1. Challenging the Myths: Young Wide Receivers Rising to the Top

Guys like Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Torry Holt have dominated the wide receiver landscape for the past decade not only because they are so good, but also due to the fact there have been so many busts in recent years. Wide outs by and large haven’t turned out to be what they were projected to be. That appears to be changing this year as three guys on Sunday further established themselves as forces to be reckoned with for the decade to come. One is just a rookie, another a second-year player, and the third is in that “breakout” year number three, despite playing for the Browns. Let’s talk about all three guys for a moment.

Dwayne Bowe: Sunday stats: 8 catches, 164 yards, 1 TD

Bowe is busting through all sorts of myths right now. The first is that rookie receivers rarely contribute. The second is that Kansas City Chiefs receivers during the Tony Gonzalez era aren’t that productive. Bowe is garnering some serious looks as an every week starter. If you start three WRs, he’s probably already there, but at this point, I think he’s approaching #2 fantasy wideout status. He’s a myth-buster thus far and Sunday, the Chargers flat-out couldn’t stop him.

Santonio Holmes: Sunday stats: 6 catches, 128 yards, 2 TDs

Here’s a myth that’s about to be history: Hines Ward is the #1 receiving option for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, I know Ward was hurt this week, leaving Holmes as the primary target, but he stepped into the void and then some. Ben Roethlisberger is still a young QB and it is noticeable he and Holmes have developed a rapport. Much like Bowe, Holmes appears to be “breaking out” before receivers are supposed to.

Braylon Edwards: Sunday stats: 3 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD

The stat line isn’t as impressive as the other two guys noted here, but the difference is Braylon has put up big numbers now three weeks in a row and today, against a supposed top tier defense. Again, one of the primary myths in jeopardy here is that exciting fantasy options don’t reside on the roster of the Cleveland Browns. Better re-think that one and quick.

The Buzz on this first day of October has nothing to do with Harrison, Holt, or Owens. Say hello to a new trio of prime time wide outs: Bowe, Holmes, and Edwards. I think all three will finish in the top fifteen at the position by year’s end barring injury, and Edwards should be top ten.

2. The Gunslinger is Back….And A New Generation Gunslinger Has Emerged

Tony Romo grew up idolizing Brett Favre. Little did he know that four weeks into the 2007 NFL season, both guys would be leading 4-0 teams and leading fantasy teams to big wins in the process. Romo is becoming a fantasy monster. He has already thrown for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns this year. Projecting that over sixteen games yields him 4,800 yards passing and 52 total TDs. I don’t think he’ll get close to that, but 4,500 and 35 seem like potential benchmarks for a star on the rise both in fantasy football and reality.

As for Favre, the fantasy world is standing at attention. No one saw this coming. The Packers aren’t running the ball well, they don’t have big name receivers after Donald Driver, and yet Favre has been torching opposing defenses for a month now. The Vikings were the latest victims of the Favre resurgence and it doesn’t look like things are going to slow down soon. You probably drafted Favre as a backup this season. It’s about time to see what you can get for your “projected starter” when the season began and start jumping on the bandwagon. Favre provides what Peyton Manning provides: A nearly certain sixteen games year in and year out. And, while Manning had a solid Sunday, everybody’s talking about Brett & Tony this morning. I even think their style on the field mirrors one another. If Brady is this generation’s Montana, and Manning is this generation’s Marino, here’s a vote for the next generation’s Brett Favre. It’s Tony Romo.

3. The Wake Up Call Is In: Running Backs Re-Emerging

As we go to press, six running backs have already eclipsed the 120-yard mark in Week Four…more than in any other week thus far and with four fewer teams playing.

The Yardage Monsters: Ronnie Brown, Travis Henry, Joseph Addai

All three of these guys have made fantasy owners very happy so far this year (although Henry isn’t getting in the end zone much) and owners of each are buzzing this morning about what a great selection they made on draft day. Just look at these total yards from scrimmage through four weeks: Ronnie Brown- 559 yards…..Travis Henry- 485 yards…..Joseph Addai- 467 yards. Addai and Henry appeared to get banged up a bit on Sunday, but if they’re okay continue inserting them in your lineup and expect good things. As for Brown, one has to wonder what has gotten into him the past two weeks. If you traded for Brown after Week Two, you’re in great shape now!

The Studs: LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson

Sure, the Chargers appear to be in a state of chaos and implosion, but Tomlinson’s stat line sure looked better today. Larry Johnson was a beast in the fourth quarter for the Chiefs. The match-ups just get better and better for these two in the weeks to come: They’re going to carry some teams through the Bye Week gauntlet- hopefully, yours!

The Fargas:

Okay, okay. No one’s suggesting that Justin Fargas is the second coming of Gale Sayers or anything, but when you gain 179 yards rushing on a Sunday, you get a little love from the Buzz. I hope Lamont Jordan owners aren’t waking up to bad news with regards to his injury.

So, there you go. Plenty of buzz abounds this morning as the 2007 season continues to take shape. As I close, the Giants have just sacked Donovan McNabb for the twelfth time tonight. Time to bring back the throwback uniforms in Philly. Also, if you’re a Cadillac Williams owner, the Buzz offers condolences. I would expect a pretty even split from Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman moving forward. Hope everyone survives Monday- God Bless until next week...