My Donald Driver Blog

For the last 16 years, Brett Favre has not only been the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, but he has also been the "face" of the franchise. It's difficult to think about the Packers without thinking about Brett Favre, too. Favre and the Packers go together like a hand in a glove.

Some would say that there has never been another football player that meant as much to their team and their fans as Brett Favre did. In any case, there's no denying that he was the "face" of the Green Bay Packers franchise.

So, if Favre was the "face" of the Packers and he is now retired, that brings up an interesting question. Who will be the new "face" of the Packers? This is a question that I've seen kicked around quite a bit lately by Packer fans. And when the question is brought up, some great names are thrown around. Barnett, Tauscher, and Driver are just a few of the more common names I often hear.

But I have to disagree, respectfully.

If asked, "Who will be the new face of the Green Bay Packers?", I'd have to answer, "No one - at least not anytime soon!"

My favorite active Packer player right now is Donald Driver, but I don't think Driver or any other player on the team right now could be referred to as the new "face" of the Packers.

We have some talented players on our team right now, and we have even more up-and-comers with a lot of potential, but I think you have to be careful before you go calling a good (or even a great) player the new "face" of the franchise. I just don't think it works that way.

I think when someone is the "face" of the franchise, it's obvious. There's little room for differing opinions or dispute. It's just a fact, whether you like it or not. I don't think we vote for such a player. I think such a player has to earn that position. They have to step up into that position and claim it. They become the face of a franchise through leadership, through performance, through attitude, through commitment, and through domination. You don't earn that just by being a good player - or even a great one. You earn it because you have something special, something spectacular, something above and beyond the norm.

Brett Favre was (and is) special. I think people like him are few and far between. They are one in a million. When the next one comes along, we won't have to vote him in as the new "face" of the team. We'll just know that he is - and so will everyone else. It will be undeniable.

It's too early to declare someone else the new "face" of the Packers. It may not happen for a long time to come. I'm in no rush to do so. Besides, Brett Favre will always be the "face" of the Green Bay Packers to me - retired or not!

That's one guy's opinion - worth what you paid for it!

Chris M. Smith owns http://www.Favre4Sale.com, a Brett Favre fan and memorabilia site. He specializes in Brett Favre merchandise, including jerseys, autographs, helmets, footballs, cards, photos, game-used items, and other Brett Favre gear. He also features the latest in Brett Favre news, videos, articles, pictures, bio info, and retirement information. Visit his site: http://www.Favre4Sale.com

Copyright 2008 Chris M. Smith

Interested in the Green Bay Packers? The Green Bay Packers will be playing their 90th season in 2008, and if 2007 was any indication, the Packers are on a roll. They finished their season 13-3, scoring one of the best records of the year and advanced to the playoffs, eventually losing to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. This will be the first season without beloved quarterback Brett Favre, who retired last year. There have been some notable departures from the team in addition to Favre, including Koren Robinson, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. Head coach Mike McCarthy is hoping what was once lost will now be found thanks to some solid 2008 NFL Draft picks.

The Packers traded their number one pick to the New York Jets in exchange for two addition picks later on. Their second pick was wide receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State, followed by quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville and cornerback Patrick Lee of Auburn. During the second day, the team chose Jermichael Finley of Texas. For the fourth round the Packers traded two more picks to the New York Jets for pick 4-102. What is the strategy? So they could draft defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest. They traded a few more early picks for dual picks and ended up drafting offensive guard Josh Sitton of Central Florida and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini of Louisville. They rounded out the list (nine total players) by selecting quarterback Matt Flynn of LSU and wide receiver Brett Swain of San Diego State. (What happened to that last draft pick? They're saving it for 2009-maybe they know something we don't?)

What was the reaction by experts and Packers fans? Fans are dedicated to the Packers and Mike McCarthy in particular, since he has done a tremendous job of rebuilding the once laughable Green Bay Packers of the 70s, 80s and 90s, into a 2000 championship contender. Unlike other successful teams that concentrate on polishing up an already bulging roster, the Packers take a lot of risks in signing new talent. This is evident again in 2008, as the Packers have chosen nine players. Many experts question whether this is an example of quantity over quality. However, others defend the Packers stating that with the departure of Favre, the team was essentially exploring new territory and needed all the help they could get.

Jordy Nelson came as a bit of a surprise, especially since the Packers already have several starting wide receivers they are quite proud of. However, Nelson has received rave reviews for his speed and great hands. As a rookie, don't expect Nelson to out-show Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who are already reliable starters. Nelson received enthusiastic albeit restrained praise, while quarterback Brian Brohm received more of an unfriendly welcome. Brohm was considered by some to be a reach and one infringing upon Aaron Rodgers' position. Patrick Lee was actually the favorite of some experts, since the cornerback position was actually a need, and the first two drafts could be argued as luxury picks. All in all, Green Bay fans wait nervously to see if these risky picks will take Green Bay over the edge to Super Bowl success or keep that at a second best level for a few more years.

The NFL's regular season is over, but the fantasy football season continues. Hopefully your fantasy football team was successful this season, but if not, one more chance for redemption awaits you. And even if you tasted success, and won your league, the playoffs allow you one more opportunity for fantasy football glory. And to help you achieve that exaltation, here are our player rankings.

