NFL Week 1 Thievery

Nothing like losing your job and then channeling Navin Johnson from “The Jerk” as revenge on your way out the door…”The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and Rudi Johnson’s luggage, for sure”. Yep, Tatum Bell has been a colossal disappointment in Detroit after the Lions greatly overpaid to get him by trading Dre Bly and he was upset when they signed a castaway to replace him. Ah, just one of the many misfires by Matt Millen; the NFL management equivalent of Isiah Thomas, sans the harassment charges.

Speaking of thievery, the Super Bowl jinx jumped in and stole the NFL’s marquee player on the first drive of New England’s first game. Unbelievably, after loads of speculation about the health of Tom Brady’s foot, he gets taken out at the knee and tears his ACL, costing him the 2008 season. While this was by far the costliest loss of Week 1, it wasn’t the only loss, not by a long shot. Seattle lost their last starting WR for the year (Nate Burleson), Jacksonville lost damn near their whole front line, Vince Young (if VY was your starting QB, you have much bigger problems) may be out 2-4 weeks, and the jury is still out on injuries to Jeff Garcia, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Maurice Morris and Albert Haynesworh.

As far as the games were concerned, Carolina managed to steal a game from San Diego in dramatic fashion. The Chargers found ways to lose 3 our of their first 4 last year, so they aren’t overly concerned, but it is massively deflating to lose on a TD pass in the back of the end zone after the clock has ticked to zero. The Bears managed to steal the playbook out of 2005-2006 and taught Indianapolis a lesson in deliberate, conservative offense and swarming defense. And, Aaron Rodgers managed to steal Brett Favre’s thunder just when everyone expected him to shrink in the face of overwhelming pressure.

Every year, the aftermath of Week 1 yields the largest number of transactions as fantasy owners drop injured players, as well as poor performers, for backups and pick up flash in the pan free agents in hoping for finding a diamond in the rough, such as Marques Colston from 2006. This year will be no exception, especially with so many rookies having impressive opening weeks. Let’s take a look at the hottest players on the waiver wire.

QB Matt Cassel (NE) – Well, duh. EVERYONE knows that Brady is done for the year and NE still has a serious arsenal of receiving weapons. There aren’t many QB options on the waiver wire so grab him if you can. If you play in a league that uses the Quarterback Team (QT), then you are set already.

QB Kerry Collins (TENN) – The word is not come in yet about Vince Young knee, but he is out no matter how serious it is. Coming off of a horrendous year and playing just as bad on Sunday caused the Titan fans to finally turn on him and he did not handle it well. Even if his knee is mildly sprained, his focus and desire are almost irreparably strained. The Titans don’t have the strongest receiving units, but Collins could put up respectable numbers.

RB Sammy Morris (NE) – It is becoming more and more apparent that Bill Belichick is growing frustrated with Laurence Maroney. Not only is Morris getting the goal-line carries, but he is also getting the same amount of carries as Maroney. With Brady out, expect both to get more carries.

TE Dante Rosario (CAR) – Wow, what a game this youngster had on Sunday (7-96-1)! With Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett and Dwayne Jarrett supposedly the benefactors of playing in place of, and alongside of, Steve Smith, it was Rosario who dominated. At 6’4” and 250lbs, I think he is in for the long haul this year.

TE Anthony Fasano – The kid from ND was one of the happiest people in Miami when no-arm Chad Pennington was signed. Ted Ginn Jr. outruns every throw from Pennington, even if it is a 10-yard Out, so Fasano should continue to lead this sorry team in receiving almost every game.

With cautio

WR Deion Branch (SEA) – Branch has had a few great years and has a fabulous opportunity to do it again this year with all Seattle receivers except Steve Largent hurt. However, he is coming off a tor
ACL and I think Seattle may be rushing him back too fast. Don’t overspend on him.

WR Hank Baskett (PHIL) – Week 1 of every season provides at least one receiving threat that is undrafted in all leagues that has a big game and then disappears. Baskett is this year’s version. I know Philly is missing 2 of its top receivers, but Baskett is still the fifth or sixth option on this team. His numbers were grossly inflated Sunday due to a 90-yard TD after slipping a tackle. I believe you are better off picking up Greg Lewis on Philly tha
Baskett.

RB Sammy Morris (NE) – It is becoming more and more apparent that Bill Belichick is growing frustrated with Laurence Maroney. Not only is Morris getting the goal-line carries, but he is also getting the same amount of carries as Maroney. With Brady out, expect both to get more carries.

TE Dante Rosario (CAR) – Wow, what a game this youngster had on Sunday (7-96-1)! With Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett and Dwayne Jarrett supposedly the benefactors of playing in place of, and alongside of, Steve Smith, it was Rosario who dominated. At 6’4” and 250lbs, I think he is in for the long haul this year.

TE Anthony Fasano – The kid from ND was one of the happiest people in Miami when no-arm Chad Pennington was signed. Ted Ginn Jr. outruns every throw from Pennington, even if it is a 10-yard Out, so Fasano should continue to lead this sorry team in receiving almost every game.

With cautio

WR Deion Branch (SEA) – Branch has had a few great years and has a fabulous opportunity to do it again this year with all Seattle receivers except Steve Largent hurt. However, he is coming off a tor
ACL and I think Seattle may be rushing him back too fast. Don’t overspend on him.

WR Hank Baskett (PHIL) – Week 1 of every season provides at least one receiving threat that is undrafted in all leagues that has a big game and then disappears. Baskett is this year’s version. I know Philly is missing 2 of its top receivers, but Baskett is still the fifth or sixth option on this team. His numbers were grossly inflated Sunday due to a 90-yard TD after slipping a tackle. I believe you are better off picking up Greg Lewis on Philly tha
Baskett.