Rotoholics.com

After witnessing some staggering fantasy action in Week 2, there are lots of unanswered questions regarding what lies ahead. With our mailbag filled to the brim, allow me to retort.

What’s more likely to happen – a post-Pats hangover for the J-E-T-S defense, or the saw to last week’s see for Chris Johnson?
- Salivating C. Johnson owners

Is it a copout to say a little bit of both? Well, tough teats.

Actually, I think the fact that the Titans team come into the Meadowlands 0-2 only makes them sloppy rather than dangerous. The Jets are going to make Collins beat them and give those RBs fits. It’ll translate into turnovers for the Jets, limited output for Johnson and a 3-0 start for Greenies (don’t worry, though – they get New Orleans after that on the road. Talk about a bloodbath). You have to start Johnson, but don’t expect even a quarter of the fantasy points he got last week.

When am I going to turn this nightmare around?
- M. Forte

It better be soon, you bastard. On the make-lemonade-out-of-dog-crap side, Forte has faced some tough defenses (Green Bay and Pittsburgh) to open the season and is still feeling his way around with Jay Cutler. The schedule gets much easier from here on in, with Seattle on deck. The Seahawks gave up 207 yards on 16 carries on Sunday, so Forte should be salivating.

On the if-it-looks-like-dog-crap-and-smells-like-dog-crap-it-must-be-forte side, he has looked absolutely brutal in those first two games, averaging 2.2 yards a carry and getting stopped behind the line of scrimmage a lot. Also, Cutler doesn’t exactly seemed thrilled about the idea of checking down to him when his receivers are covered.

Honestly, I still think this can be chalked up to a slow start, and that good things are just around the corner. You just wait.

Um… just so you know, the Packers defense ain’t all that good. See Week 2 as People’s Exhibit A.
- C. Benson (29 carries, 141 yards)

(Sigh) Bite me.

What’s up with these Giants wide receivers? They’re not actually good… are they?
- Inmate #17, Riker’s Island Correctional Facility

Well, Winston Wolf just called and said to temper our collective excitement (he didn’t use those exact words, but you get the gist). It’s clear that opposing defenses are stacking the box in attempt to squash that run game and dare Eli to beat them. If he continues to do just that, the safeties and linebackers will have to back off – meaning more running and less passing (aka The Giant Way).

But in the meantime, hard not to like what you’re seeing from both guys. The most important thing is Eli has two guys he can trust. Did you see him in that two minute drill? He was as calm as ever.

Manningham looks like he has big play ability – he can make guys miss really well on screens and also shift into a higher gear when running downfield (as he did on Sunday night). After two weeks, he’s 6th in the league in receptions and 3rd in receiving yards (and only eight off the lead). Between him and Steve Smith, Eli has two sure handed options that can run great routes and get open.

Speaking of which, Smith looks awesome. He leads the league in catches and receiving yards and has been targeted 21 times (5th in the NFL). He looks like he could be making that third-year leap that seems to be such a big milestone for WRs. My only concern about Smith is he’s more of a possession receiver – I don’t see him getting into the end zone as much. If you’re in a PPR league, great pickup, though.

Just keep in mind that those numbers are wildly high for a Giants WR, let alone two, and that things will return to a more run-dominated attack soon.

Do you think Tim Hightower sold his soul outright, or did he win some sort of fiddling contest with the devil a la Johnny?
- Chris Wells, Arizona

Hang in there, Beanie. Your time is coming.

What possible reason could Minnesota have for not running Adrian Peterson on the goal line every single time. No one can stop that freakin’ guy!
- Jadrien Leterson, St. Paul, MN

I have no idea. Maybe that feel they need to appease Favre and give him a few opportunities to put numbers up. Of course, that doesn’t explain why they ran their fullback from the one on Sunday on first down (and ultimately scored on a pass to TE Shiancoe). It’s inexplicable why they don’t let the guy run it more down there. Of course, it probably saved me from a fantasy loss yesterday, so I can’t complain too much.

You regretting trading me yet? I had 105 yards and a touchdown!
- Mike Turner, Atlanta

I’ll tell you what, fat boy. You score double digits in fantasy points next week against New England and I’ll write an entire column dedicated to how great you are. Keep picking on bad defenses (nothing wrong with that)… but show me one solid performance against a good D and I’ll eat my words.

Do you get the feeling that Aaron Rodgers is a bit of a deer in the headlights when the pressure builds? He’s a crappy late-game performer and has looked weak so far this year.
- B. Favruh, Minneapolis

I’m a little concerned about Rodgers to tell you the truth. He’s going to put up his fantasy numbers, but he’s folding under the pressure like Romo does. He’s got a soft game next week against St. Louis, and I think he’s going to take it out on them pretty badly (who knows… maybe Jennings will even record a catch). But I say he lays a big fat egg against his predecessor in the game after that.

How bad a coach am I?
- Wade from Texas

Bad. Really, really bad.

You were so concerned about using a timeout to freeze the Giants kicker… ever think of exercising one or two as the Giants were marching downfield to give yourself some time if you got the ball back?

Also, when you try to freeze a kicker, you should do it before play starts, moron. You’re supposed to make them think about it a little longer – not get a practice kick.

Well done.