Stafford was actually a little wild, missing a couple chances for touchdowns. Detroit basically did nothing in the second half. Despite all that, Stafford had a monster day. The Lions’ pass protection absolutely stoned Tampa Bay. If that continues, Stafford’s a top-five weekly play. … Watching the same game, I couldn’t help but worry that Josh Freeman doesn’t have enough weapons. Every completion is well contested.

Losing Marques Colston won’t hurt Drew Brees much if Lance Moore returns. If not, the Saints are a little more limited in what they can do. … Jay Cutler used to lead the league in completing difficult passes when he was in Denver. Aaron Rodgers probably does it now, which is remarkable considering how consistent he is. Rodgers’ ability to deliver when he’s about to get hit is underrated. … Chad Henne can be a fine QB2 this year. The development is real because this won’t be a run-first offense any more. They will stay aggressive.

Michael Vick owners have to be a little concerned how much he was hit last week. There were a handful of times he never saw the blind side blitzer coming. … Sam Bradford was inaccurate against Philly before his thumb injury. He seemed to be slower in his decision making. Maybe his receivers just couldn’t get open, but the Josh McDaniels transition could take some time. I’d have him on benches. … Early signs are good for Jay Cutler taking a step forward in year two of Mike Martz’s offense. There is definite top-10 potential.

I’m not concerned about Matt Schaub’s “slow” start. He was unlucky and the team didn’t need him. … Of all the surprise Week 1 outings, Ryan Fitzpatrick is my favorite guy to stick long-term. I can see him throwing a lot this year. It’s a great sign the Bills stayed so aggressive after they got a big lead.
<!--RW-->


Week 2 Running Backs
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>Probable (shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Looks ready to go.</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>Keep the faith</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Felix Jones</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>Probable (knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Mark Ingram</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>Don’t keep the faith</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>James Starks</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Questionable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Top-24 option if Moreno is out</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Ben Tate</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Ryan Grant</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Danny Woodhead</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Probable (ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Deji Karim</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Delone Carter</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Very shaky to play.</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Kendall Hunter</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>DeMarco Murray</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Dexter McCluster</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Earnest Graham</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Montario Hardesty</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Roy Helu</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

RB Notes: James Starks may have split carries with Ryan Grant, but he dominated time on the field. Expect that to continue. Grant is a mediocre flex play even in the right matchup like this week. … I may be crazy, but LeGarrette Blount looks a little too big this year. Like fat man in a little jersey big. … Jahvid Best owners should be thrilled with his first week. The numbers weren’t huge, but his workload was a great sign. Best did a terrific job running downhill and taking what the defense gave him. He ran a lot between the tackles and was effective. Last year he danced too much. He looked like a true starter. I love him as a trade target.

LeSean McCoy was hit in the backfield way too much last week. He’s so dynamic it may not matter, but I still worry about that offensive line long term. Shady’s pass-catching will make up for any running shortfall though. … Reggie Bush is a good RB2 in PPR leagues, and something less in standard leagues. He’s not going to get enough snaps near the goal line. … Matt Forte against the Saints linebackers in coverage is a mismatch. Look for another big receiving day.

Cedric Benson may have the easiest schedule for any fantasy running back. He could rack up big numbers in the first half of the season. Then I’d sell high. … Beanie Wells showed a lot last week. Fantasy owners and Cardinals fans have to be very encouraged. … Chris Wesseling and I seem to disagree about Fred Jackson every week. I see him as a versatile rock solid RB2 until he proves otherwise.

Mike Tolbert got the scores, but Ryan Mathews looked sharp last week. Over the course of the season, Matthews should have more value. They are both decent flex/late RB2 options this week. … I’d stay away from Knowshon Moreno whether he plays or not this week. … Jonathan Stewart might be an interesting buy-low target. He looked like the better Panthers back last week. … There is a huge drop-off after the top-21 picks. After that, I wouldn’t argue with going with your gut for the next 20 options or so. <!--RW-->




Week 2 Wide Receivers
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>Probable (ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>Probable (thigh)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Vincent Jackson</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>Questionable (knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Dez Bryant</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Questionable (quadriceps)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Probable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>Probable (-)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Steve Johnson</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Questionable (groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Julio Jones</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jordy Nelson</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Plaxico Burress</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>A.J. Green</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>Questionable (groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Jacoby Ford</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>Questionable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Emmanuel Sanders</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Questionable (shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Lee Evans</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>Questionable (ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Antonio Brown</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>Questionable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Brandon Gibson</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Earl Bennett</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Steve Breaston</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>Probable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Andre Roberts</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63</TD><TD>Jason Hill</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>Probable (hip)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>64</TD><TD>Jerome Simpson</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65</TD><TD>Greg Salas</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>66</TD><TD>Greg Little</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>Questionable (groin)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

WR Notes: I’m not worried at all about Vincent Jackson. He nearly had a long score. His size will be a huge problem for the Patriots defenders. … Hakeem Nicks has reached the level where you just play him despite any injury concern. We should know his status before kickoff Sunday, so he should be safe to wait for Monday night. … Dez Bryant’s talent is obvious. The next step is proving that he’s durable enough and well conditioned enough to make it through a game, much less a season.

I thought Wes Welker was a must start even in 2-WR leagues from day one, so last week’s effort won’t change my mind. … Carolina’s Steve Smith will get a ton of targets, even when he’s not open. Cam Newton will force the ball to him, which is the only way Newton is similar to Jake Delhomme. That’s a very good thing. … I didn’t think Kerry Collins looked that bad. He can keep Reggie Wayne afloat. … The Vikings passing game may not be great, but last week should prove an aberration. I’m standing strong with my Percy Harvin man crush.

