Z - From The Sidelines...

Locker Room Buzz - Week 2

September 14, 2007
16:00:00

It's another season underway, and it feels great. They may say baseball is America's past time, but football is America's passion. How many owners drafted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and started him? Most probably took him as a backup. I did! While it doesn't have any fantasy relevance, "Camera Gate" just cost the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick draft picks as well as money. The Minnesota Vikings defense appears to be for real, but can they stop the pass consistently this year and beat up someone stronger than the Atlanta Falcons' miscue of an offense? As always, the Locker Room Buzz fills you in on what is happening around the league that has fantasy relevance. What we're hearing regarding each team. Enjoy and good luck!

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were decimated by injuries in Week 1. John DiGiorgio is working at strongside linebacker even though he hasn't played there during his tenure with the Bills. The catastrophic injury to tight end Kevin Everett (neck) has been a huge distraction and rightfully so. Unless the team sucks it up and plays an extremely motivated game, they are likely to lose big this week. There is pressure on the offense to perform, and that has to translate into something. Safety Jim Leonhard will be the replacement for free safety Ko Simpson (ankle), who is out for the season. Leonhard had a tremendous game in Week 1.

Running back Anthony Thomas' role should increase after amassing just negative-one yard in Week 1.

Marshawn Lynch will get the bulk of the carries, but his role could reduce to 70 percent of the load due to his inexperience in pass protection.
Thomas' experience should get him on the field more, especially on passing downs.
Lynch is up against the odds the next two weeks because the team could be behind early. Keep this in mind if you own Lynch in your fantasy leagues.

Miami Dolphins

Will running back Ronnie Brown ever live up to his expectations? As far as being the No. 2 pick overall, probably not. It's possible that he could live up to his first-round status, though. He is a finesse back in a bruiser body with no breakaway speed. If he can't prove to get the job done, they could draft someone else next season.

Rookie Lorenzo Booker is not even being considered a rushing threat - he's more of a receiver out of the backfield. It's going to be difficult for him to contribute. He's a special weapon, and he should play when they are down a lot in the pass-happy offense. He's comparable to New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, but Booker is not as good of a runner. Look for Brown to get 20 to 25 carries because Jesse Chatman (knee) is not as healthy as the team would like.
Backup running back Patrick Cobbs probably won't be involved much. In a best-case scenario, he could receive a handful of carries.

Safety Yeremiah Bell (Achilles') is out for the season, and that really handcuffs the defense. Strong safety Travaras Tillman is a liability in coverage, and he's in for a long day against Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens this week. The corners they have can't match up with him. Safety Donovin Darius may see more work as he becomes accustom to the defensive schemes employed by his new employer.

On a good note, this could be the week tight end David Martin gets going. The team wants to build his confidence, because he wasn't involved much last week. The offense doesn't work without a feature tight end. The team wants to get him mentally to believe that he is their starter, and they will be relying on him.

New England Patriots

Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was a non-factor in Week 1, and he should gradually play a bigger role. He should see more snaps this week, but don't expect it to be a huge increase. Quarterback Tom Brady is very comfortable throwing to Wes Welker, which hurts Stallworth.

Are you a non-believer in wide receiver Randy Moss? This fact may fuel that feeling.

The New York Jets did a poor job scheming against him. Don't expect the San Diego Chargers to make the same mistake this week. The Jets played off him and didn't jam him at the line. The Jets didn't adjust or have much safety help over the top. We still feel Moss is a 70-catch player, but his Week 1 performance was a product of how the Jets played him. Teams will know to roll coverage to him.

How can we not mention "Camera Gate" while writing about the Pats? This is kind of a product of how head coach Bill Belichick treated others in the league. He doesn't have any friends, because he hasn't made any. No one in the league is jumping to his defense. Instead, they are all piling on. The Patriots stepped over the line.

This apparently wasn't the first time something like this was accused. A couple of years ago the Jacksonville Jaguars accused the Pats of jamming the frequency from the quarterback to the sideline.
The commissioner sent a memo emphasizing not to film from the sideline, locker room or coach's booth. This act was basically a slap in the commissioner's face.

