Start/Bench
List - Week 1
By Whitney
Walters
September 4, 2003 |
| |
| Player List by Code |
| Start/Bench Codes (SBC) S/U: Start/Upside X: Could
go either way/Average B/R: Bench/Risk |
| Early Injury Status (O): Out (D): Doubtful (Q): Questionable (P): Probable |
|
|
| New York Jets
at Washington |
|
| Thu, Sep 4, 9:00 PM on ABC at FedEx
Field |
Back to top |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
B/R |
Did not look good in his limited
pre-season action. Until he proves he can go out and
still get it done he has no place in your starting
lineup. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
The Jets will look to establish the
run early, but with Vinny under center you can bet
the Skins will load the box with 8 or 9 defenders to
stuff the run against a suspect offensive line. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B/R |
May see some limited carries while
the Jets rest CuMar, but that's it. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
Will be the man for New York, but
the strength of the Washington secondary are it's corner
backs. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet |
X |
Won't get much against the solid
corner coverage. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S/U |
Has some upside this week due
to the Skins' weak safety help. Look for Moss to
find open running lanes deep and for Vinny to hit
him on a couple.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B/R |
His career average of 2 catches a
game leave a lot to be desired. |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey |
X |
Must keep his composure against a
strong Jets pass rush in order to succeed this week. |
| RB |
Trung Canidate |
X |
A much better fit at RB in the Spurrier
system. He must prove himself capable of carrying the
load without fumbling. If that happens he could surprise
this season. This week will be his first test. |
| RB |
Ladell Betts |
B/R |
Not likely to get the carries needed
to help your team as this will be Canidate's coming
out party. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S/U |
Opening night against his old team.
Should put on a nice show. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
X |
Is this the year that Gardner's great
physical tools push him to the next level? Or will
the inconsistency continue? This game should give us
a good indication. |
| WR |
Taylor Jacobs
Darnerian McCants |
B/R |
Beyond Coles and Gardner, don't
expect much production.
|
| TE |
Robert Royal |
B/R |
Redskin tight ends combined for only
20 catches last season, 2nd worst in the NFL. |
|
|
| Arizona at Detroit |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on FOX at Ford
Field |
Back to top |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
X |
Will have chances to make some big
plays through the passing game and may make the run-stopping
oriented Cardinals' defense pay. |
| RB |
Emmitt Smith |
X |
Will get the bulk of the carries
in week 1 but will face a defensive front stacked to
stop the run. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
B/R |
His opportunities will increase as
the season wears on. This week however, it's all Emmitt. |
| WR |
Bryan Gilmore |
X |
His great speed and solid hands
this pre-season have earned him the starting slot to
start the season. Could surprise. |
| WR |
Larry Foster |
B/R |
Small and may not hold on to his
starting spot for long. Best suited in the slot. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin
Jason McAddley |
B/R |
Both have had a nice pre-season,
but it takes a better offense to make the #3 WR a
viable fantasy factor.
|
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
X |
Will be relied on more with the inexperience
at WR. |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
S/U |
Gets one of the league's worst secondaries
without it's best player, CB Duane Starks. Nice way
to start the season. |
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
X |
This will be a pass heavy attack
and Bryson will share the load with Cobourne, Denson
and maybe even newly acquired Olandis Gary |
| RB |
Cobourne, Denson, Gary |
B/R |
Too many backs, too few carries. |
| WR |
Charles Rogers |
S/U |
The Cardinals' secondary is the weakest
link in the defense and Rogers should have a nice game
in his NFL debut. |
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
X |
Could have a nice game against the
suspect Cardinal secondary, but this will be Rogers'
coming out party and Schroeder must prove himself after
a very disappointing 2002 season. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim (Q) |
X |
Ditto for Hakim, and will be
slowed by the knee injury.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
B/R |
Trivia -- Over the past four years
what coach's tight ends have caught the lowest percentage
of their
team's
touchdowns?
