Last Minute Fantasy Lineup Decisions
Source: Evan Silva for Rotoworld.com
Important Week 2 Game-Time Decisions
Clinton Portis – should be 100% for Week 3 at Houston
Ben Roethlisberger – will likely play, not a great fantasy play at JAX
Brian Westbrook – probable, solid matchup vs. overrated Giants D
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – may be limited even if he does go
Brandon Stokley – wait 'til bye weeks to use Colts No. 3 WR
Doug Gabriel – didn't practice all week but listed as probable
Travis Henry – LenDale White to make debut with Snoop in attendance
John Abraham and Edgerton Hartwell – looking for Week 2 rebounds from Chris Simms and Carnell Williams vs. banged-up ATL defense
Already Ruled Out for Week 2
Trent Green – Damon Huard next to go down?
Mike Karney – loss of stud lead blocker may hinder Deuce McAllister
Steve Smith – no Fred Smoot rematch, injuries killing Carolina
Travelle Wharton and Justin Hartwig – Panthers o-line in terrible sorts
Deion Branch – not hurt, should be in 'Hawks lineup in Week 3
Dan Morgan – career in jeopardy? Adam Seward to start at MLB
Robert Gallery – bench Aaron Brooks, Alvis Whitted in Week 2
Ryan Lilja – Colts run game could continue to struggle
What Is Up With the Redskins' Backfield?
T.J. Duckett didn't rush the football once in the Redskins' opener. After the game, coach Joe Gibbs said that Duckett was first in line for short-yardage carries. It's hard to see that was the case, considering Clinton Portis took Washington's first goal-line carry in for a second-quarter score. But this could turn out to be a terrible situation for Portis if Gibbs truly intends for Duckett to play a key role. Portis could lose his goal-line touches to Duckett as well as third downs to Ladell Betts. Portis' fantasy value appears to be in severe danger. He could potentially lose so much work. Portis is undoubtedly an all-star back, but he could wind up being no more than the focal point of a committee. His bum shoulder only makes the situation worse.
Week 2 Matchups to Exploit/Avoid
Texans @ Colts
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET
I'm making it a weekly point to recommend wideouts drawing Houston No. 2 corner Lewis Sanders in coverage. Sanders' skill set is more like a safety; a physical DB with lead feet. He's a dime back who should be covering tight ends and Clarence Moore, not Reggie Wayne, who he'll get in Week 2. A precision route runner like Wayne could torch Sanders. Sanders actually worked a fair amount on Donte' Stallworth in Week 1. Stallworth promptly burnt him for 141 yards and a touchdown. My recommendation, Reggie Brown, still got you a healthy fantasy day by scoring but didn't come up big with Dunta Robinson his main man-on.
On the other side, Marvin Harrison gets Dunta. The Colts have made it clear they're not afraid to continue to feature the air game as long as their running backs struggle. Harrison is an every-week fantasy play, but he lacks the Week 2 upside his counterpart Wayne brings to the table.
Browns @ Bengals
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET
You may have already heard the story. Leigh Bodden ''shuts down'' Chad Johnson in Week 14, holding the superstar wideout to two catches and 22 yards. Johnson amends his ''Who Will Cover 85 in 2005'' chart, marking ''Yes'' against the Browns. Johnson and Bodden face off again on Sunday in what should be a fun one. While injured T.J. Houshmandzadeh is not, Johnson is still a must-start as he looks for revenge…
On the other side, Kellen Winslow faces a Bengals defense that 1) hasn't seen much of Winslow, and 2) struggled to cover tight ends in 2005. Winslow, coming off an eight-catch, 63-yard, and a touchdown-performance vs. New Orleans in Week 1, appears to be 100 percent and is a great fantasy play this week.
Raiders @ Ravens
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET
Raiders starting corner Nnamdi Asomugha missed practice all week and will likely be held out of Sunday's contest. Asomugha, a toolsy 6-2 burner, would've covered polished vet Derrick Mason had he been healthy. But now, raw 2005 first-round pick Fabian Washington will draw Mason, a mismatch in and of itself…
On the other side, Mark Clayton figures to see a lot of journeyed veteran Tyrone Poole in primary man coverage. Clayton disappointed in Week 1, netting just 18 yards on a pair of receptions. But if you're looking for a third wideout to start, Clayton is someone to strongly consider. Poole turned 34 in February.
Bills @ Dolphins
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET
Despite scoring twice, Ronnie Brown struggled to find inside running room in the opener at Pittsburgh. But against a Bills defensive unit that is quite possibly the league's worst against the run – especially with Troy Vincent out, Takeo Spikes likely out, and Matt Bowen a game-time decision – Brown could put up startling numbers. The 2005 No. 2 overall pick already has a head start on leading the league in touchdowns. He should be good for at least one on Sunday…
On the other side, Lee Evans cannot be on benches in Week 2. Like Brown, Evans turned in a lackluster opening day (two catches, 25 yards). But, facing a Dolphins secondary that allowed three Week 1 touchdown passes to Charlie Batch, Evans is primed for a breakout week. He'll get Will Allen in primary coverage. Allen is a good, stay-at-home corner who lacks Evans' long speed. Evans is a must-start Sunday.
