Week 7 Rankings Preview

Well I was wrong. Last week, I wrote "I'm benching Ryan Grant this week in favor of Le-Ron McClain. Even though he had 83 yards on the ground last week, Grant still hasn't found the end zone and I'm tired of the false hope." McClain had 2 attempts for -2 yards, a fumble, and 1 reception for 2 yards. He was in fact the lowest scoring RB among ALL backs last week. I could have started someone on bye week and scored more points. The Nerd had McClain ranked #15 last week with Grant at #17. I guess none of the experts saw that one coming.



Looking ahead to Week 7, I like Marion Barber at #1 and Clinton Portis at #2. LT follows at #3. Portis has been a machine this year and should dominate again this week (assuming he plays - check the Injury Report). He's a load to take down and defenses have to scheme to try and contain him.



This is the first week you won't see Tony Romo in the Top 10 and what a week not to have him! With both T.O. and Roy Williams spreading out the field (not to mention Jason Witten, the league's #1 TE), this would be the week where conventional wisdom says that Romo should have an easier time making big plays downfield.



What happened to Peyton Manning? We're starting to see his return and that may continue this weekend at Lambeau Field.



Trent Edwards fully practiced and is expected to start this week at San Diego. The Chargers give up a lot through the air and Buffalo's been scoring this year, so keep an eye on him.



WR's look pretty much the same as they have for the past few weeks. Brandon Marshall leads the rankings with Greg Jennings, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Plaxico Burress, Lee Evans, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and Terrell Owens rounding out the Top 10 this week.



I thought it was interesting to see Edwards listed in the Top 10 which hasn't happened since Week 1. Even though he had a monster game against the Giants on Monday Night, I'm not sure that I share the same optimism as the experts this week. Look at the weekly rankings for Braylon Edwards since Week 1.



Week 1: #5

Week 2: #15

Week 3: #24

Week 4: #28

Week 6: #39

Week 7: #8



I'd like to see at least another good week of Anderson-Edwards hook-ups before placing him in the Top 10, but hey, they're the experts. I'm also not sold on T.O. being in the Top 10 this week without Romo. We'll see this week.



I'm also having a hard time with some of the TE rankings. Kellen Winslow at #1? Are all the experts expecting to see the Derek Anderson of 2007 after 1 good game? Not only that, but Winslow's illness had him hospitalized. Should we expect a monster game from him this week? What's the reasoning behind that ranking? I also see Todd Heap at #6 this week. The only way Heap can achieve that is by getting active in the passing game. To date, he's been utilized almost exclusively as a blocker. Do the experts know something we don't??? Finally, I'm trying to choke down the #3 ranking for Jeremy Shockey. Don't get me wrong, I think Shockey is a great player, but I think it's premature to hoist him in the Top 5. Top 10 or 15 for sure, but #3?



Believe it or not, I don't have too many issues with the Defensive rankings this week. Pittsburgh arguably deserves to be on the top this week against a Cincinnati offense where nobody's driving the car. Tennessee and Tampa Bay are playing great defense this year and face Kansas City and Seattle respectively. Rounding out the Top 5 are the New Yorkers - the Giants and the Jets. If you've got the Giants (of which I'm in the same boat as you), let's pray that they don't repeat their Monday Night performance.

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