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Fantasy Football - Week 1

2006-09-08 00:05:26 | By: Paul Ruggeri

What to look for in week 1

You finished your research, made your projections, developed draft sheets, cherry picked players during the draft, and finally have your Fantasy team(s) for 2006. However the work is far from over. The first couple of weeks are key to watch because, until teams and players take the field, nobody really knows how this year’s players will perform.

Here are a few general questions to keep an eye on in the first week’s matchups: (1) how will teams with new coaches look?; (2) how will players on new teams fit in their new role?; (3) how will players coming off injuries respond?; and (4) will rookies look ready and are 2nd & 3rd year guys looking improved?

To help get you through, here’s a game-by-game preview on what to look for during week one, and a player watch list for guys who need to prove their fantasy worth.

Dolphins at Steelers
This is a game everyone will be watching, as it’s the first and only game on Thursday night to kick off the NFL season. It’s the Bionic Face vs. the Bionic Knee where everyone will be looking to see how C-Pep and Big Ben respond from their serious injuries. Both QB’s have looked good in the preseason so there's not too much concern. Also, pay close attention to both running games, Brown and Parker have never carried the full load for their respective teams over a 16 game season.
Watch List: Culpepper, R. Brown, Roethlisberger, Parker

Bills at Patriots
The Bills have a new coach in town and will need to get the offensive line in shape. If the OL can step it up, we can expect good things from McGahee and Evans this year. If not, expect a long season for the Bills. On the other side of the ball, the Pats keep rolling year after year. Keep a look on and see if Dillon looks like a man on the down swing or on the rebound. Maroney has been getting a lot of good press, it will depend on Dillon’s performance to see how to value both backs. There is also a lot of preseason hype about TE Ben Watson who could be emerging.
Watch List: Bills OL, McGahee, Evans, Dillon, Maroney, Watson

Saints at Browns
It’s the Reggie Bush Bowl! The newly built Saints offense will be the show to watch in this game. People have been debating, since the NFL Draft, how the Saints are going to use Bush, and now we get to see if the hype was worth it.
The Browns have some major problems at Center that can cause disruption to the running a passing game so see, if 4th string center can hold the OL together.
Watch List: Bush, McAllister, Brees, Browns OL

Jets at Titans
These are two very bad teams on paper. Both teams are a fantasy mess at QB and RB, but should be watched closely as a potential RB sleeper could emerge from either team.
Watch List: All RBs

Bengals at Chiefs
Can the Chiefs run the ball as effectively as they have the past few years with a new coaching staff in town and the loss of their Pro-Bowl lineman? This will be the focus of the match up and Larry Johnson owners should be glued to their TV sets. Carson Palmer will also draw attention to see how his knee holds up through a full game before owners feel comfortable.
Watch List: Chiefs OL, Larry Johnson, Palmer

Seahawks at Lions
Has the greatest show on turf moved to Detroit? No, but Martz did and everyone wants to see if he can inject his high-octane offense into the Motor city. Focus here will be on Kevin Jones and Roy Williams, as fantasy hopefuls want them to be the next Faulk and Holt. Status quo remains in Seattle with heavy doses of Alexander, but will the Madden curse strike again?
Watch List: Kitna, Jones, Williams, Alexander, D. Jackson

Ravens at Buccaneers
The Ravens haven’t had a worthy fantasy QB in their history, so people will be keeping tabs on Air-McNair to see if he can put some life into the passing attack. Jamal Lewis should draw interest to see if a rebound year is in the making. Chris Simms has been given the reigns of the Bucs and now its time to see if he can do anything with them.
Watch List: McNair, Lewis, Mason, Simms

Falcons at Panthers
Experts always say it takes 3 years to understand the West Coast offense, well this is Vicks 3rd year in the offense and he could be poised for fantasy stardom. Many will be closely watching this one to see if Vick will break out because if it’s not now then maybe it will be never. Fantasy owners and doctors will both have an eye on the Panthers’ wideouts, with Steve Smith nursing a hammy injury and Keyshawn starting his first game as the second option. Fosters track record for not being able to stay on the field is always a concern.
Watch List: Vick, Smith, K. Johnson, Foster

