The fantasy love affair with Donnie Avery started in Week 7 of the 2008 season. I picked up Avery as an injury replacement and was pleasantly surprised when he had 55 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys.

Monday Night Football commentator Jon Gruden had it right when he called the first half of the Colts and Packers game a quarterback clinic.

Patriots RB Laurence Maroney was one of the guys I was going to keep an eye on during the first half of the Patriots game with St. Louis, but that was kind of hard considering that he was not on the field.

The Greatest Show on Turf is back, ladies and gentlemen. St. Louis has a high-flying offense again.

The Packers showed just how serious they are taking the preseason by dialing up some long bombs from QB Aaron Rodgers.

Most football enthusiasts — hardened fans and fantasy players alike — were surprised that Patriots WR Wes Welker has had such a remarkable recovery from a knee injury. And if they were not, you had to be surprised at just how much the Patriots went to Welker during his first action.

Apparently Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has seen enough of QB Matt Leinart, now he wants to see what Derek Anderson can do. Anderson will get the start for the Cardinals on Saturday, according to Darren Urban (via Twitter).

Kurt Warner is not walking through that door. Warner made it abundantly clear on NFL Network on Wednesday, chatting with Rich Eisen and Trent Green.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley talked extensively about his running back situation during his press conference on Tuesday, specifically about Jamaal Charles.

NFL Senior Columnist Vic Carucci pointed out in his Tuesday Huddle that many would be clamoring for Kurt Warner — the Kurt Warner Machine if you will — to come out of retirement to save the Cardinals franchise. Or your fantasy team.

Before we get into the news about Sidney Rice‘s pending surgery, let’s review one of the most basic of fantasy commandments that I hold dear — do not have your fantasy draft until September. Or at least after the third preseason game.

The Lions have a sneaky number of potential sleepers, breakouts and dudes who will be better than you think this year. QB Matthew Stafford is a favorite of our editor Craig Ellenport. I am found of RB Jahvid Best and WR Calvin Johnson (but who isn’t). The key for this team? The offensive line.

Chargers backup RB Mike Tolbert got a goal-line carry last week, and the hysteria among fantasy enthusiasts was palpable. Rookie RB Ryan Mathews was going to lose carries on the goal line, some yelped. Like they were George Costanza or something.

Texans RB Arian Foster will be benched for the entire season!

At least that is the snap judgement in this edition of Overreaction Theater.

There is a guy in my Corona Football Fantasy League — lets call him Jimmy, because that is his name — who is my absolute foil. I like a player, Jimmy always ends up taking him one round before I get a chance.