After five unforgettable solo albums and countless other collaborations, Mr. West is (in this man’s opinion) the most talented and influential artist in hip-hop. It transcends hip-hop, really. He’s always steps ahead, not only being a trendsetter for his own genre, but for all of pop music. He’s the obvious choice for a concert as monumental as the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief, not because he’s bigger than a Jay-Z or an Eminem – I’m not so sure that he is. He’s the obvious choice because his music crosses boundaries unlike any other rapper, and in a night where artists like Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Alicia Keys, The Who and Paul McCartney will be sharing the stage, I can’t really think of another hip-hop artist who would appeal to that type of audience from a musical standpoint more than Kanye West. I grew up hearing my dad play the likes of Springsteen, David Bowie, Jackson Browne and Neil Young, so classic rock from the 60′s and 70′s flows pretty heavily through my veins. In the lead up to this show, I heard so many people say, “This lineup is amazing! …except for Kanye West.” I get that hip-hop isn’t necessarily a classic rock fan’s idea of great music, but I can also tell you with complete confidence that the same people that dismiss it haven’t given it a fair chance.

I was looking forward to Kanye turning some heads and proving some people wrong, which is why I was so damn disappointed to see him blow it. Where did he go wrong? Hmm… where do I begin. There’s way more than seven ways he fucked up this night, but here’s my attempt to narrow it down.

I. Perform an entire song. Let’s start with the basics. Being the hypercritical perfectionist he is, I’m shocked that Kanye thought it would be a good idea to cram a two hour set into thirty minutes. It’s as if he just cut the length of all his hit instrumentals to 90 seconds on his iPod and had a DJ hit play. In some cases, the arrangements were completely off, like when he stopped short on a “Good Life” verse because the chorus started early. The main issue with his performance of clip after clip is that just as you’d get into one song, he’d move right onto the next one. He was definitely focused more on quantity than quality, and the show suffered because of it.

II. Lose the DJ’s. Get a live band. There’s a time and a place to have a DJ as your only backup. This certainly wasn’t one of those times. The reason they brought in Kanye is because he’s not just some other rapper. The man changed the face of hip-hop production. He incorporates so many different genres into his songs, so many different sounds, instruments and samples. He works with film composers like Jon Brion to give his albums a more cinematic feel. What other rapper fucking does that?! With a lineup consisting largely of legendary rock bands, the man needed a live band in order to hang on the same stage as them. He needed horns for “All of the Lights.” He needed strings for “Runaway.” The Roots are right across town at 30 Rock for Late Night, and they’ve done some incredible things with Kanye’s big brother in the past. Just sayin’. 

III. The lights. All of ‘em. During Kanye’s set, all we saw was the same bland white lights flashing in slightly different patterns from song to song. Added to his all black attire, it didn’t make for a great aesthetic feel. Save the white lights for “Jesus Walks.” I want some fucking color from one of the most colorful personalities in music. Give me neon strobe lights for “Stronger” and “Flashing Lights.” Give me some bright reds for “Dark Fantasy” and some somber blues for “Runaway.” Give me fire. Give me this. And this. And give me a god damn epileptic seizure during “All of the Lights.”

IV. Call in some friends. Bring out New York’s own Jay-Z for “Niggas in Paris,” “Otis,” or even “Run This Town.” T-Pain for “Good Life.” Pusha T for “Runaway.” Nicki Minaj for “Monster.” Jaime Foxx is in town doing Django Unchained press – have him sing the Ray Charles’ sampling “Gold Digger.” Hell, you could even go real big and get Beyonce out on “Ego” or something. Even if Kanye wasn’t able to bring any outside talent in for the show, grab some people from backstage. Get Billy Joel to play piano on “Runaway.” Have Alicia Keys sub for Rihanna on “All of the Lights” and bring out Paul McCartney to rock the guitar and belt out Elton John’s segment. Rework “Homecoming” with Chris Martin to incorporate New York and Hurricane Sandy, or at least have the man play guitar for an acoustic version of “Heartless.” I’m not saying he should’ve flooded the stage with this many guests. These are all just the many possibilities of what could’ve been. I was hopeful and excited that even one would happen, but unfortunately, none of them did.

V. Think BIG. This point incorporates all the ones before it – a general thought West should’ve had in mind. When I first saw him at a show in college during his Late Registration Tour, I mistook him for Diddy, changing costumes every few songs and flaunting around like an idiot across the stage. You know what, though? He had an insanely creative set design, a live band, a string section, and he poured his fucking heart out on that stage. The Glow in the Dark Tour was like Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” video on crack, with Kanye roaming on a revolving Mars-like surface throughout a two hour performance. The Throne Tour saw him sparring off against Jay-Z while standing on brightly lit stages that rose a few stories high to create glowing columns. His 12.12.12 set resembled nothing like these past shows. I know there were too many sets and a lot of those stage effects weren’t possible, but it doesn’t have to be on that grand a scale. Where were the ballerinas during “Runaway”? The choir during “Jesus Walks”? If they wanted just a DJ and an MC, they would’ve gotten Nas. They got Kanye for a reason. This is the biggest stage he’s ever performed on, and he played it like high school auditorium.

VI. Play for your crowd. He kicked his set off with new posse cuts, “Clique” and “Mercy.” He performed guest verses he had on songs like “Run This Town.” You don’t have time for this shit, bro. Going back to my first point, he should’ve gone through a string of slightly shortened tracks that flowed from one to the next. I think he could’ve kicked off with “Dark Fantasy,” and from there, gone into any combination of “Jesus Walks,” “Gold Digger,” “Stronger,” “Good Life,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Heartless,” “Power,” “Runaway,” a Watch the Throne cut with Jay-Z (either “Otis” or “Niggas in Paris”) and end with “All of the Lights.” Stick with the hits. That’s what the people want, it’s what they’ve paid hundreds to thousands of dollars to see, and it’s what the first few sections full of Sandy victims deserve to hear.

