Start/Bench
List - Week 5
By Whitney
Walters
October 2, 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 |
|
|
| Seattle (3-0) at Green Bay (2-2) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Lambeau
Field |
Back to top |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
Playing mistake-free football but
hasn't put up the numbers many owners expected. This
week could change that as the Packers need to blitz
to get any pressure, and if they do Hasselbeck has
too many weapons at his disposal not to succeed. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S1 |
Look for Seattle to pound
the ball against Green Bay's 23rd ranked run defense.
Alexander has the strength to pick up the tough yards
as they look to wear down the middle
of the defense. |
| RB |
Maurice Morris |
B |
Only the backup but may see an increase
in carries this week. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Will make cornerback Al Harris pay
for his overaggressive tendencies. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
X |
This will not likely be Jackson's
week given his almost dead even matchup with cornerback
Mike McKenzie. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
U |
Beyond the starters at cornerback
the Packers lack solid talent. Engram will have the
advantage in this matchup. If the Seahawks give him
some looks he will produce.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
B |
To hit-and-miss to make him a viable
fantasy starter. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre |
S2 |
The lack of a pass rush (only 4 sacks
in 3 games) and inexperience in the secondary (starting
2 rookies) will provide Favre the
elements he
needs to have a solid fantasy day. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
There's just something about playing
against your old team, especially one that sent you
packing. |
| 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 |
Because of the run support that
will be needed to deal with Green, Driver will get
plenty of single-coverage with cornerback Ken
Lucas. Lucas
doesn’t
have the speed to stay with Driver downfield and lacks
the aggressiveness needed to challenge him for the
ball. |
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
X |
Should return to action this week
but isn't likely to be
100%. Owners may need to stay away for at least one
more week. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
Will be hurt this week by the
likely return of Ferguson.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
S2 |
Even though teams are paying more
attention to the TD-scoring tight end he leads all
of them in passes in the end-zone. |
|
|
| Tennessee (3-1) at New England (2-2) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Gillette
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S2 |
The starting wideouts may be limited
this week on the parameter, but McNair always finds
a way to produce. The tight ends will play a key role
this week. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
X |
The Titans are one of only three
teams that average under 3 YPC (2.6 to be exact). The
Pats are undersized up the middle and normally that
would mean an advantage to the opposing runner. But
George just doesn't have the wheels anymore to make
them pay. |
| RB |
Chris Brown |
X |
As George fades look for Brown to
get more and more carries. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
X |
Continues to pull constant double
coverage and his stats are showing it (only 5 catches
since week 2). As McCareins and Bennett improve, Mason
will benefit. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett (Q) |
S2 |
Matched against the undersized CB
Tyrone Poole, Bennett at 6' - 5" has a huge advantage
this week. Look for the Titans to take advantage. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
Has stepped up lately. Doesn't
matchup as well as Bennett with Tyrone Poole, but
still has the potential to do some damage opposite
Mason.
|
| TE |
Erron Kinney
Shad Meier |
U |
With Mason double-covered
and the No. 2 WR likely in a struggle against Ty
Law, the tight ends will play bigger
roles up the middle of the field. Too bad there are
two good ones getting looks. Kinney may emerge this
week due to his huge size advantage. |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady (P) |
B |
A sporadic run game and an injury
depleted offensive line are not making it easy on
Brady this season. The Titans aren't a scary pass defense,
but they bring a serious pass rush and their two corners
will hold there own against the tiny New England receivers. |
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
X |
With Faulk dinged up Smith will get
his chance this week as the Pats will look to establish
the run against the physical Titan front. But that
front will likely prove too physical. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk (Q) |
B |
An injured scat-back isn't
the answer against Tennessee. Faulk will take a back
seat to Smith this week. |
| WR |
Troy Brown |
X |
Cornerbacks Samari Rolle and
Andre Dyson typically have matchup problems due to
their size
disadvantage. That won't be an issue this week against
the smurfish Brown and ...
|
| WR |
Deion Branch |
X |
... Branch.
