Start/Bench
List - Week 7
By Whitney
Walters
October 16, 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 |
|
|
| San Diego (0-5) at Cleveland
(3-3) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Cleveland Browns Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
B |
Having Boston in the lineup surely
helps Brees be more productive. But this week against
a stingy Cleveland pass defense Boston isn't enough
to warrant you throwing Brees into your starting lineup. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
Remove the week 2 nightmare of Jamal
Lewis and the Browns have a top five run defense. But
if given 20-25 carries LT can wear down a Cleveland
front that lacks depth. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
The Browns just don't have anyone
in the secondary that can matchup with the size, speed
and strength of Boston. But then not many secondaries
do. |
| WR |
Eric Parker (Q) |
B |
Parker will be slowed by injury and
outside of Boston the Browns have the horses to handle
the Chargers' passing game. Don't expect much from
either Parker or ... |
| WR |
Tim Dwight |
B |
... slot receiver Dwight.
|
| TE |
Justin Peelle
Josh Norman (P) |
B |
Peelle runs good routes and typically
gets good separation in his routes, but the Browns
defense with speed to burn at linebacker and a safety. |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Couch |
U |
Gets another start and is playing
some of his best football right now. With Green and
the running game rolling he's making better decisions
and getting rid of the ball quicker. Against a Charger
secondary that tends to give up big plays, look for
Couch to have one of his better games.
|
| RB |
William Green |
S1 |
This is a great matchup for Green.
The Chargers haven't been able to
close the gaping hole in the middle of their run defense
and Green is a tough, between-the-tackles
runner. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
Locked into the 3rd-down back role
but not consistently used. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
S2 |
Johnson and company will likely school
the very young and very inexperienced Charger secondary.
Look for both KJ and ... |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
S2 |
... Northcutt to have opportunities
down field for big plays. These young corners tend
to miss when trying to jam receivers at the line
of scrimmage.
|
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
B |
As the #4 WR in this spread offense,
consistently gets far fewer looks than the other three
wide receivers. |
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
X |
Still seems slowed by the knee injury.
Should show some improvement this week however. |
| TE |
Steve Heiden |
B |
The Cleveland tight end position
is typically a non-factor. |
|
|
| Tennessee (4-2) at Carolina
(5-0) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Ericsson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S2 |
Having what many believe to be an
MVP type season so far. Should be able to exploit the
only weakness of the Panthers' defense, the secondary.
Time in the pocket against a solid pass rush will be
key however. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
X |
The Titans rushed for over 100 yards
last week for only the second time this season. The
days of George pounding out 20+ carries and 100 yards
are likely over. Has only a single TD this season.
Can serve as a bye week fill-in, but is no longer a
fantasy starter. |
| RB |
Chris Brown (Q) |
B |
Looked good last week as the Titans
worked the rookie into the game plan a little. Spent
the second half on the sideline with a tight hammy
though. Now officially George's backup. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
October has been very good to Mr.
Mason, 14 catches for 276 yards and 3 TDs in the last
two games. If the offensive line can control the Panther
pass rush Mason should have the opportunity for another
solid game. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett |
B |
Bennett may be the starter, but he's
taking a back seat lately to both McCareins and the
rookie Calico. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
May be #3 on the depth chart,
but more often than not is outperforming Bennett.
The multi-WR sets may be limited this weekend as
the Titans seek to provide extra protection for McNair.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
B |
Has put together two straight 92
yard performances. But before that the rookie was shut
out for two games. Worth keeping an eye on but right
now he's too unreliable for starter status. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney |
B |
Kinney's value this week may be in
pass protection against one of the top defensive lines
in the league. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
B |
Caretaker of the second worst passing
offense, who's chief role appears to be not making
key mistakes and handing the ball to Davis. Faces a
fierce pass rush from the Titans this week. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis (P) |
S2 |
Davis owners may see their great
fortune take a turn this week. The Titans will pose
the toughest challenge for the Panthers' running game,
Davis is dealing with a badly bruised arm and Foster
showed up with a bang last week. Regardless, he has
to be in your starting lineup. |
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
B |
Showed great potential last week
when he came in for the injured Davis. He may see a
few extra carries this week as a result, but this remains
Davis' show. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
X |
Muhammad is a big, vertical receiver
and will have mismatches in single coverage this week
against the Titans. But the Panthers
presumably won’t
be throwing often. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
X |
Smith also provides some matchup
problems for the Titan secondary. If the Panthers put
the ball in the air a little more this week, Smith
could surprise again. |
| WR |
Ricky Proehl |
B |
A non-factor in the 31st ranked
passing game.
