The fantasy chatter with Mike Connors

Posted to: Sports

This year, The Fantasy Chatter will give readers the chance to show off their fantasy brilliance. Here's all you need to do:

1. Go to Mike's blog at hamptonroads.com/blogs/mike-connors.

2. In the comments section, write in your pick for the fantasy player you think will rack up the most points that week.

Points will be determined by a Yahoo! league.

If you win, you can write in one tip - and bragging rights - in the next edition of The Fantasy Chatter.
For Week 1, entries must be posted by 7 p.m. today, when the Giants and Redskins kick off.

One catch: Anyone can pick LaDainian Tomlinson, but this game will be more challenging.

So here's a list of guys who are off-limits: Tomlinson, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.
Mike will announce the winner on his blog Tuesday afternoons.

Ties will be broken by who turned in a correct pick first, so turn in those picks early.

You don't want your friends beating you for the chance to trash talk.

Only one entry per person per week is allowed.

By Mike Connors
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 4, 2008

Three to start

1. QB Eli Manning, Giants

The Fantasy Chatter aims to pick players who aren't obvious starters. Manning tied for the league lead in interceptions last season with 20. But the Giants open their season tonight against the Redskins, who allowed 71 points in their final two preseason games. Redskins DE Jason Taylor (knee) will be a game-time decision, but even if he plays, he'll be limited.

2. WR Jabar Gaffney, Patriots

Gaffney will be New England's third receiver. Teams will double-cover Wes Welker and Randy Moss, leaving Gaffney with lots of single coverage. Gaffney showed potential last season, catching 36 passes for 449 yards as a fourth receiver. He'll start out a career year Sunday against the Chiefs.

3. RB Kevin Smith, Lions

Detroit signed former standout Rudi Johnson earlier this week. But Johnson will need more than five days to learn the playbook, so he'll see limited action Sunday at Atlanta. Smith, a rookie out of Central Florida, will be the starter. Smith came within 62 yards of the NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards last season. Atlanta's run defense was 27th in the league last year (127.1 ypg).

Three to sit

1. Bears defense

Chicago allowed 21.8 ppg last season, only 15th best. The Bears allowed 100 points this preseason, 1 of 5 teams to allow triple digits. Chicago opens at Indianapolis, which will have a healthy Peyton Manning at quarterback. The Colts scored 41 against the Saints in last season's opener.

2. QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Green Bay opens Monday night against Minnesota. The Vikings' pass defense allowed a league-worst 264.1 ypg last season. But the addition of DE Jared Allen allows Minnesota to pressure the QB. And Rodgers has been carrying clipboards for the past few seasons. Green Bay will rely on a steady diet of RB Ryan Grant until Rodgers is completely comfortable in the offense.

3. RB DeAngelo Williams, Panthers

Williams will share carries with Jonathan Stewart, who looked like one of the top rookies in the league during the preseason. Carolina plays at San Diego, which allowed only 58 points in the preseason - and that was without stalwart Shawne Merriman, who is expected to play despite two torn knee ligaments.

Extra points

Jets QB Brett Favre had only two preseason games to learn New York's playbook. He'll be rusty against Miami, which allowed 41 points in the preseason, the second-best total in the league.

Texans RB Ahman Green is the likely Week 1 starter in a three-running back attack. That means limited carries against Pittsburgh, which had the league's third-best run defense last season (89.9 ypg).

Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton will see plenty of passes with Sam Hurd injured. Dallas plays at Cleveland, which ranked 24th in pass defense last season (230.1 ypg) and allowed 103 points this preseason.

- Mike Connors, The Virginian-Pilot

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