This be my 8th week at the center of Lucky Lester’s fantasy questions, and I must say, I’ve never been more excited for the season to start. Here’s my cheers to the opening week of the NFL season, with a nice cup of scotch… Cheers! Keep the questions coming, in keeps me regular. – Papa Weimer

Drop me your Fantasy Questions @ papaweimer50@hotmail.com

I’ve had enough of this rankings business! I think Laurence Maroney is going to be a Top 3 back in the NFL this season. I have the 3rd pick, and I know he’s going to be there. It’s a normal league format. If I can’t trade down, is there any reason why I shouldn’t take LM? – Joshua Booty in Southern Cali.

Hell no! Do your damn thing man. With the 3rd pick in the draft, Joshua Booty selects Laurence Maroney, RB, New England Patriots. Long pause… Lots of group laughter. Sure, man, there are going to be laughers out there, but screw ’em. I’ve seen more ridiculous picks, like every time some jackass takes Peyton Manning in the Top 5. I also think Maroney is going to blow up the league next year, especially with all those defenses worried about Randy Moss, Daunte Stallworth, Ben Watson, and Wes Welker. Last year, the Patriots rushing attack totaled 1,969 yards and 20 touchdowns. Newsbreak, Corey Dillon is MIA this year. Aside from a possible injury, I see nothing holding Maroney back from getting 1,500 of those yards and 16 of those TDs this season. He’s a beast, and I know my nephew thinks he’s the best running back of last years’ class. What a smooth and powerful runner. You’re right, he’s not good value, but so what, value isn’t production, and its not like you could wait to get him with your next pick. Another guy like that is Travis Henry. The guy could have 1,800 yards and 15 TDs in Denver, but nobody will pick him in the Top 10. Bottom line, do what you want, unless that is taking Peyton #3 and Deuce #22… Forget that business. Josh, do it! And remember, get the last laugh!

I actually have a solid dilemma going into Week 1 on the NFL season. I tricked and treated my way to Clinton Portis, Travis Henry, Caddilac Williams, Brian Westbrook, LenDale White, and Frank Gore in my 12 Team Dynasty league. But who should I start in Week 1. I have 3 spots, I was thinking Henry, Westbrook and Gore. What you thinking?- Bo Kettle from the Strip.
I only hope you have strippers in the strip, Bo, and I hope they give free lap-dances to guys with cool names like Bo Kettle. The truth of the matter is, I like the 3 guys you have, and yes, you must have tricked a few treaters on way to those 6 starting backs. The only other option I see is Clinton Portis, whom I actually believe could slash and burn the Dolphins on Sunday. But, you have 3 pretty solid sure things in TH, Westy, and Gore – so I’d stick with them. All 3 have pretty good match-ups, so there’s no reason to go away from them. Hopefully you have poor receiving options so your league equals out a little bit more.
Papa, I forgot, I also have a receiving dilemma. I have TO, Andre Johnson, and Javon Walker – and I can only start 2. I like Walker against Buffalo and TO against NY’s sieved of a secondary, but AJ plays KC, and he’s going to be good this year. – Bo Kettle, still in the Strip!

Wow, I would hate to be in your league. I guess not on the whole “even things out with bad receivers” tip, huh? Anyway, once again, you have pretty solid options here. And once again, I’d stick with the guns you whipped out already. Andre Johnson could blow up against the Chiefs, but I actually think KC’s defense will be better this season. Tamba Hali is the read deal putting pressure on the QB, and Derrick Johnson is a very fast linebacker. Ty Law said he’s as healthy as he’s been in 3 seasons, and overall, these guys are improving. Don’t get me wrong, AJ’s a solid option, I’d just rather have Owens and Walker against the poor defense they’re facing. And I don’t want to hear anything more about your team, Bo Kettle! In a Dynasty nonetheless, you’re making me jealous.