Player 1
1) Peyton Manning: Despite playing less than a full game in each of his final two contests, Manning was second in the NFL in completions, completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns (tied with Brett Favre). All that and his team was working on an undefeated season before essentially forfeiting their final two games.

2) Drew Brees: Brees set the NFL record for single-season completion percentage and led the NFL with 34 touchdown passes despite sitting out Week 17. If you believe the Saints' late-season struggles were just a blip on the radar, Brees is an excellent option.

3) Philip Rivers: Rivers never seems to get mentioned when the top quarterbacks in the league are mentioned, but fantasy football enthusiasts know plenty about him. His 104.4 quarterback rating for the season was third in the league, and he was in the top-10 in both passing yards and touchdown throws.

4) Tony Romo: Romo had a great season, coming in third in the NFL in passing yards, and he happens to be playing his best football right now. Dallas is the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and many pundits like them to make a run at the Super Bowl.

5) Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers was fourth in passing yards, passing scores and quarterback rating for this season, so there's no doubt he is one of the best in the game. Green Bay is the fifth seed as well, which means it's unlikely they'd be playing any home games. He's the ultimate boom-or-bust candidate in this group.

6) Brett Favre: Favre had a remarkable year in every way, and he ended the regular season with a flourish. You have to wonder, however, if the Vikings will gear up the running game more in the playoffs than they did towards the end of the regular season.

Player 2
1) Kurt Warner: We all saw what Warner could do last season if he got hot in the playoffs, and despite the Cards getting waxed by the Packers last week, it didn't seem like they gave their full effort, did it?

2) Donovan McNabb: McNabb was worse than his pedestrian numbers (20-of-36, no touchdowns, no interceptions) indicated last week against the Cowboys, as he missed a number of open receivers. That and the fact that Philly is the No. 6 seed in the NFC will lead some to be pessimistic about him for a postseason fantasy football run, but remember that Philly had won six in a row, and McNabb has led his team on a number of deep playoff runs.

3) Tom Brady: While we certainly believe the Patriots can make an extended playoff run, Brady is dealing with a plethora of problems. First and foremost are his busted bones - he reportedly has three cracked ribs and a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand. Not to mention the fact that Brady has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three of his last four games, and his leading pass-catcher, Wes Welker, tore up his knee and will miss the playoffs.

4) Joe Flacco: If you're looking for a sleeper candidate, Flacco may be your man. He doesn't put up huge numbers, but the Ravens have the running game and defense necessary to allow them to make an extended push in the playoffs, with Flacco doing enough to give you decent fantasy points along the way.

5) Carson Palmer: Really, Palmer and Mark Sanchez should be 6A and 6B, as neither is much of an option. Palmer was horrendous against the Jets last week, completing one of his 11 throws, for zero yards. New York is No. 1 in the NFL against the pass, but even if Cincy does beat them, Palmer won't give you much.

6) Mark Sanchez: Sanchez is the poorest passer among quarterbacks whose teams made it to the playoffs, and he should be treated as such here. Even a Super Bowl run for him may not produce equal numbers equal to two games from other quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Player 3
1) Adrian Peterson: Peterson led the NFL in rushing scores, and despite the fact he didn't have a 100-yard rushing game in the playoffs, his fantasy football value is beyond doubt, and there's reason to think that if the Vikings advance to the Super Bowl, he'll have a lot to do with it.

2) Ray Rice: Rice has huge value in this scoring format due to his pass-catching acumen, and if you believe that the Ravens can win at least one game, he may be worth choosing.

3) Joseph Addai: Addai doesn't rack up huge yards, but he was tied for ninth in the league with 10 rushing scores, catches the ball quite a bit, and also is on a team many think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

4) Thomas Jones: Jones has a tough go of it in the first round, against the Bengals' seventh-ranked run defense, and though he ran for two scores against them last week, he gained just 78 yards on 27 carries.

5) Ryan Grant: Grant is an excellent runner, and the Packers blew away the Cardinals last week, but his lack of receptions really hurts his value.

6) Cedric Benson: Benson will have to be most of the offense if Cincinnati is to advance in the postseason, but the Jets are a tough defense and there is no frame of reference for how he'll do against them because he sat out last week in their contest.

Player 4
1) LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson has the advantage of being the lead back on a team that very well could wind up in the Super Bowl. Still, he had just one game with at least 75 rushing yards this season and two games with more than two receptions.

2) Pierre Thomas: Thomas had a bruised rib which was part of the reason he didn't suit up last week, but it's not a serious injury. He's a do-it-all back whose only question mark is how many carries he'll get.

3) Marion Barber: Barber had a solid season, though he carried the ball 20 times just once, and not more than 17 in any of his last six games. On a positive note, he did manage 91 yards last week against the Eagles.

4) Reggie Bush: Bush is more of a slot receiver than a running back, but the Saints clearly have the ability to make the Super Bowl, and he could catch enough passes to make him a worthwhile option.

5) Beanie Wells: Wells is now the lead back on a Cardinals team that we all know is dangerous considering what they did last season, and that was without a running game that Wells now provides them.

6) Brian Westbrook: Westbrook is a real wild card, and though we're not high on him due to what could be limited usage, if the Eagles wind up making a solid postseason run, Westbrook could be a big part of that, especially catching the ball.

