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Every Friday of the NFL season I will give my picks of players that have a good match-up and you can expect a good game (GOLD) or players that are facing a bad match-up and need to lower your expectations (COLD). Here are my picks for week one. The scoring system and benchmarks are down at the bottom:

GOLD

Leon Washington, NYJ, RB
@ Houston
Forecast: 10 carries, 60 yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD (19 points)
Houston’s defense is not exactly top notch and the Jets are breaking in a rookie QB. I see Washington getting his share of productive touches. Jets Coach Rex Ryan has already said that Leon will touch the ball more this season and with his skill all-around I see him starting the season off in a big way. This could be the start of a great season for Leon.

Josh Morgan, SF, WR
@ Arizona
Forecast: 5 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD (14 points)
Morgan is the number 1 receiving option in San Fran because of Michael Crabtree’s holdout. Even if Crab’s was there, there is talk that he would still be the top option. Last season Arizona gave up the most TD’s to wideouts and didn’t look to good in preseason. Yes, the 49ers want to run the ball but if the Cards score they will have no choice but to pass.

Robert Meacham, NO, WR
Vs. Detroit
Forecast: 3 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD (14 points)
A great offense going against a bad defense, I see some big plays being made. And If you want big plays in the Saints passing game this year, I think its going to be Meacham. He averaged almost 30 yards a catch in preseason and I see him carrying that over to game one.

Cedric Benson, CIN, RB
Vs. Denver
Forecast: 26 carries, 110 yards, 1 catch, 7 yards, 1 TD (18 points)
Benson ended the season on a high note. Can he carry it over? I think he will for at least week one. The Broncos defense was horrible against the run last year and they did little to improve it. I see Cincinnati pounding the ball with Benson for over 100 yards easy and throw in a TD and that’s a GOLD fantasy day.

Anthony Fasano, MIA, TE
@ Atlanta
Forecast: 5 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD (13 points)
Fasano is probably the top passing option in the Dolphins offense and has got some chemistry with QB Chad Pennington. Atlanta is not that good at defending TE’s so I see him having a better than average game and even getting into the end zone.

Julius Jones, SEA, RB
Vs. St. Louis
Forecast: 23 carries, 103 yards, 2 catches, 21 yards (13 points)
Yes the Rams have a new defensive minded coach and their defense should be a little improved, but Seattle will have plenty of time to run when they are ahead early. Jones is #1 on the depth chart right now so he will get his chances.

Joe Flacco, BAL, QB
Vs. Kansas City
Forecast: 205 passing yards, 17 rushing, 2 TD passes, 0 Int (17 points)
Flacco has a great match-up to start the season. A team in rebuilding on both sides of the ball, I see him having a solid game for around 200 yards and a couple TD’s.

Shaun Hill, SF, QB
@ Arizona
Forecast: 230 passing yards, 15 rushing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 Int (16 points)
Yes the 49ers want to run the ball but they might have to throw to stay in the game. Hill is capable of going over 200 yards easy against a so-so defense. I see him throwing a couple TD’s too.

COLD

Jamal Lewis, CLE, RB
Vs. Minnesota
Forecast: 23 carries, 43 yards, 1 catch, 4 yards, 0 TDs (5 points)
The Viking defense is to strong against the run for the aging Lewis to have a good game. Even worse, there was talk that he might be cut before the season, showing the lack confidence that the coaches have in him. Sit him in this one. It might be time to give up on him completely if James Davis comes to play.

Dwayne Bowe, KC, WR
@ Baltimore
Forecast: 4 catches, 43 yards 0 TDs (6 points)
KC will be down big in this one so they will throw the ball, but without Matt Cassell and Bowe being the only option in the passing game to worry about, I don’t see a good game. All the coverage’s will be geared toward Bowe so find another option at WR this week.

Terrell Owens, BUF, WR
@ New England
Forecast: 5 catches, 55 yards, 0 TDs (7 points)
T.O’s first game as a Bill will be one to forget. They already fired the OC before the season and going up against the Pats on Monday night I don’t see their offense clicking. T.O. will see better games than week one but your probably starting him anyway.

Eli Manning, NYG, QB
Vs. Washington
Forecast: 180 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 Int (9 points)
Washington already has a good secondary and now that the front 7 is upgraded a see a defensive struggle to start the season. The Giants are going to try to run the ball a ton because of the lack of experience of the receivers. That will limit Eli’s opportunities to make plays.

Clinton Portis, WAS, RB
@ New York Giants
Forecast: 20 carries, 57 yards, 2 catches, 12 yards, 0 Tds (7 points)
A good defense got better in the off-season. The Giants upgraded their front 7 also and there will be little room for Portis to run in this game. It’s going to be a close defensive battle and I don’t see many offensive players doing good this season.

