NFL Fantasy Stars Who Sucked: Week 3

In fantasy sports, everyone always says that championships are won with those late round steals and key waiver pick-ups. This is usually true. However, the easiest way to lose is to have your top guys deliver terrible years. There is no coming back from that. In my homage to ESPN's DJ Gallo and his "Horrible Fantasy Team That Crushed Your Fantasy Team," I present my week three lineup of "Stars who Sucked."

Quarterback

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws an interception in the endzone while being sacked by Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in

Eli Manning.

Now Eli is not a top 10 fantasy QB necessarily, and Matt Schaub would have won this spot ordinarily but Eli's endzone interception alone makes him qualify. That Giants - Titans game was closer than the score indicated. If the Giants didn't make so many damn mistakes, the outcome could have been different. Throwing for 386 yards does not cover up a zero touchdown, two interception performance.

Running Backs

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens can't hold onto a pass as he's taken down by Scott Fujita #99 of the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice.

This is a poor performance in back to back weeks for Jones-Drew. The Jaguars are not good, but if you are their best player, take a page out of Stephen Jackson's playbook and at least score a touchdown. 88 yards, no touchdowns, no receiving to speak of, 8 fantasy points. Not what you want from your first round pick, especially after a poor week two.

Rice has been much of the same. A disappointing start to the season for a universal first round pick. 80 yards rushing, 16 receiving and no touchdowns. Good for 9 fantasy points. When Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson are putting up 20's and 30's, the supposed next best guys have to at least score in double digits. These are players who are relied upon to carry fantasy teams week after week.

Wide Receivers

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Wide receiver Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch during the preseason game against Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty

Miles Austin and Greg Jennings.

Austin had been stellar this season. Roy Williams decided to play like it was 2002 and came up huge, taking catches away from Miles. I expect a bounce back in no time. Of course, just because I expect a rebound, does not mean he can avoid making the lineup after gaining 20 total yards on Sunday.

Greg Jennings, on the other hand, I am worried about. He showed up small last week as well. Jennings ended with a touchdown, but only caught one other pass, and ended with 18 yards. For a guy who was supposed to be the big play threat on a monster offense, Greg is not off to a good start. Having no running game to speak of obviously doesn't help the Packers passing game, but with Rodgers we all expected Jennings to thrive. Packers' tight end Jermichael Finely sure is. 

Tight End

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INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Dallas Clark #44 of the Indianapolis Colts lines up during the NFL game against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dallas Clark.

There are only about three tight ends in the league right now that I would trust to perform each and every week. Clark was one of them. That's why he makes the list over some others who performed even worse. I can expect a no touchdown, 22 yard performance from Vernon Davis. Even Shiancoe ending with a zero isn't as surprising as Clark putting up a stinker. 4 fantasy points isn't going to cut it for arguably the best tight end in the game.

Defense/Special Teams

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Peyton Hills #40 of the Cleveland Browns is stopped by the Baltimore Ravens defense at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Ravens.

This was a hard crop to choose from after week three. The Patriots had a bad day and are widely owned but I am not sure why. I don't think they are a good defense to begin with, which would lead to allowing Buffalo to put up 30 points. San Fransisco should have been the winner here except it appears as though the 49ers are just all around terrible. I see no signs of the top rated defense from 2009 in this group. That leaves us, for a second underwhelming week in a row, with the Ravens. Yet again, they were not awful. But, as a top flight defense, you expect more than what they are giving. 17 points allowed. Okay. Two sacks but no turnovers and a pitiful 2 fantasy points against the Browns. It was a disappointing showing for Ray Lewis and company.

Kicker

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Garrett Hartley #5 of the New Orleans Saints reacts to missing a field goal in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons defeated the Saints 27

Garrett Hartley.

He has to be the 'stars who sucked' starting kicker. I don't even care that poster-boy Nate Kaeding scored fewer points. Hartley missed the chip shot, game winning field goal, in overtime. He has already missed three field goals on the year and the Saints are reportedly bringing in competition in the form of John Carney. A time share is the furthest thing from an ideal situation for a fantasy kicker, even on a team with a top shelf offense. Hartley has gone from universally owned to droppable just like that.