Player 5
1) Felix Jones: Jones' explosiveness is what makes him an attractive option in this group. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry this season, tying Jamaal Charles for the highest average of any back with at least 100 carries. He also catches a decent amount of passes and received at least 10 carries in each of his last four games.

2) Darren Sproles: Speaking of explosive, Sproles fits right into that category, and he's also a very good receiver out of the backfield, but he doesn't receive the amount of carries Jones gets.

3) Chester Taylor: Taylor is a solid player who totes the rock between 5-10 times per game with 2-4 catches per. He could have good value if you think the Vikings are Super Bowl-bound.

4) Willis McGahee: We all saw what McGahee could do in Baltimore's last game of the season, and it may surprise you to know that he tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 touchdown runs.

5) Donald Brown: If the Colts weren't as good as they were, Brown would be last on this list, but he can pick up points based simply on the fact he may play more games. But he's clearly second fiddle to Joseph Addai, and has battled injuries all year.

6) Tim Hightower: Hightower received double-digit carries just once in his final five games, and he isn't explosive with the ball in his hands. What he does bring is potential fantasy points due to his ability to catch the ball.

Player 6
1) Dallas Clark: Clark was fifth in the NFL in receptions this season, tying teammate Reggie Wayne with 100 passes caught. He also tied Wayne for seventh in the league in touchdown grabs with 10, and is the most reliable pass-catching tight end in football.

2) Reggie Wayne: Wayne's numbers nearly mirrored Clark's in every way but receiving yards, where he picked up 158 more. Yet he's behind Clark due to his slow end to the year. He had fewer than 50 receiving yards in five of his final six games.

3) Sidney Rice: Rice broke out this season to place fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,312 on 83 receptions for a robust average of 15.8 yards per catch. But with receptions so valuable in this fantasy football scoring format, he ranks behind both Indy players.

4) Antonio Gates: Gates is one of the best pass-catching tight end in the game, and arguably number one. He ended the season on a great note, catching a touchdown in each of his final four contests.

5) Vincent Jackson: Jackson started hot, slowed down, then got hot again, racking up 100 yards in two of his final three games. His inconsistency is a concern, especially with so few games in the postseason to make his mark.

6) Marques Colston: There's nothing wrong with selecting Colston, it's just that the Saints have so many weapons, you never can tell who will be the player Drew Brees goes to in any specific game.

Player 7
1) Randy Moss: Moss tied for the league lead in touchdown catches with 13, and without Wes Welker, the onus to do big things in the New England passing game falls squarely on him.

2) Miles Austin: No receiver is currently playing better than Austin right now, who is physically dominating his opponents. He gained 90 or more receiving yards in five of his last six games, and wound up third in the league in that statistic.

3) Larry Fitzgerald: One of the players tied with Moss for the most touchdown catches in the NFL was Fitzgerald, though all things considered, he had a bit of a disappointing season, especially where receiving yards are concerned - he ranked 17th in the NFL with 1,092.

4) DeSean Jackson: Jackson is capable of pretty much anything, but he ended the season with two games of fewer than 50 receiving yards, and plays a Cowboys team that held him in check in Week 17.

5) Greg Jennings: Jennings' four touchdowns on the season was a huge disappointment to fantasy football owners across the land, though he still gained over 1,100 yards. But it's hard to ignore his lack of trips to the end zone and the fact that he caught fewer than 70 passes on the year.

6) Chad Ochocinco: Ochocinco will have to go up against Darrelle Revis in the Bengals' opening playoff game, and Revis, combined with a knee bruise, held Ochocinco to zero catches and zero yards in Week 17.

Player 8
1) Jason Witten: Witten's 94 catches this season were ninth in the NFL, though he only scored twice - once in Week 2, and again in Week 17 - against the very same Eagles team he'll be facing this week.

2) Brent Celek: Celek has become a trusted option for Donovan McNabb, and has proven that all season, but especially in the final weeks. He's the only one that didn't seem to have the dropsies in Week 17 against the Cowboys, a game in which he had seven receptions for 97 yards.

3) Percy Harvin: Harvin is a home run hitter who can find the end zone any time he touches the ball. He'll also run the ball at least once per game, giving him further value. By no means is he a bad option, it's just that he may not get as many looks as some other players in this group. Unless you think the Vikings are headed to the Super Bowl; then, by all means, insert him in your lineup.

4) Anquan Boldin: Boldin is suffering from injuries to both his knee and ankle, and may not suit up for Arizona's initial playoff game, so check his status before employing him in your fantasy football lineup.

5) Donald Driver: Driver had six receptions for 65 yards in Week 17 against Arizona, but he hasn't had a big game since Thanksgiving, and ended the season with fewer than 80 receiving yards in nine of his last 10 games

6) Derrick Mason: Mason is as reliable as they come, but Baltimore will win by running the ball, and their prospects for going deep into the playoffs seem remote.

Player 9
1) Julian Edelman: Edelman takes over the Wes Welker role in the New England offense, and that means big things in this scoring format. For example, in Week 17 he was targeted a whopping 15 times and came up with 10 catches for 103 yards.

2) Jermichael Finley: Finley is on his way to becoming one of the league's elite tight ends, and he finished the season with a bang, gaining 80 receiving yards or scoring a touchdown (or both) in each of his final five games.

