Fantasy owners have been tracking player news, depth chart changes and injury notes since the final gun sounded in Glendale last February. All the shuffling of positional rankings, the exhaustive research and snooze-fest preseason action has now come to an end.

 

Raise your coffee cups or beverage of choice to your fantasy brethren as we embark on another fabulous campaign. It's time to make lineup decisions in games that count and review some of the injuries that may influence your decisions. The list will undoubtedly grow between now and the kickoffs of Sunday morning, so Roger Rotter, John Halpin and I will be working tirelessly through the weekend to get you the final news and notes as you begin your mission of fantasy dominance. I truly appreciate you joining me for the ride.

 

Let's start in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars seek to unseat the Colts in the AFC South. They just might begin the campaign without two of their top receiving options.

 

<i> The Jacksonville Times </i> reports that receiver and red zone monster Reggie Williams spent Wednesday's practice on a stationery bike. His availability for Sunday's opener against Tennessee is now in doubt. Meanwhile, teammate Jerry Porter, who had missed extensive time because of a hamstring injury of his own, returned to practice. It now appears that Porter will be available to play this weekend.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> I suspect that the long layoff for Porter will keep him from making a significant impact in what is sure to be a hard-fought smash-mouth type of game. I sit him down until he proves healthy. It remains to be seen whether he can go through a full game of cuts and contact. The absence of Williams in the red zone opens opportunities for Marcedes Lewis, who stands as my super-sized fantasy sleeper of the week.

 

<i> The Houston Chronicle </I> advises that Texans tailback Ahman Green has fully participated in practice this week in advance of the Week 1 battle against Pittsburgh. Green reportedly ran well during drills, seemingly indicating that he's adequately recovered from his groin injury.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The lingering injury concern and the fact that Green touched the ball just once this preseason forces me to leave him on the bench, even if he's declared the starter. We'll certainly see a committee approach, with both Chris Taylor and Steve Slaton factoring into the mix. If forced to pick a player from this rotation, I'm rolling with dark horse sleeper candidate Slaton in the Flex slot.

 

According to <i> The Oakland Tribune </i>, off-season acquisition Javon Walker has been slowed by a hamstring injury this week and may miss the season opener on Monday against the division rival Broncos.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> Ronald Curry and Todd Watkins have been more consistent during camp, although I'm not optimistic that either player provides much of a boost for fantasy owners against the strong Denver corners. Look for the running game to be front and center (start McFadden and Fargas) with Zach Miller seeing a ton of work over the middle.

 

<i> The Carolina Observer </I> reports that Matt Moore that the original bone bruise diagnosis has been updated to reflect a fractured fibula. Moore was throwing on Wednesday when he felt a pop in the original area. He's expected to miss 4-6 weeks at a minimum.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The acquisition of Josh McCown gives the Panthers a veteran option should an injury befall Jake Delhomme while Moore, who played well in spurts last season, recovers from the injury. There's no immediate change here save for the name on your watch list and a potential waiver option should Delhomme go down. 

 

Also in Carolina, longtime fantasy sleeper D.J. Hackett returned to practice this week after missing several weeks because of a toe injury. Hackett is expected to see significant time alongside Muhsin Muhammad while the team plays out Steve Smith's suspension.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> John Fox noted after Wednesday's practice that he doesn't anticipate that Hackett's absence from the four preseason games would limit his contribution in Week 1 against Buffalo. Hackett warrants consideration in deeper leagues as a solid second option for Delhomme.

 

I don't know that I'll ever get used to typing it, but Chad Ocho Cinco is set to start Week 1 against the hard-hitting Ravens. Ocho Cinco has appeared at practice this week and is confident that he'll post numbers immediately.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> The Ravens will play without Ed Reed, which leaves them susceptible to plays downfield. That assumes, of course, that the Cincinnati O-Line can stop the pass rush and protect Carson Palmer. Regardless, play Ocho Cinco while you can in your No. 3 slot.

 

<i> The Cleveland Plain Dealer </i> reports that Jamal Lewis returned to practice on Wednesday and ran well in limited work. Lewis is expected to get the starting nod, although running room may be sparse against the tough Dallas defense.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> Barring a late change (keep it locked onto FOXSports.com for the latest information), Lewis is still worthy of a start as a RB2 or Flex play. Derek Anderson has recovered sufficiently from his concussion and will lead a passing parade that will try to keep pace with the Dallas juggernaut. However, Lewis is still there for the touchdown glory.

 

<p> Also in Cleveland, linebacker Antwan Peek was lost for the year on Wednesday with a ruptured patellar tendon. Shantee Orr was re-signed by the squad and will split time with rookie Alex Hall.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> There's absolutely no rational being who would be tempted to start the Browns this weekend. Even the most ardent Browns supporters couldn't be swayed (unless you have a scoring system that makes Josh Cribbs, who is also injured, a fantasy legend in return yardage).