VII. Give a shit. It’s the one that annoys me most. He strutted around that stage in his leather kilt more concerned with acting hard than being genuine. He didn’t crack one smile, or show the crowd that he was experiencing a single ounce of joy. His songs were arranged like shit, he slept walked through them, and he simply didn’t give the people what they wanted. To quote Kanye himself, he acted as if his presence alone was a present. He’s never been a humble artist, but at least he’s always been highly aware of himself. I’m not so sure that’s the case anymore.

I’m not going to say it’s easier to be a hip-hop producer than a rock musician, or it takes more talent to sing than to rap, because that’s just not true. All of those things take an incredible amount of ability, and trying to compare them is like apples to oranges. I will say, however, that a rock artist can get by a hell of a lot easier in a live show than a rapper. It’s just the nature of their brand of music. Give Eric Clapton a guitar, Billy Joel some keys, and Bruce Springsteen a microphone to wail on, and just playing their hearts out is enough to make an entire arena in awe of their talent. The majority of hip-hop happens in the studio. It’s easier to appreciate intricate lyrics through a set of headphones. A complex, layered beat sounds better through a pair of speakers in your own home than blasting at full volume in a stadium. That’s why it wasn’t as easy as Kanye West showing up like a Scottish fashionista with not one, not two, but THREE DJ’s. Kanye needed to try harder than any other act Wednesday night, and instead he put in the least amount of effort. I’m disappointed for the fans at the show, the fans that watched, and the naysayers who were proven right and didn’t get a chance to see what this man is truly capable of.

On another level, I’m a little concerned for Kanye’s future in music. He’s improved with each and every album he’s come out with in his career. Even if an effort like 808′s and Heartbreak wasn’t as good as his previous work, it still displayed a certain brilliance and showed signs of growth. The first misstep he’s ever taken was this past year’s compilation album from his label G.O.O.D. Music, Cruel Summer. It technically wasn’t all his own, but he was still the face of the project and it fell completely flat, and the big reason for that is a seeming lack of effort. As I already said, Kanye has been far from humble throughout his entire career, but the major redeeming quality he always possessed was an extreme self-awareness of that cockiness. When he rapped about buying chains or fucking groupies, he acknowledged his actions fully from a conscious point of view (just see “All Falls Down,” “Breathe In, Breathe Out,” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” etc.). It’s why I always gave him a pass on it, because it was far from the ignorance I was used to hearing in hip-hop, and because we as an audience could relate. Who doesn’t do things in their normal life that they know they shouldn’t be doing, or know are morally wrong? Who doesn’t slip up every so often? It made him all the more relatable. He rapped about subjects we weren’t used to hearing from rappers – love for family, praise for his mother, getting his jaw wired shut, dropping out of college. Even his songs about women (“Gold Digger”) and living it up (“Good Life”) were playful and somewhat innocent. I mean, the man devoted a whole album to a break up. What rapper does that? Traditionally, rappers are characters, exaggerated versions of themselves, complete with aliases and phony personas built to prevent anything that could be considered a weakness from exposing itself. Kanye West came into this game with his real name and wore his heart on his sleeve, and because of that, he reached beyond the world of hip-hop.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is his masterpiece, the album all his previous work has been building toward, but since Watch the Throne, I feel like that side of him is fading. He ditched Talib Kweli and Twista for 2 Chainz and Big Sean. He’s surrounded himself with a label of artists who came up listening to him, unable to give him criticism, not only because they would never dare do it, but because they only have a fraction of his talent and don’t think this music is garbage. I’m not sure if it’s really the case, but it sure seems to me like Kanye thinks he can just show up and it’s good enough, and if we don’t like it, we can kiss his ass. He always had that arrogance, but it was easier to swallow when he backed it up, always setting out to do something no one had ever done before, not for his fans so much as himself. It seems like he’s lost that drive, like he’s distracted and uninspired, like he’s comfortable where he is. His raps are less about feeling and more about materials, alienating the very fan base that made it possible for him to afford that Lamborghini he drives a diamond-studded Kardashian around in.

Maybe it’s because he’s now on the same level as his idol, Jay-Z. Maybe it’s because he’s finally over his mother’s death. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t have a broken heart to draw inspiration from. Maybe it’s because he’s with a woman who loves him just as much as he loves her. Maybe it’s because he’s content with his life. Maybe it’s because he has nothing left to prove. If these things are true, I can’t help but feel happy for the man. As a fan though, I can’t help but look forward to the next breakdown.

Week 4 Injury Report

John Skelton (ARI QB) – Questionable – Ankle

Now you really shouldn’t be starting Kevin Kolb in the first place but if you can remember back to the beginning of the season where John Skelton was actually QB1 for the Cardinals.  So if you really are relying on the Kolbster, make sure you handcuff him with Skeletor.

Fred Jackson/CJ Spiller (BUF RBs) – Questionable – Knee/Shoulder

Both are currently practicing and it looks like Fred Jackson will be playing, while CJ will be a gametime decision. However, I really don’t like Jackson this week, simply because he’s still recovering from his LCL sprain, which could take up to 8 weeks to heal.  If you have to, play Jackson.  If not, SIT ‘EM BOTH.  Tashard “The People’s” Choice will get the brunt of the carries this week it looks like.  Too bad he won’t be able to get Michael Vick‘s autograph after this game.

