Huddlegeeks Fantasy Take, Week 1

The gang at Huddlegeeks.com offer some free Week One fantasy advice

This article is provided by Huddlegeeks.com - a fantasy football service started by Browns fans! Check them out at Huddlegeeks.com.

Well, Fantasy Football fans, the moment we have all waited for has arrived!  The start of the 2006 NFL season kicks off this week as the hated Pittsburgh Steelers will face the resurgent Miami Dolphins.  The start of the NFL season means only one thing to die-hard fantasy football fans and that’s stat watching!

Be it by scrolling news on the bottom of your T.V., cell phones or a check on your home computer at half time, the most ardent fantasy fans will find some way to keep pace on their team(s) at all times during the weekend.

Yes, this is also the time of the year when you actually might pay attention to the Jets - Titans game, just because you might have your hopes pinned on a good performance by Chad Pennington.  That’s what makes fantasy football such a great pastime.  It makes the most miserable match-ups of the week somewhat interesting, since bragging rights are on the line for you and your fantasy opponent.  There’s nothing like seeing a backup running back score a touchdown that vaults you ahead of your opponent!  It’s simply fantasy bliss.

Here are a few players that you might want to take a look at plugging into your starting lineup this week.  They may not be the top names in fantasy football, but they are the ‘under the radar’ guys that you might have to make a tough decision on.  The good fantasy player is able to pick these players out from a crowd and stick them in their lineup for fantasy success!

QB - Kurt Warner - Warner may not last the entire NFL season, so you'll want to use him early. Look for him to have a big day against a Niners defense that finished dead last in the league last year in pass defense and didn't make many improvements in the off-season.  Warner has many weapons at his disposal with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and now Edgerrin James in the backfield, so expect him to make full use of them as the Cardinals open up their new stadium in Arizona.

RB Thomas Jones - Jones has been named the starting RB in the Chicago offense, since Cedric Benson was slowed during training camp due to a shoulder injury. Look for Jones to get the bulk of the carries against a Packers defense that finished in the bottom quarter of the league in rushing defense and has looked awful during the preseason.  The Packers may have added former Buckeye A.J. Hawk to their defense, but Hawk is only a band-aid on defense that has trouble stopping anyone.

RB Reuben Droughns - Droughns is the clear No. 1 RB in Cleveland this season and will open the season at home against a rebuilding Saints defense that ranked 27th in the NFL last season stopping the run. Look for him to get started on surpassing his 2005 TD total of two in this opening day matchup.  Rookie, Jerome Harrison may spell Droughns on third downs, but look for Ramblin Reuben to get the ball when it really matters; in the red-zone!

WR Nate Burleson - Burleson is the new bird in Seattle and has shown good chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck in the preseason since Darrell Jackson was out. While Jackson is expected to play against the Lions, expect his contribution to be minimal. Look for Burleson to be the Seahawks leading receiver and a consistent target for Hasselbeck throughout the season.

TE Ben Watson - We figure on Watson being a breakout player in fantasy football this season. Expect Watson to be one of Tom Brady's main targets as they face the Bills in New England.  The Patriots have lost a lot of talent at the wide receiver position and figure to use Watson liberally in the passing game.  Don’t be surprised if this big tight end surpasses the 100 yard mark in the first game of the season.

DEF Patriots - The Pats veteran defense will be squaring off against the Buffalo Bills and fantasy killer, J.P. Losman. Expect the Pats to shut down the Bills running game and force Losman into some stupid turnovers in the second half. A defensive TD would not be out of the question.