Broncos at Rams
The Broncos running game is always important for any fantasy owner to watch in the first week. It seems every year they start with 3 possible 1000 yard RBs but nobody ever knows who will be the one. The Rams do not have that problem but, with Faulk finally out of the Rams equation, fantasy owners want to see if Jackson has the ability to carry the ball effectively 20+ times a game.
Watch List: Denver RBs, J. Walker, Jackson

Eagles at Texans
The ability or non-ability to rebound after the TO mess will be what everyone will focus on during this game. Good things are expected out of McNabb and Westbrook, but can Reggie Brown step into the WR void?
The Texan passed on Bush in the Draft because they needed to address other areas and felt they have a solid RB in Domanick Davis. However as we get ready to kick off the season, Davis is on IR, and the RB situation is left to rookie W. Lundy and second year back V. Morency. Although Lundy is getting the early call as the starter, the RB situation should be closely watched.
Watch List: McNabb, Brown, Lundy, Morency

Cowboys at Jaguars
The soap opera known as TO moves the show to the Cowboys and we all want to see what happens. Will he play, will he score, and will he brawl with the coach? All these questions are soon to be answered, we hope.
The Jags’ big unknowns this season are the WRs. With the retirement of Jimmy Smith a large void is left at WR for some young talent to step into. Who takes over Jimmy’s shoes could prove to be great Fantasy receiver.
Watch List: TO, Fred Taylor, Jagss WRs

49rs at Cardinals
No one is expecting big things out of #1 pick QB Alex Smith, but many are hoping to see good things out of new starting RB Frank Gore. He could be a potential great value pick in most drafts and should be watched to see if he is ready for the role.
One of the few known and proven facts about AZ is their potent passing attack. However they have brought one of the top NFL backs into town in hopes to stabilize the running game. Edge will get his chance to prove his elite status if he can put up good numbers this season. IF Edge has a bad first game owners should and will start to panic.
Watch List: Smith, Gore, Edge

Bears at Packers
The Bears have a QB who can’t stay on the field and a potential RB by committee mess in the backfield. The guy to stake a claim in the backfield will be a very valuable fantasy RB, as the bears will be close in all games with their defense and will run the ball a lot.
Did Favre make a mistake coming back will be on everyone’s minds in week one. The team hopes to regain its old form a few years back when Favre and Green where fantasy studs. Favre owners will be watching to see if he can still manage the game without 3 turnovers, and Green owners want to see if he can bounce back from a severe knee injury (out of camp, reports are very positive).
Watch List: Bears RBs, Favre, Green

Colts at Giants
It’s Manning vs. Manning! A game that will have so much hype you might want to puke before you turn on the TV. We know both brothers are great passers and have great offenses, however a question still remains in the Colts backfield. With the Edge off to Arizona, people want to know who will be the Colt’s RB this year. With such a high scoring offense the person who wins this job could be fantasy gold. If either Addai or Rhodes can start off hot they may be given the keys to the car.
Watch List: Colts RBs

Vikings at Redskins
The Vikings have compiled a team of veteran players at many offensive positions, but it is yet to be seen how all these guys will play together. The WR spot is the biggest question mark and finding the one who will become the main target is what you should be looking for in this game.
The Skins have added some needed depth at WR this year but all eyes will be on the playing status and return of Portis. If healthy nobody has worries about Portis putting up great numbers, but will he get and stay healthy soon. Portis owners should play close attention to who serve as the main backup between Duckett and Betts.
Watch List: C. Taylor, Vikings WRs, Skins RBs

Chargers at Raiders
Has anyone seen LT? One of the best and proven backs in the NFL doesn’t seem to be injured but he hasn’t been playing all pre-season. No need to worry with LT, but you may want to watch the QB in front of him. After 3 years, Rivers finally gets the starting nod and there is great anticipation to see how/if it will change the offense.
Have you ever seen the book or movie The Land of the Misfit Toys? Well they are also a NFL football team called the Raiders. We all need to watch and see how the Brooks-to-Moss connection works out, and if it does it should keep things open for Jordan in the backfield all season long.
Watch List: LT, Rivers, Brooks, Porter, Moss, Jordan