New York Jets

It looks like the team will start Kellen Clemens at quarterback this week. Clemens hasn't really worked with the first team much in his career, so he has a rapport with No. 3 receiver Justin McCareins. They may try to get the running backs more involved. Expect them to use the tight ends more to block because of issues along the offensive line. For now, the team is saying Chad Pennington (ankle) will get his job back when he returns from injury.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma has really struggled in the 3-4 alignment. He looked better last week and came close to making some plays. This is something to keep your eye on, though, because he's a supreme talent that is underperforming.
If this were a playoff game, Pennington would try to play through the pain.
Running back Thomas Jones showed a better burst in the second half last season.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

It looks like Kyle Boller will be under center in Week 2. Starting quarterback Steve McNair (groin) said he would be a game-time decision, but he probably won't play. The team isn't looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as long as McNair is out there able to throw. He will be the emergency quarterback.

Wide receiver Mark Clayton (toe) split first-team reps with Demetrius Williams Friday, and Clayton has been limited throughout the week. Clayton is proud that he hasn't missed a game, so he will probably play in Week 2. Williams played well last week, and they love his big-play potential. Clayton could be a futile option again this week.

Safety Ed Reed returned a rare punt for a touchdown last week. However, don't look for him to return many. Yamon Figurs has amazing speed, and he will be the primary return specialist with B.J. Sams (knee) out for the season. Reed is nursing an ankle injury, but he should play.

If you're wondering about middle linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps), he was very limited Friday but is determined to play. Look for him to do so this weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' defense was all over the field in Week 1 in a stellar performance. The defense played with passion, and a lot of players are in contract years. Linebacker Landon Johnson's value is skyrocketing in his contract year. So don't consider this a fluke even though the Ravens were coughing up the ball left and right. The pieces are there, chemistry is present and the players are healthy.

No. 3 receiver Tab Perry was one of our deep sleepers entering the season as he takes the suspended Chris Henry's spot. He will remain the third receiver, but the team will continue feeding Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh heavily. The team should work closely with Perry to bring him along, but he's a work in progress. Antonio Chatman could cut into his playing time while also catching short passes between the 20s. Perry could see work in the red zone afterward.

Cleveland Browns

Could we have a Brady Quinn sighting this week? Don't rule it out if quarterback Derek Anderson struggles. The rookie out of Notre Dame could get his feet wet in the right situation this week. It's more likely that he starts in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders. If it doesn't occur then, look for them to wait until after the bye week due to some tough defensive matchups between now and then.

Tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) was a big question mark entering the season after having microfracture surgery in the offseason. He hasn't been limited in practice and seems to be fine. The team takes him out on some running downs, but that may be due to his blocking more than his health. Anderson found him a lot in Week 1. Anderson also has chemistry with wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who had his best games with Anderson throwing to him last year.

Running back Jamal Lewis looked good in the preseason but fizzled out in Week 1. The team was down early, and Lewis just struggled. Lewis has past success against the Bengals, and as long as the Browns are in it, Lewis should have a chance to contribute.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The team scored a lot of touchdowns against the Browns in Week 1, but they didn't tally a lot of yardage. The team has a lot of big-play potential, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be looking to hit on more big plays than ever. The offensive line is shaky, which could hold them back some.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians likes to involve the tight ends. That was evident with two tight ends scoring touchdowns last season. Tight end Heath Miller has shown the ability to be a good receiver. Matt Spaeth came out of nowhere to snag a touchdown in Week 1, but he is the team's No. 3 tight end.

AFC South

Houston Texans

The Texans rolled over the hapless Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 and will travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers this week. Texans tight end Owen Daniels was a preseason sleeper for a lot of fantasy owners, but he caught just one pass in Week 1. Head coach Gary Kubiak loves to use the tight end in the passing game, and the team wants to go to Daniels near the goal line. They want to use him in the middle of the field as well. Look for Daniels to be more involved in the game in Week 2. The team also wants to involve wide receiver Kevin Walter more. Look for the team to use these two weapons to keep No. 1 wide receiver Andre Johnson protected from constant double-coverage.

Indianapolis Colts

Running back Joseph Addai was as advertised in Week 1. He suffered a rib injury on the opening drive, which gave the team a scare. At some point the team will need to involve backup running back Kenton Keith in their offense. The team gave Addai as much work as they did in Week 1 to give him a bit of a workout. Remember, Addai hasn't carried the load as a pro and didn't do so in college.

