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Well, Fantasy Football fans,
the moment we have all waited for has arrived! The start
of the 2006 NFL season kicks off this week as the Pittsburgh
Steelers will face the resurgent Miami Dolphins. The start
of the NFL season means only one thing to die-hard fantasy
football fans and that's stat watching!
Be it by scrolling news on the
bottom of your T.V., cell phones or a check on your home
computer at half time, the most ardent fantasy fans will
find some way to keep pace on their team(s) at all times
during the weekend.
Yes, this is also the time of
the year when you actually might pay attention to the Jets
- Titans game, just because you might have your hopes pinned
on a good performance by Chad Pennington. That's what makes
fantasy
football such a great pastime.
It makes the most miserable match-ups of the week somewhat
interesting, since bragging rights are on the line for you
and your fantasy opponent. There's nothing like seeing a
backup running back score a touchdown that vaults you ahead
of your opponent! It's simply fantasy bliss.
Here are a few players that you
might want to take a look at plugging into your starting
lineup this week. They may not be the top names in fantasy
football, but they are the 'under the radar' guys that you
might have to make a tough decision on. The good fantasy
player is able to pick these players out from a crowd and
stick them in their lineup for fantasy success!
QB -
Kurt Warner - Warner may not last the entire NFL
season, so you'll want to use him early. Look for him to
have a big day against a Niners defense that finished dead
last in the league last year in pass defense and didn't
make many improvements in the off-season. Warner has many
weapons at his disposal with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin
and now Edgerrin James in the backfield, so expect him to
make full use of them as the Cardinals open up their new
stadium in Arizona.
RB Thomas
Jones - Jones has been named the starting RB in the
Chicago offense, since Cedric Benson was slowed during training
camp due to a shoulder injury. Look for Jones to get the
bulk of the carries against a Packers defense that finished
in the bottom quarter of the league in rushing defense and
has looked awful during the preseason. The Packers may have
added former Buckeye A.J. Hawk to their defense, but Hawk
is only a band-aid on defense that has trouble stopping
anyone.
RB Reuben
Droughns - Droughns is the clear No. 1 RB in Cleveland
this season and will open the season at home against a rebuilding
Saints defense that ranked 27th in the NFL last season stopping
the run. Look for him to get started on surpassing his 2005
TD total of two in this opening day matchup. Rookie, James
Harrison may spell Droughns on third downs, but look for
Ramblin Reuben to get the ball when it really matter; in
the red-zone!
WR Nate
Burleson - Burleson is the new bird in Seattle and
has shown good chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck in the preseason
since Darrell Jackson was out. While Jackson is expected
to play against the Lions, expect his contribution to be
minimal. Look for Burleson to be the Seahawks leading receiver
and a consistent target for Hasselbeck throughout the season.
TE Ben
Watson - We figure on Watson being a breakout player
in fantasy football this season. Expect Watson to be one
of Tom Brady's main targets as they face the Bills in New
England. The Patriots have lost a lot of talent at the wide
receiver position and figure to use Watson liberally in
the passing game. Don't be surprised if this big tight end
surpasses the 100 yard mark in the first game of the season.
DEF Patriots
- The Pats veteran defense will be squaring off against
the Buffalo Bills and fantasy killer, J.P. Losman. Expect
the Pats to shut down the Bills running game and force Losman
into some stupid turnovers in the second half. A defensive
TD would not be out of the question.
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