Fantasy football weekly

Analysis by John Gustafson
The Collegian

The NFL season is here and that means it’s every arm-chair quarterbacks’ favorite time of the year — fantasy football season.

After the opening weekend, the summer months of anticipation and anxiety are over and teams are taking their initial identities. This season will hold plenty of surprises but there are certain strategies that each successful fantasy owner follows. Each week with this article, my intentions are simple: I want to try to help readers become better fantasy players.

The first thing every fantasy owner should be doing is staying on top of the waiver wire or free agent list. This week top pickups are…

QB
1. Byron Leftwich, JAC – A strong game this last weekend vs. DAL are good signs for him, not too mention one of the league’s easiest schedule vs the pass.

2. Chad Pennington, NYJ – He completed 70 percent of his passes vs. a weak TEN defense last week, and he should be serviceable as a backup and he has some decent match-ups coming up.

3. David Carr, HOU – WR Andre Johnson seems to be back, and the offense moved the ball well against a tough Eagle defense, new coach Gary Kubiak will only help Carr improve.

4. Alex Smith, SF – The 49ers brought in offensive guru Norv Turner to mentor Smith, and he looked much improved against a weak ARI defense. It could work out well fantasy wise as Smith will be forced to throw a lot while playing behind most of the year.

5. Tony Romo, DAL – The preseason stud may be called on to step in earlier than expected as Bledsoe struggled in week 1. He’s more athletic and mobile than Bledsoe and he looked good this summer.

RB
1. Ahman Green, GF – He was the only bright spot last week against the Bears, and he ran as well as he has in three years, he’ll be a decent #3 RB, the trade of Gado increases his value.

2. Jamal Lewis, BAL – The defense looks to be back, and he finally has a solid QB, so the Ravens will look to get Lewis a steady dose of carries.

3. Fred Taylor, JAC – He ran well last weekend and he does have the nickname “Fragile Fred” because he is an injury risk, but get him and use him now early while he still has value.

4. Sam Gado, HOU – His stock definitely goes up with the trade, don’t expect him to be an elite back, but he should be the starter here.

5. Laurence Maroney, NE – The rookie from Minnesota had 86 yards and averaged 5.1 yards a carry, he could be huge if Dillon goes down and he gets all the carries.

WR
1. Donte Stallworth, PHI – Hello, are you kidding me?! Donte will leave Eagles fans saying, Terrell who?

2. Deion Branch, SEA – Tom brady’s favorite target now became the Seahawks new golden boy, he’s an excellent WR in an excellent position (easy schedule, productive offense, great coach).

3. Antonio Bryant, SF – His first time as a #1 WR working out so far, he had 100+ receiving and had a 50-yard TD called back because of a holding penalty. Look for Bryant to be very active as the 49ers will have to throw to stay in the game.

4. Troy Williamson, MIN – He’s Brad Johnson’s go to guy and he has an easy schedule vs. the pass including two games vs DET, GB.

5. Doug Gabriel, NE – Look for Gabriel to be active in this offense as the Patriots traded for him to replace the now departed Deion Branch (see above).

TE
1. Heath Miller, PIT – Probably unavailable in most leagues, but he’s a no-duh pickup after his week 1 performance.

2. Kellen Winslow, CLE – He said that he’s the best TE in the league when playing at 90 percent, he certainly proved that this last weekend and could be headed for a breakout season if he doesn’t go down with another injury.

3. Vernon Davis, SF – He’s been compared to Antonio Gates, he won’t do quite as well, and he will make rookie mistakes, but he looked good this past weekend scoring a TD on his first reception of the game.

4. Ben Watson, NE – Watson will lead the Patriots in receptions this year with the departure of Branch and could have some big game.

K
1. John Karney, NO – He had 4 FGs this weekend, and the Saints offense could stall.

2. Robbie Gould, CHI – The Bears have a great defense and the offense is still coming together, so they will play field position all year and Gould had 4 FGs last week, not a bad pick up.

Each week play your best lineup, that may include benching a stud for an above average player against a weak defense.

When choosing your line-up, play to win. In most leagues, it only takes about seven wins to make the playoffs, so if you start a long shot and he doesn’t pan out, then don’t worry about it, it’s a long season.

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