ESPN Fantasy Football Blog

Posted by AJ Mass

The big news Thursday, of course, was Michael Vick's signing with the Eagles. Read all about in Christopher Harris' spin following the signing.

But Vick wasn't the only quarterback who made his return to the field in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday. Tom Brady was back in action for the first time in almost a year, and showed he's suffering no ill effects from the long layoff. Brady completed 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. Both scoring passes went to tight end Chris Baker, who might emerge as a primary red zone option for Brady because Benjamin Watson isn't playing due to an "undisclosed injury." That could well be Bill Belichick code for "I'm just not that into you anymore." Seventh-round draft pick Julian Edelman was the surprise standout for the Patriots, returning a punt 75 yards for a score and catching five passes for 37 yards. While he's not likely to be anything more than a No. 4 wide receiver for the Pats this season, there is a chance he might be able to step in to relieve Wes Welker of his return duties, which might have some minor impact on Welker's fantasy value.

For the Eagles, Donovan McNabb needn't worry about losing his starting job after going 11-of-18 for 100 yards. Brent Celek, who caught two passes for 30 yards early in the game, suffered a partially separated shoulder in the contest, but coach Andy Reid told the Philadelphia Enquirer he thought his tight end would be fine "in a couple of days." Rookies LeSean McCoy (10 carries, 55 yards) and Jeremy Maclin (2 catches for 44 yards, 121 return yards) were impressive in their NFL debuts.

• Justin Harper has the leg up on the Ravens' No. 3 receiver job after his four-catch, 57-yard outing Thursday, which included a 19-yard touchdown grab of a Troy Smith pass. While 15 different Baltimore players caught passes in the win over Washington, Harper made the most noise, and with Marcus Smith on crutches after the game because of a possible ACL tear, Harper should be first in line right now to back up veterans Mark Clayton and the unretired Derrick Mason. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of things, the Ravens held the Redskins to only 196 yards and forced two turnovers in a 23-0 shutout. Looks like rumors of their demise without Rex Ryan are greatly exaggerated.

• Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl rematch with the Arizona Cardinals 20-10, but more importantly, Rashard Mendenhall made it through the game in one piece. After missing the last 12 games of the 2008 season because of a shoulder injury, it was good to see Mendenhall on the field taking hits. Mendenhall rushed nine times for 26 yards as a starter -- Willie Parker didn't suit up for the game -- and fantasy owners can expect him to share some of the rushing load this season to keep Parker fresh. As for the passing game, Limas Sweed stepped up in a big way, catching two balls for 56 yards and making his case to grab the No. 3 receiver job left open when Nate Washington left the team via free agency. For Arizona, rookie Beanie Wells did not play in the contest, sitting out because of a sprained ankle.

• Could JaMarcus Russell-to-Chaz Schilens become a fantasy factor in 2009? It's only the first preseason game, but Russell targeted Schilens four times on the Raiders' opening drive, and Schilens ended the game with five catches for 52 yards. Combine that with a healthy Darren McFadden, who had five carries for 63 yards, and this Oakland team might not be the offensive wasteland it was last season when it finished 29th overall in both total yards and points scored. For Dallas, Sam Hurd caught five balls for 79 yards, while Miles Austin dropped the only ball thrown his way, giving Hurd the clear decision in Round 1 of the competition to be Dallas' No. 3 wideout.

• Steve Smith is one tough cookie. After it looked like the Carolina receiver would be out for several weeks, if not more, the Rock Hill Herald is reporting that Smith was in full pads and took part in practice Friday morning. Feel free to reinstate Smith to whatever position he was at on your draft lists before he suffered what appeared to be a significant shoulder injury Monday.

• One final note, from the department of discipline: The NFL has officially suspended wide receiver Donte' Stallworth without pay for the entire 2009 season. Therefore, if you hadn't already removed him from your draft lists, feel free to do so immediately.