Start, bench, and the waiver - Week 2

Start:
Philip Rivers, QB, SD – I’ve been a Rivers fan since before the draft. He’s got a quick release and can beat the blitz, along with the two best safety valves in the game; Gates and LT. Don’t expect Rivers to light up the FF stat line, but he’s efficient, doesn’t make mistakes and should have the consistency of Big Ben – 14/19 220 yards, 2 TDs.
Drew Brees, QB, NO – Green Bay gave up good numbers to an Rex Grossman, so Brees is sure to do pretty well. Brees is a smart QB who has some weapons that he’ll use over the middle, on an inexperienced linebacking corps (see Desmond Clark last week). Colston, Conwell, and Bush could have surprisingly big days.
Steve McNair, QB, BAL – Look for Baltimore to do to Oakland what San Deigo did to Oakland on Monday. McNair throws for 250 yards and 2 scores (note – start Heap and Mason).
Reggie Bush, RB, NO – Bush looked great last week. While McAllister is still the starter and will get around 20 touches every game, Bush showed that he can do everything. Bush is going against a Green Bay defense that let Chicago have their way; outside of the red zone. Bush should net a score in this game and have a repeat performance of last week.
Isaac Bruce, WR, STL – Bulger will be much better this week than last, as he’s throwing against a San Fran defense who gave up huge yardage to Arizona. I’ve seen Bruce on the waiver wire in a couple leagues already, so grab him and start him, as he’ll have a good week.
Marques Colston, WR/TE, NO – Colston has the size to matchup on Green Bay’s inexperienced linebackers (Poppinga specifically). Brees will use Colston’s size and should have a repeat from last week. Snag him off the waiver wire and use him as your TE.
San Diego, DEF – This is one of the biggest must starts in week 2. San Diego shut down what was supposed to be a very good offense this season. They made Brooks, Moss, and Jordan all look bad.
Cincinatti, DEF – The Bengals did a good job on Kansas City last week, but won the game handily because of time of possession. Cleveland struggled against New Orleans’ defense last week, so expect this game to be a blowout for Cinci.

Risky Starts:
Roy Williams, WR, DET – Roy guaranteed a win against the league’s best defense. Roy has done well in his three starts against Chicago: 12 grabs for 197 yards and 1 TD. This is a boom or bust game for Roy, who usually puts up fairly inconsistent numbers, so I’m expecting a big game from him this week.
Frank Gore, RB, SF – Gore had an awesome week last week, with over 150 total yards and two scores. This week he’s facing a Rams run defense that was torched by Denver on 161 yards on 25 carries. However, Gore will be missing Larry Allen (knee - out) and Jonas Jennings (ankle - doubtful). Start him depending on whether or not these guys are back and ready to go.
Jake Delhomme, QB, CAR – Jake had a bad week last week and IF Steve Smith will be back this week, Jake should look back to his old form. Minnesota didn’t collect a sack or an INT last week against Washington, and Delhomme should have more time to throw and won’t have to worry about John Abraham owning him.
Dominic Rhodes, RB, IND – Westbrook had a huge day last Sunday against the Texans run D. Rhodes did next to nothing, outside of one TD on less than 2 ypc, but that was against a much better NYG run D. Start Rhodes as a #2, or even a flex back in your league, as he should have those type of numbers against a weak Houston run D. Keep in mind, Indy has THREE OL starters who are questionable this week.

Bench:
Drew Bledsoe, QB, DAL – I believe Bledsoe got his worst outing of the season out of the way already, however, Bledsoe faces another good defense this week in Washington. Bledsoe will need a couple weeks go get into a rhythm, then I believe he'll put up a consistant 18-20 fantasy points per game. Keep him on the bench until Tennessee next week.
Chad Pennington, QB, NYJ – Pennington looked great in the opener, but that was against a bad Tennessee defense. Pennington has a ton of talent, but the Jets need to establish a run game first and foremost. The more Pennington throws, the more mistakes he’ll make, especially against New England.
Kurt Warner, QB, AZ – Warner looked great last week, outside of his consistent fumble-itis. Warner is facing a solid pass D this week that basically shut down Mike Martz and a slew of talented pass catchers. Fitzgerald and Boldin are great players, but Warner could make more mistakes and should lose a couple fumbles facing a much better pass rush.
Edgerrin James, RB, AZ – James is running behind a bad OL where he managed a measily 2.8 ypc against San Francisco. Combine that with a much better run defense in Seattle this week, who held Kevin Jones to 2.5 ypc, and James should be on the bench this week.
Thomas Jones, RB, CHI – Jones has a minor hamstring injury which could limit his playing time against a Detroit defense that held Shaun Alexander to a 2.7 ypc last week. Expect Benson to play a bigger role throughout the entire game this week as well.
LaMont Jordan, RB, OAK – 10 carries for 20 yards. Possibly the second biggest disappointment for fantasy owners this weekend and going against Baltimore won’t help Jordan’s case in the least bit. Baltimore spanked Tampa Bay; holding the biggest disappointment of all fantasy drafts (Cadillac Williams) to just 22 yards.
Randy Moss, WR, OAK – Moss had 4 catches for 47 yards against Jammer and Florence; McAlister and Rolle will do a better job than that. Moss will still get 50-60 yards, but no scores and he’ll earn every yard; it’ll show on the sidelines too.
Troy Williamson, WR, MINN – Carolina looked terrible last week and gave up two TDs to Michael Vick, but their secondary looked better than the stats show. With Gamble, Lucas, and Minter in the secondary, Williamson is safer on the bench this week.
Kellen Winslow, TE, CLE - Winslow had a great showing last week, but the Browns are facing a very good Bengals defense. Despite the fact that Tony Gonzalez produced very good numbers last week against the Bengals, it’s still safe to bench Winslow.
Minnesota, DEF – Minnesota’s defense had a very good outing in the opener against Washington, but don’t expect them to be stellar this week against a hungry Carolina team – especially if Steve Smith is ready to go. Carolina’s offense will regain its last year form and the ground game is sure to pick up as well.
Indianapolis, DEF – They have more questionable players on defense than one can count on both hands (three healthy starters – Mathis, Freeney, and June). Do yourself a favor and bench the Indy D, even though they’re going against the Texans.

Waiver wire:
Seek out these guys if they’re still available:
Philip Rivers, QB, SD
Marques Colston, WR/TE, NO
Jerious Norwood, RB, ATL
San Deigo, DEF