When you're right, you're right; when you're wrong, you're Andrew Davidson.  I'm going to start off this week's edition by recapping last week performance of projections and suggestions.  I was correct in most of my sit/start match-ups, but not by much.  In other words, the guys I suggested to start barely outperformed the guys I recommended sitting.  Let's take a look:

Marshawn Lynch vs. Ryan Grant - I forecasted Lynch to have 50 total yards and 0 TDs; he had 49 total yards and 0 TDs.  Grant was forecasted for 110 total yards and 1 TD; he had 51 total yards and 0 TDs.  Grant outperformed Lynch, but this is a loss eithe way.  Feel free to lynch me.

Braylon Edwards vs. Michael Crabtree - Well, I said Braylon wouldn't get a TD and he did.  I said Crabtree would get a TD and he did not.  Yardage wise, Crabs outperformed Edwards, but just barely (81 to 74).  To make matters worse, Crabtree also had a Fumble Lost. 

David Garrard vs. Matthew Stafford - Garrard helped me out here, I forecast 190 pass yards (w/30 rush yards), 1 TD and 1 INT.  He ended up with 139 pass yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs (w/ 22 rush yards).  If you benched Garrard, you're welcome.  If you started Stafford, I'm sorry; the Lions QB had 168 pass yards, 1 TD (rushing), and 1 INT.  Stafford out performed Garrard, but most QBs did (even Kurt Warner's 6 turnovers). 

Dustin Keller - I seriously high fived myself when I saw his stat line:  76 yards, and 1 TD.  I recommended Keller as one of my sleeprs, and boy did it pay off.  This is the only pick I really felt great about, mainly because it's the only one I nailed.

San Diego DEF - The Chargers forced just 1 turnover and allowed JaMarcus Russell to complete 63.6% of his passes.  The Team D allowed 16 points, but also had 5 sacks to go along with the INT.  Not a great performance, but Shawne Merriman finally did get a sack (actually he had 2). 

After the jump, I attempt to out-do myself in this week's forecasting...

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This edition of MYWFG is a forecast of Week 8's fantasy players that you should consider sitting or starting.  Obviously, anyone on a BYE is a no-brainer to sit, but I'm going to get a bit deeper into it than something that simple.  For example, the weather in Buffalo shows no chance of precipitation and partly sunny skies, what type of affect will that have on the fantasy players?  Will the Dolphins starting two rookie corners have an impact on what Jets WR to start?  Take a look and see.

RB to Sit

Marshawn Lynch BUF vs. HOU - The Houston defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 3 when Maurice Jones-Drew scampered for 119 yards and 3 TDs.  The Texans also have only allowed 2 rushing TDs since that contest, so any notion of starting Lynch should be extinguished.  The weather should be suitable playing conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium, so I expect Houston to remain excellent against the run (if it were snowy, or rainy I may think otherwise).  DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing are both probable, and despite Lynch's increasing work load (17 carries last week, Fred Jackson had 2) it's best to bench this Bill.  Week 8 Forecast: 50 total yards, 0 TDs

RB to Start

Ryan Grant GB vs. MIN - Ok, so you're looking at your roster and you see vs. MIN beside Ryan Grant's name, so you automatically think "bench him".  Normally, I would agree, but not this season.  The Vikings aren't the same against the run as in year's past; RBs have been averaging 4.1 ypc against Minnesota in 2009.  While the Vikings have only allowed two rushing TDs, they have been allowing some RBs to put up good numbers (see: Ray Rice week 6).  In Ryan Grant's Week 4 meeting with the Vikings, he had 101 total yards (50 receiving) while averaging 4.6 ypc.  I expect similar numbers this week as the Packers try to control the clock and thwart Brett Favre's return to Lambeau.  Week 8 Forecast: 110 total yards, 1 TD

After the jump, I'll look at some WRs, QBs and some additional sleepers... 

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Just a quick reminder about the fantasy mailbag, remember to send me any comments or questions.  I've received a few already, and an interesting debate could emerge.  A Niners Nation member asked me "Do I start Joe Flacco vs. SD or Matt Hasselbeck vs. SF?".  My initial response was start Hasselbeck, despite the strong outing the 49ers defense showed in Week 1.  I've added a poll to this column, and want to know your input as well. 

Flacco put up huge numbers against the Chiefs; surprising, shocking numbers (307 yards, 3 TDs).  Can he repeat the feat against San Diego?  The Chargers held JaMarcus Russell in check primarly (40% completion, 2 INTs) and are a much better team defensively than the Chiefs.  Also, the Ravens have a carnival of running backs to throw at San Diego's front seven and should play a much more "Baltimore"-style offense in Week 2. 

