Picks to finish ABOVE
the Baseline (QB12)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Jake Plummer |
Den
|
QB17
|
90th
|
Jake the Snake played well enough to beat the vaunted
Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 throwing for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns
(along with 2 INTs). This week, many may look at him as a risky
play because Denver travels to Jacksonville, however the Jaguars
real strength defensively is the front four and stopping the run.
With that in mind I expect the Jaguars to key on stopping Griffin
and the run game, which should free Plummer up to take some shots
downfield; making him an intriguing play to finish above the baseline
contrary to popular sentiment. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
A.J. Feeley |
Mia
|
QB29
|
179th
|
Feeley gave the Dolphins offense a boost
in the second half last week, running the offense much better
than Fiedler had. After giving up 196 rushing yards to Curtis
Martin, the Bengals will put more effort into stopping the run
this week, but their pass defense is still suspect.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Mark Brunell |
Was
|
QB25
|
126th
|
Sure the Skins' passing attack looked brutal in
week one, but the Giants will be just what the doctor ordered.
Don't forget that Brunell still has a strong supporting cast in
the passing game, and New York should be focused on stopping Clinton
Portis. I think Brunell could see two or three TDs on Sunday,
and dominate a clearly inferior opponent.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Brett Favre |
GB
|
QB14
|
81st
|
Brett Favre was impressive playing at Carolina
in week one even though his stats were not huge. He had zip on
the ball and read plays well. This week, however, the team is
at home against division rival Bears and Favre's history of tearing
apart the Bears defense is legendary - look for BOTH Favre and
RB Ahman Green to have impressive numbers this weekend.
|
|
Picks to finish BELOW
the Baseline (QB12)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Jeff Garcia |
Cle
|
QB9
|
60th
|
Dallas' defense was exposed in Week 1 to be sure,
and there's no question the team has to do something to shore up
the defensive backfield. However, Bill Parcells is going to have
his team ready to play at home in Week 2. I'm still not sold on
the Browns offensive line and think Garcia could struggle this week
against an aggressive pass rush and sound front seven gap control. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Trent Green |
KC
|
QB8
|
56th
|
The Chiefs passing offense looked out of
sync last Sunday night. Look for Kansas City to keep the ball
on the ground against the Panthers, mimicking the game plan that
worked so well for the Packers on Monday night.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Jeff Garcia |
Cle
|
QB9
|
60th
|
Through five years and one week, the Cleveland
Browns have yet to find a reliable WR. Garcia benefited from a
rushing TD last week, but I still am down on his prospects for
2004 in general. He's not in my top ten quarterbacks, and I don't
like his matchup this week. Playing an angry Cowboys team that
boasted the top D in the league a year ago, I just don't see Garcia
putting up many points.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Jeff Garcia |
Cle
|
QB9
|
60th
|
Cleveland had a rough matchup in week one at home
versus Baltimore, so lofty numbers were not in store, but Garcia
still managed to rush a TD and pass for one. This week, however,
the team is on the road against what should be a fired up Dallas
team in its home opener. I expect Dallas to harass Garcia much
better than they did in "holding" Daunte Culpepper to
5 TD passes.
|
|
Picks to finish ABOVE
the Baseline (RB24)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Onterrio Smith |
Min
|
RB37
|
107th
|
Onterrio Smith averaged better than 5 yards per carry
and had a 63 yard TD reception against the Cowboys in the season
opener. Assuming he's not suspended in Week 2, Smith stands to get
considerable playing time with Michael Bennett out with an injury
and Moe Williams uncertain. Smith gets to run behind one of the
best offensive lines in the NFC and faces an Eagles defense that
struggled against the lowly Giants, allowing 170 rushing yards and
2 TDs in Week 1. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Onterrio Smith |
Min
|
RB37
|
107th
|
Smith has the talent to excel, and he will once
again be given the opportunity with Michael Bennett (sprained
knee) out and Moe Williams (sprained ankle) limited.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Onterrio Smith |
Min
|
RB37
|
107th
|
Smith should have success against an Eagles defense
that has problems stopping the run. Playing the Vikings on Monday
night, Philadelphia will no doubt be looking to slow down Randy
Moss and Daunte Culpepper. I expect Mike Tice to rely more heavily
on Smith than normal, to try and keep the Eagles explosive offense
off the field and the crowd out of the game. Start Smith without
hesitation this week.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Onterrio Smith |
Min
|
RB37
|
107th
|
Monday night lights tend to bring out the best
in players, and Onterrio showed in week one that he is ready to
have the lights on him. He was used twice as much as the other
backs on the team and compiled over 130 yards of offense and a
long receiving TD that was simply electric. As long as he is not
suspended, and while Michael Bennett is sidelined, Smith will
win the spotlight. I look for a 100 yard rushing game and at least
one TD against Philly on Monday Night.