Matt Forte (CHI RB) – Questionable – Ankle

Tough play this week with him playing on Monday night.  There’s a 50% chance of him playing so if you must start him this week, I recommend you have Michael Bush (if possible) or any skill player from the Bears or Cowboys so you can swap at the last second (Ogletree?  Hester?  Felix Jones?).  Or you could just take my advice and SIT ‘EM this week.

Matthew Stafford (DET QB) – Probable – Hip

He was recently upgraded to probable as his injury upgraded from leg to hip.  Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.  START ‘EM.

Mikel Leshoure (DET RB) – Questionable – Groin

Leshoure came out last week and rendered Kevin Smith useless.  Even though he is listed as questionable, all signs point to him starting.  START ‘EM.  He makes the Lions a dangerous team by opening up the play action for Stafford.

Peyton Hillis (KC RB) – Doubtful – Ankle

Shaun Draughn will be Jamaal Charles’ primary backup this week.  After the week Charles had last week though, he probably won’t see too much time.

Dwayne Bowe/Steve Breaston (KC WRs) – Questionable – Thigh/Knee

In most 10 team leagues, you won’t be starting Steve Breaston in the first place, but in deeper leagues, he should be good to go.  Bowe however, needs to be in your lineup.  He’s the only true weapon that Matt Cassel has in the deep passing game.  Make sure he’s playing, then START ‘EM.  (EDIT: Reports are stating that Bowe WILL play so start him today without fear.)

Reggie Bush (MIA RB) – Questionable – Knee

Bush practiced with the first team offense on Thursday, so all signs point to him playing this week against Arizona.  Tough matchup for him, but he’s been on fire so far this year.  START ‘EM and don’t trade him for a Pizza Hut pizza.

Rob Gronkowski (NE TE) – Questionable – Hip

He was downgraded to questionable late this week but Gronk won’t miss this game, especially with Aaron Hernandez out for another game. Keep an eye on it, but START ‘EM. (EDIT: The Schefter says that Gronk WILL play today. Word is bond, yo.)

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG RB) – Probable – Neck

Sorry Andre Brown owners.  Bradshaw and all of his fumbles will be starting for the Giants this week on Sunday night against Philly.  The Eagles have had a decent run D all year, but if you got ‘em, START ‘EM.

Hakeem Nicks (NYG WR) - OUT – Knee

Nicks‘ rash of injuries continue this year as he didn’t make the trip to Philadelphia for the game this Sunday.  More targets for Victor Cruz, Martellus Bennett, Ahmad Bradshaw and suddenly usable Ramses Barden.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (OAK WR) – OUT – Concussion

I think we all know that he wasn’t going to play this week, but I wanted to use this space to call BULLSHIT on the NFL for fining Bill Belichick $50k for touching an official, but only $21k to Ryan Mundy after he nearly killed Heyward-Bey last week.  Player safety, huh.

Jeremy Maclin (PHI WR) – Probable – Hip

Mike Vick‘s happy that his favorite red zone target is back and starting this week.  START ‘EM.

Nate Kaeding (SD K) – OUT – Hamstring

This may not mean much to many, but I play in a kicker driven league.  This is a backbreaker.  Seriously though, just grab someone else.

Steven Jackson (STL RB) – Questionable – Groin

This is something you’ll need to monitor up to game time.  START ‘EM obviously if he’s playing but if not, Daryl Washington has come forward over expected RB2 Isaiah Pead to get the most playing time.  This is a good time to handcuff Jackson.

Kenny Britt (TEN WR) – Questionable – Ankle

Britt led his team in targets last week with 11, catching 6 for 55 yards.  This guy can do it, it’s just a matter of when he wants to show up.  If he’s playing, you should START ‘EM because he’ll get his chances more so than others.

Pierre Garcon (WSH WR) – Questionable – Foot

Upgrading from OUT to game time decision is good for Garcon owners. Unfortunately they play at 4, which could make it tricky to start him.  If he’s playing, you have to START ‘EM because he should have a field day against the ancient Tampa Bay secondary.

Week 4 Potential Studs:

Aaron Rodgers (GB QB – vs. NO) – Rodgers seems like a no-brainer every week but this week is special.  He’s coming off of the Seattle Screwjob AND he’s playing the worst defense in the NFL.  Rodgers enters FUCK YOU mode and torches New Orleans today.

Ryan Mathews (SD RB – @ KC) – Now that the Chargers are threatening Mathews with benching because of fumbles, I feel like he can come out against a poor defense with his shoulder one week healthier and show what he can do in 2012.

Demaryius Thomas (DEN WR – vs. OAK) – Flaccid armed Peyton Manning should be able to muster up another strength to throw the ball Thomas‘ way more than a few times today against a porous Oakland defense.  He’s averaging about 10 targets a game and should be able to convert on most of them for big yardage.

Martellus Bennett (NYG TE – @ PHI) – Philadelphia’s defense has improved since last year, but there’s no one who can physically matchup with Bennett.  With Nicks being out, he’ll see increased targets and will wreck havoc in the Eagles secondary tonight.

Well there you have it.  The real refs are 100% back so let’s hope for some good football with less fuck ups.  Good luck this week.

Week 2 Injury Report

Beanie Wells/Ryan Williams (ARI RB’s) – Probable – Knee  

So I was perusing the interwebs and I happened to stumble upon a Beanie Wells Sucks forum.  I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks so.  The Pats front 7 held Chris Johnson to next to nothing on the ground and he is a much, much better back then both Wells and Williams.  They’ll probably split carries for most of the game, but I would avoid them if possible.  SIT ‘EM BOTH.

Better Option?: Any other starting running back.  Seriously.