|
| WR |
David Patten (Q) |
B |
Not likely to play due to the leg
injury. |
| TE |
Christian Fauria |
X |
As the young Graham emerges Fauria's
role in the passing game will shrink. |
| TE |
Daniel Graham (Q) |
U |
This young talented tight end may
finally be coming on. He brings much more to the table
than the veteran Fauria and could develop into Brady's
favorite target due to his size and receiving ability. |
|
|
| San Diego (0-4) at Jacksonville
(0-4) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at ALLTEL
Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
U |
Brees' best games this short season
are those with Boston in the lineup. Look for him to
use Boston, TE Peelle and LT to his advantage this
week. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson (P) |
S1 |
The Jags pose a test this week as
they are ranked 7th in rush defense. |
| RB |
Jesse Chatman |
B |
Won't see the field unless LT goes
down. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
After last week's disappointing suspension,
this is a put up or shut up game for Boston. This is
a huge mismatch in the secondary and if Boston is half
the receiver he thinks he is, he will dominate. |
| WR |
Eric Parker |
X |
With all the attention given to Boston,
Parker's speed and run-after-the-catch
ability make him a decent option for Brees. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight (Q) |
B |
Still battling injuries and remains
a minor fantasy factor in this offense.
|
| TE |
Justin Peelle |
U |
Peelle has been a nice option while
filling in for the injured Stephen Alexander
and
Josh
Norman. The ball will be in the air a bit more this
week and he should benefit as an outlet
option in the ball-control Charger offense. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
It looks like Leftwich may get
his second start. San Diego is no real threat in the
secondary and Jimmy Smith will return. Regardless it's
best to steer clear of the rookie. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S1 |
The Chargers are giving up 5 YPC
and 150 YPG on the ground. 'Nuf said. Okay, one more
thing. The return of Jimmy Smith will only help to
open up the running game more. |
| RB |
Brandon Toefield |
B |
Only a rare carry or two for now. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
U |
May not be in top form or shape but
it won't matter. The Jags passing game needs Smith
and they should go after rookie CB Sammy Davis, who
is coming off a back injury, all afternoon. |
| WR |
J.J. Stokes |
B |
May get a few catches opposite the
attention Smith will garner as Leftwich showed the
ability to spread the ball last week. |
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
Showed his stuff last week and
could emerge as the #2 WR in this offense over the
ever-underachieving Stokes and
Hatchette.
|
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
Non-existent last week with the rookie
Leftwich under center. |
|
|
| Detroit (1-3) at San Francisco
(1-3) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at 3Com
Park at Candlestick Point |
Back to top |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
U |
The blitz will be coming. But this
is a huge game for his coach and Harrington will be
ready. Arizona blitzed him heavily in week one and
he had a 4 TD performance. |
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
X |
San Francisco is a top 5 run defense
but they didn't look like it last week. Denver was
a top 5 run defense before Bryson and the Lions ran
through them for 144 yards last week. That being said,
I wouldn't expect much more out of Bryson that you
got last week. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
It looks like Bryson has earned his
lead role in the running game and Gary will take a
back seat for now. |
| WR |
Charles Rogers |
U |
Rogers isn't Randy Moss, but the
Niner secondary looked completely lost last week. Rogers
has the speed to get behind that weak coverage so look
for a few big plays as Harrington has a radar lock
on him. |
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
B |
Still looks to be slowed by the knee
injury and continues his inconsistent play. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
X |
With safety help rolling to Rogers
side of the field, Hakim must start getting open
for the passing game to really open up for the Lions.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
B |
Ricks is a big, fast down field target.
But one the Lions don't seem to utilize consistently. |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia (P) |
X |
Garcia just doesn't look good throwing
the ball. Is it the back? Is it the groin? Who knows.
What we do know is that the Niner passing game is in
a serious funk. Having the 30th ranked passing defense
coming to town may be just what the doctor ordered.
