The running back scenario in Pittsburgh offers a classic challenge for fantasy football analysts and general managers. Injury-prone Willie Parker has a nagging big toe injury, which should be good news for those of you owning Rashard Mendenhall.
But Steelers coach Mike Tomlin limited Mendenhall to special teams work last week, his punishment for a poor week of practice. With just 107 yards rushing in seven career games, Mendenhall continues to fall short of expectations.

Hockey experts figured the Tampa Bay Lightning would deal franchise center Vincent Lecavalier before his 11-year, $85 million contract kicked in. After all, the team wasn’t in the soundest financial shape. A rift between Oren Koules and Len Barrie created some managerial chaos.

Lecavalier’s heir apparent, 2008 first overall pick Steven Stamkos, had a productive rookie year under his belt. Cornerstone Victor Hedman arrived in the ’09 draft. This seemed like a good time to retool. But Lecavalier stuck around – and now he heads the list of NHL players on the spot.

The third week of the season wrought havoc on fantasy football. Casualties abounded, including 49ers RB Frank Gore – who could be sidelined for three weeks with sprains in his right ankle and right foot. Gore had a 207-yard against the Seahawks earlier this season, with TD runs of 79 and 80 yards. He would have been a strong bet this week against the hapless Rams, a team he has repeatedly gashed during his career. Instead, he will sit. With the help of the bye week, Gore might only miss two games. But fantasy GMs still have to sweat the re-injury risk and the potential of this solid RB-1 playing at less than full speed.

It’s hard to imagine any fantasy GM starting Michael Vick this week, even with Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg promising to deploy him. But Vick’s return to action is interesting, especially with Kevin Kolb expected to start in place of Donovan McNabb for a second consecutive week.

Back in 2006-07 for Buffalo, he scored 95 points with a plus-17 ranking and 89 penalty. He was one of the NHL’s most dynamic performers.

Briere has played just 108 games in two seasons in Philadelphia, though, scoring 99 points with a minus-23 rating. He had 25 points in 29 games last season.

Now he hopes to join an impressive list of potential bounce-back players this season

Stardom seldom comes all at once in the NHL. Forwards – especially those playing a power game – need time to develop.



Consider the case of Ducks power forward Corey Perry. He has improved steadily during the past three seasons, boosting his point total from 44 to 54 and 72.



His plus-minus rating for that span in plus-34. He earned 217 PIMs the past two seasons, which is considered a positive on this combative team. He plays on a line with two other emerging forwards, center Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan.

Now there was the Ronnie Brown fantasy GMs were hoping to see this season. His Dolphins got the Wildcat offense in full gear Monday night. That allowed him and fellow RB Ricky Williams to play keep away with the Colts, monopolizing the ball all game long. Brown rushed 24 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for more yards out of the Wildcat formation alone (62) than he gained the week before rushing and receiving (53).

It didn’t take long for casualties to mount and present fantasy general managers some vexing problems to grapple. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb suffered a rib injury which could knock him out of Week 2. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson is on the shelf with an ankle sprain. Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez could be sidelined for half the season. There has already been lots of carnage.

The bosses me under a lot of pressure at the World Championship of Fantasy Football. The staked me to a team in a 5K draft, putting up against some of the highest rollers in the industry.

This sums up Week 1 of the fantasy football season: Saints QB Drew Brees threw six touchdown passes and Eagles QB Donovan McNabb got knocked out with broken ribs. Those were two of the more extreme developments during the first weekend of NFL action. Brees reigned as the statistical king of professional football while McNabb lost his opportunity to drive the powerful Eagles offense for at least the next few weeks. Meanwhile, fantasy GMs who invested a late-round pick in Michael Vick patted themselves on the back for having such excellent foresight.

During NBA playing days, all-star Gary Payton developed a knack for getting under the skin on his opponents. That skill carries over to other ventures, like the celebrity draft he hosted at the World Championship of Fantasy Football at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This event, staged to benefit charity, brought an assortment of former athletes, sports media personalities and entertainers to the table.

Once again, the NFL’s preseason – as limited as it is – ended with a massive casualty list.

Several injured players are still hoping to play in Week 1, but fantasy general managers will have to keep a close eye on these guys.