Thursday, August 14, 2008

Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo -2, 7:30 pm

What to Watch For: The Bills and Steelers playing north of the border. Trent Edwards and the Bills play their first of eight games over the next five years in Toronto. With all of the money and promotion going into this game, the pressure will be on for the teams to put on a higher quality game than your average preseason affair. This should be the best game of the week.

Carolina vs. Philadelphia -3, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: The Panthers are looking to enact some preseason revenge after they were spanked by the Eagles 27-10 last year in preseason play. Jake Delhomme is coming off of Tommy John surgery to his elbow and threw just one pass last week. Look for Delhomme to test his elbow a little more against the Eagles. For Philadelphia, Donavon McNabb was impressive in his appearance vs. Pittsburgh, throwing 10 of 13 for 97 yards and a touchdown. Also, Brian Westbrook could play following the signing of his new deal.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Oakland vs. Tennessee -4.5, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: The running backs from both teams. Oakland rushed for 248 yards against San Francisco with first-round draft pick, Darren McFadden contributing 12 carries for 48 yards. For the Titans, another first-round draft pick, Chris Johnson showed his 4.24 speed and was explosive last week against the Rams. Johnson had 7 carries for 90 yards rushing, including a 66-yard run for a touchdown. Starters Justin McCareins (WR) and Tony Brown (DT) will make their first appearances in the preseason.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Washington vs. New York Jets -3, 7:00 pm

What to Watch For: What else? Brett Favre’s debut for the New York Jets. As for the Redskins, the QBs have been impressive in learning new head coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast Offense. Jason Campbell and Todd Collins are a combined 25 of 32 for 241 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.

Indianapolis vs. Atlanta -2.5, 7:30 pm

What to Watch For: Let’s see a little more of Matt Ryan for the Falcons. Ryan was highly impressive in his performance last week. He earned compliments from both sidelines after throwing 9 of 15 for 113 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville’s first-team defense. For the Colts, the O-Line was horrendous last week and couldn’t protect back-up Jim Sorgi at all. This is concerning, especially with Peyton Manning coming off knee surgery.

Miami vs. Jacksonville -4, 7:30 pm

What to Watch For: The Dolphins’ QB competition. Chad Pennington joins Josh McCown, John Beck and Chad Henne in the competition and could see his first action as a Dolphin this week. With only three spots available and four QBs, the pressure will be on McCown and Beck, as either one could be the odd man out. For the Jaguars, Fred Taylor will see his first game action after sitting out Week 1.

Minnesota vs. Baltimore -2.5, 7:30 pm

What to Watch For: Adrian Peterson. He acted as just a decoy last week and will hopefully carry the ball a few times against the Ravens. For Baltimore, Willis McGahee will likely miss the rest of the preseason, so we should see a heavy dose of Ray Rice. There is also the ongoing QB competition in Baltimore between Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco. Boller started and was impressive in Week 1, while Troy Smith showed poise in his playing time and will get the start versus the Vikings.

Houston vs. New Orleans -4, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: Steve Slaton of the Texans. The rookie out of West Virginia had a team-leading 37 rushing yards on 11 carries and four kickoff returns for 97 yards in Week 1. Slaton will likely be the Texans’ situational third-down back this year, but with injuries to Ahman Green and Chris Brown, it could give Slaton the opportunity to earn more playing time. For the Saints, nine regulars, including Marques Colston, Deuce McAllister and the newly acquired Jeremy Shockey didn’t play in Week 1, so look for any number of them to see action this week.

Arizona vs. Kansas City -3, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: Anquan Boldin and Kurt Warner didn’t play last week, but they should play this week. Warner was held back for third-stringer Brian St. Pierre because the Cards didn’t want Warner limited to just a few plays. For the Chiefs, it is all about the kids. Kansas City had twelve draft picks this year, including Glenn Dorsey, Braden Albert, Brandon Flowers, Jamaal Charles and Brad Cottam. Dorsey has a sprained left knee and might not play.

San Diego vs. St. Louis, 8:00 pm
What to Watch For: Jacob Hester. The rookie running back for the Chargers scored twice against the Cowboys, while rushing for 49 yards. He will be competing with Darren Sproles to replace Michael Turner as the backup behind LaDainian Tomlinson. For the Rams, Head Coach Scott Linehan just wants his team to play and show some sort of heart. Linehan said “I don’t care who’s in there, whether it’s the third-teamers or the rookies. I just want to see the true grit of our football team come out as we move forward.”

Dallas vs. Denver -2, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: With the injury to rookie back Ryan Torain, the Broncos will now have an open competition in the backfield. Selvin Young will get the start, but keep an eye on Andre Hall, Anthony Aldridge, and veteran Michael Pittman. For the Cowboys, Felix Jones and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones will be on display. Felix is an exciting player out of Arkansas and can dazzle on the field. The cornerback formerly known as Pacman saw considerable playing time in the second half of Week 1 and might get some time with the first-team defense this week.

Chicago vs. Seattle -2.5, 9:00 pm

What to Watch For: Julius Jones will get his chance to start for the Seahawks after co-starter Maurice Morris got to start in Week 1. Also, with Bobby Engram out six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury, look for some fresh names among the Seahawks’ wideouts to get a chance to earn an early season job. For the Bears, the fumbling and bumbling of Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton as they compete for the starter’s job in Chicago. Always good for a laugh, unless you’re a Bears fan.

Green Bay vs. San Francisco -3, 9:00 pm

What to Watch For: The continuation of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay. Rodgers survived an early interception and groans from the crowd to finish with an impressive 9 of 15 for 117 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers will continue their open competition at QB after none of their three quarterbacks did anything to separate themselves last week. Alex Smith or Shaun Hill should get the start after J.T. O’Sullivan started against Oakland in Week 1.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Detroit vs. Cincinnati -3.5, 7:35 pm

What to Watch For: Ocho Cinco. Chad Johnson is always entertaining to watch, and after catching just one pass last week; he should get a few more touches vs. Detroit. The Bengals’ first-round draft pick, Keith Rivers was very impressive in recording 7 tackles in Week 1 vs. Green Bay. For the Lions, keep an eye on rookie running back Kevin Smith as he plays his way into the starter’s job over Tatum Bell. He rushed for 22 yards on 8 carries against the Giants.
New England vs. Tampa Bay -2, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: Tom Brady had last week off vs. Baltimore, so we might get to see the MVP play a series or two. Behind Brady, there is an open competition for the backup role between Matt Cassel, Kevin O’Connell and Matt Gutierrez. The Buccaneers will continue to showcase their four quarterbacks behind Jeff Garcia to the league. Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Chris Simms and Josh Johnson are fighting for two spots on the roster and the Bucs are hoping to trade at least one of these four.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Cleveland vs. New York Giants -3, 8:00 pm

What to Watch For: It is always interesting to watch the Super Bowl champions and how they play the following season, even if it is just a preseason contest. Plaxico Burress and David Tyree didn’t play in Week 1, and could see some time on Monday Night Football. For the Browns, it is all about their high-powered offense. Kellen Winslow sat out last week with a hamstring strain and might join Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and the rest of the first-team offense in taking on the champs on MNF.

AFC East:  The chances the Patriots lose this division are about as good as George Bush becoming our next president.  Although the Pats won their first eighteen games last year,  this year they should come out with a chip on their shoulders after losing their last.  The Dolphins begin the Bill Parcells era and the Bills are also loaded with question marks.  Not much is expected from either of them.  The Jets, however, will have a significantly new look.  Brett Favre traded one green uniform for another and has decided to continue his career under center for the Jets.  This move, at a minimum, will make a Patriots-dominated division slightly more interesting.

AFC North:  The Browns finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they finished 10-6 and barely missed the playoffs.  Traditional division rivals, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, both return strong teams.  The Steelers should prove they’re the class of the division while Bengal fans hope their team can finally live up to expectations.  Their offense is as potent as any in the league, however, continued mediocrity will mean it’s only a matter of time before Chad Johnson opens his mouth.  The Ravens will continue their quarterback search and should reside near the bottom of the division.

AFC South:  Indianapolis is once again the favorite to win this division, however, the Jaguars remain a worthy adversary.  Unfortunately for Jacksonville, Peyton Manning is still a Colt.  With all four teams in the division finishing .500 or better last season, the Titans and Texans have proven they will not go quietly.  Titan fans want to see how Vince Young, entering his third season, will lead this team while the expansion Houston Texans can no longer be considered a bye.

AFC West:  Could this finally be the Chargers’ year?  They cleared a major post-season hurdle last year by winning in Indianapolis, but came up short against New England.  The Chargers should win this division but Denver, Kansas City and Oakland stand in their way.  Denver, 7-9 last year, had their most disappointing season in recent memory and look to return to their usual form.  Kansas City should be improved but is still rebuilding.  A young Oakland Raiders team led by JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden could turn some heads.

