By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks were supposed to be behind to start the year. That hasn’t been the case, as even rookie quarterback have made the jump look relatively easy. With defenses shuffling to get to the sideline for oxygen masks, it’s clear which units are behind to start the year. Match ups this weekend look even more intriguing then the first few weeks. This is a very deep week for quarterbacks, as I could seeing the top twenty having very solid fantasy games.

1. Tom Brady
Teams still can’t figure out how to press up on the Patriots receivers and halt the quick hot route throw. The Patriots have come in as an offensive machine. Relentless as a play concludes to run their hurry up offense. As teams get in shape, will see if Brady is still able to continue to exploit defenses at a incredible high rate. With Aaron Hernandez sidelined for an extended time, he’ll have to find another target to step up.

2. Philip Rivers
He has not even came close to his caliber of play the first two weeks. This will be the perfect match up to get Rivers ignited.

3. Aaron Rodgers
The few times Rodgers has struggled it has come against the Bears. He needs to get over that lackluster regularity versus the Bears. The way he has started this year, lackluster may not be in his vocabulary for a full sixteen games. He is throwing balls in tight spots like an old quarterback challenge drill.

4. Drew Brees
It’ll be interesting to see if Brees can maneuver and throw over the edge rushers of the Texans. They’ll be attacking to try and prevent Brees from seeing the field clearly. At the end of the day though, even when Brees looks like he is having a rough game, he manages to pile up stats.

5. Tony Romo
NFL fans favorite guy to pat on the back after week two. How fast the media can change the perception of fans. Romo did gut out a crucial come from behind win. He has played this way for awhile now. It’s getting the whole team on the same page, and limiting critical mistakes that Romo needs to address. Leadership is rising to all his teammates after last week.

6. Mike Vick (If He Plays)
Chances are he will sit this game, but the Eagles will draw it out all week. The Giants are one of the best teams at attacking Mike Vick, and to sit on the side of caution the Eagles should sit him.

7. Cam Newton
First he shredded the Cardinals defense, then he tore apart a Dom Capers defense. Dom Capers who has been one of the masterminds of defensive schemes over the last ten years. Cam is the real deal, and is excelling much further then anyone could have imagined. A match up against the Jaguars should bolster his value even more.

8. Matt Schaub
Kevin Walters should be returning soon. Houston has shifted from a team that loved to get into shootouts, to more of a possession type team that eats away the clock. That may cause Schaub to rest around the eight to twelve range for most of the season.

9. Ryan Fitzpatrick
A waiver wire/backup dandy that gets a starting nod this week. New England is going to give up yards through the air, there is no doubt about that. Even though Fitzpatrick has limited weapons, he’ll find a way to have a third consecutive highly rated game.

10. Matt Stafford
This team is playing with a passion of confidence. All the years of working towards this state, has this team sensing the accomplishment. Matt Stafford is loaded with weapons and is ready to challenge the Packers.

11. Sam Bradford

12. Ben Roethlisberger

13. Matt Ryan

14. Mark Sanchez

15. Josh Freeman

16. Kevin Kolb

17. Rex Grossman

18. Matt Hasselbeck

19. Jay Cutler

20. Chad Henne

21. Joe Flacco

22. Eli Manning

23. Jason Campbell

24. Kyle Orton

25. Donovan McNabb

26. Andy Dalton

27. Mike Kafka (If he starts over Vick)

28. Matt Cassel

29. Colt McCoy

30. Kerry Collins

31. Alex Smith

32. Tavaris Jackson

33. Luke McCown

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Thin or deep at running back, you’ll still need to make key moves each week on the right guys. Having depth is always a good thing, to be able to maneuver around the constant injury bug that plagues every owner at some point during the season. Don’t get to cute with who you start though. Plug in the guys you drafted highly. Don’t over react and bench a sure starter just because of a poor week one. If you’re in a catastrophic situation at running back, swapping guys constantly isn’t going to help. Reach out and seek a trade.

Here’s a look at week two fantasy running back rankings.

1. Adrian Peterson
The Vikings offense barely managed 30 plays. Everyone knows how poorly Donovan McNabb was in week one. I’ll need to see another abysmal outing from McNabb before Peterson shifts down any spots. Look for Peterson to be fueled to pickup his veteran quarterback, and get the offense cranked up via his shoulders.

