80-81-23-30.
Those are unlucky numbers, cursed almost. And they are the jersey numbers of some first-quarter fantasy football busts. Like the characters on “Lost,” they’re stranded as “The Others” abscond with playoff hopes.
Throw ’em down the hatch
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans–You would think Johnson is speaking a language foreign to his quarterback David Carr, but the Texans allowed 20 sacks in their first three games. That doesn’t help.
Justin McCareins, WR, Jets–Justin who? You see, children, once upon a time, Justin was a scoring machine for the Titans. Then he got on a plane to New York and has since fallen off the radar.
Michael Bennett, RB, Vikings–He’s the “Boone” of the group. Looks pretty on paper but doesn’t do a lot to move things along. Now comes word that the Vikings tried to ship Bennett to the Cards. That’s like being exiled from Gilligan’s Island.
Nate Burleson, WR, Vikings–He was last season’s up-and-comer, and already he’s washed up. Burleson has done nothing to justify his midround fantasy draft status.
Can they get off island?
Ahman Green, RB, Packers–So far boars are the only things running wild up there. The Pack can’t go the entire season with a rushing touchdown every five games, can they?
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs–After losing to the Eagles, Gonzalez said, “I haven’t even sniffed the end zone this year.” Dick Vermeil absolutely cannot let Gonzalez’s absence persist. Stay tuned.
Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings–Strange things have been happening to Daunte. First Randy Moss is there, then he isn’t. Once Daunte could run and throw, now he can’t. No man is an island. Hopefully,
Troy Williamson will be his rescue raft.
Like: Rudi Johnson, RB, Bengals at Titans; Drew Brees, QB, Chargers at Raiders; Joe Jurevicius, WR, Seahawks vs. Texans
Dislike: Reuben Droughns, RB, Browns at Ravens; Randy McMichael, TE, Dolphins at Bucs; Byron Leftwich, QB, Jaguars at Steelers
Iffy about: Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Bears vs. Vikings; Stephen Davis, RB, Panthers at Lions; Jake Plummer, QB, Broncos vs. Patriots
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