NFC East:  Long considered the most competitive division in football, this season should prove no exception.  The Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins all have the talent to win their division, if not the Super Bowl.  While Dallas is the prohibitive favorite, the Giants want to prove they’re no one-hit wonder.  The Redskins look to new head coach, Jim Zorn, and young quarterback Jason Campbell to lead the way.  Philadelphia, still led by Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will try to return to Super Bowl form.

NFC North:  This division will have a different look this year with Brett Favre no longer in Green Bay.  As Aaron Rodgers takes his place, rest assured his every move will be scrutinized.  Minnesota hopes Adrian Peterson can build upon his successful rookie campaign.  Chicago still has quarterback issues and could be a long way away from solving them.  Detroit has a talented roster but after predicting a ten-win season last year, Jon Kitna remained conspicuously quiet this summer.

NFC South:  While NFC East teams stage weekly battles for division supremacy, the NFC South rivalries pale in comparison.  While Tampa Bay won the division last year, the Saints are likely to rebound from a sub-par season, pending a healthy Deuce McAllister.  The Panthers, only four seasons removed from a Super Bowl, try to figure out how things have gone wrong.  The Falcons begin life after Michael Vick and will look to their future, Matt Ryan, to lead the way.

NFC West:  Seattle, sans Shaun Alexander, embark upon their last season under coach Mike Holmgren.  While this could be the season fans finally see the Arizona Cardinals live up to their potential, Matt Leinart will have to put down the beer bong first.  In San Francisco, the Alex Smith experiment continues as RB Frank Gore remains the star of the offense.  St Louis will look to rebound from a year where they were unable to keep any opponent out of the end zone.

No One Like You - Scorpions

1982 was a good year for the Scorpions. Along with beer and bratwurst, they were one of Germany’s greatest exports. “No One Like You” catapulted them to superstardom. These receivers are truly one of a kind. They are mentioned in the same breath as the top running backs when fantasy drafts roll around. Draft them early or say “Auf Wiedersehen” to them.

Randy Moss NE: Just like the Phoenix rising out of Arizona, Randy Moss resurrected his career and reminded everyone why he was the best receiver in the NFL for half a decade. With a knack for catching the deep ball, the smarts to avoid taking the big hit, and a half crazy look that scares Tom Brady into throwing him the ball early and often, Moss put up record setting numbers even he will have a hard time duplicating. He should, however, still give you a season comparable to even the best running backs in the league.

Reggie Wayne IND: Every July, the same question kept popping up: is this the year Reggie Wayne supplants Marvin Harrison as the go to guy in the Colts offense. Last year he won that position by default when Harrison went down with a knee injury, but it looks like Wayne is ready and able to keep the job. Playing in a high powered offense with a great quarterback, expect another big season from number 87.

Larry Fitzgerald ARI: Some may argue that Fitzgerald isn’t even the best receiver on his team, but he’s done nothing but put up great numbers since he entered the league. No matter who is playing quarterback in Arizona, you can expect close to 1,500 yards and double digit touchdowns from Fitzgerald.

Braylon Edwards CLE: Edwards is a new addition to the elite receivers of the NFL, but he deserves all the praise he gets. He’s improved on his numbers every year in the league, and with a high powered offense that has remained largely intact, Edwards may very well continue that trend.

Steve Smith CAR: Despite all the quarterback problems Carolina had last year, Smith still managed 1,000 yards and 7 scores. If Delhomme can stay healthy this year, Smith should put up much better numbers. He’s one of the toughest match-ups in the league and the Panthers will try just about anything to get the ball into his hands. (Of course his assault on a teammate may make all of this irrelevant).

Marques Colston NO: Colston followed his surprise rookie season with an even better second campaign. Playing in an offense loaded with weapons, it’s difficult for defenses to focus on just one player. If his knee holds up, Colston could establish himself as one of the premier receivers in the league this season.

Kellen Winslow TE CLE: He’s not half the man his daddy was, and has suffered way too many injuries for such a young guy, but when he’s on the field, there are few who can match his production. With Cleveland’s offense looking just as strong as last year, expect Winslow to be a huge fantasy player in ‘08.

Jason Witten TE DAL: He put up career numbers last year and with the offense in Dallas, it doesn’t appear as if he’ll slow down any time soon. He’s been extremely durable throughout his career, and his ability as a blocker and receiver keeps him on the field full time. Rooming with the starting quarterback is never a bad thing either.

Antonio Gates TE SD: Slowed by a toe injury last year, Gates’ numbers took a little dip, but they were still better than almost all other tight ends. If the toe is 100%, you can expect Gates to once again be a force in your fantasy league.

Dallas Clark TE IND: While Clark may not be a top notch tight end all by himself, the fact that he plays in a system perfectly suited to his skills and with a quarterback who always seems to find him push Clark into this category. He has had some trouble staying healthy, but when he plays, he finds the end zone.

Don’t You Forget About Me - Simple Minds

This classic song, and theme for “The Breakfast Club” taught us one simple lesson. Don’t ignore the nerds, geeks, or headcases because if you look closely, they may be really special people, or in the case of Ally Sheedy, really hot. These receivers aren’t even the best pass catchers on their own teams, but don’t forget about them. They will put up solid numbers and give you options in your starting lineup, for bye weeks, and injured players throughout the season.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN: While Chad Johnson gets all the headlines, T.J. quietly goes about his business and puts up good (and last year great) fantasy numbers. A refocused Johnson could eat into his stats a little this year, but Houshmandzadeh is still a very solid fantasy receiver.

Wes Welker NE: Last season, Welker went from underrated to overrated in a span of about 8 weeks. While he is certainly a solid number two receiver, it’s hard to imagine him having a better statistical season than he did last year. While his stats may dip a bit this season, his draft position will definitely go up. Beware overpaying for this guy.

Roddy White ATL: It doesn’t say much for your passing attack when your top receiver is listed with number two receivers in a fantasy draft guide, but that’s about where White belongs. He had a solid season last year, but Bobby Petrino’s passing offense is gone and a rookie quarterback could be taking a majority of the snaps this season. Also, in signing Michael Turner, the Falcons have made a commitment to the run. I doubt White matches his numbers from last year.

Anquan Boldin ARI: Often overlooked because of Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin has nonetheless carved out a very successful NFL career. Although he missed four games last year, he had a career high nine touchdowns. As Arizona’s offense continues to mature, expect Boldin’s numbers to improve.

Santana Moss WAS: Santana’s biggest challenge in his career has been playing in all 16 games. While he hasn’t suffered any major injuries, he always seems to miss a couple of games each season. His big play ability is a real plus as is the development of Jason Campbell at quarterback. As always, he’s a solid pick if he can remain healthy.

Justin Gage TEN: Someone has to catch passes in Tennessee and Gage is as good a bet as anyone. The only question is can Vince Young improve enough as a passer to make taking any Titan receiver a safe bet. Probably not, but your chances are best with Gage.

Ronald Curry OAK: The Raider quarterback situation could not have been worse in ‘07 and Curry still managed 700 yards and four scores. While he won’t give you huge numbers this year, he’ll be a suitable sub for bye weeks and a possible starter if Russell turns out to be the real deal. Don’t hesitate to grab this guy in the back half of your draft (that sounded dirtier than was intended - sorry about that).

Brandon Stokley DEN: Stokley’s never quite been the same guy since he left Indy’s high octane offense, but don’t count out the original Slot Machine. He was putting up pretty solid numbers until an injury cut his ‘07 season short. If he can stay healthy, he and Cutler should team up to give any fantasy owner good value for a mid to late round pick.

Deion Branch SEA: A healthy Deion Branch is absolutely vital to Seattle’s offense this year. When they find out that although Shaun Alexander wasn’t an elite back, he was still better than the cast-offs they brought in, they will rely heavily on their passing game to move the football. Expect Branch to be the main beneficiary of this trend. A down ‘07 means you might be able to pick him up on the cheap.

Drew Bennett STL: Bennett moves into the starting number two spot after Isaac Bruce left for San Francisco. While not an overly-talented receiver, Bennett should get it done this year simply on volume. With Holt double-covered, who else will they throw to?

Todd Heap TE BAL: Injuries are all that have stopped Heap from being in the upper tier of tight ends in the NFL. Sadly, injuries never blow an assignment or miss a tackle. If he stays healthy (and it’s a fairly big if) he should be a steal in this year’s draft. Just make sure you pick up a reliable backup.

Chris Cooley TE WAS: There’s three things you need to know about Chris Cooley: he stays healthy, he scores touchdowns, and he has tremendous hair. The third one doesn’t matter for football purposes, but if you can’t land one of the top three or four tight ends, Cooley will do just fine.

Owen Daniels TE HOU: The only thing keeping Daniels from being mentioned in the same breath with the elite tight ends in the league is the end zone, as in Daniels can’t find it. Only three touchdowns last year hurt his fantasy production, but with the number of passes he sees, you can expect that number to increase in ‘08.

Heath Miller TE PIT: Miller is the anti-Daniels. He saw the ball far less than most big-time tight ends but still managed to score seven times. Tight ends who don’t do much more than score touchdowns are always an all-or-nothing proposition in fantasy football, but Miller is a bona fide starter.

