Week 1 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Matt Ryan, Falcons – Likes his healthy WRs, passing for 448 yards and 3 TDs without a turnover.

Matt Stafford, Lions – Threw for 346 yards and 2 TDs, and scrambled for a third score, with no turnovers.

Andrew Luck, Colts – Passes for 370 yards and 2 TDs, and runs 19 yards for another TD, though he did throw two picks.

Peyton Manning, Broncos – “Just” 269 passing yards, but a trio of TDs with no turnovers.

RBs

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks – Was in full Beast Mode, rumbling for 110 yards and 2 TDs, plus a 14-yard catch.

Matt Forte, Bears – Didn’t score, but led his team in rushing (82 yards) and receiving (8 catches, 87 yards).

Le’Veon Bell, Steelers – Ran for 109 yards and a score, and added 6 catches for 88 yards.

Mark Ingram, Saints – Rushed for 60 yards and 2 TDs.

WRs

Calvin Johnson, Lions – He was so very Mega, with 7 catches for 164 yards and a pair of TDs.

Allen Hurns, Jaguars – As expected, racked up 4 receptions for 110 yards and 2 TDs. Right.

A.J. Green, Bengals – Took 6 receptions for 131 yards and a TD.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings – Only caught 3 passes for 26 yards but exploded for 102 yards and a TD as a runner.

Brandon Marshall, Bears – Turned 8 receptions into 71 yards and a score, though he lost a fumble.

Antonio Brown, Steelers – Reeled in 5 passes for 116 yards and a score.

TEs

Julius Thomas, Broncos – Torched the Colts with 7 catches for 104 yards and a TD hat trick.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – Hauled in 4 passes for 44 yards and 2 TDs.

Martellus Bennett, Bears – Snagged 8 passes for 70 yards and a score.

Greg Olsen, Panthers – He amassed 83 yards and a TD on his 8 catches.

Zach Ertz, Eagles – Fulfilled his sleeper status with 77 yards and a TD on 3 receptions.

D/STs

49ers – Three sacks, three INTs, a fumble recovery and a TD against the Cowboys.

Ks

Matt Bryant, Falcons – Three long FGs (40, 51, 52) and 4 XPs.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Tom Brady, Patriots – Lost two fumbles while passing for just 249 yards and 1 TD.

Robert Griffin III, Redskins – Looked lost in passing for 267 yards and fumbling once without a score, with just 2 rushing yards.

RBs

Doug Martin, Bucs – So much for the rebound after a 16-combined-yards opener and a third-quarter leg injury.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Only 19 rushing and 15 receiving yards to start the season.

Eddie Lacy, Packers – Just 48 combined yards before leaving in the 4^th quarter with a concussion.

Frank Gore, 49ers – Ran hard but only had 63 yards to show for it.

Danny Woodhead, Chargers – Used sparingly and contributed just 11 combined yards.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Raiders – Had a poor debut in Oakland with 11 rushing and 12 receiving yards. But that was 2 yards more than Darren McFadden.

Steven Jackson, Falcons – Just 52 yards on the ground.

Bishop Sankey, Titans – Just not ready for primetime with only 25 rushing yards in limited playing time.

Bernard Pierce, Ravens -- Benched after fumbling and gaining just 14 yards on 6 carries.

Toby Gerhart, Jaguars – Only 42 rushing and 15 receiving yards before an injury knocked him out.

Ben Tate, Browns – Out-played by two other RBs, collecting just 41 rushing yards, before he exited early.

Zac Stacy, Rams – Combined for a mediocre 51 yards.

WRs

Vincent Jackson, Bucs – Held to 36 yards on 4 receptions.

Sammy Watkins, Bills – Got off to a slow rookie start, with just 3 receptions for 31 yards.

Victor Cruz, Giants – Just a pair of catches for 24 yards.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – Uncharacteristically limited to 4 receptions for 48 yards.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – Was shut out till a key 22-yarder late in the game.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers – His hometown fans only saw him catch 2 passes for 25 yards.

Keenan Allen, Chargers – His 5 receptions contributed just 37 yards.

Danny Amendola, Patriots – Just 3 receptions for 16 yards.

Brian Hartline, Dolphins – Only 26 yards on 2 receptions.

Riley Cooper, Eagles – Limited to 29 yards on 4 balls.

Tavon Austin, Rams – Only managed 39 combined yards on 6 touches.

TEs

Jason Witten, Cowboys – Made a bystander with just 2 receptions for 14 yards.

