It's back! It's Back! Finally my reason for existing is back! Ok, rewind time, maybe it's not my sole reason for existence, but the return of relevant NFL action to my TV is a good reason to wake up with a smile on my face.
And with the return of the NFL, we also have the glorious return of Fantasy Football and by extension, your Fantasy Talk presented by CraveOnline and myself, the EveryMan. There's been some shake-ups in the FF realm this offseason with Terrell Owens now a Bill, Jay Cutler now a Bear, and past heavy-hitters Marvin Harrison and Dominic Rhodes now unemployed but with change, comes opportunity, and there are top spots on fantasy rosters everywhere just itching for the next big stud.
Hits and Misses
Since this is week one, I get a bye on this section but we'll see how my picks play out next week, which I'm sure will be completely accurate across the board.
Starts of the Week!
QB Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle: I'm not a big fan of the Seahawks and have them finishing around .500 but you have to be encouraged by the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a stud receiver in his own right who should fit in just fine with his new team. The hawks are facing a St. Louis team that has just disappeared off the map in recent years, so look for Hasselbeck to post solid numbers.
RB Ray Rice, Baltimore: Gonna break a rule of mine and like a member of a committee backfield. Rice, who will emerge as the true number one back this season for the Ravens, is going up against a Kansas City team that is stuck in transition. New coach, new quarterback, new philosophy=rough start in my book. Add to it that Baltimore has a stellar defense and an emerging passing game and you have a recipe for fantasy goodness.
WR Randy Moss, New England: Tom Brady is back, need I say more?
Other Notable Starts: QB Drew Brees (vs Det.), RB Tom Hightower (vs San Fran.), WR Anthony Gonzalez (vs Jax.)
Bench Material of the Week!
QB Brady Quinn, Cleveland: Finally named a starter, I think Quinn will be useful for some fantasy owner down the road this season, just not this week as they face one of the best defenses in the league in Minnesota.
RB Darren McFadden, Oakland: For the record, Oakland is BAD while Sad Diego is GOOD, and it didn't help the Raiders cause when they tossed Jeff Garcia to the curb this preseason. With no proven quarterback under center, there is nothing stopping teams from loading up the box and stopping the run, which is what the Chargers do well.
WR Santanna Moss, Washington: The offense in Washington can be downright offensive at times and that's being positive. Facing a studly Giants team isn't going to help the cause much. Keep Moss on the sideline till he and the entire Washington O starts to show something.
Other notable sits: QB Mark Sanchez (at Hou), RB Larry Johnson (at Bal), WR Terrell Owens (at NE)
CraveOnline Yohoo's Week 1
The Yohoo's take on the Volunteers in week one and it's brother VS. brother from the start as I take on my younger sibling in a FF match-up to the death...or at least till one of us wins. Here's my line-up going into week one...
QB Peyton Manning, RB's Michael Turner and Brandon Jacobs, WR's Reggie Wayne, Hines Ward, and Lance Moore, TE Chris Cooley, K Stephen Gostowski, and the Bears as my D.
I'm feeling pretty good about both the Yohoo's and my other team, the Brawlers, as I head into this season of fantasy football. My teams look good and deep on paper but will they put out when the time comes? Only time will tell.
Insulting Football Joke of the Week
What do you get if you see a (insert team) fan buried up to his neck in sand?
More sand!
