Start/Bench
List - Week 3
By Whitney
Walters
September 18, 2003 |
| |
| Player
List by Code |
| Start/Bench Codes (SBC) |
S1: Must
start, 1st string.
S2: Solid starter, 2nd
string. |
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 |
|
|
| Jacksonville (0-2) at Indianapolis
(2-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
RCA Dome |
Back to top |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Mark Brunell |
B |
Brunell continues to play well
but without Jimmy Smith, and now Jermaine Lewis, his
receiving
options are weak at best. Indy should have little trouble
shutting down the Jag's passing game. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S2 |
Didn't get the carries last week
(only 14) due to the Jags falling behind early, but
was still able to put up 71 yards. Look for a repeat
this week as Indy will likely jump out to a lead early.
Taylor remains a low-end starter due to his involvement
in the passing game and ability to score. |
| RB |
Brandon Toefield |
B |
Only a rare carry or two for now. |
| WR |
J.J. Stokes |
B |
Just doesn't have what it takes to
have an impact downfield. Expect an average performance
at best against the Colts' solid pass defense. |
| WR |
Matthew Hatchette |
X |
If there's a Jaguar receiver with
fantasy value it appears to be Hatchette for now. He's
never had more than 16 catches in a season, but his
skills make him Brunell's best option. |
| WR |
Cortez Hankton |
B |
You're kidding right?
|
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
X |
Much more active in week 2 and that
trend should continue due to the limited options available
in the Jacksonville passing game. |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
Should have plenty of time in the
pocket and make the Jag's weak coverage pay. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S1 |
Looks sharp and is not locked into
"must start" status. |
| RB |
James Mungro |
B |
Only if James goes down. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
Has not dominated... yet. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
Getting a decent amount of looks
but can get lost amongst many padding options at Manning's
disposal |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
B |
The #3 WR will never be an impact
in this offense that prefers 2-TE, 2-WR sets over
3-WR sets.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S2 |
Don't let last week scare you. Pollard
will remain an active part of Indy's passing game. |
| TE |
Dallas Clark |
X |
Outperformed Pollard last week. Still
developing and will be hit-n-miss each week as he will
always share the field with Pollard. |
|
|
| Kansas City (2-0) at Houston (1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Reliant Stadium |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S2 |
Struggled somewhat with the 3-4 defense
last week and gets a less aggressive version on Sunday
in Houston. Expect a better performance. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes (Q) |
S1 |
Just play him. |
| 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 there may be additional opportunities
in the passing game. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
S2 |
Maybe this guy should have been on
those pre-season sleeper lists instead of the popular
Boerigter. Only time will tell but the first two weeks
has shown that he remains
the best fit for this
offense. |
| WR |
Marc Boerigter |
B |
Only getting a couple of looks a
week in this high scoring offense with many options
and a single driving force in Holmes. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez (P) |
S1 |
Very favorable matchup this week
with a pair of safeties that support the run well but
show weakness in coverage. |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
B |
Week two showed that the Houston
pass protection didn't improve all that much. Carr
will
be pressured all day by the much improved KC rush. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
X |
Likely to see his carries limited
this week as the Texans fall behind the Chiefs. Isn't
helped by his lack of involvement in the passing game. |
| RB |
Domanick
Davis |
B |
With Wells limited by his injury
Davis has stepped into the backup role. |
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
U |
The rookie is emerging as Carr's
best down field option. Because of his speed and big
play ability, remains an upside starter this week. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
X |
Pure speed receiver that can surprise
each week with a big play, but not much else. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Working out of the slot now as
the #3 WR.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
S2 |
Down week with only two catches.
