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Week 3
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By Jason Lauren |
| September 21, 2007 |
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The most important time to pick up
fantasy football players often is in the first three weeks of the
season.
Last year, owners snatched players
like Marques Colston, Maurice Jones-Drew and Marion Barber early in the
season and were rewarded all season. Owners who decided to pass on that
trio because they never had been fantasy studs before regretted it all
season.
Here are a few players to consider
picking up in hopes they’ll turn into studs by season’s end:
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Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland:
Owners can’t ignore a player who threw five touchdown passes. Yeah,
yeah, it’s some guy named Derek Anderson. Remember when it was, yeah,
yeah, it’s some guy named Tom Brady or Kurt Warner? |
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DeShawn Wynn, RB, Green Bay:
Somebody has to emerge as the Packers’ go-to running back. With little
competition, it appears to be Wynn, who scored twice last week and
looked much better than fellow rookie Brandon Jackson. |
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Sammy Morris, RB, New England:
Morris could be this year’s Marion Barber. He’s sharing carries with
another running back (Laurence Maroney), is getting his share of
carries (21 to Maroney’s 35) and the Patriots looked to him at the
goal line on his 3-yard touchdown run last week. He seems to be taking
the place of Corey Dillon, who scored 13 TDs with New England last
season. |
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Jessie Chatman, RB, Miami:
Chatman had almost as many yards (27) on
three carries as the Dolphins’ starting running back, Ronnie Brown,
did on 11 carries (33) last week against Dallas. Chatman has 10
receptions in two games and could be in line to see a heavier workload
if Brown continues to struggle. If you own Brown, owning Chatman as a
handcuff is a must. |
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Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore:
With just one catch for minus-1 yard in two games, many owners have
dropped the Raven. Clayton has been limited by a toe injury. He’s
returning to the starting lineup this week and should start playing
like many thought he would in the preseason, like a No. 2 or 3 fantasy
receiver. |
HOT READ
LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland:
Last year, he was the biggest bust in drafts. This season, he’s been the
biggest steal in drafts. The Raiders’ offensive line has created some
gaping holes for Jordan to run through, allowing him to gain 318 total
yards. He’s gone from a preseason bench player to a must-start.
BROKEN PLAYER
Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia:
The Eagle has just one touchdown pass and seems to be favoring the leg
he injured last season. His owners shouldn’t panic just yet, however.
McNabb is trying to find his rhythm after missing the last six weeks
last season with a torn ACL. He should get back on track when he faces
Detroit, the New York Giants and the New York Jets in his next three
games.
OFF THE BENCH
Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, WRs,
Oakland: The Raiders face Cleveland, which has
allowed 281 passing yards and a league-high 10 touchdowns through the
air. Starting any wide receiver against the Browns is a smart move.
SAFE BET
Chris Cooley, TE, Washington:
Look for the Redskin to have a big game against the New York Giants, who
have allowed 14 receptions, 171 yards and a league-high three touchdowns
to tight ends.
EXTRA POINT
The top three players chosen in most
fantasy drafts – LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson and Larry Johnson –
are causing migraine headaches for their owners. Tomlinson has two
touchdowns (one passing) while Jackson and Johnson have yet to score.
Tomlinson and Jackson should bounce back because they have talent around
them.
Johnson could struggle all season,
however, with Kansas City having little talent at quarterback, wide
receiver and on the offensive line. Johnson will face three solid
defenses in the next three weeks (Minnesota, San Diego and
Jacksonville), so now is a good time to trade him, because his value
never may be higher.
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