2. Ray Rice
It was never a question for Ray Rice if the yardage would be there. It was if he can/would be the go to guy to get Ravens touchdowns. Rice annihilated the Steelers defense tallying monster yards via the ground and pass catching. Expect things to continue vs. the Tennessee Titans.

3. Matt Forte
Forte might have the highest use per play of any high caliber fantasy back in the NFL. He is used so much out of the backfield. Unlike a few years ago, the Bears have figured out how to break him loose almost every game. They just know when to call the appropriate play in their simplistic offense. Look for the Saints to get caught a few times, when they try to blitz Cutler.

4. Rashard Mendenhall
It’s only week two, but Seattle is so hopeless that this game is going to look like a team in week seventeen playing with no effort. With how shaky Roethlisberger was in week one, the Steelers will tone back his throws. Mendenhall should get twenty plus carries and well over a hundred and twenty yards.

5. Darren McFadden
Give McFadden credit. He was being tabbed with the injury prone label, but thwarted that last season. Now if he can keep his Denver Bronco type numbers going against other teams, he will shoot up officially as a top seven fantasy back.

6. LeSean McCoy
Vick has been being put on his back and pressured relentlessly throughout the preseason and week one. Just a few years ago that was a welcomed occurrence by Andy Reid. The Eagles still are one of the best screen and short dump teams in the NFL. Look for McCoy to put up equal numbers receiving as he does rushing, with around sixty to seventy yards in both categories.

7. Cedric Benson
He just continues to bull over defenses and produce numbers. One of the few backs that gets near all the carries for his team, and still gets overlooked when fantasy drafts are being conducted. If you grabbed him as your second back, you’ll reap the rewards once again. A favorable matchup for Benson this week shoots him up into the top ten for week two.

8. Tim Hightower
Washington seems to have found a proper balance with their offense. Hightower didn’t break a long gainer week one like he did in preseason, but still managed a touchdown. They’ll feed him the ball plenty of times against his ex-teammates. Rocket Hightower up not just for this week, but for the season. This will easily be his most productive season, now that he is getting the bulk of the carries. Another revengeful thing Hightower will have on his mind this week.

9. Maurice Jones-Drew
The bowling ball finds a way to get it done. He faces the toughest matchup of top fantasy backs, but do not let that stray you from inserting him in your lineup. If you drafted solidly, your running back two option should be able to pick up an extra five to eight points to make up for Jones-Drew’s slight dip this week.

10. Jahvid Best
Crank out the oldies. Best is humming and voicing, “Kansas City, Kansas City here comes a monster day”. Detroit’s offense is going to soar weekly just like their defense is coming together. Best is the type of guy that when he has an impressive game, it comes in the range of multiple touchdowns and tons of yards. Don’t forget Best played the majority of the season last year with an injury, but to start of the 2010 season he was a beast.

11. Frank Gore
12. Jamaal Charles
13. Ahmad Bradshaw
14. Michael Turner
15. Arian Foster
16. Fred Jackson
17. Chris Johnson
18. Peyton Hillis
19. Beanie Wells
20. Reggie Bush
21. Felix Jones
22. Shonn Greene
23. LeGarrette Blount
24. Mike Tolbert
25. Darren Sproles
26. James Starks
27. DeAngelo Williams
28. Willis McGahee
29. Ben Tate
30. Mark Ingram
31. Danny Woodhead
32. Cadillac Williams
33. Ryan Matthews
34. Joseph Addai
35. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
36. MarShawn Lynch
37. Jonathan Stewart
38. Ricky Williams
39. DeLone Carter
40. Brandon Jacobs
41. LT
42. Ryan Grant
43. Pierre Thomas
44. Mike Bush
45. Knowshown Moreno (Likely Out or Limited)
46. Thomas Jones
47. Jerome Harrison
48. DejI Karim
49. Marion Barber
50. CJ Spiller

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Special teams ignited for eight touchdowns in week one. You better believe the yelling from head coach to the special teams coaches trickled down to the practice fields this week. With the way quarterbacks lit up opposing units week one, it might be a turn around affect week two. Especially with some of the young quarterbacks such as Cam Newton and Chad Henne who played at career day levels.

** Potential Available Defenses on Waivers Worth Picking Up For Week Two
– Tampa Bay- Things are not looking like they are going to bode well for McNabb. The chemistry just isn’t there and the lack of offensive weapons could mean a second straight poor outing for McNabb.

