Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By Michael Salfino

Bill Parcells once famously said that until you win your first game, you seriously wonder if you ever will. If you're 0-2 right now in this very young fantasy season, you know exactly what he meant. But, with apologies to Douglas Adams: Don't Panic!

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Donte Stallworth, WR, Patriots: He got more snaps last week than Wes Welker. Yes, everything he can do, someone else on the Patriots deep receiving corps can do better. When he inevitably has a big week, everyone will want him. Buy him cheap now and sell him after the outburst for a true, solid fantasy WR3.

Willie Parker, RB, Steelers: Strange but true (at least to me): he's almost a year older than Clinton Portis, yet Portis was thought of as washed up a month ago. (More on that later.) Parker is on pace for 400 carries and Mike Tomlin says, "We're riding Willie until the wheels fall off." (Actual quote.) You want to kiss the coach on the lips when he says that about your No. 1 fantasy back. Parker also has the most red-zone carries in the NFL. The planets are aligned for another 15-to-20 TD year.

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: No touches last week for Leon Washington results in this upgrade for Jones, who has done little against two top defenses. The Dolphins, this week's opponent, have yielded 170-plus rushing yards per game in the early going.

DeShawn Wynn, RB, Packers: Why Wynn? Why not? He was highly recruited before opting to attend Florida, where he disappointed. Assume the talent is there. Brandon Jackson has done nothing to impress and never had more than 91 carries in college. Vernand Morency returns this week, but he's a journeyman. The Packers will run a lot more than in 2006 given their solid defense; Wynn's downside right now is goal-line back.

Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Sometimes it pays to catch a falling knife. This isn't really the stock market. Our guesses at a player's value are far more circumstantial. I didn't like him in the summer, when he was drafted late first, early second everywhere. By September, I was able to grab him 49th overall in one league. Lesson: every player has a price.

Joey Galloway, WR, Bucs: He had a great game last week, but only had five passes thrown his way. It's Garcia vs. Gruden for more passes. If you like Garcia over Chucky, you can justify paying current market price for Galloway. But Gruden will be out for blood the first time Garcia checks off and throws a pick.

Nick Folk, K, Cowboys: He's kicking fine and the Cowboys right now are the best, most balanced offense in football. Get a cheap but important piece of this action.

Jacoby Jones, WR, Texans: Coach Gary Kubiak said Andre Johnson could be out a week or four weeks. Then he added that Johnson might even play this week. I'm tired of injury double-speak. I'm coming around on Matt Schaub. Jones should get most of Johnson's looks for as long as he's out.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns: Derek Anderson will have to keep throwing TDs in bunches to stave off a switch to rookie Brady Quinn. When Quinn comes in, the wheels are likely to come off the Browns passing game. (Apologies to Mike Tomlin.)

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Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: T.J. Houshmandzadeh is still getting more targets everywhere and, especially, in the red zone. Johnson needs to be discounted for that versus someone like Terrell Owens.

DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers: He's a third fantasy back now. Coaches hate fumbles and his arguably turned the tide against Carolina on Sunday. But he's surprisingly run better than the more respected DeAngelo Williams, who gets the bulk of the work in the fourth quarter and on passing downs.

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Ladell Betts, RB, Redskins: The path to playing time is hard when you're a backup. Betts has lost all goal-line looks with FB Mike Sellers filling the short-yardage role when Clinton Portis doesn't. Betts is unplayable as long as Portis remains healthy.

Julius Jones, RB, Cowboys: Wade Phillips says he's still the starter, noting that Marion Barber gets the glory with all the short TDs. Jones owners were hoping for some crumbs there. Barber continues running much better despite Jones' better combine numbers.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: He's worth the preseason price only if he's extremely explosive or if the Jaguars have a very productive offense. The first remains unlikely, the latter impossible.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints: Last year, on passes over 20 yards from scrimmage, Brees was 27-for-52 for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs. This year, he's thrown only three passes over 20 yards from scrimmage, missing on all of them. You can't live on the long-ball in the NFL.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: Give him two more weeks against the terrible Lions and Giants secondaries before you bail. His accuracy has always stunk. But the Eagles have thrown it more than anyone in NFL history under Andy Reid and will continue heaving it, as Brian Westbrook (knee) is incapable of carrying a heavy rushing load.

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