Week 4 is in the books, so what else have we learned?

We’ve learned that the New Orleans Saints don’t need Drew Brees to throw five touchdowns a game to win.

Brees had nine TD passes in his first two games but has none in the last two, yet New Orleans is still 4-0. The reason is an improved running game and an improved defense.

The Saints are allowing one touchdown less per game (16.5 points) than they did in 2008. They’ve also received quality run production from Mike Bell (the first two weeks) and Pierre Thomas (the last two weeks).

This probably doesn’t bode well for Brees and his receivers in terms of fantasy, but it’s likely the New Orleans’ aerial attack will still be one of the NFL’s very best by the end of the season.

We’ve also learned that the 4-0 Denver Broncos are an improved team from 2008. The defense is significantly better and new quarterback Kyle Orton is beginning to look a lot more comfortable in the offense.

The Broncos’ D has allowed just 6.5 points per game through four games. That will change as Denver moves into a much more difficult part of its schedule but, considering preseason expectations, the Broncos are already a pleasant surprise.

The Tennessee Titans are the mirror-image of the Broncos. Their 0-4 start is totally unexpected and both the offense and defense have struggled. Don’t be surprised if Vince Young gets another shot to lead the team in the near future.

Week 5 Injury Updates: Oakland tight end Zach Miller (concussion, day-to-day); Baltimore wide receiver Derrick Mason (back, day-to-day); Chicago wide receiver Johnny Knox (shin, probable for next game); Denver running back Correll Buckhalter (ankle, questionable for next game); Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (knee, questionable for next game); New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning (heel, probable for next game); Cleveland running back James Davis (shoulder, put on IR before Week 5).

Players to Jettison: Byron Leftwich, QB, Tampa Bay. The next time you hear of him, it will be because of his release.

Lavernaues Coles, WR, Cincinnati. It’s obvious he’s not an integral part of the Bengals’ passing game.

Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis Rams. A preseason darling of fantasy drafters, Avery is grossly under-produced on a very bad team.

Free Agents to Consider: Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Bryant was drafted in just about every league this year but, in many of them, he was dropped after three unproductive weeks. He finally showed up Sunday with four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. If his rapport with new QB Jeff Johnson is for real, he’s worth a pick-up.

Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is still a long way from being a No. 1 fantasy QB, but he has made himself a viable No. 2 passer. Against Dallas on Sunday he threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Cleveland wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi failed to find the end zone Sunday but hauled in eight catches for 148 yards. He’s on a bad team that won’t score a lot of points but he has chemistry with new QB Derek Anderson, which makes him a legitimate back-up/bye-week starter.

Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller usually shows up for about three games a season. Sunday was one of them as he hauled in eight catches for 70 yards and two scores. Ben Roethlisberger looks for him in the red zone and that makes Miller valuable.

Cleveland running back Jerome Harrison carried 29 times for 121 yards Sunday. The Browns are dismal but a starting back with no committee can still help most fantasy teams. Give him a look.



Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at

jrueda@ mankatofreepress.com.