Most people who play fantasy football realize that, to some degree, they have a problem with addiction. The signs are abundantly clear - round-the-clock obsession, poor performance at work, a void in their family lives - but still, fantasy football keeps a tight grip on them. And that’s OK, to a point.

I’ve heard that admitting to a problem is the first step in the road to recovery. But, like an alcoholic who just can’t say no to a cocktail, I have no interest in discovering what the second recovery step is like. Again, within reason, fantasy football obsession is harmless fun that can be taken a couple of steps too far.

Fantasy managers are comfortable with the fact that nothing will be accomplished on Sundays until the clock runs out on Super Bowl XLIII. But, what we may not realize is just how much productive time we lose at work while pondering roster decisions, how often we daydream about fantasy football, and how overboard we go in order to win our leagues.

Those are the breaks that come with competitively managing a fantasy football team, but here are five signs that an addiction has gone too far.

1. You use a calculator at a bar to figure out your fantasy points. And yes, cell phone calculators do count. Counting the number of points an 80-yard touchdown catch is worth is not appropriate public behavior.

2. Your Sunday NFL Ticket package, an incredibly dangerous invention for fantasy football owners, doesn’t stay on the same channel for more than 30 seconds at a time.

3. The only time you stop staring at your league’s in-game box score is when you switch to a different league and a different in-game box score.

4. You can tell someone exactly how many carries and yards Edgerrin James has at the half, but you blank when you’re asked what the score is. Think about that one; we’ve all done it.

5. When your blood boils every time opposing players score touchdowns. Of course you’re going to be concerned about it, but going into a 30-minute depression is taking it to the extreme.

Subconsciously, I think all five of those things come from personal experience. Except for the calculator … the math is usually simple enough to do in my head.

Alright, let’s get into some more relevant stuff here. Some picks for this weekend.

Who’s scoring points:
1. QB Tony Romo, Dallas: Cleveland will run with Dallas just long enough to keep Romo dropping back and firing bullets. The wide open aerial assault will lead to a 25-for-40 day with 325 yards and 3 TDs.

2. RB Brian Westbrook, Eagles: A PPR league special this week; look for 200+ total yards and two scores in a home matchup against the Rams’ soft D.

3. WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: He had 9 catches for 156 yards and 2 TDs in the second of two matchups vs. San Francisco last season; look for more of the same to open ‘08.

4. RB Marshawn Lynch, Bills: Will usher in a new era in Buffalo at home against a fools-gold Seahawks defense; he’s a lock for 20+ carries, 100+ yards and at least one score.

5. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Same deal as Romo; Houston’s offense can put up some points and create a sense of urgency for Big Ben, while its defense scrambles to defend the pass.

Less obvious Week 1 impact players:
1. QB David Garrard, Jaguars: I’m convinced Garrard is an impact player every week, but the matchup against a tough Titans run D will put the ball in his hands more often than usual.

2. RB Felix Jones, Cowboys: The rookie is heralded, but unproven, so he won’t crack most fantasy lineups. That Browns’ D will be spread thin by the pass and hurting from the physical running of Marion Barber. This speedster shouldn’t have any problems finding room to run.

3. QB Trent Edwards, Bills: This guy’s better than you think, and the Seahawks don’t defend the pass well, especially on the road. Could be a coming out party.

4. RB Ray Rice, Ravens: Willis McGahee is a gametime decision, but Rice will crack double-digit carries in this one no matter what. And I won’t believe Cincy’s defense can stop the run until I see it.

5. WR Anthony Gonzalez, Colts: There’s always room in Indy’s lineup for a speedy slot guy, which makes Gonzaelz’s value far less dependent on Marvin Harrison’s status than people think. Think of Gonzalez as a lesser version of Wes Welker in ‘08.

Guys to think about benching:
1. QB Jay Cutler, Broncos: No Brandon Marshall against a pretty stingy Oakland secondary. A no-brainer.

2. TE Antonio Gates, Chargers: Not even he knows how his surgically repaired toe will react in his first game action against Carolina.

3. RB LenDale White, Titans: While the Jags’ lost DT Marcus Stroud to Buffalo, their physical D will stifle White while rookie Chris Johnson finds some success on the perimeter.

4. RB Fred Taylor, Jaguars: Last season, fantasy owners dismissed Taylor as too old to make a contribution. This season, they’re ready to crown him a No. 2 RB. I’m predicting that his decline comes just a year later than expected.

5. WR Joey Galloway, Buccaneers: Yes, the matchup is favorable, but it would be wise to see bench the 36-year old until he proves himself healthy (groin) and effective.

Five random observations:
1. Chad Ocho Cinco may be the most unique athlete of our generation. I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a good or bad thing.

2. If there’s one thing the NFL has taught us, it’s that we should expect the unexpected. This season, we’ll be shocked by the demise of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the success of the Kansas City Chiefs.

3. Peyton Manning (knee) and Tom Brady (foot) will both play in all 16 of their teams’ games.

4. Brett Favre will be good, not great, and the Jets will miss the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

5. This year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award will come down to first opportunity. Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice are all in contention, and one will earn 20+ carries per game by the end of the year. Rice could come out of nowhere and win it.