|
|
Picks to finish BELOW
the Baseline (RB24)
|
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Duce Staley |
Pit
|
RB20
|
30th
|
While I believe Staley will have a solid season in
Pittsburgh, he faces the best front 7 in the NFL in Week 2 at Baltimore.
The Ravens, a division rival, will be looking to make a statement
after losing the opening game to the hated Browns. Layer in the
fact that Jerome Bettis stole all the goal line carries from Staley,
and I wouldn't feel confident in using Duce as an RB1/RB2 this week
if you have other options. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Lamar Gordon |
Mia
|
RB23
|
37th
|
After being torched so badly last week by Curtis
Martin, the Bengals will make a strong effort to stop the run
in week two even if it means keeping eight men up near the line
of scrimmage. They will have a much easier time stopping the Dolphins
(65 rushing yards in week one) than they did the Jets.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Quentin Griffin |
Den
|
RB8
|
9th
|
I have been a Griffin supporter since May, but
I can't say I like his matchup against the Jags this week. They
shut down most teams last year, and the Bills dynamic duo in week
one. For their home opener, I'm sure they'll be energized and
focused on stopping the centerpiece of the Broncos offense. Griffin's
going to be a very good player, but the Jags D is significantly
tougher than the Chiefs.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Quentin Griffin |
Den
|
RB8
|
9th
|
How do I put a man who had 150+ rush yards, 3
TDs and set a team home opener rushing record in the ready to
disappoint category? When he is now on the road, against a significantly
tougher rush defense, and where this writer expects a big "hangover"
effect from the rushing and TD "drunk" Q was on against
KC. 65 yards rushing, 0 TDs.
|
|
Picks to finish ABOVE
the Baseline (WR30)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Donte Stallworth |
NO
|
WR33
|
92nd
|
Stallworth managed to get through the entire preseason
healthy, which theoretically put to bed the one reason he hadn't
established himself as a fantasy force. Given his rare combination
of size and speed, combined with being healthy, I see no reason
why he can't and won't finish the year among the top 20-25 receivers
regardless of how well Joe Horn does or does not play. Look for
the Saints offense to play much better against a suspect SF defense
at home than they showed versus Seattle in Week 1. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Eric Parker |
SD
|
WR35
|
97th
|
After watching game film of the Chargers' week
one game against the Texans, the Jets will focus their pass defense
on stopping Antonio Gates. The result should be more opportunities
for Eric Parker on the outside.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Antonio Bryant |
Dal
|
WR50
|
138th
|
There's no denying that Bryant was one of the
most accomplished collegiate receivers in the past half-decade.
With a capable QB finally throwing to him, I think Bryant could
have a break out season of sorts. He's not going to be an every
week star, but Testaverde and Bryant should be able to succeed
well at home against the Browns. Parcells' teams generally rebound
very well, and Bryant could be the recipient of that this week
with 100 yards and a score.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Michael Clayton |
TB
|
WR40
|
110th
|
Three points: (1) 11 targets, 7 completions; those
are great target/completion numbers after Joey Galloway went down.
(2) an easier time passing the ball at home against Seattle than
on the road versus the out-of-nowhere ferocious Washington pass
rush; (3) The TB run game looks anemic, so the Bucs may be pass-happy
in this game which has "shoot-out" written all over
it if Seattle manages to get as much going against the TB D as
the 'skins did.
|
|
Picks to finish BELOW
the Baseline (WR30)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
David Terrell |
Chi
|
WR18
|
52nd
|
One week does not a career make and frankly I'm not
willing to anoint David Terrell a "must start" WR2 based
on his week 1 performance. Heading to Green Bay, who incidentally
just got Mike McKenzie back, will be a sobering experience for all
those people that spent a big chunk of their free agent dollars
to acquire one of the slowest "can't miss' receivers to come
into the league in a long, long time. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Koren Robinson |
Sea
|
WR21
|
59th
|
Robinson got off to a poor start this year, dropping
three straight balls in the second half of last week's game. He
had a problem with dropped balls last year as well, so it wasn't
a complete fluke. The Bucs, meanwhile, still boast one of the
better pass defenses in the league.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
David Terrell |
Chi
|
WR18
|
52nd
|
One week just isn't enough for me to be bullish
on David Terrell. He's disappointed too many times in the past
for me to be convinced he's going to become a bona fide star.
