Fantasy Top Performers - Week 1
Donovan McNabb back to star status
Donovan McNabb back to star status
Scout Fantasy Freak
Posted Sep 12, 2006


Week 1 is over and in the books. We've compiled and wrapped up the week with this week's Fantasy Top Performers column. See below for compiled stats and in-depth analysis...and check back each Tuesday morning as we'll continue to break down the stars all season long!

 
 

QUARTERBACKS

Donovan McNabb shook off some early bugs to get on track for 3 TDs on 314 passing yards (nearly half to new WR best friend Donte' Stallworth). As predicted, Superbowl MVP Kurt Warner utilized his stud WRs and went for 300 yards with 3 TDs in a win over the Niners. Charlie Batch filled in nicely for Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 3 touchdowns on Thursday night. Either Chad Pennington and the Jets are better than expected or the Titans are much worse - Pennington looked nearly perfect with a 24/33 effort for 319 yards and a couple scores in a win over Tennessee. If Byron Leftwich can stay healthy, the Jags are gonna be tough to beat this season...Leftwich had a nice game in a win over the Dallas Cowboys. Eli Manning wasn't perfect on SNF in a loss to his big bro, but Eli did have a couple of TDs and nearly 250 yards for his fantasy owners. QBs Michael Vick and Charlie Frye each had 40+ rushing yards to pad their fantasy totals. Tom Brady didn't have the success nor yardage expected against the Buffalo Bills, but Brady threw for 2 TDs in the win over the Bills.

 

Top Fantasy Quarterbacks - Week One

QB

Pass Comp

Pass Att

Pass Yards

TDs

Donovan McNabb
24
35
314
3
Kurt Warner
23
37
301
3
Charlie Batch
15
25
209
3
Chad Pennington
24
33
319
2
Byron Leftwich
23
34
237
1,1 (run)
Eli Manning
20
37
247
2
Michael Vick
10
22
140
2
Charlie Frye
16
27
132
1,1 (run)
Tom Brady
11
23
163
2

 

 

RUNNING BACKS

The San Francisco Forty-Niners aren't a team with a world-beater offense, but Frank Gore made a case that he has something to give...Gore rumbled for 80+ and received 80+ for a combined total of 170 yards and 2 TDs in a great effort against the Arizona Cardinals (although both the SF and AZ defenses looked sloppy). LaDainian Tomlinson tore up the Oakland Raiders and was close to an NFL record with nearly 100 rushing yards in the first quarter...LT2 finished with 149 total yards and a TD. Versatile RB Brian Westbrook was a great fantasy play as he gained 132 total yards and scored for the Eagles. Minnesota Vikings' RB Chester Taylor headed left all night (behind OL Steve Hutchinson) and finished with 131 yards and a score in an impressive Vikings' road win over the Redskins. Sophomore Ronnie Brown didn't have his best game on the ground against the Pittsburgh Steelers (15 carries for 30 yards), but Brown thrilled his fantasy owners by finding the endzone twice. RBs Fred Taylor and Julius Jones had nearly identical stats of 115 and 111 total yards and a score apiece. Tennessee RB Travis Henry looked awful with only 24 yards on 10 touches, but 2 of Henry's touches resulted in TDs (and he added a 2-point conversion to compliment his fantasy total)! Rudi Johnson was consistent with a heavy load against the Chiefs...Rudi finished with around 100 yards and a score. Mike Bell, Jamal Lewis, and Edgerrin James each had a TD with some decent yardage. Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn, Steven Jackson, Ahman Green, Willie Parker, and Tatum Bell all rushed for over 100 yards...but none were able to find the endzone. Larry Johnson gained more yards through the air than on the ground (for a total of 148), but Johnson failed to score a TD for his fantasy owners. New Orleans Saints' RB Deuce McAllister went 22 for 90 yards, but it was rookie phenom RB Reggie Bush who had more total yards for the Saints...Bush split his yardage between run/pass for a total of 119 without a score.

Top Fantasy Running Backs - Week One

RB

Rush Att

Rush Yards

Rcptns

Rec Yards

Total Yards

TDs

Frank Gore
16
87
6
83
170
2
LaDainian Tomlinson
31
131
3
18
149
1
Brian Westbrook
17
71
4
61
132
1
Chester Taylor
31
88
3
43
131
1
Ronnie Brown
15
30
3
32
62
2
Fred Taylor
21
74
6
41
115
1
Julius Jones
17
72
1
39
111
1
Tiki Barber
18
110
5
61
171
0
Travis Henry
9
22
1
2
24
2*
Rudi Johnson
28
96
1
7
103
1
Mike Bell
10
58
4
30
88
1
Larry Johnson
17
68
5
80
148
0
Warrick Dunn
29
132
1
10
142
0
Steven Jackson
22
121
4
19
140
0
Jamal Lewis
18
78
0
0
78
1
Edgerrin James
26
73
0
0
73
1
Ahman Green
20
110
3
22
132
0
Willie Parker
29
115
3
13
128
0
Reggie Bush
14
61
8
58
119
0
Tatum Bell
15
103
0
0
103
0

