Can you hear the footsteps? No, they're not Allen Barbre's feet shuffling trying to stop Mr. Ogunleye. They belong to Chansi Stuckey dashing to the end zone, John Carlson rumbling down the middle of the Rams defense and Clinton Portis sprinting down the sideline just one time against a stingy and blue Giants defense.

OK, who am I kidding? My other picks weren't that great, but Vince Lombardi put it best when he said: "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

So what's in store for this week? I have added a few new features, but you'll solid analysis, including a look at Brett Favre against the Lions with the RapidDraft.com experts.

Week 2 Player Watch


Kurt Warner: The Cardinals defense did its job by holding Frank Gore to 1.4 yards per carry, but I'm not so sure you can say the same for the Cardinals quarterback. From the little that I saw of the game last week, Warner looked old, slow, and just flat uncomfortable in the pocket against a scrappy 49ers defense. It was like he couldn't find an opening in the secondary unless he had a clear throwing lane. It doesn't get any easier for Warner and the offense as the Cardinals travel to Jacksonville for Week Two. Warner has to pull a Manning-to-Wayne and get Fitzgerald the ball constantly if fantasy owners want to see the numbers they expect to see out of the aging signal caller. 



Adrian Peterson: After steamrolling, stiff-arming and high-stepping past the Browns defense, the Vikings running back will have the daunting task of running past the Detroit Lions. The good news for fantasy owners is that Peterson is not only red hot (as usual) but he rushed for more than 100 yards in both games against the Lions in 2008. The bad news is that he didn't record a touchdown against the roar-less NFC North rival last season. I suspect that he will be everyone's pick as the lock of the week, period.

Terrell Owens: The usually boisterous Owens was quiet and cool in the locker room after the Patriots held him to just two receptions for 46 yards on Monday night. Surprising, considering that he didn't even catch his first Trent Edwards pass until almost the end of the third quarter, while Randy Moss was working on a 12-reception 2009 debut. This week, the Bills will host the Buccaneers, a team that allowed Tony Romo to go nuts to the tune of 353 yards and three touchdowns. I suspect that Edwards will want to target Owens more than three times against what looks to be a very poor pass defense, otherwise we may just see the darker side of the aging diva.

On the Injury Front


There were a few injuries from Week One that fantasy owners need to be watch. The three most noteworthy involve Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson and Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. McNabb suffered a fractured rib after running his way in to the end zone against the Panthers. Word out of Philadelphia is that McNabb has not been practicing, but is progressing somehow. It remains to be seen if he'll start on Sunday against the Saints. If he can't go Kevin Kolb should start, even in light of Jeff Garcia being signed by the team earlier this week.

Out west, the Chargers may have to play without their star runner this week against the Ravens. The severity of Ladainian Tomlinson's ankle injury is yet to be determined, but after seeing what Darren Sproles did while he was out during the game-winning drive against the Raiders I don't think the Chargers will hesitate to keep Tomlinson on the bench if they feel the need, especially with Ray Lewis lurking on the other side of the ball.

Finally, the Colts quarterback Peyton Manning may have to get creative with inexperienced talent moving forward as Indy's version of "Gonzo" could be out for an extended period of time after severely injuring his knee. Those two inexperienced talents -- Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie; two names that fantasy owners should get to know and keep a close eye on. Other Injuries: Hakeem Nicks (foot, out 2-3 weeks), Brian Urlacher (Wrist, out for the season), and Troy Polamalu (Knee, out 3-6 weeks). 



Week 2 Obvious Starts

Quarterback: David Garrard vs. Arizona -- Last season the Cardinals traveled east four times. In those four games, their defense allowed an average of 285.5 yards and 3.75 touchdowns per game. Garrard, last season, recorded 1,903 and eight touchdowns at home; two of those games were against NFC opponents where he averaged 277.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game. Do I have to say anymore?

Running back: Mewelde Moore vs. Chicago -- The door is open for Moore after a porous week one performance by starter Willie Parker. Better yet is Moore's 5.8 yards per carry career rushing average against the Bears. Moore has proven in the past that he can shoulder the load for the Steelers and he'll do it once again.

Wide Receiver: Nate Burleson vs. San Francisco -- Coach Mike Singletary will make sure that his best cornerback, Nate Clements, is stuck like glue to TJ Houshmandzadeh, which will force Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to throw in the direction of Burleson. Don't expect a huge game, but six or seven receptions for 90-plus yards and a touchdown are definitely possible and at the same time worth a start.



Tight end: Chris Cooley vs. St Louis -- Last week, Seahawks tight end John Carlson had a career day against the Rams linebackers and safeties. Against the Giants, the Redskins offense looked defeated at times in week one, but was charged late by Chris Cooley. The Redskins also haven't forgotten the embarrassing loss to the Rams last season and will be ready to pile on the points this week. Look for Cooley to not only build off his performance last week, but be the primary target for Jason Campbell.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by MrHuber on Sept. 18, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (report)

Peterson is a machine, but do keep in mind that he's only recorded 2 touchdowns in four career games against the Lions..... With the way the Lions defense has played in the past few years + the standards ADP has set for himself that could be viewed as underachieving. Nonetheless, he'll never reach my bench, unless he gets hurt.

Posted by RBurns on Sept. 18, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (report)

I would think barring an injury, Adrian Peterson will be the pick of the week every week - no matter what defense he's up against. That man is a machine.