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John Georgopoulos
 Senior Editor and Founder John T. Georgopoulos is a 15-year veteran of the fantasy sports industry. He has written for several national fantasy magazines and has appeared on sports talk stations around the country.
John has also been a six-time finalist for various Fantasy Sports Writer Association (FSWA) awards; his Fantasy Forecast column was awarded the 2006 Best Fantasy Football In-Season Series by the FSWA. View all blogs by John Georgopoulos...
Top-10 early season fantasy disappointments
The following Top-10 early season fantasy busts are based on production compared to average draft position (ADP).
()= Average Draft Position
1. Steven Jackson - St Louis - (3) Jackson can't use his groin injury as an excuse, not according to the Six Days to Sunday staff. He was simply overvalued in the preseason following a career year in 2006. Jackson is averaging a respectable 77 yards per game rushing, but his zero touchdowns and eight receptions over three games makes him Six Days to Sunday top early season bust.
Outlook: Jackson is a wash. He isn't expected to make a return to game day action until Week 10 and at that point the Rams could very well be 0-10. Entering their Week 6 game in Baltimore today the offense has only three Week 1 starters standing. Most owners that spent a second round selection on Jackson are looking up in the fantasy standings.
2. Larry Johnson - Kansas City - (7) His 55 yards per game on the ground and zero touchdowns this year have him averaging seven fantasy points per game in traditional formats.
Outlook: I didn't like him in the preseason, passed him up in several drafts this summer, and don't like him today against a Bengals defense that is offering up 32 points a game. I have strongly recommended that he be traded now for three weeks.
3. Drew Brees - New Orleans - (54) Brees is averaging 5.75 fantasy points per game in traditional scoring formats. The 5.75 ppg is absolutely pathetic for a running back; for a quarterback -- it's fantasy death. The Saints quarterback has one passing touchdown and nine interceptions on the season.
Outlook: Brees is one of the few early season disappointments that has a favorable outlook. The Saints offense starts to rebound today with a shootout in Seattle. Reach out to fellow owners in your league and see what it will take to garner the services of Brees, but do it before he throws for three TDs this afternoon.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville - (38) Believe it or not, the second year back was actually taken in the first-round of some expert drafts the SDS staff took part in this summer. His 45 rushing yards, seven fantasy points per game and one total touchdown and are dreadful -- but deserving for those who took him earlier than the fourth round.
Outlook: Fred Taylor pulled a groin muscle this week. If that injury lingers Jones-Drew might find a way to contribute fourth round fantasy numbers. Expecting first round numbers from the Jags tailback is idiocy.
5. Thomas Jones - New York Jets - (38) His 40 yards and seven fantasy points per game have been disappointing.
Outlook: The Jets have pulled the unthinkable, churning out a second-year misery under 2006 coach of the year candidate Eric Mangini. The blame is currently laying at the feet of veteran quarterback Chad Pennington, but it isn't all his fault. Jones hasn't been healthy and Brian Schottenheimer hasn't done as good a job playing calling this year. Jones can only get better moving forward playing in the AFC East.
6. Marvin Harrison - Indianapolis - (34) Harrison, who missed the teams last game is averaging a paltry 58 receiving yards and seven fantasy points per game.
Outlook: It was jut a matter of time before father-time caught up with Marvin. His outlook is still promising, but he has finally taken a backseat to younger receivers, Reggie Wayne and versatile TE Dallas Clark.
7. Javon Walker - Denver - (68) - The Bronco wide out has played in only three games this year, but has yet to score and has average seven fantasy points per game.
Outlook: Denver is falling apart at the seams. The 2-3 Broncos could easily be 0-5 and the offense isn't the same without John Elway -- duh!
8. Marc Bulger - St. Louis - (64) - He has lost his offensive line, starting running back, his healthy ribs and his starting job --- to Gus Frerotte of all journeyman. Bulger has two TDs, four INT and is average 8.25 fantasy points per game in traditional formats.
Outlook: No team has suffered more injuries, fantasy relevant injuries than the Rams and the outlook is bleak for Bulger and company moving forward.
9. Lee Evans - San Francisco - (60) Evans and the Buffalo offense has been a disaster. His 101 total yards receiving and 2.5 fantasy points per game have been the ruin of more than one fantasy owner.
Outlook: The weather will only get colder in Buffalo. If Evans was going to be a fantasy threat he would have had at least one strong performance by now.
10. Hines Ward - Pittsburgh - (86) Averaging 33 yards and five fantasy points per game.
Outlook: The bye-week will help the aging veteran right his knee, and his production should pick up as the team fights tooth and nail for an AFC North title. The Steelers offense has never been consistent or predictable under Big Ben and that won't change for the Steelers player personnel. I will revisit this category and early season bust list after Week 10. At that time we will see just how wrong or right I was... --Tony Finn
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