Sundays are not good for my schedule.  Because of Sundays, I prefer not to go to work, do homework, or be a productive citizen.  

And then I realize (around 10 p.m.) that I have my weekly paper due at 8 a.m. the next morning.

Just like my crash and burn back to reality every Sunday night, Larry Johnson fell back to reality.

Many other players also had poor performances this week, whether due to injury or tough matchups.

However, Week 5 provided some outstanding performances by NFC running backs NOT named Barber or Westbrook, as DeAngelo Williams, Brandon Jacobs, and Clinton Portis all had monster days at the office.

Things we've all learned this week:

• Carolina's RBs are like a box of chocolates (you know the rest).
• Kansas City looks great against bad defenses...and they tend to forget the object of the game against everyone else.
• Surprisingly, Steve Slaton is the real McCoy.
• Plaxico Burress is a luxury item.  New York doesn't need him, but they pay a lot of money for him.
• Chicago traded their QB rotisserie to Detroit in exchange for Rock City's passing game. (Kansas City got a small cut in that QB deal too).
• Michael Turner discovered his contract did include showing up to road games.
• Tennessee and Baltimore simply kill fantasy football (Le'Ron McClain escaped unscathed).
• Sage Rosenfels likes to utilize Pro Bowl talent more than Matt Schaub (welcome back Andre Johnson).
• Drew Brees will continue to resemble Tom Brady of '06 and spread the ball around until he gets his top-flight receiver back (which may be in Week 6).
• Cincinnati's passing game will be OK. Check back for improper Spanish surnames next week.
• Felix Jones is fast. Think Speedy Gonzalez.
• Randy Moss's bio on the Patriot's website lists "Opossum" as his favorite game other than football.

Things we learned from last week:
1.  Goal-line backs are legitimate...kind of.  Tim Hightower and Le'Ron McClain combined for 29 points this week, but Jonathan Stewart, LenDale White, Deuce McAllister, and Jerious Norwood all underperformed.  I give a pass to White because he faced the Ravens, a draw to McAllister and Norwood because they are solely backup RBs, not just goal-line backs, and a fail to Stewart.  
2.  Ryan Grant is doing his best Larry Johnson ('07) impression...check.  Grant had a decent day running, but he was facing Atlanta, and even Johnson had a few good weeks as well (see last week).
3.  Denver won't produce a 1,000 yard rusher...check.  It certainly doesn't help that Selvin Young strained his left groin.  He was their leading rusher.

Mailbag (ben@tnjn.com)

I just picked up LeRon McClain this morning before anyone else could grab him. I am just curious if you think McGahee is going to end up splitting alot of time or missing alot of time during the rest of the season given his crazy propensity to get injured? Or will he likely settle into a groove after some early bumps in the road?
 
Thanks!
 
- Dan

Dan,

I think what you see right now is what you get.  McClain is going to get at least 10 carries per game and McGahee won't be seeing snaps inside the five.  McClain is on pace to top 1,000 yards rushing and score 16 TDs in 2008.McClain certainly showed up McGahee Sunday against the Titans, having a better yards-per-carry average and scoring a touchdown.  Remember McClain has scored in every game this season save for Cincinnati in Week 1.  McClain is on pace to top 1,000 yards rushing and score 16 TDs in 2008.  McGahee looks to gain under 700 yards and only 4 TDs at his current pace.  I will say that McGahee will do better than he is now, but I don't expect McClain's value to take much of a hit as McGahee's performances improve.

Studs & Duds

Stud QBs: (1) Aaron Rodgers, (2) Ben Roethlisberger, (3) Kyle Orton
Dud QBs: (1) Jon Kitna, (2) Matt Hasselbeck, (3) Brian Griese

Stud RBs: (1) DeAngelo Williams, (2) Brandon Jacobs, (3) Clinton Portis
Dud RBs: (1) Larry Johnson, (2) Jonathan Stewart, (3) Marshawn Lynch

Stud WRs: (1) T.J. Houshmanzadeh, (2) Andre Johnson, (3) Roddy White
Dud WRs: (1) Anthony Gonzalez, (2) Calvin Johnson, (3) Brandon Marshall

Stud TEs: (1) Chris Cooley, (2) Jason Witten, (3) Heath Miller
Dud TEs: (1) Antonio Gates, (2) Tony Gonzalez, (3) Anthony Fasano

Don't forget my pickups of the week in the sidebar.

You've got questions.  I've got answers.  And if you couldn't find them here, ask me.