ESPN.com's NFL Blog Network is a terrific way to learn inside information about each team, and today you can find all of its division writers taking stock of the teams they cover, including risers and fallers. Their point of their Stock Watch feature, I believe, is for the bloggers to analyze their divisions from a big-picture perspective and avoid being overly reactive based on any one week of action, which obviously is something fantasy footballers have trouble with. For instance, Matt Forte hasn't been good, but he's not falling in my mind. He'll be just fine. And it's too early to dismiss Tom Brady or assume Willis McGahee is a reliable fantasy starter.
I'll keep the bloggers' format of three risers and three fallers, but remember, we're not overreacting at all, just pointing out themes. I'm starting with risers because I'm a positive person. And sorry, Fred Jackson is a bit too obvious, and I've discussed him plenty already today.
Rising
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees is obviously a stud, and as I noted Monday, he was unceremoniously and wrongly passed by Brady on rankings lists before draft day in far too many leagues. But Brees isn't doing what he's doing by himself. Mike Bell might really be interchangeable with Pierre Thomas. Reggie Bush has scored a rushing touchdown. Jeremy Shockey looks rejuvenated. Devery Henderson is worth adding. John Carney is reliable. Even the defense, the last piece of the puzzle, really, has six interceptions already and 21 fantasy points, albeit against Matthew Stafford and Kevin Kolb. This is a pretty good fantasy team the Saints have, all the way around.
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Eric Karabell