Hasselbeck on the other hand looked awful in the first half against St. Louis, throwing two interceptions.  However, he later regained composure (that and the Rams were the opponent) and threw 3 TDs and went for over 200 yards passing.  San Francisco pressured Kurt Warner all day long, but Warner still managed 288 yards passing (with 2 INTs).  When the 49ers defense shuts down Seattle's run game, Hasselbeck will be forced to go to the air.  While the 49ers will win the game, Matt Hasselbeck will keep the Seahawks close.

Sit

Joe Flacco QB BAL @ SD - Week 2 Forecast: 175 pass yards, 1 INTs, 1 TD

Start

Matt Hasselbeck SEA @ SF - Week 2 Forecast:  250 pass yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs

After the jump, the rest of my sit/start suggestions...

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For those participating in Niners Nation 1 on Flea Flicker, I start this week's edition with a shout out to the highest scoring team from week 1.  Pardon me as I've forgotten who the team is owned by their Niners Nation ID, but "Don't Read Anything Into" gave us all a reason to investigate further.  Poor performances by Larry Johnson, Dallas Clark, and Anquan Boldin were overshadowed by an overpowering performance by Drew Brees and Philadelphia Team DEF.  The team totalled 124.1 points to take league bragging rights for week one, and a clear message has been sent to the league:  "Don't Read, Watch, Watch Very Closely".  Honourable mention goes to team Goodfellas for scoring 123.5 points, slightly behind our leader.  On to other matters...

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce my fantasy mailbag, drewsfantasymailbag@gmail.com.  This is an opportunity to send me a message, chirping me about my previews, analysis and general comments regarding fantasy football.  You can also message me about fantasy advice even though Shlecko despises the thought of relying on someone's else brain for fantasy lineup adjustments.  I'm also up for receiving advice and suggestions on how I can make this column better, and a little name calling never does any harm.  If you decide to email me, please include your NN ID, as your content could be used in upcoming columns, and I'd like to give props where props is due.  Ok, now that that's out of the way, how about I get to some add/drops for week 2?

Add

Ahmad Bradshaw RB NYG - Bradshaw's week 1 totals really won't jump out at you (71 total yards, 15 touches), but it is a sign of things to come.  Bradshaw looks to be the Giants go-to-back to spell big ol' Brandon Jacobs, and Ahmad's 15 touches in week one against Washington is promising.  It won't be a wise move to start Bradshaw this weekend @ Dallas, but he'll prove to be a valuable acquistion if Jacobs gets knicked up, or in favourable match-ups (see week 3 @ TB; week 4 @ KC; week 5 vs. OAK).

Trent Edwards QB BUF - Edwards' week 1 totals will jump out at you, he passed for 212 yards and 2 TDs against New England, with no turnovers and 25 yards rushing.  The Buffalo QB will make an excellent back-up to your fantasy #1, especially considering Terrell Owens and Lee Evans didn't get many catches in Week 1.  When the offense gets clicking, and Owens and Evans get involved, Edwards could be a borderline fantasy QB1 at some point in 2009.  Upcoming games:  Week 2 vs. TB; Week 3 vs. NO; Week 4 @ MIA; Week 5 vs. CLE.

Patrick Crayton WR DAL - According to some opinions, Crayton has emerged as Tony Romo's #1 deep threat now that T.O. is out of town.  In week 1, Crayton had a strong performance @ TB, catching 4 passes for 135 yards and a TD.  Crayton has gone from borderline WR3, to reliable WR3 on most fantasy teams, so if he's a free agent in your league, snatch him up.  Depending on the depth of your league, these players may or may not be available.  In a very competitive, serious 10-man league I'm participating, all three are free agents (for those wondering where I'm getting these guys from). 

After the jump, I get into players you should consider dropping in order to acquire the players above...

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In the immortal words of Zack De La Rocha "It has to start some time, it has to start somewhere.  What better place then here?  What better time than now?"  That's correct ladies, gentlemen and Raiders fans, the 2009 season is officially underway this weekend (with the exception of Thursday's OT "thriller").  Finally, the 2009 San Francisco 49ers will be taking the field in Arizona come Sunday, and hopefully the wait was worth the suspense.  In this week's edition of MYWFG, I take a look at some sit/start matchups. 

