SUNDAY RECAP: AFC VARIETY

Laverneus Coles- The only significant injury this week was Jets WR Laverneus Coles who hurt his shoulder on the exciting lateral play that ended the Jets/Colts game. However, things look good as he is reportedly fine. If you own him, you should make sure he practice this week.

Daunte Culpepper/Ronnie Brown- All indications are that Miami is a lot worse than anyone ever could have imagined. It still seems likely that both players will improve as the season goes on. Remember that Miami had a similar start last year and they were the hottest team in the NFL during the last 6 weeks of the season. I'd keep Brown but bench Culpepper or trade him.

Laurence Maroney- In what's really been a stellar crop in rookies so far, Maroney is yet another to excel this season. Yesterday against a suspect Bengals rush defense Maroney went for 125 yards and 2 TD's. This appears to be the moment in his season where he has evolved into an every week fantasy starter as your RB 2. His numbers of carries will grow as the season continues, and looks like a future star in the league.

Carson Palmer- What happened? Palmer looked like the next Peyton Manning in the season's first three weeks of the season and facing a defense that made Jake Plummer look like a stud, all signs pointed to huge numbers this week. But........these are the Patriots and Belicheck is a modern day genius. Don't be worried about Carson because soon Chad Johnson will bust out and all will be well. Speaking of the Bengals WR.....

Chad Johnson- The Bengals really did try to get Chad involved early in the game by throwing to him three times on the opening drive. After that, Johnson was relatively quiet again. He's a top 5 WR in football and unlike lets say Randy Moss, Johnson has a stud QB. It's only a matter of time before Chad breaks out, and it'd be a perfect buy low time as Johnson owners will be restless through the bye.

Joe Jurevicius- It was probably the quickest 4-6 week injury recovery I've heard of but the Browns number one WR is back. You were rewarded if you played him as he scored a TD, but it appears that Braylon Edwards has become Frye's go to guy for the rest of this season. Jurevicius cannot be counted on for productivity weekly anymore in this Browns offense.

Joseph Addai/Dominic Rhodes- Both RB's performed reasonably well as Rhodes had 15 carries for 75 yards and a TD and Addai had 20 carries for 84 yards and a TD. There was no separation in the battle for carries, but Addai has looked much better so far this year. It may not be this year but Addai will one day start for the Colts.

Ron Dayne/Samkon Gado- Gary Kubiak, much like his former boss Mike Shanahan, is a liar. He said that Dayne and Gado would split carries right down the middle, but this did not happen as Dayne had 22 carries to Gado's 6. Dayne seems to be the desirable Texans RB right now but neither are worthy of starting.

Vince Young- Ouch. The Vince Young Era has began. Luckily the Titans aren't going anywhere so Young can use experiences like these to learn from. Young was 14/29 for 155 yards 1 TD, 2 INT, and a lost fumble. He also ran 5 times for 3 yards. The national champion didn't look awful but seemed to force a lot of his throws. The WRs appear like they will suffer as Young seems to feel more comfortable with his TEs at this point. Young shows a few signs of greatness but he's a waste of a roster spot in his first season.

LaDainian Tomlinson- LT was facing arguably the toughest defense he'll see all year and still totaled 98 yards on the ground. He's clearly the number one fantasy player at this point in the season and if you picked Alexander or Johnson ahead of him, you probably are regretting your decision. Tomlinson plays Pittsburgh next week and then should cruise to amazing numbers for the rest of the year.

Antonio Gates- I know your angry. I know your impatient. Settle down Gates owners, I am one of you and everything will be alright. Just like I said with Tomlinson following next week the Chargers will play a very easy schedule. Expect Gates to reach his full form about halfway through the season once Rivers becomes more comfortable with running the offense. He still should be the #1 TE by season's end.

Larry Johnson- The Chiefs RB had his first big game of the year against the pathetic Niners as he picked up 101 yards and 2 TDs. His yards per carry is not nearly as high and he is definitely struggling with the loss of William Roaf and Trent Green, and the addition of Herm Edwards. This seems to be where LJ turns the corner and starts another monster season.

Randy Moss- One catch 5 yards and a TD. No that's not Mark Sellars that's Randy Moss. The whole situation in Oakland has become a giant mess. Moss looks totally disinterested and appears to desire to leave at season's end. Moss will probably have two big games this year, and for the rest of the season will perform like a third WR. Honestly, if I had Moss it'd be hard for me to start him.