 

 According to sources in Philadelphia, receiver Reggie Brown didn't participate in Thursday's practice. Brown remains sidelined by a hamstring issue. His availability for Sunday's tilt with the Rams is in jeopardy.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> It's time to push DeSean Jackson and L.J. Smith up your rankings sheets for Week 1. I've already written at length about each player and how they ultimately present tremendous targets for Donovan McNabb (Hank Baskett will see a few more looks, too), but that also assumed Brown's presence. You have to like them even more against a St. Louis team that will be tested on both sides of the ball. I suspect that the Philadelphia defense generates several turnovers from Jim Johnson's blitz packages, giving McNabb quick-strike capabilities.

 

<i> The Seattle Times </i> reports that Deion Branch appeared at practice in full uniform on Wednesday. I caution against getting overly optimistic here, as he's now just seven months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL and reportedly spent most of his time catching balls off of the Juggs gun. Branch told reporters that he's been running, but was non-committal to a question about running routes. I don't believe that we'll see Branch until after the Week 4 Bye.

<b><i> Impact: </i></b> As Branch and Bobby Engram (shoulder) shelved with injuries, you're looking at Nate Burleson, John Carlson and Courtney Taylor as the top options for Matt Hasselbeck. Burleson will see a high target number against the Bills, although his ability to produce as a No. 1 receiver remains a huge question mark. Carlson is a nice sleeper candidate this weekend, while Taylor and my deep, deep sleeper Jordan Kent will make modest dents in the box score.

 

 

Keep it locked onto the pages of FOXSports.com for all of the breaking news and injury updates as we countdown to the glory of fantasy football 2008.

We've watched countless hours of film, driven thousands of miles to see players and teams up close and personal and scoured rosters and statistics to get to this point. Rosters are now set and the topsy-turvy, often maddening preseason has come to an end. At least any further injuries sustained by your favorite team will come under the guise of trying to secure a victory that counts.

 

Now, it's time to file those papers back into their appropriate resting places or to the recycling bin. Instead, we're going to harness the lessons learned and gaze into the crystal ball. It's time for a short list of predictions for the season ahead. I'll post my playoff and Super Bowl picks in my blog on Thursday.

 

Let's start in Cincinnati.

 

I'll sell short if I was a Chad Ocho Cinco owner. Offer to toss in a customized jersey or a trading card with that, um, surname affixed to it. Don't worry, you won't see much more than a "Ch - line" in his autograph, so you won't have to pay a premium. He'll attempt to play through the pain and post one or two big games before heading to Dr. Andrews. Ocho Cinco is usually good for receptions, yardage and a couple multi-touchdown games each year. I think the risk is too high for where he's being selected. I'm out.

 

Likewise, I love Shawne Merriman and that Chargers defense, but if you forced me to be the first guy to take a defense, I'm swinging with the Vikings. Give me Jared Allen and a run-stuffing unit that creates third-and-long opportunities against inexperienced QBs in the NFC North (and the normally turnover-afflicted Jon Kitna).

 

Brett Favre adapts to big city life better than most expect. The new team captain makes full use of his downfield weapons and a strong offensive line. Favre throws 30 touchdown passes, but still drives you insane with 15 interceptions. He leads the Jets to the sixth and final playoff slot.

 

I've agonized over the ranking of Adrian Peterson all summer. LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook topped my running back rankings, but Peterson in the three hole left me uneasy. After all, we're not playing Rotisserie baseball and adding up his season-long efforts. He's going to have a handful of those monster games that represent the bulk of his statistical contributions, a few games where he's invisible (remember the end of last season?) and I suspect that he misses time due to injury. The loss of Bryant McKinnie for four games isn't helping things. But, I guess I still take him before Steven Jackson (injury issues of his own in the past and a crumbling offensive line), Joseph Addai (either all-world or invisible in 2007) and the remaining backs. I'm going to regret not just vacating that slot.

 

Notice that the draft stock of Ryan Grant has dipped in the latter part of the summer. Grant missed OTA's and then got hurt in camp, leaving me and many other fantasy owners a tad worried. Add the fact that opposing defenses are going to stuff the box until Aaron Rodgers proves himself, and it results in a tough, tough start for Grant. He needs Week 16 and 17 to eclipse his 2007 totals as Brandon Jackson cuts into his workload.

 

Speaking of Rodgers, I'm not convinced that he makes it through a full 16-game slate. Now, that's not much of a prediction, as only a handful of quarterbacks complete a full season. With that said, I expect rookie Matt Flynn to find himself under center for several games before this season ends.

 

That logic follows directly to the huddle in Arizona. Although Kurt Warner opens the year as the starter and will presumably match his high level of performance from 2007 given the options available to him, there's nobody thinking he'll make it through 16 games. Historical markers are just too strong.

 

Despite the lovefest in San Francisco with J.T. O'Sullivan, I believe that Shaun Hill is lining up under center by October 1st.

 

Before the season ends, as many as 10 rookie running backs will play significant roles in offenses across the NFL. One player flying under the radar is bulldozer Tim Hightower in Arizona. He's thrilled coaches with his ability to move piles and bounce off of would-be tacklers for the all-important YAC yards. Hightower ascends to a prominent "vulture" role and scores eight touchdowns as the complement to Edgerrin James.