The Colts defense looked awesome in Week 1. However, it was a mix of the New Orleans Saints being rusty and the Colts' prowess on defense. The Saints entered the game thinking they could run the football and didn't adjust very well in the game. The Colts are hitting better, faster, the corners are more physical and safety Bob Sanders is healthy. Offenses can't take five- or seven-step drops against the defense, because defensive end Dwight Freeney was a force in Week 1, and Robert Mathis wreaked havoc on the other side.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars free safety Reggie Nelson had an excellent NFL debut in Week 1. However, he is still learning and probably won't make a large impact right now. He missed three preseason games and just needs more time on the field. He is the real deal though and should be an impact player for years to come.

The Jaguars receiver carousel continues this week as Reggie Williams will be activated. Look for him to be the No. 4 or No. 5 for the game. Ernest Wilford and Dennis Northcutt are interchangeable as the top-two wideouts. Matt Jones is the No. 3. John Broussard, who caught a touchdown in Week 1, is the No. 4. Broussard gave the type of effort that opens eyes, and the team hasn't seen that since future Hall of Famer Jimmy Smith retired. If Broussard continues to produce, the team will have no choice but to elevate him on the depth chart. Don't cross your fingers, though.

One final note on the Jaguars: 43-year-old John Carney will be the kicker this week with Josh Scobee (quadriceps) out. He will be handling all kickoffs, field goal attempts and extra points.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee running back Chris Brown came out of nowhere to rush for 170 yards in Week 1. He was supposed to receive about eight carries, but he received 19 due to how well he was running and the holes that were opening for him. The team should use running back LenDale White more this week, and the Titans really don't want Brown to beat out White. The team will give White every opportunity to be their running back. However, if Brown continues running like he did in Week 1, look out.

Quarterback Vince Young is still a work in progress. He doesn't have a lot of chemistry with his receivers. He's still unpolished, and what you're seeing right now is probably what you'll see the rest of the season. He has a long way to go to develop the needed chemistry with his receivers.

The Titans have run-blocked very well against the Colts, as the Indy front four is smaller and quicker than the Titans' offensive line. Tennessee knows the Colts extremely well, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Titans were able to run on Indy this weekend. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has a good grasp on what makes the Colts tick. If the Titans can pound the Colts, they can wear them down and take advantage.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Broncos' running back position has been fluid in recent years. During the preseason, the team named rookie Selvin Young as their No. 2 behind Travis Henry. It appears he is going to stick, too, as the team feels he is a natural back while also liking his speed and cutting ability.

Where does that leave Mike Bell? Nowhere for fantasy owners, as the team feels he simply makes a better fullback than tailback.

Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall is a player we touted during the preseason, and if Week 1 is any indication, he is going to have a fine season. He has a strong chemistry with quarterback Jay Cutler, and he is a solid No. 2 opposite Javon Walker. If he is available in your league, snag him!

Kansas City Chiefs

Fantasy owners of Chiefs running back Larry Johnson were disappointed in Week 1. The team limited him, just as they said they would going in, and then went away from him in the second half when they were trailing. He looked good in his limited action, so don't worry.

With wide receiver Eddie Kennison (hamstring) out of action, we could see a lot more of L.J. this weekend, too. The team relied more on the running game last year in a similar situation.

Speaking of Kennison, what do the Chiefs do with him gone? It would make sense for them to look toward wide receiver Samie Parker more. The two are similar players, Kennison is just more consistent. How about rookie Dwayne Bowe? If the team was more comfortable with him, he probably would have started last week. Even though they are frustrated with Parker because he hasn't shown much, he is still ahead of Bowe. There is little here for fantasy owners to rely on, and it's even worse with Kennison out of action.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders finally have first-round draft choice quarterback JaMarcus Russell under contract, but don't anticipate seeing him on the field soon. He will eventually get on the field this year, because the Raiders won't be very good, but that time will not come until toward the end of the season. His fantasy value, outside of total dynasty leagues, continues to be zilch.

