Prospective buyers better think hard before drafting Austin. (USP)

Trepidation is a common personality trait among the fantasy masses. It's no surprise. In a virtual game when championship aspirations can be snatched away by one muscle tweak or legal misstep, apprehensive feelings are justified. As a result, question marks Michael Vick, Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Andre Johnson and every cop's best friend, Kenny Britt, have slipped in drafts.

Add Dallas' Miles Austin to the list.

On Sunday, the former Kardashian canoodler pulled up lame at practice, suffering a hamstring strain, the fifth Cowboy to be sidelined with the setback since camp opened a little over a week ago. He is expected to miss at least a week. Additional details from ESPN Dallas:

Is now the time to hop aboard the B-Lloyd bandwagon (USP)

Hype is very seducing.

During this time each year, everyone, including Blaine Gabbert, are in superb shape and primed to completely roll through anyone in their path. Much of the sunshine and rainbows talk is exactly that, but a few offer invaluable insight into a player truly poised for fantasy greatness.

Brandon Lloyd's re-teaming with Josh McDaniels in New England is a perfect example.

On this week's pigskin packed show, Brad Evans and Dalton Del Don decided whether owners should believe or make believe the chatter surrounding the wide receiver. Additional takes on Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Jake Locker and Eric Decker were also discussed Plus, what overlooked tight end could be this year's Aaron Hernandez? We informed the masses.

LISTEN TO HOUR 1 HERE (NFL)

LISTEN TO HOUR 2 HERE (NFL)

Only a dummy would count out Charles this year. (USP)

Bold declarative statements are what Jamaal Charles does well.

Breaking off long gains is what he does best.

Similar to Adrian Peterson, many owners are unsure how to approach the JC of KC in drafts this season. The apprehension expressed over the rusher, coming off an ACL tear, an injury which Roary the Lion is solely responsible for, is expected and completely understandable. However, different from his divine counterpart, avoiding him in drafts is a mistake. He was cleared for take-off when Chiefs camp opened last week and has looked and felt every bit of his old self since. From the KC Star:

"I feel like I got my mojo back. I feel happy. I feel comfortable out there, and I'm ready to go. My legs feel fresh. It's been about a year. I feel good."

Like a mouthy WWE wrestler, Charles has delivered a string of boastful quotes this off-season, enough to outmatch even "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. A sampling:

"When I touch that field again, you're going to feel my pain." — ESPN, May 12

"When they let that cape off me, I'm ready to go. I'm ready to put my cleats back on and punish everybody in my way.' — KC Star, June 13

Obviously, Charles isn't lacking in the confidence department, but so far he's backed the smack. The Chiefs coaching staff has talked highly of his on-field performance, noting he's made nearly flawless cuts and ran with vintage explosiveness. All goes well in exhibition play, and it's a foregone conclusion the rusher will take on his customary 15-18 touch load when KC hosts Atlanta Week 1.

Sadly, this is an all too familiar picture for Johnson owners. (USP)

Andre Johnson is peanut brittle.

It's becoming increasingly clear.

Over the weekend, the breakable wideout suffered a strained groin, a setback that will keep him out of action through Monday.

Though minor, the derailment is just the latest in a long line of physical issues for the multi-time All-Pro. Last year, recurring hamstring problems cost him nine games. And in May, he underwent a "clean-up" procedure on his right knee. Suffice it to say, his flesh is an injury imp favorite.

Once considered one of the more trustworthy commodities in virtual pigskin, Johnson has become the Frank Gore of receivers, a once reliable points source whose reputation is marred by fragility. Since 2007, he's played 16 games in a season only twice. His newest ailment only heightens owner concern.

Coach Manning educating Decker on the dos and don'ts. (USP)

When discussing the relationship between quarterback and receiver the importance of chemistry cannot be overstated. Without it and an irreparable schism is created (See Tom Brady and the artist formerly known as Chad Ochocinco). With it, however, hearts pump, birds sing and chains move.

Passing parts working in unison really is a thing of beauty.

Right now Peyton Manning and Eric Decker are fostering such a bond.

According to Broncos beat writers, the pair, who have worked together nonstop since mini-camp, are on the same page. Short-field passes from Manning have routinely found their target, most times falling into the hands of Decker. Those connections could be a preview of what's to come. From Mike Klis of the Denver Post:

Too bad for Peyton Manning and Eric Decker the regular season is still six weeks away. The quarterback and receiver are working together like they were ready yesterday. On a one-on-one red zone drill, Manning threw a well-timed back-shoulder pass with zip. Decker was blanketed by rookie corner Omar Bolden but the receiver turned as the ball was at his head, fell back and made a terrific catch as he landed on his backside. Score!

