Start/Bench
List - Week 2
By Whitney
Walters
September 11, 2003 |
| |
| Player
List by Code |
| Start/Bench Codes (SBC) |
STUD: Must
start.
S: Solid starter. |
X: No start or bench indications
/ Could go either way.
B: Bench 'em / Too much
risk. |
| U: Upside
player / Possible sleeper. |
| Early Injury Status (O): Out (D): Doubtful (Q): Questionable (P): Probable |
|
|
| Buffalo (1-0) at Jacksonville (0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at ALLTEL
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S |
The Bills will bring a balanced attack
into Jacksonville but Bledsoe will still get his. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S |
Power runner that will attack the
heart of the Jags run defense that struggled last week
against Carolina. FB Gash will help in this regard
also. |
| RB |
Sammy Morris |
B |
Just the backup. Expect 5-8 touches
a game max. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
S |
Should win the matchup with CB's
Bryant and Craft, who lack size. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
S |
Showed a lack of concentration in
week 1, dropping several passes. Had a team high seven
passes thrown his way. Should rebound in single coverage
as the Jags will likely
roll coverage
to Moulds. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
B |
Remains a solid #3 in the Bills'
offense, just don't rely on him for fantasy production.
|
| TE |
Dave Moore
Mark Campbell |
B |
Looks like Moore and Campbell will
be spiting the production this season, making neither
one a viable fantasy option for your team. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Mark Brunell |
X |
Brunell shut everyone up last Sunday
with a great performance against what was billed as
one of the NFL's top defensive units. Looks
like
he gets another one this week at home. Two in a row?
Maybe, but not likely. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S |
Worked well against a tough Panther
defense. Will get his 25+ touches again this week and
should perform well. Bills are due for a letdown after
last week's emotional outing with New England. |
| RB |
Brandon Toefield |
B |
Only a rare carry or two for now. |
| WR |
J.J. Stokes |
X |
Just doesn't have what it takes to
have an impact downfield. Expect an average performance
at best against the Bills' tough cover corners. |
| WR |
Matthew Hatchette |
X |
Another receiver for Brunell that
lacks big play ability. But a better option than the
slow of foot Stokes. |
| WR |
Jermaine Lewis |
X |
May have the most success this
week working out of the slot against the Bills' nickel
corner.
|
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
X |
Saw some looks last week but didn't
make a catch. Don't expect that to happen two weeks
in a row. |
|
|
| Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at M&T
Band Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb |
B |
The Steelers had success last week
spreading the offense against the Ravens. Look for
the Browns to do the same but with poorer results as
they do not have the same talent at WR. |
| RB |
William Green |
S |
Becoming everything you want in a
fantasy starter. Carries, catches, goal-line action,
etc. A tough start this week however against a Raven
defense that has something to prove after last week. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
Change-of-pace and a few 3rd-downs. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
B |
As stated above the Browns will employ
multiple WR sets this week and the ball is going to
be spread around. This makes any one Cleveland receiver
difficult to predict success for... |
| WR |
Quincy Morgan (P) |
B |
... But this week the likely wideout
... |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
S |
... will be Northcutt running
in the slot position. The matchup here with the Ravens'
nickel CB is favorable to the starter's matchups.
|
| TE |
Steve Heiden |
U |
Look for a little extra action for
the Cleveland TE this week and for Heiden to be a sleeper
fantasy performer. |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller |
B |
May have his moments, but for the
most part Boller and the Raven passing game will struggle
this season. Especially in the early going. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S |
Will see more than his 15 carries
last week and will put up good numbers. |
| RB |
Chester Taylor |
B |
It's all Lewis, all the time. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
X |
Getting plenty of looks but lacks
the concentration to do much with them. May improve
as Boller grows throughout in the season, but expect
a continued slow start for the Raven WRs. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders (Q) |
X |
Should return to the field this week
and will help the passing game. But it's going to be
hard to recommend any Raven WR as Boller takes his
lumps. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
B |
Continues to disappoint.