I have the option to drop Anthony Gonzalez and pick up Chris Henry. I know he’s out for 8 weeks, but he could be solid when he gets back. I have 4 receivers and only start 2, would you make that change? William Bradley in New Mexico.

I think the world of Henry’s upside, but I wouldn’t. Let someone else pick up Henry and then drop him in 3 weeks, then, if Gonzo hasn’t done jack, pick up CH and hope for the best. I just think, that if you pick him up right now, you never gave your first choice a chance. I know rookie receivers don’t usually tear up the league, but Gonzo is in a perfect situation to contribute right away. Manning has been known to pass for lots of yards, and many of those have gone to the slot receiver. Gonzo 2 probably won’t dominate and be a must start at any time during the season, but he will play, and that’s more than you can assure from Henry. Other guys I’d take if they’re on the waiver wire – Ronald Curry, Bobby Wade, Brandon Jones, Brandon Marshall – all these guys have a chance to be starters this year. Curry, Jones, and Wade are #1’s for their respective teams, and Marshall has huge #2 upside with Rod Smith out in Denver. Also, realize that Henry doesn’t get back to the team until Week 8. He doesn’t get to practice with the team during his suspension, so he’ll be out of shape. Maybe he’s back in game shape by Week 10. Now you get 3 weeks of his services, and you held him for 10 weeks with nothing. I just don’t think its worth it. Unless LT or someone like that is out until Week 10, I’d go a different route. Some leagues allow for an IR spot if a player is listed OUT or Injured, but I’m not sure Chris Henry would qualify for that. Check it out. If he can be IR’d – do that.

I’m going to be a defense by match-up guy this year, Papa Weimer, so I might need a little help from time to time, picking out solid defenses to start. Do you have any for Week 1? Here are what I think my best options are. 49ers, Vikings, Falcons, Seahawks, Lions, Packers, and Titans – who would you go with?- Samson Gunderson from North Carolina.
A guy after my own heart… Samson, I too am going to be a defense by match-up this season. I didn’t get one of my Top 6 defenses, and if that happens, I just go right to the D by committee approach. I figure, if it works for rushing attacks, it can work for me too. Actually, this will be the 3rd season in a row that I pull the old committee approach. Last season, I finished 2nd and the season before that I finished 1st – so its not like the system is failing me. As far as your defenses, oh boy, you have a couple dandies there. I like the Hawks, Minnesota, and Atlanta a lot. Detroit is a dark horse, but I’d stick with one of the 1st three. I think the 49ers will be part of a shootout, so I don’t like them, and Jacksonville should run all over Tennessee like the Titans were a damn obstacle course or something. I like the Packers defense a lot, but I have a feeling the Eagles are going to put up about 30 points a game this season, or at least until McNabb goes down. So I’d let them ride the free agency list for a week or so. I think the Vikings might have the best defense of the bunch, so the safe bet is with them. The Falcons don’t have a dominate passing attack, and Minnesota stops the run with the best of them. They are the safe pick. The Hawks are also pretty safe, but you never know how Garcia and Caddy Williams will perform this year. I’d probably grab the Hawks, because I think they will have so many turnovers this season – they might even be a keeper defense for the year. They are very underrated. New safeties and Patrick Kerney will all help. The Falcons are a nice pick as well, because all the Vikings have shown is a rushing game. Atlanta will put 9 in the box, and play straight up with their speedy corners. That will give DeAngelo Hall a chance to make some plays, and he’s good at that. Basically, I think the Vikings are the safest, the Hawks could be big all year, and the Falcons are a nice spot start against the Vikings, and they could make some big scoring plays defensively. So, if you think you need a huge D performance to win, go with Atlanta. You want a sure 10, go with the Vikings. You want consistency week in and week out with some stud playmakers like Lofa, Julian Peterson, and Patrick Kerney – go the Hawks way.
Last Weeks Questions

Papa Weimer – **52 y/o – two open Heart surgeries and a nasty attitude**