Vick's return has drawback

By John Ryan

Mercury News

Michael Vick says he's playing. Darn. And here we thought Falcons receivers would be a good play against the Saints.

Vick is a fine quarterback, of course, in matters of winning and losing. But with Matt Schaub replacing him against New England, Atlanta had three touchdown passes (as opposed to four in the first four games). Alge Crumpler (99 yards, TD) and Brian Finneran (103 yards) had by far their highest totals. Second-year man Michael Jenkins (three catches, 55 yards) showed signs of usefulness.

But they'll soon return to spare-part status. Maybe not this week, but soon.

Start 'em

Eli Manning, Giants QB. Dallas is a nice matchup, but he's at every-week status anyway (and you probably have a nice other quarterback to dangle in a trade offer).

Curtis Martin, Jets RB. Buzz goes back and forth. But two TDs against Tampa, and a weak Buffalo run defense awaiting, has us convinced. For now.

Sit 'em

Roy Williams, Lions WR. For the quad injury. And also for this quote to SI.com: ``Right now the receivers don't have any trust or confidence in the quarterback and the quarterback doesn't have any trust or confidence in the receivers.''