Roddy White (ATL WR) – Probable – Groin

He’s going to play, but they do play the Broncos on Monday night.  Keep an eye on it, just in case.  START ‘EM.

Fred Jackson (BUF RB) – OUT – Knee

Jackson should be out for about 4 weeks.  In the interim, CJ Spiller is a top 10 fantasy back.  Start him with no fear.

Jonathan Stewart (CAR RB) – Questionable – Ankle

Ron Rivera expects him to play, which makes him the number 1 back in this offense again.  I really dislike the notion of playing any Carolina back but against an average defense in New Orleans coupled with DeAngelo Williams‘ ghastly performance from last week,  he’s a decent FLEX option for this week.  START ‘EM.

Steve Smith (CAR WR) – Questionable – Knee

What you are hearing is Cam Newton breathing a sigh of relief.  His favorite target will be playing according to Coach Rivera.  After the game Pierre Garcon had against the Saints, I could see Smith doing something similar.  START ‘EM.

Matt Forte (CHI RB) – OUT – Ankle

Yes, the Bears played already.  But he’s going to be out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain.  Michael Bush becomes a top 15 back.

Trent Richardson (CLE RB) – Probable – Knee

The Bengals defense isn’t as good as the Eagles defense but Richardson is the only true weapon on this offense.  He’ll see a lot of stacked fronts and I don’t see him having a good day for a while.  FLEX him, or even SIT ‘EM if you have better options.

Better Options?: Reggie Bush vs. OAK, Frank Gore vs. DET, Jonathan Stewart vs. NO

Calvin Johnson (DET WR) – Probable – Foot

Just a heads up, Detroit and San Francisco play the Sunday Night game.  He’s going to play, but keep your eye on it. START ‘EM.

Rashad Jennings (JAX RB) – OUT – Knee

MJD‘s thought process:

1. Holdout
2. Show up out of shape
3. Wait for brittle Jennings to get hurt
4. ?????
5. PROFIT

Happened quicker than expected. MJD definitely a top 15 back this week.

Daniel Thomas (MIA RB) – OUT – Concussion

Only had 3 carries for 11 yards last week. Reggie Bush will shoulder the load but in deeper leagues you could give rookie Lamar Miller a look as he will be the spell back for Bush.

Adrian Peterson (MIN RB) – Probable – Knee

Holy shit did I miss on this guy last week.  Did not see him getting 17 carries or putting up 20 points last week.  This isn’t even a question anymore.  Toby Gerhart is an afterthought now.  START ‘EM and don’t look back.

Devery Henderson (NO WR) – OUT – Concussion

More balls for Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham, and Marques Colston.  With Henderson out, Lance Moore slides into the WR2 spot and becomes playable as your WR2 or FLEX.

Hakeem Nicks (NYG WR) – Questionable – Foot

He’s had 10 days to rest this foot.  I can’t see him missing this game.  Against an average TB secondary, he should get plenty of looks this week.  START ‘EM.

John Conner (NYJ FB) – Questionable – Knee

Not really fantasy related, but he gave me an excuse to dick around with an Arnold Schwarzenegger soundboard.

Dustin Keller (NYJ TE) – OUT – Hamstring

Hasn’t played yet.  Jeff Cumberland is now TE1, but not a true fantasy option at this point.

DeSean Jackson/Jeremy Maclin (PHI WRs) – Questionable – Hamstring/Hip

Both players practiced on Friday and look like they’ll be suiting up for Sunday’s home opener against the Ravens as WR1 and WR2.  START ‘EM BOTH.

Antonio Gates (SD TE) – Questionable – Ribs

Remember when Gates was undeniably the best TE in football?  When getting him on your team was getting a guaranteed stud all season?  I’m not saying those days are over, but the door is closing on Gates.  He’s getting older and becoming more brittle as the seasons slog on.  Still, you need to START ‘EM until he says he’s not playing, as well as get Michael Vick on the horn to get that kevlar vest jawn for his ribs.

Ryan Mathews (SD RB) – Questionable – Shoulder

Still coming back from a broken clavicle, Mathews is supposedly going to suit up on Sunday.  I wouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into this however because he won’t be utilized as a RB1 and will be nursed back into the game.  SIT ‘EM for one more week.

Better Options?: Any starting back, Ronnie Brown vs TEN

Jake Locker (TEN QB) – Questionable – Shoulder

You shouldn’t be starting Jake Locker at this point of the season anyway, but having him in the game raises the value of Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Jared Cook a bit.  He’ll be suiting up as QB1 for the Titans against the Chargers.

Kenny Britt/Nate Washington (TEN WRs) – Questionable – Knee/Leg

Coming off his 1 game suspension, Kenny Britt claims he’s playing in this game.  Nate Washington will be a game time decision and didn’t practice Friday.  Washington loses a bit of value with Britt back in the picture anyway.  START Britt, but SIT Washington if you have the opportunity.

Pierre Garcon (WSH WR) – Questionable – Foot

Jason LaCanfora broke on Twitter last night that “The Redskins don’t expect to have top WR Pierre Garcon.“  He hasn’t been able to practice all week and is officially a gametime decision, but don’t expect to see him.  SIT ‘EM.

Better Options?: Someone who is going to play, Josh Morgan vs STL, Santana Moss vs STL

Week 2 Fantasy Studs

Tom Brady (NE QB – @ ARI) – This is the part of these Sunday morning blogs where I tell you something you don’t know, right?  Did you know Tom Brady was drafted by the Expos in 1995 to play catcher?  Did you know that the Patriots almost drafted Tim Rattay instead of Brady?  Did you know that Tom Brady really fucking hates the new Dodge Dart?  Did you know that Tom Brady plays the Cardinals this week?  Did you know that Patrick Peterson can’t cover Welker, Gronk, Hernandez, and Lloyd at the same time?  Do you know that Brady should simply dissect this defense and win in a rout?  One of those are made up.

