Are you ready for some fantasy football? Me too. Week one is finally here and it is time to get you thinking about who should and who shouldn’t be in your line up this Sunday.

Let’s get it rolling with this weeks picks

Start em if you got em

Jon Kitna QB (DET) - The pass happy Mike Martz is now looking to maim quarterbacks in San Francisco and a commitment to the running game is on the docket for the Motor City Kitties, but, that doesn’t mean that ole’ Jon can’t git r’ done.

He still has the presence of both Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. That alone will make him a valuable spot starter for the savvy fantasy owner in 2008.

Look for Kitna and company to abuse a very young and rebuilding Atlanta secondary with  300+ yards passing and at least 3 TD’s.

Final stats: 262, 2 td’s and an int.
Final thoughts: Had a few missed opportunities and Atlanta was able to control the ball with their running game.

Joey Galloway WR (TB) - He absolutely torched the Saints last year with games of 135 and 156 yards to go along with two touchdowns. The Saints did not do a whole lot in the offseason to correct the issues in the secondary. Don’t worry that Garcia and Galloway didn’t get to much playing time in the preseason. They are vets and will be ready to go this Sunday. Look for 5 for 100+ and a TD for Joey.

Final stats: 6 catches for 56 yards and 0 TD’s.
Final thoughts: Jeff Garcia was extremely rusty and Galloway didn’t seem to be trying to hard - he actually quit on a few patterns that I saw. 

Sit em if you got em

Chad Ocho Cinco WR (CIN) -Not only is he one hit away from being knocked out of the game with that bad ankle and torn labrum in his shoulder but historically he is very subpar versus the Ravens. In the last five games versus Baltimore he only has two touchdowns. Look for a couple nice shots from Ray Lewis and something in the neighborhood of 4 catches for 55 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Final stats: 1 catch for 22 yards, 0 TD’s.
Final thoughts: Wow. Worse than even I thought. Looks like a pretty unstable situation developing in Cinci.

Vince Young QB (TEN) -In 4 games versus the Jags, he has a passer rating of - are you sitting down - 51.4 and two touchdowns to 6 interceptions. The Jags have problems rushing the passer but when you don’t have much of a passing game it really doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t start him if I had to start two quarterbacks with stats like 175 passing, 0 passing touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Final stats: 12/22 for 110 yards, a TD and 2 int’s.
Final thoughts: Not a very good performance and - SURPRISE - he’s hurt again.

Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if…

… Antonio Bryant WR (TB) has a top ten fantasy performance against the Saints defense (see Galloway above).  He’s a good blocker so he’ll be on the field alot Gruden really likes this guy and everyone said he was a standout during camp. Look for 4 for 75+ and a TD.

Final stats: 3 for 43 and 0 TD’s.
Final thoughts: I saw him targeted at least once in the endzone. Also, see Galloway above.

… Darren McFadden RB (OAK) and Justin Fargas RB (OAK) both post solid numbers Monday night. In fact you could probably get away with starting both of these guys against the Broncos. Denver was atrocious against the run last year and didn’t really do a whole lot to upgrade it in the offseason. Last December Fargas ran 33 times for 146. This week look for 75+ and a TD from Fargas, and 100+ and a TD from McFadden (oh and look for Michael Bush to vulture at least one TD).

Don’t forget to check this post again after the games. Every Monday or so I go through and grade my performance based on the final stats so that you know how much stock you can put into my picks the following week.

Also, be sure to stop by and check out the Fantasy Football Librarians blog for her extremely thorough listing of start em, sit ems from around the web. I may have a few more for you too so check back later in the week.

Final stats: Fargas 18 for 97, 0 td’s and McFadden 9 for 46, 0 td’s.
Final thoughts: Hard to run the ball when you are getting your ass handed to you.

Last Call

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