Fantasy Football Studs & Duds

It looks to me like we shoulda seen this coming. All the studs we expect to have huge weeks had mediocre weeks, and there were a ton of surprises. Isn't that always the way the NFL goes? I think we'll have better luck predicting World War 4. We saw plenty of things that are cause for optimism and concern, but it's still too early to speculate on a host of other issues facing fantasy owners this year. At least we know a lot more than we did just a day or two ago, and here's what we know: Palmer, Leftwich, Griese, and Bledsoe are among the average Qb's who definatly suprised in Week 1. Oh and lets not forget Gus Frerotte (Mia) – I basically dissed Frerotte all summer, but if I'm going to be wrong about a player, I can live with being wrong about Frerotte and the Dolphins. He made plays, and his receiver made plays.

Its already started. Priest Holmes in on the waiver wire. I guarantee you woke up Monday morning and saw his name in the trade bait column of your league didn't you? Don't take him, let the guy who picked him suffer it out this year ok? Oh and as for Willie Parker...(RB, Pit) – He might not be in many more excellent situations like he was in this past weekend, and he might not even start beyond Week 2, but what makes him so attractive is his ability to bust off a long run at any moment. He's also a tough runner who bangs it inside and keeps his feet moving and his legs churning. Parker sure looks like a real deal, so at this point, I think there is an excellent chance they continue to give him at least 12-15 carries a game. Note to Cadillac Williams Owners: Williams looked great against a pretty good Vikings defense. He's very quick, yet powerful and strong enough to handle a lot of dirty work. He's a special player, and he's off to a great start.

Steve Smith (Car) is unbelievable, he had another long TD reception called back too, so start this stud every week ok? Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson (GB) – Driver did okay as the No. 1 WR back in 2002, but he will need Ferguson to step up and take some pressure off him, now that Javon Walker has been lost with an ACL injury. Driver will move from split end to flanker (usually the go-to spot in the offense), and Ferguson will start at split end. You have to love what you saw from Jimmy Smith in the opener. He looks like he's five years younger than he is, and his offense is all about getting him the ball. As for Smith's old buddy Keenan Mccardell, you've got to give him credit for his big game; he almost had a third TD Sunday. TE Antonio Gates returns this week, so let's not get too excited, but McCardell certainly looks more than serviceable. Keyshawn Johnson (Dal) – He and QB Drew Bledsoe clicked well in the opener, so that's not a concern. If the team consistently targets him in the red zone, he'll be solid enough to roll with as your No. 3, maybe #2.

Lets just wait another week on this position. Start all your #1's next week (week 2) and watch them all bounce back to their true form. If they don't scoop one of the above b-teamers up.

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings (22-33, 233 yards, 3 INTs; 3 carries, 19 yards, 2 lost fumbles): Sure, the Bucs defense is tough, but a stud like Culpepper can do better than turn the ball over five times by himself. Granted, the running game was non-existent (33 total yards), but he knows how to spread the ball around if when the ground game gets stuck. Not a good opener for one of the first quarterbacks taken in your draft.

Other Week 1 Fantasy Football Duds

J.J. Arrington, RB, Cardinals: 8 carries, 5 yards; 4 catches, 22 yards
David Carr, QB, Texans: 9-21, 70 yards, 3 INTs; 7 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD
Brett Favre, QB, Packers: 27-44, 201 yards, 2 INTs, 1 lost fumble
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: 3 catches, 18 yards
Ashley Lelie, WR, Broncos: 2 catches, 17 yards
Chad Pennington, QB, Jets: 21-34, 264 yards, 1 INT; 6 fumbles, 2 lost
Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: 2 catches, 25 yards
Roy Williams, WR, Lions: 2 catches, 13 yards

Baltimore D/ST (24 points allowed, 0 sacks, 0 turnovers)

Shocked? You shouldn't be. Against Baltimore in Week 15 last year, Indianapolis squeezed off 20, turned it over just once and held the Ravens sackless. I thought they'd be better equipped to handle the Colts with CB Dale Carterand a healthy Deion Sanders giving them the kind of depth needed to match up with the Colts. But consider that the Ravens are breaking in a new scheme and that Indianapolis has arguably the best collection of talent--players and coaches--an NFL offense in the modern era has known. Poor, poor Tennessee. The Titans will be the Ravens' victim in the rebound game next week.