Forgive and Forget…Week 2 Picks

Sep 14, 2010

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Ouch!!!!! Not enough band-aids in this world to cover up my wounds from Week 1. Granted, they were self-inflicted so I guess that makes me something of a masochist. All I can say is….”Thank God there’s 16 more weeks of action to enjoy.” Hopefully, I’ll redeem myself by then.

Besides the obvious Peyton Manning/Tom Brady performances (let’s face it…if they’re on your roster, you’re starting them), not too many others distinguished themselves at the QB position. Palmer threw for 345 yds., 2 tds and 1 pic so he definitely deserves to be in the plus column. You also have to give it up for Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers, both tossing 2 scoring passes with above average passing yards (Cutler actually threw for a monster 372 yds.) My “suggested” starters Romo and E. Manning did so-so as both eclipsed 250+ yds. and both threw for at least 1 score (Manning 3 tds, 3 pics). My “other mentions” did not fair nearly as well, as Kolb was awful (5/10, 24 yds. while he was in there) and Campbell (180 yds, 1 td, 1 pic) had inflated numbers throwing often as the Raiders got behind early.

Running back selections were far from stellar also. Beanie Wells could not get on the field (despite reports earlier in the week to the contrary), Steven Jackson had 81 yds rushing and 4 catches for 6 yds., but I thought for sure the Rams would run the ball a lot more than they did, given they are starting a rookie quarterback in Bradford. Frank Gore and Cedric Benson both got “lost” in their teams’ needs to pass themselves back into a game they had fallen way behind in so neither produced as expected. Given the numbers my “starters” doled out, my “let em sit” players – Addai and Portis, did no worse.

Wide receivers are plentiful in fantasy football and just about every team has a bonafide #1 guy. So when Terrell Owens went to Cincy and started to have chemistry with Carson Palmer during the preseason, it just didn’t look like a great fit for Chad Ochocinco to start out the year with a solid performance. Forget solid – he was awesome. 12 catches for 159 yds and a score. Likewise, I thought Randy Moss (5 rec, 59 yds.) would be the “go to guy” early on in New England but it turns out Wes Welker is entirely back from last year’s injury. Thanks to Michael Vick (never thought I’d ever say that again), Jeremy Maclin gave us 1 score on 4 receptions.

Antonio Gates did well in week 1 with his 5 rec., 76 yds. and 1 td catch but our other picks did not fair as well. If you took Witten or Celek, you know what I mean…..

So, having publicized my inadequancies from last week, I feel rejuvenated to get on the winning side of the ledger for week 2. Here goes… At quarterback, let’s go with the obvious. Peyton Manning should do well at home against the Giants. Philip Rivers is a lock as is Aaron Rodgers. At running back, play Michael Turner against the Cards, DeAngelo Williams vs. the Bucs, and I like Detroit’s Best to have a decent day against an exposed run defense for the Eagles, especially if Bradley does not return from the concussion suffered in week 1. Again, go with the name players at wide receiver. I like Wayne, Austin and Driver to all have excellent games. At tight end, give Tony Gonzalez, Jermichael Finley and Chris Cooley some love. I learned my lesson from last week so I’m playing kickers David Akers and Steve Gostkowski and take a shot with the Vikings defense at home against the Fins.

Let’s hope this week is more fruitful than last. I’m gonna run out of excuses way too soon in the season if things don’t turn around soon. Till then…..