If another team were to come to the Raiders and offer them something for one of their quarterbacks, regardless of what the offer was, they'd likely part ways with Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown or Andrew Walter. If not, Walter would likely be the one of the three cut so Russell can be in the top three.

Raiders running back LaMont Jordan shone in Week 1. Keep in mind running back Dominic Rhodes will be back in four weeks, and he looked really good - maybe the best of all of the Raiders' backs - during the preseason. Rhodes will definitely cut into his time and numbers upon his return, so enjoy your use out of Jordan while you can!

Raiders running back Adimchinobe Echemandu also looked really smooth running behind the Raiders' zone-blocking scheme in the preseason, but he may never get a shot.
Speaking of the new zone-blocking scheme, Jordan is not very fond of it but is adapting to it.

Oakland wide receiver Ronald Curry dominated last weekend. However, don't anoint him the No. 1 receiver just yet. Head coach Lane Kiffin said last week just worked out that way. Wideout Jerry Porter could be the guy next week. The team is playing to Curry's strength, which fantasy owners should be delighted with. When healthy, he finds a way to contribute, he is reliable and a great third-down option. McCown is comfortable with him, as most quarterbacks quickly become. Former head coach Art Shell not rushing him back quickly last year may be a blessing for long-term success. The only other thing fantasy owners of Curry need to worry about is how long he stays healthy...

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers were going with wide receiver Malcom Floyd in the starting lineup but made a last-minute change, going with rookie wideout Craig Davis. Floyd hadn't practiced much, which is the reason for the change. Davis is still developing and quarterback Philip Rivers is still building chemistry/confidence with him. It is a work in progress, so fantasy owners should keep looking the other direction.

While wide receiver Vincent Jackson didn't have a big receiving day in Week 1, don't be alarmed yet. Someone has to catch passes for the team other than running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates, so he remains the best other option. It will be a wait-and-see approach with him to see if he can truly be a No. 1, something he is still dealing with mentally.

Will the Chargers ever stop relying totally on L.T. and Gates while putting more pressure on Rivers to carry the offense? Not as long as L.T. is there. His stats are going to remain pedestrian because they are playing with a lead often, relying on the running game to eat away at the clock. While the Chargers trust him, and head coach Norv Turner has always achieved the best out of his quarterbacks, they are going to rely on what works until they are forced into a situation they need to rely on him. In the meantime, fantasy owners of Rivers may have to start playing the matchup game or rely on someone else!

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Will Cowboys wideout Terry Glenn (knee) have an impact this year? It's a wait-and-see situation. He's out four to six weeks, and four weeks is awfully optimistic.

For all the talk of receiver Patrick Crayton being the player to pick up while Glenn is out, receiver Sam Hurd had a big-play touchdown for the Cowboys last week. He's not that speedy, though, and teams aren't going to worry about him from week to week. Fantasy owners shouldn't either.

Tight end Jason Witten's production was likely a result of the way the New York Giants defense played. They were so focused on wide receiver Terrell Owens that the middle of the field was wide open for Witten. Don't expect a repeat every week, but the Cowboys are sending Witten on deeper routes than they have in the past. Look for his yards-per-reception average to go up this year. He and quarterback Tony Romo are also pretty tight.

This defense was a sieve Sunday night. The Cowboys blamed it on assignment mistakes, players trying to take care of more than they were responsible for. Injuries to cornerback Terence Newman (foot) and linebacker Greg Ellis (knee) hurt, for sure, but the loss of defensive tackle Jason Ferguson (biceps) might hurt most. They think they can hide his absence by scheming, but that remains to be seen. The same problems they had giving up big plays at the end of last year were apparent in Week 1, too.

New York Giants

The news on quarterback Eli Manning (shoulder) has been back and forth, but he took about half of the snaps with the first-team offense Friday. He's questionable, but if they were preparing to be without him, wouldn't they give most of the reps to unproven quarterback Jared Lorenzen? Eli was throwing the rock from about 20 yards, with good zip. A lot depends on how he feels Saturday.

Lorenzen has a cannon, but he also some touch. Expect a conservative game plan if he gets the nod. That could mean bigger doses of tight end Jeremy Shockey. Lorenzen has had three years to grow, and he may at the very least be able to do enough to keep them in the game this week.

