Posted on September 4, 2008
The time has arrived; the NFL fantasy football season is finally here. The studying of draft guides, gathering in a basement for the draft, and pre-season trash talk has concluded. Now it is time to play some football — well sort of. Drafting a team is only part of the puzzle. Every week, deciding who to start and who to sit can mean the difference between a win or a loss. Here are some of my thoughts for week one of the NFL season.
Start
Drew Brees (QB, Saints) vs. Buccaneers
This fantasy gunslinger will see his numbers reach new heights this year with addition of Jeremy Shockey, young weapons like Robert Meachem, and the emerging star Marques Colston. The Buccaneers are young in the secondary and not ready for this high-powered offense.
Michael Turner (RB, Falcons) vs. Lions
After waiting behind LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego for four years, Turner finally has his chance to be the guy in Atlanta. With a rookie Matt Ryan starting at quarterback, the Falcons will feed the rock to Turner all day against a Lions run defense that can’t stop a high school team.
Andre Johnson (WR, Texans) at Steelers
Over the last seven games of last season, Johnson averaged more fantasy points per game than any receiver in the league, even Randy Moss. Against the Steelers, the Matt Schaub to Johnson connection will be all over the Heinz Field scoreboard. Don’t undervalue its potential just because the Texans have been cellar-dwellars in the AFC South.
Sit
Marc Bulger (QB, Rams) at Eagles
It is bad enough that Bulger has to deal with an aging receiver in Tory Holt, a bad offensive line, and a running back in Steven Jackson who sat out most of training camp. But when you add traveling, brutal Philadelphia fans and and arguably the best secondary in the league, that is a recipe for disaster.
Larry Johnson (RB, Chiefs) at Patriots
This former fantasy stud has fallen from grace over the past few seasons. A spotty offensive line, major injuries and overall wear and tear on the body have removed Johnson from the category of a no-brain starter each week. This week expect the Patriots to stack the line and dare quarterback Brodie Coyle to beat them.
Bernard Barrian (WR, Vikings) at Packers
The fast but fragile Barrian was one of the Vikings big off-season additions. The biggest problem for Barrian is that he has an unproven quarterback named Tavaris Jackson throwing him the ball. Also Packers CB Al Harris, and his dreadlocks, will be too physical for Barrian.
Sleepers
Kurt Warner (QB, Cardinals) at 49ers
Warner threw 23 touchdowns in his last nine starts last season. With stars Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in full force, Warner has plenty of options. The 49ers are not a push-over defensive, but Warner will find those mismatches down field to his big guns.
Chris Perry (RB, Bengals) at Ravens
With the recent release of running back Rudi Johnson, Perry will carry most of the load. Perry has power and enough elusiveness to be effective. The Ravens’ D isn’t what it used to be, and with Baltimore focusing on the high-powered Bengals passing game, look for Perry to find his way to the end zone.