SCORING BENCHMARKS
QBs: 12+ fantasy points
RBs: 12+ fantasy points
WRs: 10+ fantasy points
TEs: 8+ fantasy points
*Scoring system:
4 PTs/Pass TD
1 PT/25 pass yards
6 PTs/Rush-Rec TD
1 PT/Reception
1 PT/10 Rush yards
1 PT/20 Rec yards
-2 PT/INT or FL

Source image: AP

These are guys that might not have as good a season as most people think. It could be because they went to a new team, injuries, change of coach, or just expectations that are just two high. Take caution when drafting these players because they could disappoint you during the season. I’m not saying don’t take these players at all, just don’t take them as high. Lower your expectations for these players.

Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs:
Don’t expect the New England Patriots Matt Cassel just yet. He will eventually be good, but just not this seasons. Remember this: despite having arguably the best offensive line in the league around him, Cassel took the most sacks of any signal-caller last season (47). And despite having a great receiver in Randy Moss, Cassel struggled to complete passes in the red zone. With that being said the Chiefs don’t have nearly the same O-line and offensive weapons that the Patriots do, so expect some struggling early. Worse the Chiefs traded away Tony Gonzalez, who was their most reliable target. Look else where when your taking a QB to build your team around this year.

Eli Manning, QB, Giants:
Eli Manning has name value and is a good real life QB. His fantasy value though should not be as high. With his name and team that he plays for, he will for sure be drafted as a starter. But realistically he is not that good of a fantasy QB this year. Look at the weapons he’s lost in the passing game. Plaxico and Amani Toomer are both gone leaving a somewhat young and unproven receiver corps. I think you could find a better QB situation than that.

Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals:
I have Warner here purely on the fact that he is older and a huge injury risk. Last season was the first time he played a full 16 games since 2001. Can he do it again, we’ll have to find out. If you take him early you run the risk of getting nothing out of the pick, like Brady last year. But if he does stay health, he could easily be the number 1 fantasy QB. If you’re a gambler take him, if not don’t and look for a safer pick.

Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles:
Westbrook is one of the best duel-threats in the league when he is health. It’s just staying health, that’s the problem. He always seems like he is always playing with an injury or is a game time decision. Don’t get me wrong this guy can win a week by himself, I just think he is an injury risk. He will also have to deal with LeSean McCoy taking carries and possibly even Micheal Vick. Lower your expectations a little bit on him this year, but take him if he is their in the 2nd round.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins:
All most half of his touchdowns last season came in one game against the Patriots. He also has to deal with Ricky Williams taking his carries. In my opinion, he shouldn’t be drafted in the top 30.

Terrell Owens, WR, Bills:
I’m not saying I would stay completely away from him this year, just not as high as his name will get him drafted. Owens will be working with arguably the least-talented quarterback of his career, Trent Edwards. He’s also now 35-years-old and bound to decline sometime soon and he’s going to have to play a lot of cold-weather games. That is something that is not going to help his many dropped passes. He could have a solid year, but just not what everyone is thinking and where you would have to draft him. Look for a less expensive option.

Antonio Bryant, WR, Bucs:
He had very good numbers in 2008 but he has never been very consistent in his career. He also has to deal with a new coach and uncertainty at QB. I wouldn’t take Bryant this year cause he has bust written all over him.

Image Source: AP

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This week in sports blogs and news:

•  Michael Wilbon Says Kimbo Slice is a Fraud - Fanhouse
• Former Goalie Can’t Stop Hurting Himself, Shoots Self in Neck - Puck Daddy
• Women Show Their Support by getting Bikini Waxes - Deadspin
• Al Pacino Wants to Play Tommy Lasorda - Variety
• Minneapolis Radio Hosts Claims Magic Johnson Fakes AIDS - Sports By Brooks
• Top 7: LCS Moments of the Decade - Joe Sports Fan
• Book Review: Josh Hamilton Beyond Belief with Tim Keown- Larry Brown Sports
• Gregg Popovich… - The Sports Hernia

This week on the Smarter Sports Blog we covered:

• “YMCA!”
• Fantasy Football: Week 5 Fantasy Stats
• Eli Manning is a Slacker, Lives in an Automated House
• Funny Videos: Keep Your Eye on the Ball…
• Kimbo Slice’s Son Took His Father’s Loss Hard

Eli Manning Jerseys  NFL Shop

I already hated Eli Manning, and now that hatred has just grown.

Since I’m an Eagles fan and he’s the quarterback of the New York Giants, the hate was bred into me, but now that I found out he has the ultimate, lazy man’s house, I want to  smack that dumb smirk off his face.

Manning’s renovated, 3,000 square foot New Jersey condo is fully automated electronically. I think you can even push a button from the living room to flush the toilet in case you forgot. Hey, it happens.

Some features of the home include having full control of the motorized shades, the lighting schemes, the multi-room audio, and a stealth motorized pillar that unveils the top-shelf bar selections.

I wonder if it also comes with the Man’s Kitchen designed by Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor.

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The NFL season has officially begun. Let’s all take a moment and rejoice in this joyous occasion.

Being a complete sucker for sports history, I watched the Hall of Fame induction and imagined what it would be like to cry in front of a group of my peers and a national TV audience. I also caught most of the Redskins/Colts game and am on the verge of jumping onto the Colt Brennan bandwagon.

