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Week One | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As you know, there are certain fantasy players you just don’t put on the bench guys like Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, LJ, LT, CJ, Steve Smith, Torry Holt, and Antonio Gates. That said, I probably won’t mention those players much in this weekly column, rather, I’ll look at the rest of the pack guys whose matchups dictate their usefulness to you as you set your lineups. And as always, these opinions are mine, and do not necessarily reflect those of Phil Steele’s publications. Bench Chad Pennington, QB, Jets: Pennington and his noodle arm had a terrible preseason in New York, and he starts the season against defensive mastermind Bill Belichick who added Adalius Thomas, welcomed back Asante Samuel, and reportedly once solved the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers: Jake is a bad game or two away from “journeyman” anyway, and he faces a Rams defense that was third in the league against the pass. You can do better. Cedric Benson, RB, Bears: Benson and the Bears face their toughest test of the season in Week 1 against San Diego, so this would be a good week to sit the other Bears on your roster as well. You weren’t starting Rex Grossman were you? Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: In spite of the addition of Joe Thomas, the Browns offensive line still needs work, and Lewis, who has definitely lost a step, won’t find much room against a tough Steelers D. Minnesota Running Backs: You’ve just drafted Adrian Peterson, and you’re excited to plug him into your lineup, though unfortunately he’s still in a job share with Chet Taylor, who is better in the pass game both as a blocker and a receiver. At best this will be a Deuce McCallister/Reggie Bush type situation, and at its most frustrating it might be Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Start Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: He’s probably not starter material in most leagues, but this is a player on the rise, who added some weapons in the offseason including a healthy VD (an oxymoron?) and Darrell Jackson. Oh, and he’s playing the Cardinals and their 30th ranked pass defense. Jon Kitna and Roy Williams, Lions: Though the Raiders, particularly through the air, were stingier than most think, Kitna and Williams still represent good plays this week, as the Lions won’t run the football and Kitna begins year two in the air-Martz offense. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: What better way to get healthy and re-assert himself as the quarterback in Philadelphia, than by feasting on the Packers awful pass defense. Any New Orleans Saint: The Saints play the Colts and their unfortunate defense on Thursday night, so start Deuce McCallister, Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and Marques Colston with confidence. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: The bad news? Lynch sucked in the preseason. The good news is that he gets to begin his career against the league’s worst run defense last year and he’s the only real option in town at RB. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers: Fast Willie is the forgotten back in many leagues, but he had a very good year last year and starts the season against a very bad Cleveland Browns defense. Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals: A re-commitment to the run game by Ken Whisenhunt, the addition of Levi Brown, and the fact that they face last year’s 31st ranked run defense all make The Edge a decent play this week. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: The fact that he is still the only WR in Houston, plus a bad Chiefs pass defense, makes for a good day for Andre Johnson. Sleepers Damon Huard, QB, Chiefs: While I’m not in any way advocating that you start Damon Huard under any circumstances, it’s worth noting that he plays the Texans this week. Do with that what you will. LaMont Jordan, RB, Raiders: Remember this guy? Through many meetings with my therapist, I have been able to forgive LaMont for his 2006 performance. Oh, and he faces Detroit this week, and Detroit makes bad running backs look like Jim Brown. 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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