|
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
B |
Not a part of this offense and
giving up some playing time to rookie Mike Seidman. |
|
|
| Washington (3-3) at Buffalo
(3-3) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey |
B |
The Redskins have given up a league
leading 23 sacks and protection will be the key for
Ramsey's success. Will need to work the middle of
the field this week against strong outside cornerback
coverage. The Bills are likely to come after him
and Ramsey still struggles against pressure.
|
| RB |
Trung Canidate (D) |
B |
Not expected to play due to the high
ankle sprain. |
| RB |
Ladell Betts |
X |
The Bills gave up 118 yards on the
ground last week, but they expect to get run stopping
Sam Adams back Sunday. Betts will carry the load for
the Redskins but will find the inside running limited. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S2 |
One of the more consistent fantasy
WRs this season. Last year against this Bills' secondary
he put up 11-110 and a TD in two games. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
B |
Surprised with nine catches last
week as Washington was playing catchup in the second
half. Don't expect a repeat performance against two
of the better cover corners in the league. |
| WR |
Darnerian McCants |
U |
Only 14 catches this season but
leads the team with four TDs. Making a better option
than #2 WR Gardner as Washington
continues
to utilize more spread offensive formations looking
for mismatches. Look for more of the same this week.
|
| TE |
Byron Chamberlain |
B |
Chamberlain may begin to be utilized
more this week but the TE is still a hard sell in the
Redskin offense. |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S2 |
The Redskins have allowed a league
leading 12 passing TDs and Bledsoe gets his primary
down field target (Moulds) back this week. Look for
the Bills to spread the offense out and take advantage
of this mismatch with a Redskin secondary minus #2
CB Fred Smoot. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
X |
If you can't get the ground game
going against one of the worst run defenses in the
league (the Jets) you have little hope of ever getting
it going. Henry is obviously not 100% back from the
rib injury and the line continues to underachieve.
Washington is only so-so against the run but look for
the passing game to be the emphasis this week. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds (Q) |
X |
Moulds is expected back this week.
Will be covered most often by Champ Bailey, one of
the league's best cornerbacks. Even with Moulds not
100% healthy, lets call this one a draw. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
Moulds will be back but look for
Reed to stay on the field as the Bills will likely
spread the offense out with 3-WR sets this week. Both
he and ... |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
U |
... Shaw will have many opportunities
to make an impact.
|
| TE |
Mark Campbell |
X |
Got some additional looks last week
but did little with them. Hasn't seen the end-zone
yet this season. |
|
|
| Chicago (1-4) at Seattle (4-1) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Seahawks Stadium |
Back to top |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chris Chandler |
B |
The anticipated move of Kordell
Stewart to the bench has happened thanks to his leg
injury
(wink, wink). But thanks to the same terrible pass
protection, same shoddy receiving and now a running
attack minus it's star, the results won't be much different
for
Chandler. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas (D) |
B |
Not expected to play due to a sprained
foot suffered last week. |
| RB |
Adrian Peterson |
U |
Steps into the starting role now
with Thomas out. Peterson is a physical, bowling-ball
type runner who should see a decent amount of carries
Sunday. The Seahawks' defense has given up 159
and 111 yards the past two weeks so there's hope for
Peterson if the line can show some improvement. |
| WR |
Marty Booker (Q) |
B |
If he plays (sprained ankle) don't
expect much since he will not be close to 100%. |
| WR |
Dez White |
U |
Stepped up last week when Booker
went down. Booker may not play this week so someone
will have to step up again. New QB. New RB. I guess
White's as good a bet as any to do the stepping again. |
| WR |
David Terrell |
X |
Since putting up a career best
tying 7 catches two weeks ago has only a single
catch for
five yards. Not
exactly what you want in a fantasy WR. May get a
few extra looks this week with a new QB under center.
