12.34

The Falcons match up well with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick on the ground. Atlanta has sure tacklers and speed in their linebacking corps, but they will struggle to contain Philly's deep threats over the top. Look for a lot of Cover 2 defense by the Falcons, as they are familiar with how well it works in preventing deep passes. The only way the Falcons seem to stand a chance of winning the game is by pounding Michael Turner. This will bring an Eagles safety into the box and also keeps Vick off the field. - Cory J. Bonini

16.43

The Eagles' biggest weakness will be their offensive line. Unless this unit gels, it could be a long year for Michael Vick running from defenders. The coaching staff could opt for more two-tight end fronts. One source joked, "Knowing Andy Reid, you'll see more seven-step drops and 90-yard bombs." Expect a weak line to help LeSean McCoy catch more balls out of the backfield. Brent Celek could be called to block more, but Philly has so many weapons in the passing game it probably doesn't matter. He isn't expected to be more involved anyway. -  Cory J. Bonini

16.34

Steve E. Smith (knee) may not be right all year, but he is expected to play a limited role in Week 1. Eventually, he could even rotate into Jeremy Maclin's spot. The more likely scenario has Smith and Jason Avant taking turns out of the slot. - Cory J. Bonini

16.33

The progress of the Chicago Bears' offensive line will heavily depend on left tackle J'Marcus Webb's development. He'll be a constant gameplan target of opposing teams. Talented RT Gabe Carimi, on the other hand, should be a stable force even in his rookie season. -Tim Heaney

16.29

Roy Williams probably doesn't deserve to be in the Chicago Bears' starting lineup, but Johnny Knox, although outperforming Roy Dubs, is still in Mike Martz's doghouse. A change could happen later on, but Williams has the slight PT edge. Knox is the better long-term fantasy target. - Tim Heaney

16.27

The early-season Chicago Bears wideout star could be Earl Bennett. He's the only truly solidified member of the WR hierarchy, is comfortable in the slot and has the Vanderbilt connection with QB Jay Cutler. You hear that, PPR depth seekers? - Tim Heaney

16.26

When asked, our Colts scribe said there was a 0 percent chance that Peyton Manning (neck) returns to the field this year. There is legitimate concern that Manning won't regain his form if he plays ever again. If No. 18 didn't have it anymore, he probably would walk away from the game since he holds himself to such a high standard. - Cory J. Bonini

16.25

Fantasy football players who were all over Deji Karim on waivers may want to squeeze some value from him right away. You might see him quite a bit more often than usual in the first couple of contests because Maurice Jones-Drew saw such limited action in the preseason. Karim may come in on third downs or even for an entire series to provide some relief, and he can put up some big numbers. Make no mistake, though: When MJD is healthy and up to speed, this is his show. - Nicholas Minnix

16.24

Q: Is there reason to be pessimistic about Maurice Jones-Drew's knee?
A: Not. At. All.
It really sounds like the 2011 MJD will be similar to those versions prior to 2010, at least in terms of health. Some folks who are close to the team spoke with him on Friday. He said that he feels much better than he did last year. He hasn't felt his knee at all. The Jags will give him as much as he can handle, although how much he can handle early on is TBD. - Nicholas Minnix

16.22

From first-round pick to written-off bust, running back Donald Brown worked with the scout team this week. Ouch! He was demoted to No. 3 at the position and has little chance of finding playing time. He has shown nothing to suggest he'll be a reclamation project for the Colts in his third pro season. Brown fits a zone-blocking, one-cut-and-go system, not Indy's read-based approach. The question is: How didn't the Colts realize that he didn't fit their offense when they drafted him? Brown shies from contact, which is the opposite of what the Colts are trying to do - become a tougher team on the ground. - Cory J. Bonini

16.21

The suddenly elevated Luke McCown is likely to suffice until at least the Jags' Week 9 bye. If they're not contending at that time, maybe they'd consider a change, but they don't seem to be in a rush. Blaine Gabbert just isn't ready. - Nicholas Minnix

16.20

Mario Manningham is primed to take another step forward. The New York Giants need an over-the-middle threat and should lean on Manningham in that capacity, especially early on. He should benefit from increased attention paid to Hakeem Nicks. - Tim Heaney

