Week 3: Bump 'Em Down

Here's a Bump 'Em Down quickie for all you little sheep I'm about to count.

Quarterbacks

David Garrard (at Ind): There's something really likable about this guy. Not really sure what it is, but hey, I like having him on my fantasy teams. Unfortunately, he's stuck with O-line woes, wide receiver woes, coaching woes, running back woes. Woe is David. I like his match-up against the Colts compared to others, but from here on out, consider him bumped down (sigh). ETC prediction: 19/32. 230yds, 1TD, 1INT

Derek Anderson (@Bal): I've said it once and I'll say it again: the 2008 Browns are cursed. There is nothing good about this team. Promptly remove them from your fantasy rosters, and keep bumping down Anderson until Brady (Quinn) takes over. This match-up looks ugly. ETC prediction: 16/29, 180yds, 1TD, 2INT

Worth mentioning: JaMarcus Russell, Matt Schuab

Running Backs

Ricky Williams (@NE): You Ricky owners thought you were plenty clever, didn't you. Probably made some sort of pre-planned pot joke after you "stole" him in the seventh round. Probably thought he was going to start all season long too. Well, here's the hard truth: Ronnie Brown is significantly outplaying him, and the Fish are atrocious football team. Put that together with the fact that they're playing the Patriots mighty defense, and you've maybe got a solid 4th-string running back for your squad. ETC prediction: 12car, 34yds, 0TD, 0rec

Matt Forte (vs. TB): Talk to Micheal Turner owners about what Tampa Bay did to their Golden Boy last week. Couple that in with the fact that Kyle Orton looks significantly worse then last season, and that other teams are onto Forte's little tricks. This game should be one of those bumps along the road that rookie face. ETC prediction: 19car, 62yds, 0TD, 2rec, 10yds

Worth mentioning: Ryan Grant, Maurice Jones-Drew

Wide Recievers

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@ NYG): Something isn't clicking in the Bengals passing game. Carson Palmer looks lost, and the receivers can't get open. They're up against a stingy Giants defense, and if the past two games are any indication of the future, Housh will continue to struggle to get the ball. The Bengals seems overly committed to the run, which does help his situation. Until he gets out of this funk, bump Housh down. ETC prediction: 5rec, 70yds, 0TD

Laveranues Coles (@ SD): Coles and Brett just can't see to get on the same page. It seems like Chansi Stuckey is becoming the favored #2 receiver in the Jets passing game, as Coles becomes more of a decoy than anything else. Granted, it's still early in the season. But if things don't improve, Coles will slide down faster than the stock market. ETC prediction: 3rec, 35yds, 0TD

Worth mentioning: Ted Ginn Jr., Braylon Edwards

Tight Ends

Jeremy Shockey (@ Den): Come on man. I bump you up last week, and you reward me nothing but two receptions and a fumble. This week should be marginally better, but obviously you are not the target we were hoping to fill Colston's shoes. ETC prediction: 4rec, 38yds

Worth mentioning: Kellen Winslow

Bump 'Em Down

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning (vs. Chi): That pain in his knee is a pain in the ass for Manning owners. The Bears defense isn't going to make it any better, not with that athletic D-line and Urlacher breathing smoke. And speaking of leg pits: Starting Center Jeff Saturday isn't playing due to his own bum knee. The Bears don't stand a chance to win, but expect Dungy to keep things safe and hand it off to Addai. Don't sit Peyton, but I can name five quarterbacks I'd rather have starting for me in Week 1. ETC Prediction: 18/27, 260yds, 1TD, 1INT

Matt Schuab (@Pit): With absolutely no running game and the likelihood of the Texans playing catch-up, he'll be forced to test the ravenous Steeler secondary all-day. While Matt may put up substatial yardage, it's also likely he'll have plenty of David Carr moments (i.e. Aaron Smith stepping on his face, Polamalu going Mutumbo on the deep balls, etc.) Don't dare even think about starting Ahman Green either. ETC Prediction: 15/32. 230yds, 0TD, 2InT

Worth Mentioning: Jake Delhomme, Jay Cutler

Running Backs

Jamal Lewis (vs. Dal): He's a currently a game-time decision (hamstring). Browns looked ugly in the preseason, and the Cowboys have a solid run defense. Even if Lewis does suit up, a nagging hamstring isn't going to let him get any substantial gains. Unfortunately for Lewis owners, the Browns/Cowboys game isn't until the second wave of games, so make your decision (to sit him) before it's too late. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison would split the carries if he doesn't make it. ETC Prediction (if he plays): 19 carries, 60yds, 0TD

Ryan Grant (vs. Min): Another runner battling a hamstring injury, but unlike Lewis, Grant will definitely be on the field. Unfortunately for the Packers, the Vikings defense looks stout from head-to-tie. Doesn't help that's playing with an inexperienced quarterback, and the hamstring was sore enough to keep Grant out of practice yesterday. The Packers seem confident he'll handle a full load, but tamper expectations in week one. ETC Prediction: 24 carries, 80yds, 0TD

Worth Mentioning: Darren McFaddon, Julius Jones

Wide Receivers

Torry Holt (at Phi): Double-edged sword spelling Torry Holt's fantasy value this week: He's going up against arguably the best secondary in the NFL, and the Rams defunct offensive line is going to leave Marc Bulger seeing stars instead of open recievers. Holt hasn't exactly been a sexy pick in a few years, but tomorrow should should be downright ugly. ETC Prediction: 4 rec 40yds, 0TD

Lee Evans (vs. Sea): He's never been a consistent fantasy option. Tomorrow shouldn't be one of those days you start him with confidence. While Evans has all the talent in the world, the team around him does not. Expect Marshawn Lynch to mash it all day, while Evans gets chased around by Marcus Trufant for naught. This week, consider him a solid WR3 and below-average WR2. ETC Prediction: 5rec, 40yds, 0TD

Worth Mentioning: Hines Ward, Javon Walker

Defense

Carolina Panthers (at SD): Julius Peppers isn't enough to shut down LT and Co. ETC Predicion: 31pts allowed, 2 sacks, 0INT

Worth Mentioning: Green Bay Packers