Jordan Reed, Redskins – Managed a 4-yarder before leaving injured.

Jordan Cameron, Browns – Settled for 47 yards on 2 receptions before he, too, exited early.

Opening week shockers just part of the game

Chad Henne to Allen Hurns. I told you to expect a huge game from this dynamic duo.

Jamaal Charles amasses 34 combined yards against the Titans. As predicted here.

Two rushing scores for Cleveland RB Isaiah Crowell. Yes, that Isaiah Crowell.

What, you didn’t read those predictions? From me or anybody?

That’s because no one on the planet saw them coming. They’re what we in the fantasy guru biz call “aberrations.” And the good news is, they are unlikely to happen again this year. If ever.

So avoid the knee-jerk reactions that your league-mates are about to act upon.

On the other hand, we shouldn’t dismiss everything we saw throughout opening weekend.

Doug Martin’s pathetic one-yard-per-carry rushing performance before exiting in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury set a new low for the over-rated tailback and should send shivers through anyone that used a premium draft pick to acquire him.

Matt Ryan proved that top-shelf receivers really do make a difference, while Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson proved they can’t do much when their quarterback is lost, on his back or gun-shy.

Ben Tate’s starting role in Cleveland may be very short-lived.

It could be a loooong season for the St. Louis offense.

And here’s a question you may want to ponder: If you insist on owning a Colts running back, why wouldn’t that be Ahmad Bradshaw?

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

UPDATED 1:54 PM CT:

Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens. Oh my. Now that Ray Rice has been cut by the Ravens – after graphic video surfaced of him striking his then-fiancé in an Atlantic City hotel elevator – it’s time for a new era in Baltimore. Given Bernard Pierce’s benching against the Bengals, and Forsett’s impressive work in relief, the third-stringer looks like the Ravens back to own. And if you drafted Rice, well, I guess that’s what you get for ignoring my “Put Rice On Ice” campaign.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Colts. Need depth at RB? Bradshaw is available in four out of five leagues and shows more promise than Trent Richardson in the Colts offense. He won’t carry your team any more than he will Indy, but he offers gritty, underrated consistency as long as he’s healthy.

Bobby Rainey, RB, Buccaneers. If you own Martin and haven’t handcuffed him with Rainey, you’re nuts. Rainey out-played the starter last year when given the chance, and he could get another opportunity sooner than expected if Martin’s injury proves to be significant.

Josh Gordon, WR, Browns. If he’s available in your league, grab him pronto. Pending changes to the NFL’s drug-testing policy could reduce – possibly even eliminate – Gordon’s season-long suspension. Last year’s top fantasy wideout would be a nice addition, no?

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers. Even with Cam Newton on the sidelines, the rookie showed why Carolina invested a first-round pick on him. Benjamin is clearly the class of the Panthers’ ragtag WR corps. Available in more than 60 percent of all leagues, he’s worth grabbing and stashing.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers. Lost amid Antonio Brown’s stellar outing was the key role played by the second-year wideout. With six receptions for 97 yards, Wheaton gave just a hint of what’s to come in his new starting role. Grab him now, before your competitors notice.

Don’t be fooled

Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars. Sorry, I’m just not buying it. Undrafted rookie wideouts, especially those playing on offensively challenged teams, just don’t become fantasy studs overnight. (Remember Frisman Jackson? Of course you don’t.) With all due respect to Hurns’ four-catch, 110-yard, 2-TD debut, I can’t in good conscience recommend investing a roster spot in him in anything but the deepest of leagues. (Note that he was shut down, and out, in the second half.) Let someone else take the bait.

Week 1 4th & Long column

Good news, Fools. This year, my award-winning 4th & Long column for Sporting News' Fantasy Source is running in their FREE section, meaning you no longer need a subscription to read it.

Wait a minute...Could this be a statement about how highly they regard it? You get what you pay for?

Hmm.

Regardless, 4th & Long combines my starters and benchwarmers, my reflections on the previous weekend and an extensive run-down of the injuries that matter heading into the weekend's games. Plus a special "Personal Notes" section. One look and you'll see why it's called 4th & Long.

It's available here, now: http://www.sportingnews.com/fantasy/nfl/story/2014-09-05/4th-and-long-ten-burning-questions-heading-into-sunday-week-1-fantasy-football-advice-sleepers.

Enjoy.

