Opening Night

[Hache Man]

Opening Night
Well, the season is finally (FINALLY!) here. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning (or, if you prefer, the non-denominational and/or non-religious equivalent to such a feeling) and I was downright giddy while setting my preliminary fantasy lineups this morning.

In fact, I’m seriously considering spending the next six hours or so doing little more than toggling Randy Moss and Anquan Boldin back and forth between “WR2” and “Bench” in my main keeper league. That’s just how I roll.

While the nation prepares for its first look at the defending Super Bowl champs—sans Jerome Bettis and Ben Roethlisberger—and the new Sunday Night Football crew—with Jerome Bettis and John Madden—here are some notes from around football …

• Much of the fantasy talk surrounding Edgerrin James has focused on his running behind a significantly worse offensive line in Arizona, which some have suggested will hurt his numbers quite a bit. However, it’s also worth noting that James could be in line for an increased workload this season, with coach Denny Green telling reporters Wednesday that he plans to get James 25 carries and five catches in Week 1.

The Cardinals have nearly as much offensive firepower as the Colts, but figure to make James the focal point of the offense after luring him to the desert with a massive free-agent contract. James averaged 24 carries and three catches per game last season, and an increased role in the passing game could help supplement whatever yards he loses by not running behind the Colts’ offensive line.

James caught a solid 44 passes last season, but that’s actually the lowest full-season total of his career. During his first three full seasons in Indianapolis, James caught 63, 63, and 61 passes, scoring 10 touchdowns through the air. A return to those type of receiving numbers could keep James near the top of the running-back pile all season, despite the increasing skepticism that seems to exist about his transition to a new team.

• In a surprise move, the Raiders announced Wednesday that Alvis Whitted—and not Ronald Curry or Jerry Porter—will start opposite Randy Moss Monday night. Whitted is 32 years old and has never caught as many as even 20 passes in a season, so this is likely more an indication that Oakland plans to spread the playing time around rather than a commitment to Whitted as the No. 2 option.

Whitted is likely worth a pickup in deep leagues, but the bigger fantasy impact is that Curry’s breakout will have to be put on held yet again and Porter’s return from the doghouse is far from certain. Given Moss’ tendency to dominate the football and Aaron Brooks’ tendency to not be very good, don’t count on another Raiders receiver being a fantasy asset in the first few weeks. Forced to pick one anyway, go with Curry.

• As tempting as it might be to kick a man when he’s down, DeAngelo Hall should probably learn a lesson from nearly every cornerback who covered him last season and avoid trash-talking Steve Smith before games. With Smith questionable for Week 1 thanks to a sore hamstring, Hall took the opportunity to tell reporters that he’d “take a shot” at the Panthers receiver when he was “in the air.”

Smith then called Hall a “court jester” and added that “some people are lower than others on the totem pole by age, performance and talk.” For reference, Smith racked up seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s 24-6 win over Atlanta in December and then Hall sat out the 44-11 drubbing the Panthers handed the Falcons in January (Smith had nine grabs for 131 yards and a score).

Hall is an excellent cornerback who was very good last season, but the more important thing to remember is that Smith generally abused whoever was stupid enough to engage him in a verbal back-and-forth in the press prior to kickoff each week. Hall might get off the hook this time because Smith’s injury looks relatively serious, but if Smith plays he’ll likely have a big game. And if not, it’ll be up to Keary Colbert to torch Hall.

Two-Minute Drill: As if the Jets’ running-back situation wasn’t complicated enough, Kevan Barlow is now listed third on the depth chart behind Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston … Matt Leinart (shoulder) practiced Wednesday and will be the Cardinals’ No. 2 quarterback this week … Minnesota said Wednesday that it’ll use “receiver-by-committee” this season and is reportedly close to signing Quincy Morgan as part of that thin group … Jerricho Cotchery is expected to start in Week 1, with Justin McCareins serving as the Jets’ third receiver.

Red Zone: Cedric Benson (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Week 1, further strengthening Thomas Jones’ grip on the starting job … It now looks likely that Clinton Portis (shoulder) will play in Week 1, but given that the game isn’t until Monday night it might be best to simply play it safe and bench Portis if you have other quality options … Offensive coordinator Dan Henning said Wednesday that the oft-injured DeShaun Foster “is probably as healthy and as strong as he’s been in a while” … Ron Dayne (toe) missed practice Wednesday, which means he may not be as big a threat to Wali Lundy and Vernand Morency as expected early on … Darrell Jackson (knee) reportedly looked good in practice Wednesday and is now on track to start this week.