mambokings

While T.O. is physically the more gifted receiver, Stallworth's outing proves that it's easy to thrive in a great offensive, pass-heavy system like the Andy Reid version of the West Coast offense. There's no reason to doubt that Stallworth can routinely provide such big games. If he and McNabb click as they seem to already, watch out. That said, again, T.O. is still the more gifted receiver...Owens can make gold out of straw and will do so if he stays on the field this year.

T.O. is just a physical monster...maybe you think he's wearing bigger pads because it's been a while since you've seen him play. He's always been sort of freak-ish looking.

The Bears offense is just as pitiful as it was last year; anyone can look good when playing the Green Bay Packers. I watched the entire game today and the Packers simply cannot stop anyone. Green Bay reminds me of one of those teams you'd see on those old "NFL Bloopers" videos.

Scary. T.O. was looking like he was having a "bad" game and yet when it's all rounded up for the day he gets you 80 yards and a touchdown. If he doesn't blow his cool or get hurt - a big if on both counts - he's going to be the usual FF monster.

Jennings was MIA the whole game - Favre only looks to Donald Driver (what else is new).

I was forced to play Green today so I watched the whole game. Here's the deal: physically, he's "back". Green showed burst, speed, power, everything we used to remember him for. He really looked great running the ball. The problem, as we all know, is that Green Bay sucks and especially the offensive line. The Bears D-line ripped through the Packers O-line and it did look ugly for most of the game...there's no getting around that. But you know what? None of that mattered in the end from a FF perspective. Green stayed in the game and kept plugging away, looking better and better each time he touched the ball. He posted great numbers against the Chicago Bears and stayed involved through all four quarters of the game right up until the final seconds ticked off the clock. Ahman Green will be involved no matter the score, and that's a good sign. Ahman Green is healthy again and that's a good sign. I'm very happy with Green right now and love him next week against the 'aints.

Why can't I ever play in leagues with boneheads like the one you're dealing with. T.O. could return to monster form this year - certainly he'll do better than Stallworthless - and Jackson too?! Steven Jackson is a stud in the making and I rank him far higher than Ronnie Brown. Simply amazing the luck you have dealing with such morons...all the members in my league are FF junkies (it's impossible to get anything past them).

RB Jamal Lewis (hip) has been upgraded to probable for the Ravens' Week 1 game at Tampa Bay.

I agree, but my other option would be Ahman Green against Chicago

Jacksonville. * here's an interesting little tidbit: Jags head coach Jack Del Rio is going to have the Cowboys wear the darker uniforms this Sunday (their blues). Jacksonville will be suiting up in the white jerseys. Reason? Heat. On the theory that the darker uniforms absorb the heat more, he's going to put that burden on the visiting Cowboys and not his own team. Hopefully Dallas will wear down sooner due to heat exhaustion. Beyond that, strictly based on the matchups, I still like the Jaguars. I just wish the entire Jags defense was healthy...all in due time.

Jamal Lewis has been upgraded to Probable for Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

Jerome Bettis was the first one I heard say the Steelers need to keep Willie Parker's carries low enough (this season) in order to ensure he doesn't get banged up or burned out. If I recall the magic number the Bus specified was 250 (Parker had 255 carries last season). This signing of Davenport just ensures the Steelers have another option to help Parker shoulder the rushing load; this signing is actually vital to keep Parker up and running. I'd expect a semi-repeat of last season and in terms of stats look for something like what Jerome Bettis was able to provide (though to a much lesser extent).

All of those alternatives you mention are, in my eyes, inferior to Boogie. Then again, you know what they say about opinions...

Granted, he was questionable earlier in the week and is still nursing a sore hip. They've held him out of practice and contact to get him ready for the season opener.

Unless you've got one of the top 3 then you just play Lamont Jordan each and every week regardless of the matchup. This is a back who caught 70 passes last season - 70! - so even if the Raiders face a tough run defense you've always got a good chance to see a nice bundle of receiving yardage.

Until I see Aaron Brooks throw more often to HIS team than he does the opposition, I'd certainly go with Jon Kitna. Kitna did a solid job in Cinci when he was asked to play and does have some decent weapons at his disposal in Detroit. It's great that your league only deducts -1 for INTs...that will really help as a Brooks owner. I just haven't seen any indication yet that Brooks is going to be any better in Oakland than he was in New Orleans. I've read that the Raiders staff have been frustrated with what they've seen (and who could blame them). It's a toss up this week, but Kitna - in Mike Martz offense and most likely playing from behind - seems like he's got higher potential.