|
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S |
Will use his quickness to win his
matchup with aging SS Robert Griffith. The only thing
keeping Heap from STUD status is his rookie QB. |
|
|
| Detroit (1-0) at Green Bay (0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Lambeau
Field |
Back to top |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
X |
Will get a good test of his progress
this week as the Packers' secondary is much tougher
than
the
Cardinals'
he faced last week. Look for more short routes to the
TE and backs. |
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
B |
The Lions will attack the middle
of the Packer defense with the run but Bryson may lack
the strength to pull it off. As Gary emerges as the
main runner Bryson is likely to see more action in
the passing game. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
U |
May emerge in the running attack
this week as he continues to learn the playbook. Got
more carries last week than all other backs combined. |
| WR |
Charles Rogers |
X |
Likely to be taken out of this one
by the Green Bay coverage and pressure on Harrington. |
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
X |
Showed well last week and will get
another opportunity to shine Sunday as the coverage
focus will be on Rogers. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim (Q) |
B |
Did not play last week and will
be slowed by the knee if he does this week.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
May see some increased action this
week in the short passing game. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre |
S |
Embarrassed last week and playing
one of the weakest secondaries in the league. I wouldn't
bet against him. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
STUD |
Will be even more active this week
with the injuries to the WRs. |
| RB |
Najeh Davenport |
B |
Purely a backup now. |
| WR |
Donald Driver (O)
Robert Ferguson (Q) |
B |
Neither will play this week. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
S |
With all the injuries Walker becomes
"the man" this week. |
| WR |
Antonio Freeman |
X |
Returns to Lambeau and should
have an immediate impact.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
S |
As with Green, will be more active
this week with the WR injuries. |
|
|
| Houston (1-0) at New Orleans (0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Superdome |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
X |
Passed the first test in the new
"lets protect Carr" era (zero sacks last week). Will
see more blitzes this week and will have more opportunities
down field if given the time to find them. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
S |
27 carries in week 1. Look for more
of the same this week as the Texans will pound a
Saints' defensive line that lacks depth due to injury. |
| RB |
Jonathon Wells (P) |
B |
Should be healthy this week but will
see only limited carries. |
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
U |
With the Saints bringing the blitz
look for Johnson to use his speed advantage to get
deep and make a few big plays. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
X |
The same goes for Bradford but he
has less upside than Johnson. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Won't be as big a factor this
week in the slot.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
S |
Is benefiting from Houston's commitment
to the running game and is likely to be the second
leading receiver on the team each week. |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
S |
Look for Brooks to have success this
week in multiple-receiver sets that will stretch
the shallow Houston secondary. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
STUD |
May have a tougher go this week as
Texans' NT Seth Payne is a great run stopper. |
| RB |
James Fenderson |
B |
Never see the field. Well, almost
never. |
| WR |
Joe Horn (Q) |
S |
Played through a twisted knee last
week and should be fine Sunday. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth |
S |
VERY active last week, getting 15
passes thrown his way. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Will be used often in the Saints'
multiple-WR sets and may surprise on occasion. But
remains the 4th or 5th option in the passing game.
|
| TE |
Ernie Conwell |
B |
Showed some life last week but still
has limited opportunities in this offense. |
|
|
| Miami (0-1) at New York Jets (0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Giants
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler |
B |
Look for Miami to get back to what
it does best this week, running the ball to set up
the play-action passing game. Fiedler will rarely put
up 30+ passes like he did last Sunday. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams (P) |
STUD |
Jets gave up 160 yards on the ground
last week. |
| RB |
Travis Minor |
B |
VERY Minor in this offense. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
S |
By far Fiedler's best downfield target.
Don't expect 7-118 and 2 TDs every week, but Chambers'
speed is an advantage this week against the Jets' cover
corners. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
X |
Should still develop into the
Dolphins' possession
receiver and got plenty of looks last week. Just came
up empty. |
| WR |
James McKnight (P) |
B |
Fourth receiving option in a
run oriented offense.
|
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S |
The best weapon against the Jets'
cover-2 schemes will be an athletic TE that can split
the safeties. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
B |
Vinny and the Jets looked shaky
in the NFL opener last week. Expect more of the same
this week against a ticked off Dolphin team. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
Looked a step slow in the opener.
