Thursday Morning Stampede

Pretty quite here on 'the big day' - there will likely be more news as the day goes on, but it's like the calm before the storm.

Kickoff tonight for the Giants and Redskins is 7PM EST - same as the Drive Block - and we're off and running for the 2008 season!

Here's the morning news -

Carolina Panthers
Matt Moore will be out 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula. He had a nice run last year while there were so many injuries to the QB position, but lost the #2 gig when Josh McCown came by. With a little luck, Delhomme will stay healthy and Moore wouldn't have been a factor anyway, but the young QB was a guy on many people's radar this off season.

Kansas City Chiefs
Rookie WR Will Franklin had a great preseason going until he hurt his knee. Many folks thought he was a nice sleeper pick - but between this (he will be questionable to start the season and may not play Sunday), questionable skill at the QB position and an being in the slot in an offense that will probably not go 3 WRs often, Franklin is no more than shaky bench depth right now in Fantasy Leagues.

Also in KC, rookie Branden Albert will start at left tackle after he lost most of preseason to a foot injury. That's a big concern - the guy was already moving postions (he played guard in college) missed a ton of important preseason work and he's still starting? Let's hope that learning curve isn't too steep. This whole offense is a concern, which is why Larry Johnson dropped pretty far in many drafts this year. Shaky, shaky, shaky.

Philadelphia Eagles
We were already assuming this, but it's a nice confirmation - rookie DeSean Jackson will start on Sunday against the Rams. It's a decent matchup for the young WR, who while a little undersized, is electrifying with the ball after the catch. Question is, who is the other WR? Curtis is out, Brown has a bum hammy - are we looking at the re-emergence of Hank Baskett, who was a brief Fantasy Darling a few years ago? Keep an eye on it - you know I'm no Reggie Brown fan.

Back to Jackson - keep your expectations checked - he's a rookie, the Eagles will spread the ball around and Westbrook and TE LJ Smith will get plenty of looks. But Jackson could be a nice #3/4 with upside this weekend.

That's all for now - we'll see what news perks up between now and the Daily News Stampede at Noon EST/9am PST.

See you then!