Preseason Football

Preseason Games 8/13
For those in keeper leagues, there is nothing exciting about preseason football. These days if you get out of Training Camp and Preseason with only 1 season-ending injury to a starter, it's a blessing. However, preseason does offer much more than a few heart attacks and your favorite teams punter battle. Tonight, there are 4 games on the slate, and in each game I have one player that could make an impact on your fantasy team this season. Preseason stats and records are meaningless, but player performance can elevate them on the depth chart and the fantasy scene.

Players to Watch
Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens
Look for a detailed review of this game, later tonight.
Demetrius Williams- This shouldn't be a big surprise, 'D-Will' is my sleeper pick for the Baltimore Ravens this season. Williams has been sidelined for much of training camp, again, but is expected to play tonight. With Mason playing it cautious and sitting out tonight with a jammed finger and Clayton out until week 1, Williams becomes the Ravens #1 receiver for time being. Williams was a 3rd round pick in 2006, who's flashed immense potential, but has spent more time in trainers room than the field. Williams has great hands, athleticism, size and speed. Physically he's the total package, and the Ravens have been hoping he's the deep threat they've sorely lacked. In his short, injury-riddled NFL career Williams has scores from 70 and 77 yards. This is valuable time for him to make his case, and steal Mark Clayton's spot away, and with Joe Flacco's arm strength, keep your eye out for Demetrius Williams.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
A rematch of one of the best Superbowl's in recent memory. The only thing I'm concerned about for the Arizona studs is their health. We know what Boldin, Warner and Fitzgerald can do.
Rashard Mendenhall- The grumblings from Pittsburgh, not the ones from Roethlisberger's stomach, are that Mendenhall has been unimpressive in training camp again, and may be in jeopardy of losing his backup role to Mewelde Moore. This is why preseason is important to fantasy football. Willie Parker is out tonight with back spasms, and my guess is he'll be limited throughout preseason. Mendenhall is getting the nod to start tonight, and will get a ton of work throughout preseason. If he continues to unimpress, don't be surprised to see him become the 3rd RB for Pittsburgh. He's a player to watch, he has sleeper potential; but a bad preseason makes him completely irrelevant.

New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid said his starters may play 1.5 quarters tonight, and Bill Belichek, well said nothing. The Eagles appear to have a potentially potent offense. McNabb, Westbrook (health permitting), and Desean Jackson are all interesting fantasy plays this year, but I don't expect to get a read on them preseason game 1.
Lesean McCoy-Westbrook's health concerns are well documented, which always made Buckhalter a great pickup 2-3 games a year. Now, McCoy's that guy. McCoy was highly touted RB out of the University of Pittsburgh, and was taken 53rd overall in this past draft. McCoy is a touchdown beast. Last season, McCoy had 23 rushing TDs, despite not being the prototypical redzone back, he may be a touchdown vulcher for the Eagles.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders
It will be interesting to see how Tony Romo will perform without T.O. The Cowboys offense features a lot of good fantasy prospects outside of Romo; Witten, Williams, Barber. and Felix Jones. The Raiders, ehh not so much. The Raiders brought in Jeff Garcia, for now, to backup former #1 pick Jamarcus Russell.
Jamarcus Russell- The Raiders QB situation is intriguing to watch as a football fan, and fantasy player. This is a former #1 pick playing for the craziest man in the NFL, being backed up by Jeff Garcia. It's a bind for the Raiders; If they think the supporting cast is good enough to reach the playoffs, Garcia has the proven track record; but, essentially, that would be throwing the white flag in on Russell and setting the franchise back even farther into a black hole (you like that). Zach Miller and Heward-Bey could be fantasy players to look out for, but only if Russell can start living up to the billing. McFadden is immensely talented, and ready to make an impact this year. It'll be hard for him to put up numbers, seeing 9-man fronts or 21 point deficits by halftime.