– Denver- They don’t get to face rookie Andy Dalton but they do get journeyman Bruce Gradkowski. The Broncos gave up the most yards Monday night but that’s been a perpetual issue when they face Darren McFadden. Look for them to fluster Gradkowski and force some turnovers. Their special teams has already been a force with a returned touchdown by Eric Decker.

1. Baltimore
The cohesiveness this team has throughout their entire defense is unheard of. The past couple of years the weakness was in the secondary. It looks like with Ed Reed healthy and some of the youngsters matured and more experienced that has been fixed. Forcing five turnovers against the supreme of the AFC over the last few years was a huge opening weekend statement. They get to face the Titans and Matt Hasselbeck this week.

2. Green Bay
The welcoming Cam Newton was supposed to get week one will be delivered a week late. Green Bay has flustered some of the best quarterbacks over the last year. It’ll be a wake up call and a turnover prone game for Newton.

3. New York Jets
Romo had his way with the Jets through the air, but the defense was stout versus the run. Jacksonville’s only chance to stay in this game is through clock management. If the Jets are able to ground the rushing attack, it’ll force them to throw the ball more than they would want. I anticipate that happening and for McCown to show that he should only be a backup quarterback.

4. Detroit
They forced a team that lived off the ground attack a year ago, to abandon the run with their primary ball carrier only getting five attempts. Now they get Matt Cassel who seems to have blinders on overlooking down the field beyond seven yards. You can bank on a pick six from a tipped pass in this one.

5. Pittsburgh
After a proud team gets bullied, it is never good for the next weeks opponent. Sorry Seattle.

6. Atlanta
Mike Vick was drilled twenty one times by the Rams defense. He may be facing his former team but don’t expect Vick to have one of those high caliber performances. Atlanta will contain him with their defensive speed and expose the Eagles putrid offensive line.

7. Houston
Henne was in a groove week one, but it’s obvious that is not his comfort behind center. Houston moved the ball efficiently week one and facing Miami’s bottom tier defense should continue that. You can’t expect Henne to perform at that type of high rate, meaning that there should be more turnovers in week two.

8. Chicago
This is a true team unit. If with or without Brian Urlacher they’ll have even extra motivation to form together Sunday.

9. Denver
Noted in above possible defenses available on waiver wire.

10. Philadelphia
Matt Ryan just didn’t seem 100% in rhythm week one. Drives were stagnant against the Bears and he only found comfort delivering to Tony Gonzalez. The slow start could be attributed to his history of faring far better on his home turf. He’ll be tested even at home this weekend, going against the Eagles All-Pro secondary.

11. Tampa Bay
12. Dallas
13. San Francisco
14. New Orleans
15. Buffalo
16. Cleveland
17. Oakland
18. Washington
19. San Diego
20. Minnesota
21. New York Giants
22. New England
23. Indianapolis
24. Seattle
25. Kansas City
26. Miami
27. Jacksonville
28. Tennessee
29. Arizona
30. St. Louis
31. Cincinnati
32. Carolina

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

The passing game was supposed to struggle early on this season. Lack of preparation to get the chemistry intact was supposed to give the advantage to defenses. When Chad Henne and Cam Newton both throw for 400 yards, the glaring weaknesses in the NFL definitely aren’t at quarterback. Still, it’s hard in the NFL to put together solid outings on a consistent basis unless you’re one of the regular top tier fantasy quarterbacks.

Will there be a dip in fantasy production in week two? Expectantly so. Here are quarterback rankings for week two based upon match ups.

1. Tom Brady
The clinic he put on Monday night is put down as an instant classic performance. As the saying goes, what happens in preseason means nothing. Brady had time to thread the ball wherever and whenever he wanted to. With the freedom and amount of throws vs. the run New England does, it’ll be hard for Brady not to consistently be in the top two or three fantasy quarterbacks each week.

2. Aaron Rodgers
Just because the Packers played five days ago doesn’t mean Rodgers opening night performance should be over looked. Either Rodgers already has a great rapport with his receivers or he found a way to work with his receivers during the lockout. The timing he has in place with Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson is impressive.

3. Mike Vick
A poor completion percentage, but statistically that doesn’t matter in fantasy football. Vick looks as if he won’t have any issues performing with a new contract. Going up against his old team at Atlanta should truly be the unleashing moment for Vick’s return to the top.