The Giants claimed fullback Madison Hedgecock (St. Louis Rams) off waivers so that they could allow Reuben Droughns to concentrate more on tailback duties in the absence of running back Brandon Jacobs (knee).

Running back Derrick Ward will start, but Droughns will be used to change the pace.
Expect about a 70-30 split in favor of Ward, who is not the most durable player despite bulking up to 228 pounds this offseason.

Defensive end Michael Strahan is tied with linebacker Lawrence Taylor on the franchise's all-time sack list. Strahan faces Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who took a flop for Strahan the last time the preseason holdout was close to a record.

Philadelphia Eagles

The offense was pretty bad in Week 1 against the Pack. In the second half it appeared that quarterback Donovan McNabb (5-for-16 passing) and, to a lesser extent, running back Brian Westbrook were gassed. They faced a lot of pressure, sure, but they can't just snap their fingers and be great. McNabb has some work to do before he's back to normal again.

Tight end L.J. Smith was limited to a certain number of plays in Week 1, and Philly offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg hopes to increase that number in Week 2.

The Eagles didn't throw to super sleeper receiver Reggie Brown much in Week 1. He wasn't happy about it, but he didn't complain. Green Bay has some good corners, and McNabb just didn't get him the ball. Brown seems to start slowly, so it's not a concern - yet.

Philadelphia's goal this week is to shut down the run and make Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell beat them.

Washington Redskins

Once again, the team will be without offensive tackle Jon Jansen (ankle), who was placed on Injured Reserve. They shouldn't take much of a hit in the running game because his replacement, Todd Wade, is a good run blocker.

It's hard to forget tight end Chris Cooley's slow start last year, and his Week 1 performance was a reminder. Cooley faced a lot of double-coverage situations in that contest. Washington should make adjustments, and Cooley should pick it up sooner rather than later.

Defenses are just concentrating on stopping Cooley and wideout Santana Moss, though. That's a big reason receiver Antwaan Randle El was able to explode. Campbell trusts Randle El a lot, too.

Randle El is good enough to excel in one-on-one situations, so his Week 1 numbers may not be a fluke.

Running back Clinton Portis seemed to have quickly put to rest any concerns about the knee tendonitis that came up in the preseason. One needs to see that for another couple of weeks before he's in the clear, though. If he's healthy, the carries should end up close to the projected 60-40 split in favor of Portis.

Offensive coordinator Al Saunders wants a workhorse back that will get close to 90 percent of the touches. Head coach Joe Gibbs doesn't see it that way, so expect running back Ladell Betts to continue stealing a chunk of those touches.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

The San Diego Chargers questioned the heart of Bears running back Cedric Benson. However, none of the Bears are questioning it. The team needs Benson to have a good game in Week 2, and the game plan is designed for him to have a good game. He's not a warrior, but he isn't soft.

Former Patriots running back Corey Dillon has interest in returning to the NFL. However, the Bears don't appear to have interest right now.
Running back Adrian N. Peterson has minimal fantasy value, but he's worth stashing as an emergency back. He could do something in blowouts, and he ran better than Benson last week.
Look for the Bears to blow the Chiefs out of the water. This should be a good game for Benson to reach the 100-yard plateau and produce like a quality No. 2 fantasy back.

Detroit Lions

Running back Kevin Jones (foot) is unlikely to play in Week 2, but he could play in Week 3. He's from Philadelphia, and his father helped build the Eagles' stadium. Jones had a good week in practice, and if that carries over into this week he could make his 2007 debut. Structurally, he's fine. The problem is just discomfort and not pain. Keep your eyes peeled.

The Lions successfully used four wide receivers last week, and that is not an aberration. No. 1 Roy Williams was double-teamed a lot last week. If defenses continue to do so, they will throw to one of their other weapons.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is pleased right now. The game plan last season was a wish list. Now he's using the whole playbook.

Green Bay Packers

Donald Lee could be a feature tight end in this offense. He has downfield speed, and the team wants to use the position more.
No. 2 tight end Bubba Franks was better in camp this year and is in better shape. He's a red zone target, but he is limited and slow.