3) Pierre Garcon: Garcon battled a hand injury late in the year that stunted what was seemingly excellent growth throughout the season. He was really playing well in the middle of the year before this injury caught up to him, and he can be effective on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

4) Robert Meachem: Meachem was extremely hot in the middle of the year, catching a touchdown in five straight games from Weeks 9-13. He's only scored once since then, however, and gained at least 70 yards just once in his final seven contests.

5) Jeremy Maclin: Maclin, Philly's first-round pick this year, has had a very good rookie season, but he's behind both Brent Celek and DeSean Jackson on the depth chart, and had fewer than 50 yards in both of his meetings with Dallas this season, the team the Eagles will face in the first round of the playoffs.

6) Jerricho Cotchery: The Jets pound the rock on the ground to win their games, and despite the fact that Cotchery and Mark Sanchez clearly have a solid chemistry, he's really not worth using.

Player 10
1) Devery Henderson: It's a gamble placing Henderson here, but one that could really pay off. He gained 804 yards this season on 51 receptions, and is always a threat to make one or two huge plays per game.

2) Bernard Berrian: Berrian had a highly disappointing season for his fantasy football owners, but he's on a Vikings team that isn't afraid to use all of their options, and one that could make a significant postseason run.

3) Jeremy Shockey: Shockey has been battling an injury, and hasn't caught a pass since Week 14. Still, it's possible he comes up with a solid postseason effort, because everyone on the Saints is capable of doing so considering how much they spread the ball around.

4) Braylon Edwards: Edwards gained less than 50 receiving yards in six of his final seven games, but he has the capability to deliver. Still, it's difficult to believe in him, especially considering the Jets are the lowest seed in the AFC, and win by running the ball and defense.

5) Roy Williams: If Williams gets the opportunity, he's shown he can make some things happen, but whether he does or not is anyone's guess. He's extremely frustrating to fantasy football owners, and can't be trusted, even if his talent says he can.

6) Steve Breaston: Breaston has ceded catches and yards to Early Doucet, so unless it's found out that Anquan Boldin's injury is a serious one, you should leave him be.

Player 11
1) Austin Collie: With Pierre Garcon out, Collie flourished, catching a touchdown in three consecutive games from Weeks 13-15. He also had nearly 100 yards in Week 16 and is a promising threat to, at the minimum, give you fantasy points with receptions, if not huge yards.

2) Malcolm Floyd: Floyd actually picked up 776 receiving yards on the season, which was more than players like Pierre Garcon, Jeremy Maclin and Robert Meachem. The problem was he did it on just 45 catches, which hurts in this scoring format, and he found the end zone only one time.

3) Patrick Crayton: Crayton is option three or four on the Dallas depth chart, depending on if Roy Williams actually shows up. But he had a big game against the Eagles in Week 17, and shouldn't be completely discounted because of his low spot on the pecking order.

4) James Jones: Jones did more than you might think by the Packers this season. He caught just 32 passes, but gained 440 yards, and more importantly, caught five touchdowns, which was one more than teammate Greg Jennings.

5) Todd Heap: Heap caught two touchdowns in each of his game during Week 15 and 16, and while that meant gold if you had the cajones to use him during your fantasy football playoffs, it was a rare feat for him, and he's just as likely to pick up 30 yards on two catches.

6) Dustin Keller: Keller is a middling option who didn't catch more than three passes or gain even 35 yards in any of his final five games.

Player 12
1) Nate Kaeding: Kaeding tied David Akers for the league lead in field goals, and was one of just two players who made 25 or more kicks to make at least 90 percent of his tries. He's the best kicker on a team with realistic Super Bowl expectations.

2) Ryan Longwell: Longwell has the benefit of kicking indoors until/if he reaches the Super Bowl, which is a nice bonus. He also plays on a high-scoring team and led the NFL in extra points made.

3) Garrett Hartley: Hartley only played five games this season, and though he was 9-for-11 in field goals, he only attempted one kick from 40 yards and beyond, and missed that kick. Still, he's on a team with a potent offense, and could be kicking in three games, which means plenty of points.

4) David Akers: As mentioned, Akers was tied for the league lead in field goals made. But he's on the sixth-seeded team in the NFC, and it may be difficult for the Eagles to advance deep into the postseason. Still, they very well could win a game or two, possibly making Akers a worthwhile selection.

5) Stephen Gostkowski: Gostkowski is on a team that can put up a lot of points, and has at least one home game, but his problem is long-distance kicking - he made only seven of his 11 kicks from 40 yards or beyond.

6) Jay Feely: Feely wasn't always accurate, making just over 83 percent of his field goal tries, but he was tied for third in the league in kicks made. Still, there are other options in this group that are better simply because they are on better teams.

7) Mason Crosby: Crosby made only 75 percent of his kicks this season, which is the worst percentage in this group. And he was only 6-of-13 from 40 yards or beyond.

8) Shaun Suisham: Suisham is a solid kicker, but he and Hartley are the only ones in this group not to have made a 50 yarder, and Suisham played nine more games than Hartley.

