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 England at Buffalo |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Ralph
Wilson Stadium |
Back to top |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady |
X |
A more balanced attack this season
will mean fewer throws but more efficiency. Against
this familiar opponent expect his typical 200 yards
and a TD or two. |
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
X |
The Bills have upgraded what was
a very poor run defense. That, along with the yet undefined
role of Kevin Faulk make Smith a risky start this week.
His one edge is he will get all goal-line carries. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
B/R |
May split carries with Smith, may
only be used as a 3rd-down back. |
| WR |
Troy Brown |
X |
Against the CB tandem of Winfield
and Clements last season totaled only six catches for
65 yards. |
| WR |
David Patten |
X |
If the running game can succeed Patten
will use his speed to get behind the coverage and get
some long gains. |
| WR |
Deion Branch |
B/R |
His talent and physical ability
it tops of the receivers, but until he breaks into
the starting lineup he shouldn't be in yours.
|
| TE |
Christian Fauria
Daniel Graham |
B/R |
Graham will likely emerge as the
season progresses, but for now these two will split
the TE production. |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S/U |
Ended last season poorly but should
rebound. Had success throwing the ball against the
Pats last year. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
X |
Last year against this defense Henry
struggled, having two of his poorest games. This season
the task is more daunting given the Pats' defensive
improvements focused on stopping the run. |
| RB |
Sammy Morris |
B/R |
Just the backup. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
Is reliable and will complement Moulds
well, but will not stretch the field vertically like
Peerless Price did. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
B/R |
Has pushed Reed this pre-season
but didn't crack the starting lineup.
|
| TE |
Dave Moore |
B/R |
Moore is just one of three tight
ends that will via at replacing the released
Riemersma. Mark Campbell and Brady McDonnell are the
others. |
|
|
| San Diego at Kansas City |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on CBS at Arrowhead
Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
B/R |
This will always be a run first offense
and Brees remains only a fantasy backup. The KC defense
is still a liability so he may perform well this week. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Jesse Chatman |
B/R |
Won't see the field unless LT goes
down. |
| WR |
David Boston |
X |
A monster athlete and healthy. The
only viable fantasy WR in the Chargers offense. |
| WR |
Reche Caldwell |
B/R |
Just won't get enough opportunities
for fantasy owners. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight |
B/R |
Ditto.
|
| TE |
Stephen Alexander (Q) |
B/R |
His groin injury may keep him out
but will slow him for sure. |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S/U |
Should be able to exploit the Chargers'
secondary which has four new starters this year. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Larry Johnson |
B/R |
Only if Priest is hurt. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
B/R |
Gets you the occasional good game,
but that's it. Last season had two 100 yard games but
nine with under 50 yards. His two TDs came in one game. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
S/U |
Healthy and should be the #1 fantasy
WR on this team. |
| WR |
Marc Boerigter |
X |
Has made just about everyone's pre-season
sleeper list. Eight TDs in 20 catches will do that
to a guy. Good size and hands but is still raw.
Will improve as the season progresses.
|
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez (P) |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
|
|
| St. Louis at New York Giants |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 1:00 PM on FOX at Giants
Stadium |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kurt Warner |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Lamar Gordon |
B/R |
Just a backup. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S/U |
Loses a bit of a step each year now
but remains a solid fantasy option as the #2 WR in
the high octane Rams attack. |
| WR |
Shaun MacDonald |
B/R |
The #3 WR is needed to cause
matchup problems as the Rams seek to stretch opponent's
nickel and dime coverages. The rookie will get his
shot in this role. Could surprise this year as he
matures.
|
| TE |
Cam Cleeland |
B/R |
The TE plays a very small role in
this offense. |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
S/U |
Likely forced to throw to keep pace
offensively Collins will put up good numbers against
a banged up and inexperienced Rams' secondary. His
line must give him the time he needs in the pocket
however. |
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S/U |
Remains the Giants' workhorse on
offense in both the running and short passing game. |
| RB |
Delvin Joyce |
B/R |
Will get only the occasional series
in a relief role. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
S/U |
Will use his size and strength to
take advantage of the Rams' suspect coverage this week. |
| WR |
Ike Hilliard |
S/U |
Has had a great pre-season and his
speed and quickness will serve him will this Sunday. |
| WR |
Tim Carter |
B/R |
Gets a chance with Dixon out.