But as with all the second tier tight ends you can't
expect high output each week. Remains a solid fantasy
starter. |
|
|
| Minnesota (2-0) at Detroit (1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Ford Field |
Back to top |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S1 |
The Lion will likely blitz CPep often,
but it shouldn't matter. |
| RB |
Moe Williams |
S2 |
The rookie Smith may indeed start
to take away carries, but Moe remains the scoring back
as last week showed when nearly a third of his carries
6 of 21) came inside the 10 yard line. |
| RB |
Onterrio Smith |
B |
Will continue to see 10-12 touches
a game as he learns the offense. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
Detroit has no match for him in the
secondary. |
| WR |
D'Wayne Bates (P) |
B |
Even with Moss limited last week
Bates received only two looks. |
| WR |
Kelly Campbell |
B |
Forget the #3 WR in this offense.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
B |
Don't let last week fool you, still
a better blocker
than
receiver and those skills are greatly needed in the
Viking running attack. |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
B |
As the Packers showed last week,
due to the lack of WR talent beyond rookie Charles
Rogers you can limit the Detroit passing attack with
some
solid
coverage,
which the Vikings have. |
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
U |
May not get the carries this week
as this will be a passing affair and the split with
Gary. Makes the upside rating due to his abilities
in
the
passing
game. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
Still not up to speed with his new
team and will split carries with Bryson. |
| WR |
Charles Rogers |
X |
With no complementary receiver the
rookie will see plenty of double, or "rolled",
coverage from safeties. |
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
X |
Will get opportunities this week
with the focus on the more talented Rogers. His past
has shown that he doesn't always take advantage. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim (Q) |
B |
May return this week, but don't
expect much.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
Could be a factor in this passing
attack but has yet to step up. |
|
|
| New Orleans (1-1) at Tennessee
(1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
The Coliseum |
Back to top |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
X |
Brooks is a 'tweener this week. He's
streaky and isn't on top of his game yet this season.
The Titans could force a bad game out of him. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S1 |
The Titans are tough but will be
worn down if the Saints' sticks to the run. |
| RB |
James Fenderson |
B |
Never see the field. Well, almost
never. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S2 |
Horn is still not 100% and CB Samari
Rolle is one of the league's best. It's hard to sit
Horn under even difficult circumstances however. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth |
S2 |
Great matchup this week against rookie
CB Andre Woolfolk who matches up well in
size but Stallworth's speed and experience will win
out. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Will be used 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 |
X |
Limited looks, but some are coming
close to the end-zone. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S2 |
The knee is fine, but now it's a
dislocated finger. He should play, and play well against
a Saints' defense that lost three starters to injury
last week. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
S2 |
Has lost some of that explosiveness
but will still be able to put it to a Saints' defense
that's reeling from injury. George will continue
to get the carries and the occasional look in the passing
game. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe |
B |
Gets in on some third downs. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
The top Titan WR threat and is getting
the double coverage to prove it. A solid #2 is needed
to diversify the passing attack. Until Bennett or McCareins
emerges Mason's production will be hindered. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett |
B |
Has failed to step up so far this
season. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
U |
Appears to have a hold on the
#2 WR spot and with all the attention Mason is drawing
should have an impact this week against an injury
depleted New Orleans secondary.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
B |
Has made the most of his first two
NFL catches, scoring TDs on both. Until he becomes
a bigger factor in the passing game your fantasy team
shouldn't rely on him. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney |
X |
Wycheck remains out and Kinney should
continue to put up solid numbers as the starter. |
|
|
| New York Jets (0-2) at New England
(1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Gillette Stadium |
Back to top |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
B |
Bounced back nicely with good yardage
last week but needed 45 pass attempts to do it. Vinny
may get the Jets a few wins but don't expect him to
do the same for your fantasy team. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
The Jets abandoned the run last
week, but the running game remains
their best chance of staying in games. Martin surely
isn't the same as he was a few years ago, but his line
isn't helping him any. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan (P) |
B |
Still going to see only limited carries
in relief of Martin. Saw increased action in the passing
game last week. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
The Patriots may have lost Milloy,
but Ty Law remains and will cause problems for
Conway who appears to have lost his highest gear. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet (P) |
B |
While Chrebet continues to get looks
in the passing game his better days are definitely
behind him. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S2 |
Moss's speed will continue to
give him an edge over nickel CB's each week. This
week is no exception as Asante Samuel lacks the vertical
speed to stay with Moss. Now if Vinny can get him
the ball consistently downfield.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
His career average of 2 catches a
game leave a lot to be desired. |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady |
S2 |
Bounced back last week and spread
the ball around well to his open receivers. Expect
more of the same this week against the undermanned
New York secondary. |
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
X |
Smith got the most carries last week
but appears to have lost a step. He will continue to
get carries in shared work with Faulk, but expect limited
production this week. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
U |
The Jets are slow at linebacker and
teams are taking advantage by working more passes to
their backs and tight ends. Look for the speedier Faulk
to have an impact this week as his touches increase. |
| WR |
Troy Brown |
X |
Still the #1 target for Brady but
the Patriots continue to spread the ball around in
their passing attack. Jet CB Ray Mickens will step
in for the injured Donnie Abraham. Mickens weakness
is his size so Brown will actually face an opponent
smaller than him. |
| WR |
David Patten |
B |
Has not made good use of his opportunities
so far this season. Losing ground to Branch as the
#2 WR in this offense. |
| WR |
Deion Branch |
U |
His talent and physical ability
will cause problems for the injury depleted Jets'
secondary.