Alge Crumpler TE TEN: A down year for Crumpler still put him in the middle of the pack among NFL tight ends in ‘07. A new team, a new system, and a new mindset will put him back in the top third for this coming season. If he becomes Vince Young’s security blanket, ‘08 could be a banner year for Crumpler.

Donald Lee TE GB: Lee took over as starter early in the ‘07 season and never looked back. He has shown the ability to run after the catch and helps to keeps defenses honest down the middle. With no tight end on Green Bay’s roster pushing him for playing time, expect Lee to easily surpass last seasons production.

Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran

I have no idea how hungry wolves actually are or if they are hungrier than other predators in the animal kingdom, but Simon LeBon seems so sold on the idea of wolves being hungry when he sings this song that I don’t have it in me to disagree with him. In the NFL, receiver is one of the most difficult positions to learn, and young players often struggle to have an impact early in their careers. Who will be hungry enough to turn all the potential into production? Expect these players to break from the crowd:

Andre Johnson HOU: Whether it’s been injuries, poor quarterbacking, or a combination of the two, Johnson has never put together a great fantasy season. That all changes this year. A better offense and a quarterback who has a full year of experience in the system will make this the season that Johnson goes from good to great.

Brandon Marshall DEN: Marshall falls into the “someone has to catch the ball” category. After being one of the huge surprises of fantasy football last year, expect Marshall to improve on those numbers this year. No Javon Walker and a more experienced Jay Cutler should mean double digit touchdown numbers from Marshall this year. (Draft with caution - he may be suspended for as long as eight games).

Santonio Holmes PIT: The third year is when many NFL receivers say they start to feel more comfortable in their offenses and when fantasy owners can expect to see the biggest jump in stats. If that is the case with Holmes, expect big things in ‘08. With the Pittsburgh offense more willing than ever to throw the ball, Holmes should see his fair share of passes.

Greg Jennings GB: Another third-year receiver poised to make a name for himself in the NFL. Fantasy owners were thrilled with his touchdown production from last year, and while that may drop some this season, he should see an increase in yards and receptions. He should replace Donald Driver as the go-to guy this season.

Dwayne Bowe KC: Bowe came up with a very productive rookie season for the Kansas City Chiefs and many fantasy owners. Can he build on that momentum? Absolutely. The offensive line will get better and even a slightly worn down Larry Johnson will provide a running threat that can only loosen up the passing game. Bowe should be a solid investment in the middle rounds of the draft.

Lee Evans BUF: The difference between Evans and most of the guys in this category is that Evans has already been there. Normally a solid start in fantasy football, he had the lowest yards per catch average and touchdown total of his career in ‘07. With both Edwards and Lynch having a year of experience, the Buffalo offense should be a little better in ‘08 and Evans should have a rebound season.

Calvin Johnson DET: Johnson looked like the real deal until a back injury slowed him down early in his rookie season. It took awhile for him to regain his form, but he finished the year strong and left fantasy owners hoping for big things in ‘08. Johnson won’t disappoint. After a year of learning how the NFL works, Johnson should be poised for a big season this year. It was only a matter of time before Matt Millen picked a top-notch wideout.

Patrick Crayton DAL: The release of Terry Glenn show how much confidence the Cowboy coaches have in Crayton. After a solid year in ‘07 Crayton should see a sharp increase in his numbers in his second year as the full-time starter. Witten and Owens should get most of the attention on passing downs, leaving Crayton with single coverage. Should make a nice third or fourth option in most fantasy leagues.

Vincent Jackson SD: His size and speed always made him a great “what if” guy, but that’s about all he’s been in three seasons with San Diego. This could be the year Jackson turns that potential into production. While the Chargers have plenty of other weapons, Chambers tends to be non-existent in some games, while Gates and LT could take some of the heat off Jackson to produce. After a solid playoff push last year, Jackson could be close to a 1,000 yard receiver in ’08.

Antwaan Randle El WAS: Clearly an overpaid, under-producing receiver for the Redskins, Randle El may see the ball more often as the Skins go with more multiple receiver sets. Randle El has always been better as a slot receiver so he could see a modest increase in last year’s stats.

Jabar Gaffney NE: If you’re a gambler, Gaffney is right up your alley. He had a solid season last year considering he was the fourth receiver on the roster. Now with Stallworth gone, he moves up a spot and New England isn’t shy about throwing the ball so he could see a lot more action this year. The biggest question mark is Chad Jackson. If he steals playing time, his numbers may look almost identical to ‘07, which were less than desirable in most fantasy leagues.

Zach Miller TE OAK: Miller had a solid rookie season catching passes from some of the sorriest looking quarterbacks you will ever see. Now in his second year, he could see a significant jump in production, especially if Russell can be a reliable, consistent starter.

Tony Scheffler TE DEN: Scheffler put up decent numbers in only three quarters of a season last year and things seem to be looking up for the Denver tight end. Outside of Brandon Marshall (who could be suspended), Scheffler is the only legitimate receiving threat the Broncos can put on the field. Should be a nice value since you won’t have to use a high draft pick on him.

Marcedes Lewis TE JAC: The Jags rarely throw the football, but when they do, they have to throw to somebody. Lewis could very well be the guy. He’s a huge target and runs well enough to keep defenses honest. If you missed out on the great tight ends or want to pick up a backup with potential, Lewis could well be your man.

Randy McMichael TE STL: After a less than stellar ‘07, McMichael looks to rebound this season. Having Tony Gonzalez’s old coach should help. A new offense that looks to take advantage of the tight end should help Randy be a solid starter for your fantasy team.

Never Say Goodbye - Bon Jovi

One of many power ballads from Bon Jovi, this song taught us all how to love again - or maybe not. It did, however, remind us that letting go is never easy. These receivers may never want to say goodbye, but it’s time they did. Like Jerry Rice circa 2003, their diminished skills and receding hairlines are sure indicators that they are no longer viable fantasy options.

Bobby Engram SEA: It was in the previous millennium when Bobby Engram had a season even close to what he had last year. Don’t expect it to continue. If Branch can stay healthy this year, he should see most of the passes, leaving Engram as just another third option.

Joey Galloway TB: I’ll admit, Joey Galloway looks pretty good for a guy who’s 106 years old, but everyone has to slow down sometime. His receptions, yards, and touchdowns have decreased each of the last three seasons, and he had five games in ‘07 in which he had two or less catches. It’s time for Joey to apply for his AARP card and head down to the diner to catch the early bird special.

Donald Driver GB: Driver probably has a few more years left in him as an NFL receiver, but as a fantasy threat, he’s just about done. For the last four or five years, he’s been Brett Favre’s security blanket; seeing more passes than any other Green Bay receiver. But with Favre retired/traded/benched/released, Driver is just another one of Aaron Rodgers‘ targets. In addition, Ryan Grant has improved the running game to the point where the offense should be more balanced meaning fewer passes still. His days of being an excellent Driver may be over.

Derrick Mason BAL: Similar to Driver, Mason lost a quarterback in Steve McNair who relied on him heavily. Never a huge touchdown producer, Mason got it done with sheer volume. His reception total was a career high last year, but his yards per catch was a career low. With a new QB, a new offensive philosophy, and one more year past his prime, expect Mason to have a sharp decline this season.

Isaac Bruce SF: Bruce hasn’t been a serious fantasy threat for about four years, and his move to San Francisco won’t help matters. It’s hard to see him improving on last year’s numbers with Alex Smith throwing him the ball. Look for a slow and steady decline from Rev. Bruce.

Marty Booker CHI: Saying you’re the best receiver in Chicago is kind of like saying you’re the skinniest person on “The Biggest Loser.” Booker was never fast, he’s getting old, and his quarterbacks are bad awful. Devin Hester might be the only viable choice at wideout for the Bears and that’s only because he’ll get a few scores on returns.

Javon Walker OAK: At only 29, Walker may be the youngest person on this list, but he has the knees of a 50 year old carpet layer. I’m not saying he couldn’t have a renaissance of sorts in Oakland, I’m just saying I wouldn’t use a draft pick to find out.

Ike Hilliard TB: Ike’s career ended in about 2003, but no one bothered to tell him. If I really have to talk you out of drafting this guy, then I want you picking ahead of me in this year’s draft.

David Patten NO: While Patten has had some productive years in the NFL, and played well last year for the Saints, he’s about out of gas as a fantasy option. With up-and-coming receivers like Moore and Meachem, there just won’t be enough passes to go around, and Patten is looking like the odd man out.

Muhsin Muhammad CAR: Hoping to rekindle a little ‘04 magic, Muhammad signed with the Panthers for a second time this off-season. At 35 years old, he just doesn’t have enough left to be a viable fantasy option anymore. He’ll split time with Hackett and Jarrett, but the Panthers will probably go with the younger players if there’s no clear cut second starter opposite Steve Smith. On the plus side, after three years of Rex Grossman, Jake Dehlomme should look like Peyton Manning to Muhsin.