Maybe. |
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
S2 |
Another week and another lost opportunity
for fantasy owners of Hearst (and Barlow). Well, maybe
not this week. The Niners will keep splitting the playing
time between these two, but the Lions give up enough
yardage that both Hearst and ... |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
S2 |
... Barlow are decent plays this
week. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S2 |
TO will surely be motivated this
week to stick it to Mooch. He'll have to be because
his effort last week stunk, regardless of his post-game
comments. But all the motivation in the world won't
improve the play calling or his QB's ability to get
him the ball consistently. |
| WR |
Tai Streets |
X |
Taking advantage of the single-coverage
opportunities he is getting opposite Owens and has
become a solid fantasy option. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson (P) |
B |
Running behind TO and Streets
isn't going to provide you with much.
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Remains not much more than an afterthought
in the Niner passing game. |
|
|
| Washington (3-1) at Philadelphia
(1-2) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at Lincoln
Financial Field |
Back to top |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey |
S2 |
Look for the Redskins to spread the
field with multi-receiver sets this week in order to
create favorable matchups with a riddled Eagle secondary
likely without three of it's four starters. |
| RB |
Trung Canidate |
X |
This two-headed
tailback will likely be frustrating fantasy owners
all season. Canidate is effective with his carries,
but he's a liability on passing downs because he's
poor at picking up the blitz and is not a good receiver.
So he lacks the upside of Betts. |
| RB |
Ladell Betts |
X |
Will only get half the carries, but
is a solid receiver and is the obvious choice to carry
the ball at the goal-line. Don't expect too much this
week however against the league's top run stopping
defense. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S1 |
The most consistent fantasy receiver
going right now. This should be a big week for Coles
going against a Philly secondary without Vincent, Taylor
or Dawkins. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
X |
Gardner may be the odd man out this
week in the Redskin passing game. He doesn't have the
speed to get separation quickly for Ramsey, who will
be under blitz pressure often. |
| WR |
Darnerian McCants |
U |
Will be more active this week
as the #3 WR will be utilized more in the spread
offense the Skins are likely to be running. With
all the injuries to the Eagles' secondary, McCants
will be matched up against Roderick Hood, an undrafted
rookie nickel back.
|
| TE |
Robert Royal |
B |
Redskin tight ends have only 5 catches
in the first four games. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb (P) |
X |
When he stops trying to be something
he's not (a pocket passer) and utilizes all his talent
(i.e. his running ability) McNabb can be one of the
better QBs in the league. And more importantly to us,
a better fantasy QB. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
This has developed into a big mess,
with Staley getting only four of the team's 24 RB carries
last week. It may be best to stay away of Staley until
this situation becomes clearer. Especially this week
against a Redskin team that's more vulnerable to a
power running game. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
U |
Was a complete non-factor until last
week's 11 carries and a TD. May play a bigger role
this week as the power running game he's better suited
for is what the Redskins are most susceptible to. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
X |
Last week's stats are inflated by
a late game 62-yard TD run. As long as Westbrook can
stay healthy his role in the offense may continue to
grow. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
B |
Trash can break press coverage but
can become frustrated with being pushed around by physical
corners. Champ Bailey fits that description to a tee. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston |
B |
Pinkston is also likely to struggle
this week in his matchup with Fred Smoot. He has good
speed and hands but will have a hard time shaking the
press coverage. |
| WR |
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
Again has a favorable matchup
with an opponent's nickel corner. Unfortunately Mitchell
keeps failing to live up to expectations.
|
| TE |
Chad Lewis
L.J. Smith |
B |
The Redskins do not have
good cover safeties, but Lewis has lost
a step and the rookie L.J. Smith is seeing minimal
time because he is not improving as a blocker. |
|
|
| Cleveland (1-3) at Pittsburgh
(2-2) |
|
| Sun, Oct 5, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Heinz Field |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Couch |
B |
Gets another start as Holcomb rests
his fractured leg. The going gets tough this week against
the #2 pass defense in the league. A defense that disguises
it's coverage well and will cause problems for Couch. |
| RB |
William Green |
B |
Cleveland is the only team yet to
score a rushing touchdown and last week only ran for
69 yards against a Bengal team allowing over 150 at
the
time. There are problems with the running game and
they won't be easily fixed against the #6 run defense
this week. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
Locked into the 3rd-down back role. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
X |
Couch will spread the ball around
more than Holcomb, but Johnson remains the main target.
