Top Ten Panic Buttons

Week one is always the time for massive panic, when a slew of players get picked up and others dropped due to injury or perceived ineffectiveness. Many standout week one performers never make a difference again, although a list of this kind can have just as many season-long hits as misses. The top ten players that were not on a roster for this week's action but were picked up during the Panic Season:

10. New York Giants fullback Brandon Jacobs. This year’s version of The Bus was announced before the season as a possible carry-splitter with Tiki Barber, and could get the goal line opportunities. He had six carries for 39 yards with a touchdown in week one – a line that will remind everyone of Jerome Bettis. In a league that gives touchdowns a considerable value, he’s a find. (Baron picked him up) 9.00 first week value.

9. Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby. Defense is the most hit-and-miss category imaginable from week to week, but Dansby is the best available defender after week one. He had two interceptions, a sack, a touchdown and three solo tackles to boost his profile. 16.50 first week value.

8. Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte. Football's version of Ruben Sierra, this guy is somehow still in the league despite being blah for a generation, going 24 of 36 with 275 yards and two touchdowns for Miami in week one. The Fish somhow throttled Denver, and Frerotte found eight different receivers in the process. 20.00 first week value.

7. Tampa Bay tight end Alex Smith. The rookie caught four passes for 34 yards with two touchdowns, outshining teammate Anthony Becht, brought over from the Jets, with just one catch. Could be a harbinger for things to come…and looking at how Cadillac Williams got his yards, we know Jon Gruden loves the rookies. (Baron picked him up) 15.00 first week value.

6. Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton. Who the fuck is this guy? Six catches, 89 yards and a touchdown while newly-acquired Peerless Price did nothing. It seems Keyshawn Johnson and Crayton were the go-to guys for Drew Bledsoe in week one. (Viano picked him up) 13.00 first week value.

5. Packers wide receiver Robert Ferguson. Javon Walker, having died on Sunday, has made Ferguson’s value sky rocket in one week’s time. He only caught one ball for four yards in week one, but he has been known to have good chemistry with Brett Favre in the past. (LaTomke picked him up) 2.00 first week value.

4. Lions quarterback Joey Harrington. Nobody should be wowed by one week from a guy with so much doubt, but Harrington did hang tough against the Packers, completing 15 passes for 167 yards and two scores. Baron didn’t think enough of him to keep him around, going with Marc Bulger by his lonesome for now and putting Harrington on waivers despite the performance. 19.75 first week value.

3. Jets tight end Chris Baker. Seven catches, 124 yards and a touchdown. Chad Pennington has always liked to use a tight end, and with Anthony Becht gone and Doug Jolley under-performing, this guy could get his fair share of work. Like most tight ends, you’re just asking for a hit-and-miss type player, but he was hit in week one. 15.50 first week value.

2. Browns wide receiver Frisman Jackson. The undrafted wideout caught 13 passes last season, but already has eight catches and 128 yards under his belt in 2005, including a 68 yard touchdown. He probably won’t get bumped up out of fourth on the depth chart based on one big play and one big day, but he looks good right now. 16.50 first week value.

1. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Is it somewhat odd that a player who was the storm of the 2004 season became a fantasy nobody, thanks in large part to a bad showing in the playoffs? His flawless first week reminded people that he might not be so bad after all, completing nine passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He had a perfect passer rating in the blowout over Tennessee. (Champ picked him up) 18.25 first week value.