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2

What Bono is looking for in this song is unclear. Peace? An end to world hunger? His last name? What is clear is that he’s been to quite a few places to find it. Some receivers are not quite ready to make the jump to big time fantasy playmakers. It may be due to inexperience or just too many talented players ahead of them, but they’re not quite ready yet. In keeper leagues, they may be an option, but in most fantasy leagues U2 should avoid them.

Reggie Williams JAC: Williams set career highs in yards, yards per catch, and touchdowns last season. This was either a sign of things to come or a fluke. I’ll go with fluke. Over 25% of his catches last year went for touchdowns - unless your name is Randy Moss, that kind of thing just doesn’t happen. Adding Jerry Porter to the mix will make things more difficult for Williams, as will the Jaguars strong running game. You can expect most of Williams numbers to be close to last season’s, but the touchdowns will be cut in half.

Anthony Gonzalez IND: After a solid rookie season, Gonzalez should progress as a second year pro. However, that doesn’t mean his numbers will be any better than last year. Harrison and Clark are both healthy, which will mean fewer passes to Gonzalez. Also, with Manning missing most of training camp, the only regular who he hasn’t been throwing the ball to for several seasons is Gonzalez. It may take a few weeks for those two to regain their chemistry. Expect nothing more than decent numbers from Gonzalez this season.

Bernard Berrian MIN: It’s hard to believe Berrian was looking anywhere but at all those zeros on his contract when he chose his team for 2008. If there was one team with a worse QB than the Bears last season, it may have been the Vikings, and there was no one who had a poorer group of receivers. Berrian has made progress over the last two years, but I’m not sure he’s ready to be a number one receiver yet. Having to carry the passing game, even on a team with running backs like Minnesota, is far more than Berrian is ready to handle. Expect his numbers to slip some this year.

Reggie Brown PHI: Three full seasons in the NFL, and Reggie Brown still hasn’t figured it out. The Eagles refuse to bring in a true number one wide receiver, hoping that Brown will be able to transition into that role. Is this the year it will happen? Nope. Outside of Brian Westbrook, there is no one in this offense who can take pressure of off Brown and he simply isn’t capable of handling his current role.

Demetrius Williams BAL: Williams had a solid start to the ‘07 season before injuries cut it short, and he is entering that all important third year for a receiver. But he’s still a third option on a team that will have struggles at quarterback all year. I’d wait at least one more year before I seriously considered this guy.

Steve Smith NYG: While he won’t be confused with the other receiver named Steve Smith, this one did have a playoff run that poised him for a promising ‘08. Problem is, there are just too many receivers in New York right now. At best he’s third but most likely fourth in the rotation and, unless you play for the Colts, that won’t get it done in fantasy football.

Ted Ginn Jr. MIA: If Dolphin fans were upset about drafting Ginn with the ninth pick last year, they’re going to be livid when they see his production this season. Ginn was always more of an athlete than receiver at THE Ohio State University, and not a whole lot has changed. The fact that Miami brought in Terry Glenn shows their desire to have a true number one receiver, which Ginn is not. Pass on him this year because the Dolphins won’t be passing much to him.

Sidney Rice MIN: Unless there’s a new quarterback in Minnesota by week one, don’t expect too much from Rice in ‘08. The run-heavy Viking offense will limit his touches and Berrian will take away some of the deep passes Rice saw last year. He should improve some, but not enough to spend a high or even middle round pick on.

Laurent Robinson ATL: Robinson should be a starter in Atlanta this year, but he’s not ready to be a fantasy starter yet. He had a decent rookie season, but there is too much uncertainty in the Falcon offense and too little experience at quarterback to trust Robinson to make any kind of consistent contribution to your team.

Devard Darling KC: Darling showed flashes of what he could be in the Chiefs offense last year and is pushing for a starting job in ‘08. Considering the Chiefs’ below average offense and young quarterback, he may be worth a late round flyer but not much else.

Sam Hurd DAL: A number three receiver in an offense as potent as the Cowboys can be as good as a number two somewhere else. Although Hurd may be the number three in Dallas, he pretty much held that job last year and did not put up huge numbers. Expect some improvement, but not enough to count on him in any meaningful way.

Devin Hester CHI: Someone will buy into the Devin Hester hype. If he can catch 5-6 touchdowns and return 5-6 touchdowns, that’s 10-12 touchdowns, which is as good as most number one receivers. The truth is, receiver is a tough position to learn and Hester hasn’t mastered it yet. He could be solid, but chances are you would have to overpay to get him.

Greg Olsen TE CHI: Olsen showed us what he may become someday for a brief stretch in ‘07, but he’ll need to put those kind of numbers up consistently in order to be a real threat. Still sharing time with Desmond Clark won’t help any, and while he still will have that occasional big game, he’s not quite ready for prime time.

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? - Culture Club

Every man has that wildly uncomfortable moment in his life when he realizes the woman he’s been drooling over is actually a man (Aerosmith even wrote a song about it). For many, Boy George was that woman and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” was the video. There’s no doubt that he/she hurt more than a few men with this song. Some receivers can hurt you almost as badly. They go for 150 yards and two scores one week and then one catch for six yards the next. You want to put them on the bench, but you know that big game is just around the corner. They are the very reason wide receivers and androgynous singers should come with a warning label.

Roy Williams DET: Even though Williams’ season was cut short by injuries last year, he still managed to show why he is one of the more frustrating receivers in the league. He has a 204-yard, one-touchdown performance against Philly and followed it up with five consecutive games of less than 100 yards and no touchdowns. When he on, he’s as good as anyone. He’s just not on enough to make him a reliable starter on your fantasy team.

Plaxico Burress NYG: In the first six games of ‘07, Burress caught eight touchdowns. In the last 10 regular season games, Burress caught exactly four touchdown passes. In the Super Bowl he caught the biggest touchdown pass of the season. The big start and bigger finish may make people forget that the middle was not very good. Plax has spent eight years with a world of talent but not nearly enough production to show for it. The whole contract mess this year won’t help matters. He’ll be drafted too high to make it worth taking him.

Jerricho Cotchery NYJ: The good news is Cotchery had four games over the 100-yard mark. The bad news is he only had two touchdown catches. Most leagues don’t reward yards enough to make up for that low of a number. An improved running game may also mean fewer passes for Jerricho.

Kevin Curtis PHI: Curtis posted solid numbers last year but he did most of his damage in 3 games. 453 yards and 5 of his 6 total touchdowns came in those games. In comparison, he had five games last year where he failed to gain even 50 receiving yards. If you can figure out the three or four games Curtis will play well in this year, then by all means draft him, otherwise let someone else be fooled by last year’s 1,100-yard season.

Chris Chambers SD: Chambers has been an eight-year tease for fantasy football owners. Maybe it’s because Miami never had a real quarterback while he was there. It could be that he never had any other receivers to take the heat off of him. It could be that he just doesn’t try very hard. Whatever the reason, he has no excuse for not having a big year this season. Philip Rivers is a good and possibly very good quarterback. Antonio Gates and LT demand enough attention to prevent double teams, and he’s had half a season and a full off-season to adjust to his new teammates. If he doesn’t show solid numbers week in and week out this year, write him off.

Donte’ Stallworth CLE: In an offense built for scoring points, Stallworth did precious little scoring last season. It’s possible the Patriots had too many weapons and only one ball to divide among them. Cleveland, however, doesn’t offer much more opportunity. With Edwards, Winslow, and Jamal Lewis, Stallworth will have a hard time putting up consistently good numbers in ‘08.

Kevin Walter HOU: Walter had a break-out year in ‘07 and should start again for the Texans this year. Although his overall numbers looked good, he had five games last season of two or fewer catches, and with only four scores, picking the right games to start him was all but impossible. Expect much the same from Walter this season.

Vernon Davis TE SF: Davis has been wildly inconsistent in his first two NFL seasons and recent changes to the 49er offense make it difficult to believe that much will change in ‘08. Mike Martz’s offense is not exactly tight end friendly, so either he changes his system or Davis changes where he plays on the field (or he just puts up lousy numbers this year). Too many other good choices at tight end and too little certainty from Davis make it difficult to recommend drafting him.

Ben Watson TE NE: After a great start to ‘07, Watson fizzled out around week 6 when an ankle injury slowed him down. Despite his full recovery, the Patriots have too many weapons, especially in the red zone, to count on any consistency from him.

L.J. Smith TE PHI: Even without all the injuries last season, L.J. has always been kind of a hit and miss guy. Playing in a stagnant offense with an aging quarterback, he’ll have a hard time putting up solid numbers this year. Draft him as a backup and nothing more.

Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

Everyone dreams of a life of leisure. No responsibilities, no cares, no worries. Dire Straits knew all too well the struggles of the working man, and how so very few could live out their lives without concerning themselves with working for their money. Apparently, these receivers have taken this song to heart. High draft positions and huge signing bonuses have not led to any sort of production. Like that guy in the office who spends all his time in the break room, the bathroom, and the secretary’s desk, these guys are completely useless.