- post trade comments - No, no, and no. Tiki and Westbrook were your two studs at RB. Dillon is washed up and will split time with the rookie. Foster splits time with the rookie. Lundy will also split time and there's no guarantee he even keeps the job. You never want to leave yourself thin at RB, but that's what you've done. With Tiki and Westbrook you had two guys you KNEW would be the main feature backs on their team (a tremendous rarity in this league). In T. Glenn you had a great WR who's got terrific chemistry with Drew Bledsoe and will only see improvement this season as teams focus on Owens (remember Glenn posted those numbers last season while facing #1 cornerbacks). ...so what did you get in return? The chance to turn half of your backfield into a RBBC nightmare. On the receiving end I predict Glenn will equal or outperform T.O. this year and if he doesn't the small, MINOR difference in output won't be worth the stable of runners you've put in jeopardy. Glenn is healthy and has wonderful chemistry with Bledsoe - Owens won't gain that overnight. Further, Owens is gimpy heading INTO the season and hasn't played an entire season in 5 years. Add to the mix that whole drama and week-to-week soap opera and whether he'll be a darling in weeks to come...it's just not worth the risk. This is not Owens as the only target on the Eagles during a great playoff run in Andy Reid's pass-happy offense. This is Owens fighting for balls in a run-first offense under Bill Parcells. Glenn, Witten, and Owens will all see their fair share of passes. My only optimism for you comes from the fact you can hope to trade Owens after a big week and re-gain a decent backfield and/or reliable WR..

Last night I noticed the little [+] (medic) symbol next to Tom Brady's name and now I see him listed as Probable on the NFL's injury report (Shoulder). I haven't been able to get any information on his injury, but I'm a bit concerned it could be his throwing shoulder. Anyone local have some more detailed information? Thanks in advance.

Lewis needs to get healthy and stay that way if he's to be of any value this season. Right now Lewis is hurt and likely won't play this week, opening the door for a Musa Smith or Mike Anderson to steal the spotlight. The danger is that Baltimore will allow a RBBC and not see any reason to feature Jamal Lewis as they've done in the past. It's been a long time since Jamal Lewis was the workhorse for the Ravens, but I hope he gets healthy soon enough to re-claim that title.

I actually do, given the trend in which Reggie has steadily become more and more involved in the Colts offense over the years. I think the comparisons to the Rams Holt/Bruce are right on the money. I think this season will truly display the changing of the guard, and so does the Colt's front office if their off-season moves are any indication. The Colts signed Wayne to a lucrative multi-year deal in the off-season and he's poised to become the rising star in their offense.

I really like Stallworth this season, especially given his new team and his primary receiving role. I cut the receiver some slack overall for his career because he began on arguably the worst pro football team in the league. Everyone down on Donte is so because he didn't immediately make an impact for the Saints. You have to realize he didn't even play his first two seasons (starting only 7 and 3 games, respectively, in each of those years). The last two seasons his numbers have been going up, and no surprise - with increased playing time. Finally, Aaron Brooks? Don't make me laugh. He's a one-read QB...and his one-read was Joe Horn. McNabb is a vastly superior passer compared to Aaron Brooks and in addition playing under a much better offensive scheme. Stallworth will be the primary receiving target for McNabb and has the speed to make some really big plays in Andy Reid's offense.

1996 - Patriots - T. Glenn had 1132 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns 2005- Cowboys - T. Glenn had 1136 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns (both while playing for the Tuna)

Hold on to Reggie Wayne. On the subject of Wayne, I predict he will have a career year. Manning and the Colts offense will return to a more pass-heavy orientation this season and Wayne has something to prove just having signed a huge contract that will keep him a Colt for many years. It's been obvious to witness the changing of the guard from M. Harrison to R. Wayne and this year the gap will only widen more. Wayne's involvement in the offense has been growing each year, and now with the big contract and no Edge - look out. On the subject of T.O. I predict he won't play a full season due to injury (he played one full season 5 years ago and has never been known for durability). The change in scenery should not be ignored. T.O. has been a product of the West Coast offense, both in SF and in Philly. In both places he was THE only WR target. The Eagles had nobody else to throw to, the 49ers had nobody else to throw to. Now that T.O. is in Dallas he joins a run-first offense built around ball control, and Bledsoe's got plenty of weapons in guys like T. Glenn and J. Witten. He (Owens) could do well if he stays healthy, which he won't, but even if he does you've got to look at the system and just how many balls there are to go around. Parcells is not just going to all of a sudden throw out his playbook, stop running the ball, and ask Bledsoe to throw to Owens 10+ times a game while ignoring the other receivers...that's pure fantasy. Wayne is a reliable WR with great numbers in arguably the best offense in football. He's young, healthy, and getting better each year he's been in the league. Further, his offense is geared to pass even MORE this season and his financial ties to the Colts are all wrapped up. It's just time to go out and play... Owens is a very volatile receiver with great numbers in his CAREER (but as I would argue they are heavily-dependent on his teams and being the exclusive receiving target on each). He's getting older and enters the season banged up. Further, his offense is geared to run and his financial future is as flaky as hit attitude and off-the-field antics. It's just time to go out and play...unless of course he's hurt of kept off the team due to his disruptive presence in the locker room. A time bomb waiting to go off, IMO. They may end the season with similar numbers, but with Wayne there will never be a need to fill an empty slot. He'll be there for you. Owens will have you worried every week about what's he's going to give you, both on and off the field, and there is a serious question mark what he'll do in Dallas under Bill Parcells. Unlike in years past, there is zero evidence that T.O. - on this team - will give you the high reward that's anywhere near the risk.