Minding My Manners: Your Week 1 Fantasy Scoutlook

In a new article to be featured weekly, Minding My Manners will offer my suggestions as to who ought to be in your starting lineup and who ought to be riding the bench of your fantasy football team. Some may be no-brainers, some may have the men in white coats knocking on my door, but all will come full circle. In next week’s edition, we’ll review the accuracy (or complete failure) of my picks.

Yes, Please. I’d Love Some…

Joe Flacco – QB Baltimore Ravens

Flacco and the Ravens will be hosting the Chiefs and their JV defense. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the addition of LSU’s Tyson Jackson won’t be enough to drastically improve the 27th ranked defense of 2008. Flacco put up a 65.6% completion rate to go along with 470 yards passing in 3 games this preseason. The Ravens have shown confidence in Flacco as their future gunslinger, not just a game manager. Look for his breakout to begin Week 1 with the help of receiving options Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Ray Rice out of the backfield. Week 1 Scoutlook: 285 yds passing, 2 TDs, 3 rushes for 22 yds.

Frank Gore – RB San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers head coach Mike Singletary has vocalized his desire for a run-based offense coming into 2009, and Gore is his featured back. Despite RB Glen Coffee’s success in the preseason, he doesn’t seem to be much of a threat, maybe getting just 8-12 carries from Gore in the opener. A nice breather for the bowling ball rusher. The 49ers will be in Arizona, but last years NFC champs will face the tough task of slowing down Gore. Week 1 Scoutlook: 24 rushes for 105 yds, 1 TD, 3 receptions for 23 yds.

TJ Houshmandzadeh – WR Seattle Seahawks

New team, same dynamic player. Seattle fans will get very familiar with Housh when the Rams come to town this weekend. New offensive cooridinator Greg Knapp and his west coast offense will have QB Matt Hasselbeck looking to dupe the revamped St. Louis defense. Hasselbeck will hook-up with the 6’2″ target across the middle, and hopefully, in the red zone. Week 1 Scoutlook: 8 receptions for 75 yds, 1 TD.

Jeremy Shockey – TE New Orleans Saints

The Detroit Lions can make a Pro Bowler out of any opponent, and when they head into New Orleans, you’ll witness the reincarnation of Shockey 2005. The Saints recently lost TE Billy Miller (Achilles) for the season. This leaves Shockey as Drew Brees’s top checkdown option. Sure, Colston and Moore will get there looks; and don’t miss the up-and-coming speedster Robert Meachem. But I expect Shockey to step up in a big way this week, and certainly worth starting come Sunday. Week 1 Scoutlook: 5 receptions for 68 yds and 1 TD.

Green Bay – Defense

I’ll take a Dom Capers 3-4 defense any day. And against the not-yet-gelled Bears offense, they’re all the hype in my book. Pro Bowl CB Nick Collins (7 interception in ’08), 4th year LB A.J. Hawk and rookie pass rusher B.J. Raji, will offer a 3-dimensional defensive scheme for Capers and company. Expect the Bears to struggle to throw the ball downfield, with RB Matt Forte being the only offensive star by the final whistle blow. Week 1 Scoutlook: 13 pts allowed, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks.

No, Thanks. I’ll Pass…

Donovan McNabb – QB Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick won’t be an factor in McNabb’s fantasy value this week, but the Panthers’D will pose a bit of a problem for McNabb and his Eagles. Julius Peppers is all aboard this year with his contract woes behind him. Look for him to penetrate the rather weak offensive line of the Eagles, headed straight for the QB. Despite the breakout of WR Desean Jackson last year, McNabb still doesn’t have the targets he’d like. Trade rumors ran rampant in Philly throughout the offseason, with WR Braylon Edwards and Brandon Marshall both seemingly available for trade. Starting the season with just Desean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and a gimpy Brian Westbrook, look for McNabb to struggle Week 1 against a respectable Carolina defense. Week 1 Scoutlook: 192 yds passing, 1 TD, 2 interceptions, 4 rushes for 12 yds.

Willie Parker – RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Never a shoe-in fantasy start, Willie Parker faces a tough matchup in Tennessee this week. The Titans gave up just 93.9 ypg on the ground last year, and despite losing DT Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins, they project to be a top defense yet again. Parker faces an internal barrier this year too, that being second year RB Rashard Mendenhall. Expect Mendenhall to be getting half of the carries by Week 9 at Denver, coming out of the Steelers’bye week. Parker will be running uphill all year. The struggles begin Thursday. Week 1 Scoutlook: 21rushes for 64 yds, 2 receptions for 7 yds, 0 TDs.

Terrell Owens – WR Buffalo Bills

Heading into Week 1, T.O. has a clear disadvantage. The chemistry with Bills QB Trent Edwards, is not where it should be after Owens (toe) missed three preseason games and a good chunk of practices. Throw in the Bills’raw offensive line composed of all new parts, and the New England defense will limit any looks Owens may have seen. Get your popcorn ready to watch Tom Brady and company put on the only show of this matchup. Week 1 Scoutlook: 3 catches, 47 yds.

Miami Dolphins – Defense

Don’t get the wrong idea, the Dolphins have a well-rounded defense, probably underrated. Bringing back DE/LB Jason Taylor won’t have quite the impact they’re looking for. Also, LB Jerry Porter will need to repeat his 2008 Pro Bowl year, in which he started all 16 games. The Dolphins’weakness lies in the youthful secondary, an area Atlanta’s Matt Ryan will look to exploit in his house. Be on the lookout for big days from WR Roddy White and new acquisition TE Tony Gonzalez, backed by the top tier rushing attack of Turner the Burner. Week 1 Scoutlook: 27 pts allowed, 1 sack.