Going into Green Bay will be very rough for Rex Grossman, and
I don't have a ton of faith in the Bears passing game. Terrell
will certainly be the main focus for the Packers defenders, so
this might free up Desmond Clark and Thomas Jones in the passing
game.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Amani Toomer |
NYG
|
WR25
|
66th
|
This one is too easy. Toomer will have two guys
throwing who get flustered when they see the pass rush coming
at them and Washington unveiled a pass rush that was, as I mentioned,
ferocious. The team seems to be coming apart right now in outright
revolt against HC Tom Coughlin's fines levied for being late to
team meetings. The Redskins will concentrate all their defensive
efforts on Toomer and Tiki and let the rest of the Giants try
to beat them.
|
|
Picks to finish ABOVE
the Baseline (TE12)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Jason Witten |
Dal
|
TE14
|
133rd
|
Jason Witten had a modest 3 receptions for 17 yards
despite Vinny Testaverde throwing for 355 yards and attempting 50
passes. Yet, don't hesitate to view Witten as a better Week 2 starting
option than a handful of TEs ranked ahead of him this week. Parcells
loves using his TE, Witten was the recipient of 8 targets in Week
1, he got red zone looks from Testaverde, and the team plays at
home against the Browns. This is a favorable week to start Witten. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
Desmond Clark |
Chi
|
TE15
|
140th
|
Clark was targeted only one time in last week's
game, but I believe that was an aberration. He is a capable pass-receiver
who should play a significant role in the Bears' passing offense.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Desmond Clark |
Chi
|
TE15
|
140th
|
As his health continues to improve, so should
his stats. Clark is clearly the most experienced receiver on the
Bears offense, and I think we'll see Grossman rely on him quite
a bit. Following good weeks by Thomas Jones and David Terrell,
this might be a great chance for Clark to go unnoticed by the
Pack D for a cheap TD. Clark could easily catch fifty balls this
year.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Erron Kinney |
Ten
|
TE13
|
129th
|
He was injured and barely targeted last week in
Miami, but at home against the Indianapolis Colts, and on an extra
day of rest, I expect Erron Kinney to show why I think he is a
decent sleeper at the TE spot. I'm looking for 3-5 catches and
a touchdown From Kinney against a weak Colts' defense that allowed
Patriot Dan Graham to compile very good TE numbers.
|
|
Picks to finish BELOW
the Baseline (TE12)
|
Jason Wood Selects.... |
Daniel Graham |
NE
|
TE6
|
72nd
|
Graham had an auspicious debut in Week 1 (7 receptions
for 57 yards and 1 TD) but don't forget that the Patriots offense
is predicated on balance. Seven different receivers caught passes
last week, and Tom Brady doesn't play favorites, he goes to the
open man. With that in mind, I don't think it's a safe bet that
Graham will get scoring opportunities on a consistent basis. |
|
Maurile Tremblay Selects....
|
L.J. Smith |
Phi
|
TE11
|
120th
|
I like LJ Smith's prospects this year, but I do
not believe this will be one of his better games. The Vikings'
pass defense has trouble generating pressure on the quarterback,
so I expect McNabb to get the ball downfield to Terrell Owens
and Todd Pinkston instead of featuring the tight end. It is also
worth noting that Chad Lewis had more targets (and receptions)
than Smith last week.
|
|
Chase Stuart Selects....
|
Eric Johnson |
SF
|
TE10
|
98th
|
Sure Johnson had a great week one, but TEs are
an unpredictable bunch. I think Brandon Lloyd and Kevan Barlow
are still the keys to this offense, and Johnson won't be much
more than a random contributor. He's not terribly athletic, or
adept at finding the end zone.
|
|
Marc Levin Selects....
|
Kellen Winslow, Jr |
Cle
|
TE7
|
74th
|
Winslow managed to lead the Browns in week one
in catches, but, this week, it'll have to be the receivers' turn.
I believe the Cowboys LBs can cover Kellen Jr., and I believe
that if Garcia throws, it'll have to be downfield, like Culpepper
did, or it simply won't work.
|
|