Adrian Peterson (MIN RB – @ IND) – Not fucking with this guy again.  He’s obviously not human, or indestructible, or just fucking awesome.  A weak Indianapolis defense AND playing in a dome?  Sounds like a big week to me.

AJ Green (CIN WR – vs CLE) – As an Eagles fan, I was privileged enough to be able to watch the Browns last week (/sarcasm).  Joe Haden is an excellent cornerback, and Sheldon Brown is a crafty veteran.  Haden got his ass suspended because of Adderall and Brown is banged up with a shoulder stinger.  Green will see a lot of Dimitri Patterson and Tremin Wade which should lead to some wide open targets.

Week 2 Fantasy Duds

Robert Griffin III (WSH QB – @ STL) – RG3 blew up in a big way last week against the Saints.  The Redskins are still on the road but will most likely be without Pierre Garcon and are facing a better secondary this week.  I don’t think he’ll be awful but I don’t think he’ll match what he did last week.

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG RB – vs TB) – Bradshaw got in the endzone against the Cowboys, but didn’t have a great game after that.  The Bucs front 7 were a goddamn stonewall last week, holding the vaunted Panthers rushing offense to 10 yards on the ground.  1-0.  Impressive.  This will be a immovable object against a small, fumbling force.

Brandon Marshall Steve Johnson (BUF WR – vs KC) – Last season, Steve Johnson cut blocked Eric Berry in the season opener and tore his damn ACL.  They meet again this week in Buffalo.  Berry claims there’s no bad blood or bounty on Johnson but I fully expect Johnson to be laid the fuck out at least once this game.

Scope my Twitter as I’ll be trying to update throughout the day.

Week 1 Injury Report:

pic courtesy of ESPN

Beanie Wells (ARI RB) – Questionable – Hamstring

Beanie can’t stay healthy long enough to be of a lot of merit this season.  Even if he does, he’s a FLEX guy at best in 10 team leagues or less.  Do yourself a favor and get Ryan Williams so you can drop Wells for a flash in the pan receiver ::cough::Ogletree::cough:: – SIT ‘EM

Steve Johnson (BUF WR) – Questionable – Groin

He’s probably going to play this week (he practiced Friday), but chances are he’s going to get stranded on Revis Island this week.  They may not need to even score on offense. Sanchez and Tebow might be giving away points all game.  Start him if you don’t have a better option, but if you can afford it, SIT ‘EM.

Jonathan Stewart (CAR RB) – Questionable – Ankle

Ugh, I hate the Panthers backfield.  Everyone who lines up is talented as hell, but how can you reasonably have enough carries for Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert, and Cam Newton?  Stewart may have the short end of the stick this week due to injury.  I’d SIT ‘EM.

Steve Smith (CAR WR) – Probable – Foot

He’s going to play and will still be Cam’s favorite target.  START ‘EM!

Trent Richardson (CLE RB) – Questionable – Knee

The Browns have said all week that if T-Rich practices, he’s going to play.  He’s been there and chances are (speaking to a pessimistic Eagles fan here), he’ll probably gash the Birds for 200 yds and 3 TDs.  Realistically though, the Eagles run defense is mediocre so if you got him, START ‘EM.

Arian Foster (HOU RB) – Questionable – Knee

The Texans came out and said that that Foster is a game-time decision this Sunday against the Dolphins.  I can’t see him missing Week 1, but they are playing the Dolphins.  That being said, pay attention to pre-game coverage, grab Ben Tate if you can, and as soon as he says he’s playing.. START ‘EM.

Andre Johnson (HOU WR) – Probable – Ribs

At least it’s not his hamstrings, right?  START ‘EM.

Adrian Peterson (MIN RB) – Questionable – Knee

He says he’s ready to go, but I don’t necessarily believe him and neither does the Vikings coaching staff.  Peterson should be the spell back for Toby Gerhart at best.  The Vikings have a rough schedule and they’ll need ADP for the long haul.  If you have him in your lineup today, I recommend you SIT ‘EM.

Marques Colston (NO WR) – Questionable – Foot

Colston has gutted out injuries before and he will again.  Even though Jimmy Graham supplanted him as the number one target in the offense, he’s going to get plenty of looks as he will most likely line up against the aging D’Angelo Hall.  START ‘EM.

Dustin Keller (NYJ TE) – Questionable – Hamstring

Keller should lineup and play against the Bills, but he’s a part of the everyman TE group.  If you can find a better TE on the waiver wire with a better match up, you should.  I know it was the preseason, but the first AND second team offenses could not score a touchdown.  Don’t expect a whole lot of production in general out of Keller.  SIT ‘EM.

Denarius Moore (OAK WR) – Questionable – Hamstring

With their receiving corps already in shambles due to injury, Moore needs to play in this game to give Palmer another known quantity.  I’d say he’s safe to START ‘EM, but don’t be surprised to see Rod Streater (TU!) to take some targets.

Ryan Mathews (SD RB) – OUT – Shoulder

No one really thought he was going to play this week, but he just confirmed this yesterday.  Ronnie Brown (lol) actually has fantasy value again.

Marshawn Lynch (SEA RB) – Questionable – Back

Another game-time decision, but this is BEAST MODE we are talking about.  Keep an eye on it, and try to grab Robert Turbin, just so you aren’t boned if he doesn’t play.  START ‘EM, but watch out.

