MONDAY NIGHT WRAPUP

In one of the more emotional spectacles in the history of the NFL, the Saints returned to New Orleans barely a year after the Superdome was a decrepit shelter for evacuees following Hurricane Katrina. In one of the few instances in recent memory, a game with so much hype and emotion lived up to it's billing. The game was kicked off by a riveting concert by U2 and Greenday, including stirring renditions of House of the Rising Sun and The Saints Come Marching In.

Although the majority of sports fans felt that the Falcons were the far superior team, few people could root against the Saints on this night. After a forced three and out by the Saints defense, the Falcons lined up to punt. Daylight between the long snapper and guard, the defender comes through, smacks the ball. The roar of the crowd. The cornerback picking up the ball. Touchdown Saints. Deafening noise. A city reborn. 23-3 Saints.

FANTASY IMPLICATIONS

Before we get into the fantasy importance of the game I need to divulge to you my fantasy situation last night. After starting out 0-2, I was desperate for a win. With Portis finally coming back and Parker putting up big numbers, I had 94 points going into the Monday night game. However, because of Brian Westbrook and John "Gruden Hates This Guy" Kasay, I was staring at a 101-94 deficit. However I felt confident with Marques Colston and Atlanta D that I would win. Well despite a pathetic performance from Atlanta D, Yahoo Stattracker informed me at 12:05 AM I had won 102-101. This morning when I go to look at my team I see that now the score is 101-101. Clearly being infuriated, I write a long e-mail demanding an explanation. We'll see what transpires. Thanks for letting me vent, now here's some analysis......

Marques Colston- He could quite possibly be the Fantasy's Gods gift to man. A WR who puts up big numbers that's eligible at TE. He looked unstoppable last night and can be counted on for production every week. You can place him with Gates and Gonzalez among the game's elites TE's.

Saints D- despite this unstoppable performance, this young defense with few playmakers cannot be relied on every week. They look vastly improved but cannot be a starting option quite yet.

Reggie Bush- He's simply just not a dominating fantasy player at this point of his career. He'll get very few TD's and will be very inconsistent in yardage, especially against disciplined defenses. He's a very risky weekly play.

Michael Vick- Although Vick is also very inconsistent, he seems to be much improved and a better start than normal. He should put up about 150 passing 50 rushing and at least a TD every week. This "option play" seems to have been stopped, but he will continue to play well.