Fantasy Football Notes 8/24/2009

- The Seahawks have to be impressed with what they saw this weekend.  Matt Hasselbeck threw for 171 yards and 2 TDs against the Broncos.  He targeted TJ Houshmandzadeh eight times which included a TD pass.  The Hasselbeck to Houshmandzadeh connection looks strong in the early going.

- The Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST gained more value this weekend as punt and kick returner Stefan "Joystick" Logan dazzled the crowd and his coaches with his speed and shifty moves.  Logan was the CFL's most exciting player and was a great return man there as well.  If your league credits punt and kick returns to the defense, this is makes the most valuable defense even more valuable.

- I know they like Jonathan Stewart, but DeAngelo Williams could be one of the top backs in football if he's allowed to carry the load.  He looked somewhat average against the Dolphins, but then made a very impressive 25 yard TD run that proves last year wasn't a fluke.

- Speaking of the Dolphins, on the other side of the ball in that game, Ronnie Brown looked very impressive running the wildcat offense, rushed for 31 yards on 7 carries, catching 3 passes for 43 yards and scoring TD.  If he can stay healthy, Brown will have an enormous season.

- The Broncos really need to figure out what they're going to do with Brandon Marshall.  The disgruntled receiver was left behind for their game on Saturday because he was "not ready and able to play" in the game.  First Jay Cutler leaves, now this.  Marshall is far too talented to give up on in keeper leagues, but as far as this year's draft goes, I would pick him later if at all.  This could be a lost year for the Broncos star receiver.

- The Bears breathed a sigh of relief as they watched their new franchise QB, Jay Cutler, tear up the Giants for 121 yards and a TD.  Chicago used to be the place where QB's would go to die, but I believe Cutler will change that.

- Those of you that drafted Matt Forte early and are worried about a sophomore slump, consider this, Forte ran for 58 yards and a TD on nine carries against the Giants.  Yeah, its only preseason and it doesn't really matter.

- Niners rookie RB Glen Coffee dazzled this weekend against the Raiders.   Don't get too excited, it was the Raiders defense he was doing this against, but he's someone to keep an eye on for Frank Gore owners.

- The Raiders are going to flush another season down the toilet as they have declared that JaMarcus Russell will be their starter.  To be fair to Russell, he doesn't really have anyone to throw to.  This news is somewhat good for Darren McFadden owners as the Raiders will really concentrate on their run game.

- The Titans are having some trouble opening holes for Chris Johnson right now.  Johnson has carried the load 15 times for just 26 yards.  A couple of their top linemen have been out, which is most likely why he's had such a lack of production, so I wouldn't worry.

- Marshawn Lynch carried the ball 6 times for just 6 yards against the Packers on Saturday.  Meanwhile, his "backup" Fred Jackson rushed for 18 yards on 4 carries.  Maybe Lynch can use those three suspended weeks to find his game.

- Derrick Ward made a strong case to be the starter against the Jaguars.  He ran for 40 yards on 5 carries and looked very good between the tackles.

- Marques Colston appears to already be in mid season form for the Saints.  He caught 6 passes for 66 yards against the Texans this weekend.  If he can stay healthy, Colston should have huge year on the NFL team pretending to be an AFL team.

- Aaron Rodgers destroyed the Bills going 8-9 for 98 yards and two touchdowns.  Its only preseason, so no reason to get too excited, but this is looks as though it could be precursor of things to come.