Laveranues Coles NYJ: After showing some promise three or four years ago, Coles has been a big disappointment lately. Playing in the Jets anemic offense may have something to do with that, but his inability to find the end zone on a regular basis has frustrated many a fantasy owner. You can find much better options out there than Coles.

Arnaz Battle SF: Whatever production you may have expected from Arnaz Battle went up in smoke when the 49ers signed Isaac Bruce. This guy has been nothing but a disappointment ever since he was drafted. As a third receiver, expect his numbers to drop in an offense that already struggles to throw the ball.

Nate Burleson SEA: If Burleson is ever going to live up to the huge contract he signed with Seattle nearly three years ago, it had better be now. Last season he couldn’t outperform a geriatric Bobby Engram and an injured Deion Branch. While Minnesota doesn’t have much at receiver these days, they must be thankful they didn’t match Seattle’s offer to this guy.

D.J. Hackett CAR: I’m having a hard time understanding how D.J. Hackett is supposed to put up big numbers this year. Granted, he’s playing alongside Steve Smith, so he should get lots of one on one coverage, but he’s had a hard time staying healthy and with an experienced Muhsin Muhammad and last year’s second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett behind him, I could easily see Hackett struggling this year.

Jerry Porter JAC: It doesn’t seem that long ago that Porter surprised everyone with a 51 catch, nine touchdown season. That was actually in 2002, and Porter has been overrated ever since. If a receiver is going to have a T.O. attitude, he better put up T.O. numbers. Porter has been inconsistent to say the least, and he makes every excuse in the book. Porter has a new team but the same old problems; already he’s been placed on the P.U.P. list. I wouldn’t waste time on him and I’m more than a little surprised Jacksonville did.

Bryant Johnson SF: If anyone saw Johnson’s 2006 numbers and thought he had turned the corner, 2007 showed them just how un-corner-turned Johnson was. That corner-turning will not take place in ‘08 either. An average receiver on a below average team with a well below average quarterback means it’s time to look for other fantasy options.

Ernest Wilford MIA: Ernest Wilford moving from Jacksonville to Miami is why the phrase “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic” was created. Go from one run-oriented team with no clear cut number one receiver and a less than dynamic passer to another one. He didn’t even bother to move out of state for crying out loud. The change of scenery won’t help Wilford and he won’t help you if you draft him.

Keary Colbert DEN: Given a big contract and a chance to compete for the number two spot behind Marshall, Colbert has already played himself into the third and possibly fourth spot in the receiver rotation. By the end of training camp he should be washing towels.

Michael Jenkins ATL: Question: What do you call a receiver who can’t catch a ball? Answer: Michael Jenkins. In the new offensive system in Atlanta, Jenkins will see the field far less often and the ball even lesser. In addition, it would appear Robinson has stolen his starting spot.

Josh Reed BUF: Reed’s reputation as a guy who just gets things done on the football field is well deserved. Few players do more with less than him. That reputation doesn’t apply to the world of fantasy football. He doesn’t score, he has games where he disappears, and Buffalo’s conservative offense mean limited value for the Bills’ number two receiver.

Shaun McDonald DET: It’s not really his fault that his numbers will take a tumble in ‘08, but he has to be listed in this category anyway. A knee problem has been slow to heal and without the Mike Martz pass-happy offense, he won’t see the field nearly as often as he did in the past.

Desmond Clark TE CHI: Clark has been a solid fantasy option since joining the Bears, but you don’t draft a tight end in the first round to sit him on the bench. Ever since Greg Olsen was picked in the first round in ‘07, Clark’s days as the Bears’ starting tight end have been numbered, This year they will come to an end. Don’t expect Clark to match, or even approach his ‘07 numbers.

I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Joan Jett was really on to something when she recorded this song. She could have been talking about some man that was handsome and successful but had some character flaw like being a Nazi. She could have been referring to some dessert that was so delicious but so fattening. She even could have meant some movie that you knew was a chick flick and that all your friends would make fun of you if they knew you liked it but that Julia Roberts and Richard Gere were just so perfect for each other and they just had to get together in the end because sometimes life can be just like the fairy tales . . . But I digress. No one will question these receivers’ talent or production, it’s just that they’re such jerks, it makes it really, really hard to cheer for them to do well even if their success is your success.

Terrell Owens DAL: He complains about his contract, he cries about his quarterback, and he seems more concerned with end zone celebrations than catching the ball, yet T.O. seems to get better every season. Don’t let his age or mouth stop you from drafting Owens.

Chad Johnson CIN: If Chad Johnson plays better during adverse times, this should be a huge year for him. After all the off season drama, Johnson did end up reporting to camp and has a lot of fences to mend. Nothing makes things all better like winning and the Bengals can’t win unless Johnson puts up huge numbers. Expect the newest Cincinnati pariah, Carson Palmer, to hook up with the old Cincinnati pariah early and often this season.

Jeremy Shockey TE NO: He’s brash, arrogant, and cocky, but most of all he’s good. Playing in an offense as dynamic as the Saints‘, he should find plenty of open space and lots of touchdowns. You should also not underestimate his desire to show the Giants what a huge mistake they made. This type of guy tends to play better when he’s upset.

Don’t Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Father Time has a way of catching up to us all, and no one sums up the frailty of human life quite like BOC. Like anyone else, these receivers are starting to feel the effects of time, but they don’t fear the Reaper. They have at least one productive year left in them and with a little hard work, a little luck, and a lot more cowbell, these often overlooked senior citizens of the NFL can still be productive members of your fantasy team.

Torry Holt STL: Torry’s numbers have dipped ever so slightly over the past two seasons. This may because Mike Martz and his pass-happy offense left, or it could be that all the wear and tear of nine NFL seasons if starting to catch up with him. Either way, it’s hard to expect Holt to match 1,300-yard, double-digit touchdown seasons he used to post regularly, but he still has a few good to great seasons left in him.

Hines Ward PIT: Ward’s numbers have steadily decreased since 2002, but he’s always remained a solid receiver choice among fantasy owners. After seeing his yards per catch dip to 10.3, the lowest of his career, and his lowest yardage total since 2000, many owners may stay away from Hines, thinking his best years are behind him. Don’t believe it. Ward has never been a guy who relies on speed, so losing a step doesn’t hurt him as much as other receivers. Also, Pittsburg’s new-found passing game means more receptions for everybody. Look for Ward to rebound from a disappointing ‘07 and get close to 1,000 yards receiving again.

Marvin Harrison IND: Marvin has always been underrated. Three receivers were drafted ahead of him in 1996 including Eddie Kennison. While T.O., Chad Johnson, and Randy Moss get most of the headlines, Marvin just put up big numbers and kept his mouth shut. Now, coming off a knee injury that limited him to 5 games last season, many are questioning whether or not he has anything left. Fantasy owner have nothing to worry about. Harrison will be fine. He will be better than fine. Peyton Manning will make sure of it. Let him slide a round or two and then pick up a number one receiver for a number two price.

Amani Toomer NYG: ACL injuries usually take a full year to heal, which may help explain why Toomer didn’t get off to a great start in ‘07. The playoffs were a different story and showed everyone that Amani still has some gas left in the tank. He’ll still start and he’ll still put up solid, if unspectacular numbers.

Tony Gonzalez TE KC: Gonzalez is supposed to be slowing down, but apparently he didn’t get the message. Tony is still as good as any tight end in the league and has remained durable throughout his career. If he slides even a little in your draft, grab him - good tight ends are still hard to find.

Best of the Rest

Justin McCareins TEN: Could be a steal if he ends up starting in Tennessee.

Devery Henderson NO: The Shockey signing costs Henderson most of his value.

James Hardy BUF: Only because after Lee Evans the Bills don’t have much at receiver.

Nate Washington PIT: Drafting Limas Sweed hurts Washington’s value.

Jacoby Jones HOU: If he has a training camp like last year, he may push for the number three spot.

Mark Clayton BAL: Has never lived up to expectations but will see a lot of playing time.

Michael Clayton TB: Has yet to duplicate his rookie success.

Joe Jurevicius CLE: If he can get healthy, he’ll be the third receiver in Cleveland.

James Jones GB: Should be third receiver in Green Bay.

Darrell Jackson DEN: Watch camp closely - he may end up starting.

Robert Meachem NO: Has shown some flashes early in camp.

Troy Williamson JAC: If he starts for the Jags, he might be adequate for a fantasy roster.

Dwayne Jarrett CAR: The spot opposite Smith is open, maybe Jarrett grabs it.

Terry Glenn MIA: The only question mark is how long will the knee hold up?

Alex Smith TE TB: Also known as the Alex Smith who can actually play a little bit.

Robert Royal TE BUF: A red zone threat but not much else.

Next week: Kickers and Defense

That made sense, as O’Sullivan was partly only signed by the club because he had worked with new offensive coordinator Mike Martz in Detroit last season. And during the first five days of camp, Hill and Smith alternated between the first and second units; O’Sullivan didn’t take a single 11-on-11 snap.