There is a big drop-off at running back around No. 20. At wideout, it’s right around Plaxico Burress at 29. I’d start the guys above that number. After that, I wouldn’t argue with you playing your hunch. (IE Hines Ward over Jeremy Maclin.) … The Steelers receivers will be hard to predict, but this is a good week to try out any of them. … Nate Burleson is in a great spot in Detroit’s offense. He may have been undervalued in drafts. I’ve never been in love with him as a player, but he gets a lot of winnable one-on-one matchups. <!--RW-->




Week 2 Tight Ends
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Jermichael Finley</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>Probable (ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Jimmy Graham</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Dallas Clark</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Fred Davis</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>Questionable (calf)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Ed Dickson</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Evan Moore</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Jared Cook</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Lance Kendricks</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>Probable (hip)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Scott Chandler</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>Questionable (knee)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

TE Notes: Marques Colston’s absence really helps Jimmy Graham. If Lance Moore is out too, Graham is the only guy the Saints have to maneuver between the hashmarks. … The answer to the Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski debate? Both. Yes, it’s possible for two TE1s to be on the same team. I still think A-Hern is more explosive and will catch more passes, but both players are fine options. … Brandon Pettigrew dropped a touchdown, but had plenty of targets. The theory that Matthew Stafford wil look to Tony Scheffler over Pettigrew doesn’t make sense.

Jermaine Gresham, Evan Moore, Ed Dickson, and Fred Davis are among the guys available in a lot of leagues that I’d be totally comfortable starting. Gresham is overlooked. He could be this year’s Brandon Pettigrew, racking up 5-6 catch games for PPR leaguers. … I was the only Rotoworld writer that stayed far away from the Jared Cook hype. That was more about Cook than the Titans offense, but early signs are not good for the Tennessee attack. Matt Hasselbeck is a problem at quarterback. The line was overwhelmed last week. There just may not be enough passes to go around.



Week 2 Team Defense
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Week 2 Kickers
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Stephen Gostkowski</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Jason Hanson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Alex Henery</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Shaun Suisham</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Connor Barth</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Dan Bailey</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Mike Nugent</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Steven Hauschka</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>-</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Nothing but Hate for "That Guy"

By Matthew Berry
ESPN.com

Turns out, Jeff is "That Guy."

Jeff P., from Snyder, Texas, wrote to me with the following.


"Yo! What's up with this line from your 'Draft Day Manifesto'? 'And certainly, Ben Roethlisberger will be solid.' (What) happened there in Week 1? Is he going to be going the way of Donovan McNabb or does he really have a comeback season in him somewhere? I need to know before I drop him and try to pick up Cam Newton."


First, Jeff, I think what happened to Ben in Week 1 was that Baltimore exposed a weak Steelers offensive line and came much more prepared to play. And losing Willie Colon for the season doesn't help Ben at all.


But.


It's not a comeback season you're looking for because there is nothing to come back from. Ben was terrific from a fantasy perspective last season, and he led his team to the Super Bowl. The Steelers play the NFC West this year, starting with a nice home game against the Seahawks this week. He is in the same system, with the same coaches and elite playmakers around him, which is a completely different situation than McNabb is in. The comparison is, to be kind, insane.
Ben will be just fine so, no, I do not recommend dropping him for a rookie who had one good game. Yes, Cam Newton put up an impressive display and is an interesting pickup, but it was one game against one of the worst pass defenses in the league that was geared toward stopping Carolina's run game. In fact, I'll even say I'd rather have Rex Grossman or Chad Henne this year than Cam Newton, if you're looking for a guy. (If you read last week's "You Heard Me," you'll see I am high on both as sleepers this year.)


Don't be "That Guy," Jeff. The overreacting guy.


Like anything else in life, there is a right way to do fantasy football and a wrong way. No one likes "That Guy." Not even if "That Guy" is a girl.
What defines "That Guy?" I asked the gang on my Facebook page and on Twitter what one thing annoyed them the most. This elicited a deluge of responses, more than any other question I have ever posed, and they're still pouring in.


So, be honest. Are you "That Guy?"


That Guy whines about what could have been. "I would have won if I had started Early Doucet instead of Roddy White." Yeah, dude, because you're the only one who would have had a better lineup if you could see into the future.


That Guy talks about his team non-stop. Listen, the least interesting thing in the world to anyone (except me, because it's my job) is having to hear about any team that is not theirs. You didn't ask about my team, why do you think I care about yours?


That Guy suggests insane trade offers. No, dude, I do not want to deal Vincent Jackson for Ted Ginn, despite Week 1 results. I'm gonna try and hang tough here. If you wouldn't trade Vincent Jackson for Ted Ginn, why do you think I would? Unless you'd be honestly willing to do the same trade in reverse, don't offer it.


Speaking of trades, That Guy doesn't respond to reasonable trade offers and ignores emails. Hey, you don't want to do it, that's fine. A quick "no thanks" takes 10 seconds to type, even if you're only using your thumbs. Are you in this league or not?


And That Guy doesn't take no for an answer. If I didn't want to do the deal in the first place, I'm probably not going to want to do it the 10th time you ask, either.


That Guy talks a bunch of smack but whines when anyone else gives it back to him. You're either in or you're out, kid. Don't dish what you can't take.


That Guy bails on the season when his team starts losing. Have some pride. You signed up for a league -- play it out. It matters to the others in the league. If you can't handle five minutes a week to set your lineup 14 times in a row (since you're out of the playoffs), don't join.


That Guy thinks his team name is the most original name ever, but fails to realize a million different people have all made the same "Double Dwayne Bowe" wordplay. I should do a whole column about that. The most obvious and overused team names. Puns off of Bowe, Arian Foster's first name and Michael Vick's last name could fill a column on their own.


