Starters only play for a possession or three. Even when they do play, it's hard to tell if they are going up against a full squad of starters or not. So as a fantasy owner, how are you supposed to tell which players will pay off, and which will leave you looking forward to next season. Well, if you are like me, you are not going to be giving your full attention to every game before week one, but here are somethings to look for whenever you channel surf by a game or two.

• Big Hits: If a stud player is taking big hits everytime he touches the ball, chances are he is setting himself up for a roller coaster season. Players who take big hits will either end up wearing street clothes on the sidelines, or will drive their team nuts with their ego problems. Young, cocky players come in the game looking to prove that they bump around and still have time to get up and talk trash. However, your wiser, more mature players will play smart and find the plays that keep them ready to make the next big play. Especially in preseason, smart players know that there is no reason to try to prove themselves, especially if they are confident the coach is seeing them bust their rear every practice.
• Smiles: A player who thinks they are going to get cut because they know the coach sees them messing up all the small things will not by flashing their pearly whites. However, a player who is confident that they are going to have a solid role on the team, will enjoy their preseason games and will be able to play more loose and laugh with their teammates in the huddle and on the sidelines.
• Play Calling: If a coach is calling a number of plays in a small amount of time that highlight a specific player, chances are they have big plans for that player later on in life. So pay attention to how many passes are thrown at a player, how many carries they get, how many times the coach sends them on a blitz, and how often they are dropped in a cover zone over the middle. Coaches are using preseason to prove their hunches.

Enjoy the life of preseason! Make sure you get a chance to double check some of your draft picks. These are your last chances to find your risks and prove your rewards.