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NFC South Fantasy Outlook

September 20, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Michael Egnak
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

NFC South

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: Smith enjoyed a tremendous game against the Houston Texans Week 2. He caught eight passes for 153 yards with three touchdowns. He is averaging 7.5 receptions, 135.5 yards and two touchdowns per game this season. Smith is a weak play against the Atlanta Falcons Week 3, but he's obviously still a No. 1 wide receiver.
Wide Receiver Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: Colston had some success against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 2, hauling in eight passes for 70 yards with one touchdown. He is averaging seven receptions, 55.5 yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game so far in 2007. Colston is worth using as a low-end No. 2 or a No. 3 wide receiver Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Joey Harrington	Atlanta Falcons	2	199.5	0.0	1.0	5.0	0.0
Jake Delhomme	Carolina Panthers	2	254.0	3.0	0.5	12.5	0.0
Drew Brees	New Orleans Saints	2	226.0	0.5	1.5	7.0	0.0
Jeff Garcia	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	222.0	1.0	0.0	4.5	0.0

Harrington - The team is struggling badly with Harrington. He's not moving the ball, and the team has just one touchdown so far this season. He was 12-for-20 for 200 yards Week 2, but he was sacked seven times by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Falcons signed free-agent quarterback Byron Leftwich (Jaguars). If Harrington doesn't improve quickly, he could find himself watching from the sidelines very soon. He'll face the Carolina Panthers in his next start Week 3. He's a very low-end No. 2 quarterback, but chances are he's sitting on your fantasy league's waiver wire.

Delhomme - Delhomme performed well for the team Week 2, but it unfortunately didn't lead to a victory for the Panthers. Delhomme was 27-for-41 for 316 yards against the Houston Texans, throwing three touchdowns to wide receiver Steve Smith and one interception during the game. He is doing well enough to maintain his starting job with the Panthers and your fantasy team. Keep him in the lineup Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Brees - The Saints' offense just can't seem to get moving. Brees threw for 260 yards after completing 26 of 44 passes, but he had just one touchdown and also threw an interception Week 2. He is a strong play Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, and he is worth using as a low-tier No. 1 fantasy quarterback.

Garcia - The team's biggest offseason acquisition enjoyed his best game as a Buccaneer Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Garcia was just 10-for-16 during the game, but that was all he needed to throw two touchdown passes for 243 yards. He'll face the St. Louis Rams Week 3 and is a decent injury replacement.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Warrick Dunn	Atlanta Falcons	2	21.0 (36.7)	2.5 (71.2)	52.5	0.5	2.5	15.0	0.0
Jerious Norwood	Atlanta Falcons	2	10 (17.5)	0 (0.0)	31.5	0.0	1.5	18.5	0.0
DeShaun Foster	Carolina Panthers	2	15.5 (24.4)	2.5 (29.7)	58.0	0.0	2.5	13.5	0.0
DeAngelo Williams	Carolina Panthers	2	15.5 (24.4)	2.5 (29.7)	46.5	0.0	3.0	16.5	0.0
Reggie Bush	New Orleans Saints	2	19 (25.8)	1.5 (22.9)	32.5	0.0	5.0	25.0	0.0
Deuce McAllister	New Orleans Saints	2	11.5 (15.6)	0.5 (7.6)	43.5	0.0	1.5	7.0	0.0
Cadillac Williams	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	19 (34.6)	4 (50.4)	60.5	1.0	1.0	7.0	0.0

Dunn - Dunn managed 50 yards on 13 carries Week 2, but his longest gain on the day was just eight yards. He was also able to score a touchdown on the ground, giving the team a grand total of one touchdown on the 2007 season. Dunn will face off against the Carolina Panthers Week 2. He is a weak play, but he is worth using as a low-end No. 2 or a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Norwood - The team attempted to give Norwood more carries Week 2, but he earned less yardage against the Jacksonville Jaguars than he did against the Minnesota Vikings Week 1. Norwood had nine carries against the Jags, but he was only able to gain 30 yards on them. He also caught one pass for 13 yards during the game. He is a weak play Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. His value is limited to a low-end No. 3 running back or an injury replacement in fantasy leagues.

Foster - The Panthers couldn't get a ground game going against the Houston Texans Week 2. Foster had nine carries on the week, but he was held to just 22 yards. Foster did catch five passes for 29 yards during the game. Foster is a strong play Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he is worth using as a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Williams - Williams also struggled against the Houston Texans Week 2, but he was the team's leading rusher for the game. Given just eight carries during the game, Williams was able to earn 31 rushing yards against Houston. He also caught four passes for 20 yards. As you can see above, the team is splitting time between Williams and teammate running back DeShaun Foster. Like Foster, Williams is a strong play Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons and is worth using as a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Bush - Bush continues to struggle in the team's running game. Given 10 carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 2, Bush managed just 27 rushing yards during the game. He caught six passes for 43 yards. Bush is a weak play Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. He should be used as a No. 3 fantasy running back.

McAllister - With the team behind in the score often in games so far this season, McAllister isn't getting a chance to earn many carries. He had just 10 carries Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was able to gain 49 yards on the ground. He also caught one pass for seven yards during the game. For Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, McAllister is a weak play and should be used as a No. 3 running back.

