The truth is out there

Week 1 in the NFL is all about deception.

And no I’m not talking about the New England Patriots and their “spying” on the Jets during last Sunday’s game.

What I’m referring to is the fool’s gold of fantasy players exploding in Week 1, only to disappear in Week 2. Remember Kurt Warner last year? He blew up for 301 yards and three touchdowns against San Francisco in Week 1 … and was out of a job by Week 5.

So who is this year’s mirage.

Well, let’s get to the questions:

How much should I give up to get Chris Brown on my team?

Answer: Let’s take a deep breath and put those Chris Brown Fanclub plans on hold. Yes, Brown was great in Week 1 — he rushed for 175 yards on 19 carries. But he also split carries with LenDale White (18 carries), who is still listed as the starter in the Titans’ depth chart. And Brown is a guy who is, how do we say this nicely, fragile as paper maiche. He’s missed at least a game with injury in every year he’s been in the league. If Brown’s on your waiver wire, pick him up and deal him while his stock is high. But don’t trade for him — he won’t equal his numbers from Sunday again.

Why was everybody so down on Moss? He’s back, right?

Answer: After sitting out all of the preseason, Moss looked great on Sunday (cheaters always have an advantage, right? Just kidding), catching nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. But as good as he looked this might be the peak for Moss. Wes Welker does indeed look to be a huge part of the Patriots’ offense (he caught 6 passes for 61 yards, including a red-zone TD) and Donte Stallworth, invisible for much of Sunday’s game (just one catch for 19 yards), will only see increased action, which will siphon catches away from Moss. Add in the fact that the Jets’ pass defense looks abysmal and you might, like Brown, want to deal Moss while his value is high.

Where was Deion Branch on Sunday? He sure wasn’t at Qwest Field.

Answer: Branch, who went without a catch for the first time in 55 games Sunday, was practically invisible against the Bucs. While this may have cost some owners a game this past Sunday, don’t part with the Seahawks’ No. 1 wideout just yet. Two reasons: This will not happen again (Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren pretty much guaranteed it wouldn’t on Monday) and D.J. Hackett could be out 6-8 weeks with an ankle sprain. That means more action for Branch, who struggled mainly because of the Cover-2 defensive scheme employed by the Bucs. Remember Branch should catch 80 balls for about 1,200 yards — now he’ll do it in 15 games instead of 16. If you don’t have him, see if his disgusted owner in your league will deal him at a pittance.

What were the most devastating injuries on Sunday?

Answer: You have to start in St. Louis, where left tackle Orlando Pace, sustained a shoulder injury that will end his season. This is a concern for Marc Bulger owners. Pace only played in nine games last year before a triceps injury shelved him, but the Rams were better equipped to deal with the loss then. This year, they’re already without guard Todd Steussie, so an already thin line has no room for another injury. Due to this, owners who start Bulger, who is no stranger to injuries anyway, should get a solid backup in place immediately. In New York, both quarterbacks — Eli Manning and Chad Pennington — are hurting and — who didn’t see this coming — Giants running back Brandon Jacobs appears to be out 3-5 weeks with a knee sprain. As for the quarterbacks, don’t start either — both most likely won’t play Sunday. If you lost Jacobs, pick up his backup — Derrick Ward not Reuben Droughns.

Who can I pick up this week for some help?

Answer: This may sound funny, but pick up Joey Harrington. The Falcons QB completed 23 passes for 199 yards against a very strong Vikings D. He had two interceptions, but one glanced off receiver Michael Jenkins hands. The Falcons are bad, but Harrington looks like he’ll get every chance to toss the rock with a weak run game. As for WR, pick up Dallas’ Patrick Crayton (Terry Glenn may never play again) and Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe (Eddie Kennison is already hurt). Also, if you have Shayne Graham or Josh Scobee as your kicker, pick up Packers kicker Mason Crosby. He looked good on Sunday and he’ll get plenty of chances with that great defense and sputtering offense.

Didn’t get your question answered? Send questions to aswaney@heraldnet.com