That Guy vetoes a trade because it didn't involve him or her. I've said it a million times: The art of negotiating is a skill in fantasy and it is not your job to coach someone else's team. As long as both teams feel the deal helps their team, regardless of whether you agree, it should go through. The only time a trade should be vetoed is if there is proof of collusion. Otherwise, win on the cyber field, not in bureaucracy. Seriously, de facto vetoing of trades makes you a weasel, not a smart owner.


And as long as we are on deals, That Guy's word isn't worth anything. If you agree to a deal, it's a deal. That Guy will verbally agree to a deal but, then, if something better comes along, or something happens before it can be processed, will rescind the deal. When you agree to a deal, it's done. Your word needs to mean something.


That Guy is late on making good on his league entry obligations. Really man? If you can't, don't join. And if you can, don't make me chase you down.
That Guy brags about his team and getting "sleepers." You're right dude. You're the only one who saw that Dez Bryant might be good this year.


That Guy can't think for himself. I can't tell you how many tweets I get that the person has asked multiple analysts the same question. So you don't care who gives you advice as long as it's someone? Anyone? How many opinions do you need? I never answer those.


Or worse, That Guy just blindly follows someone's advice. I'm the first person to say "It's your team, you know it better than I do, use me and others as a resource but, ultimately, you should be the one to pull the trigger."


That Guy is lazy. Or stupid. Can't tell you how many "this RB or that RB" questions I get. I'm like … you realize I rank every player every week for exactly this reason, right? If it's a weird scoring system or a running back versus wide receiver question that you want my take on, I get it. But in general, if I have one player ranked higher than another, that's whom I would start. Check my rankings. I don't do them for my health.


That Guy is irrational. No, LeGarrette Blount will not average only five carries a game this season. Calm down.


That Guy is someone who asks for your opinion and argues with you. Hey, you asked for my opinion. I gave it to you. I don't care if you take it or ignore it, just don't argue with me about it.<?p>

That Guy is an Internet tough guy. If you wouldn't say it my face, don't say it on a message board or behind a screen name. Nobody is perfect, tough guy, not even you.


That Guy doesn't read the league rules or emails, but then asks the commish 10 minutes before the draft, "Hey, how do I log in? And wait, this is a PPR league?"


That Guy is a sexist. Won't let a woman in his league or thinks it's the end of the world when he loses to a woman. Some of the smartest sports people I know and best fantasy players I've seen are women. Everyone plays. Get used to it and get better.


Having said that, don't be That Guy who brings his non-playing girlfriend or wife to the draft. If you're not in the league, you're not invited.


But mostly, That Guy ruins your enjoyment of the greatest game ever invented. Don't be That Guy.


Before we get to "Love/Hate" for Week 2, some quick housekeeping. I announced this on Twitter, but, if you haven't noticed, I'm doing only one column a week this football season. The "Love/Hate," which will appear every Thursday. I'm no longer doing the Tuesday pickups column. I appreciate everyone's kind words about it and I miss doing it, but there are only so many hours in the day and the new show "Numbers Never Lie," which airs Monday-Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, takes a lot of time, as do additional duties I have here at ESPN, six days a week. Ultimately, we want the best possible product for everyone from all the people at ESPN Fantasy, so it was decided (and I agreed) that there would not be enough time for me to do two quality columns a week. (Insert your own joke here). Don't worry, you'll be in good hands with Christopher Harris. The good news, however, is that my chat is returning (I didn't do a weekly chat during last football season), so please come join that. This week it'll be on Friday.


Time now for this week's "Love/Hate." As always, this is not a pure "start/sit" column, but rather a look at players that I am higher or lower on than my fellow rankers. I asked folks on Facebook how they would prefer this column be done and the most popular answer was that I base it on where I differ from where the player is ranked for the season. So that's what I will do in the future, but since it's just one week (I can't really say I hate Cam Newton as the No. 1 quarterback, now can I?), I'll try to hit players of interest, regardless of whether or not my fellow rankers disagreed with me. Finally, be sure to check my Friday ranking updates for where I specifically have a certain player.


Week 2 Players I Love



Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions (7th in my ranks, 7th on average for the other three rankers): Welcome to the bandwagon, guys. All of my fellow rankers have "Matthew Stafford If He Stays Healthy" (copyright Bill Simmons) as a top-10 guy this week. When your opponent gives up four scores to Ryan Fitzpatrick at home, loses Eric Berry for the year and then has to come to your house to play, that's what happens. Right there in the rulebook and everything.

Rex Grossman, QB, Redskins (10, 17): Rexy is suddenly sexy again and it's not because he claimed the Redskins will win the NFC East. No, that just makes him crazy. Look, he's started four games for the Redskins and he's thrown for 300 yards in three of them. Given that the Redskins had the fourth most pass attempts in the NFL last season, I don't think that's a fluke. Nor do I think the Cardinals' defense, which just gave up more than 400 yards to Cam Newton and is now on the road, is anything other than fantasy goodness waiting to happen for Rex owners.


Jay Cutler, QB, Bears (11, 12): This is less about support for Jay and more about a disbelief in the Saints' defense. They've given up seven touchdown passes in their past two games and, while I expect the Saints to blitz the hell out of Cutler, without Will Smith this game, I expect Cutler to be able to handle and even exploit the pass rush. And for what it's worth, in his past four starts indoors, Cutler has 975 yards passing and 10 touchdowns.


Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills (14, 17): West Coast team traveling east for a 1 o'clock game on a short week (they played the late game Monday night) … I don't believe the Bills are as good as they showed in Kansas City, but I'll tell you something: they're not as far off as you think.


