A column by Ross Thede / Austin Daily Herald

Go ahead, admit it.

You've thought about, you're still thinking about it.

Who is Kelly Holcomb, and should I pick him up?

If you are a fantasy football nut like I am, this is a question that's been milling in your head since the unknown Cleveland quarterback from Middle Tennessee State threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' 40-39 loss to Kansas City in Week 1.

I don't claim to know everything about fantasy football, but I've been a Fantasy Football League commissioner (that's what us organizers like to call ourselves to feel important and empowered) since college and I'm currently 2-0 this season.

But what I do know is that Holcomb is a bust, even though it's not his fault. Cleveland coach Butch Davis has decided to go with franchise quarterback Tim Couch for Sunday's game at Tennessee. Couch has thrown pain-free in practice for the past week after missing the first two games with a sore throwing elbow.

As a fill-in starter, Holcomb's 111.0 quarterback rating was the second-best in the league. He threw for 524 yards and five touchdowns, but his run at fantasy glory is over. If you drafted Couch and your starting quarterback is out with a bye this week, you're in trouble.

Big points paid out here

If you're looking for offense this week, stop off in San Francisco as the 49ers try to avenge their 38-7 preseason embarrassment handed down by rookie coach Steve Spurrier. San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia has been eager to move his West Coast offense down the field in a hurry, but with a little patience he'll find what Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb did last Monday night -- a porous Washington defensive secondary.

Terrell Owens will have a big day on the bay, stacking up against cornerbacks as short as Darrell Green and Champ Bailey. Look for Owens to get his share of touches this week.

Vikings' dilemma

The Vikings broke out some offense in last week's loss at home to Buffalo, but they forgot to bring their Purple People Eaters along. Minnesota had a shot to start the season 4-0, but in Week 3 they're still searching for their first win. They'll get their points again, and so will fantasy owners with players on both teams.

Minnesota's pass defense is poor, bottom line. Rodney Peete's riding a confidence streak after last week's 310 yard performance, and the Panthers are 2-0. Nevermind the fact that Carolina has played the two worst teams in the league, Minnesota won't have much more success at stopping the pass than they did the first two weeks (Jim Miller – 297; Drew Bledsoe – 463).

The other big question is where to place your faith in the Vikings' backfield. Moe Williams is the fifth-leading rusher in the NFC with 24 carries for 150 yards -- an average of 6.3 per carry. Given his early success and coach Mike Tice's apparent confidence in him, why not take a chance on Williams this week?

Against the two weakest foes, the Panthers relented just 75 yards per game on the ground. Minnesota will have more success than Cincinnati and Baltimore, but look for Gary Anderson to get the points Williams or Michael Bennett won't when the Vikings can't score. If you can spare the roster spot, Anderson would be a great pick-up at this point even though Doug Brien has been kept to take long-range attempts and kickoffs.

Needle in a haystack

And who, you ask, is Rondell Mealey?

He's had just four carries this season for Green Bay, but Packer back Ahman Green is questionable heading into Sunday's match at Detroit. Green has suffered from fumblitis and would likely be limited in attempts because of it, nevermind his strained quadriceps tendon in his right leg.

If your roster can spare a spot and you have Ahman Green, this might be a perfect pick-up for protection against the chance that worse things might happen.

The Lions will give the ball to Joey Harrington this week, and despite his dancing feet in his NFL debut, Harrington will have the opportunity to come around and clear his head this week. Think about it -- Brett Favre on artificial turf. Favre loses 10 quarterback rating points everytime he touches the stuff. Even though he's playing the low-rate Lions, Favre will cough it up if pressured enough and Harrington's offense will be on the field.

The Pack should stick to the ground with Mealey until Detroit shows they can stop him. If they can't, you'll be glad you gobbled him up.

Ross Thede's fantasy football column will run weekly in the Herald. Submit your fantasy football questions to him via e-mail at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.