4. Tony Romo
Unfortunate errors seem to plague Tony Romo. Analyzing the entire game vs. the Jets though, you have to be impressed with the way Romo played. It looks as if he may be ready to get into the tier one category of fantasy quarterbacks. Replacing Peyton Manning for 2011.

5. Philip Rivers
The San Diego Chargers always raise the level of intensity when they face the New England Patriots. There is an extended past history here. You best believe Rivers is going to want to outshine Tom Brady. It’s his nature to compete. Chad Henne’s dazzling performance is even more of an indicator to boost Rivers for this weekend.

6. Drew Brees
There is a lot of great match ups this week for quarterbacks if Brees is ranked sixth. Chicago is one of a few teams that knows how to game plan and frustrate Brees. The running game never truly got going in week one for the Saints. With a couple of receivers nicked up, Brees could have a tough time having a typical Brees outing.

7. Matt Schaub
The Dolphins don’t get any rest from an offensive attack. Houston ran the ball quite often against the Colts. Mostly to prevent from drubbing the Colts even worse in the total points column. Miami should stay in this game a bit longer. Meaning Schaub should have an aerial attack against the Dolphins poor secondary.

8. Jay Cutler
Cutler never really stretches the field for deep throws, but his yardage numbers add up in chunks. Mike Martz’s system has caught a lot of flack over the years, but it is safe and effective. Matt Forte’s extra YAC is becoming routine to pad Cutler’s stats.

9. Matt Stafford
Kansas City is in for a long season after being embarrassed in a home blowout loss to Buffalo. Detroit’s defense is going to feast off of Matt Cassel’s inability to deliver the ball with accuracy. Expect a lot of short fields and for the Lions to come out and make a statement that they’re a team to be reckoned with.

10. Joe Flacco
Nothing has changed with the way the Ravens defense showed up and stomped an opponent. The difference was in the scoreboard. Instead of a 13-7 victory, the Ravens were able to show some efficiency offensively for a 35-7 blowout. Flacco has shown he can deliver but has been so sporadic throughout his young career. Can he put it together over a full season?

11. Chad Henne
12. Ben Roethlisberger
13. Mark Sanchez
14. Rex Grossman
15. Matt Ryan
16. Josh Freeman
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
18. Kevin Kolb
19. Kyle Orton
20. Eli Manning
21. Cam Newton
22. Colt McCoy
23. Sam Bradford
24. Jason Campbell
25. Donovan McNabb
26. Matt Hasselbeck
27. Tavaris Jackson
28. Matt Cassel
29. Luke McCown
30. Alex Smith
31. Andy Dalton
32. Kerry Collins

By Zack Cimini

, runnotjustagame23@gmail.com

I just wrote an article detailing out how important running backs are again in fantasy football. The past few years, quarterbacks stole the show a bit by throwing for an inordinate amount of yardage. It’ll tone back down this year, and bring fantasy football back to it’s core value players. Here are running back rankings based upon week one match ups.

Undervalued Week One: Matt Forte , Tim Hightower, Brandon Jacobs

Overvalued (Risky Starters): Chris Johnson and Michael Turner

1. Jamaal Charles

He’ll torment the Bills defense all day. Expect a patented break away long yardage touchdown from Charles.

2. Darren McFadden

McFadden’s going to become an elite fantasy back this season as long as he can stay away from injuries. He loves facing the Denver Broncos, and will make fantasy owners very happy week one.

3. Ray Rice

Even though he’ll be facing Pittsburgh, I like what he is going to do additionally pass catching in this game. Rice gets a heavy amount of carries but gets equal looks out of the backfield. Flacco is a check down quarterback, and may rely on Rice more without Derrick Mason.

4. Adrian Peterson

AP is going to crack the top five each week unless of course an injury occurs.

5. Peyton Hillis

The Browns offense is going to be much more effective than last season. With the expected increased points, Hillis may have been undervalued in fantasy drafts. Facing Cincinnati will get him a jump start in the fantasy points column.

6. Frank Gore

Inner divisional opponents of the NFC West have made Gore’s career. He’ll feast on the Seahawks once again.

7. Arian Foster

I assume he’ll play. Rumor though is that the Texans will ensure he is not over worked, and get Ben Tate some carries. This game could be a blowout. If so, Foster may not get more than twelve to fifteen carries.