|
| TE |
Christian Fauria |
U |
The Jets don't have the linebackers
to stay with Fauria or Graham. It appears that
the Pats are going to go with Fauria for now, but that
could change on any given week. |
| TE |
Daniel Graham |
B |
One of the most talented young tight
ends in the league. Until he emerges he has to stay
on your bench. |
|
|
| Pittsburgh (2-0) at Cincinnati
(0-2) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Paul Brown Stadium |
Back to top |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
The Bengals have little pass rush
and lack depth in the secondary to handle the 3-WR
sets Pittsburgh runs. Look for another strong game
for Maddox, minus the interceptions. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
S2 |
The Bengals have been torched each
of the past two weeks by a back with speed. Well here
comes number three. Time for Zereoue to get it going. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
B |
Another four carry outing for Bettis.
At lease one was close to the goal-line. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S1 |
Cincinnati just doesn't have the
horses to keep up with both Burress ...
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S1 |
... and Ward. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
B |
Randle El will typically create matchup
problems for opponents but he just isn't getting the
looks to make him a fantasy factor. |
| TE |
Jay Riemersma |
X |
Goes from active and a TD one week
to non-existent the next thanks to a bum ankle. Should
be healthy this week and back in the action. |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
B |
Showed much improvement last week
but still tries to do too much with the limited talent
around him in
the
passing
game. |
| RB |
Corey Dillon (P) |
X |
The Steelers' run defense is not
the force it used to be and Dillon, while limited,
typically has some success against them. The dinged
knee won't help his effort however. |
| RB |
Brandon Bennett |
B |
Just the backup but may see more
action again if Dillon is limited. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Kitna will likely not have the time
to supply Johnson with many opportunities, but look
for them to make the Steelers pay with at least one
deep connection. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
X |
Will again have openings this week
in the underneath routes which he excels in. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington |
B |
No. 3 WR in a weak passing game,
a rookie and Houshmandzadeh may return this week.
|
| TE |
Matt Schobel (Q) |
B |
Schobel is just one of three Bengal
tight ends that caught passes last week. Not good. |
|
|
| Tampa Bay (1-1) at Atlanta
(1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Georgia Dome |
Back to top |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson (P) |
X |
Don't expect Johnson to throw the
ball 61 times again any time soon. The Falcons have
a suspect secondary but a solid pass rush. Look for
the Bucs to go mostly on the ground this week, but
if given the time in the pocket Johnson will have some
success. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman
Thomas Jones |
B |
Pittman took the lead last week with
only 10 carries. The Bucs will run the ball right at
the undersized Falcon front seven. The problem remains
the RBBC approach they are taking. |
| RB |
Mike Alstott |
X |
With the likelihood of Alstott
getting the goal-line carries he remains the more valuable
of the Bucs three-headed RB monster. This week even
more so as he is the perfect back to pound the smallish
Falcon front. |
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson |
X |
This week presents a very similar
matchup for Johnson as the Falcon corners will have
to give cushion to compensate for their lack of downfield
speed. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
X |
The most likely candidate for increased
production due to the loss of Jurevicius. |
| WR |
Karl Williams
Reggie
Barlow |
B |
Will attempt to fill the void
left by the injury to Jurevicius, and won't.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
U |
Could step up and surprise this week
with the increased need in the passing game. However,
if the line isn't able to handle the Falcon rush he
will
spend
too much time in pass protection to have an impact. |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Johnson |
B |
Regardless of last week the Bucs
are still the elite pass defense in the league and
will shut Johnson down. |
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
B |
Yes these Bucs gave up over 150 yards
on the ground last week. Don't expect Dunn to produce
even close to that as he will be contained by Tampa
Bay speedy LB corps. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
U |
Should play a crucial role in this
game as his size and power will be needed to soften up
the aggressive Tampa Bay front four. If the Falcons
stick with him he could surprise. |
| WR |
Peerless Price |
B |
So far has shown an inability to
break press coverage. Won't get any easier this weekend. |
| WR |
Quentin McCord |
B |
Was expected to step up with the
injury to Finneran but didn't. |
| WR |
Jimmy Farris |
B |
Surprised last week. Hope he enjoyed
it since he won't see much success this week.
|
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
S2 |
Plays an even larger role in the
passing game with the injury to #2 WR Finneran. If
safety John Lynch plays overaggressive against the
run Crumpler has the speed to get behind him for a
possible big play or two. |
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