So far, Manning has looked every bit the player that owns four MVP trophies, at least on short throws. Though the future HOFer contends he's still not 100-percent, his passes within 20 yards have looked zippy and precise. Still, however, deep balls are a different story. Somewhat inaccurate and fluttery in nature, they remain a work in progress. Until that part of his game resurfaces, he may be more of a Kurt Warner type, a passer who nickles and dimes opponents.

For prospective Decker investors, that's music to their ears.

[Jason Cole: Philip Rivers grasping harsh reality that he's running out of time]

Handoffs to Martin could be aplenty in Tampa this year. (USP)

Merely days into training camp and it appears one backfield battle may already have a winner.

If you're a self-proclaimed LeGarrette Blount enthusiast, turn away.

According to those walking the Bucs beat, first-round pick Doug Martin has staked his claim as the favorite for the starting RB job. He carried the rock with the first team when camp opened last week and hasn't stopped impressing since. Nothing is official yet, but Martin looks to have a firm grip, for now.  From Pro Football Talk:

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said he isn't playing favorites in the tailback battle between incumbent starter  Blount and rookie Martin.

That might be the case, but the first few days of Bucs practice paint a picture that has Martin sitting in the driver's seat. Tom Krasniqi of WDAE calls Martin "clearly the top dog so far" and several other Bucs beat reporters have painted a similar picture this weekend. Martin got the first snaps at the first practice of training camp and has continued to be in front of Blount through Sunday's first padded practice.

Considering Blount's pugilistic past, losing ground to a back from Boise State, in a way, is poetic justice. Karma is indeed a (expletive).

Still, even before the first snap of camp, his fate was already sealed.

Last week a Tampa Times report disclosed Raheem Morris provided car service for "Lazy" LeGarette for large portions of 2010 and 2011 because of the back's excessive tardiness to team meetings, a stunning revelation since he lived just three miles away from team headquarters. As a result, new head honcho Greg Schiano scribbled the writing on the wall. The former Rutgers coach, who was brought in to clean up a club insiders believed lost control under Morris last year, isn't one to tolerate such incompetence. Blount's repeat violations and fumbling problems probably did him in long ago. 

With Beanie on the PUP, the mid-draft gem is taking advantage. (USP)

It was August 19, 2011. Ryan Williams, an up-and-coming second-round pick from Virginia Tech, excitedly bounced up and down on the sidelines biding his time to showcase his wares. The Cardinals were locked in a preseason battle versus the Packers at historic Lambeau Field. It was early in the third quarter.

Finally, his number was called.

The hungry rookie, who had performed admirably in his previous two preseason appearances, sprinted out to the huddle. He was ready to prove he belonged, ready to make an impact. When the ball slapped against his gut, he surveyed the line, planted, sprinted into the fray and felt a pop. Falling to the ground after a Packers defender landed awkwardly on his right leg, a sharp, extreme pain, resonating from his knee, immediately overcame Williams. For the next several minutes he writhed around in agony. Minutes later doctors carted him off the field.

Diagnosed with a ruptured patella tendon the next day, his season was officially over.

The road to recovery would be long and bitter. …

Mike, you're not the only one shocked by Friday's turn of events. (USP)

*SMACK*

That sound you just heard was a backhanded slap across the face of Mike Wallace.

In a stunning revelation Friday, Steelers management signed Antonio Brown, and not the holdout, to a five-year, $42.5 million extension, effectively drawing a line in the sand with its top receiver from 2011. Pittsburgh, cash-strapped prior to the agreement, does not plan to offer Wallace a long-term extension, forcing the wideout into a number of different scenarios. He could sign his one-year $2.7 million tender and arrive at Steelers training camp immediately, refuse to scribble his name on the dotted line and sit out the year or, as the Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac presented Saturday, agree to a sign and trade resolution (UPDATE: The Post-Gazette reports Wallace could be had for as little as a fourth-round pick. Crazy cheap.), an earth-shaking move that would surely send ripple effects through the fantasy community.

Pittsburgh's handling of the situation is puzzling. Wallace is a nuclear downfield weapon who's compiled consecutive spectacular seasons. He's notched a ridiculous 18.7 yards per catch since debuting in 2009. Losing him would be a significant blow, especially when considering how sketchy the Steelers' ground game is.

But the organization has made its choice. Clearly it covets Brown more.

So should fantasy owners.