Player 13
1) Colts: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Chargers:

3) Patriots:

4) Bengals:

5) Jets:

6) Ravens:

Player 14
1) Saints: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Vikings:

3) Cowboys:

4) Cardinals:

5) Packers:

6) Eagles:

Doc's Sports will rank all 32 teams in the NFL from the strongest to the weakest, with a betting slant, throughout each week of the 2006-2007 NFL season. And without further ado, here are my Week 1 NFL Power Rankings (previous ranking in parenthesis):

1. Denver (3) - I think they're walking into a bear trap on Sunday. This will only be the fourth time in 11 years that the Broncos opened the season on the road. They're 1-2 SU in the previous three. Meanwhile, St. Louis is 9-2 in home openers.

2. Carolina (2) - The Panthers have looked sharp throughout the preseason. But remember, a more focused team in Week 1 stunned them last year (New Orleans). And Atlanta is definitely focused in this spot.

3. Pittsburgh (1) - The line on this game has bounced around more than Pamela Anderson on her three recent honeymoons. But Pitt is back as a favorite in part because people realized, "Wait, this is Dante Culpepper on the road. What were we thinking?"

4. Indianapolis (5) - The Colts look like they're taking a page out of the Bill Belichick playbook. They have 19 guys listed as questionable on the injury report this weekend. That's a Huge red flag. I'm sure about 15 of those guys are going to play, but are they all going to be ready to roll up into the Meadowlands for a fistfight?

5. Chicago (6) - Mike Brown is coming back from a potentially serious Achilles injury this preseason. He says he's fine, but the over/under on when he goes down for the season is Week 4. The Bears are beat up all over their defense - Brown, Alex Brown and Nate Vasher - heading into Green Bay.

6. Seattle (7) - I had the No. 1 Overall pick in my fantasy draft and took Alexander. Now he needs to prove that the Madden Curse is a joke.

7. New England (8) - There are Huge Questions facing this team. Seau? Gabriel? Branch? Harrison? Gostkowski? O'Callaghan? Maroney? Between 2003 and 2005 their number of interceptions has been reduced by one-third (29 to 10) and their number of TD passes allowed has more than doubled (11 to 25).

8. Washington (4) - Yuck. An 0-4 mark and no points out of the No. 1 offense, coupled with the whole Portis-injury thing explains the drop. Now they're going to be without Shawn Springs for another couple of weeks. Bad vibes.

9. Miami (16) - The Dolphins have been one of the more impressive teams this preseason. Now it's time to take the next step. Playoff teams take advantage of breaks. Big Ben being sidelined is a break, so this is clearly an early test for the Fins.

10. New York Giants (13) - Rookie Barry Cofield, 6-feet-4, 306 pounds, will start at nose tackle on Sunday against a veteran Indianapolis O-line. Does that officially make William Joseph a bust? The key question for the Giants D is can they stop the run?

11. Cincinnati (17) - I can't tell you how many angry e-mails I've gotten from Bengals fans over the past three weeks. Listen, I apologize. When my initial rankings were posted, Anthony Wright was the starter and half of the team was on parole. The Bengals are a league-worst 18-38-2 ATS in September recently.

12. Dallas (11) - The Cowboys are 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS in their opening game over the past six years. This is the third time in four seasons that they've opened on the road, and they are 1-2 in the previous three.

13. Tampa Bay (10) - Tampa starting safeties Will Allen and Jermaine Phillips have started just five games together and they are the youngest players on the Bucs defense. But since McNair can't complete a pass further than 15 yards down the field I don't see the Ravens exploiting that.

14. Jacksonville (12) - Nine comeback victories. An inordinate number of close wins (6-1 in games decided by six points or less). No impressive road W's. Last year may have been a figment of the Jaguars' imagination.

15. Baltimore (9) - The Ravens have lost 11 consecutive road games. It's supposed to be hot (89 degrees), muggy (UV Index: extreme) and wet (scattered T-storms) Sunday in Tampa. Derrick Mason, Chris McAllister and Jamal Lewis are questionable.

16. Atlanta (15) - Step forward: getting Ashley Lelie. Step backward: Edge Hartwell gets injured, again. They start with three straight divisional games, two of which are on the road. Tough times.

17. Philadelphia (19) - Don't confuse Donte Stallworth for a No. 1 receiver. And don't confuse the Eagles offense for one that needs a No. 1 receiver.

18. Kansas City (18) - I know they aren't what they once were, but Arrowhead is not the type of place that you just walk into and win. Last weekend I said the same thing about another place and team: Knoxville and the Tennessee Vols.

19. San Diego (14) - After the issues with Drew Brees, Donnie Edwards and now Glenn Foley, the Chargers front office is close to alienating the players. That is, if they haven't already. From what I gather, Foley was a big Character Guy in the locker room.

20. Arizona (23) - Saw a special on the NFL Network about Cardinals Stadium. That place is freakin' awesome. The Cardinals picked up three players from waivers this week. That should be a red flag. Linebacker Karlos Dansby is still out with a toe injury, and that's a critical loss for that defense.

21. Oakland (28) - With off-field injures and distractions surrounding the Chargers, the Raiders are in a great spot to steal a divisional game. However, the Raiders are just 6-17-1 ATS in The Black Hole since the start of 2003.

22. St. Louis (26) - Quiet preseason. No notable injuries (yet). Defense reportedly making strides. Also, they've lost four straight at home. What are the odds that they lose five? The Rams, along with the Eagles and Lions, could are sleepers in the NFC this year.

23. Houston (22) - Man, that Domanick Davis situation is just making the Mario Williams pick soooooooo much more suspect. I like the Texans, but that leaky line is going to get manhandled by Javon Kearse and Darren Howard. Early prediction: six sacks.