Panthers @ Vikings
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET
There's not a Panthers player I'd play this week. Carolina's offensive line is a mess post-losing left tackle Travelle Wharton to a season-ending torn ACL. DeShaun Foster goes up against two of the NFL's premier defensive tackles in Pat and Kevin Williams. In front of Foster, center Justin Hartwig likely won't play, and right guard Evan Mathis lost his job during a sub-par Week 1. Now he gets it back by default, and left guard Mike Wahle might move to left tackle. If he doesn't, Jordan Gross – who has never succeeded with making that transition since being drafted No. 8 overall in 2003 – will. Journeyman Todd Fordham will start at right tackle, something he hasn't done since 2004. But at least Carolina has those six defensive tackles…
On the other side, Troy Williamson looked great, at times, in his No. 1 receiver debut, finishing with four catches for 77 yards. Williamson dropped a few passes, however, including one that would've went for a long touchdown. The 23-year-old can be used in the right matchups but is bound to be inconsistent all season. This week, against one of the league's top secondaries, Williamson is a poor fantasy play.
Patriots @ Jets
Game Time: 3:15 CT/4:15 ET
Patriots corner Ellis Hobbs has come into his own. He draped Bills star wideout Lee Evans in coverage last Sunday. Hobbs moves around in the secondary, switching between the left and the right sides, but he will be New England's answer for opposing No. 1 wideouts in 2006. Against the Jets in Week 2, he'll draw Laveranues Coles in primary man. Coles is looking like a weak fantasy start…
On the other side, Jerricho Cotchery is a solid bet to repeat or exceed his strong Week 1 (six catches, 65 yards, and touchdown). Cotchery has held off Justin McCareins for the starting job and was frequently targeted in the opener. The Bills' No. 2 wideout rotation (Peerless Price and Josh Reed) totaled six catches and 65 yards in Week 1 – the exact same numbers as Cotchery minus the score – on Asante Samuel. It's ironic, isn't it?
Do Not Underestimate
Raiders Skill Players and the Chargers' Defense
Mike Ditka said it best. If you can't protect your quarterback, you can't throw the football. But consider the opponent. San Diego lost starting OLB Steve Foley for the season and replaced him with Shaun Phillips, who had seven sacks last season as a reserve. Phillips now starts opposite Shawne Merriman. The Chargers are well on their way to leading the NFL in sacks and presented a complete mismatch for Oakland Monday night. But this is no time to give up on your Raiders. LaMont Jordan and Randy Moss are marquee fantasy players despite their rough Week 1s. Jordan is as productive a receiving back as there is in the league and built for the goal line. Look for coach Art Shell to make the necessary adjustments, call for more short passes Jordan's way, and learn from his mistake of abandoning the run when Oakland was down early. Randy Moss will be fine no matter what. Jordan is an excellent buy-low target.
Impact of San Diego's Defense on Week 2 Adversary Tennessee
San Diego's defense makes all Titans skill players shaky starts Sunday. Yes, even Drew Bennett. Tennessee's offensive line may actually be worse than Oakland's at full strength. But the Titans won't be this week, with right guard Benji Olson and right tackle Jacob Bell both game-time decisions. Kerry Collins is a statue. Expect to see Vince Young early in the second half.
A Rare Kicker Moment
Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding is my favorite player. Thus, it was hard not to notice late Monday night when Randy Moss, after making a 20-yard reception, ran out of bounds and tossed the ball right to Kaeding on the sidelines. Kaeding immediately passed the ball right back at Moss, hitting him in the shoulder pads as he ran back to the huddle. Kaeding has as stong a leg as any PK in the league and is an excellent pickup if you still haven't dropped Mike Vanderjagt. As Chris Rock might say, ''There's a difference between kickers and idiot kickers.'' This idiot kicker has a good chance of being cut if he doesn't show up this week.
Buy Low, Sell High
This week presents a grand opportunity to sell Ahman Green high. Coming off an impressive yet unlikely 20-carry, 110-yard performance against the league's best defense, Green's perceived value may currently be higher than Thomas Jones', a much better long-term bet behind a much better offensive line. Many still feel Cedric Benson has a chance to overtake Jones at some point during the season. But he has done nothing to justify the Bears potentially mortgaging their team unity by installing the hated Benson as their starter. He hasn't given a reason for the Bears' organization to say ''We've gotta play this guy.'' Barring an injury to Jones, Cedric Benson does not have a chance to start this season in Chicago. If you can deal Ahman for Thomas Jones, do it after Green's favorable matchup with New Orleans Sunday.
What Is Up With Chris Simms?
After a poor preseason, Chris Simms threw three interceptions in the Bucs' Week 1 home shutout loss. ProFootballTalk.com reported Monday that Simms ''whimpers'' when he's hit – which he was often by Ravens defenders in the opener. It doesn't really matter what noises he makes when he's sacked, but it is a growing possibility that if Simms, in a contract year, does not step up, 2006 sixth-round pick Bruce Gradkowski could be Tampa Bay's starting quarterback in 2007. Gradkowski, the Bucs' story of training camp, replaced Simms late in Week 1. The rookie took over with 7:10 left and didn't manage much, but Gradkowski looked great in the preseason, ran a 4.5 forty at the Combine, and could be racking up fantasy points with his legs by next season. He's got sleeper QB2 written all over him.
Answer Absolutely Not to the Following Valid Questions