As is usually the case, an injury changed things. Hill has been resting his sore shoulder, which gave O’Sullivan the reps he needed to impress the coaching staff. And he has done just that.

“As I said in the spring and I’ll continue to say it, it is a battle between three guys,” Nolan said. “Again, J.T. O’Sullivan still has less reps, but he had an opportunity to get some, so he got them. But this quarterback position is open. They’re competing for it, as I said all along.”

O’Sullivan, who also played in NFL Europe, is in his seventh professional season with his eighth NFL organization. He threw the first regular-season passes of his career last year with the Lions.

“I had no expectations about when my reps would come,” O’Sullivan said. “I’m strictly about me being ready. If they would have said the first day to jump in there, I would have been ready. If they say a month from now, I’m going to be ready. It’s about me doing my job as well as I can. It doesn’t change if I’m in the first group or the fifth group.”

O’Sullivan’s familiarity with Martz is definitely playing a factor, as Smith and Hill both have struggled thus far to pick up Martz’s offense. O’Sullivan has looked the best of the three.

“You can tell he’s been in the offense before,” wide receiver Arnaz Battle said. “He knows what’s going on. He does a good job of anticipating routes and where guys are going to be.”

Nolan did not object to a characterization that placed O’Sullivan as the starter if the season started today. But, in typical coachspeak, he didn’t say O’Sullivan would be the starter today, either.

“As we’re all anxious to get to one, I am, and then again, I’m not. … I want to know if we do have to get to another, if we get to a second quarterback, or a third, something like that. This is not just trying to find out who’s one, this is also trying to find out who gives us a chance, our very best chance to win.”

Jones said a big reason he felt cutting the team’s possible No. 2 receiver was the improving young receivers: Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback.

Apparently Jones isn’t the only believer.

“I have a lot of confidence in them. I really do,” All-Pro tight end Jason Witten said. “I think Miles is a really huge weapon. He’s got a lot of speed and can make the transition; there are few guys on this team that have the ability to shift and go like he can. And Sam has been clutch. He always makes that big play, whether it’s on special teams [or offense]. It never seems like any situation is too big for Sam.”

Hurd caught 19 passes for 314 yards and a TD as the No. 3 receiver last season.
The 6-2, 205-pounder runs good routes and has outstanding hands, while the 6-3, 216-pound Austin (five catches, 76 yards in 2007) has shown the potential to be a big-play threat. Those two are “significantly ahead” of Stanback.

“Actually, those two guys have looked real good,” Wade Phillips said. “They’re probably even now. Practice is one thing, and they’ve both looked good. But we want to get them into games and see if they can be productive against other teams.”

Before the start of camp, coaches moved Hurd from the X side (where Terrell Owens starts) to the Z spot (where Patrick Crayton is currently the starter).

“You need me to block, I am going to kill somebody,” said Hurd, a 2006 undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois. “You need me to catch, I am going to catch. If you need me to score, I am going to get in that end zone.

“If you need me to run down on kickoffs, I am going to do whatever it takes for the Cowboys, not for me, for the team to win.”

Jones didn’t rule out Glenn’s return if the 34-year-old clears waivers and the younger receivers struggle in camp, but that hasn’t been the case so far.

“As we go down the road, we’ll see where we are,” Jones said. “When we really got to looking at it, we would want to limit what Terry does in the preseason. Then we’re probably, with our situation, wanting to create the incentive for the receivers we’ve got.”

Glenn had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys before his injury last year, so there are some big shoes to fill by Crayton and whoever wins the No. 3 job. Expect that to be Hurd.

Trading Places

Eddie Murphy at the height of his comedic genius and Dan Akroid before his head swelled like he was Barry Bonds. Lewis Winthorp III, a well-to-do stockbroker is thrown out on the streets while Billy Ray Valentine, a unemployed con artist, moves on up like George Jefferson. Hilarity ensues. Every year there are some quarterbacks who go from second fiddle to top banana. At the same time, starters are often replaced, or at the very least, put on a short leash. Which Billy Ray should you save space for on your roster and which Lewis Winthorp should you avoid? Let’s find out.

Matt Schaub/Sage Rosenfels, Houston: Matt Schaub had better be looking over his surgically repaired shoulder. In nearly half of the games in which he played last season, he failed to throw a touchdown pass. Rosenfels threw a TD in every game in which he played. Their passer ratings were nearly identical as were their completion percentages. They could each take credit for four of their team’s wins from last season. As I see it, Schaub is the starter right now because Houston gave up a pair of second round picks to get him. But, with a real desire to make the playoffs this season, don’t think Coach Kubiak will hesitate to make the switch if his team gets off to a slow start.

Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre, Green Bay: I don’t think you could make up a more confusing quarterback situation than the one currently in Green Bay. If Favre stays retired, Rodgers is the man. Ted Thompson says that even if Favre does come back, Rodgers is the man. He also says Favre won’t be released and that there have been no serious inquiries about a possible trade. Based on that information, Rodgers is the starting QB with a boatload of talented weapons at his disposal. Of course, if Favre shows up at training camp and forces the issue, will he win back his starting job, or do just enough to mess up Rodgers confidence and team chemistry? I would stay away from any quarterback wearing a big “G” on his helmet until this situation clears itself up.

Matt Leinart/Kurt Warner, Arizona: This pair of quarterbacks couldn’t be more different. Leinart came in as a highly touted first round draft pick, Heisman trophy winning, party boy from Southern Cal. Warner was a former Arena League, God fearing, bag boy from somewhere in Iowa. Leinert is the big investment for Arizona, and he’s going into camp listed as the starter.. Warner has proven that he is still capable of starting and playing at a high level. The deciding factor may be Ken Whisenhunt. Ken started the turnaround last year, getting the Cards to 8-8 (which, in Arizona, is like going 12-4). He doesn’t want to take a step backward in year number two. He didn’t draft Leinart, he didn’t sign Leinart to his big contract, and he has no obligation to play Leinart if he doesn’t give them the best chance to win. If the Cards get off to a poor start, expect to see Warner back under center in the desert.

Kellen Clemens/Chad Pennington, New York Jets: At this point in their careers, Pennington is probably the better quarterback even though his surgically repaired shoulder could fall off at any minute. Here’s the thing: the Jets are nowhere near good enough to contend for the AFC East and will be out of the wildcard race by the time the leaves start changing color. Pennington is 32 and not getting any better. At this point, the Jets are wiser to start Clemens to give him some experience and see if he is capable of being their permanent starter. Once the Jets figure this out, Clemens will make an adequate last minute fill in on your fantasy roster and not much else.

Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton, Chicago: If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, you will be following these two throughout training camp wondering who will be the starter come opening weekend. The rest of us feel sorry for the Chicago Bear fans who have to know that no matter who wins the starting job, he’ll still be the worst QB in the NFC North (which is really saying something). If Orton wins the starting job, don’t draft him - he’s awful. However, if Grossman wins the job, don’t draft him either - he sucks too.

Josh McCown/John Beck, Miami: The offense will be awful, but someone has to lead it. Right now McCown has the edge, and since Parcels brought him in, he will get a fair chance. But the Dolphins can’t afford to have another stinker of a season like last year, so if Josh stumbles, Beck may get his chance sooner rather than later. However it pans out, neither is draftable.

The Empire Strikes Back

The second and best of the original Star Wars trilogy, there was no Jar Jar Binks, or Ewoks to screw this movie up. This was George Lucas at the absolute top of his game: Yoda, Darth dueling with Luke, Han Solo frozen in carbonite - everything you needed for a classic sci-fi film. The following quarterbacks are also at the top of their games. Coming off of great seasons, these signal callers look to have even bigger years in 2008. It’s tough to say you should take a QB in the first round, but the Force is strong in all of these guys.

Tom Brady, New England: He’s dated actresses and supermodels. He’s won Super Bowls and MVPs. He’s been a guest star on Family Guy. He’s coming off what is arguably the greatest year a quarterback has ever had. A pessimist would say Brady has nowhere to go but down . . . And the pessimist would probably be right. Despite the fact that the Patriots have the easiest schedule in football and a coach who clearly doesn’t mind running up the score, 50 passing touchdowns is a lot to ask of anyone. Yet Brady is in his prime, has two tremendous receivers, and rarely hurts your team with lots of interceptions. If you want Brady at quarterback, better get him in round one..

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis: In all likelihood, Manning will be the gold standard by which all fantasy quarterbacks will ever be measured. He’s never thrown for fewer than 3,500 yards, and he’s never had less than 25 touchdowns in a season. He’s never missed a start, and he plays for a offensive coordinator that lets him do just about whatever he wants. While Brady and Favre got most of the publicity last year, Manning just did what he always does and put up ridiculously good numbers. His one drawback (recent knee surgery) may even become a benefit. If he and the Colts get off to a slow start, they may need a big second half for playoff positioning. Manning owners have been burned in the past by having him sitting on the Colts bench during fantasy playoffs because the Colts were playing a meaningless game. Big games late in the season for Manning could mean playoff success for you.