Tim Hightower, RB, Redskins (15, 21): You know the saying: Revenge is a dish best served at 69 degrees. That's the expected game-time temperature for when Hightower faces his former team, which will be focused on stopping the high-flying Rex Grossman. High-flying Rex? I love Cutler? What the hell is wrong with me? (Pause). You know, I didn't mean for you to actually answer. (Longer pause). OK, fine, are we done? (Once more). You know what, you keep listing things, I'm moving on.


Mike Tolbert, RB, Chargers (16, 22): Told you so.


LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers (18, 23): This is a guy who averaged 5.5 yards per carry on carries 11-15 last year and got just five carries in a Week 1 loss. He needs work to be effective, and what happens when you give a guy only five carries and you lose? You change it up. He will get the rock this week and he will be just fine. I am keeping the faith.


Joseph Addai, RB, Colts (22, 29): What are they gonna do, let Kerry Collins throw it? Against a defense that made Cedric Benson look useable? Exactly. Nice flex play.


Danny Woodhead, RB, Patriots (30, 42): Another West Coast defense traveling east. Lost in all the "Monday Night" hoopla about Tom Brady and the yards and Wes Welker and the tight ends is this little, but important, nugget: The Law Firm got seven carries and Woodhead got 14. It's always hard to predict what the Patriots will do in any given week since they scheme specifically for an opponent, but given these two offenses, I expect a high-scoring game and Woodhead, not surprisingly, plays the majority of snaps on passing downs. If you're in a deeper league and looking for running backs, I like Woodhead to have a sneaky-good game this week.


Darren Sproles, RB, Saints (34, 38): Bears gave up 11 receptions and 105 passing yards to opposing running backs last week, and that was to the Falcons, who don't have a pass-catcher the likes of Sproles out of their backfield. Against Chicago's Cover 2 and with Marques Colston and possibly Lance Moore out, I expect a lot of underneath stuff for Sproles.


Miles Austin (9, 10) and Dez Bryant (10, 13), WR, Cowboys: Both obvious names, but I wanted to put them in because I have both guys inside the top 10. That's how much I believe in the Cowboys' offense. They put up big numbers against the Jets, they'll do the same against the 49ers.


Santana Moss, WR, Redskins (12, 20): I'm clearly jinxing my Redskins this week. Sorry in advance.


Mario Manningham, WR, Giants (16, 22): I don't think Hakeem Nicks plays. That simple.


Owen Daniels, TE, Texans (4, 7): Don't lose faith after Week 1. Colts are much better against the tight end than you think and, um, did you see what tight ends did to Miami on Monday night?


Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots (9, 11): Everyone's on Aaron Hernandez now but the Gronk is also a starter (I'm the only one to have him in the top 10) as no team in the NFL, since the start of last season, has more plays with two tight ends on the field than the Patriots. Chargers traditionally struggle with the position, and if not for a penalty on Chad Ochocinco that wiped out a 41-yard pass play, Gronk could have had a better game than Hernandez on Monday night.


Lance Kendricks, TE, Rams (15, 23): I know, I know. I didn't do you any favors with that call last week. What can I say? He dropped a ball that hit him in the hands that, had he caught it, he would have waltzed into the end zone with. I can't catch it for the guy. Anyways, bad call last week but what the hell. I'm back for more. With a banged-up wide receiving corps and run game, I expect Sam Bradford to lean on Kendricks in this game, especially considering the (also banged-up) Giants gave up 126 yards to Fred Davis and Chris Cooley last week.


Lions D/ST (4, 12): When a team gets pushed around by the Bills' defense at home, you start the next defense that gets to face them as the road team. It's right there in the rules and everything, next to the one where you get to re-use this bit.



Week 2 Players I Hate:



Eli Manning, QB, Giants (20, 15): Looked bad all preseason, looked bad against the Redskins, probably won't have Hakeem Nicks, and despite the score, I thought the Rams' defense played all right against a much more explosive Eagles offense last week. I'm expecting a lot of running by the Giants in this game and thankfully, none of it from Eli.

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons (17, 15): I know, he plays great at home. But I believe in the Eagles' secondary (I do think Tony Gonzalez has a good game here, however) and think the Falcons try to run the ball a lot to keep Vick off the field as much as possible. Oh yeah, just a head up: Vick is making his first start in Atlanta since leaving the Falcons! Whew. Almost went 30 seconds without mentioning that. Close one!


Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos (24, 19): Same reasoning as last week. Until I see him put up a good fantasy performance under John Fox, I'm not trusting him, even in deep leagues. Rather be a week too late than a week too early. I feel that way about pop singers, reality shows and, clearly, fashion.


Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals (21, 14): Since Week 1 in 2010, Cedric Benson has averaged 110 yards a game and 4.7 yards per rush against the Browns. And 64 yards a game and 3.3 yards per carry against every other team. I know Darren McFadden ran all over the Broncos last week, but Cedric Benson is not Darren McFadden.


Jahvid Best, RB, Lions (28, 16): I have him as a low-end flex play this week, my fellow rankers have him as a must-start. Same logic as Orton here. I want to see it. I'm probably too low on him at 28 and will raise him a bit in my Friday update, but he won't crack my top 20. There's a lot to like for Best this week. I am way down on the Chiefs this year and they did give up 164 total yards to running backs last week. And Best did have more than 100 total yards last week. So yeah, I once again acknowledge that if there is a prediction that could blow up in my face, it's this one, so proceed with caution. But Best got 21 carries in a game the Lions controlled and averaged 3.4 yards per carry. Now that was on the road and this game is at home on the turf, which is better for Best. I'm probably gonna regret this one, but I until I see it, I just can't justify making Best a top-20 must-start.


