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Week One | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Studs Joseph Addai, Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne; Colts: I listed these three together because they represent the future of the Colts offense and all were effective in Week 1. Manning was unselfish enough to call one score for Joseph Addai (who eclipsed the 100 yard mark), while keeping 3 TD tosses (and several commercials) for himself (2 TD’s to Reggie Wayne). You know this already, but these players are all every week starts. Eli Manning: Passed for 312 yards as the Giants offense looked uncharacteristically lively at Dallas. Archie Manning: For fathering the aforementioned, but how many cut-away shots do we have to see of Archie and his wife looking affluent -but-nervous at Colts or Giants games this season? Note to directors: This story is played. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Three TD’s in Week 1 and perhaps more tellingly, Brady had all day and then some to find his drastically improved receivers. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: The good news: Big Ben tossed 4 TD passes. The bad news: He doesn’t get to play Cleveland every week. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos: Cutler passed for over 300 yards with a score, and engineered a late drive that capped a 15-14 win for the Broncos. Josh McCown, QB, Raiders: Yes, you read that correctly McCown had over 300 yards and 3 TD’s. Oddly, the Raiders got better by getting rid of Randy Moss, and the Patriots got better by acquiring him (see below). Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: Somebody probably reached for him in your draft, but that somebody is probably happy after seeing him rush for over 100 yard and score a TD through the air. Chris Brown, RB, Titans: Remember Chris Brown, the tall, lean, oft-injured Titans RB? He rushed for 175 yards in what was supposed to be LenDale White’s backfield. You can probably grab him off the waiver wire, but don’t expect much more than a frustrating committee. Travis Henry, RB, Broncos: T-Hen went off on his former team, going for 147 and a score. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Clearly this is a shot player a headcase with nothing left in the tank. Moss went for 183 yards and a score, and will be a big part of New England’s team. He should also be a big part of yours. Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants: Found the end zone 3 times, and perhaps more encouraging is the fact that instead of arguing about Tom Coughlin or Tiki Barber, the Giants are scoring points. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: Was this game an illustration of how far the Texans have come with Matt Schaub, or how badly the Chiefs might suck this year? Either way, Johnson had a long receiving score and was a big fantasy factor. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Smith is living proof that one can put up exceptional numbers in a very mediocre offense. Smith, never really healthy last season, looked explosive going over 100 yards with a score. Duds Drew Brees, QB, Saints: Two picks and a fumble. Woof. Joey Harrington, QB, Falcons: Not that you started him, but he looked awful to the tune of 2 INT’s. Vince Young, QB, Titans: Young was overdrafted in most leagues, as people remember his Rose Bowl performance more than they remember the fact that the Titans often won very ugly last season (try 87 yards and 1 pick). Reggie Bush, RB, Saints: Bush seems dead set on breaking the long, highlight-film run on each play, rather than taking what the defense gives him. He should have had success against the Colts Cover 2 which often concedes the run. Instead he put up 38 yards rushing and 7 yards receiving. Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings: Injured after three carries, the Adrian Peterson era may have officially begun sooner than anyone expected. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Held under 100 yards with no scores. More disturbing? Two fumbles. The Cleveland Browns: This team was abysmal in all aspects, as Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, and the Browns quarterbacks all struggled. The lone bright spot was Kellen Winslow, who had 83 yards on 4 catches. Lee Evans, WR, Bills: Catches: 2. Yards: 5. Evans is a #1 fantasy WR on many teams. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers: 2 catches, 4 yards, 4.4 speed. Surprises Colts Defense: Who knew? The Colts let their best LB walk in the offseason, and responded by shutting down 2006 Coach of the Year Sean Payton and his stable of weapons. Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Vikings: Shook off a rough start to toss his first TD pass of the season. Drew Carter, WR, Panthers: 3 catches, 2 scores. Not bad, and he’s probably on your waiver wire. Ted Kluck is the author of three books, including “Paper Tiger: One Athlete’s Journey to the Underbelly of Pro Football.” Visit him online at www.tedkluck.com.
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