Was it rust or age catching up with him? It's too soon
to tell but he may begin to lose carries to backup
LaMont Jordan. Seeing Martin pulled at the goal-line
last week was not good either. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B |
Still going to see only limited carries
in relief of CuMar, but the early indications are that
some of those will be on the goal-line. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
No real advantage here, and with
Vinny struggling it's just not a good option. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet |
X |
Ditto for Chrebet. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
U |
Has the speed to win his matchup
with nickel CB Jamar Fletcher. The questions remain
whether the Jets will use 3-WR sets often enough
to take advantage and if Vinny can get him the rock.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
His career average of 2 catches a
game leave a lot to be desired. |
|
|
| Pittsburgh (1-0) at Kansas City
(1-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Arrowhead
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S |
Despite the strong showing by the
KC defense last week, there are glaring mismatches
in the secondary for Maddox this week. If the jelling
offensive line can give him time against the improved
KC pass rush, look for a big day. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
S |
Does not have the power to wear down
defenses and only had a single pass go his way last
week. Remains the starter but look for more of Bettis
(or Verron Haynes if Bettis isn't healthy) to see more
carries late in games. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis (Q) |
B |
Only four carries last week and is
already banged up. Not a good start. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress (P) |
S |
It's not unusual for Burress to
have a matchup advantage against most teams, but
this week
it's huge.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
STUD |
Remains one of the best at his position. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
U |
Draws rookie CB Julian Battle this
week in nickel coverage and Randle El's speed and
quick moves will be no match. |
| TE |
Jay Riemersma (P) |
X |
A great asset in the new pass-oriented
offense. |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S |
The Chiefs will rely more on the
passing game this week as that is where their advantage
lies. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
STUD |
Guess we will finally quit hearing
about "the hip" now. |
| RB |
Derrick Blaylock |
B |
Only if Priest is hurt. And maybe
not even then. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
X |
Inconsistent and always an underachiever.
This week however there should be additional opportunities
in the passing game. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
S |
Maybe this guy should have been on
those pre-season sleeper lists instead of the popular
Boerigter. Only time will tell but week one was a good
indication and he remains the best fit for this offense. |
| WR |
Marc Boerigter |
B |
Shows signs of improvement, but in
this offense he's the 5th option on most passing plays. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez (Q) |
STUD |
Time to get it goin'. |
|
|
| San Francisco (1-0) at St. Louis
(0-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Edward
Jones Dome |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia |
S |
Will have success working the routes
underneath the Rams' soft cover-2 schemes as they look
to prevent the big plays over the top. |
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
X |
Will split time with Barlow all season
which makes it difficult to recommend him as a starter.
But of the two Hearst is the better option due to his
involvement in the passing game. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
X |
Continues to split carries with Hearst.
Will he EVER get his chance? |
| WR |
Terrell Owens |
STUD |
Should find the end-zone this week. |
| WR |
Tai Streets |
S |
Must continue to take advantage of
the single-coverage opportunities he will get this
week and throughout the season. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson |
B |
When has the #3 WR in the Niner
offense ever had fantasy value?
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Only one pass went to the tight ends
last week. Not a big surprise. |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
U |
Gets the start for the concussed
Warner and should find some success with a more balanced
attack and a suspect, but improving, Niner secondary. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
STUD |
If Martz doesn't give him the ball
20+ times this week he should be fired. |
| RB |
Lamar Gordon |
B |
Just a backup. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S |
The Rams will run the ball more this
week and the lack of WR depth due to injury will severely
limit their ability to run their beloved multiple receiver
sets. Expect both Holt ... |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S |
... and Bruce to have average, but
not great, games. |
| WR |
Mike Furrey
Dane Looker |
B |
Injuries to rookies
Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis leave the Rams extremely
shallow at wide receiver. The focus will be on Bruce
and Holt.
|
| TE |
Cam Cleeland |
B |
The TE plays a very small role in
this offense, but seems a bit more active with Bulger
under center. |
|
|
| Tennessee (1-0) at Indianapolis
(1-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at RCA
Dome |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S |
The knee won't slow him down and
his ability to extend the pocket will give him the
time to find open receivers this week against the Colts'
zone coverage's. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
S |
Looked solid in the opener and is
hitting the holes with more speed and his cuts are
sharper. Will continue to get the carries and opportunities
in the passing game |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe |
B |
Backup material only. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S |
The top Titan WR threat with excellent
abilities after the catch. Those skills will be to
his advantage in the zone coverage's employed by the
Colts. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett |
B |
The Colts coverage matches up best
with Bennett so expect him to take a back seat again
this week in the passing game. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
U |
Continues to battle with Bennett
for the #2 spot in the offense. His speed make him
a better option this week.
|
| TE |
Erron Kinney (Q) |
U |
With Wycheck out Kinney gets
the start and this could be his chance to make good
on all that talent and athletic ability. May be slowed
by a bum knee however. |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S |
Don't expect him to be shut out of
the end-zone again this week. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
STUD |
Should bounce back with a better
performance this week. |
| RB |
James Mungro (P) |
B |
Only if James goes down. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
STUD |
Retains STUD status regardless of
last week's performance. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
Should work nicely this week with
his one-on-one matchups opposite the attention Harrison
warrants. |
| WR |
Brandon Stokley (Q) |
B |
Injured last week and didn't
play. Could see some limited action.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S |
Very active in the passing game and
would have had a TD last week if not for Manning's
poor throw that was intercepted in the end-zone. |
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