Forums
SiteMap
Login / Signup  
  Home  
Articles
•  Forecast  
•  Humor  
•  Links  
•  News  
•  Stats  
•  Tools  
•  Updates  
 
Pre  · 1  · 2  · 3  · 4  · 5  · 6  · 7  · 8  · 9  · 10  · 11  · 12  · 13  · 14  · 15  · 16  · 17  · P1  · P2  · P3  · P4
Beyond the Baseline



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
t
he 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.
Site Map | Contact Us  | Login / Signup

©Copyright Footballguys.com 2003, All rights reserved.