And although neither event was particularly memorable, watching them did get me even more excited about the upcoming season. Since I was so excited about football I decided to take a break from preparing for my fantasy football draft and came up with 10 reasons to be psyched for this year’s NFL season.

10] The Brett Favre watch – Everybody complains that they are tired of hearing about the latest will-he-or-won’t-he-play talk, but every time I speak to a NFL fan they always seem to know the freshest Favre information. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that both he and Packer’s management have treated the situation about as bad as they possible could.

Now we all begin each day wondering whether or not he will he start for the Packers this season; if Aaron Rodgers can ever mentally overcome the circus; how likely it is John Madden cries during Sunday Night Football if he sees Favre Play; and how ESPN will survive in the post-Favre era?

9] Watching this year’s “sleeper” team fail – I know it’s a little perverse, but I get sick of everyone jumping on a sleeper team every year. It has gotten to the point where it is just as bad to be the sheik sleeper team as it is to be on the cover of Madden; no one wants the curse.

Last year the media was talking about how the 49ers were a team to watch, and the moment they did, as a 49er fan I knew the season was doomed. This year the NFL community is hyping the Minnesota Vikings like crazy. Now we have to spend 16 weeks watching them not live up to expectations.

8] NFL Live – Really, is there anything more ridiculous than watching NFL Live in June? Over the summer we take a half-hour out of our day to hear why the Miami Dolphins cut their backup janitor. But once the season rolls around, NFL Live becomes as addicting as crack.

The show keeps us up to date on how every team in the NFL is doing and points us in the right direction for players to watch and players to forget. As an added bonus, hearing Ron “Jaws” Jaworski break down film makes us all wish we would have paid attention more while in school.

7] Seeing karma destroy the Patriots – Like most people who don’t live in Boston, I’m not a fan of the New England Cheaters Patriots. Although I dislike them for different reasons then most people (Bledsoe shouldn’t have lost his job to injury!), watching their perfect season swirl down the Super Bowl drain last year was beautiful.

Who would have ever thought that Eli Manning would go toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and come out on top? The Patriots look good again this year, but I have the feeling that their Spygate misdeeds will once again be punished by the football Gods.

6] Grown men beating each other senseless – If we were really honest about it we would say that one of the best things about the NFL is the big hits. Seeing a defensive end blindside a quarterback who stood a little too long in the pocket sends shivers down our spine and adrenaline throughout our body.

You could also add to the list: a running back trying to jump over the pile, a punt returner not waiving for a fair catch and getting laid out, and a wide receiver that was hung out to dry by his quarterback who makes him jump in the air over the middle.

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Tell us what you’d say!

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

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This week in news and sports blogs around the Net:

• Derek Jeter is all over Maxim’s Top 100 list - Deadspin
• Judge Orders Michael Vick to pay Canadian Bank $2.4 Million - Fox Sports
• College Junior Enters the NBA Draft, Has No Basketball Experience - The Inquisitr
• Passenger on Benson’s boat claims he was abused - Fox Sports
• Video of Cedric Benson’s arrest - Sports by Brooks
• Unbreakable Modern Era Records - Joe Sports Fan
• Charles Oakley to get his own cooking show - Deuce of Davenport
• The Sports Hernia’s funny take on when A-Rod has fainted - The Sports Hernia
• Phlashback Phriday - Timmah! - We Should Be GMs

And in the Smarter Sports Blog we talked about:

• “The other toilet was out of order”
• Peyton and Eli Manning Just Wants Daddy to Love Them
• Bullet Casings Linked to Marvin Harrison?
• Buzzer Beater: He Shoots, He Scores!
• Funny Video Clips: Charles Barkley Pulls a Ron Burgundy

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If you’ve been watching the NBA playoffs, then you are sure to have seen the split screen commercials that feature two superstars in the NBA playoffs. But this nicely done commercial features the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, speaking out on trying to figure out how to gain the love of their father Archie.

Someone’s got daddy issues.

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There goes the perfect season and Tom Brady’s perfect Super Bowl record.

In what was supposed to be an easy win for the heavily favored New England Patriots, it turned into arguably the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. The New York Giants did what many believed was the unattainable, beating the Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.

I watched the game and despite how close the Giants were willing to keep it, I really thought Bill Belichick and Brady would find a way to come through with a win like they had done the previous 18 games. And they almost did, as Brady drove the length of the field late in the game to take the lead, 14-10.

But it was Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning who was more Bradyesque than Brady himself. Manning led the Giants to a touchdown with under three minutes to play on a pass to Plaxico Burress. But it was wideout David Tyree who can take credit for keeping the drive alive.

On what looked to be a sure sack of Manning on 3rd and 5, the quarterback wiggled loose and heaved up a pass 32-yards downfield to Tyree, who pulled down one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. Tyree literally used all his arm and finger strength to come down with that catch. With Patriots safety Rodney Harrison covering, Tyree leaped and willed his way down with the ball over his head and with Harrison on his arm. After that catch, you just knew something remarkable was going to happen. That an upset was very near.

Now talks will switch to whether or not the Patriots season would mean anything with the Super Bowl loss.

18-1 and a Super Bowl loss doesn’t really have the same ring to it as 19-0.

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