Going Deep: 2009 is the death of the Permastarters?

September 2nd, 2009 by Vince Mullins

Week One, Year Five.

Braylon Edwards at 2005 Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena. (Icon SMI)

I look forward to the season like a fat kid looks forward to cake and especially so I can watch some of the most graceful athletes in sports run like gazelles, cut like leopards and run through tackle like hippos. Yes, the wide receivers.

Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson were some of the bigger names, time has moved on from great college WRs like Todd Watkins (BYU), Raushaun Woods (OkSt) and Tim Dwight (Iowa) – but in their collegial days they were all PERMASTARTERS.

I do not have the empirical data, but I know that there are usually ten to twelve WRs you should start every single week regardless of matchup.

This year for Week One, I have three.

I dont know what to believe anymore – is 2009 the death of the Permastarters?

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I knew 2009 was a top-heavy year at the wideout position, with Tier One consisting of Big 12 studs Dez Bryant and Dezmon Briscoe and everyone else looking way up at them. As the season progressed I see why I focused on loading up on RBs. The only other WR who should get a majority of their teams action and is proven to do so is Eric Decker of Minnesota so there is your three. Many others are close to the expectation, but they are either brand new or share receptions.

I am going to reach a bit with the Permas this week, but lots of my questions will likely be answered.

TIER ONE

Dez Bryant, OSU hosts Georgia – we know UGA can get run on (remember Georgia Techj and LSU), but the secondary graduated three. A true freshman is expected to start in VHT Branden Smith, and even Coach Mark Richt says “we are a bit thin at the corners”.

I have it on good authority that QB Zac Robinson hamstring is fine. Best get some Coppertone Bulldogs fans, you just got burnt. Bryant is listed as punt returner also. (PS – Georgia RB Caleb King likely not traveling)

Dez Briscoe, Kansas vs. NORTHERN Colorado - looks like he learned from his suspension. Returning kicks also. Great tuneup for the Jayhawks O.

Eric Decker, Minny at Syracuse – I could spend a few inches explaining why Decker is the 12th rated WR but the #3 permastarter, that may work another day. But while Greg Paulus-Palooza sweeps up the locals in rapture, watch # 7 get seven a couple times against a matador -like Orange defense.

TIER TWO

Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson, SMU hosts Stephen F. Austin - like Briscoe, a great tuneup to see how Year Two of the June Jones Texas Tour sets up. Bo Levi Mitchell is slated to get a bulk of the work.
PS – Drew and I have been watching the development of Miami (FL) transfer RB Shawnbrey McNeal closely. Ruling on his eligibility is due Thu Sep 3 and he could be an EXCELLENT sleeper add. Not even on the U-sports database.

Arrelious Benn, Illinois vs. Missouri - a shootout of eepic proportions. 94 and 74 points scored in this opening matchup the last two years, time for Phil Steele’s Big Ten pick to hit the ground running as they have lost all four openers to the Tigers. Juice threw 5TD last season with that Gazoo-like helmet of his. Number is only 61 at Sportsbook.com, likely due to lower expectations of new QB Blaine Gabbert at Mizzou.

Mardy Gilyard, Cincy at Rutgers (4pm Monday) – Cincy looks good on O, bad on D – perfect for fantasy! Did you see Mel Kiper Jr. has Cincy QB Tony Pike as the #5 QB draft pick? Gilyard looks like the third best play of the week.

OK, I cannot stretch the hallowed definition of the permastarters anymore – here is the watch list.

DeAndre Brown, SMiss – game time decision to play against Alcorn State. How can you not give him another non-contact week for that leg if you are Coach Fedora? Stay tuned for the Burrito on sat morn for the latest update.

Michael Floyd and Golden Tate, ND - I took some heat on antoher website for snubbing these guys out of my super early Top 21. I deserved that, as Drew has both in his final Top 15. Nevada is a playmaker’s defense, but they do allow big plays. Sportsbook has ND as a 14.5 pt fave, that extra point is quite tempting to you degenerates, yes?

Mackay Jacobsen, BYU vs. Oklahoma - yes, we ranked him higher than any other sight in our cottage industry – it is decision time. I know I have him on 6 of my 8 teams (speaking of degenerates)

Who will lead Texas Tech? Sacrilige that I do not have anyone listed here, but is it athletic Detron Lewis in the slot, or Ed Britton at split end, Tramian Swindall or walkon Alex Torres at the hallowed flanker spot? The Fighting Sioux of North Dakota will be the first laboratory experiment for this complex equation.

And no Tulsa guys either – hell, we dont even know the QB yet! But hang out with me during their Friday Night national game at Tulane during FCB Blog Day Live starting Friday at 7pm. Even if my MacBook is still on the fritz, i will drag the old IMac to the living room to interact with you for questions on any topic under the opening weekend sun.

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