Week 1 Running Backs - Starters and Bench Warmers

Hope everyone had a great draft. Now it's time to play.

As the year goes on, each week I will feature a list on who to start, who to bench and who might surprise.

These will all be listed before on Thurdays (RBs) Fridays (WR and Denfense's). Since this week starts with a Thursday game, The list is out early. WRs will be available on Wed. If you have any questions about chosing between palyers to start on your team, leave me a post and I'll answer it on the blog.

This is week one, so it's really a shot in the dark, but somebody has to take it.

Week 1 Top RBS Start Em.

SURE BETS

1. Joe Adai

You can be sure that Indi will try TRY to slow the game down against the Saints, so while Peyton will go for a big one, you know that means that Mr. Adai is going to put on his party hat. Let's not forget that it's a home coming game for Joe and he played his college days on the same field. You just know he's sitting on a rooftop in the crescent city playing Glory Days and thinking about making a remix with Master P to sell at the local corner stores. Joe's going to pay off big time and is the surest thing in the land come opening day. You don't need me to tell you this but I'm going to tell you anyway.

2. Willie Parker

Match ups. That's why you don't See LT here. Willie draws the Browns on the opening weeks. He's fresh and rested from sitting most of the pre-season. Nagging injuries don't mean anything. These are football players. They're all hurt. Willie should see the ball plenty in the second half against the browns who are just playing the first 5 games of the year with tackling a tackling dummy at the QB spot until Quinn comes in. Parker should break the goal line 2wice and have tons of yardage as Big Ben will stretch the field. If you drafted him, don't be afraid to use him now.

3. LT

Even going against the Bears, you just need to play him. The reason why he's not #1 is that the Bears will have weeks and fresh fangs to game plan for the money maker, so don't look for a huge game from your #1, but he should bust out for at least a TD, which is what you would expect. The Bears D is on the road and San Diego has been reading their Super Bowl hype – but the Bears were there. Expect a good game but not a 3TD 150 yard one.

4. Steven Jackson

Carolina on the Turf under the dome after Mr. Jackson has been pacing around the St. Louis River in hopes of taking the Greatest Back alive title from LT spells a good day for Jackson. Still, you should respect Carolina's Defense enough not to expect a human highlight reel. If Tory Holt plays, I would be Jackson at #1, but as of press time, I'm not sure Mr. Holt's knees is as healthy as the mighty warrior with the horns on the side of his head. You can't sit him, but look for more points to put in there with some chance calls just in case he gets stuffed once in awhile.

5.Larry Johnson

Don't believe the hype that he's not in football shape. LJ said last year that when he runs, he runs for every black man that ever played the game of football. That's a lot of people to carry with you on your way to the goal line. Johnson will have a little rust, but the Texans should prove not match for the mighty bull. Pencil him in for 100 yards and a touch. Why did he hold out? You carry the ball over 400 times in a year and see if you want to put your body through another training camp. The man is smart and ready to destroy again.

6. Reggie Bush

If you read my column enough, you'll see that I believe Reggie Bush is the best football player in the country. You know he does too, he just doesn't go around telling people he is. Prime Time, Thursday night, with the entire nation watching only him play, you know that he wants to make good. McCalister might take a goal line carry away, but Reggie will have enough rushing and receiving yards to boost your line up. The chances are that you got Bush in Round 2, so if you match him with another back, you'll be out of the box quickly with a victory. Run Reggie, RUN!

7. Mo Jones Drew

Hey Mo! Go crazy at home vs. the Titans. The Jags are going to Mash the ball and Jones Drew will get plenty of chances. Don't worry about Fred Taylor or any of the other crew. If you're in a yardage league, this guy is going to get you what you want and get it for you all day long. Drew has the luxury of saving his gas and not having to go out there for 20-25 carries a game. That means quality shots and a determination to prove himself. Look for a big score and tons of yards from the former little baby Bruin. His sophomore season will have no slumps.

8.Frank Gore

Yes he has a broken hand but that will mean nothing against the Arizona Cardinals. Gore has been resting all pre-season and is ready to shine in his Monday night Debut. Look for the Little Frank that could destroy the birds in the Bay area and rumble to a hundred plus a score. If not for the broken hand, Mr. Gore would be on the top of the list but, since it's week one and I haven't seen him all year, we'll tuck him in at number 8 and see what he does from there.

9.LaMont Jordan

What's this? A Raider in a top tier offensive category? Well, if you were shrewd enough to pick Jordan up at the end of your draft for a bucket of goat feed and half a rabbit's foot, now might be the time to use him. Opening at home, in Detroit, the Raiders have the momentum right now of having last season behind them and the chance to be Rocky this year. Jordan has that and more, with 4 games to prove himself as the starter. Detroit should give him plenty of chances to look good.

10.Willis McGahee

Willis plays on Monday night, in the spotlight, for the first time in his career and he's doing it against a Bengals team that feels it can score more than it gives up. B More will look to control the flow of the game and that means Willis will see many a carry on this evening. After a big time contract for the little guy and, remember, B More was 13 -3 last year, this team is ready to roll. Look for them to punch the Natti in the chops and just McGahee as a swift right hook to do so.


GET THEM READY

1.DeAngelo Williams

Playing against St. Louis and behind Mr. Foster, Williams will bust right out of the gate. There's no way Jon Fox sticks with Foster if he starts out slow, so look for the speedy Williams to surprise you in the opening week. He's no longer a rookie and will not run with any hesitation.

2. Ahman Green

It's the start of the season, he's looked good so far and he's playing Kansas City. Enough Said. If you are short a # 2 or a flex, Green might earn his paycheck for you this week.

3. Shaun Alexander

Yes, Shaun is down here. Tampa Bay has improved their Defense and you can bet they'll be focused on getting Shaun slowed down. We don't know how well the Hawks will do with the loss of Darryl Jackson – they haven't played that well before without him. If you have him, use him, but don't expect a huge game from the big man. He'll have plenty this year, but just not this week. Make sure you have points coming from another place.

4.Lawrence Maroney

Is he healthy? If he is, he should be higher, but we just can tell this early in the season. Use him but don't expect a good night kiss. However, sometimes, Holding hands is OK.

5.Edge James

Monday night against the Niners should be a big time scoring game. We're going to see just how much the future Hall of Fame RB has left in the tank. If Arizona decided to play ball control, you might have a pleasant surprise from Mr. James who has his eyes on the prize this year.

GRAB SOME PINE

1.Marshwan Lynch

Biggest bust since Anna Nichole Smith. I think this guy went so high in Fantasy Leagues because the Bills are putting him at their starting back. He didn't do anything in the pre-season and was a CAL Running Back. Don't put him in until he proves he can do it.

2. Ronnie Brown

Ronnie Brown.

3. Brain Westbrook

The Packers defense is going to be nasty this year. You heard it hear. This will not be Westbrook's week, especially with Mr. McNabb looking to put himself back in the spotlight.

4.Jarious Norwood / Warrick Dunn

I would not start any back this year against Minnsotta's run D. They're fast enough to keep up with the kid.