Clark Sheffield
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Larry Johnson
Across all fantasy leagues, the #3 pick has yet to display the gaudy stats that made fantasy owners and Lamar Hunt forget all about Priest Holmes. Trent Green headed to Miami like a Haitian refugee and Will Sheilds retired, leaving LJ and Gonzo to survive with nothing but a Bowe in Arrowhead. If the rookie WR can continue his strong play and if Gonzalez can keep adding to his record, opposing defenses may have to spread out enough to to allow LJ room to breathe. For now, though, he's looking like a big bust.
Stephen Jackson
An even higher pick than LJ, Jax was taken behind only LT in most leagues. An early injury left little hope for his owners, both in fantasy and in reality. In The Lou, what was once dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf" is now looking more like "The Lamest O on Earth." QB Gus Ferotte is banging his head up against a wall trying to get the ball to his receivers, but having Brian Leonard in the backfield allows defenses to play the pass effectively. Look for Jackson to add a little spark to the team in the second half, but don't expect any fireworks.
Marc Bulger
Hey, have you heard the one about the guy who puts up pretty big numbers and then holds out for more money and then, once he gets the big payday, falls flat on his face. Well, if you haven't heard it, look no further than Bulger. Lots of people were sprouting draft-day hard-ons for this guy and are now combing the FA pile for some viagra. The Rams have said that they're sitting their starter due to injuries, but that's like saying you read Playboy for the articles. Bulger was playing like crap and Playboy has naked pictures of smokin' hot women.
Drew Brees
No longer buoyed by the good will of the entire nation, Brees and his team are starting to play like we all thought they would last year. Apparently, when Reggie Bush waved to Urlached on that long TD run last year, he was waving goodbye to the Saints relevance. Sexy Rexy’s ineptitude may have rubbed off on Brees in that game as well, as he has now thrown only 3 TDs to go with his 9 INTs. With Deuce McAllister out for the season, Reggie Bush being exposed as a gimmick back, and no receivers to take pressure off of Colston, this is starting to look like a lost season for Brees and his mole.
3) Be vigilant and active with your team throughout the season. No one likes the a-hole who neglects to change his roster after Week 4. Sure, that a-hole’s inability to remove Cadillac Williams from the lineup may mean an easy victory for you, but it also throws off the dynamics of the entire league. It’s easier to prevent this in leagues between friends or co-workers, but it can be very prevalent in random public leagues. You may be able to shoot the offender an email reminder that his incompetence is costing you dearly. If that doesn’t work, take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act, find out where the guy lives, and deliver a subtle, but stern, message.
4) Pick up replacements for injured starters. Even if you’re already set at that particular position, these moves can really pay dividends. At the very least, you’ve got another backup; at best, you’ve removed an option for one of your opponents and leveraged yourself into excellent trade position. Not everyone has the foresight to handcuff their stud RB, so this is your chance to capitalize on their loss.
5) Keep an eye on the matchups. Knowing your opponent each week can help you make strategic moves like the ones above. If you can exploit his weaknesses by picking up the same FA spots he needs, you may be able to gain a small advantage. Some leagues provide you with excellent previews and projections, so be sure to utilize those tools.