James Starks, RB, Packers (31, 22): He looked like the better running back to me, but I'm not coaching the Packers (and if I did, I would totally ask Motorola to make a Cheesehead headset) and ultimately, Starks ended with 12 touches and Ryan Grant with 10 in a shootout with New Orleans. So until proven otherwise, it's still a time-share on a pass-first team, making it tough to trust either guy in a non-bye week.


Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay (17, 12): The Bucs will run more in this game and Antoine Winfield will slow down Williams enough that's he's not a top-10 guy this week.


Plaxico Burress, WR, Jets (33, 28): Last week, the Jets got down big and had to throw a lot to catch up, with Mark Sanchez throwing 44 passes (he averaged 33 last year, more than you think, but still -- 44 is a lot). The Jets will control the Jags from the get-go, take a lead and run the ball a lot. I could see him getting a score, which is why I have him as a low-end No. 3 in a 12-team league, but not convinced he gets nine targets again.


Devery Henderson, WR, Saints (42, 35): He's so feast or famine, which I'm pretty sure was a Stones song back in the '80s. Like I said with Sproles, I'm expecting a lot of underneath stuff against Chicago, not a ton deep.


Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars (18, 17): Banged-up, has Luke McCown as his quarterback, on the road at New York. No thanks.


Saints D/ST (16, 8): In their past two games, they have given up 83 total points. Packers in Week 1, Seahawks in the playoffs last year. Yes, they are at home, and yes, it's the turnover-happy Jay Cutler & Co. coming to town, but they looked really unimpressive last week. Even with the caveat that it was Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Really unimpressive. Gregg Williams will bring a lot of pressure and if Cutler handles it even slightly, they will get burned. Again.

 

[HacheMan]

Flex ranks: Megatron 'leaps' into top 10

Eric Karabell



1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
2. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: He's not facing the Steelers this week, and really, it didn't matter that he did last week.
3. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Might seem odd that he's this high knowing what his team did in Week 1, but we have to trust him.
4. Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns: It's all about the matchup, ba-by! The Colts can't stop the run.
5. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
6. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: Looked terrific against the Broncos. Turn him loose!
7. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
8. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: So far, so good with Matthew Stafford.
9. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Best Falcons weapon to use against Philly's weak linebacker corps.
10. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
11. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: I think he'll play, and I think he'll play very well. But keep an eye on the situation Sunday morning.
12. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
13. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: No, I'm clearly not concerned about his Week 1 performance. The Seahawks are not the Ravens defensively.
14. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
15. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: He's matchup-proof, and frankly, I think Kevin Kolbis, too.
16. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: He can run enough on the Jets.
17. Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers
18. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: This rank suggests he'll get plenty of carries, but the Ravens will keep him in check. By Week 4 or 5, Johnson should be a top-five guy every week.
19. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants: I think he plays, and I love the matchup. It's a Monday night game, so add teammate Domenik Hixon just in case Nicks sits.
20. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
21. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants
22. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: So many haters, but so many carries for this guy.
23. Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers: Quiet Week 1, but it was an odd game. Tom Brady got the attention for all his passing yards, but the Patriots weren't exactly stingy against the pass.
24. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
25. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: Hey, trade him to me! Only four wide receivers had more fantasy points in Week 1. Kerry Collins isn't startable, but Wayne sure is.
26. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
27. Kenny Britt, WR, Titans: It sure would be nice if he had a top quarterback. I have a feeling that's not the last time I'll say that when discussing Britt.
28. Jahvid Best, RB, Lions
29. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
30. Steve Johnson, WR, Bills
31. Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: Lost in the Cam Newton game was Beanie's decent performance. Heck, everything else from that game but Newton and Steve Smith's performances was seemingly forgotten.
32. Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers
33. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints: Still the most valuable Saints running back, and it's not even close. But people do love their rookies.
34. Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins: Most encouraging thing from Week 1 was the red zone looks, even though they were forced. I had no doubts about his myriad catches this season.
35. Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets
36. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Was his performance Cam's fault? It sure didn't help.
37. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys: This guy is just so good.
38. Mike Tolbert, RB, Chargers: Hey, this guy is just so good, too.
39. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
40. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
41. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots: Still the touchdown man, but he gets his yards, too.
42. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens
43. Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: Look, the Cardinals looked pretty awful against the pass, and this guy is good anyway. Rex's three picks aren't held against Moss.
44. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
45. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets: Not saying I'm running out of patience for this guy after one week, but it would be nice if he'd show us something.
46. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers: He's far better than you think. The Buccaneers will use him a lot more this week, and he'll come through.
47. Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers
48. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs: Sometimes it's all about the schedule. And that wasn't even one of KC's tough matchups!</B>
49. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills
50. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings: It says here he will get more than 39 yards this week.
51. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: He's back! But this week the matchup isn't as soft.
52. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts: Too much Clark hate going on right now. Collins will find him enough. If he finds anyone, it'll be Clark.
53. Tim Hightower, RB, Redskins: Productive, but his future production still concerns me.
54. Mario Manningham, WR, Giants: If Nicks sits, bump him up a lot.
55. James Starks, RB, Packers: It's sure looking good for him to take over as the main guy.
56. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
57. Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins: Nobody said he couldn't play football. Just don't get hit hard.
58. Robert Meachem, WR, Saints
59. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers: It's a good time to buy on him. No, really.
60. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos: It's a good time to buy low here, too. Kyle Orton is going to bounce back.
61. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts
62. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers: James Jones is angry that he didn't get enough looks. Jordy understands the feeling, but doesn't have to worry about it anymore.
63. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
64. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Might not play, which would be a good thing, in a way. Then you'd know to sit him. There's still talent here, though.
65. Cadillac Williams, RB, Rams: Starting on Monday for the Rams, but it's not a favorable matchup. And, like, hasn't this guy disappointed you numerous times before? Plus, Steven Jackson is expected to miss only one week.
66. Plaxico Burress, WR, Jets
67. Nate Burleson, WR, Lions
68. Mike Thomas, WR, Jaguars
69. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: Keep him owned. Just don't start him.
70. Ben Tate, RB, Texans: If Foster was out a month, he might be a top-10 guy.
71. Deion Branch, WR, Patriots: Certainly was kept busy Monday night.
72. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks
73. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
74. Johnny Knox, WR, Bears
75. Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos: Don't overrate him even if he starts this week. See that Cadillac guy.
76. Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks
77. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers
78. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
79. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals: If the Bengals don't go with the rookie quarterback, then bump Green up some.
80. Devery Henderson, WR, Saints: Run 40 yards down the sideline and catch the ball. He does that well.
81. Owen Daniels, TE, Texans
82. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Could be a game or two from becoming obsolete.
83. Mark Ingram, RB, Saints
84. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
85. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills: That was a blowout game, so don't overrate his contributions.
86. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots: Oh, if only the Pats didn't have another top tight end option.
87. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets
88. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Patriots: The targets will rise as the season goes on. Don't give up yet.
89. Austin Collie, WR, Colts
90. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders
91. Danny Woodhead, RB, Patriots
92. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers
93. Braylon Edwards, WR, 49ers
94. Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts: People are dumping him, but it's premature for that.
95. Ricky Williams, RB, Ravens: Probably won't be used much in a closer game.
96. Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs
97. Jacoby Ford, WR, Raiders
98. Darren Sproles, RB, Saints: Bump him up in point-per-reception formats, but otherwise he's nothing special.
99. Jerome Harrison, RB, Lions
100. Derrick Ward, RB, Texans: Still a factor.
Best of the rest: Roy Williams, WR, Bears; Mike Williams, WR, Seahawks; Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns; Brandon Gibson, WR, Rams; Kellen Winslow, TE, Buccaneers
Good luck in Week 2 and beyond!

