Robert Meachem

ksdsoft18h21

Week 1 injuries: Brett Favre,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Percy Harvin
The joy in the city of New Orleans is palpable as the NFL season gets under way tonight. As I walked the streets Wednesday, an always friendly city seemed even friendlier, almost giddy, with "Who Dats" all around as everyone gears up for opening night. The start of the NFL season has a holiday feel here as schools and businesses close early today so that everyone can enjoy the festivities. Isn't that what the start of the football season is all about?
It's true that the New Orleans Saints' fans are still celebrating their Super Bowl victory. But everyone has reason to be excited about the start of the NFL season, because at this point, everyone's a winner. And that includes you, the fantasy owners. No matter who you've drafted or what your leaguemates think of your roster, everyone is on even par until the first week of matchups is complete.
The key to making sure you celebrate at the end of your fantasy season as much as you do at the start is managing your team well week in and week out. Injuries have always been one of the big levelers in any fantasy football league and it will be no different this year. As any fantasy owner knows, injuries are already making their mark on the 2010 season. Here are a few to consider as we head into Thursday's season opener.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], WR, New Orleans Saints: No,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] underwent surgery on the second toe on his right foot in May to address a problem that actually began late last year. According to NewOrleans.com, despite resting his toe following the Super Bowl run, it continued to nag at [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] during the team's offseason program, leading to the decision to undergo surgery. As a result he was on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start training camp but was activated in mid-August.[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych] has practiced since and even played in a couple of preseason contests. However, at times he has appeared to be bothered by the toe and not quite back to his deep threat ways. Knowing that [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] had his shoe customized to include a shank support under the insole (which helps protect a toe by limiting mobility), I thought perhaps the shank might alter how his foot feels when pushing off, which athletes sometimes complain about while adjusting to it. When I spoke with [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] after Wednesday's practice, he indicated that the presence of the shank does not bother him, and that it feels "natural." In fact, he says he is working on getting all of the natural elements of his position to come together, which I took to mean that he is just working his way back toward receiver shape. It will be worth watching how [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]fares in the season opener to gauge just how far he's come.