Week 1 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Drew Brees and AJ Green, or to bench Geno Smith and Jason Avant? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 1 of the 2014 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears vs. Bills. With an explosive array of weapons at his disposal, and a porous secondary in his sights, Cutler should get his season off to a rousing start on Sunday. Just don’t force it, Jay. You don’t need to.

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers at Cowboys. One of the easiest decisions you can make all season is to start your players against Dallas’ historically inept defense. The only worry with Gore is that he’ll get winded from all the sprinting he’ll be doing.

C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills at Bears. Buffalo’s passing game is still a work in progress, but we know they can run. Spiller and Fred Jackson will lead the way against a Chicago run defense that was as bad as they come in 2013. As long as this game doesn’t get away from the Bills early, their backfield duo should have a field day.

Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts at Broncos. No longer a no-brainer start, Wayne should enjoy his return to action against Denver’s suspect secondary. With Andrew Luck attempting to match wits, and TD passes, with his predecessor, the veteran wideout is in line for double-digit targets.

Riley Cooper, WR, Eagles vs. Jaguars. Chip Kelly will tune up his offense against one of the NFL’s weakest pass defenses, and Cooper will be one of many beneficiaries. Look for Nick Foles to pick his spots in the passing game, with his No. 2 wideout benefitting from lax coverage.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Nick Foles, Andrew Luck, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers; RBs Reggie Bush, Giovani Bernard, Fred Jackson, Shane Vereen, Chris Johnson, Ben Tate, Mark Ingram; WRs Emmanuel Sanders, Marques Colston, Jeremy Maclin, Anquan Boldin, Pierre Garcon, Terrance Williams, Brian Hartline, Julian Edelman.

Roll ‘em back

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots at Dolphins. In his last three outings against the Dolphins, Brady has exceeded 300 passing yards just once, and thrown only four TDs vs. three INTs. Though a calf issue that arose this week won’t cost him the start, it could knock him off his stride. And Rob Gronkowski will likely be a game-time call. There are safer bets out there.

Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans at Chiefs. It’s just too soon. Shonn Greene is the starter and Sankey will be eased into the rotation early in the season. Kansas City’s run defense gives up yards but gets stingy near the goal line. Give the rookie time and he may reward you down the road.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars at Eagles. His best chance to produce will be on a goal-line plunge because Jacksonville will likely have to abandon the run early in this contest. Philly’s run defense is pretty salty.

Victor Cruz, WR, Giants at Lions. Eli Manning has been downright awful throughout the preseason, and now he’ll be facing Ndamukong Suh and friends with a depleted offensive line. Cruz has regressed over the last couple of years, and this is not likely to be the week he turns it around.

Mike Wallace, WR, Dolphins vs. Patriots. He and Ryan Tannehill remain as out of sync as ever entering the regular season. And while Miami tends to give New England fits, Wallace won’t be the one advancing the ball.

More thumbs down: QBs Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Robert Griffin III; RBs Doug Martin, Trent Richardson, Ryan Mathews, Rashad Jennings, Lamar Miller, Bernard Pierce, Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden, Steven Ridley; WRs Golden Tate, Cordarrelle Patterson, Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin, Danny Amendola, Torrey Smith, Reuben Randle, Mike Evans, Cecil Shorts, all Raiders receivers.

TAKING A FLIER

Cody Latimer, WR, Broncos vs. Colts. Even with Wes Welker serving his suspension and Emmanuel Sanders still working through a quadriceps injury, Peyton Manning won’t just go conservative against his old team. Latimer has been very impressive throughout the preseason and is in line for plenty of snaps Sunday night. Don’t be surprised if Manning makes the rookie a star under the primetime lights.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…fails to track the inactive reports prior to the games. Several key players – including Cam Newton, Cecil Shorts and Gronkowski – are banged up heading into the opener and could be sidelined. Follow me on Twitter (@ladd_biro) and I’ll make sure you get all the late-breaking news before you set your final lineups.

FINAL positional rankings now posted

Barring any unforeseen circumstances -- and with the exception of the Saints' decision on a kicker -- I have now posted my final positional rankings for the 2014 fantasy season.

You can find them here in all their glory: http://www.scribd.com/collections/5242598/Fantasy-Fool-s-2014-Positional-Rankings

This is Round 4, for those of you keeping score at home. If you still have a draft this week, these are the rankings you'll want to use as a guide.

Good luck, Fools! Opening day is nigh upon us!

10 burning questions heading into Week 1

Now that most of us have completed our drafts, all we can do now is wait for Thursday night’s season opener. That’s right, this is no time to let anticipation get the best of you.