The team likes James Jones more as a starting receiver than in the slot. With wideout Greg Jennings (hamstring) out this week, Jones could have a lot of catches in Week 2. He's finding ways to get open. He won't break long receptions, but he's a strong receiver that can make plays.

The running game is in shambles right now, but the team doesn't have plans to acquire a veteran. The like this newcomer named Ryan Grant, and he could start to see some action as well as tailback DeShawn Wynn. However, Wynn is injury-prone and an underachiever.

The team hasn't had a lot of room to run, but running back Brandon Jackson hasn't been patient enough to find the holes. The team is committed to the zone-blocking scheme, so don't look for that to change.

Running back Vernand Morency is frustrated about his slow progress from a knee injury. The team says he's almost fully recovered, and it doesn't sound like he's slated for surgery. He will have to be eased in when he returns.

Minnesota Vikings

Look for the team to ride running back Adrian Peterson this week. Chester Taylor (hip) could be limited if he plays, but our sources say he probably won't suit up. Versatile running back Mewelde Moore will be active. Don't expect many looks to go to anyone but Peterson this week. Wide receiver Sidney Rice is in trouble of losing his No. 3 starting job.

The wide receiver pecking order is: Bobby Wade, Troy Williamson, Rice and Robert Ferguson, who could supplant Rice in the slot.
All of these receivers are question marks. If any receiver is going to be reliable, it should be Wade. He's the closest thing to a sure thing, but he dropped a ball last week.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were destroyed by a daunting Vikings defense last week. The team needs to get comfortable with head coach Bobby Petrino's system, and they don't know what will work yet. They have a lot of options in the playbook, but they don't know their strengths. The team plans to scale it back a bit this week, because it's a drastic change from the West Coast offense to the power-running game.

The Falcons will look to use home-run threat Jerious Norwood more in the backfield. He had 57 yards on seven touches in Week 1. Running back Warrick Dunn didn't do well as the starter, and part of it was the Vikings defense was part of his demise.

Quarterback Joey Harrington didn't play with tight end Alge Crumpler a lot in the preseason, and he has to get comfortable with him.

Carolina Panthers

No. 3 receiver Drew Carter caught three passes, and two of them were for touchdowns. Look for him to be more involved in the offense - especially in the red zone. Carter is a big receiver, and No. 2 receiver Keary Colbert isn't large in stature.

There's a strong chance that Carter could supplant Colbert as the starter if he has another strong performance in Week 2. Colbert wasn't far ahead of Carter in the team's eyes when he won the starting job.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were sluggish in Week 1, but they won't make any changes offensively. They aren't exactly sure what went wrong in Week 1, but they didn't adjust to the Colts' defense stopping the run.

Tight end Eric Johnson had eight catches in a game that solidified many thoughts as him being a sleeper. Johnson's chemistry with quarterback Drew Brees continues to grow, and Johnson should continue to be a large part of the offense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are still abandoning the running game too early. A lot of things have to happen in order for them to commit to it.

They need a lead.
Running back Cadillac Williams needs to be healthy.
Head coach Jon Gruden wants to set up the run via the pass, which is the opposite of what most teams do.
The pecking order at receiver is as follows: Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall.

Stovall faded early in camp and hasn't returned to his summer mold when he was considered the starter. Hilliard is simply the steadiest option there despite the team wanting Stovall to emerge.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

After a poor Week 1, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart is motivated to rebound. He is going to do a better job preparing this week. Why wasn't prepared enough for last week's game? It wasn't necessarily the San Francisco 49ers' "D" that shut him down. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt noted they may have had too much in the playbook for him.

That goes hand in hand with wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald stinking it up. Don't look for that to continue. Boldin may outshine Fitzgerald this year, as he will have great potential in the team's new offense. Don't give up hope after one week!

The Cardinals' offensive line looked better in Week 1 than it did a year ago, as did running back Edgerrin James. He seems reinvigorated and the team gave him the ball 26 times last week. Opportunity equals success! He found his holes in Week 1, had some nice runs and played well until late in the game when the 49ers were not fearful of the pass and were able to stack the line. Fantasy owners who took a chance on Edge this week had it pay off, at least for one week.

