Solid tight ends and quarterbacks are a dime a dozen these days. Because most leagues only require one of each (and don't permit them to qualify anywhere else), running backs and receivers have even more value by comparison. Players like Dustin Keller, Jeremy Shockey (always productive when healthy), Aaron Hernandez and Tony Moeaki are now useful starters (actually, Keller might be a top-5 TE), and that's in addition to the usual suspects like Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark, Vernon Davis, Jermichael Finley, Tony Gonzalez, Zach Miller, Jason Witten, Chris Cooley, Visanthe Shiancoe. etc. Sure Brent Celek and Kellen Winslow have been quiet, but if you had to roll with them, it wouldn't be a major problem. Essentially, after 2-3 guys, there's very little difference between a top-5 TE and someone you just got on the waiver wire.
QBs are almost as bad - Kyle Orton, Michael Vick, Jay Cutler - these guys are putting up monster games every week. Is there really such an advantage to having Tom Brady, Tony Romo or Matt Schaub? Eli Manning's defense looks bad again, but his receivers look good, Peyton's always going to get his, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan. Even Matt Hasselbeck has been good thanks to two rushing TDs. And is there any doubt Josh Freeman, Joe Flacco or Donovan McNabb could have a huge game given the right matchup?
The Giants' sloppiness and lack of discipline has carried over from last year. The personnel is fine, so this is a coaching failure. Tom Coughlin needs to turn it around fast, or he should go. Mark Sanchez is already an above-average quarterback, and he still doesn't have Santonio Holmes, his best receiver, back. Braylon Edwards played well Sunday night, but after getting busted for DUI - his end zone dance was ill-advised. Just hand the ball to the ref and at least seem contrite. The Steelers are such a well-run organization. Remember how effective Byron Leftwich was when Ben Roethlisberger got hurt a few years ago? Now Charlie Batch comes in and plays great, too. Put those guys in Cleveland or Carolina, and they'd be disasters. The Bills should look to the Lions for advice on "how much responsibility" to give their first-round rookie back. But the Lions should look to the Dolphins for advice on feeding the ball to your freakishly athletic receiver. Except that Miami strangely didn't look Marshall's way at the tail end of the game. Bottom line for Chan Gailey and Jim Schwartz/Scott Linehan - sometimes you should just do the obvious - get the goddamn ball to your best players. Beanie Wells will be a top-15 back yet. Derek Anderson is terrible. Matt Moore wasn't good the first two weeks, but the switch to Jimmy Clausen this early seems like the Panthers have already given up on the season. Which is very surprising since they finished last year so strong. Despite three touchdowns, Randy Moss has just nine catches in three games. Despite 18 catches and three touchdowns, Wes Welker has less yards than Terrell Owens, Roscoe Parrish and Danny Amendola. He does have eight more than Moss though. Austin Collie leads the NFL in catches, receiving yards and TDs, i.e., he's got the triple crown right now. No idea whether he'll finish as a top-15 receiver. Adrian Peterson has 13 catches and no fumbles through three games. LeSean McCoy has four touchdowns already, but only 34 carries through three games. That's a 180-carry pace. And the Eagles have been ahead in two of their three games for most of the way. Sebastian Janikowski has already missed five field goals.
