A fairly blase first week for the league. No Monday Night Thundering. No real close matchups. Several blowouts and, additionally, scoring was a bit down from last year. As Ed previously discussed, the depth of the league is likely the cause of that, and I doubt you'll see any team average in the 120's like last season.
However, there is a lot of wire activity around the league, which is nice to see. Not sure if it's just eagerness with the season starting, or if it will continue. Let's hope it does.
On to the first week's matchups:
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Madd Skillz: 114.50
Sex Panther: 87.50
Madd Skillz: Enjoyed a big week from doll-faced quarterback Tom Brady (24 points) and comeback wide receiver Steve Smith. Rudi Johnson was solid (19 points) as usual and Skillz was able to overcome a poor performance from Domanick Davis in Buffalo. LDT was quiet, but the Cowboys' defense and the absence of Antonio Gates were probably the biggest causes for that. Nothing to worry about there.
Best move: Opted to go with Brady over Matt Hasselback (10.75 points) at quarterback.
Worst move: This section probably shouldn't be called worst move, but perhaps "most unfortunate occurrence." Can't really blame Ed for benching Larry Johnson, but the backup to Priest Holmes put up a huge week. League sources indicate that trade offers are pouring in for the guy who is going to seriously cut into Priest Holme's value.
Sex Panther: Daunte, Daunte, Daunte. Culpepper averaged over 26 points per week last season, and his shit-the-bed performance (negative 4.50 points) was clearly the difference in this matchup. Cadillac Williams was stellar in his debut and the Rams receivers (Holt and Bruce) performed well.
Best move: Nothing at all.
Worst move: Starting Jermaine Wiggins (3.00) against a tough Tampa Bay defense over Ben Troupe (9.5 points).
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Cellar Dwellars: 91.25
Big Fat Guys: 86.00
Cellar Dwellars: Cellar Dwellers, out to end all Matt Millen comparisons, opens with a win against one of the league's expansion teams. CD was led by Larry Fitzgerald's huge game (13 receptions, 155 yards, 1 TD for 19.50 points) and respectable performances from LaMont Jordan, Plaxico Burress and Randy McMichael. Also got a big defensive performance from rookie Derrick Johnson (10 points) which proved to be the difference here.
Best move: Opting for Plaxico Burress over Jerry Porter (just 4 points).
Worst move: Jake Delhomme (6.25 points) over Byron Leftwich (21.25).
Big Fat Guys: A pretty good showing in Baron's first week in the league. Was really hurt by Mike Anderson's early injury and Mewelde Moore not seeing the field, as it's difficult to win when taking a goose egg from TWO running back slots. Marc Bulger looked terrible in real life, but this is fantasy football and the only thing that matters is the numbers. And he should continue to put them up throughout the year.
Best move: Brandon Lloyd in the flex spot against a poor Rams defense.
Worst move: Being an expansion team.
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Fred Lane's Wife: 154.25
Blaine Browns: 92.00
Fred Lane's Wife: Wow. Scored 154.25 without a tight end, getting double digit numbers from six different players. Led by Jimmy Smith's improbably huge week, and got strong showings from Corey Dillon, Deuce McAllister and Willie Parker. And yes, Peyton Manning put up a ho hum 22.25 points. He probably won't get the same numbers from Parker ever again, but will still make a major run at a title.
Best move: Picking Fast Willie up off the wire last week.
Worst move: Not finding a tight end who actually wore a uniform on Sunday.
Blaine Browns: Tough luck loss for BB, putting up the fourth highest point total and still getting mauled. Got a lot of good, but not great, performances from his guys. Once again, Drew Brees will do better once Antonio Gates returns and that should help push his weekly totals a bit higher. Also, did you guys know Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb aren't speaking?
Best move: Sticking with Brees over Aaron Brooks, who had just 7.50 points.
Worst move: Keenan McCardell put up an improbable 22.50 points, but I certainly won't blame Drew for having him on the bench.
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The Octagon: 81.75
Father Abraham: 72.00
The Octagon: JR's deal with Satan was apparently renewed for another year, as he manages to win despite finishing with fewer points than three losing teams. Same old song and dance, apparently. Trent Green was content to simply hand the ball off to Holmes and Johnson, only contributing 4.75 points. Squad still has a very enviable receiving core, but running backs should be a major cause of worriment with Kevan Barlow (6.00) and J.J. Arrington (3.00) having bad weeks.
Best move: Playing Tiki Barber over Chester Taylor? I don't know.
Worst move: Nothing too glaring -- a win is a win.
Father Abraham: Stephen Davis and Priest Holmes had good weeks, but the Father was very quiet in this one. Receiving stars Muhammad, Horn and Boldin were all held under six points and Donovan McNabb was simply average against a swarming Atlanta defense. Highly hyped tight end Jason Witten was held to just one catch, begging the question: Will Bledsoe look Witten's way as often as Testaverde? Also: Will McNabb and TO speak this week?
Best move: Sticking with Davis, who didn't lose too many touches to Deshaun Foster.
Worst move: None; no bench players significantly outperformed starters.
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ChamPeons: 130.00
Dave and Kenny: 57.75
ChamPeons: Leaguewide experts are surprised with the explosion of ChamPeons in the first week, as the the blue helmeted boys put up the second-best point total. Two Raiders, Kerry Collins and Randy Moss, and two Cowboys, Julius Jones and Keyshawn Johnson, all had big weeks. The Collins and Moss combo will be formidable all year, it appears, especially if Collins reduces his turnovers from a year ago.
Best move: Last year's waiver pickup of Julius Jones is going to reap benefits for a long time.
Worst move: Starting rookie Braylon Edwards over Rod Smith.
Dave and Kenny: The new guys were pummeled by their roommate, but that's to be expected when the team still lacks a starting running back. Did get a touchdown from Sammy Morris, but that won't happen too often with Ronnie Brown around. Having two Colts receivers and Antonio Gates may allow them to stick around in some matches this year, but the team will need to acquire running back help either via trade or the wire if they hope to compete this season.
Best move: Trading for Michael Vick for a draft pick and Dez White (who didn't have a catch in Week one).
Worst move: Sitting Marty Booker (13.50) in favor of Justin McCareins.
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Ed should be back in a day or two with midweek musings. And maybe we'll post naked pictures of women later this week, just to keep you coming back.
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