Start/Bench
List - Week 4
By Whitney
Walters
September 25, 2003 |
| |
| Player
List by Position |
| 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 |
|
|
| Atlanta (1-2) at Carolina (2-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Ericsson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Johnson |
B |
Johnson is a better player than he's
showed through three weeks. Under the tremendous pressure
the Panthers will bring this week he'll extend that
trend to four weeks. |
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
X |
There are few teams better at stopping
the run than Carolina. Dunn will struggle this week
but may find limited success using his speed on the
corners of the defense against the injury depleted
Panther linebackers. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
B |
The Panthers' run defense is strongest
up the middle. Don't expect much out of Duckett, even
if the Falcons can get the ball down to the goal-line. |
| WR |
Peerless Price |
X |
Until Vick returns it's best to steer
clear of the Falcon passing game. But if there's a
weakness in the Carolina defense it's the cornerbacks.
If Johnson can get some time in the pocket (a big if)
Price could produce. |
| WR |
Quentin McCord |
B |
Was expected to step up with the
injury to Finneran but hasn't. Went catchless last
week. |
| WR |
Jimmy Farris |
B |
Suffered a mild concussion last
week. Even if he does play Sunday don't expect much.
|
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
S2 |
Remains the best fantasy option in
this passing attack, and on this team. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
U |
An extra week to prepare and a soft
Falcon secondary present Delhomme with a chance at
having a fantasy impact this week. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis |
S1 |
Atlanta's allowing over 135 yards
a game on the ground and a league leading 5 rushing
touchdowns. |
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
B |
Working his way back slowly with
limited touches. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
S2 |
Muhammad's size and speed present
a matchup advantage this week against the Falcon corners. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
X |
If the Panthers can stretch the field
with Muhammad then the short and intermediate passing
game will open up for Smith. |
| WR |
Ricky Proehl |
B |
May occasionally produce but
is more likely to pull in just 2-3 catches a week.
|
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
B |
Not a big part of this offense and
splits time with Jermaine Wiggins. |
|
|
| Kansas City (3-0) at Baltimore (2-1) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 4:05 PM ET on CBS at
M&T Band Stadium |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
X |
Current TD/INT ratio is 3/5. Not
good. Must remain patient this week and take what the
Ravens' defense gives him, which won't be a lot. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S1 |
Ray Lewis and the Ravens. Yeah, yeah.
Just play him. |
| RB |
Derrick Blaylock |
B |
Only if Priest is hurt. And maybe
not even then. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
X |
The more inconsistent of the primary
Chief receivers. Will have a tough go of it this week
as Green will be under increased pressure and the Raven
secondary will pose matchup problems. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
X |
Same goes for Morton, except for
the inconsistent part. |
| 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) |
S2 |
So far a major fantasy disappointment,
only 7 catches for 78 yards through three games. Has
been slowed by injury but has also not played well.
His chance to redeem himself will not be easy this
week against the aggressive Raven linebackers. |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller |
B |
Barely doing enough to keep Baltimore
winning. Zero fantasy value. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S1 |
Gets left guard Edwin Mulitalo back
this week and will run at the KC defense all afternoon.
An intriguing RB matchup against the man he sent packing
to Kansas City back in 2001. |
| RB |
Chester Taylor (P) |
B |
It's all Lewis, all the time. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
B |
The wide receivers have a total of
seven, yes seven, catches between the three of them
over the past two games. 'Nuf said. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders |
B |
Ditto. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
B |
Ditto.
|
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S1 |
Again leading the team in receiving
and it's best fantasy option outside of Lewis. But
when your passing game averages less than 100 yards
each week it can limit your fantasy potential at times. |
|
|
| San Diego (0-3) at Oakland
(1-2) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 4:05 PM ET on CBS at
Network Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
B |
The Raiders aren't going to scare
anyone with their pass defense (ranked 28th), but neither
is the Chargers' passing offense. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S1 |
The Raiders give up over 130 YPG
on the ground. |
| RB |
Jesse Chatman |
B |
Won't see the field unless LT goes
down. |
| WR |
David Boston |
X |
Had some brief moments of promise
last week, then gets kicked out of practice on Wednesday.
If he's allowed to return and play on Sunday he will
cause matchup problems for the Raiders. |
| WR |
Eric Parker |
U |
With all the attention given to Boston,
Parker's speed and run-after-the-catch
ability make him a good option for Brees. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight |
B |
Remains a minor fantasy factor
in an offense featuring the run.
|
| TE |
Justin Peelle |
X |
With both Alexander and Norman likely
still out this week Peelle could surprise as an outlet
option in the ball-control Charger offense. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rich Gannon |
X |
Lack of a strong running game and
the ability to stretch the field continue to hinder
Gannon and the Raider passing game. Look for an emphasis
on the running game this week and a few more chances
downfield. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
S2 |
You want to cure this stagnant offense?
