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 |
|
|
| Green Bay (1-1) at Arizona
(0-2) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 4:05 PM ET on FOX at
Sun Devil Stadium |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre |
S2 |
Doesn't matter who's playing wide
receiver this week, against Arizona you start Favre. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
Will again be very active
with the injuries to the WRs. |
| RB |
Najeh Davenport |
B |
Purely a backup. |
| WR |
Donald Driver (Q)
Robert Ferguson (P) |
B |
Driver is out for sure and Ferguson
is worse off this week than last after re-injuring
his knee. He's not likely to play. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
S2 |
Failed to step up last week but should
produce Sunday against one of the worst secondaries
in the league. |
| WR |
Antonio Freeman |
S2 |
Was the team's leading receiver
in his return to Lambeau last week. Expect more of
the same this week in the blistering heat of Arizona.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
S2 |
With fellow TE Walls likely to sit
this one out, Franks will be called upon this week
to play a bigger role in the passing game. |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
B |
Came back to earth as predicted last
week before he was injured, completing only half of
his 14 passes and tossing two interceptions. With the
Cards looking to run first in this game, don't expect
much. |
| RB |
Emmitt Smith |
U |
Another week and another attempt
to run the ball to slow the game and keep the opposing
offense off the field. The Green Bay front is a bit
undersized and banged up. Look for Emmitt to get 20+
carries and have his best game so far this season. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
B |
His opportunities will increase as
the season wears on. But for now Emmitt controls the
running game for Arizona. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
X |
Followed up his week 1 explosion
with a solid 8-62 last week. Having Blake for the full
game will help him improve on those numbers this week. |
| WR |
Bryant Johnson |
U |
Made some rookie mistakes in his
first NFL start, which it to be expected. While Gilmore
and Foster remain out much will be asked of Johnson.
This week he should deliver now that he should be
over the debut jitters. |
| WR |
Jason McAddley |
B |
With all the WR injuries McAddley
is getting more playing time than his talent warrants.
|
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
X |
The lack of proven wide receivers
is making Jones an integral part of the passing game.
Should have more of an impact this week. |
|
|
| New York Giants (1-1) at Washington
(2-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 4:05 PM ET on FOX at
FedEx Field |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
S2 |
Will be under more pressure this
week and his wide receivers have tougher matchups.
Expect a modest performance but a high scoring game. |
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S2 |
Look for a straight ahead, between
the tackles approach to the running game this week
to aid the inexperienced offensive line. Despite his
size Barber can be an effective inside runner and should
have a solid game. |
| RB |
Delvin Joyce |
B |
Has touched the ball once in two
weeks. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
S2 |
An obvious elite matchup this week
against Champ Bailey. If history is any indicator Toomer
will do just fine (12 for 155, 2 TDs last season). |
| WR |
Ike Hilliard |
S2 |
Continues to develop into a solid
possession receiver with his crisp route running and
quickness. Will spend most of his Sunday afternoon
shadowed by CB Fred Smoot, a matchup he can win. |
| WR |
Tim Carter |
B |
The #3 WR just isn't going to
get the looks in this offense.
|
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey |
S1 |
The Redskin linebackers do not match
up will with Shockey and this will likely be the game
where he starts living up to the hype. |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey (P) |
S2 |
Comes off a career best performance
and faces a defense that provided a career best performance
for Quincy Carter last week. |
| RB |
Trung Canidate (P) |
X |
Improved from his week 1 outing but
will have to do all his scoring from outside the 10
yard line as he will not get any goal-line carries.
TD only leagues stay away. |
| RB |
Ladell Betts (P) |
X |
Betts strength will again give him
an advantage over Canidate this week against the run
stopping Giant defense. They should run right at
middle linebacker Mike Barrow in an attempt to neutralize
him. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles (P) |
S1 |
Coles is a terrific vertical target
and Ramsey is learning to get the ball to him behind
the coverage. The Skins will look to connect with
Coles early in order to back the safeties
off the line and help open up the running game. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
S2 |
Gardner is looking good, and you
know what they say about those third year receivers.
This week should be more of the same against a secondary
that left Dallas' receivers constantly in the clear
Monday night. |
| WR |
Darnerian McCants |
B |
Beyond Coles and Gardner, don't
expect much production.
|
| TE |
Robert Royal |
B |
Redskin tight ends have only 4 catches
in the first two games. |
|
|
| St. Louis (1-1) at Seattle (2-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 4:05 PM ET on FOX at
Seahawks Stadium |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
X |
Will face many blitz packages this
week. Bulger shows flashes of brilliance, but he is
relatively inexperienced and could struggle if under
heavy pressure. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S2 |
Likely to see fewer carries (if that's
even possible) this week as Martz will be unable to
resist going after the inexperienced Seattle secondary.