Sit

Clinton Portis RB Washington Redskins @ New York Giants - Of all the opponents the Redskins face in the NFC East, the Giants have been the team that Portis has seen the least amount of success against (in terms of yards).  Portis has scored 6 total TDs against the Giants in 9 games versus New York, but I don't expect him to hit paydirt this Sunday.  The Miami product has averaged 78 yards rushing against the Giants, and he'll struggle to meet that number against one of the league's premier run defenses.  Week 1 Forecast: 70 total yards, 0 TDs, 1 FL

Brett Favre QB Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns - Favre vs. the Browns seems like a great match up, but don't expect it to be the case.  Cleveland was second in the NFL in interceptions last year with 23, and allowed around 205 passing yards per game.  I'm not 100% sure the total number or receiving TDs the Browns allowed, but I do know they allowed 151 rushing yards per contest, which boads very well for Adrian Peterson and the Vikings ground game.  Favre may not even attemp 20 passes in this game, as the Vikings should run all over Cleveland.  Week 1 Forecast: 175 pass yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT

Vincent Jackson WR San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders - Anytime a team's number 1 WR is going up against Nnamdi Osomugha it's a good idea not to start him, as is the case with Jackson.  In Jackson's five career games against the Raiders, he's averaged 41 yards receiving and scored just 1 TD.  While Jackson could somehow sneak his way to the end zone on Monday, his receiving totals won't justify his place in your starting lineup.  I also wouldn't recommend expecting a TD; hopefully you have a reliable bench WR to insert in Jackson's place.  Week 1 Forecast: 40 total yards, 0 TDs

After the jump, I'll recommend some guys you should think about starting....

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FOOCH'S UPDATE:

NEW LEAGUE CREATED

League Name: Niners Nation 7
Password: 49ers

Draft scheduled for Saturday 6:45pm
__________________________________

Due to the overwhelming demand I've set up a 6th league for Niners Nation.  The league name is Niners Nation 6.  if you're interested in joining, the password is 49ers.  It's currently a 12-team league, but we can always expand if there is enough interest.  The draft is scheduled for 6:30pm Friday the 11th.  Given how close we are to the beginning of the season, if you can't make the live draft, just set up your auto-draft.  Here are the directions I posted in our previous thread about this:

If you're interested in joining, head to Fleaflicker and click on "Join a League."  At the next page click on "Browse all Leagues."  On the filters, de-click the "show only public leagues" because ours are private leagues.  The league name is Niners Nation 6 (without the word league in it).  The password for leagues is 49ers.  Please only join the league if you're not in one of the other leagues.

After you've done the search the league will appear towards the bottom of the screen.

Right now I'm in the league as commissioner.  I'm happy to stick in the league as commish, but if somebody else wants to take over as commissioner, you're more than welcome and I'll leave the league to open up a spot for somebody else.

So, go ahead and join the league so we can get it filled up by Friday.

My apologies to everybody for the hiccups we've had in establishing our fantasy football leagues this season.  I believe three of them have been moving along, albeit a bit slowly.

I wanted to post this to let folks that we do have 2 leagues with some spots open that I want to throw open for people to join.  If you're interested in joining, head to Fleaflicker and click on "Join a League."  At the next page click on "Browse all Leagues."  On the filters, de-click the "show only public leagues" because ours are private leagues.  The league names are Niners Nation League 4 and Niners Nation 5 (without the word league in it).  The password for both leagues is 49ers.  Please only join ONE of the leagues and ONLY if you're not in one of the other leagues.

After you've done the search the league will appear towards the bottom of the screen.

Niners Nation League 4:  This league currently has two open spots.

Niners Nation 5: This league currently has six spots open, but if we get enough interest I might expand it beyond 12 teams.

So, head on over and join up if you want to compete in a little friendly fantasy football.

by Bill Kostroun - AP

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Many apologies to the two people that were looking forward to my fantasy article yesterday, but fear not, I am back today with the rest of the AFC East.  Today, I look at the Team Defenses and kickers (YEAH!!!!) and forecast what type of numbers to expect.  New England has a pretty solid fantasy unit, and New York could do some damage as well.  Miami enters 2009 fresh off of Joey Porter's monster season, and the Buffalo Bills haven't exactly solidified themselves as a fantasy threat.

The AFC East Team DEFs

1. New England Patriots
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins
4. Buffalo Bills

The Kickers

1. Stephen Gostkowski NE
2. Jay Feely NYJ
3. Rian Lindell BUF
4. Dan Carpenter MIA

After the jump I manage to fight the urge to suffocate myself with a paper bag as I forecast the kickers...

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