FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Larry Johnson, Chiefs - Moving Down
Though expectations were tempered since Herm Edwards stated that Johnson would be limited in the opener due to his holdout-induced late arrival to training camp, it’s still the Texans, and the Chiefs were dominated, 20-3, with Johnson gaining only 43 yards on the ground (43 receiving).  With a trip to Chicago scheduled for week two, things will be getting worse before they get better.

Reggie Bush, Saints - Moving Down
Like Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints high-powered offense on the NFL’s Opening night, Bush was the victim of a surprisingly dominant Colts defense, stymied for only 38 yards on 12 carries and only seven receiving yards on four receptions.  Help is on the way in week two with a match against the gracious Buccaneers defense.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings - Moving Up
The game-breaking rookie from OU couldn’t have had a more ideal set of circumstances in his regular season debut, with veteran starter Chester Taylor suffering a game-ending oblique injury early in the first quarter, opening the door wide open for the first-year back to exploit an overmatched Falcons defense with 103 yards rushing on 19 carries and a 60-yard touchdown reception that started as a mere dump-off.  With Taylor most likely not able to play this weekend, Peterson will receive the mother-load of touches to feast on the fantasy-friendly Detroit Lions defense.

Thomas Jones, Jets - Moving Down
Jones, hampered by a strained calf injury incurred in the preseason, is also saddled with running game savior expectations in New York, and his season debut left a lot to be desired against a depleted New England defense, missing Pro Bowlers Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison.  Jones managed a measly 42 yards rushing on 14 carries in the Jets demoralizing 38-14 home loss to the Patriots.  The Jets travel to Baltimore this weekend and they still haven’t found what they’re looking for in a replacement solution for  departed OG Pete Kendall (Redskins).

Lamont Jordan, Raiders - Moving Up 
Granted the Lions defense won’t soon remind anyone of the ’85 Bears, the much-maligned Jordan was still impressive behind the Raiders more aggressive blocking scheme and he looks primed to build upon his stellar week one output of 159 total yards (70 rushing) and a touchdown.  A week two trip to Denver should be a high-altitude bump-in-the-road though.

Chris Brown, Titans - Moving Up
What the?! Nostradamus himself couldn’t have seen Brown’s 175 rushing yards (on 19 carries) explosion against the supposedly impenetrable Jacksonville run defense.  Brown, an afterthought in the Titans preseason running back competition, paced the Titans close-to-the-vest 13-10 road win, and has positioned himself as the primary back, at least until the next nagging injury arrives.  The Titans travel to Indianapolis on Sunday, and Brown does not have a productive history against the Colts.

Jesse Chatman, Dolphins - Moving Up
Pro football’s version of the Biggest Loser, Chatman has become everyone’s favorite candidate for Comeback Player of the Year after being out of football for nearly two seasons and ballooning up to 270 pounds.  Reunited in Miami with his former offensive coordinator in San Diego, Cam Cameron, Chatman has become a favorite in Miami, to the extent that Ronnie Brown is having to make room for Chatman in the Dolphins No.1 running back slot.  His 48 receiving yards on six receptions in combination with the head coach’s fondness for him makes him a steady growth stock in the first month of the season.