KJ will use his quickness to win his matchup with the
bigger and more physical Pittsburgh corners. |
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
B |
Ennie ... |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt (P) |
B |
... Mennie ...
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
X |
... Minie ... hey, no Mo. |
| TE |
Steve Heiden |
B |
The Cleveland tight end position
is typically a non-factor. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
The Browns' may rank at the
top of the league in pass defense, but they made Kitna
look like an All-Pro last week. Odds are that Maddox
will look like one this week as well. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
S2 |
Isn't likely to break out of the
"15 carries a game" category, but the Steelers need
to keep getting him involved in the passing game. The
Browns will have a hard time handling Zereoue as they
allow a league leading 5.2 YPC on the ground. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
U |
Only got three carries last week
but that should change on Sunday. The Steelers are
beginning to realize that Zereoue is an inconsistent
runner and Bettis is needed to keep the ball moving
down the field at times. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress (Q) |
S2 |
As with most teams the Browns
have no match for Burress' unique combination of
size, speed and ability. The only thing keeping him
from S1 status this week is the hip injury.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S1 |
Only one player in the league has
had more passes thrown his way. |
| 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 (Q) |
X |
Continues to be a productive target
for Maddox over the middle due to all the attention
given to the Steeler wideouts. Not 100% healthy so
he can't be recommended as a starter. |
|
|
| Indianapolis (4-0) at Tampa Bay
(2-1) |
|
| Mon, Oct 6, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at Raymond
James Stadium |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S2 |
It's hard to say bench a guy that
launched SIX touchdowns last week. But on the road
against a pass defense that's allowing only 106 YPG
and has yet to give up a TD, Manning is about as low
as you can go on the starter list. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James (Q) |
X |
Early indications are that there
is a possibility James will sit this one out. So your
choice this week for the Colts' running game is a less
than 100% Edge, or ... |
| RB |
James Mungro
Ricky Williams
Dominic Rhodes (P) |
X |
... a three-headed monster made up
of Mungro, Williams and Rhodes. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S2 |
If the running game can force the
Bucs to bring safety John Lynch up in the box and into
some cover-3 zone coverages, Harrison should do alright.
This is a brutal matchup for one of the league's premier
wideouts. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
B |
There won't be much to go around
this week and most of it will likely flow Harrison's
way. |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
B |
The #3 WR will never be an impact
in this offense that primarily runs 2-TE, 2-WR sets.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
B |
Finally! Pollard got back in the
flow of the passing attack last week. Now the big question
is will it last. Odds are it will, but not this week.
Pollard's blocking skills will be needed to help protect
Manning from the intense Tampa Bay pass rush. |
| TE |
Dallas Clark |
X |
Look for Clark to be used this week
to stretch the middle of the field in an attempt to
soften up the coverage. Might not amount to much however. |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
X |
Johnson doesn't get enough credit
for his ability to move an offense effectively through
the air. Will be challenged by the up-and-coming Indy
pass defense, but it's cover-2 schemes should be very
familiar to him. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
U |
Regardless of how tough the Bucs
defense is, they will want to eat up the clock to
keep Manning & Co. off the field by attacking the
Colts' interior defense. Expect a heavy dose of
Pittman
this
week. |
| RB |
Mike Alstott |
X |
With Pittman emerging Alstott is
likely to fall back into the 7-9 carries a game, goal-line
role. He'll remain a solid start in TD-only leagues. |
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson |
U |
Johnson is not a deep threat but
remains one of the NFL's best possession receivers.
This week he will rely on his experience to find soft
spots in the Colts' zone coverages and will cause matchup
problems in the red-zone. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
X |
With Jurevicius out, the most likely
candidate to see an increase in production. But in
this low-octane offense that doesn't often make him
a viable fantasy starter. |
| WR |
Karl Williams
Reggie Barlow |
B |
Attempting to fill the void
left by the injury to Jurevicius, and are not succeeding.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
B |
When one of your defensive linemen
could be the team's most effective tight end, it's
not a good sign. |
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