24. Detroit (20) - If this game was in November, I would be taking the Lions and the 6.5 points in a heartbeat. But it's not in Nov.

25. Minnesota (21) - When Koren Robinson drinks, everyone loses. The Vikings are one of the most intriguing teams playing this weekend. How good is that offensive line? Will that defense play with heart?

26. Tennessee (24) - Last year the Titans had teams dangling second-round draft picks for Billy Volek. Now they can't give the guy away. In what I saw of him - and with that feeble WR corps - Volek's preseason didn't merit a demotion. But I'm not at practice every day.

27. Cleveland (25) - What do you have for me Charlie Frye? Hank Fraley was a real good get for a team desperate for a center. The Browns are a plucky team, and I expect them to be tough at home this season.

28. Green Bay (27) - I hate to say it, but the Pack is in a position to capitalize on the Bears disorganization this weekend. Stud Wideout Greg Jennings - the guy I had no idea existed when I handicapped potential ROY candidates - will start opposite Donald Driver.

29. N.Y. Jets (29) - If you've been watching the waiver wire over the last week you'll notice that the Jets have been grabbing anyone with the letters DT next to their name. They've been doing some serious junkyard work.

30. New Orleans (30) - Sunday will mark New Orleans' 18th consecutive road game. I hate to say it, but the Saints might want to consider sitting Reggie Bush in Cleveland this week. Just think about the horrendous luck that No. 1 picks have had there over the past few seasons.

31. San Francisco (32) - Yeah, they impressed me that much in the preseason. At least they had the sense to cut ties with Kevan Barlow, whose contract was absurd.

32. Buffalo (31) - That hack Chris Berman picks the 49ers and the Bills for the Super Bowl every year. I have them picked to face-off in the Brady Quinn Sweepstakes.

Questions or comments for Robert? E-mail him at robert@docsports.com.

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Don't you hate it when you draft a player in the first round of your fantasy football draft, only to see that week after week he's simply not putting up the numbers you came to expect? I know that I do, and it's very frustrating. In fact, it seems like it happens to just about one of my teams every season and to be honest, I'm sick of it!

I wish there was a way to see these things coming, but sometimes there's not. Anyway, here's a list of three fantasy football disappointments through the first 5 weeks of the football season. While it's not too late for any of these guys to turn it around, things are getting tight as they're running out of time!

1. Brian Westbrook. When healthy, this guy is typically a top 5 fantasy stud. Between his running and receiving abilities, he's great at finding the end zone. Not so much in 2009. Injuries and LeSean McCoy have both hurt his value so far.

2. Steven Jackson. Who would have thought that Jackson would be without a touchdown this far into the season? While his yards have been respectable, he's simply been on a bad team that can't score touchdowns.

3. Greg Jennings. Donald Driver is getting older and Greg Jennings is getting better. This was the mantra in 2008, and it proved to be true. Jennings was a top wide receiver all season, only this year Driver is somehow outperforming Jennings. Funny how that's happened!

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Tier 1

1. Peyton Manning(Colts) bye week: 6 age: 31

-The consensus top choice at QB, Manning once again was nothing short of brilliant in 2006 throwing 31 touchdown passes while logging 4,397 passing yards. Still in his prime and a lock to play 16 games, Eli's big brother is the surest of bet when it comes to the QB position. Whether you want to be the guy to draft a QB in round 1 while everyone else snags a RB is the only decision you will have to make when it comes to this machine. Nothing short of a top pick will suffice if you hope to grab him.

2. Carson Palmer(Bengals) bye week: 5 age: 27

-2006 was a season of redemption for Carson Palmer in that he put all doubts to rest regarding how he would fare in his return from reconstructive knee surgery. All he did was go out and throw for 28 td's along with 4035 passing yards. Blessed with a howitzer for an arm, Palmer is poised to possibly overtake Peyton Manning this year as the best fantasy QB in football. With Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh as his two main weapons, Palmer could possibly challenge the 40 TD mark. Advice: wait on Manning and grab this guy in round 2 if you are one of those who take a QB early.

Tier 2

3. Drew Brees(Saints) bye week: 4 age: 28

-Don't let the dislocated elbow Brees suffered in the Pro Bowl impact how you view this crafty veteran going into the season. All reports indicate Drew is right on schedule to be fully ready to go from day 1 of training camp and that means another season of big numbers from the Saints' leader. Don't expect Brees to put up another 4,500 yard season but something along the lines of 4,000 with 25 TD's sounds about right. Surrounded by outstanding weapons in RB's Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, along with last year's sensation WR Marques Colston, Brees will prove to be a smart buy for those who wait a few rounds to take their QB. A third round pick is the latest however he will last.

4. Tom Brady(Patriots) bye week: 10 age: 30

-New England's favorite son disappointed fantasy owners last year who dealt with Brady's inconsistent performances throughout the year. Despite throwing for a solid 24 TD's, Brady's passing yardage was down considerably from the year before. However one must only look at the weapons brought in by the front office to see that Tom is poised for a big year. Along with prized recruit Randy Moss, NE signed long-range bomber Donte Stallworth, possession receiver Wes Welker, and solid reserve Kelly Washington. All this adds up to possibly a 30 TD season along with Brady's second 4,000 yard season in three years. Also like Manning, you never have to worry about whether or not Brady will suit up as he owns the fourth longest streak of consecutive starts. Third to fourth round draft choice.