Week 1 Studs and Duds

pic courtesy of Bleacher Report

Studs: 3 players who are primed for great weeks

Drew Brees (NO QB – vs WSH) – This may seem like a no-brainer, but I think Brees will come out with a chip on his shoulder and will continue his record-setting pace from last year.  400 yds and 4 TDs seriously wouldn’t surprise me.

Darren McFadden (OAK RB – vs SD) – McFadden has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but has often been sidelined by injuries.  He’s 100% going into this season and will be the focal point of this offense again.  Look for a big game from Run-DMC against an average Chargers D.

Jeremy Maclin (PHI WR – @ CLE) – Joe Haden, one of the best CBs in the NFL, has come out and stated that he will be “mirroring” DeSean Jackson all game.  Maclin should be salivating playing against the 33 year-old Sheldon Brown.  He should be able to beat him early and often and have a big day against the weaker Browns CBs.

Duds: Stay away if you can

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT QB – @ DEN) – His running backs are banged up (I wouldn’t play Redman, btw) and his offensive line is shit.  5 piles of shit may actually be better then this line.  Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil are going to live in the backfield and make his life hell.  I’m not saying he won’t throw for a few touchdowns, but plenty of sacks and a few picks are in his future.

Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX RB – @ MIN) – MoJo just showed up and Coach Mularkey is already penciling him in as the 3rd down back.  Unfortunately for the Jaguars, Jones-Drew is out of shape and looks like he spent the offseason locked in his basement playing Tecmo Super Bowl.  He has next to no upside until he gets into game shape.  Even though you may have spent a 1st round pick on him, it may behoove you to leave him on the bench until next week.

Jordy Nelson (GB WR – vs SF) – Nelson had a phenomenal year last year.  Last year was also an aberration.  This pick is more of a “temper your expectations” pick instead of a straight dud.  They are playing the Niners, with one of the best (if not the best) defenses in football.  He’ll play ok, but don’t count on the 15+ points that ESPN is projecting him at.

Have any other last minute “who do I start” questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter (@atetrack) or on Facebook.  Unless you’re playing me this week, this is all you get.  Good luck today and may we not see Tebow on every channel.

updated at 8:04am EST

Summer weekends, whether they’re a bunch of over-hyped hoopla or they live up to your expectations, deserve a sweet indie  playlist.  So that’s what you get: a playlist of new and exciting music that might have gone under your radar; or, maybe you already love every song.  In either case, this playlist is for you and your summer weekend.

First up is a deliciously noisy anthem from Japandroids called The House That Heaven Built that has already been tagged as 2012′s summer indie anthem.  Next up is new music from Matt & Kim, Regina Spektor, and Hot Chip.  Jack White shows off his blues chops with a cover of the classic I’m Shakin’.

Frank Ocean’s Swim Good graces this playlist with its R&B brilliance in honor of his bravery for coming out as gay/bisexual.  Be sure to look out for his debut album, which comes out later this month.  Next up is Walk the Moon, whose infectious pop riffs and catchy choruses will inevitably take them to bigger places.  Less grandeur, but certainly not less catchy, is Electric Guest with their single This Head I Hold.

Next up is the title track from The Walkmen’s newest album, which is fantastic.  Ditto for Santigold, with her newest single The Keepers.  Then we have an excellent album track from a superb indie group from Brooklyn called Friends. And finally, to close the playlist, a slow jam from the new Spiritualized album.

Hope you love the playlist.  If it does anything for you, please share it with your friends and subscribe to it on Spotify!  Happy weekend!

I. He lost to Pusha T. In fact, he’s been losing to Pusha since 2006 (get a detailed history here). The Clipse had called out Wayne for biting their style, and with each back-and-forth, they just continued to diminish him, mainly due to Wayne’s inability to speak English. All was apparently settled once Pusha made the move to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music team and Weezy got out of prison, but seemingly out of nowhere the beef has resurfaced, starting with Pusha’s “Exodus 23:1″. Personally, the track sounds like a diss on Drake – not Wayne – but naturally Drake’s daddy spoke out first anyway, tweeting “Fuk pusha t and anybody that love em.” Really, Wayne? That’s the best you can do? Listen to Pusha T’s verse, the rhyme schemes and subtleties, and all you can say is fuck you? And you misspelled it?! He and Drake came back with the diss track “Ghoulish,” but it doesn’t hold a candle to Pusha’s, which brings me to my next point…

II. His crew is soft. The Young Money label is a division of Cash Money Records that’s headed up by Lil’ Wayne. It consists of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Mack Maine, Cory Gunz, and a bunch of other no talent clowns that make society dumber as a whole. If you remember, this is the video that basically introduced the team a few years back:

Personally, it’s not quite my thing, mainly because they’re a crew geared toward teenagers. The best of them – Wayne, Drake, Nicki – have been able to appeal to the masses by breaking past that a bit. Still, this group is anything but hard. Tyga is known for this. Nicki jumps from genre to genre, her average fan being a 12-year-old girl from suburbia. I’d say Drake is probably the most talented and evolved of them all, but he’ll always be Jimmy from Degrassi. And when it comes to Wayne, just because he’s been to prison, that doesn’t make him hard. Now, I’m not saying this as a bad thing by any means. Not all hip-hop has to be aggressive. My problem is that they flip a switch and suddenly start acting hard in situations like these, and I just find it all laughable and phony as hell. I blame Rick Ross for their tendencies.

III. His wardrobe is atrocious. This has nothing to do with his music, but it certainly doesn’t help his cause.

This is what he wore to the Grammys. ‘Nuff said.