He may also be needed to help in pass protection. A
borderline starter this week. |
| RB |
Lamar Gordon |
B |
Just a backup. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S2 |
The secondary is the weak link in
the Seattle defense. With CB Shawn Springs out they
are starting two rookies and a corner with only one
year of playing experience. Both Holt ... |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
... and Bruce should produce on Sunday. |
| WR |
Dane Looker |
B |
Martz continues to show
no reservations about involving an inexperienced
player in the passing attack. Don't expect Looker
to be someone you can rely on however.
|
| TE |
Cam Cleeland |
B |
The TE plays only a small role
in this offense. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
Has been inconsistent so far this
season and has completed only 47 percent
of his passes. Continues to make good decisions with
the ball (no turnovers) and should get it going this
week as his line will give him the time needed to find
the holes in the Rams' cover-2 schemes. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S1 |
The Rams are having trouble with
the run this season and have given up nearly 150 yards
on the ground in each of the first two games. |
| RB |
Maurice Morris |
B |
Only the backup. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
The Ram corners are inexperienced
and beatable but will rarely be used in man-to-man
coverage. Robinson must find his success this week
attacking the cover-2 zone schemes. Had little trouble
doing just that last year, going for 260 yards and
a TD in their two games. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
X |
Ditto for Jackson, only with lower
numbers this week. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
B |
Even with no Robinson he only
pulled in two passes.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
B |
Is the tight end being phased out
of the Seattle offense? Mili has only 3 catches for
11 yards in the first two games. |
|
|
| Baltimore (1-1) at San Diego
(0-2) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Qualcomm Stadium |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller (P) |
B |
Another easy day of handing the ball
off for Boller this week. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S1 |
Won't repeat last week's history,
but the Chargers aren't much better at stopping the
run than the Browns are. |
| RB |
Chester Taylor |
B |
It's all Lewis, all the time. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
B |
Will draw the best coverage the Chargers
can muster. Boller is likely to look elsewhere when
he does pass this week. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders |
X |
Returned to action last week and
provided the rookie Boller with another target. Just
not enough passes to go around when the team is running
the ball as well as the Ravens will be Sunday. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
U |
Likely to be isolated with rookie
CB Sammy Davis. If the Ravens actually throw the
ball some in this game look for Robinson to make
some noise.
|
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S2 |
Seeing consistent double coverage
(amazing for a TE) and may continue to be hurt by the
struggles of his rookie QB. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
B |
A fantasy backup at best, and against
a defense like the Ravens a fantasy dud. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
Improved greatly in week 2 but failed
to score. Will be tough going this week as the Ravens
give up a league leading 2.7 YPC rushing. |
| RB |
Jesse Chatman |
B |
Won't see the field unless LT goes
down. |
| WR |
David Boston (Q) |
B |
May play this week. But then again
may not feel like it and sit. Either way he can't be
relied on. |
| WR |
Eric Parker |
B |
The second year receiver with 24
career catches now finds himself the #1 WR for the
Chargers (unless Boston plays). Can't recommend any
San Diego receiver this week against the aggressive
Raven defense. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight |
B |
Thrust back into the mix due
to the injuries to the WR corps. Still not much of
a factor however.
|
| TE |
Justin Peelle |
U |
With both Alexander and Norman out
this week Peelle could surprise as an outlet option
in the ball-control Charger offense. |
|
|
| Cleveland (0-2) at San Francisco
(1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
3Com Park at Candlestick Point |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb |
X |
Since earning the starting job has
played like a career backup thrust into the role. If
he takes what the Niners' secondary gives him, which
will be underneath routes, he can have some success
moving the ball. |
| RB |
William Green |
S2 |
San Francisco's run stats are bolstered
by playing the pathetic Bears and a Rams team in love
with the pass. Look for Cleveland to run Green at least
25 times as they seek to control the game tempo and
keep the Niners' offense off the field as much as possible. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
Locked into the 3rd-down back role. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
X |
Through two weeks it is becoming
clear that the Browns are going to spread the ball
around to their three top WRs. The two that have emerged
so far are Johnson ... |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
... and Northcutt. This spread
approach makes it very difficult to predict success
for either.