Arizona also looked better on defense. Granted it was against a 49ers' offense, but they were able to unleash some things they didn't in the preseason. Plus, outside linebacker Calvin Pace played much better than anyone thought he would. Don't look for their "D" to be gangbusters this year, but middle-of-the-pack is within reach.

St. Louis Rams

Toss St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson amongst the long list of underachievers in Week 1, along with most of the Rams' offense. The team's starters were busy shaking off the rust. Jackson's two fumbles did not come on vicious hits and are believed to be side affects to the rust factor. Don't give up on your first round pick after one week, fantasy players!

The Rams, once again, have to live without offensive left tackle Orlando Pace (shoulder), who is out for the remainder of the year. Right tackle Alex Barron moves over to replace him and his previous undisciplined play (false starts) is declining now that he is maturing. The Rams were 5-3 without Pace last year and 3-5 when he was on the field. They will likely go with a conservative game plan this weekend, giving a heavy load to Jackson while taking shots with play-action passes.

Wide receiver Drew Bennett (quadriceps) has not been able to show his worth to the team yet. He is expected to see a ton of action in the slot, while also giving wide receiver Isaac Bruce a breather from time to time. Excellent on fade patterns due to his size, Bennett is expected to play a large role in the offense once healthy. This week, however, look for him to have a limited role if he plays. It may be smart to keep him on the bench one more week.

Rams free safety O.J. Atogwe is a name those of you in IDP leagues should be familiar with. He is much more comfortable this year and not even the same player he was this time a year ago. With playmaker tendencies, he could be an emerging player.

San Francisco 49ers

One San Francisco 49ers player has a heavy heart this weekend. Star running back Frank Gore lost his mother earlier in the week. Gore had two loves in his life: his mother and football. Look for Gore to explode against the Rams this weekend to honor his mother. Our condolences go out to Gore's family and friends.

Speaking of Gore, he struggled in Week 1. Not only was he busy shaking off the rust of not playing the preseason, he also had a lot on his mind. Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a catastrophic neck injury, is a close friend. Obviously, Gore's mind was in other places during the game.

49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle is coming off a solid game. Unlikely to ever surpass Darrell Jackson or Vernon Davis in the pecking order, he is a clutch, sure-handed option and someone fantasy players should consider. He doesn't excel in any one area but is very solid in many.

Speaking of D-Jax, he couldn't come up with a tough catch in the end zone during Week 1 and has a history of drops. However, even if that trend continues, don't look for the team to replace him in the lineup. Why? The 49ers don't have anyone on roster capable of it. Ashley Lelie has been a huge bust and Taylor Jacobs is no more than a No. 3 option.

Despite the 49ers' offensive line not playing well in Week 1, fantasy players should be happy to hear the 49ers are unlikely to keep Davis in to block. If anything, look for the team to possibly work in some tight end screens after he has chipped a defender.

In an IDP league? Snag rookie linebacker Patrick Willis. The guy was a beast in Week 1, and KFFL has been singing his praises since the draft. While rookies can struggle early on, even when he makes a bad read his athletic ability allows him to recover.

The 49ers' defense, by the way, played incredibly tough against the Cardinals in Week 1. The corners did an incredible job keeping the Cardinals' receivers in check the entire game.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander showed signs of old in Week 1. It took a little while to get the line and Alexander going, but the two started to roll during the second half. The Seahawks have loved to run on the left side of their line in past years and this year is no exception.

Don't be discouraged the Seattle wide receivers struggled in Week 1. They went into the game with the thought process of not trying to force anything against the "Tampa 2" defensive coverage. As a result, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was busy throwing to underneath receivers all day. Deion Branch went without a catch, but look for that to change this week... the team wants to get him the football early and often!

Speaking of Seattle receivers, fantasy owners were all over D.J. Hackett. A high ankle sprain will keep him on the shelf for possibly the next month. When healthy, he may not have a starting job to return to. Nate Burleson was neck-and-neck with him by the end of training camp and if Burleson is able to extend a strong preseason into the regular season it will be his job to lose. Fantasy owners taken note: Pick up Burleson!

Looking for a tight end? Marcus Pollard, of the Seahawks, came up with decent numbers last weekend and the team loves that he has a steady pair of hands... something former tight end Jerramy Stevens never had! Look for him to catch at least a couple passes each week.