IV. He allowed this to happen.

Which basically helped lead to this…

V. He made all of Young Money back out of Summer Jam. Here’s the rundown. Young Money was set to perform at this past weekend’s annual Hot 97 Summer Jam concert, along with many of the other popular hip-hop acts at the moment. Nicki Minaj was even set to headline, and there were surely fans of hers solely there to see her. Earlier in the day, morning DJ Paul Rosenberg said to the crowd, “I know there’s some chicks here waiting to sing “Starships” later, I’m not talking to y’all right now. Fuck that bullshit. I’m here to talk about real hip-hop shit.” When word of this got to Wayne, he pulled Young Money out of the lineup midday, along with the tweet, “Young Money ain’t doing summer jam.” Of course, all of his cronies asked no questions and followed orders (except for Tyga, who went on anyway. Not that it mattered). This was a horrible move for all involved for a number of reasons. First and foremost, fans who paid to see Young Money got fucked in the ass, and that’s not Rosenberg’s fault – it’s Wayne’s. Rosenberg’s a DJ who gets paid to be who he is and speak what’s on his mind, and this isn’t the first time he’s insulted Nicki for going pop. Young Money as a whole had an opportunity to take the higher road, appear throughout the show regardless – including the headlining set – not screw over their fans, and probably get in some good shots at the Hot 97 crew that would’ve undoubtedly been supported by the majority. Instead, they bailed like a bunch of school boy bitches, hurt their rep and further support my second bullet point in this post. Another reason this wasn’t Wayne’s smartest idea is because he went against one of the biggest powerhouse radio stations there is, which brings me to my next point…

VI. He managed to piss off Funkmaster Flex. This is the man that built Summer Jam and helped make Hot 97 what it is. Flex literally loves everyone. It is impossible to get on his bad side. Yet, Wayne’s actions drove him to say some choice words during his DJ set later in the concert.

Monday night, Nicki went on Flex’s show to talk about the matter, and she actually made some decent points. I’m sure all is forgiven between the two, because like I said, it’s impossible for Flex to hate anyone. However, on Tuesday Hot 97′s Program Director dissed Nicki and took Rosenberg’s side. It looks as if this will be an ongoing thing, and it honestly can’t do anything but hurt the Young Money team. I’m fully aware of their fan base and that they probably aren’t going anywhere soon, but in thinking long term, I can’t help but believe that they may have reached their peak and have nowhere to look but down from here on out. My reason for thinking that is my final point.

VII. He’s isolating himself from the most powerful people in hip-hop. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation (which contains Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music), Rick Ross’ Mayback Music Group and Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment are probably the three most prominent labels in hip-hop right now. A large part of that is their friendships and collaborations with each other and the top radio stations in the country, playing their music far too often, allowing their songs to creep into your subconscious until you feel the need to buy it whether you like it or not. One minute, you’re kind of liking that new Drake song you heard the other day. The next, you’re dancing like a fool in your car and have every damn word memorized.

I’m not saying that Drake won’t appear on anymore Big Sean songs, or Rick Ross won’t employ Nicki for the occasional verse, but I think that it really hurts Lil’ Wayne and the future of Young Money as we know it. Drake and Nicki feel a deep loyalty toward Wayne – it’s the reason they left Summer Jam when they were ordered to – but if staying with Young Money is going to hold them back, you better believe that they’ll leave. No question. They’re bound to leave soon and start labels of their own anyway. Wayne has a fan base and will always manage to sell tons of records, but his current actions haven’t helped his situation in the least, and isn’t that what it’s all about? I think Pusha T is a hell of a lot more talented, but in the grand scheme of things, he’s peanuts compared to Wayne, and Wayne allowed him to get under his skin! I think we’ll see some big changes in the way Young Money is repped on Hot 97, and I think they’re collaborations with the G.O.O.D. Music crew will be practically nonexistent. That’s not going to be good for business. Face it, Weezy – you fucked up.

A stuffy, coughing Don and perfectly healthy Megan enter the elevator, standing on opposite sides. Along the way, a woman named Andrea enters, recognizing Don, clearly a former flame. Don is quick to introduce Megan as his wife, and the flirtation ceases. Andrea leaves at the next stop, prompting Megan to say, “How many times is this going to happen?” Later in the day, Don apologizes. It happened a long time ago when he was unhappy in his marriage. Megan can’t help but feel embarrassed by his sexual appetite, warning him that it can’t be blamed on Betty anymore. After sitting in on Ginsberg’s pitch to Topaz (more on that later), a sick-as-a-dog Don is drinking and smoking in a bar, before Megan sends him home to bed over the phone, telling him to put out that cigarette. He walks into his bedroom and weakly falls onto the mattress. The doorbell rings. He struggles to get to the door, opening it to find Andrea. She wants to talk, saying, “It was just sex. It doesn’t mean anything.” He forces her out through the service elevator, concerned that Megan might see her, before lying back down and falling asleep. He wakes up to Andrea now sitting at his bed. He asks her, “Why can’t you leave me alone?” She replies, “I can’t.” He says, “You have to.” Then he jumps her bones. As she gets dressed, Don says this is a mistake that won’t be happening again. “A mistake you love making,” she tells him. “You’ll love it again because you’re a sick, sick…” What does that ellipsis right there stand for, you might ask? Well, that’s the sound of Don choking the shit out of her. Seriously. He rings her neck until she lies there, lifeless, then kicks the body under the bed, her foot sticking out. A hazy Megan walks into a light-filled room with breakfast in hand. Don looks down, and the body is gone. It was never there in the first place. He asks Megan where she’s been, and she says she’s been in bed the whole night, really worried about Don for a while there. He replies, “You don’t have to worry about me.”