 

[HacheMan]

Week 2 fantasy matchups

Owners should look to Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez, avoid Jamaal Charles this week


By Danny Tuccitto
Football Outsiders


Last week, I promised we'd start with the stats-based matchup projections this week. I'm not one to break promises, so indeed we will. But before we do, let me just recap the factors on which these matchup projections are based:

• 1. Opposing defense.
• 2. How opposing teams do against particular players.
• 3. How likely a team is to win.
• 4. Whether a team is at home.
• 5. The small stuff (e.g., injuries, weather, game film review, etc.).

The way things work is that we throw data related to the first four factors into a regression analysis, and our supercomputer spits out a projection for each player each week. Then we adjust the projection based on the small stuff, which comprises things that are more difficult to quantify. You may find this peculiar given that Football Outsiders relies heavily on statistics. However, as we repeatedly emphasize, the nature of football dictates that the objective and subjective are complementary, not adversarial.


Compared with what my predecessor, Grantland's Bill Barnwell, did, you'll only see two changes in our fantasy matchups article. First, my brain works differently from Bill's (for better or worse), so that subjective part of the equation will be different in spots. After all, Football Outsiders is not in the automaton-producing business. Second, rather than presenting matchup-based gains or losses for particular players in terms of a percentage, I'll be expressing matchup gains or losses (i.e., his plus/minus value) in terms of fantasy points. For instance, I can tell you right now that Aaron Hernandez's matchup against the Chargers this week suggests he'll score four fantasy points more than he would otherwise, specifically because of that matchup.


So, now that you know the drill, let's take a look at several players whose Week 2 matchups are particularly favorable or unfavorable at their positions.
<!-- begin inline 1 -->Players With Favorable Matchups

Based on defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA). For the methodology, click here.
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 280px"><THEAD><TR class=last><TD>Team</TD><TD>Pos</TD><TD>Name</TD><TD>+/- Fan. Pts</TD></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD>CIN</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>+10</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>WAS</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>+8</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CAR</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>+8</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>DET</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>+7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CHI</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>+7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>MIA</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>+7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>+7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>HOU</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>SD</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>ATL</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NYG</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>DEN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CLE</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NE</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>PIT</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>+6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>SF</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>BAL</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>MIA</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>HOU</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>DEN</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NE</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>TB</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>SD</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CIN</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NO</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>GB</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CIN</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Bruce Gradkowski</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>ATL</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Julio Jones</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>WAS</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>OAK</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>TEN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>+5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<!-- end inline 1 -->Quarterbacks



Chad Henne (plus-7 points)
Henne has several things going for him, not the least of which was a 416-yard performance in Week 1 that absolutely zero people outside Miami talked about, thanks to Tom Brady's record-setting night. Rather, if you look at his matchup against Houston, you find that (A) he's at home, (B) Houston's pass defense isn't as good as it looked against Indy, for obvious reasons, and (C) he's once again likely to be forced into passing situations by virtue of having to answer a high-powered offense.
<OFFER>Mark Sanchez (plus-7 points)
The stats suggest that Sanchez will be throwing the ball plenty against a below-average pass defense, a la the Cowboys game, but what puts Sanchez over the top this week is that Jacksonville will likely be hard-pressed to find a pass rush, and that No. 2 cornerback Derek Cox is nursing a rib injury. Although I won't be mentioning him specifically this week, Plaxico Burress stands to benefit the most from this combination of fortuitous events.