Yep, Mariucci. |
|
|
| Baltimore at Pittsburgh |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Heinz
Field |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller |
B/R |
Rookie in his first start, on the
road at Heinz Field against what will be one of the
top defenses in the NFL. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
X |
One of the best power runners in
the league faces one of the best front sevens in the
league. Expect a draw. |
| RB |
Chester Taylor |
B/R |
It's all Lewis, all the time. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
X |
Has all the physical skills but his
inconsistency has kept him from taking that next step.
May improve as his rookie QB grows later in the season,
but expect a slow start. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders (D) |
B/R |
Solid #2 behind Taylor but isn't
likely to play. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
B/R |
Has had a disappointing pre-season.
|
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S/U |
Should have a nice deep game against
the so-so Steeler safeties. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
X |
The Ravens' improved secondary and
pass rush will cause problems for Maddox behind an
offensive line that is not up to it's past level. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
X |
The Raven defense should be improved
this season, but Zereoue did have success against
them last year in replacement of the injured Bettis.
In
fact,
all four of his TDs last year were against Baltimore. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
B/R |
May get some carries, maybe even
at the goal-line. But until there is a clearer picture
of how Bettis will be used this season the risk is
too high. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S/U |
His big play ability make him a worthy
start. |
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S/U |
His consistency makes him a worthy
start. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
B/R |
Likely to be the #4 receiver
this season behind Zereoue.
|
| TE |
Jay Riemersma |
B/R |
An improvement over Bruener but will
have a tough time this week against the very active
Baltimore linebackers. |
|
|
| Denver at Cincinnati |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Paul
Brown Stadium |
Back to top |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer |
S/U |
The "is Jake for real?" question
starts to be answered. The Bengals' defense will be
more aggressive this year, but the secondary still
leaves a lot to be desired. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Mike Anderson |
B/R |
Just the blocking back now, and the
Portis backup. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
S/U |
blah, blah, blah |
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey |
B/R |
Has really slowed down since the
broken leg and just isn't the same. Will start to give
way to Lelie. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
S/U |
Should be able to use his speed
to get behind the Bengal coverage.
|
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
X |
A bit older, a bit slower and five
years removed from his last double-digit TD season,
but he still gets it done each Sunday. |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
X |
If the Bengals spread the field they
will find some success throwing the ball against a
Bronco secondary that lacks depth. |
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
X |
Should benefit this season from an
improved WR corps that can stretch the field. The Broncos
however should remain one of the top run stopping units
in the league this season. |
| RB |
Brandon Bennett |
B/R |
Dillon, Dillon and more Dillon. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S/U |
Closed out 2002 with over 800 yards
in 8 games. Should continue to improve and take advantage
of Denver's inexperienced and inconsistent corner backs. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
X |
Same ol', same ol' for Warrick. Never
enough to make him a consistent fantasy starter. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington
TJ Houshmandzadeh |
B/R |
Washington is a rookie, but brings
increased talent to the #3 WR spot.
|
| TE |
Reggie Kelly |
B/R |
Reports are that the Bengals want
to get the ball to the TE more this season, which only
had 28 catches last year. We'll see. |
|
|
| Houston at Miami |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Pro
Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
B/R |
Protection will be the key for Carr
this season. The first big test of their improved offensive
line come this week. Odds are they will fail. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
B/R |
Could have a solid season, but not
this week. |
| RB |
Jonathon Wells (P) |
B/R |
Won't see much action. |
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
B/R |
This elite rookie will likely learn
a few thing this weekend from the stellar cornerback
duo in Miami. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B/R |
Started off strong last year but
faded fast. This is the youngster's (Johnson/Gaffney)
team now. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B/R |
May end up the most productive
WR this week for Houston working out of the slot.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
X |
Carr will be needing a dump-off target
all day. |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler |
B/R |
See that big guy behind you with
the 34 on his chest? Give him the ball. Miami passed
for over 240 yards only once last year. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Travis Minor |
B/R |
VERY Minor in this offense. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
Fiedler's best option and the most
likely Dolphin WR to have fantasy value. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
B/R |
Big and strong and could turn into
a nice possession receiver for the Dolphins as Fiedler
grows more comfortable with him. |
| WR |
James McKnight |
B/R |
Fourth receiving option in a
run oriented offense.