5. Marc Bulger(Rams) bye week 9 age: 30

-At press time there were rumblings that Bulger may be considering holding out in the hopes of landing a big contract. However don't let this deter you from drafting this incredibly solid performer. Despite not having the best arm, Bulger excels with what he has which is incredible accuracy, solid field smarts, and the ability to go with the hot reads. In his second year in coach Scott Linehan's system, Bulger should exceed the Pro Bowl numbers he amassed last season. If I were a betting man, I say Bulger leads the NFL in passing yardage. Grab him in round 3 with 5 being the latest if you're lucky.

6. Donovan McNabb(Eagles) bye week: 5 age: 30
-No QB in fantasy football will cause more consternation when it comes to drafting him than the Eagles' leader. On his way to an MVP-type season last year, McNabb suffered a season-ending knee injury which now brings him to 19 missed games over the last two years. The tools are still there such as the nimble feet and cannon arm. However Philly didn't draft Kevin Kolb because they wanted him to look pretty on the sidelines. There is some doubt as to whether Donovan can be the player he used to be. I say he can be and the motivation to prove his nay-sayers wrong will lead to a comeback season for McNabb. A potential championship pick due to the fact you may be able to snag him as late as the seventh round due to the questions surrounding his status.

Tier 3
7. Matt Hasselbeck(Seahawks) bye week: 8 age: 31

-poised to join the top five fantasy QB's going into last season, instead Matt Hasselbeck struggled throughout the year with injuries and inconsistency. With only 18 TD's and 2,442 yards to show for it, Hasselbeck was nothing but a disappointment for his owners. Despite last year however, I believe Hasselbeck will rebound and post his usual 22-25 TD's along with 3.500 yards. Having RB Shaun Alexander healthy is huge along with a better offensive line in front of him. Snag him in the fifth round or so.

8. Philip Rivers(Chargers) bye week: 7 age: 25

-After having to sit and wait two years while predecessor Drew Brees garnered back-to-back Pro Bowl bids, last year Philip Rivers showed everyone he was worth the wait. Joining Brees in Honolulu, Rivers displayed great poise and decision-making in his first year at the helm of the league's top club. Now with a year under his belt, look for Rivers to exceed the 24 TD's he amassed last season. Draft with confidence in round 5-6.

9. Matt Leinart(Cardinals) bye week 8 age 24

-you may be surprised by how high I have him ranked but when you look at the whole picture, this second year wonder will more than likely ascend to the top tier of fantasy quarterbacks this season. Coming from an NFL-caliber offense where he did nothing but win at USC, Leinart steps into a potentially explosive offense with Pro Bowl caliber receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with RB Edgerrin James in what could become one of the most efficient passing games in the league. Though he doesn't have a cannon for an arm, Leinart is arguably one of the most intelligent QB's in the league who has great accuracy. Look for a big step forward in his second year under center. You might be able to nab him as late as round 9.

10. Vince Young(Titans) bye week: 4 age: 24

-after taking the league by storm as a rookie last season, this second-year wonder is poised to do even better things for Tennessee. Combining great quickness along with a strong arm, Young proved his naysayer's wrong by sparking the Titans to a respectable season under his guidance. One negative is the fact that the Tennessee front office failed to find offensive help for their franchise QB and in fact weakened the offense by letting WR Drew Bennett leave as a free agent. Expect some growing pains for this still raw Titans team which could negatively impact Young's numbers. However when you look at rushing yardage from a QB along with his passing ability, Young has now surpassed the troubled Mike Vick in this ranking. Draft him in round 6-8.

Tier 4
11. Tony Romo(Cowboys) bye week: 8 age: 27

-With Drew Bledsoe struggling early last season, coach Bill Parcells made the move many expected when he inserted pre-season's perennial star Tony Romo. Once handed the job, Romo proceeded to put up a Pro Bowl season with 23 TD's and 3,600 yards in 10 starts. Look for Romo to put up similar numbers now that he has the benefit of knowing he will be starting from day one. When I mean similar, I mean around 23 TD's for the whole season and not 10 games. Some regression to the mean is expected with him this year. Draftable in round 7-9.

12. Eli Manning(Giants) bye week 9 age: 26

-Peyton's little brother continued to drive fantasy owner's nuts due to his inconsistency but 24 TD's is not bad at all. The problem with Eli is the lack of accuracy and the breakdown in his mechanics when things begin to go wrong. With time to throw and little pressure in his face, Eli would rival his brother as fantasy football's top QB. However the G-Men's O-line is weak and Manning will once again have to deal with opposing players in his face so more struggles are sure to follow him around most of the year. If you draft him expect one week of 300 yards with 4 TD's along with another of 180 yards and 4 INT's.

13. Jake Delhomme(Panthers) bye week: 7 age: 32

-Delhomme struggled throughout the year last season due to injuries and poor protection. An injured thumb was the main culprit as Jake was only able to muster 17 Td's. Expect a rebound this year though as favorite target Steve Smith is fully healthy himself this season and the fact that Delhomme will be extra focused due to the presence of newly signed David Carr. If he struggles however, don't be surprised if Carr gets the call rather quickly. Risky pick here but good upside to gamble on.

