Preseason results are a lie. The box scores are deceiving. Exhibition games are called as such for a reason. If we can find enough different ways to say that the on-field action in August is phony, perhaps it will overwhelm our urge as football fans to draw conclusions.

Like far too many people in this football-addicted country, I watched Sunday night's preseason opener between the Steelers and Saints with barely restrained glee. Sure, Brian St. Pierre was in before halftime and Reggie Bush had only two carries, but it was live football. Sort of.

The good players aren't playing at full intensity and the coaches don't scheme. The preseason only matters when it affects regular season playing time. That may have happened Sunday night, as a few position battles started taking shape during Pittsburgh's 20-7 victory.

Steelers wideout Cedrick Wilson made a handful of big plays totaling 99 yards, while Nate Washington, his competition for the third receiver role, dropped two passes. Saints rookie first-round wideout Robert Meachem also dropped two passes, and was briefly knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter after getting drilled. He was able to return, but it's a bad sign that Meachem was even playing in the fourth quarter. He's currently a long way from starting.

While Meachem owners in preseason fantasy leagues scan the waiver wire, here are the other notes from around training camp …

* San Diego's most experienced wideout, Eric Parker, will miss roughly ten weeks following toe surgery Friday. While the news won't shake up draft boards, it robs Philip Rivers of his steadiest wide receiver. The rest of San Diego's green group (Vincent Jackson, Craig Davis, Malcom Floyd, Kassim Osgood, Greg Camarillo) have combined for only 78 career catches.

The Chargers are counting on Jackson to grow up fast as their top option, but rookie first-round pick Craig Davis benefits the most in fantasy value. The LSU product wowed observers at a team scrimmage, but he's struggled to stay on the field consistently as a pro because of various. Pro Football Prospectus also points out that Davis is known for his laziness, especially when he doesn't get the ball. That doesn't bode well for a rookie wideout in a system that focuses on the tight end and running back. We'd rather take a flier on a veteran receiver than Davis, even in deep leagues. Parker is now also not worth drafting. Toe injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from.

* Discuss Parker's injury and all your draft plans in Rotoworld's growing football forums.

* Get to know the other Adrian Peterson. The Bears backup runner was one of our favorite sleepers before the NFL Draft, when Chicago drafted a similar player in Garrett Wolfe in the third-round. But Wolfe has missed a great deal of practice time during training camp and it appears Peterson has a solid lead in the battle to backup Cedric Benson. He's a versatile back who excels on passing downs.

Benson missed some practice time over the weekend with a sore shoulder, giving Peterson a chance to work with the first team. Benson has struggled with minor injuries as a pro, although he expects to return this week. If he gets hurt during the season, Peterson could be a starter-worthy fantasy option.

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Two Minute Drill

Corey Dillon told the Boston Globe this week that he's through playing football. He hasn't signed any retirement papers yet, and teams may call in-season if injuries strike … DeAngelo Williams has reportedly struggled in goal-line work during camp, along with Eric Shelton. Look for DeShaun Foster and Nick Goings to get the ball more often inside the five … The Packers rewarded Donald Driver with a pay increase this week. Most of the $11 million in "new money" will never be earned, but he still can earn $3.6 million more over the next three seasons. He's now signed through 2010 … Derek Anderson entered camp as the favorite to start in Cleveland, but hasn't stepped up. Charlie Frye's recent surge has the race too close to call at this point.

Good news for Raiders QB Andrew Walter: He was Oakland's starting quarterback during their team scrimmage. The bad news: He turned the ball over twice in a short period. Daunte Culpepper took turns with the third-team, and it is looking more likely that he'll be Oakland's Week 1 starter … There were a number of scrimmages this weekend. Brodie Croyle struggled in Kansas City according to the Kansas City Star and SI's Peter King. He'll have to struggle quite a bit more to lose the starting job … Brandon Jackson had a solid night in the Packers' scrimmage, flashing some skills on the goal-line and in the receiving game. With the rest of the Packers backfield in shambles, including a recent injury to reserve P.J. Pope, Jackson is earning snaps just by staying healthy.

Returning to Action

Donte' Stallworth was back on the field for the Patriots, and sounded confused about why he was out in the first place. Our concerns that he would have to battle for the starting job admittedly look overblown now. Stallworth immediately began taking first-team reps.

Out of Action

TE L.J. Smith had a "minor setback" in his return from hernia surgery. It's an injury that can be difficult to shake, so Smith is a bigger risk than usual this season. It's time to move him down draft boards slightly … Profootballtalk reported that Joey Porter underewent knee surgery, but the Dolphins deny it. It sounds like it's still possible, but the team may be evaluating their options.

Holdout Update

Chiefs first-round pick Dwayne Bowe finally signed on Sunday. Missing over a week of training camp is never a good thing, but his competition (Samie Parker, Jeff Webb, Chris Hannon) has reportedly been underwhelming. That makes Bowe the favorite to start opposite Eddie Kennison.

Panthers LB Jon Beason also ended his holdout Saturday and should be a starter before long. That leaves only three remaining first-round holdouts: JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. All three have seen little progress in recent days.

The Worst Person in Fantasy Football

Raiders receiver Mike Williams has disappointed fantasy owners for so long, he is going to great lengths to avoid negative press. After dropping a 20-yard pass during Oakland's scrimmage, Williams told a reporter to forget it ever happened.

"You can't write about that dropped post. I don't drop balls. That's an anomaly. It doesn't happen," Williams said.

To repeat, Mike Williams does not drop balls. In related news, Mel Kiper has him moved him up to first his big board.