|
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S/U |
Should be able to take advantage
of the safeties being preoccupied with run support. |
|
|
| Indianapolis at Cleveland |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Cleveland
Browns Stadium |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
James Mungro (D) |
B/R |
Only if James goes down. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
Could be the year we finally get
a solid fantasy option at the #2 WR spot for Indy. |
| WR |
Brandon Stokley (Q) |
B/R |
Just gets the table scraps left
from Harrison, Wayne, James and Pollard.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S/U |
With rookie Clark available for the
blocking in 2-TE sets look for Pollard to have an improved
season. |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb |
X |
May have some success using the spread
formations and finding some mismatches to take advantage
of. |
| RB |
William Green |
S/U |
Will get the ball a lot this week
and the Colts' run defense still lags behind their
pass defense. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B/R |
May only be used as a rare change
of pace. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
X |
At this point there is no way to
know who will emerge as Holcomb's go-to receiver. But
the early odds ... |
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
X |
... lean towards Morgan ... |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
... with Northcutt and Johnson
close behind.
|
| TE |
Steve Heiden |
B/R |
Afterthought in this offense. |
|
|
| Jacksonville at Carolina |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Ericsson
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Mark Brunell |
B/R |
Has not looked good this pre-season
and may must be keeping the seat warm for Leftwich. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
X |
With Brunell under blitz pressure
all day, Taylor will be needed to keep the Panther
defense honest. Don't expect great success however. |
| RB |
Brandon Toefield (P) |
B/R |
Only a rare carry or two for now. |
| WR |
J.J. Stokes |
B/R |
Brunell sliding, no Smith, the Carolina
defense. No positive signs this week for the Jags passing
game. |
| WR |
Matthew Hatchette |
B/R |
Ditto. |
| WR |
Micah Ross |
B/R |
Worthless now, but keep an eye
on this raw talent.
|
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
S/U |
With Smith out Brady will be Brunell's
most reliable target. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rodney Peete |
B/R |
Amazingly still a starter in the
NFL. He shouldn't be for your fantasy team however. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis |
S/U |
There are some concerns along the
Panther offensive line but Davis is going to get the
ball early and often in this offense. |
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
B/R |
Still not ready for prime-time. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
X |
Likely to be Carolina's best fantasy
option at WR, but that's not saying much. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
X |
The long-baller that may get a few
shots each game with Davis pounding the ball and bringing
up the safeties in run support. |
| WR |
Ricky Proehl |
B/R |
This guy's still in the league?
|
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
B/R |
Only a few teams will use their TE
less than Carolina this year. |
|
|
| Minnesota at Green Bay |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on FOX at Lambeau
Field |
Back to top |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Moe Williams |
S/U |
Has been named the starter but will
give away carries to the rookie Smith. Likely to continue
to see most of the goal line action. |
| RB |
Onterrio Smith |
B/R |
Will get some carries but his time
is not this weekend. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| WR |
D'Wayne Bates |
B/R |
The #2 WR in Minnesota hasn't had
fantasy value since the days of Cris Carter. |
| WR |
Kelly Campbell |
B/R |
And the #3 WR, forget it.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
X |
Will continue to get looks in the
offense but remains a better blocker than receiver. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre |
S/U |
No longer a stud, but hey... it's
Bret Favre. Start him. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Najeh Davenport (P) |
B/R |
Hasn't lived up to his pre-season
hype. |
| WR |
Donald Driver |
S/U |
#1 now and liking it. |
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
S/U |
Won the #2 WR spot with his fine
pre-season play. Will become a solid target for Favre
with his crisp route running and great hands. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B/R |
Great size and strength but his
inconsistency and sloppy catching have allowed Ferguson
to get a strong hold on the starting spot.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
S/U |
Second on the team in touchdowns
last season. Expect more of the same this year. |
Go to page 2 >>
|
|
|
|