In the other major storyline this week, Joan is preparing for her hubby Greg’s return from Vietnam. Joan’s mom, Gail, is helping her and getting her all worked up at the same time. When Greg arrives, he is introduced to his son, baby Kevin, who is just as quickly taken from him by Gail. She’s going out to run some errands and give Joan and Greg some much needed alone time. Joan wakes up in the afternoon, tired from the sex, to Greg eating bologna of all things. She says she wants him to wear his uniform all the time. Well, guess what, Joanie? You’re wish has been granted! He breaks the news to her that he’s expected back for another year. She’s livid, but he’s at peace with it, understanding it’s necessary to the cause. He wants her to feel the same way. While out to dinner later that evening with Gail and Greg’s parents, the subject comes up again, with Greg reluctant to debate it any further. Greg’s mom says this dinner is just a painful charade. “Everyone else is trying to come home. You’ve got to talk him out of it!” Joan isn’t quite getting it. The bastard has volunteered to go back. After dinner, Greg storms out to meet his bros, and Gail tries to talk to Joan over the crying baby, but she’s having none of it. She tells Greg at breakfast the next morning that she wants him to go… and never come back. Greg goes Hulk, saying that the army needs him. Joan says that they need him, and he’s done his part. She says, “You’re not a good man. You never were, even before we were married, and you know what I’m talking about.” Oh. Snap. The rapist says, “If I walk out, that’s it.” Joanie says, “That’s it.” And that’s it! Gail lies sleeping on one side of the bed, Joanie on the other, and baby Kev in between. Meet the new and improved Holloways!

An airline labor strike doesn’t apply to the employers of newly reacquired client Mohawk Airlines, which provides a great opportunity for the agency to get moving on a campaign. Pete wants it for Monday and Roger says no problem, acting calm and collect until Pete leaves. It’s Friday, and he’s got nothing. Unable to find Ginsberg, he talks to an extra sassy Peggy. She takes a desperate Roger for every dollar he’s got in his pocket, a cool $400, in one of Peggy’s best scenes to date. As she types away deep into the night, she hears a noise coming from Don’s office. She enters to find Dawn, sleeping in the office because the Chicago riots have cause a roar in Bed-Stuy (more on these later!). Peggy offers that she stay at her place, and she reluctantly agrees. Back at the apartment, Peggy and Dawn put back a few brews and get real. Peggy says she understands what it’s like to be an outcast. She asks Dawn if she acts like a man, and Dawn thinks she has to a little, though Peggy’s not sure she wants to. Before going to bed, she eyes her purse full of Roger’s cash on the coffee table. Then she eyes Dawn, who is eying her. Awkward! She wakes up the next morning to an empty couch and a thank you note on her purse.

The overarching event throughout this episode is the rape and murder of eight Chicago women. It begins with Peggy’s lesbian friend Zoe bringing in unpublished crime scene pictures from the magazine she works at. Peggy, Stan and Megan are fascinated by them, while Ginsberg has to leave, calling them all sickos. Meanwhile, Sally is being watched by Henry’s mother, Paulina, while he and Betty are out of town. Paulina is strangely interested about the murders, but unwilling to tell a curious Sally about them. Sally eventually snags the paper, reading it under the sheets with a flashlight and startling a knife-toting Paulina when she can’t sleep afterward. Paulina gives her a Seconal, which has them both out cold the next morning when Betty and Henry return, Paulina sitting up with the knife on her lap, and Sally underneath the sofa.

The pitch in this episode is made by Ginsberg, to their client Topaz about shoes. He originally sells them on this “woman at a party” idea, but when the executive approaches him afterward, he tells him about his original idea that was nixed. It’s a dark, detailed story about a Cinderella figure, a woman running from something, hobbling away with one shoe on, when she’s approached by a man with the other shoe. She takes it from the man even though its unsafe because in the end, she wants to be caught. The client ends up going for this instead, which ends up getting Ginsberg into some trouble with Don, but the important thing to take from it is the tone it sets for the episode. The innocence of the 60′s continues to fade, and while last weeks “Tea Leaves” examined the adults who aren’t that young anymore, “Mystery Date” suggests that the world is becoming a place where children are forced to grow up too fast. An ad for the Mystery Date game plays on TV as Sally is watching, a game where girls can pretend to date a handsome stranger. As Paulina is quick to point out, these murders began with young innocent girls who went to bed and were greeted by a handsome man. “They didn’t know what was in store for them.” Sally falls asleep under the couch, mimicking Andrea’s murdered body under Don’s bed, not necessarily suggesting that Sally will become this type of girl, but rather that times are changing. When Don kicked Andrea under his bed, only her foot stuck out, dressed with a heel like Cinderella. The themes of awareness, dishonesty, innocence lost and paranoia all come full circle.

From my handy, dandy notebook:

- “Mystery Date” refers to the game of the same name. Here’s the ad from the 60′s.

- The Chicago murders were committed by Richard Speck on July 13th, 1966. The one woman who was able to escape did so because she was able to hide under a bed while Speck was with a victim. This also mirrors Andrea under Don’s bed and Sally sleeping under the couch.

- After the truth about Greg is found out at the restaurant, an accordion player approaches the table and starts playing. Gail is quick to remind everyone that Joan plays. The last time we saw her play, it was at a dinner party she and Greg hosted and Greg insisted that she play, fully enjoying her entertainment. Not so much fun this time around.

I’ll leave you the same way “Mystery Date” does, with 1962′s “He Hit Me” by The Crystals. It’s a song that didn’t get much airplay, probably because it condoned domestic violence. Phil Spector, who arranged it, claims that he wasn’t preaching or glorifying spousal abuse; just simply documenting it. It’s the perfect choice for the end of this episode. Stay tuned for the recap of this season’s fifth episode, “Signal 30.”