Sam Bradford (minus-3 points)
Bradford's underwhelming projection for the week is based primarily on a confluence of injuries, so take that for what it's worth. Bradford himself will be playing with an injured index finger on his throwing hand. And Bradford's safety valve, Danny Amendola, won't be playing unless he got an elbow transplant from Mr. Gadget during the week, and the Giants will be getting a pass rush injection from the return of defensive end Justin Tuck.


Joe Flacco (minus-3 points)
As I detailed in our final preseason "Plugging the Holes" column, as well as my Ravens discussion with Baltimore Sports and Life, Jon Harbaugh's pass offense is heavily reliant on play-action. Therefore, late word that Baltimore deep threat Lee Evans will probably miss the Titans game represents a huge loss, regardless of the softness of the opponent.


Can they really expect rookie Torrey Smith, who had trouble fending off Tandon Doss for the third receiver job in training camp, to scare opposing safeties like Evans did? I don't think so. Expect a heavy dose of Ray Rice, and therefore a lighter dose of Flacco.


Running Backs



Cedric Benson (plus-9 points)
Anyone who watched "Monday Night Football" saw that Denver's run defense is, shall we say, subpar. Indeed, this is actually a trend we've been pointing out since 2009. However, what's just as important for projection purposes is something we've discussed both in the Football Outsiders Almanac 2011 as well as on our website. Namely, whether Cincinnati starts a rookie or journeyman newcomer at quarterback, Benson is the focal point of Jay Gruden's offense.


Despite being part of a unit that was down 17-14 after three quarters, Benson ended tied for the most carries by a running back in Week 1. In other words, he's getting the ball regardless whether the Bengals are winning or losing. And realize that Oakland -- a similar run-first offense -- ran the ball 39 times against the Broncos on Monday, and Benson seems poised for a productive game.


Tim Hightower (plus-8 points)
Similar to Benson, a demonstrated level of involvement in the offense is what's driving Hightower's lofty projection for Week 2: He was tied with Benson for most carries in Week 1. Helping the situation is that the Redskins are facing Arizona at home, which suggests they're likely to be winning in the second half.


One other note: Don't be fooled by the Cardinals holding DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to 56 yards and no touchdowns on 19 carries. If you were throwing for 11.4 yards per attempt, wouldn't you be focusing on the pass as well? Whereas Mike Shanahan mixed up his run calls among the downs, Carolina was as predictable as the sunrise in terms of running on first and second down.


Jahvid Best (plus-7 points)
The argument for Best is threefold. First, the Lions are at home against a team that seems to be reeling, and that we predicted was primed for a downfall this year in our almanac. As the stats suggest, an increased likelihood of winning means a ton of garbage-time carries for Best -- the Chiefs allowed 39 rushes against Buffalo because they were down the entire game. Again, winning leads to running, so Best should see plenty of carries. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Kansas City had a bad run defense last season (ranked 26th), and things don't seem to have changed much this season despite the signing of nose tackle Kelly Gregg. Combine an opponent's bad run defense with a home team that's likely to win the game, and you get an above-average game from a running back.
<!-- begin inline 2 -->Players With Unfavorable Matchups

Based on defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA). For the methodology, click here.
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 280px"><THEAD><TR class=last><TD>Team</TD><TD>Pos</TD><TD>Name</TD><TD>+/- Fan. Pts</TD></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=last><TD>KC</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>-8</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NO</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>-7</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>BAL</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Torrey Smith</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NO</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>IND</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>JAC</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Luke McCown</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CLE</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Brian Robiskie</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NO</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>STL</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>JAC</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>BUF</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Roscoe Parrish</TD><TD>-5</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>KC</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Jerheme Urban</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NE</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>DEN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Matt Willis</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>TB</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>MIN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>NYJ</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>SEA</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Ben Obomanu</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>DEN</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>Julius Thomas</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CAR</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>-4</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>PHI</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>KC</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CLE</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Josh Cribbs</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CLE</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Greg Little</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>BAL</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>STL</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>JAC</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Deji Karim</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CIN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>A.J. Green</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>CIN</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Jordan Shipley</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>PIT</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Antonio Brown</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>PIT</TD><TD>WR</TD><TD>Emmanuel Sanders</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>OAK</TD><TD>QB</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>TEN</TD><TD>RB</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR><TR class=last><TD>PHI</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>-3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<!-- end inline 2 -->Thomas Jones (minus-8 points)
Jones is the inverse of Best: a running back who's going up against a good run defense on the road and who doesn't figure to be getting many run-out-the-clock carries. Of course, that's not surprising given that the Chiefs are facing Best's Lions this week. If you were planning on starting Jones at your flex position, you may want to reconsider.


LeGarrette Blount (minus-4 points)
Blount was probably the singular running back who forced fantasy owners to hide nearby sharp objects last weekend. After a stellar 2010, he opened 2011 with a five-carry, 15-yard effort at home against a Fairley-less Lions defense. Enter a Williams-less Vikings defense at home, and you have an eerily similar matchup this weekend. Because it had a lead for three quarters against the Chargers, Minnesota only ended up allowing 80 yards on 24 carries by Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert while Philip Rivers tossed the ball all over the yard. At home, the Vikings figure to enjoy a similar lead, and therefore to show a similar proclivity for run-play avoidance.


Jamaal Charles (minus-3 points)
Speaking of that Lions run defense, Jamaal Charles faces a tough matchup this week. First off, he's on the road. Second, both our defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) projections, as well as their actual performance in Week 1, suggests Detroit's run defense is near the top of the league. Finally, who can trust Todd Haley's offense to optimally employ Charles' talents? Taken together then, the Chiefs' backfield should be persona non grata Sunday.


