QUARTERBACKS

Brian Griese, Bucs (YES!): Year to year, you can never be certain that the worst defenses from the previous season will be weak again. However, even if the Vikings are correct that they’ve addressed their biggest issues, chances are that it will take a little while for the new defense to gel. Griese found new life with the Bucs last year, and should be able to take advantage of the porous Vikes. Moreover, the Vikings should be able to score enough to keep the Bucs in a position where they need to throw.

Joey Harrington, Lions (NO!): This team is literally filled with high draft choices at the skill positions, and they have a decent matchup in Green Bay. That makes Harrington an interesting possibility every year around this time. However, his track record has been so poor for so long that he must sit until he demonstrates that he has turned the corner.

RUNNING BACKS

Mike Anderson, Broncos (YES!): The theory here is the same as with Griese above – there’s only so much you can do about a bad team, even with a new coach. Nick Saban may figure things out quickly, but the Broncos have run too well for too long, and the Dolphins couldn’t stop anyone last year. Anderson should have a field day.

Cedric Benson, Bears (NO!): A number of high draft pick runners have excelled immediately despite holding out as long as Benson. However, Benson has a lot working against him this week. He faces a team that was difficult to run on, even in the midst of losing a lot. He has an experienced runner to contend with in Thomas Jones. Wait and see with Benson.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Joe Horn, Saints (YES!): Horn is a guy who seems to like the spotlight and the big stage. Unfortunately, the tragedy in New Orleans seems to have placed Horn in the spotlight. My guess is that he’ll get off to a very good start.

Hines Ward, Steelers (NO!): This is much harder than last year, when I could just write Peerless Price into this space every week. Ward is in an interesting situation. He’s got a big new contract to justify, but he’ll be functioning without Plaxico Burress, who took his size, speed and mental errors to New York. Plus Ben Roethlisberger looks shaky, and Ward’s numbers last year with him didn’t approach what he did with Tommy Maddux.

TIGHT ENDS

Ben Troupe, Titans (YES!): There aren’t a whole lot of clear sleepers here this year, but the Titans claim that they will utilize the tight end a little more this time around, and Steve McNair did use Frank Wycheck back in the day.

Marcus Pollard, Lions (NO!): In all but a few extreme instances, tight end production is as much a function of role as it is of talent. Pollard looked great at times during his time in Indianapolis, but tight ends have not generally faired well with Harrington. This is another situation where it’s safest to look elsewhere for a week or two.

KICKERS

Nate Kaeding, Chargers (YES!): Much has been made of his struggles. However, his misses have tended to be from long enough range that I think it’s much ado about nothing. The Cowboys struggled to stop the pass last year, and may have trouble with San Diego, even without Antonio Gates.

Mike Vanderjagt, Colts (NO!): The Colts were so proficient in the red zone last year that Vanderjagt saw his field goal chances dry right up. Throw in a tough Raven defense, and this might actually be a week to sit the game’s best fantasy kicker.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS

Indianapolis Colts (YES!): Bad defense? Maybe. But the Colts are a good team that should force the Ravens to pass more than they like, which may well create errors.

Washington Redskins (NO!): The opposite of the Colts. Good defense, but they shouldn’t be able to put away the Bears easily. Both teams will play this one close to the vest.