The #3 WR has little value in this offense.
|
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey (P) |
S/U |
Stud, start him. (The ribs may hurt
but won't slow him down) |
|
|
| Atlanta at Dallas |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 4:15 PM on FOX at Texas
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Johnson |
X |
Should get the protection needed
to do some damage through the air. |
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
S/U |
Will play a huge role in the offense
now that Vick is out. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
X |
Will be called upon to share the
load with Dunn and pound the undersized Dallas front
seven. |
| WR |
Peerless Price |
S/U |
We'll see right off the bat how Price
does now that he will draw double coverage from opponents. |
| WR |
Brian Finneran |
S/U |
With the Cowboys likely sliding help
to Price's side Finneran will take advantage of the
single coverage. |
| WR |
Quentin McCord |
B/R |
Non-factor.
|
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
S/U |
The true #3 receiver in this offense. |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
B/R |
Has looked good since being announced
as the starter, but still not a good fantasy option. |
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
X |
Should get plenty of carries as Dallas
seeks to grind it out. The suspect offensive line however
will prevent Hambrick from having a big game. |
| RB |
Aveion Cason |
B/R |
Change of pace back. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
X |
Had a solid pre-season and looks
to have some of that pre-injury spring back in his
step. Look for a big play or two as Galloway will get
behind the Falcon coverage and "Q" has the arm to get
him the ball. |
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
B/R |
Has turned into a vertical receiver
that won't go over the middle. Has become pretty frail
also. Will give way to Bryant when he returns from
injury. |
| WR |
Antonio Bryant (P) |
B/R |
The quad injury may keep
him out for week one.
|
| TE |
Dan Campbell
Jason Witten |
B/R |
Carter is not a dump-off quarterback,
he's a runner. Don't expect much from the Dallas TE. |
|
|
| Chicago at San Francisco |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 4:15 PM on FOX at 3Com
Park at Candlestick Point |
Back to top |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kordell Stewart |
X |
New uniform, same Kordell. But the
weak and depleted Niner secondary give him a chance
to produce this week if OC John Shoop can learn how
to call a few passing plays that go beyond 5-10 yards. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
X |
Will benefit from a healthy offensive
line that should improve his chances to be a fantasy
factor this year. The Niners will provide a good early
test. |
| RB |
Adrian Peterson |
B/R |
Will see some action but not enough
to warrant fantasy attention, yet. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
S/U |
Without a doubt the best offensive
weapon on the Bears roster. Will make the suspect Niner
coverage pay all afternoon. Stewart is all that will
hold him back. |
| WR |
Dez White |
X |
blah, blah, blah |
| WR |
David Terrell |
B/R |
Had three TDs in five games last
season before going down with a foot injury. Could
surprise this year if he bounces back, but not this
week.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
X |
Team is excited about the addition
of Clark and the Bear tight ends caught 49 balls, 5
for TDs, last season. |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia |
S/U |
Took all of 15 snaps this pre-season.
Thankfully for fantasy owners you can be a little rusty
and still get it done against the Bears' terrible corner
coverage. |
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
X |
Gets the start in week one. Will
spit carries with Barlow, which will drive fantasy
owners nuts all season. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow (P) |
X |
Younger and stronger than Hearst.
Like him he will cause fantasy owners fits all year
as the RBBC continues in San Francisco. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
X |
Will be a better #2 WR option than
Stokes ever was. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson |
B/R |
When has the #3 WR in the Niner
offense ever had fantasy value?