Here's a tip. RUN THE BALL! Garner is arguably one
of the league's top 5 RBs based on speed and talent.
Getting him 8 carries a game is pathetic. If Garner
doesn't touch the ball at least 20 times against one
of the NFL's worst run defenses, Al Davis should clean
house next week. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
X |
Still getting the short/tough-yardage
calls, but when they get to the goal-line Crockett
seems to be the back of choice most of the time, limiting
Wheatley's value. |
| RB |
Justin Fargas |
B |
Super-talent that may get you a home
run, but you can't rely on that. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
S2 |
While the plan now is obvious,
tighten up the safeties and use underneath zones
to take away the Raiders' favorite horizontal routes,
the Chargers don't have the personnel to give them
a great deal of success. Rice should bring a solid
fantasy
game to the table this week.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
Two games, two catches. Huh?!?!
The Chargers' young guns on the corners may cause
the old man some problems this week.
|
| WR |
Alvis Whitted |
B |
Non-factor.
|
| TE |
Doug Jolley |
X |
Could be used more to stretch the
middle of the field this week. |
|
|
| Dallas (1-1) at New York Jets
(0-3) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Giants Stadium |
Back to top |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
X |
By playing to the strength of
the 3-WR sets the Cowboys lead the league in passing
and in plays over 25 yards, with seven. The trio
of Galloway, Glenn and Bryant are more than most
nickel coverages can handle, but the cover-2 schemes
used by the Jets and their solid pass rush could
cause Carter problems.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
X |
Should get some extra work this week
as the Cowboys will want to control the clock and likely
won't fall behind in this one. |
| RB |
Aveion Cason |
B |
Change of pace back. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
S2 |
Can stretch the field with his speed
but the New York corners don't have it to match. Look
for Galloway to burn then a few times deep. |
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
B |
He has a favorable matchup against
the thin Jets' secondary, but his inconsistencies,
and those of his quarterback, make him a difficult
start. |
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
U |
Nickel CB Aaron Beasley is tough
and physical, which will pose problems for Bryant.
But if he stays at him his speed will provide him
with a few big play opportunities.
|
| TE |
Dan Campbell
Jason Witten |
B |
Carter is not a dump-off quarterback,
he's a runner. Just four catches between the two of
them in two weeks. Don't expect much from
the Dallas TEs. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
X |
The Cowboys are not a great defense
against the pass and Testaverde could make them pay
this week. Maybe. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
The Jets' offensive line seems to
be better suited to pass blocking than run blocking
as the Jets are last in the league in rushing with
less than 50 YPG. Dallas is a solid run stopping unit
so don't expect much from Martin. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B |
Still going to see only limited carries
in relief of Martin. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
Hasn't
been the deep threat the Jets were expecting when they
signed him in the offseason and just isn't explosive
enough to consistently beat a young, athletic Cowboys'
secondary. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet |
B |
Ditto for Chrebet. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
U |
Moss's speed will continue to
give him an edge over nickel CB's each week. This
week is no exception and he should bounce back from
his one catch outing last week.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
His career average of 2 catches a
game leave a lot to be desired. |
|
|
| Detroit (1-2) at Denver
(3-0) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Invesco Field at Mile High |
Back to top |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington (P) |
B |
After starting the season with a
4 TD game against Arizona, Harrington has followed
that with two consecutive
weeks
with three interceptions and no touchdowns. |
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
B |
Starting to emerge as a solid starter
in Detroit. Unfortunately runs into a stingy Denver
defense this week that's allowing only 70 rushing YPG. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
It's starting to look like there
were reasons other than injury why Gary has been riding
the pine so much since his big season back in 1999. |
| WR |
Charles Rogers |
X |
Rogers is a rookie, but he's the
only Detroit wideout that has the talent and speed
to hurt the Bronco secondary. |
| WR |
Bill Schroeder (Q) |
B |
Continues his inconsistent play which
is not compounded by the young Harrington at quarterback.
Also slowed by the knee injury. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
B |
Returned to action last week
but was fairly ineffective.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
Harrington should look for Ricks
when the Broncos roll the coverage to Rogers' side.
He has
good speed and is capable of providing big plays. |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer (P) |
S2 |
Starting to come around. The Lions
lost their third cornerback for the season due to injury.