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

As predicted, Donte' Stallworth was a Sunday Stud with a TD in a 6 for 141 game...the talented Stallworth found a nice home in Philadelphia and should be started in all formats until further notice. And as not predicted, Laveranues Coles was dialed in to Jets' QB Chad Pennington and caught a whopping 8 balls for 153 yards in a win over the Titans. Terrell Owens may not be liked by all, but Owens is an incredibly skilled WR that will help any fantasy owner who starts him...Owens finished with a 80 yards and a TD for the Cowboys on Sunday. Plaxico Burress had a couple of highlight film grabs to finish with 80 yards and a TD in the Giants' SNF loss to the Colts. Michael Jenkins caught 3 for 77 with a score. Larry Fitzgerald uncharacteristically dropped 3 catchable balls that would have boosted his fantasy numbers, but Fitz still had a huge game with 9 catches for 133 yards. Eric Moulds may have found a home in Houston with his 6 for 68 effort (and a TD). Billy Volek was somehow yanked for Kerry Collins in Tennessee, but Drew Bennett was still the go-to guy in the Titan passing offense...Bennett caught 8 for 106 and had a 2-point conversion for his owners. Jerricho Cotchery (who?) and Anquan Boldin each had 60+ receiving yards with a TD. Antonio Bryant, Marvin Harrison, Muhsin Muhammad, and Andre Johnson all had 100+ yard games...but none were able to find the endzone.

Top Fantasy Wide Receivers - Week One

WR

Rcptns

Rec Yards

TDs

Donte' Stallworth
6
141
1
Laveranues Coles
8
153
0
Terrell Owens
6
80
1
Plaxico Burress
4
80
1
Michael Jenkins
3
77
1
Larry Fitzgerald
9
133
0
Eric Moulds
6
68
1
Drew Bennett
8
106
0*
Jerricho Cotchery
6
65
1
Anquan Boldin
4
62
1
Antonio Bryant
4
114
0
Marvin Harrison
9
113
0
Muhsin Muhammad
6
102
0
Andre Johnson
6
101
0

 

 

TIGHT ENDS

Heath Miller didn't really get into the endzone on his 80+ yard reception from QB Charlie Batch, but the officials mistakenly gave him the score and Miami coach Nick Saban was beyond wimpy with his red challenge flag. Tony Gonzalez had a huge game in leagues that count receptions...Gonzo's 10/81 TD game was a great start to the 2006 season for the top TE. Kellen Winslow Jr. may have the most upside of any tight end in the league (including Antonio Gates)...Winslow had 8 grabs for 63 yards and a score on Sunday and will be the man in Cleveland's passing game the rest of the season (provided he stays healthy and on the field). Jeremy Shockey is an absolute stud...Shockey is a likely scoring threat every time the Giants are within the 30 yard-line (and he'll get plenty of chances this season). Steve McNair threw to his tight end for a TD, but it wasn't Todd Heap with the reception...McNair found Daniel Wilcox for the score. Dallas Clark and Chris Baker both had a few grabs and a score for Indy and NYJ. Rookie sensation tight end Vernon Davis (who has freakish talent) looked up to the billing on Sunday to catch 5 for 37 yards with a TD.

Top Fantasy Tight Ends - Week One

WR

Rcptns

Rec Yards

TDs

Heath Miller
3
101
1
Tony Gonzalez
10
81
1
Kellen Winslow Jr.
8
63
1
Jeremy Shockey
5
59
1
Daniel Wilcox
3
52
1
Dallas Clark
3
39
1
Vernon Davis
5
37
1
Chris Baker
4
34
1

 

News and Notes - QB Trent Green was knocked out of the Bengals-Chiefs game with a nasty blow to the head and is still in the hospital - Green's prognosis is that he will recover and be okay, but he'll be out of action for at least another week...Sure, it was against a below average Packer team - but the Chicago Bears looked like the real deal in week 1...It remains questionable whether Ben Roethlisberger will be ready for week 2, but Charlie Batch's effort in week 1 may not have the Steelers rushing Big Ben's return...Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts increased their record to a perfect 1-0 with a nice road victory over Eli and the New York Giants...Terrell Owens showed no ill-effects from a hamstring injury and appeared at top form in week 1...Shaun Alexander could be really missing something with OL Steve Hutchinson going to the Minnesota Vikings this off-season - but one man's loss is another man's gain as Chester Taylor was the benefactor with 131 total yards and a TD in a Viking road victory over the Washington Redskins...LaDainian Tomlinson was a one-man-gang early in the first half on MNF - Tomlinson finished with 149 total yards and a TD...Jeremy Shockey's gesture of giving his TD ball to a US soldier next to the endzone on SNF was a very classy move...Donovan McNabb may have just what he ordered with the arrival of Donte' Stallworth...WR Deion Branch was traded from the Pats to the Seahawks for a 1st round pick and will play in week 2 - but what was Seattle thinking to be willing to pay 6 million -and- give up a 1st round pick???...Mike Dikta's remark on the Raiders at half-time on MNF "This is not a good football team."...MNF seemed strange with 7 EST start and another at 10:15, but I'll take it!

_______________________________________________

Send your fantasy questions to scoutfantasyfreak@yahoo.com

 




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