By Zack Cimini
Notjustagame23@gmail.com

Here’s a look at some athletes that stocks have shot up after week one. Should you make some roster moves already, why not? Wednesdays are always interesting to see the shake up in leagues.

Michael Vick- He’ll likely get the start week two. Going forward all depends on how he handles this actual start. One half of great play looks fantastic, but now Vick will have to do that for an entire game. Detroit’s defense is not the same gimmick and easily to thrash. Vick will have to protect the football on some of his runs or a Kolb type hit could force him out.

Derek Anderson- His week one performance was a tad bit rough. He’ll probably still go unclaimed in a lot of leagues. This game he did not have Beanie Wells and was working with Larry Fitzgerald who was only at 70 percent. The upside is there if he can get his accuracy under control. If your looking for a backup with some upside scoop him up.

Brandon Jackson- With Ryan Grant’s season done here is your first running back to get full duties due to an injury. He had a tough time week one against Philadelphia but opportunities will not be reduced. He’ll get twenty touches a game which sparks the interest of any fantasy owner. Just hope that you’re number one on the waiver wire priority thanks to starting Michael Turner, Frank Gore, or another plethora of busts week one.

Ahmad Bradshaw- It’s getting to the point that Bradshaw will get the bulk of the carries over Brandon Jacobs. He did week one totaling 20 to Jacobs 12. We think that trend will continue as Jacobs is proving ineffective as an every down runner. Bradshaw has shown the burst and explosiveness that could turn him from a dark sleeper to a reliable starter. He did have two fumbles which he’ll have to corral quickly from happening again.

Arian Foster- He should have been drafted in your leagues but for those that were in idiotic leagues here you go. Foster had a start that franchise owners just love. It’ll probably end up being his best game of the season, but we all know Houston is going to score points. With Foster demonstrating a knack to get in the end zone, double digit production is easily reachable.

Eddie Royal- Royal had a bust of a season last year. He looks like he rededicated himself in the off-season and is ready to take on his new lead receiving role. Orton likes to lock in on his number one receivers and Royal catching eight passes is pretty impressive. In years past any good performances by Royal would usually happen with minimal catches from long pass plays. Totaling eight makes us actually believe in Royal.

Austin Collie- We all knew the Colts had a sure set of receivers that would be fantasy friendly, but we didn’t think it’d stretch down to their fourth starter. Collie proved to be Manning’s main target Sunday as he was able to free himself consistently. That type of performance will put pressure on Gonzalez. Manning probably won’t have 57 pass attempts every game, but he’ll have enough big games to warrant Collie as a fantasy fifth or sixth receiver.

Legedu Naanee- He could still go unclaimed in leagues due to owners inability to spell his name. Implement a 7th grade spelling bee participant to figure this one out. Naanee had one busted up play that was half of his totals Monday night. With Jackson gone someone has to be Rivers other target besides Gates. It could rotate week to week between Naanee and Malcolm Floyd, but this week it’s Naanee.

By Zack Cimini
Notjustagame23@gmail.com

Week one is practically in the books and serious question marks have already risen, or for some fantasy players re-risen. Those of you that drafted some of the players we are about to mention might be panicking already. Before you dig in for a potential trade lets analyze some of the bust performances that occurred. It’s only one game but for most of these guys it’s lingering from last season.

DeSean Jackson
In a game where Philadelphia abandoned the run extremely early you would of expected Jackson to have a showcase game. Didn’t happen. He was quiet all night and his catches were short out routes with no YAC. Not what were use to from his 2008 and 2009 seasons. Just goes to show a different quarterback does make a difference. It looks like Jackson may have to get use to another arm in that of Vick’s here shortly, which could lower Jackson’s value even more.

Frank Gore
Gore is a prolific back no question about it. Are worries have to do with Alex Smith who looks as if he is in the bottom five of the league in that department. If he does not improve the formula the Seahawks used to stop Gore will be replayed all season. Seattle stacked the box and dared Smith to beat them with his arm. He couldn’t do it, and Gore suffered immensely from it.

