Dynasty Implications - Week 2

Posted 9/15 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

This will be a weekly feature looking at the dynasty implications from some of the events of the week's games. We will look at the happenings of the weekend and identify the winners and losers in dynasty leagues.

Joe Flacco looked awesome against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs. He was making good reads and delivering the ball on time. Most feared a sophomore slump or few opportunities for a big game, but those were laid to rest. The second-year passer has improved and could surprise this season in Cam Cameron's offense. I do not want to make too much of a good game versus the lowly Chiefs, but the 300-yard game was impressive to watch. He was under control and played well. Having Mark Clayton back in the lineup helped as the Chiefs were focused on stopping Derrick Mason. Todd Heap also looked like the Heap of old. Flacco could be a Top 12-15 fantasy passer this season.

Donovan McNabb suffered broken ribs in the week one matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Kevin Kolb replaced him. Kolb proved to all that he is not the answer. He averaged a meager two yards per pass attempt after coming into the game. McNabb is already considered doubtful for week two. The two questions for dynasty owners are: who will start next game and who could be the long-term starter if McNabb misses extended action? Kolb, or recently signed Jeff Garcia, are the only near-term options. Garcia knows the Eagle offense from his previous tenure in Philadelphia. He is little more than a stopgap at this time. Michael Vick will be available in week three. The Eagles must feel better knowing Vick is on the roster even though he is rusty. Kolb is probably not worth rostering the way he has played. Garcia is an option if McNabb misses multiple games. The job is still McNabb's when he gets back, but he has missed quite a few games over his career.

The Carolina Panther quarterbacks had an awful game. Jake Delhomme was horrid, throwing four picks in 17 passes and losing a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown. He was replaced by Josh McCown, who left the game with nasty knee and foot injuries. McCown has since been placed on injured reserve. After the McCown injury, the team had the choice whether to put Delhomme back into the game, but Matt Moore entered the contest. Even with the poor play of Delhomme, the team has given him the dreaded vote of confidence. The team is stuck. They gave him a huge contract this offseason and are tying their playoff hopes and aspirations to the veteran. They have no other choice at this point. Carolina signed veteran backup passer A.J. Feeley, but he is not the answer. The Panthers do not have a legitimate quarterback of the future. However this plays out, it will take a toll on wideout Steve Smith. Smith was visibly frustrated Sunday.

Kurt Warner looked slow and the entire Cardinal offense was out of synch against a fired up San Francisco 49ers defense. Steve Breaston was out and Anquan Boldin played hurt. Can the Cardinals, and Warner, rebound? This is a huge question, especially after losing Todd Haley in the offseason. Dynasty leaguers have to see the trickle down effect with star receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. This is definitely a situation to watch.

Jason Campbell has a big arm, but is still a long ways away from being a winning NFL passer. He struggles with reading the defenses and delivering the ball on time. In addition, his accuracy is very suspect. I realize that the Redskins were facing the vaunted Giant defense, but Campbell had the look of a player that might not make it to the end of the season as a starter. Todd Collins would be the replacement. But, for dynasty purposes, the eventual starter is not on the roster. Also, Campbell was not going through his progressions enough to find Santana Moss. He chose the safer throws to Randle El and Cooley instead.

Jonathan Stewart received almost half of the running back touches for the Panthers even after just coming back to action this week. Stewart missed all of preseason with an Achilles injury. He will have a prominent role going forward. One other item of note is that Stewart had carries inside the ten yard line.

This is the week to sell Julius Jones to an unsuspecting leaguemate. Let's remember that Jones was having a bad game against a poor Ram defense before breaking the long touchdown run. Trade him while you can.

Most seeing the stat lines from the New York Jet running backs will be misled by the big game of Thomas Jones. Jones was having a subpar game before breaking two long runs in the second half against a worn down Texan defense. It was really Leon Washington who looks to have the bigger role going forward. This is definitely the time to sell on Jones and to buy Washington.

The Dallas Cowboys will utilize the three-headed monster at the running back position. Yes, that is what the team has said all along, but few believed them. All three backs interchangeable and used in different situations. This could be a mess for fantasy owners. The one thing we do know is that Marion Barber will continue to be the likely goal line option.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers use a committee approach as well. Cadillac Williams looked good. He just needs to prove he can stay healthy. Derrick Ward played well, too. This could be a muddled mess for fantasy owners on a week-to-week basis. Earnest Graham was the big loser with only one carry.

The Detroit Lions are going to use Kevin Smith often in the passing game. He is a good receiver and the Lions look to be down often. The seven catches in the opener against the Saints was not a fluke. He could be a huge producer in PPR (point per reception) leagues.

Reggie Bush does not look like the "old" Reggie Bush. There were reports that he was fully recovered from the offseason microfracture surgery. It did not show. He could disappoint this season. Mike Bell could help pick up the slack, even when Pierre Thomas is back from his knee sprain.

St. Louis wide receivers, Donnie Avery and Laurent Robinson are both players on the rise. They play on a team that will be throwing often while behind in games. Avery is just back from his foot injury. Robinson is asserting himself into viability. Marc Bulger is not a good quarterback. He will not enable these receivers to have many big games, but they each have bright futures. They are receivers to target in dynasty leagues. This situation will also have an adverse effect on Steven Jackson.

Mario Manningham looked to be one of a very few in New York (Giants) that can make a big play at any time. He has big potential if he can continue to develop and mature. The injury to Hakeem Nicks will give Manningham an extended time to assert himself.

Torry Holt is done as an every week starter in most leagues. The pathetic Jaguar passing offense will hinder his chances of being reliable for fantasy owners. Holt was not able to be productive even against a banged up Colt defensive backfield.

Santonio Holmes picked where he left off in the Super Bowl. With the anemic running game, Roethlisberger will have to throw more often. Holmes could be in for a big season. He may have finally put it all together.
Laveranues Coles had a bad case of the dropsies against the Broncos. Carson Palmer threw to him less in crunch time. Chris Henry was not targeted much, either. The veteran passer did target second-year receiver Andre Caldwell in the fourth quarter. Caldwell was a forgotten man this season. It is too early to know how the situation will play out, but it is advisable to pick up Caldwell in deeper dynasty leagues. He is still young and could start in the slot by midseason. Last season, he reminded me of a young T.J. Houshmandzadeh. By the way, Chad Ochocinco looks to be back in 2007 form. Coles can rebound so it is advisable to watch another week to see what happens.

Anthony Gonzalez sprained his knee and is expected to miss 2-6 weeks. If he is out of action for a month or longer, the Colt passing offense will rely on Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Wayne was awesome against the Jaguars. Pierre Garcon will line up opposite Wayne, with rookie Austin Collie in the slot. The injury will allow the Colts to get an extended look at the two youngsters. Marvin Harrison is not expected to be brought back to Indianapolis.

Percy Harvin will be used in a variety of ways if week one was any indication. He carried the ball twice and caught three passes, including a touchdown. He will be fun to watch. The Vikings are using him in different positions and formations to take advantage of mismatches. He is a player that will be a good fantasy starter by next season.

Mike Wallace is a player to watch this season. It may take all of this year for him to emerge, but he does have the speed and talent of a starting receiver. Wallace will alternate with Limas Sweed in the void left by the departure of Nate Washington. Wallace's speed will be an asset for the Steelers offense.

I do not want to overreact to the huge game by John Carlson, but it is obvious he will be a big part of the Seattle pass offense going forward. Tallying 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns is a great way to start the season. But, it was against the lowly Rams. The Seahawks do not have many other options in the passing game, so this could be the coming out party for Carlson.