Tony Romo, Dallas: Tony Romo is Tom Brady Lite. Though a late draft pick, Tom was at least selected; Tony was a undrafted free agent. Tom replaced Drew Bledsoe and led his team to a Super Bowl victory; Tony replaced Bledsoe and led his team to the playoffs. Tom has impregnated an actress and a supermodel. Tony only dates singers, and has yet to sire any progeny. Tom has only lost once in the playoffs, Tony has never won. Tom threw 50 touchdowns last year; Tony - a mere 36. If your fantasy league keeps track of playoff statistics, children sired, or women dated - Brady is definitely your guy.. But in most leagues, Tony Romo will suit your quarterbacking needs just fine. If last year’s progression is any indication (and all indicators indicate that it will be an indication), Tony Romo Lite may be starting for the Patriots next season.

License To Drive

There’s an old Hollywood rule that says never work with children or animals. License to Drive chose the former, using three young teenagers to sell this film. While the two Coreys were the early box office smashes, who would have guessed that a young Heather Graham would eventually be the one with the biggest career? Rookie quarterbacks are often a gamble in fantasy leagues. Some end up starring with Mike Meyers in summer blockbusters while others become the subject of E! True Hollywood Stories. When drafting your team, just like in real life, always pick Heather Graham.

Brodie Croyle, Kansas City: While Croyle isn’t technically a rookie, last year was such a throw-away year for him and the Chiefs that I decided to throw him in here anyway. Brodie showed signs last year, but most of those were signs that he wasn’t ready to hold down the starting spot yet. Because of Kansas City’s youth movement, Croyle will be given more than a fair shot this year, but don’t expect him to deliver too many fantasy points.

JaMarcus Russell, Oakland: The Brodie rules also apply to Russell for our purposes. JaMarcus, however, has a far higher ceiling than his AFC West counterpart. A newly improved running game will take pressure off of Russell. He’ll also have a hard time overthrowing newly acquired deep threat Javon Walker. There will be some ups and downs with JaMarcus, but he should make a decent backup.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta: Ryan is officially listed as third on the Falcons depth chart behind Chris Redmond and Joey Harrington. I would be shocked and/or appalled if the season starts that way. The Falcons are going to be bad awful this year. Everyone - including the Falcons - knows this. Their chief concern is not messing up Ryan by getting him killed early in his career. Expect Redmond to start the season, but after the Falcons have been officially eliminated from the playoffs (around their week 7 bye), expect Ryan to take over.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore: Of all the quarterbacks drafted this year, I think Flacco has the best chance of starting early and putting up OK numbers. The Ravens have a decent but aging team and they know Kyle Boller is not taking them to the playoffs. If Flacco shows he can handle the pressure in training camp, he just might get the opportunity to play early in his rookie year.. He has a solid supporting cast that will help him out. Not a fantasy starter by any means but he could be a capable fill in on the right week.

Brady Quinn, Cleveland: What if last year was a fluke? What if the Browns get off to a horrible start and Derek Anderson struggles? It’s not that much of a stretch. Their early season schedule is brutal, with home games against Dallas and Pittsburg followed by two roadies vs. Baltimore and Cincinnati. Is a 1-3 start a possibility? I say yes. Could Anderson struggle against three tough defenses? Again, I say yes. With all the hype surrounding this season, Romeo Crennel does not want to see it get away from him early. He may take the week 5 bye to prep hometown hero Brady Quinn for the starting spot. It’s possible that this year’s Derek Anderson may end up replacing the real Derek Anderson.

Brian Brohm, Green Bay: Everything would have to go right for Brohm to see the field this season. Favre would need to stay retired or get traded away. Rodgers would have to collapse under the pressure of replacing a legend or get injured (that part’s not so hard to believe). But if all this happens, Brohm is Green Bay’s best bet. Granted, this would be like handing the keys of your Ferrari to a sixteen year old kid, but with all those weapons maybe Brohm could put up some decent fantasy numbers.

Chad Henne, Miami: Want a rookie quarterback playing for a anemic offense on a horrible team? Me either. If McCown and Beck both struggle, he could see the field but the results won’t be pretty.

Red Dawn

Starring a pre-Dirty Dancing Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, this is one of the most underrated movies of all time. Communists invade Colorado, and the Wolverines are the only ones left to fight back. It’s cheesy, almost ridiculously non-gory, and unintentionally funny. Yet, if you watch this film, you will have a good time - no question. These quarterbacks may have some flaws, but on Monday morning, you’ll be glad you had them.

Drew Brees, New Orleans: He’s smaller than your average quarterback, he has a history of shoulder problems, and he has games where he completely implodes (he had 5 games last season when he had more picks than touchdowns). But he plays on a team that is loaded with weapons (add Jeremy Shockey and they are as dangerous as anyone), they love to pass, and their defense gave up 24 points a game last season. Brees may not be an elite quarterback, but he will keep you in the game most weeks and occasionally win one by himself.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh: If you just look at Ben’s final numbers, you could make a case for him being the fourth best fantasy QB in the draft. However, a closer look tells you he still has some work to do. Touchdown passes in all but one game - good. A completion percentage under 60% in four games - bad. Five games with three or more touchdowns - good. Seven games with under 200 yards passing - bad. Roethlisberger is good, he’s just not great. He still has plenty of time to work out these inconsistencies, but until he does, you have to take the good with the bad if you draft Big Ben.

Derek Anderson, Cleveland: Anderson built his reputation with a five touchdown performance against the Bengals. While he never came close to that number again, he was a solid fantasy starter considering he went undrafted in most (and by most I mean all) leagues. This time Anderson won’t be flying under the radar. If you draft him, you’ll most likely have to use one of your top three of four picks to get him. Worth it? Consider the following: They added Donte Stallworth to help the passing game, but lost Joe Jurevicius for at least the first six weeks. Over the last seven games last season Anderson threw for only nine touchdowns and only once in those games did he have a QB rating over 90. While Anderson should still be a solid starter, the league may have figured him out a little. He’s a good option if you don’t have to use a top three pick to get him.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati: Palmer’s touchdown numbers have decreased each of the last three years while his interceptions have increased each of the last three years. Needless to say, this is a disturbing trend. In a league that offers few solid choices at quarterback, Palmer is still in the top third. Just don’t let his name and reputation trick you into drafting him earlier than you should.

Jay Cutler, Denver: It’s not that I don’t like Jay Cutler, it’s just that I don’t know what the Broncos are doing. They draft Maurice Clarett in the third round, then cut him before he even takes the field. They trade a second rounder for Javon Walker then cut him loose before he has time to fill out his change of address cards. They sign Travis Henry to a big free agent deal then . . . OK I get that one. Point is, their once feared offense was in the bottom half of the league in touchdowns last season and they haven’t done much to improve that. Give Cutler some better weapons and some consistency, and he should be fine. With what they have now, it’s hard to see him improving much upon his ‘07 numbers.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle: If Hasselbeck stays healthy, history tells us you can expect about 25 touchdowns and 3,200 yards from him. These numbers are comparable to most of the guys in this category. What I like so much about Hasselbeck is his consistency. Last season he had only one really bad game. That can’t be said for Cutler, Palmer, or even Brees. He knows the west coast offense about as well as anyone in the league, and does a nice job of taking care of the ball. If you have a solid running game and a couple of decent receivers, you may be able to wait on a QB until Hasselbeck rolls around.

Philip Rivers, San Diego: A second year as a starter, and a second solid season from Philip Rivers. Is he ready to make the jump from solid to very good or even great this year? Yes and yes. He won a lot or respect in the locker room for his performance against the Colts in last year’s playoffs. With Gates, LT, and his own knee fully healed, all his weapons are back. In addition, he will have Chris Chambers for a full season. Chambers and Rivers started building chemistry last season, and really clicked in the playoffs.. Look for a very solid and maybe even spectacular year from Rivers this season.

Eli Manning, New York Giants: In “Revenge of the Nerds,” Poindexter asked the question, “Would you rather live during the ascendancy of a civilization or during its decline?” Wise words that any fantasy owner would do well to ask when it comes to quarterbacks. Would you rather have a McNabb or Bulger or another QB who is still solid but clearly on the downside of his career, or do you roll the dice with someone who is still learning the position? The gains Eli made in the playoffs last year cannot be emphasized enough.. He has confidence, poise, and a new-found respect from his teammates. Trust in Peyton’s nerdy little brother to continue to improve his fantasy numbers in 2008.

Jason Campbell, Washington: In the infamous words of Denny Green, Jason Campbell “was who we thought he was.” He went through the typical first year starter growing pains that almost every other NFL quarterback has experienced. The question is, will he progress or regress in his second season as starter. With a solid supporting cast, look for Campbell to improve upon his numbers from last season - not enough to be a fantasy starter, but certainly enough to be a capable backup.