CJ Spiller
Spiller had one of the best preseasons of any running back which had analysts sky warding him up draft boards. So for week one he goes out and gets fantasy owners a fabulous point total of one, and that’s if your league combines total yards. Buffalo’s offense has been anemic for years. Spiller’s going to have to earn his yards this year the tough way.

Mike Turner
His breakout season of 2008 is really starting to look like light ages ago. Last year he blamed his performance on fighting through nagging injuries and bulking up too much. The weight was lost and he was supposed to be back to 2008 form. Facing the Steelers is usually a tough task so will downplay his week one performance for now. We are still worried though. Maybe he just had too many carries in 2008.

Brandon Jacobs
The Giants survived week one thanks in large part to Matt Moore giving away three critical interceptions inside Giants territory. A win can keep certain aspects hidden temporarily. Not Jacobs. He just can not penetrate holes and carry the ball like he did two to three years ago. He looks like a big lumbering fullback carrying the ball, and defenders are taking him down with ease. If New York is going to be successful they’re going to have to replace Jacobs as the feature back quickly.

Tim Hightower

Squandered a starting role with Beanie out by doing what he did best last season, fumble. Hightower fumbled the ball twice and did little to get the balance offensively the Cardinals needed. Maybe he should of trained with AP in the offseason to work on his fumbling issues. He was near the top last season and is already on pace to earn those honors again.

Alex Smith
An atrocious outing by Smith just has Niner nation dumbfounded. Many had picked them to get over the hump they’ve been fighting since Steve Young retired. Defensively they weren’t there, and if Smith does not pick it up the team will likely lose interest. It all starts at the quarterback position and Smith just does not have it.

Jason Campbell
Debuting with a new team couldn’t go any worse than Campbell’s Sunday. He threw the football 37 times and average yards per attempt was below five. That’s Jamarcus Russel type numbers. Campbell needs to remove this game from his memory and utilize his speedy receivers. He has the arm to gun the football but needs to show some daringness to get out of his methodical approach.

Derek Anderson
He got the Cardinals a win with a late fourth quarter drive for a touchdown against the…….Rams. Were thinking Matt Leinart could of equaled or had this game wrapped up well before hand. Anderson has the arm but just can not seem to locate the football with regularity. His accuracy beyond ten yards is just erratic. For his credit Larry Fitzgerald is only around 70 percent, and he is working with a young cast of receivers without a formidable tight end to throw to.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Though Seattle decided to cut their losses with TJ, their loss is another teams gain. Seattle was worried about their long term investment, and was comfortable enough with their young emerging receivers to part ways. TJ virtually had his choice of where he wanted to land and play for a year. As Seattle still will pay the majority of his salary with the Ravens paying the veterans minimum portion.  With the Ravens gearing up for a big run towards the Super Bowl any additional pieces could play a huge part.

We’d say trading away Mark Clayton for Housh is a distinguishable upgrade.

Baltimore’s bread and butter will continue to be the running game. Ray Rice is an emerging back who stormed on the scene in a feature role last season. Carries will continue to rise for him and the offense will officially be catered towards him. Behind Rice is veteran McGahee whose role will likely be scaled back further but provide the needed power in the fourth quarter.

Too shake up things Baltimore will need Joe Flacco to show more of the efficiency he displayed his rookie season. Their long time number one receiver Derrick Mason has been one of the only Ravens receivers to show up consistently each year. With Mason whispering on retirement last year Baltimore knew they finally need to make some moves at receiver. Bringing in Anquan Boldin was a major move in itself but now with Housh they can toy with defenses. Coordinators will not know which poison is worse, which early on in the year will likely be to leave it on Flacco’s arm.

