FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Stephen Jackson, Rams - Moving Down 
In a year that was supposed to witness his continued ascension to the fantasy football running back throne, the back being groomed to one day take over as LT’s heir,  Jackson’s inactivity in the preseason has caused him to stumble out of the gate in the early going of 2007 and the loss of All Pro left tackle Orlando Pace for the season has really dealt a blow to Jackson’s lofty expectations this season.

Shaun Alexander, Seahawks - Moving Down
In week two, Alexander struggled for 70 yards on 18 carries against an emerging, young Cardinals defense, a squad that he had routinely ran roughshod over in recent year’s, and now he’ll have the added nuisance of toting a large cast on his left hand to protect a sprained wrist, to go along with a crumbling offensive line in from of him.  His botched handoff with QB Matt Hasselbeck was a key play in the Seahawks 23-20 heartbreaker loss last Sunday.  After watching Jamal Lewis run wild on the Bengals last Sunday, Alexander has a week three opportunity (hosting Cincinnati) to defy the forces of nature that have him on the decline.

Willie Parker, Steelers - Moving Up
Fast Willie starts the year with back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts, including week two’s methodical 126 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers 26-3 rout of Buffalo.  Despite the new pass-friendly offense, Parker’s role has seemingly grown in Bruce Arian’s offense and will have another home game this weekend, against San Francisco, who have struggled, despite their 2-0 start.

Edgerrin James, Cardinals - Moving Up
New head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm have been just what the doctor ordered for James, who struggled as the franchise back for his new team last season under Denny Green.  James looked great against Seattle, gaining 128 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while also snaring two receptions for 22 yards.  A litmus test game awaits for him and the young Cards when they head to Baltimore in week three.

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins - Moving Down
Brown’s headed down this list after a second straight game of 11 carries for 33 yards (32 in week one).  Jesse Chatman continues to chip away at Brown’s No.1 status and against Dallas in week two, Brown was inexplicably on the sideline in the third quarter after running the ball very effectively early in the second half.  This against a Cowboys team that lost its starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the year due to injury, and was gaffed by Giants third string RB Derrick Ward on Monday night in week one.

Marion Barber, Cowboys - Moving Up
How many more weeks does MB III need to vastly outplay his Dallas backfield mate Julius Jones before Wade Phillips finally makes him the starter and feature back?  The evidence is mounting weekly, including last Sunday’s 89 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, including a 40-yard game-sealer in the late fourth quarter.  Barber runs with a controlled fury every time he touches the ball and his impressive play is doing all of his talking for him.  A road trip to Chicago in week three is the kind of game better suited to Barber’s hard-charging style than Julius Jones’ slashing approach and this contest could prove to be the game where a changing of the guard in the Cowboys backfield becomes permanent.

Jamal Lewis, Browns - Moving Up
Critics can’t shovel enough dirt on this guy and yet there he was last Sunday exploding for 216 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in Cleveland’s unlikely 51-45 win over the Bengals.  Lewis ran as if he was facing the Browns (one of his favorite opponents in his Ravens days), instead of for them, and his breakaway speed was an eye-opener for many who thought he had lost several steps from his high-carry seasons in Baltimore.  The next two opponents won’t be as welcoming with a road trip to Oakland and home date with Baltimore.