Happy football season, folks. I'll be here every Sunday morning to scan approximately 9 million Web sites for late-breaking news. If you have any comments or lineup questions, please post them below and I'll do my best to answer as many as possible. And if you hear any news that might be helpful to all of us, please post that as well. It takes a village, right?
I'll stick around until all the active lists are named for the early games, which is usually about 12:30 p.m. ET. Let's get going.
(8:48 a.m. ET) We might as well start with the biggest-named question mark. The Baltimore Sun reported last night that Ravens RB Willis McGahee is considered probable, and that the team will also "probably give many touches to Ray Rice." I'll keep my eyes and ears open on this one, and hope that my fellow Rutgers alum gets about 150 yards (sorry, McGahee owners).
(9:02 a.m. ET) Update on the depleted Eagles receiving corps: Reggie Brown is probably out today, and he'll join Kevin Curtis on the sideline. Let the DeSean Jackson hype machine begin!
(9:06 a.m. ET) If you were wondering based on some missed practices earlier in the week, all systems are go for Packers RB Ryan Grant, who went through a full practice Saturday. I took Grant with the No. 14 pick in a draft last week, and I can't decide if I'm happy about it. He could get 1,500 yards or 300, and neither would surprise me.
(9:16 a.m. ET) The Seahawks seem to be taking the running back committee idea to a new level. The team's Web site reports that Maurice Morris will start today over Julius Jones, but the pair will rotate starts and share carries. I blame Mike Shanahan for starting this fantasy-hating trend. In other Seahawks news, with WRs Bobby Engram and Deion Branch both out, Nate Burleson is Matt Hasselbeck's primary option today.
(9:22 a.m. ET) It's time for PizzaMan's "Lock of the Week." For those who followed along last season, the PizzaMan picks a game against the spread each week, and he's hoping to improve on 2007's mediocre 8-7-1 record. Today's he's got the Steelers minus-6.5 over the trendy Texans. If he wins, order yourself some extra pepperoni.
(9:36 a.m. ET) The Cleveland media had nothing new this morning on RB Jamal Lewis. He's a gametime decision, and his carries would be shared between Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison if he can't go. Since the Browns have the late game, I don't think you can risk starting Lewis.
(9:40 a.m. ET) From 10-noon ET, make sure to listen to the FOX Fantasy Freaks with Nate Lundy, Peter Burns and Michael Harmon. Regular visitors to the site are certainly aware of the fantasy genius that is Mr. Harmon, but you need to get familiar with Lundy and Brown. I haven't met them yet, but I hear they used to run a pet grooming business in Rhode Island before making their way westward toward fantasy radio stardom. Give 'em a listen or maybe a phone call this morning.
(Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here all week! Be kind to your waiters and waitresses!)
(10:05 a.m. ET) RB Steve Slaton is apparently raring to go for the Texans after battling some turf toe all week. If you decide to start one of the 72 backs in Houston, I think you're crazy.
(10:14 a.m. ET) Steelers RB update: The coaching staff envisions rookie Rashard Mendenhall getting in for 10-15 plays per game. I think Willie Parker got undervalued in some drafts.
(10:22 a.m. ET) Here's a quote about Calvin Johnson from the Lions' receivers coach: "This guy has paid the price to be the best receiver in the league this year, and I'm going to sit back and enjoy watching him become one of those elite receivers." I've got goosebumps.
(10:35 a.m. ET) Adam (formerly Pacman) Jones starts at CB for the Cowboys today in place of Terence Newman. Jones is a tremendous talent, but he's been out for a year. Look for a shootout in Cleveland, which means expected big production from Braylon Edwards, and maybe some under-the-radar stats from Donte Stallworth.
(10:40 a.m. ET) Pats TE Ben Watson is listed as doubtful, but the Pats can't be trusted to provide an accurate injury report. I'll let you know in a little while if Watson is active.
(10:41 a.m. ET) The Fantasy Freaks are a little testy this morning. I think Brown and Harmon would be in a steel cage match by now if they were in the same studio.
(10:48 p.m. ET) A Jaguars beat writer thinks that with WR Jerry Porter out, TE Marcedes Lewis could benefit. Maybe if Watson doesn't play you can grab Lewis at the last minute.
(10:55 a.m. ET) Check out this quote from gimpy Chargers TE Antonio Gates: "If I get out there and find out I can't help the team, I won't sacrifice a win just to be in the game." Gates owners must be brimming with confidence after reading that.
(11:01 a.m. ET) You want a sort-of-sleeper for today? How about Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad, who reunites with his buddy Jake Delhomme? With Steve Smith out, Moose is Jake's best option, as I noted in my (shameless plug) weekly FOXNews.com column the other day.
(11:17 a.m. ET) Freaks deep sleepers: Harmon likes Raiders TE Zach Miller and Cardinals WR Steve Breaston, Brown picks Chiefs WR Devard Darling, and Lundy tabs Packers RB Brandon Jackson. Once again, I'm feeling really great about picking Ryan Grant 14th last week. Randy Moss fell to No. 11, and I felt like I had to take him. Clinton Portis and Marshawn Lynch went 12th and 13th. I hate thinking I screwed up my season before it even starts.
(11:19 a.m. ET) Note to the people in charge of this blog's language filter: I really can't type the Bills RB's last name? I guess I'll refer to him as Mr. Marshawn from now on.
(11:30 a.m. ET) Did you draft Chad Ocho Cinco? He's on the field for warmups ... in sweat pants and wearing his shoulder harness. Fantastic.
(11:34 a.m. ET) NFL.com says that Saints RB Deuce McAllister is active. Yippee.
(11:40 a.m. ET) Injured Raiders WR Javon Walker will apparently give it a go Monday night.
(11:49 a.m. ET) WR Michael Clayton is inactive for the Bucs. I sincerely hope that doesn't affect your fantasy team.
(11:53 a.m. ET) TE Ben Watson is inactive for the Pats.
(12:00 p.m. ET) Willis McGahee is active for the Ravens. You can play him, but don't be surprised if he splits carries with Ray Rice.
(12:02 p.m. ET) WR Reggie Brown is officially out for the Eagles. Only a few more games are left to trickle in, so I'll hang around for a little while. I'll let you know in the comments below when the last question is answered.
(12:08 p.m. ET) A CBS report said that Ricky Williams should get a 2-to-1 carry edge over Ronnie Brown. Play Ricky if you've got him. WR Robert Meachem is out for the Saints, and WR Jerry Porter is out for the Jags, but you already knew that.
All the early games are in, so I'm going to sign off. I'll be back with more football updates next Sunday morning, and here all week with baseball news, as usual. Good luck in your fantasy openers.
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