My Twitter account has been lit up with questions about various trade scenarios from owners who’ve apparently been staring at their rosters a little too hard and feel the need to do something, anything, to better position themselves for immediate success.

I have one word for you: Relax!

Trust your draft preparation, don’t succumb to the knee-jerk trade offer and avoid impulsive waiver-wire moves. Instead, join me in pondering these 10 burning questions that should begin to be answered as 2014 Opening Weekend unfolds:

   
1. How healthy are Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Arian Foster, Montee Ball, Wes Welker, Jeremy Maclin, Sammy Watkins, Rob Gronkowski and other nicked-up stars? It’s never a good sign to head into Week One already nursing an injury, but these guys have no choice. Their fates will affect not only their owners, but those banking on the players around them. 

2. Who will emerge from obscurity? Last season Julian Edelman, Julius Thomas and the Chiefs defense became prized free-agent acquisitions after stellar early-season performances. Which players will we be scrambling for next week? Hint: Do you have your starting RBs handcuffed?

3. Will Dallas’ defense be the MVP of fantasy football? The Cowboys were historically inept on defense in 2013, and they’ll begin 2014 without their four best players from last season. Their offensive opponents could set records against this band of misfits on a weekly basis.

4. Can the Eagles’ offense take another step forward under Chip Kelly? Nick Foles was en fuego in 2013 thanks in large part to DeSean Jackson’s explosiveness. Will Maclin’s return, Darren Sproles’ arrival and Zach Ertz’s development make up for Jackson’s departure? As long as LeSean McCoy is healthy, this offense should be fun to watch.

5. Is Montee Ball the next Terrell Davis, or at least the next Knowshon Moreno? Millions of fantasy owners have placed a massive bet on Ball by investing their first pick in the promising, yet still unproven, tailback. An appendectomy cost him valuable reps this preseason, so how quickly he assumes a workhorse role in Denver’s offense is to be seen.

6. What about You-Know-Who in Cleveland? Personally, I’m not all that interested in the Browns’ QB battle, mostly because Josh Gordon is out of the picture. How quickly Johnny Manziel unseats Brian Hoyer is likely of little consequence in fantasy circles this season. 

7. How will the Saints’ RB committee shake out? Mark Ingram heads into the season as the starter, but we know he’s a non-factor in the passing game. Pierre Thomas slipped behind Khiry Robinson on the depth chart, yet his receiving prowess can’t be overlooked in this offense. Will this be a three-headed monster or will one tailback emerge as a consistent fantasy contributor? New England’s backfield could also produce weekly headaches.

8. Which rookies will make an immediate impact? Bishop Sankey will be given every opportunity to secure the lead RB role in Tennessee, but he must first eliminate his fumbling issues. Watkins and Mike Evans could light the world on fire, or take months to adapt to the pro game. Incumbents must get out of the way before we can see how dominant Carlos Hyde and Devonta Freeman can be. 

   
9. What’s up with all these new kickers? Brandon McManus will mind the store in Denver until Matt Prater returns from his four-game suspension. The Cardinals are rolling with rookie Chandler Catanzaro, the Lions drafted Nate Freese and the Bucs are trusting rookie Patrick Murray. Alex Henery is looking for work after being run out of Philly by Cody Parkey. Rookie Cairo Santos beat out incumbent Ryan Succop for the Chiefs’ job; but Succop could find a new home in Tennessee, where Travis Coons thought he had solidified his hold on the kicking duties. And the Saints are still shopping for a kicker after releasing both players vying for the job, including veteran Shayne Graham.

10. Can Matty Ice and the Falcons’ receivers get their mojo back? Last season was a disaster for those invested in Atlanta’s passing game, primarily due to the loss of Julio Jones and lingering injuries to Roddy White. Matt Ryan was awful at times, with only future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez providing a consistent target. Now that his starting wideouts are back, can Ryan rekindle his aerial exploits, without Gonzo’s help down the middle?

After another interminable offseason, these questions and many more will begin to be answered in just a few days.  And I can’t wait. 

Talk about creative consequences

I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Baylor University's sparkling new McLane Stadium last night, and watching my Baylor Bears pour it on SMU 45-0.

But I got a real chuckle out of seeing this guy, with his buddies standing around and laughing nearby, positioned in the middle of the bridge leading from the Baylor campus to the stadium.

That's what I call a creative way to inflict pain on your last-place owner!