by Jim O'Dell
October 11, 2006
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Quarterbacks:
Donovan McNabb is right now the leading candidate for fantasy
MVP. He is having a career year, coming off a poor season and an injury, plus losing his best
receiver. He's shrugged it all off and has carried the Eagles and many fantasy teams to the top of the
standings. Right on his heels is Peyton Manning, no surprise there. He has the Colts undefeated and is atop the stat
leader-board
too. Carson Palmer, fresh off his bye week, looks to turn the corner and hopefully cut down his interceptions and get back in the
groove. Rex Grossman is also having a fine start to his season and has the Bears
5-0. Look out '72 Dolphins.
I thought for sure Daunte Culpepper would rebound this year, getting a fresh start in
Miami. Not so. Kurt Warner is having trouble in Arizona and was replaced this week by rookie Matt
Leinart. Kerry Collins looked horrible and was replaced by Vince Young in
Tennessee. Aaron Brooks is another guy who was awful and got hurt, and
replaced. Drew Bledsoe has not looked all that impressive in big D, and people are calling for Tony
Romo. And let's not forget Chris Simms.
A few young guys who I really like are Charlie Frye in Cleveland, Alex Smith in San Francisco, and Leinart in
Arizona. Look for them to have decent but not spectacular numbers.
Running Backs:
Can you tell me, without cheating, who leads the NFL in rushing
yardage? If you said Frank Gore, nice
call. I loved this guy from day one, even if he is a University of Miami
grad. If he stays healthy, look for Gore to have a break out
season. Stephen Jackson is taking advantage of no Marshall Faulk and less passing and is having a fine start of the
year. Reggie who? Deuce McAllister is running just fine in the Big Easy, his knee showing no ill
effects. Julius Jones is also having a nice beginning to 2006. Rudi Johnson has four scores already and has had his bye week to
boot. Look for him to top the rushing chart by season's end.
Last year's rushing champ Shaun Alexander is another story. He's got a cracked bone in his foot and may not run again this
year. Cadillac Williams, until yesterday, was invisible as well. Edgerrin James changed
uniforms and no longer has the luxury of playing with the game's best offense, and his numbers prove it.
A few young guys have impressed me so far after five weeks. Patriot's rookie Lawrence Maroney looks to be the future in New
England. Reggie Bush can do it all, and scored his first touchdown this week on a punt
return. Joseph Addai is coming along slowly in Indy, but look out next year.
Wide Receivers:
What can you say about Marvin Harrison that hasn't already been said? The guy is just
great. It helps to have Peyton Manning as your QB, but the guys just keeps doing it year in and year
out. Laveranues Coles is happy to have Chad Pennington back for the Jets. He's
second overall in receiving
yardage. Andre Johnson sure has loved having Eric Moulds line up on
the opposite side of the field in
Houston. Who is Bernard Berrian? Only Rex Grossman's deep threat. If he's still on your leagues
waiver wire, quit reading this article now and go get
him. Greg Jennings is the best rookie wideout so far this year, giving Brett Favre a nice new target.
Injuries and poor play have hampered several big names so far this season.
Steve Smith missed the Panther's first three games but is coming on now. Randy Moss has pretty much given up on the Raiders season and will not put forth an effort this
year. Chris Chambers needs someone to get him the ball in Miami.
Guys who will come on in the next quarter are Plaxico Burress in New York, Javon Walker in Denver and Anquan Boldin in
Arizona. Remember all the guys who wrote Reggie Williams off? Looks like he's getting the last
laugh.
So, with the season five weeks old, there have been a few surprises, both good and bad. One thing I have been impressed with are some team defenses, most noteably Chicago, Denver, Baltimore, and New Orleans. How's your team looking? Hopefully, better than mine! Anyways, we'll see you in four weeks for the next installment, the "Second Quarter" of the season.