They’ll load up in the box and create big pass play opportunities for Mason, Boldin, and Housh. It’s hard to say how potent the Ravens offense will be, but it’s safe to say they will be top ten in the league for points scored. Where we love Housh’s value is looking at Boldin and Mason. Mason has aged and will likely move to the slot position saving his legs and keeping him fresh throughout the season. Anquan Boldin is number one in the league at the receiver position for physicality. He goes all out and gives his body more of a beating than opposing defenders. That style of play has caused him to miss several stints of action almost every year.

Baltimore is taking all precautions to ensure the “IF” factor in the NFL. They’ve already reinsured on Donte Stallworth who is out with a broken foot, and has proven to be an unreliable receiver. Drafting or picking up Housh on waivers is a definite solid idea. Even though he disappointed many owners last season it was more of the team than the player. He still had 79 catches for over 900 yards. Basically he is going to continue to be the possession receiver he has always been. In Seattle that didn’t translate to the same numbers because they couldn’t run the football. Obviously, Baltimore is going to be in the top three in the league for rushing, which will give Housh his old red zone opportunities just like in Cincinnati.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

We’ve had a Mike Williams sighting. He was seemingly written off after bustling out as a first round pick by the Lions, and small stints with the Raiders and Titans. Someone has woken him up. Linking back up with his former USC coach, Pete Carrol, may have done the trick. Thus far in preseason Williams looks like the tall physical specimen everyone expected him to be. The thing different from him now than in years past is that he seems to be in supreme shape. That is enabling him to create a bit of separation against opposing defensive backs while utilizing his tight end size.

In the first two preseason games, Williams has had two solid performances. He had a big catch for a fifty one yard touchdown, and this past week had four catches for nearly fifty yards. Talks are in place with Seattle negotiating contract lingo with Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson. Delays between the Seahawks front office and Jackson’s agent could be the best thing for Mike Williams. He’d be buried if the Seahawks trade for Jackson, and would still have to fight off rookie Golden Tate. Currently it seems like Williams could be the Seahawks third receiver if the roster stays the same.

Deion Branch and TJ Housh are older veterans that have fought off injuries, especially Branch. Chances are at some point in the year either or could fade. Williams will have to stay completely focused in order to stay on the radar in Seattle. Remember he was the tenth pick in the draft in 2005. He has the talent to shine and cause some friction amongst his fellow Seahawk receivers. Hasselbeck was looking his way numerous times especially on third downs in their past preseason game.

Keep an eye on Williams as the Seahawks should have three formidable fantasy receivers. They’ve typically been fantasy friendly at the receiver position. If Hasselbeck can stay healthy it should happen again in 2010. Looking at their running back situation only spotlights the receivers more. Julius Jones and Justin Forsett are the same tandem a year ago that had a hard time netting 1,200 yards rushing combined.

The past two seasons have been rough for the Detroit Lions, to say the least. After going winless in 2008, the Lions only won two games in 2009, which was franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford’s rookie year. Even though the team’s recent record has put them at the bottom of the NFL hierarchy, there is no shortage of talent in Detroit, and second-year tight end Brandon Pettigrew will be a big part when the team turns it around.

One of the best gifts a team can give a young quarterback is a big target who can be a reliable receiver over the middle of the field. Stafford has that in Pettigrew, who caught 30 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games in his rookie year before tearing his ACL late in the season. Before his injury, Pettigrew had some big games, catching seven balls for 70 yards and a touchdown in a week nine loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and six catches for 72 yards and a score in a thrilling 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns in week 11. Reports indicate that Pettigrew has started practicing again, and is working his way back to full participation.

If he can stay healthy and move past the ACL injury, he can have a big sophomore season. With superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson being the focal point for defenders, and Nate Burleson joining the Lions after catching 63 passes for 812 yards with three touchdowns for the Seahawks last year, Pettigrew should get plenty of looks. If rookie running back Jahvid Best has a productive season, the Lions could boast a dangerous assortment of weapons. The Lions did also add tight end Tony Scheffler from the Denver Broncos, who is a solid tight end, and will take away some looks from Pettigrew, but the Lions should give Pettigrew a good amount of opportunities to produce.