16.16

Marcedes Lewis has looked good in the preseason. He and Luke McCown should hook up quite a bit, at least early on, because the Jacksonville Jaguars' new quarterback likes to get rid of the ball quickly - Nicholas Minnix

16.14

Reports of Eli Manning's demise are greatly exaggerated. Sure, he over- and underthrew plenty of New York Giants receivers in camp and preseason, but he was still discovering who'll be the third wideout and working with a brand spanking new offensive line quintet. These scuffles shouldn't prevent you from being comfortable with him as your backup slinger. - Tim Heaney

16.11

The New England Patriots are rebuilding their secondary, so their middle-of-the-field coverage might be shaky. This should open up some lanes for catch-happy Miami Dolphins wideout Davone Bess, who torched the Pats last year when they focused on snuffing out Brandon Marshall. - Tim Heaney

16.10

David Garrard's release was a jolting blow to the Jacksonville Jaguars' community, but word is that the players are behind Luke McCown. McCown doesn't have Garrard's mobility and strength, but he fires the rock quickly and hits receivers in stride, two areas where Garrard struggled. Contrary to popular belief, the Jags can gain yards and put up points. Can they do it consistently? That's the question. They want McCown to avoid handicapping them. - Nicholas Minnix

16.07

Chad Ochocinco has looked more like a "role player" for the New England Patriots. He's struggling with the playbook and is having trouble adjusting his routes to counteract coverage. His work ethic remains sound, but don't count on Tom Brady forcing the rock Chad's way like he did with Randy Moss; he'll look elsewhere if he can't trust him. Week 1, against solid Miami Dolphins cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, probably isn't the best time to test No. 85. - Tim Heaney

16.05

Though BenJarvus Green-Ellis remains the New England Patriots' top dog, Stevan Ridley isn't far from making a name for himself and stealing some of Law Firm's yardage and goal line clientele. Danny Woodhead can't get much better than he was last year, and Shane Vereen still has some catching up to do thanks to his lingering hamstring injury. Ridley is an enticing RB5, or so, fantasy target. - Tim Heaney

15.53

The Colts will run the ball slightly more without Peyton Manning (neck), but don't expect them to be in position to do such very often. Their defense is built to play with a lead and could tire easily. Rookie running back Delone Carter will see around five carries per game, typically the short-yardage and goal line work that Joseph Addai isn't suited for. Addai will touch the ball 10 to 15 times per contest. - Cory J. Bonini

15.49

With Kerry Collins at the helm, the entire offense will be scaled back. While he is a veteran with plenty of experience, Collins still needs to learn all of the terminology and hand signals. Expect him to rely a lot on the proven targets - Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark - as the offense transitions into a slower, more predictable attack. Collins still has a live arm and made three throws in the preseason that illustrated this. He can be serviceable for the Colts, and possibly fantasy owners, as he becomes more comfortable in the system. - Cory J. Bonini

15.06

Despite their consciousness of Matthew Stafford's medical history, the Detroit Lions don't intend to change a thing about their offense. It's a pass-first team that didn't give up a lot of sacks last year. Internally, the staff believes that Stafford has put the injuries behind him, and they're willing to put a lot on his shoulders. The breakthrough fantasy year should be 2011. - Nicholas Minnix

15.06

Some fantasy football players thought that Jerome Harrison might ascend to the backup role behind Jahvid Best entering the 2011 campaign, but Maurice Morris (hand injury) is fine and will be the No. 2 back. He's not the flashiest player, but the coaches trust him, and he has given them a couple of big performances - like the one he had against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year. Regardless, don't expect this to be a good rushing team. - Nicholas Minnix

15.02

The pecking order for looks in the Browns' passing game should start with Mohamed Massaquoi, even though he missed the whole preseason. Colt McCoy is comfortable with him. Then expect rookie Greg Little to get in on the action, with Joshua Cribbs and Brian Robiskie also being mixed in. Most weeks, the receivers will be interchangeable. - Cory J. Bonini