8. Chris Johnson

I’m not buying an instant on the field great performance from Johnson. The money is there for Johnson, will the will and drive be anymore?

9. Matt Forte

This should be a tight defensive game, but Forte will cause issues for the Falcons. Total yardage numbers from him will likely be in the top five this week, but the if factor on cracking the end zone bumps him down.

10. Tim Hightower

Everyone thinks that a banged up secondary does more damage to the passing game. In does, but it also causes more issues in the rush defense. The Giants linebackers aren’t great as it is. Expect Hightower to continue off his great preseason with a one hundred yard performance and at least one touchdown.

11. LeSean McCoy

12. Steven Jackson

13. Maurice Jones-Drew

14. Jahvid Best

15. Reggie Bush

16. Beanie Wells

17. Rashard Mendenhall

18. Ahmad Bradshaw

19. Mark Ingram

20. LeGarrette Blount

21. Michael Turner

22. Shonn Greene

23. DeAngelo Williams

24. Fred Jackson

25. Brandon Jacobs

26. Knowshown Moreno

27. Ben Tate

28. Cedric Benson

29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

30. Felix Jones

31. Marion Barber

32. Ryan Matthews

33. James Starks

34. Joseph Addai

35. Marshawn Lynch

36. Thomas Jones

37. Willis McGahee

38. Jonathan Stewart

39. Pierre Thomas

40. Mike Tolbert

41. Ryan Grant

42. CJ Spiller

43. Larod Stephens-Howling

44. Michael Bush

45. Roy Helu

46. LT

47. Ricky Williams

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

News this afternoon of Peyton Manning under going a third neck surgery can not be good news for football enthusiasts. From Colts fans to dynasty league owners that thought they were excluded from needing depth because of his starts history. This has all possible not goods to it. It doesn’t sound good, the fact that he hasn’t been able to participate and hasn’t been cleared for anything, doesn’t look good.

If the Colts kept news of Manning being declared out for Sunday’s start until just a few days ago, then how long do you think they’ll let the real information linger? Lately former NFL experts have been more up front about the difficulties coming back from a neck injury. Steve Young, Howie Long, Sterling Sharpe, have all disclosed pertinent information on this. The main forthcoming notes is that each successive issue makes it harder and harder. This could be a career ender.

Being a quarterback you have to be even more concerned for Manning. It has to be treated with extreme caution similar to a player returning with a concussion. As Kordell Stewart stated Wednesday, all functions start from the head down. Even if Manning is able to return, there are many variables to consider. His age, the teams age, and the rust of Manning missing an extended period of time.

As far as 2011, Kerry Collins is the quarterback for now. Think of the last 40 year old starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Of course Brett Favre tops the most recent list. Then you can date back to Doug Flutie and Vinny Testaverde. As the season goes on, the body beating takes it’s toll on the delivery of the football. The proper reads they see, there arm is a tad bit slower in delivering the football. Throw out Favre’s 2009 season, and think of those quarterbacks out their on display.

This brings a hot topic to the front of discussion. With the season in jeopardy, how will the Colts front office manage the year? Will they try and sign veteran David Garrard to see if they can make a run? Manning for years made this average team above average. So quarterbacks that are on the cusp of average will expose this team all out. Defensive coordinators will finally be able to attack freely without worries of getting burned over the top or across the field.

Remember Kerry Collins had the Tennessee Titans off to an 0-6 start out the gate, and basically forced the Titans to start Vince Young. As bad as Young is and was, he managed to get the Titans on a win streak. The season is not looking bright, but being in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes is highly probable.

If Manning is out for the season, there is only the Seattle Seahawks that look like they would have a similar horrible record when the season ended. Even if some of the teams that are starting rookie quarterbacks end up towards the bottom of the NFL, they already have their signal caller for the upcoming years.

Wouldn’t that be something if the Colts were able to nab Luck, and Manning came back in 2012 fully recovered? Luck already showed patience in returning for his senior season, so sitting behind Manning would likely not be a problem. This would be awfully similar to what happened with the San Antonio Spurs. Aging veteran David Robinson was the heart and soul of the Spurs, and when he missed an entire season the team felt it 100%. Landing with the number one pick as a result, they built a formidable wall in the interior and Robinson had a wing man to dominate the paint.

Colts fans down right now have this other side of the spectrum to look at for the year, because it’s going to be an ugly one.