Fantasy one-hit wonders (Part 1)

Just as there are few music fans that follow a one-hit wonder, some fantasy managers take a liking to one-week stars in football and this season there have been plenty of them.

Sometimes it's the player's fault, as guys such as Kevin Kolb and Ryan Torain simply failed to produce. Others, such as Miles Austin and Chad Henne, have struggled to stay healthy.

Then there are the players who offer a blip on the radar with one good performance and get fantasy managers chomping at the bit. With a bit of research, we should have known that James Casey and Jason Hill would not have much staying power.

Here's a look at the one-hit wonders that made their names known in games taking place in the first half of this NFL season.

Week 1: Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins

(416 passing yards, 2 TD, 59 rushing yards, 1 TD)

There was no telling how the Dolphins season would fall out after the season opener. Henne got into a duel with fellow Michigan alumnus Tom Brady. He threw for 416 yards with two scores and ran for an additional 59 yards with a touchdown.

A 2008 second-round pick, Henne had every shot of evolving as the Dolphins starting quarterback of the present and the future, but that strong opener accounted for half of his passing and rushing yards this season. Henne only made it through four games before a separated left shoulder spelled the premature end of his season.

Matt Moore has since stepped up as the Dolphins starting QB, leading the Fins to a respectable 5-6 record as the team's starting pivot. The team will likely look outside of the organization for their future starting QB, even though Henne's week one performance offered a great deal of promise. Sadly, he disappointed fantasy managers just as he had the previous two seasons.

Week 2: Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys

(9 Receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD)

A breakout star in 2009 with 1,320 yards, Austin took a step back last season, as the addition of Dez Bryant decreased his role in the Cowboys' offence. However, Austin reminded fantasy managers of his potential in the second week of this season with a monster performance against a very good Niners defence.

The good times did not last, as Austin would miss six of the next 10 games due to injuries and has failed to rack up as many as 75 yards in a game since. While a solid wide out in fantasy leagues, Austin remains an echelon away from being tops at his position.

Week 3: James Casey, TE/RB, Texans

(11 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD)

Chances are you had never heard of Casey coming into the season, but the 2009 fifth round pick out of Rice was the weapon of choice for the Texans against the Saints.

Casey played an H-Back role, coming up with 11 rushing yards and 126 receiving yards with a score. Though he was a popular target on the fantasy football waiver wire following his week three performance, we have heard very little from Casey ever since.

Week 4: Ryan Torain, RB, Redskins

(135 rushing yards, 1 TD)

Following a strong finish to the 2010 season, Torain was a popular sleeper entering the season with only injuries scaring off fantasy managers. When healthy, Torain reminded us of his ability with a big performance in week four with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Torain followed with a few uneven performances and with Mike Shanahan notorious for his short leash with running backs, Torain soon was tossed at the end of the bench while rookie Roy Helu has flourished.

Week 5: Jason Hill, WR, Jaguars

(5 Receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD)

In his first season with the Jaguars, Hill appeared on the verge of breaking out as he hauled in four receptions for 53 yards to open the season, then a career-best five receptions for 118 yards with a touchdown a month later.

Between weeks five and eight, Hill scored three touchdowns for a Jaguars team desperate for playmakers in the receiving corps. However, just three weeks later the Jaguars surprised the fantasy world by waiving the 6'0, 202 lbs. wide receiver.

The Jaguars are very much in a youth movement and did not see Hill as a player to build around. No other teams have rushed to scoop him up either.

Week 6: Devin Hester, WR, Bears

(5 Receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD, 1 Return TD)

There is definitely an argument to put Hester into the NFL Hall of Fame. He has returned more touchdowns than any other player in NFL history all with just one fumble to his credit. However, his value in reality and fantasy often diverge.

Hester has limited value in fantasy leagues since he is not a vital part of the Bears passing attack and most fantasy leagues do not reward special-teams yardage. However, for one week Hester was a fantasy sensation with 91 yards and a touchdown to complement his two returns for 107 yards with another touchdown.

Week 7: Kevin Kolb, QB, Cardinals

(272 Passing Yards, 1 TD)

Acquired as a savior for the Cardinals offence, Kolb has done very little to live up to his billing this season. The former Eagles signal-caller has dealt with a number of injuries, while second-year QB John Skelton has provided some stability under center for the Cards.

Though Kolb led the Cardinals to just one win through eight weeks before succumbing to an injury, he did offer some promise in a week seven contest against the Steelers. Kolb racked up 272 passing yards with two scores and one turnover in that contest.

After the fine performance, Kolb took six sacks the following week and was forced out of action for four weeks with a toe injury. Kolb then returned a few weeks later only to suffer a concussion that may end his season.

Week 8: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Chiefs

(5 Receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD)

There were high expectations for the Chiefs coming into the season, and while running back Jamaal Charles and quarterback Matt Cassel are two of the greatest busts because of injuries, the rookie Baldwin can be added to the group due to his inability to earn a meaningful role in the Chiefs' offence.

The 26th overall pick out of Pittsburgh was supposed to spread the field while lining parallel to Dwayne Bowe. Instead, an injury kept Baldwin off the field through the first seven games of the season. When he finally did contribute with 82 yards and a touchdown on a nationally televised win over the Chargers, he followed with fewer than 30 yards in the ensuing eight contests.

Certainly this is not what fantasy managers were expecting from the 6'4, 230-pound target that was deemed worthy of the Chiefs first-round pick.