Look for an increase in the passing game this week. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis (Q) |
X |
May sit this one out. If he doesn't,
play him. |
| RB |
Mike Anderson (P) |
X |
If Portis doesn't play then Anderson
steps in and will provide a great fantasy game against
a Detroit defense allowing over 140 YPG on the ground. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
S2 |
If he can keep his punches in check
this week look for Smith to benefit along with everyone
else in the Bronco passing attack against the decimated
Lion secondary. |
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey |
B |
Still a solid possession receiver,
but is still playing tentatively. Not a fantasy option
any more. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
S2 |
Lelie's size and speed are going
to be a nightmare for the Lions' secondary.
|
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
S2 |
Well, let's make it virtually a clean
sweep this week and also recommend starting Mr. Sharpe.
The
one still playing of course. |
|
|
| Indianapolis (3-0) at New Orleans
(1-2) |
|
| Sun, Sep 28, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Superdome |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
The New Orleans defense is in tatters
and Manning should have another big day. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James (P) |
X |
Back problems revealed on Wednesday
may keep James out of this game. If he plays it's looking
likely that he won't be 100%. |
| RB |
James Mungro |
X |
If James is out then Mungro may fill
in as he is the healthiest of the three Colt backups. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
This is the week! |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
S2 |
Don't expect another career performance.
But the #2 WR has always had potential in Indy and
maybe it's going to be Wayne that finally realizes
that potential. |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
B |
The #3 WR will never be an impact
in this offense that prefers 2-TE, 2-WR sets.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
B |
Three catches week one, two catches
in week two, zero catches last week. A very disturbing
trend has developed here. Pollard is the better blocker
and that seems to be hurting his opportunities in the
2-TE sets with rookie, pass catching, tight end Clark. |
| TE |
Dallas Clark |
U |
And on the other side, one catch
in week one, four in week two and four last week. It
appears that the Colts are growing confident in the
rookie's abilities to split the secondary on vertical
routes down the seams. |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
X |
So far this season Brooks hasn't
shown the touch, accuracy or consistency required to
beat a good two-deep zone like the Colts'. You might
be better off finding another option this week. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S2 |
Should find more running room this
week. But the Saints' offense is struggling in all
phases and if they fall behind the risk is high that
they will abandon the run like last week. |
| RB |
James Fenderson |
B |
Never see the field. Well, almost
never. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S2 |
Horn is at his best against
zone coverage, like the type he will see against
the
Colts. If his knee holds up he should put up some nice
numbers Sunday night. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth |
X |
Stallworth's
speed could cause matchup problems for the Colts. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
One week wonder? Probably.
|
| TE |
Ernie Conwell |
B |
Limited looks and Conwell isn't the
sort of deep threat that can exploit the Colts' zone
coverage schemes. |
|
|
| Green Bay (1-2) at Chicago
(0-2) |
|
| Mon, Sep 29, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Soldier Field |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre |
S2 |
The offense is almost back to full
strength and it's on a Monday night. Oh yeah, and the
Bears are terrible. Start him. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
It's only been two games, but there
may not be a worse rush defense in the league than
the Bears'. |
| RB |
Tony Fisher |
B |
Has replaced Najeh Davenport as the
backup for now. Isn't the power runner that Davenport
is, but is a much better receiver. |
| WR |
Donald Driver |
S2 |
Driver looked somewhat tentative
last week in his return to action after the neck injury.
You can expect a much better performance Monday after
a week's worth of practice time. |
| WR |
Robert Ferguson (P) |
X |
With Driver back Ferguson should
rest a week and get healthy. He's had to leave the
past two games due to the knee injury. Until he's 100%
the risk is too high to make him a fantasy starter. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
X |
Ferguson's iffy status will impact
Walker. If Ferguson starts and plays well then Walker's
value is limited. If Ferguson rests then Walker could
be a surprise impact player this week against the
Bears' suspect man-to-man coverage.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
S2 |
Teams have learned to pay more
attention to Franks inside the 10 and his production
is showing that. Favre continues to look his way though. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kordell Stewart |
B |
Can still make a few things happen
with his running ability, but that isn't enough anymore
to make him a viable fantasy quarterback. If he's your
bye week backup, you should have already been hitting
the waiver wire to replace him. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
B |
A north/south runner who can be
effective in a pound-it-out attack behind a big, mauling
offensive line. Too bad the Bears' line is one of the
league's worst. |
| RB |
Adrian Peterson |
B |
May see some action but not enough
to warrant fantasy attention. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
X |
The only premier talent in this offense.
But he's being wasted in the controlled, short passing
game the Bears continue to fail at. |
| WR |
Dez White |
B |
Fast but has average hands. White
will remain the starter
opposite Booker for now but will struggle along with
the offense. |
| WR |
David Terrell |
B |
Will get few looks in this
offense.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
U |
The single matchup advantage the
Bears have this week is in the short passing game.
Look for Clark to be active. |
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