Note: You certainly don’t need me to tell you that elite players like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Jason Witten, etc., are ‘must-starts’ every week. Never (ever!) sit a stud, unless you’re prepared to get burned (and subsequently ridiculed by league mates). It is equally as effortless for me to tell you to sit the rookie QBs, 2nd string RBs and journeyman WRs, but that really isn’t going to help you either. That is not what this column is about. The purpose of the Shot Caller’s Report is to identify players who I expect to perform like a quality fantasy starter on a given week; and on the flip side, exposing some of the more highly-regarded players who I anticipate could disappoint.

Each week when compiling this report, I take into consideration not only the individual players mentioned, but also the state of their teams and their opponents, team schedules, historical player performance, inclement weather (when applicable), and of course, injuries. This is a dynamic, stat-driven article that aims to assist you in making the right roster decisions for your fantasy squad. Your feedback is important to me, so please keep the emails coming. Got a specific roster question relative to your team? Fire away.

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Matt Hasselbeck vs. St. Louis
Despite just 4 wins from the Seahawks a season ago, they still finished third in the Division, ahead of the lowly Rams. Hasselbeck has something to prove after an injury-riddled 2008 season, and should have no problem doing so against a squad that served up 29 points per game to opponents last year. With a new head coach, a loud home field advantage, a weak opponent and newcomer TJ Houshmandzadeh split wide, Hasselbeck is in line for a nice day.

Palmer's ready to air it out at home against the Broncos.

Carson Palmer vs. Denver
Palmer suffered a torn ligament in his throwing elbow last season which limited him to 129 pass attempts and just 3 passing TDs in 4 games. After averaging 26 TDs in first 4 years, Palmer is a good bet to bounce back. He’ll get his season off to a solid start against the Broncos; Palmer has a 64.1% completion percentage at home during his career.

Shaun Hill @ Arizona
While not the most striking option, Shaun Hill has quietly posted respectable numbers as a starter in San Francisco. Over the last two years when Hill is behind center, the 49ers are 7-3. In his last game against the Cards (2008 - Week 10), Hill threw for 217 yards and 2 TDs. While there are a few new faces on board, bear in mind this Cardinals defense surrendered an NFL-high 36 aerial scores 1 year ago.

Kurt Warner vs. San Francisco
Warner has 23 career TD passes versus the 49ers, his highest total against any team in the league. In 2 games against SF in 2008, Warner threw for a combined 525 yards and 4 TDs. Get him in there, you know he’ll put up points until the much anticipated injury bug strikes.

Donovan McNabb @ Carolina
McNabb started off 2008 with a bang, tossing 3 TDs and 361 passing yards in his first game. While his season dipped, he had a strong finish and should pick right up where he left off. The Panthers were in the bottom 6 in the NFL in pass attempts allowed per game (34.8), and McNabb averaged 35.7 passing attempts per game. This should be a healthy combination for Donovan to put up solid QB1 numbers.

Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Matt Cassell @ Baltimore
Though Baltimore said goodbye to former Defensive Coordinator and quasi-head coach (according to Bart Scott) Rex Ryan, the Ravens still possess a tough, nasty defense. Matt Cassell will have his hands full after missing some time this preseason due to a strained MCL. The Ravens defense last year held opponents to 15.2 points per game and 179.7 passing yards/game.

David Garrard @ Indianapolis
In 2008, Garrard started 16 games for the first time in his career, and finished with just 15 passing TDs to show for it. While the Jags rebuild, Garrard just does not have the talent at the receiver position to be great. Factor in that the 2008 Colts pass defense surrendered only 6 (SIX!!) TDs through the air.

Jake Delhomme vs. Philadelphia
After four multi-TD games in the first half of 2008, Delhomme has not thrown 2 or more TDs in game since October 26, 2008. His last 300-yard game was September 16, 2007, and his line of 6 TDs and 7 INTs in the final 8 games of last season is simply not going to cut it for your fantasy squad.

Kyle Orton @ Cincinnatti
I maintain that Orton will have some sort of fantasy relevance this season, and expect to see him on other side of the list down the road. He’s got serious weaponry with receivers Eddie Royal and malcontent Brandon Marshall. Alas, he dislocated a knuckle in the third preseason game and should not be considered until he shows he has a handle on the Broncos offensive scheme. The Bengals D showed life at the end of 2008, rattling off 3 straight wins and limiting their opponents to 6.3 points per game.

Running Backs