14. Jay Cutler(Broncos) bye week: 6 age: 24

-one of the NFL's rising stars at the position, Cutler got his feet wet towards the end of last season as he showed great poise in throwing 9 TD's against 5 INT's. With Jake Plummer now in retirement, the job is the cannon-armed second year man's to himself. Already people are whispering that he could be the second coming of John Elway and with the good speed, great arm combo, who are we to argue? Fantasies aside, Cutler is a rising gem and could be a top 7 guy by the end of the year. If you're going to reach for one player on offense this year, this guy is the one. Highly recommended sleeper.

The Rest (Should Be Drafted as Backups in 12 Team Leagues)

15. Brett Favre(Packers) bye week: 7 age: 37

-still has some juice left in that arm of his and despite his age, Favre could still put up more than decent numbers this year. With star WR Donald Driver there to catch his bullets, Lambeau's favorite son should be a good but not great option. Works best as a bye week starter or injury replacement. Two things you could always count on with Favre: he will start (he never misses a game) and he will throw interceptions. Take the good with the bad.

16. Michael Vick(Falcons) bye week: 8 age: 27

-at press time, Vick was being indicted on felony charges of financing a dog fighting ring. Due to this development, Vick is dropped all the way down to this mediocre ranking. Stands a good chance of being suspended, with the possibility of being placed in jail. Don't count on him for this season. Pass.

17. Jon Kitna(Lions) bye week: 6 age: 34

-was on many sleeper lists heading into last season and despite the over-the-top hype, Kitna's season was not terrible. He passed for over 4,000 yards and 21 TD's which alone would be terrific. However when you factor in the 22 INT's he threw, the light dims on the shine of his season. With tremendous weapons at his disposal in WR's Roy Williams and rookie Calvin Johnson, Kitna will have his big games. However his turnover-prone ways will always be lurking to hurt your team at every corner. Ride him while he is hot but dump him as soon as the inevitable slump hits.

18. Ben Roethlisberger(Steelers) bye week: 6 age: 25

-Big Ben had a season to forget in 2006 as a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him combined with his appendix emergency ruined whatever momentum he had coming off the Super Bowl. New coach Mike Tomlin preaches the run game so Roth could have a tough time cracking the 20 TD mark. Way too many questions surround this talented but inconsistent passer. Let him be someone else's problem.

19. JP Losman(Bills) bye week: 6 age: 26

-with a wickedly strong arm and sometimes crazy risk taking, JP Losman evokes many people to say he is the next Brett Favre. Though Losman is talented, to say he is the next coming of Favre does injustice to the Hall Of Famer. JP however showed last season he could play in the NFL but leading a number of big comebacks with batterymate WR Lee Evans. A poor offensive line and lack of playmakers outside of Evans however will limit Losman's upside for this year. Maybe in a year or two.

20.Alex Smith(49ers) bye week: 6 age: 23

-after looking like a colossal bust two season's ago, the former number 1 overall draft pick showed last season he has a place in an NFL locker room. Showing off the speed and accuracy he used to star at Utah, Smith led his team to a near playoff spot in coach Mike Nolan's first year on the job. Look for Smith to add to his 18 TD's and to be a possible fantasy starter by midseason.

21. Rex Grossman(Bears) bye week: 9 age: 27

-this is make-or-break time for Grossman as last year's Jekyll and Hyde act wore thin by season's end. Many felt Chicago made the Super Bowl last year in spite of him and I am not one to argue. Until he starts to show some sort of consistency, let him pass you by in your draft.

22. Chad Pennington(Jets) bye week: 10 age: 31

-the NFL's Comeback Player Of The Year showed that he still has what it takes to be a starter. What's good for the Jets however is not good for your fantasy team as Chad's noodle arm won't light up the scoreboard. Let him go.

23. Trent Green(Dolphins) bye week: 8 age: 37

-once one of my favorite fantasy QB's, Green's star has dimmed due to the concussion that sidelined him for half the season, along with the poor play that followed upon his return. Age could be a factor here and the he no longer has an All Pro offensive line in front of him as he did in KC. Could move up this list if healthy but too many question marks to trust. Good backup however.

24. Matt Schaub(Falcons) bye week: 10 age: 26

-finally has a starting gig to himself as his trade to Houston got him out of Michael Vick's shadow. Great arm but has not shown much in his limited time in the league. Draft him for his potential but have a better starter to use while you wait him out.

25. Jason Campbell(Redskins) bye week: 4 age: 25

-another young QB with potential but questions marks. Showed enough last season in limited time to relegate veteran Mark Brunell to the bench permanently. Track his early progress but don't draft.

26. Steve McNair(Ravens) bye week: 8 age: 34

-age and injuries have relegated McNair to nothing but ordinary status. Don't count on him to produce like he did during his MVP season.

27. Byron Leftwich(Jaguars) bye week: 4 age: 27

-this one-time potential beast has been relegated to also-ran status. Injuries and poor mechanics have held Byron back with no solution in sight.

Don't Draft

28. David Carr

29. Daunte Culpepper

30. Charlie Frye

31. Damon Huard

32. Jeff Garcia

33. Josh McCown

34. Tarvaris Jackson

35. Chris Simms

36. David Garrard

37. Kyle Boller

38. Joey Harrington

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