 

Who put the "fun" into dysfunctional, the Lions or Bengals? Rudi Johnson morphs into a different type of cat with his arrival in Detroit, and I actually like him better in this offense. Of course, I'm also putting my faith in Jim Colletto being a man of his word and actually balancing the offensive distribution in Detroit. The Kevin Smith-Johnson duo just might be the thing to make Jon Kitna less turnover prone in the red zone.

 

On a related note, former Lions back Tatum Bell is being sought by Detroit fans who claim that he stole more than just Johnson's bags.

 

Moving on.

 

Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith finds himself in a tremendous spot as the season opens. Injuries throughout the receiving corps make Smith a prime target for Donovan McNabb, provided that they can both stay healthy. Smith will finish the year as a top 10 tight end, offering a great target that can operate in space.

 

I've been off of the Derek Anderson bandwagon for some time. The talent available to him on this offense is impressive, but I fear that his late-season mediocrity and a tough schedule conspire to put him on the bench. Anderson is already reeling from a concussion sustained at the hands of Osi Umenyiora in his final act before heading to IR, and I believe that Brady Quinn will be under center by midseason. The schedule is brutal, and while Anderson will put up strong numbers, I'm not convinced that his efforts translate to wins. As such, the golden boy will be on display.

 

Jake Delhomme's elbow stays sound and he finishes the year as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, wins "Comeback Player of the Year" honors and leads the Panthers to the playoffs. Of course, this only occurs if Steve Smith remains on his best behavior upon his return to the field.

 

Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden (with a little help from Michael Bush) team to place the Raiders inside the top 10 running games in the leagues once again. McFadden ultimately wins out in the final yardage tally as he stays healthy, but fantasy owners agonize over their Flex spot for several weeks (including Week 1 against Denver). Zach Miller leads Oakland in receptions.

 

Pony is launching a campaign to turn Randy Moss into a verb, as in "you got Mossed" when he's dancing in the end zone after beating you on a corner route. In Olympic-like fashion, Moss makes a serious run to breaking his single-season touchdown record, set just last year.

 

Fans of the New York Giants will inundate our FOX Plaza offices with stacks of letters in a fashion similar to the climax of "Miracle on 34th Street," begging retired defensive end Michael Strahan to don his No. 92 uniform once again. He ultimately stays on the Los Angeles lot to form one of the most potent defensive fronts ever alongside Howie Long. Curt Menefee doesn't stand a chance.

 

We will go an entire regular season without a police run-in to discuss, and dust will gather on the chair opposite Roger Goodell. I can hope, can't I?

 

By Week 9, a litany of injuries and inexplicable twists and turns of this NFL season will force me to descend into madness. I will begin donning a jersey with a "Mare" nameplate, pounding the desk with a fierceness and energy unmatched in broadcast journalism on any level.

 

Nothing matches the enthusiasm and excitement of an NFL Sunday.

 

Welcome back.

Greetings, all -

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Lock it up. It's time to dominate.

The All-Star Game has provided a number of memorable moments through the years. My mind immediately drifts to Pete Rose and Ray Fosse, but there have been others that stay at the front of my mind. I still get goosebumps when I think about the pageantry of Boston when the All-Century Team was unveiled and players surrounded Ted Williams.

Not to be outdone, the city of New York was on display with the pomp and circumstance to rival any sporting event (I know, soccer fans beat their chests for the FIFA World Cup, and the Super Bowl is a two-week festival that is rarely matched on the U.S. stage.). However, the city of New York, Major League Baseball and the Yankees put on a phenomenal event. The red carpet event down 6th avenue was magical, with Spike Lee and other celebrities showing their inner fandom.

I'm not one to get too excited by parades, but the sight of this veritable conga line of stars got me to sit on the edge of my seat. Great work by Jeannie Zelasko and Chris Rose to set the table, with Laura Okmin and Charissa Thompson out in the field. And, if you didn't enjoy Mark Grace's excitement while talking to Ernie Banks and Kosuke Fukudome (nice Japanese work, Mark) and the expression on his face as he talked to Willie Mays, then I don't know what to tell you.

For all of its trials and tribulations, baseball still reduces many of us to children. When a game is played as well as Tuesday night's was, all is right with the world. Dan Uggla had the hat trick of errors, although the official scorer was a bit harsh on the third one - that should have been a hit! All of the pitchers did their job (batters were 3-for-28 with runners in scoring position), and we saw defense, defense and more defense.

Did you expect to see sacrifice bunts and so many stolen base attempts?

Now, one of the best plays of the game, Nate McLouth's outfield assist to the plate was actually a missed call (according to the replays, Dioner Navarro slid in before the tag was applied). But, it doesn't matter. No fan could have turned off their television or walked out of the park unhappy.

I suppose Yankee fans would have liked to see somebody else win the MVP Award instead of Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew, but a win is a win.

The only folks who lost in this one (other than the NL stars who battled valiantly in this nearly five-hour marathon) were those who scheduled their DVRs to cut out at 9pm. They missed a full game worth of action.