Both Pettigrew and Stafford were rookies last year, and they will struggle and grow together. Being at the same stages in their careers should call for good chemistry between the two as they mature, which will result in Pettigrew being a go-to guy for his quarterback for years to come. At 6’5” and 265 pounds, Pettigrew is big enough to take the hits he’ll receive. His size is especially important when you consider the AFC North defenses he will be going up against. The Packers, Vikings, and Bears all have physical and intimidating defenses, so size on offense is an important advantage.
There’s a lot of work to be done before Pettigrew can become a top NFL tight end, but his numbers will improve along with his team. As Stafford works to develop into a consistent NFL quarterback, and the team finds the leaders who can get them out of their losing years, Pettigrew can assert himself as a threat. It may or may not happen in 2010, but Pettigrew is a player worth keeping an eye on, and can be a smart draft pick if he plays well early this season.

By Vidur Malik

The shelf life for an NFL running back is usually short, and when the prime years have passed, it happens abruptly. Running backs can go from putting up a string of 1,000+ yard, 10 touchdown+ seasons, to being demoted to a third-down or situational back in the matter of a season or two.

The Washington Redskins currently have three backs who could fall into this category. Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, and Clinton Portis have all been considered elite running backs at one time in their careers, but have since dropped from that level. Here’s a look at all three Redskin backs, and how they could fare this year:

Clinton Portis-

Portis looks to be the starter coming into this season, and is not far removed from his 1,000 yard years. He only put up 494 yards and one touchdown last year, but missed half the season because of a concussion. Only two years ago, Portis had 1,487 yards and nine touchdowns, so his elite number days are probably not behind him. One good sign is that his yards per carry average has usually stayed around the 4.0 mark recently. One of the signs of an aging running back is a significant drop in yards per carry, and even though Portis is far from the impressive 5.5 yards per carry he had his first two seasons, he has still been solid in that category. He did take a few dips into the 3.8-3.9 mark a few years ago, but if he can keep it to around 4 this year, that should result in a productive season. He should be able to approach the 1,000 yard mark if he has been able to shake off the concussion, and if he can stay healthy, Portis should be a back you can draft pretty confidently.

Larry Johnson-

Johnson is not the back he once was. After putting up back-to-back 1,700+ yard seasons in 2005 and 2006, Johnson has not been able to get past a foot injury, which has sidelined him for games, and made his numbers take a severe drop. Last year, with the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded only 204 yards with 0 touchdowns, while Cedric Benson resurrected his career with an All-Pro season. It doesn’t look like Johnson will be able to do the same in Washington. He’ll have to beat out Portis, or at least compete with him to get significant playing time, and with new quarterback Donovan McNabb and a solid group of receivers on offense, it will be tough for Johnson to get many reps. It’s sad to see a guy who was once the class of running backs struggle to get carries, but the situation isn’t ideal for Johnson, and unless you’ve got a late pick that you don’t know what to do with, it might be smart to hold off on him.

Willie Parker-

It looks like the man they used to call “Fast” Willie Parker will need to find a new nickname. Parker’s drop in production may be the most difficult to reverse of all three Redskin backs. While Portis and Johnson haven’t performed as well as they used to, it isn’t as difficult for them to show flashes of their former selves, because they are both downhill runners who make one cut and use their vision to explode through holes. Parker only relied on his quickness to gain yards in his glory days as a Pittsburgh Steeler, and when the speed goes, a running back’s time on the top is usually gone as well. After three consecutive 1,200+ yard years, Parker suffered a toe injury in 2008, which was the beginning of the end for him. He only had 98 carries last year, and didn’t score any touchdowns. Reports indicated that Parker lacked speed at the Redskins’ minicamp, which means that he isn’t a guy worth drafting.