15.01

Nate Burleson had a strong preseason, and he's completely healthy. With the way the Detroit Lions plan to use him this year, he has the potential to put up some big fantasy points and serve as some quality fantasy depth. - Nicholas Minnix

14.42

Don't be worried about Montario Hardesty taking many reps from Peyton Hillis, even though the latter wore down as the 2010 season drew to a close. The coaching staff will be conscious of not overworking Hardesty's surgically repaired knee, and Hillis will find plenty of work in the passing game. Hardesty could be a bright spot for fantasy owners should Hillis suffer a major injury. - Cory J. Bonini

14.40

Barring an injury, Rex Grossman has at least four games - before the Washington Redskins head into their bye week - to prove that he doesn't deserve to lose the QB job. He obviously had a taste for tossing it to Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, but he also seems to be on the same page with preseason sensation Terrence Austin. - Nicholas Minnix

14.39

Buying into Tim Hightower as a fantasy football stud? At least one observer is. Hightower fits the Washington Redskins' scheme much better than Clinton Portis did, didn't have fumbling problems in the preseason and looks like a three-down player because of his skill set and the team's depth chart arrangement heading in. - Nicholas Minnix

14.38

It'd be a little surprising if Chris Cooley (knee) played in the Washington Redskins' season opener. Some fantasy football drafters took a chance on him because, well, how can you not when he falls so far, right? Maybe his seven previous seasons are starting to catch up to him, though. If he suffers a setback or has a recurrence, then it's hard not to see how this won't be a concern all season. In any week that Cooley isn't playing, Fred Davis is an intriguing fantasy option. He had a solid preseason. - Nicholas Minnix

13.43

Tony Gonzalez, washed up? He looks like he could play another two or three years, from the sounds of it. He has been running routes, even deep patterns, at a good pace, and he looks better than he did last season. Somebody in this offense is going to be open, and they'll find him. Those who took a chance that Gonzo still had something left may be decently rewarded. - Nicholas Minnix

13.38

In his rookie campaign, expect Julio Jones to meet - or at least come close to meeting - the lofty expectations that many seem to have for him. He had some issues with drops and concentration in college, but so far he has given the Atlanta Falcons no reason to think that they'll become habits for him. - Nicholas Minnix

13.32

Wide receiver Harry Douglas could get off to a fast start this season, relatively speaking. His acceleration is outstanding, and he has always had the hands. He's fourth in the Atlanta Falcons' pecking order, but he's going to make some plays. He should make for interesting depth in deep leagues. - Nicholas Minnix

13.30

Antonio Brown remains ahead of Emmanuel Sanders in the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver pecking order, per our whisperer; Brown will be on the outside in most three-wide sets. Sanders still has some work to do, given his injury-shortened preseason. Though an exciting player in a promising passing offense, for now Brown is nothing more than a  fantasy depth piece worth an occasional flex play. Sanders is still worth monitoring for use off your waiver wire. - Tim Heaney

12.51

Quarterback Sam Bradford is close to having a full grasp of Josh McDaniels' system. The young passer will be given more responsibility at the line of scrimmage than he was afforded last year under coordinator Pat Shurmur. Center Jason Smith made all of the line calls in 2010, but that task will be Bradford's this season. Last year's No. 1 pick spent time on his days off this summer studying film and working hard to digest this complex offense. - Cory J. Bonini

12.47

Danny Amendola will play the Wes Welker role in Josh McDaniels' offense, but he may struggle to top the century mark in receptions if one of the other Rams receivers doesn't step up. Remember, Welker had Randy Moss to draw attention away from him. - Cory J. Bonini

12.45

Sam Bradford has a lot of confidence in wideout Brandon Gibson, but the second-year quarterback isn't quite in sync with Mike Sims-Walker yet. MSW missed time with a groin injury and had to report late to camp because of his veteran status. The duo should build chemistry as the year goes on. - Cory J. Bonini

12.43

Rookie tight end Lance Kendricks has an outside chance at catching 40 to 50 balls this year. He'll be involved in this spread-it-around offense, but it should be noted that no tight end has caught more than 49 passes in a season under Josh McDaniels. How the receiving corps shakes out will also shape Kendricks' involvement. - Cory J. Bonini