My rundown is back and better than ever. As readers have realized, my fantasy knowledge is tip top, and I’m here to help you sort out the champs from the chumps – this is my weekly start’em and sit’em section. For all your fantasy questions, feel free to Ask Papa Weimer @ papaweimer@hotmail.com.As for questions directed at me, good Ol’ Lucky Lester, throw your questions to lester@luckylester.com. Let the Fantasy Football season begin the point tallies – and feel free to knock me on my picks! But do it prior to the games, I’m not all that interested in your perfect hindsight.
This Week’s Top Team: The best of Week 1.
QB: Drew Brees vs. Colts: Peyton’s team might get the win, but I have a feeling Drew Brees will throw for more yards in this one. Brees has been a sniper in pre-season action, and he should only be stronger in his 2nd season back from surgery. Look for Brees to launch early and often, and dump for big yards to his check-down options.
RB: Frank Gore vs. Cardinals: I think the Cardinals defense is underrated, but Frank Gore is going to attack the Cardinals from start to finish. Gore has his fumbling problems at the goal line out of the way, and he’s primed for a huge season if he can stay healthy. He’s going to be healthy for Week 1, so I’d say he’s a safe bet in Monday Night’s showdown with the Cardinals.
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Chicago: Yeah, I have to go with LT in week 1, even with Chicago’s vaunted defense ready to attempt a shutdown on the league’s most dynamic offensive player. LT will get every important carry for the Chargers, and I expect them to beat the Bears this weekend. Phillip Rivers will keep the Bears honest, but LT will continue his touchdown hold on the NFL with a couple this weekend.
WR: Steve Smith vs. St. Louis: I like Steve Smith any day of the week, but especially in a game that should have plenty of scoring. Not only will it be high scoring, but he Panthers could be down late, and that’s a Steve Smith recipe for fantasy numbers.
WR: Chad Johnson vs. Ravens: Look at the stats, Chad Johnson beats up on the Ravens. Its probably because the Ravens are too stubborn to roll all coverages at Chad like every other defense. Well, I like Chad’s new found attitude this year, and I imagine he’ll start hot right out of the gates.
TE: Todd Heap vs. Bengals: Cincinnati doesn’t have much of a defense, and Todd Heap is the main man in Steve McNair’s checks. I expect Todd to be 7-11 on Sunday.
K: Jeff Wilkins vs. Carolina: I think Carolina’s defense is good enough to slow the Rams offense enough to make Jeff Wilkins attempt at least 3 field goals. Jeff will hit those field goals and tack on some extra points. He’s as solid an option as you get in Week 1.
D: Steelers vs. Browns: The Browns just don’t have an offensive game. I know their offensive line is stacked, but without a game breaker running the ball, or a quarterback that strikes fear into their defense, Pittsburgh will be all over that line of scrimmage. Sacks and turnovers be ware, Mike Tomlin will have his guys ready in Week 1.
LUCKY’S Week 1 SLEEPERS
Ben Roethlisberger: You could tell from the get go that Ben Roethlisberger was a competitor – because even when there was no business for him starting and winning football games as a rookie, that’s just what he did. Last season had to kill the big guy, as his play was sub par. He’ll be back this season, starting in Cleveland.
Jason Campbell: Campbell won’t get many starts in Fantasy leagues early on, but I’d be happy starting the young Washington Quarterback. He’s a threat to run, and strong enough to score on the goal line. He’ll find some deep balls to Santana Moss, the Dolphins’ secondary just isn’t that good.
Julius Jones: Jones won’t get too many starting nods in Week 1, and that’s understandable, why would you put a guy in who’s sharing carries as your starter if you don’t have to? Well, I see about 100 yards and a score out of Jones. That’s worth a start for more than a few teams out there.
Ahman Green: I’ve said for years that Ahman Green would be perfect in Denver’s system. Well, he didn’t get the chance in Denver, but Kubiak runs that system for Green’s new team, the Houston Texans. Houston’s O-Line run blocks just swell, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Green goes over 100 yards in his first action since exiting Green Bay.
Santonio Holmes: Hines Ward often has a solid day against Cleveland, maybe he just feels faster than someone wearing orange. Either way, he’ll share his secret with Holmes, and the young speedster will get deep 2 or 3 times against the Browns secondary. 6 catches for just under 100 yards and a score; that’s my prediction.
Ronald Curry: This guy is the #1 option in Lane Kiffin’s new offense in Oakland. I expect the Raiders to be down too much to run the ball all game using LaMont Jordan, and Curry isn’t a big enough commodity to get double coverage over any of the other Raider receivers, but he’ll get the most balls from Josh McCowen or Daunte Culpepper, whomever starts in Oakland. Both have a cannon, and Curry, who caught 33 balls over the last 4 games, will be a beneficiary of better quarterbacking and a new-school offense in Oakland – especially against the Lions’ secondary.
Daniel Graham: Buffalo is bruised and battered on defense. No, they’re healthy, that’s not what I meant, I just meant they’re bad. Graham could catch 60-70 balls in Denver this year – he’s a legit breakout candidate for TEs. I expect big things from him, especially against Buffalo’s defense.
Falcons DST: I’m all but certain that the Falcons are sitting on the waiver wire in your league right now, waiting to be picked up by you. Well, I know the Vikings have a solid rushing attack, but until they prove to be a bigger threat throwing the ball, defenses like the Falcons will put 8 and 9 in the box. No kind of freak offensive lineman can make holes with that facing them. Atlanta is fast enough to cause Tarvaris Jackson some problems when he does pass. The Falcons could be a big point getter in Week 1.
LUCKY’S Week 1 Randy Moss’s
(This section may need a new name if Randy starts to prove himself in New England, but I didn’t think it fair to get Randy’s name off this list just because he got traded, he needs to step up first)
Mike Vick: His passing just won’t get it done this year. He’s got sore legs, and his teammates in San Quentin just aren’t as good as the Falcons he had last year. Err… What an idiot. Dog fighting – talk about pissing it all away.
Trent Green: I just think Green is brutal. I seriously can throw farther than him, (If someone reading this can prove that Green can throw farther than 60 yards – send me an email and I’ll stop claiming this) and his offense isn’t that good. He’s old with a bad offensive line, and his best receiver is overrated. Even Washington’s terrible defense will make his efforts look lackluster.
Cedric Benson: Hey Ced, your teammates don’t like you, but Thomas Jones was sent out of town because you get paid like a damn basketball player – guess what you win? A chance to rush against the Chargers! Yeah! Good luck buddy, and hopefully you’ve made buddy-buddy with your O-Line, because if you haven’t, I’m sure Merriman will get a clean look at you in the first couple series’ if not all game long.
Warrick Dunn: Without Vick, I don’t think Dunn will be that sneaky of a runner like he used to be. Plus, WD20 is getting older, and his backup is the kid with all the upside in the world. I don’t see Dunn being startable this season, mainly because he won’t get enough touches, he’s wearing down, and he’s never been a touchdown threat. Against a defense that dominates against the run, Week 1 should be tough for the Falcons’ #1 runner.
Calvin Johnson: I’m sure the kid will get his during the season, but I don’t think Week 1 is that time. The Raiders have a very talented secondary especially with their fast and athletic corners. CJ will get a tough test as the #3 guy in Week 1, I don’t see him getting starter numbers. Maybe 45 yards on 3 catches.
Laveranues Coles: I like Coles a lot, but he doesn’t shine against the Patriots. New England isn’t afraid to take away a team’s top targets, and in the passing game, Coles is definitely that guy for the Jets. Like I said, I’m sure Coles will have a solid season, I just don’t think the Patriots will let him start in Week 1.