Jake Delhomme, Carolina: Matt Moore was a nice story last year, but let’s be realistic. Jake Delhomme is the starter in Carolina as long as he stays healthy. He had 8 touchdowns and only one pick in the three games in which he played last season. That’s as good as anyone in the NFL not named Brady. He has one of the best receivers in the game on his team and a new and improved running game. He’s either a low end starter or a top flight reserve and depending on his health, could be the steal of the draft.

Ishtar

Ishtar is an Babylonian word that roughly translates into “stink burger.” Though it starred two Oscar winners in Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman, this film has been panned by critics and moviegoers alike. There are always quarterbacks who enter a season with a big reputation and high expectations. Some succeed, others end up as lounge singers in Morocco. These are the Moroccan lounge singers:

David Garrard, Jacksonville: Classic case of a good system quarterback being confused with a good fantasy quarterback. He’s the anti-Jeff George. George led the league in passing yards one season and yards per completion in another. In the last four seasons in which he was his team’s starter, he threw over 20 touchdowns each time. Yet there’s a reason he played for five teams in 12 years - despite all his physical tools, he couldn’t do the little things to be a good NFL quarterback. Garrard, on the other hand, is a very good NFL quarterback - he just can’t do the things that make a good fantasy quarterback. Only once did he throw for three touchdowns in a game last year. He had exactly zero 300 yard passing games. He is a natural born game manager playing on a team with a conservative offense and not one quality wideout. It’s the perfect storm for a wasted draft pick.

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia: McNabb played in 14 games last season. In three of those games, he threw for 11 total touchdowns. In the other 11 games, eight touchdowns. He’s been a big name QB for many years, but has only had about three productive fantasy seasons. He hasn’t played a full season in five years, and hasn’t topped 20 touchdowns in four. He’ll go higher than he should based on name recognition, but anyone who looks at the numbers knows this guys just about had it.

Jon Kitna, Detroit: Kitna was a bit of a surprise last year, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 18 scores. But if you’re expecting a repeat performance from him in ‘08, you may be sorely disappointed. He won’t be playing in Mike Martz’s offense this season and the defenses in the NFC North are no pushovers. Kitna will make a nice bye week fill-in, but if you count on him to start for you, then you’re no smarter than Matt Millen.

Vince Young, Tennessee: The theory goes like this: a running quarterback is inherently more valuable than a pocket passer because of the extra rushing yards and touchdowns he accrues. The theory holds up nicely when applied to players like Randall Cunningham and Steve Young, who were good passers to begin with. Michael Vick showed us how this theory can be horribly, horribly misapplied. Vick never had more than 20 touchdown passes and never more than 24 total touchdowns in a season. His career completion percentage was under 54%. Yet every year experts and publications hypothesized that if he could throw 28 and run for 8, he was every bit as good as Peyton Manning. Young throws like Michael Vick, but he doesn’t run like him. Count on 20 combined touchdowns from this guy at best. He’s just another example of a good real-life quarterback who’s not very good in the fantasy world.

Marc Bulger, St. Louis: Mark Bulger looked as if those 202 career sacks had finally started to take their toll in 2007. Having played in 16 games only once as a starter, he missed four more games this past season. Bulger set career lows in TD passes, completion percentage, yards per attempt and QB rating. He also lost Isaac Bruce and the Rams did little to replace him. He’s no longer a fantasy starter, and is too inconsistent and injured to use as a backup.

Trent Edwards, Buffalo: Edwards did just enough to get people wondering if he is a legitimate quarterback in the NFL - he’s not - at least not yet.. Expect another very inconsistent year from Edwards. About the only thing in his favor is it looks like the Bills have completely given up on J.P. Losman, so Edwards will probably not be benched this season.

Alex Smith, San Francisco: Are we allowed to officially call this guy a bust yet? After three seasons Smith has lacked consistency, durability, and competency. Because he was the first overall pick in the draft four years ago, Smith will be the starter in San Francisco to start the season, but I suspect he’ll find a way to play himself out of the lineup before too long.

Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay: First the bad news: the Bucs seem to be playing hardball in their contract negotiations with Garcia, signifying that they may not be totally committed to him as their 2008 starter. Brett Favre’s name has been mentioned many times as a possible replacement should the Packers opt to trade the future hall of famer. Now the good news: Garcia stinks anyway so whether or not he’s Tampa Bay’s starter is totally irrelevant - you should by no means draft him.

Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota: Brad Childress has been saying for months that Jackson is his starting quarterback. Even after Favre flip-flopped on his retirement, Brad held firm saying he wasn’t really interested in Favre and that Jackson would be his opening day starter. Then we find out that Childress and Favre have had several phone conversations over the past few weeks. That’s like your girlfriend telling you she’s so glad she’s with you while she’s surfing Yahoo personals. Childress would prefer not to start Jackson - that’s all you need to know about him.

Best of the Rest

Chris Redman, Atlanta: You’ll have a starter for a few weeks anyway.

Gus Frerotte, Minnesota: The Vikings have a veteran team that won’t tolerate the struggles of a young quarterback. Frerotte was brought in as insurance in case Jackson can’t cut it.

Kyle Boller, Baltimore: Another guy just holding the job until the better player is ready.

Damon Huard, Kansas City: Won’t start, but Kansas City has confidence in him if Croyle can get the job done.

Matt Moore, Carolina: Proved last year that if Delhomme goes down, he is a more than capable backup.

Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia: McNabb thinks the Eagles are the favorites to win the NFC. He also thinks he can stay healthy this year. That makes him wrong about two things.

Todd Collins, Washington: Usually only plays once a decade, but last year’s performance might get him in this year if Campbell can’t stay healthy.

Shaun Hill, San Francisco: When Alex Smith plays himself out of the starting spot, Hill will get another chance to take over.

5. The Chicago Bears quarterback competition:

Who doesn’t love an old fashion QB competition? In past preseasons, football fans have witnessed great competitions. One that comes to mind is the classic battle between Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young before the 1988 season. But, Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton really doesn’t have the same ring to it.

To the optimist, this will be a grueling competition that will bring the best out of both competitors and will help the winner continue to use that as fuel for a solid season behind center. To the pessimist, this competition will determine who gets benched first.

So why put this competition before the San Francisco 49ers competition, the New York Jets competition, or the Arizona Cardinals competition? Well, the one between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton is a bit different. You see, this will basically determine Grossman’s fate in the NFL. If Orton wins, Grossman will go from a highly touted first round pick to a bust and career back-up and journeyman.

Prediction: Head Coach Lovie Smith said that this battle is at a dead heat right now. Frankly, it’s hard to predict this one, but I think Grossman’s arm and natural talent will beat out Orton’s game management skills. Having said that, don’t be shocked if both quarterbacks rotate for the starting job throughout the season.

4. Adam Jones (a.k.a. The cornerback formerly known as Pacman):

Yes, don’t call him Pacman now. It’s Adam Jones to you. Since being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Commissioner Roger Goodell is giving Jones the chance to workout and performing during the training camp and preseason. However, he has not been given the green-light to play in regular season games. Goodell is expected to meet with him in August

So far, he has done and said all the right things by seemingly abandoning the ways of Pacman Jones. Adam Jones has showed up at charity events, sported a clean-cut look instead of his old dreadlocks, received guidance from former greats Jim Brown and Deion Sanders, and is even praying for Don Imus. Wow! Say it ain’t so!

The thing to watch for is whether or not he continues to stay out of trouble. So far, he’s convinced many so-called experts that Roger Goodell will let him play this season. If he does that, the next thing to watch for is whether or not his skills have diminished. The last time he stepped on the field in 2006, Jones was considered a top cornerback with tremendous coverage skills. That season, he intercepted 4 passes on defense, taking one back for a touchdown and scored an additional 3 touchdowns on punt returns. Let’s see if he is able to have that same impact next season. If so, Comeback Player of the Year anyone?

Prediction: Adam Jones will play in 2008 and play well. I’m seeing 3 picks and a punt return for a touchdown. Heck, if he plays at that level while staying out of trouble, Jones just might be Comeback Player of the Year.

3. What will Chad Johnson do?

The flashy wide receiver went from a fun-loving character to a disruptive prima donna over the offseason. Johnson said he would sit out the 2008 season if the Bengals didn’t follow through on his request to be traded to a contender. Head Coach Marvin Lewis and Bengals’ owner Mike Brown refused to let him go despite enticing offers from the Washington Redskins.

In an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Johnson said that he has decided to play in fear of losing significant amount of money. However, many fear he will remain disruptive. While Johnson says he’ll be at training camp and play the 2008 season, he has also said that the Bengals don’t have a good chance at postseason success and that Carson Palmer would be nothing without Ocho Cinco. That’s not good for the locker room.

Prediction: Chad Johnson will play the entire season. Sure, he might be putting on his best T.O., but he wants to play and continue his success. However, Johnson might be sporting new props this season. Instead of a jacket stitched with the words “Hall of Fame,” he might have one with the words “Trade Me.”

2. Free agent running backs–who gets signed first?

Shaun Alexander,