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
B |
One thing that is becoming
more evident is that Morgan is doing little with his
opportunities
and is not a fantasy option right now (3 for 32 yards). |
| TE |
Steve Heiden |
B |
The Cleveland tight end position
is shaping up to be a non-factor again this season. |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia |
S2 |
Cleveland
poses no matchup problems for Garcia. The nonexistent
pass rush will give him all day in the pocket, and
when the Browns blitz the linebackers (which they will
need
to do) he'll burn them running. |
| RB |
Garrison Hearst (P) |
S2 |
Wow, 343 rushing yards allowed last
week by the Browns. Too bad Hearst will only get half
the carries this week as usual. Still, Hearst is a
solid
start
given what the Niners could gain on the ground. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
S2 |
Ditto for Barlow. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens |
S1 |
Shaken up with a concussion last
week but that won't slow him down. |
| WR |
Tai Streets |
S2 |
Leaning to take advantage of
the single-coverage opportunities he is getting. Will
win any matchups he has with Brown CB Daylon McCutcheon
due to his five inch height advantage. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson |
B |
Received several looks last week
but his end of game blunder may cost him for a while
as the play callers will lose confidence in him.
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
More active last week but this
is still a passing game driven by Owens, Streets and
the backs. |
|
|
| Buffalo (2-0) at Miami
(1-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 21, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Pro Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S2 |
There's a surprise in the NFL pass
defense stats this week... Miami is at the bottom of
the list in both yards allowed (316) and sacks (only
1). |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
Concerns heading into Miami after
averaging only 1.2 YPC last week. But the Bills are
committed to a balanced attack so Henry will continue
to get the ball, and may even become more involved
in the short passing game. |
| RB |
Sammy Morris |
B |
Just the backup. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
S2 |
Elite matchup this week with two
of the best man-to-man cover corners in the league.
May be tough but Moulds performed well last year in
these matchups with Miami and should again Sunday night. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
B |
Will see single coverage all night.
Unfortunately that single CB will be either Patrick
Surtain or Sam Madison. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
U |
Reed remains the #2 WR but Shaw
may out produce him this week going against the always
burnable Terrell Buckley.
|
| TE |
Dave Moore
Mark Campbell |
B |
Looks like Campbell and Moore
will be splitting the production this season, unfortunately
making neither one a viable fantasy option for your
team. |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler |
B |
Fiedler runs the balanced Miami attack
well but remains a modest fantasy performer. Will
get you his typical 200 yards and a TD most weeks and
does run the ball in on occasion. Not a good option
this week against an improving Bills defense. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S1 |
No need to even think about it. |
| RB |
Travis Minor |
B |
Purely a backup. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
S2 |
Borderline starter most weeks as
the Dolphins' offense will center around number 34.
Chambers continues to mature as a receiver and will
always be Fiedler's best option downfield. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
B |
Won't be an every week factor and
will rely on mismatches to have any fantasy impact. |
| WR |
James McKnight |
B |
Fourth receiving option in a
run oriented offense.
|
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
The Dolphins need a solid secondary
target in the passing game to have any success throwing
the ball. McMichael's athleticism and speed make him
a great option as he will win most linebacker matchups. |
|
|
| Oakland (1-1) at Denver
(2-0) |
|
| Mon, Sep 22, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Invesco Field at Mile High |
Back to top |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rich Gannon |
X |
Lack of a strong running game and
downfield target hindered Gannon last week. More of
the same is in order this week. But this is Denver
and it is Monday night, so he could bounce back. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
S2 |
Won't find much running room and
the Raiders are showing little commitment to the run
so far (28 runs and 66 passes). Garner will be very
active in the passing attack as always and will find
some
success. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
X |
Returned last week to his short/tough-yardage
duties. If the Raiders run the ball inside the 10 yard
line Wheatley will almost always get the call. |
| RB |
Justin Fargas |
B |
Super-talent that may get you a home
run, but you can't rely on that. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
X |
With Porter out the Raiders are unable
to stretch the field vertically. Now defenses can tighten
up on the short and crossing patterns both Rice ... |
| WR |
Tim Brown |
X |
... and Brown are best suited for.
The result is limited production for both. |
| WR |
Alvis Whitted |
B |
Non-factor.
|
| TE |
Doug Jolley |
X |
Didn't get into the action much last
week but it's likely that he'll be relied on more Monday
night to find favorable matchups with the speedy Denver
LBs. |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer (Q) |
U |
Will play this week and will likely
continue to have success with play action opportunities.
May also find his groove against a short-handed Oakland
secondary that gave up a 303 yard game to Kitna last
week. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis (P) |
S1 |
Will play. Will dominate. |
| RB |
Mike Anderson |
B |
Just the blocking back now, and the
Portis backup. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
X |
Will likely work against CB Charles
Woodson. While one of the top corners, he has not reached
"shut-down" status yet and Smith will have a few opportunities
downfield. |
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey |
B |
Will likely get a few more looks
this week in 3-WR sets, but Easy Ed's best days are
behind him as he's just not the same after the brutal
leg injury. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
S2 |
Can stretch the field against
the "non-Woodson" coverage and has the upper hand
in those matchups. Could be a breakout game for him
this season.
|
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
X |
Plummer obviously learned an important
lesson early upon arriving in Denver. Always keep an
eye on Sharpe. |
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