Williams - The Caddy isn't back to his 2005 form yet, but he's nowhere near as useless as he was in 2006. He was off to a good start Week 1, averaging five yards per carry and catching two passes during the game. Unfortunately an injury to his ribs knocked him out Week 1 and probably limited him Week 2, where he carried the ball 24 times for 61 yards with two touchdowns. The touchdowns are nice, but averaging 3.4 yards per carry and the constant injuries won't keep the Buccaneers or his fantasy owners happy for too long. Williams is a strong play Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams and is worth using as a No. 2 running back.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Joe Horn	Atlanta Falcons	2	3.5 (6.1)	0.5 (14.2)	1.5	24.0	0.0
Drew Carter	Carolina Panthers	2	4.5 (7.1)	1.5 (17.8)	3.0	34.5	1.0
Devery Henderson	New Orleans Saints	2	5.0 (6.8)	0.5 (7.6)	1.5	17.0	0.0
Joey Galloway	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	7.0 (12.8)	0 (0.0)	4.5	103.5	1.0
Ike Hilliard	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	4.5 (8.2)	0.5 (5.3)	3.0	50.0	0.0

Horn - Horn caught two passes for 34 yards during the team's Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He'll face the Carolina Panthers Week 3 and should be benched.

Carter - Carter was used more again Week 2 against the Houston Texans. He caught three passes for 50 yards during the game. He's a weak play against the Atlanta Falcons Week 3, but he's still worth using as a No. 3 fantasy wide receiver.

Henderson - Henderson didn't catch a single pass Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'll face the Tennessee Titans Week 3. His value is limited to being just an injury replacement for the upcoming week.

Galloway - Galloway enjoyed a lot of success against the New Orleans Saints Week 2. He caught four passes for 135 yards, including touchdown catches of 69 yards and 24 yards. Galloway will play against the St. Louis Rams Week 3. He should be viewed as a No. 1 fantasy wide receiver for the week.

Hilliard - Hilliard continues to put up respectable numbers, catching two passes for 51 yards Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. He should be viewed as an injury replacement at best Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Alge Crumpler	Atlanta Falcons	2	4 (7.0)	0 (0.0)	3.5	46.5	0.0
Jeff King	Carolina Panthers	2	5.5 (8.7)	0 (0.0)	4.5	37.0	0.0
Eric Johnson	New Orleans Saints	2	7.0 (9.5)	1.0 (15.3)	5.5	37.5	0.0
Alex Smith	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	2.5 (4.6)	0 (0.0)	2.0	34.0	0.0

Crumpler - Crumpler caught three passes for 53 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 2. He's still worth using as a starting fantasy tight end Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.

King - With King now a part of the team's receiving game on offense, he is earning more opportunities to catch passes instead of blocking as much. King has responded to the extra opportunities by catching more passes. He caught four receptions for 39 yards against the Houston Texans Week 2. He is a weak play against the Atlanta Falcons Week 3, and his value is limited to that of a flex player.

Johnson - Johnson caught just three passes for 18 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 2. He's a strong play against the Tennessee Titans Week 3 and is worth using as a low-end No. 1 tight end or a flex player.

Smith - Smith caught two passes for 45 yards against the New Orleans Saints Week 2. He's a weak play against the St. Louis Rams Week 3. He is only worth using as a low-end flex player.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Morten Andersen	Atlanta Falcons	--	--	--	--	--	--
John Kasay	Carolina Panthers	2	3.0	3.0	1.5	1.0	6.0
Olindo Mare	New Orleans Saints	2	1.5	1.5	0.5	1.5	3.0
Matt Bryant	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	2.0	2.0	1.5	1.5	6.5

Andersen - After former place kicker Matt Prater missed two more field goals Week 2, the team released him to bring back relic place kicker Morten Andersen. The 47-year-old kicker made 20-for-23 field goals last year with the Falcons. He should stay benched for the team's Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Kasay - Kasay didn't get to see the field much Week 2 against the Houston Texans. He was limited to three extra point attempts, which he was able to convert all three. He is a weak play against the Atlanta Falcons Week 3, and he should remain on your fantasy team's bench.

Mare - Mare missed on his only field goal attempt Week 2, but he was able to convert two extra point attempts. He's a weak play against the Tennessee Titans Week 3 and should stay benched.

Bryant - Bryant was able to hit a 27-yard field goal Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, plus he converted all four of his extra point attempts during the game. Bryant is a weak play against the St. Louis Rams Week 3 and should stay benched.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Atlanta Falcons	2	12.5	0.5	2.0	0.0	0.0
Carolina Panthers	2	20.5	0.0	0.5	1.5	0.0
New Orleans Saints	2	33.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	17.0	0.5	2.0	1.0	0.0

Falcons - The team's defense hasn't been horrible in terms of giving up points, but they aren't doing anything else to benefit a fantasy team. They did allow 20 offensive points Week 2 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They also recorded just one sack and one fumble recovery during the game. The team will face the Carolina Panthers Week 3. They are a weak play and should remain benched.

Panthers - The Panthers' defense has been a little disappointing this year. They haven't done much for their fantasy owners thus far, averaging just 0.5 sacks per game while giving up 20.5 points. The team allowed 28 offensive points Week 2 and all they registered was one fumble recovery. The Panthers will play the Atlanta Falcons Week 3, where they are a strong play worth starting for your fantasy team.

Saints - There are few positives to say about the Saints' defense. Aside from their fumble recovery for a touchdown, they haven't done anything at all so far this season. The team allowed 31 offensive points Week 2 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They are a weak play that should be benched Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.

Buccaneers - The Buccaneers have been solid this year, helping out in a bit of everything while restricting opposing offenses to 17 points per game. The Buccaneers allowed 14 offensive points to the New Orleans Saints Week 2, but they also recorded two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery during the game. They'll face the St. Louis Rams Week 3, and they are worth considering for a start.

Author Bio

Michael Egnak
Michael Egnak is a Hot Off The Wire Analyst at KFFL and has been with the company since 2005. Covering both NFL and MLB, Egnak is also a key contributor to KFFL's fantasy services.