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B/R |
A serious step down from the injured
Eric Johnson and will share time with Aaron Walker. |
|
|
| New Orleans at Seattle |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 4:15 PM on FOX at Seahawks
Stadium |
Back to top |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
S/U |
The Seahawks have shuffled the secondary
again and have lost their top corner (Spring) and will
be starting a rookie. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
James Fenderson |
B/R |
Never see the field. Well, almost
never. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S/U |
With the less than adequate Ken Lucas
and rookie Marcus Turfant manning the Seattle corners
Horn should blow up this weekend. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth (P) |
S/U |
Have I mentioned the problems with
the Seattle secondary? |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
X |
Will be used often in the Saints'
3-WR sets and may surprise on occasion.
|
| TE |
Ernie Conwell |
B/R |
Conwell is a solid player but the
TE has virtually disappeared in the Saints' offensive
scheme. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S/U |
The New Orleans pass defense ranked
at the bottom of the heap last year and there are few
signs of improvement. Look for Hasselbeck to pick up
where he left off last season. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Maurice Morris |
B/R |
Only the backup. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S/U |
Youth and speed wins out over age
in this matchup with a Seattle secondary that got older
and slower over the off-season. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
S/U |
Ditto for Jackson. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
B/R |
A solid #3 WR but won't be a
consistent fantasy producer in an offense with too
many weapons.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili
Jerramy Stevens |
B/R |
Mili will start this week as Stevens
is banged up. Both will see action however and Stevens
will be the starter soon. |
|
|
| Oakland at Tennessee |
|
| Sun, Sep 7, 8:30 PM on ESPN at The
Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rich Gannon |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner (P) |
X |
If the knee is truly no problem (as
the Raiders keep saying) then Garner will get you good
yardage this week in both the running and passing game. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley
Justin Fargas |
B/R |
Both may see action this week depending
on the game situations and Garner's health. Can't be
counted on however. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
S/U |
What can you say, the man's a legend. |
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B/R |
After a stellar career Brown will
have to prove himself as a viable fantasy factor this
season. |
| WR |
Jerry Porter (P) |
S/U |
Should have a field day against
the inexperienced Titan nickel and dime cover corners.
|
| TE |
Doug Jolley
Teyo Johnson |
B/R |
Jolley's ankle is supposedly okay.
If not then the rookie Johnson will get a few extra
looks. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S/U |
Stud, start him. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
X |
Will find the going very tough up
the middle against the strong Raider tackles and middle
linebacker stud Napoleon Harris. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe |
B/R |
Backup material only. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
X |
The only true WR threat on this team
and the only one capable of some success against the
Raider corners. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett |
X |
May be best suited for the slot as
his size would cause matchup problems, but for now
he'll start opposite Mason. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
B/R |
Put in a great pre-season but
must step up for the Titans' passing attack to get
to the next level.
|
| TE |
Frank Wycheck (Q) |
X |
Had his lowest production since 1995
last season. May not bounce back this year as age and
injuries are taking a toll. |
|
|
| Tampa Bay at Philadelphia |
|
| Mon, Sep 8, 9:00 PM on ABC at Lincoln
Financial Field |
Back to top |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
B/R |
Will be under heavy blitz pressure
all night. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
X |
Will be used heavily early in an
attempt to establish balance in the offensive attack,
but don't expect much on the ground against the Philly
front seven. More success will come in the short passing
game. |
| RB |
Mike Alstott |
X |
If the Bucs have a lead look for
Alstott to take over late. |
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson |
X |
Won't be much production in the passing
game but what there is will go primarily to Johnson. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
B/R |
Losing a step with each passing season. |
| WR |
Joe Jurevicius |
B/R |
May outperform McCardell this
season but this week it's strictly hands off.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
X |
Like PIttman, will be active in the
short passing game due to the blitz. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
S/U |
Stud, start him. (Yes, even against
Tampa) |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B/R |
Will not get a full load of carries
and won't get much with those against what will again
be the elite defensive unit in the NFL. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
B/R |
Will share carries with Staley. Won't
amount to much against the Bucs. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
X |
Against the Bucs cover-2 schemes
look for the Eagles to try and spread the coverage
with 3-WR sets and multiple tight ends. This will result
in a committee approach that will limit the fantasy
value of Thrash ... |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston |
B/R |
... Pinkston ... |
| WR |
Freddie Mitchell |
B/R |
... and Mitchell.
|
| TE |
Chad Lewis |
S/U |
McNabb's best option this week as
the short passing game will rule. |
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