Deuce Is Loose!
Last season therewere probably more than a few Deuce McAllister owners who had their seasonsaved by picking up Ryan Grant in mid-season. This season, could it work theother way around? Like the others listed below, McAllister and Grant are amongthe most prominent players to confound fantasy expectations so far.
DEUCEMCALLISTER
Saints, RB
In his firstsignificant action since undergoing both reconstructive surgery on his leftknee and microfracture surgery on the right last fall, the Saints' careerrushing leader (above, left) showed plenty of bounce, running for 73 yards anda touchdown against the 49ers. The only cautionary note is that the Saints areabout to hit a gantlet of tough run defenses in Minnesota, Oakland, Carolinaand San Diego.
STEVE BREASTON
Cardinals, WR
Having made hismark as a kick returner, the second-year speedster is now getting into the flowof the Arizona passing game; he hauled in nine balls for 122 yards duringSunday's aerial fiesta against the Jets. Kurt Warner is averaging 35 passattempts per game this year, which means that Breaston, even as a thirdreceiver, should get his hands on plenty of tosses.
MILES AUSTIN
Cowboys, WR
Over the last twoweeks the erstwhile special-teamer, who totaled five catches in his first twoseasons, had 160 receiving yards and two scores; he's emerging as the"other guy" who will clean up while defenses scramble to cover TerrellOwens and Jason Witten. Austin is worth a start this week at home against theimploding Bengals.
PANTHERS
Defense
The claws areback out on the Carolina D. Linebacker Jon Beason and his mates have allowedjust one rushing touchdown this year and have limited opposing offenses to atotal of two touchdowns over the last three weeks.
RYAN GRANT
Packers, RB
Talk about yourunlucky numbers. In both of Grant's road games this year he's put up the samesorry stat line: 15 carries, 20 yards, no TDs. Just as troubling, last season'ssecond-half NFC rushing leader (near left) has yet to find his way to the endzone in '08. If he doesn't show improvement this week at home against theFalcons, it's time to cut your losses and ditch one of the biggestdisappointments in fantasy football.
VERNON DAVIS
49ers, TE
The physicallygifted Davis had yet another underwhelming week, with one catch for 19 yards ina loss to the Saints. No Mike Martz tight end has ever had more than 38 catchesor six TDs in a season, and Davis doesn't look as if he'll be the one to breakthe mold.
SELVIN YOUNG
Broncos, RB
He's Denver'sleading rusher, but Young has gotten the ball on a mere 35.6% of Denver'srunning plays this year, with Andre Hall taking away carries and, even worse,Michael Pittman stealing scores near the goal line.
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DOUG BENC/GETTY IMAGES (MCALLISTER)
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SCOTT A. MILLER/US PRESSWIRE (GRANT)