Our weekly digest of everything fantasy football. Facts don't lie and The Huddle is full of 'em. Projections for the weekend of Aug. 17-20. Stats through Aug. 16:


New Orleans Saints, QB
Comment: Brees completed 12 of 14 passes for 118 yards in his first preseason match-up. He has a good shot at leading the League in passing yards.

New York Giants, RB
Comment: Jacobs is set to be the Giants' No. 1 rushing option. He's not an exciting pick, but he'll get the job done.

Pittsburgh Steelers, WR
Comment: With Hines Ward drawing away coverage, Holmes should be explosive this season. The early evidence: Holmes' lone catch in the first preseason tune-up went for 49 yards.

San Diego Chargers, TE
Comment: There's no reason to think that Gates won't be the No. 1 tight end in fantasy football for a fourth consecutive season.

Arizona Cardinals, K
Comment: Although last season was somewhat of a disappointment, Rackers was the best kicker in fantasy football in 2005. After converting all three field goal attempts in the preseason opener, including a 59-yard rocket, Rackers looks like he's on course for superb 2007.

Defense
Comment: Last season's defensive juggernaut opened up the preseason by holding the Philadelphia Eagles to just three points.


Oakland Raiders, QB
Comment: A lengthy contract dispute has caused Russell to miss all of preseason football to date. With an end nowhere in sight, it remains to be seen how effective Russell will be with limited time in the Raiders offense once he returns.

Detroit Lions, RB
Comment: Jones will miss the entire preseason and possibly the start of the regular season with a foot injury. If Tatum Bell opens the season hot, then Jones will see a major reduction in touches. Since Jones has a history of injuries, buyer beware.

Denver Broncos, WR
Comment: Once an elite receiver, age and injuries are starting to slow Smith down. Now nursing a hip injury, Smith is likely to start the season on the sidelines.

New England Patriots, TE
Comment: There's no doubting that Watson has talent, but he'll have to compete with Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth and Wes Welker for catches.

Philadelphia Eagles, K
Comment: Akers has been inconsistent the last two seasons in Philadelphia, converting less than 80 percent of field goal attempts. He has to show he can still perform before he's worth taking a flyer on.

Defense
Comment: The Colts have always been an offensive-oriented team, and with Peyton Manning at the helm, that's OK. But injuries and few upgrades likely means the defense might take a step back in 2007.


Atlanta Falcons, RB
Comment: The injury pile is mounting for the Falcons. Dunn is a question mark to start the season following off-season back surgery for a herniated disk. With the explosive Jerious Norwood already expected to cut into his time, this only makes matters worse for Dunn. Even if he returns to start the opener, expect him to lose touches as the season wears on.

New York Jets, RB
Comment: Jones suffered a right calf strain and has been sitting out of practice the past week. He hopes to be ready to start the season, but leg injuries in running backs should always raise a red flag. We knew Leon Washington would cut into his carries, but how much so will depend on Jones' status to start the season.

Oakland Raiders, RB
Comment: With Dominic Rhodes suspended until Week 5, Jordan will be the Raiders' featured back. A sore back has kept him out of preseason games, but it is most likely just a precaution. Remember, Jordan had injury issues last season that limited him to nine games. Jordan has the opportunity to vastly improve on last year's stats and should be considered a viable sleeper pick.

New England Patriots, RB
Comment: The Patriots continue to hold Maroney (shoulder) out of preseason games and he has yet to don a non-contact jersey. The Patriots don't want to rush Maroney back and risk further injury; he'll be ready to start the season though. He figures to be an important part of the Patriots' attack and should be considered a No. 1 draft pick.

Philadelphia Eagles, TE
Comment: Smith is slow in recovering from a hernia suffered during the off-season. He is still expected to start on opening day, but his situation should be monitored closely. Smith has been reasonably solid in the past, posting 600-plus yards in two consecutive seasons. But if he is limited to start the season, his production will likely plummet — especially in the red zone where he has never been much of a threat.


Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.

650 Millions of dollars secured by each the New York Giants and New York Jets as they begin laying the groundwork for new stadiums tentatively scheduled to open in 2010.

78 Daunte Culpepper debuted in Oakland, completing 5 of 12 passes for 78 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard bomb.

59 Neil Rackers converted a 59-yard field goal attempt in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders.

5 Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following his indictment on dogfighting charges by federal court on July 17.


Miami Dolphins, WR
Comment: Wide receivers usually have trouble making an impact until their third season, but Ginn might be an exception. He's quick, strong and reads the field well. Ginn is a good sleeper pick for 2007 and could be a nice waiver wire pickup.

Carolina Panthers, WR
Comment: With defenses keying in on Steve Smith, Jarrett should experience success with the Panthers as a rookie. He's not as highly touted as fellow rookie Calvin Johnson, but Jarrett will be a solid addition for the Panthers.

Oakland Raiders, QB
Comment: Heading into the off-season, expectations were high for Russell — the No. 1 draft pick. A messy contract dispute has kept Russell off the field, however, and hopefully off your draft rosters as well. After missing all of training camp and the start of preseason, he figures to open the season as a backup: That is if he ever signs. No resolution seems forthcoming, and the Raiders signed Daunte Culpepper as an insurance policy. Russell is too great a talent to sit on the bench for long, but it's hard to justify drafting him knowing that he will likely spend the start of the season languishing on the bench.

Baltimore Ravens, QB
Comment: He's stuck behind Steve McNair on the depth chart, but there's still a lot to like about this young quarterback. He's quick, smart and has a strong arm; if McNair has any injury issues, expect Smith to get plugged right in.

San Francisco, LB
Comment: Willis figures to start immediately for the 49ers and might actually have the most impact of any rookie player. His speed, intelligence and power made him at dominator at Ole Miss. Willis, along with Nate Clements, should give the 49ers an instant defensive boost. With many players drafting defenses week-to-week, the 49ers might be one to hold onto.


vs. Panthers Defense
Comment: Donovan McNabb takes the field for the first time since tearing a knee ligament last November. Although McNabb has assured the public that his knee is fine, until he takes his first in-game hit, no one is ready to announce him fully ready for the regular season. McNabb was on pace for a career year last season before injuries forced him to miss his final six games. How strong his play is will determine the Eagles fate this season.

vs. Denver Secondary
Comment: Terrell Owens will get his first pre-season start of the season on Saturday against the Broncos. He will be lining up against Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly, two of the Leagues top corner backs, as he shakes away the off-season rust. Owens should play, but only briefly; the Cowboys won't risk injuring their star wide out before the start of the season.

vs. Derek Anderson
Comment: Saturday's match-up between the Browns and Lions might be the first chance the public gets to see Brady Quinn in action while wearing a Browns uniform. He sat out the first pre-season contest after his brief contract holdout limited his practice time. Now, we should get to see Quinn competing with Derek Anderson (along with Ken Dorsey and Charlie Frye) for a starter's job that is up for grabs.


The Bears will face the Colts on Monday in a rematch of last season's Super Bowl. The Colts ran away from the Bears then. The Bears are sure to have a chip on their shoulder — even if it's still the preseason. Look for an intense match-up and a wild crowd. But don't expect Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning to stay in the game for longer than quarter.



 Brady Quinn Practices

• The Huddle: Aug 10-Aug 17, 2007
• The Huddle: Aug 3-Aug 10, 2007
• The Huddle: July 27-Aug 3, 2007
• The Huddle: July 20-July 27, 2007
• The Huddle: July 13-July 20, 2007
• The Huddle: July 7-July 13, 2007
• The Huddle: June 30-July 6, 2007