Wide Receivers



Steve Smith (plus-8 points)
You might look at the Green Bay matchup and see danger. However, we project Green Bay's pass defense to decline a bit this season, and if you think we're out of our minds, reference the 400-yard game posted by New Orleans in Week 1. The Packers also allowed the third-most receptions to wide receivers in Week 1 (17). Finally, the Panthers are playing at home, which tends to increase fantasy production.


Johnny Knox (plus-7 points)
Before the season started, we projected the Saints to have the worst pass defense DVOA in the NFL. True to form, that unit gave up 296 passing yards, and a league-high 20 receptions to wide receivers. Now, in normal Martzian Bears situations, that would be spread out among several receivers. However, Knox's main -- and inexplicable -- competition is the washed-up Roy Williams, and he's nursing a groin injury that will either render him even less effective than he already is or keep him out of the game entirely. Add on a less-likely-to-win road game, and you end up with a favorable matchup for Knox.


Torrey Smith (minus-6 points)
Many of you might be looking at this situation and targeting Smith either via trade or free agency. A smaller subset of you might be hoping to parlay that into a starting spot this weekend, given the Ravens' favorable matchup against Tennessee. Here's the deal: Baltimore's on the road, Smith's a rookie, and the Titans only allowed an average number of receptions to wide receivers in Week 1, for only 9.0 yards per catch. In lieu of this argument, see the above paragraph about Flacco.


Lance Moore (minus-5 points)
It's looking more and more like Moore will be playing this week, especially given the loss of Marques Colston. However, don't give in to temptation if Moore's on your roster. We projected the Bears to have the third-best pass defense in the league, and they didn't disappoint against the Falcons in Week 1. Leading big for most of the game, Chicago's defense allowed more catches to tight ends and running backs than they did to wide receivers because they were conceding the underneath routes. We're not saying the Bears are going to win this game, just that we hope you have better options than Moore for your starting lineup in Week 2.


Tight Ends



Kellen Winslow (plus-5 points)
Aside from No. 1 wide receiver Mike Williams, Winslow was targeted as much as any Buccaneers pass-catcher last week. That seems unlikely to change much this week, given how Antonio Gates exploited the Vikings' defense. In fact, between Gates and handcuff Randy McMichael, Chargers tight ends combined to catch 11 passes for 94 yards. Winslow's the only tight end of consequence in Tampa Bay, so that would be a welcome stat line regardless of your league's scoring. In addition, given that the Bucs are on the road, they're less likely to win, which means more passing.


Jared Cook (minus-3 points)
I'm throwing this one in here just in case you didn't realize the Titans' Hasselbeck-led pass offense will be facing the Ravens this week, or -- more likely -- if you've talked yourself into ignoring said fact. In Baltimore, Cook faces one of our rare above-average-season-projection pass defenses, as well a unit that allowed only three catches for 42 yards by Heath Miller. Hopefully, Cook is your backup, and you can wait for a better spot start.

 

[HacheMan]

Ranks reax: Peyton Hillis set for big game

Eric Karabell


While I'm not one to overreact when it comes to things that happened in Week 1, I think we can safely say the Indianapolis Colts' defense is incapable of stopping the run. This isn't breaking news. The Colts didn't stop the run last season, or the season before that (boy, Bob Sanders made a difference). And while that was very good news for Houston Texans emerging star Ben Tate in his NFL debut in Week 1, it's also going to make Peyton Hillis owners pleased this Sunday.

While I'm not one to overreact when it comes to things that happened in Week 1, I think we can safely say the Indianapolis Colts' defense is incapable of stopping the run. This isn't breaking news. The Colts didn't stop the run last season, or the season before that (boy, Bob Sanders made a difference). And while that was very good news for Houston Texans emerging star Ben Tate in his NFL debut in Week 1, it's also going to make Peyton Hillis owners pleased this Sunday.


Running back: Berry and I were the only ones to rank defending fantasy champ Arian Foster, who is currently dealing with a sore hamstring that kept him out of Week 1. I still think Foster plays this week, so I ranked him ninth. Harris and Tristan Cockcroft do not think he'll play. We'll be updating the rankings Friday morning, but as in Week 1, I don't think we'll have clarity on this situation until late Sunday morning. What I found interesting is that my Ben Tate rank mirrored Cockcroft's, yet he didn't rank Foster. Also, while I did rank Derrick Ward, Berry did not and only Harris had him in the top 30, or close to flex spot consideration. This is an odd situation. I made the case on Tuesday's "Numbers Never Lie" program (which is daily on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. ET; I'm scheduled to appear on it Mondays and Tuesdays) that if Foster were to miss the season, Tate is so good he could still produce his numbers.
I was highest in the group on Pierre Thomas, DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Mathews, among others, though in each case it was close. I think each is a bit underrated, and Thomas and Williams are back-end RB2 choices. In San Diego, everyone loves Mike Tolbert (I had him 20th), but Mathews looked pretty good in Week 1 as well. I was lowest on Rashard Mendenhall, Tim Hightower and Cadillac Williams. Mendenhall still made my top 10, but I don't trust Hightower or Williams. Wide receiver: Again, it's an injury situation that created the Hakeem Nicks rank at 29. Two rankers do not think he will play. I think he will, and if he does, he's a top-10 guy. Pay attention to this later in the week. If Nicks sits, you know I'm a Mario Manningham fan, and he'll vault 10 spots for sure. You'll also see me rank Domenik Hixon. That's the perfect guy to add if you own Nicks, because you can wait until Monday at 8 p.m. ET to make a final decision (also Brandon Gibson of the Rams). The ranks for the Colts wide receivers are also interesting. I have Reggie Wayne at No. 10; you know, only four wide receivers had more fantasy points in Week 1. We all seem justifiably down, however, on Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.