Then again, may not.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
S2 |
Now maybe Clark owners won't have
to watch so many passes bounce off the turf or fly
over his head with Chandler at the helm. With the young,
aggressive Seattle safeties cheating up there should
be some openings for Clark down the middle. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
After six weeks it's becoming clearer
that the big play isn't a part of the Seattle passing
game this year. A much improved defense and strong
and consistent running game are creating less of a
need
to win shootouts. That said, this is Chicago and there
has to be an upside there, right? |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander (Q) |
S1 |
The Bears allow a whopping 160 YPG
on the ground. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Facing a defense that has virtually
no pass rush (only 4 sacks) and has allowed nine TDs
in five games. The only downside for Robinson and ... |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
S2 |
... Jackson this week is the running
game. Too much success there will mean fewer opportunities
in the passing game. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
B |
The advantage that Robinson and
Jackson have on the perimeter usually results in
Engram being an afterthought.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
B |
Scored his first TD in over a year.
If you own him you better hope his next TD doesn't
come in 2004. |
|
|
| New York Jets (1-4) at Houston
(2-3) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 4:05 PM ET on CBS at
Reliant Stadium |
Back to top |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
U |
Had his best game last week, tossing
three TDs. But added only 130 yards passing. Gets
another chance at success this week against a Houston
team that's dead last in pass defense and has only
six sacks in five games. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
Last week's season best 77 yards
on 20 carries is about the most you should expect from
Martin this season. He's lost any explosiveness and
will begin to lose more carries to Jordan. A solid
bye week filler, but not an every week starter. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B |
Will likely start seeing more carries,
especially at the goal-line. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
With the Jets running a lot of 3-WR
sets, Conway's demotion hasn't resulted in that much
less playing time. Against this defense that playing
time should translate into decent fantasy production.
Could see his first Jet TD this week. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet |
B |
A solid possession receiver once
that has lost his edge. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
U |
Moss' move into the starting
lineup last week only resulted in three catches for
16 yards, but one catch was a TD. This week
should be different against a couple of corners that
just
don't have the wheels to stay with him.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
X |
Goes from non-factor to dominant
fantasy force in one game. Well, not exactly. But he
did have a huge game last week, scoring two TDs. In
the old days Becht was a favorite target of Testaverde's.
We'll find out this week if last Sunday was just a
brief flashback or something more. Odds are with Moss
now stretching the coverage down field, Becht may again
be a fantasy factor. |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
B |
Coming off a career best 371 yard
passing game last week. But against the Jets it won't
be that easy. The Jets are ranked third in pass defense
on the strength of their pass rush which leads the
league with 19 sacks. Carr will find himself looking
for Davis and Miller often to dump the ball off to. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
B |
Still slowed by turf toe
on both feet, Mack may be on the way out. The Texans
may decide soon to turn to the rookies, Davis and
Hollings.
|
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
S2 |
With Mack slowed by injury and
Hollings fading due to poor play, Davis is on the
verge of becoming
the every-down back in Houston. He run with great power
and balance and is averaging 4.9 YPC. He's also a solid
receiver out of the backfield. Against a Jets team
allowing 150 YPG rushing, Davis could be in for a
big game.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
S2 |
The rookie is just too fast and athletic
for Jet corners who are not well suited for the man
coverage they are forced into most of the time. Look
for Carr to hook up with Johnson on a big play or two
in this one. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford (P) |
X |
Before last week's explosion was
averaging under two catches a game. Remains a fringe
fantasy player. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
X |
Johnson's presence has made Gaffney
more dangerous out of the slot and up until last
week he had been finding some success. Look for
Gaffney to bounce back, but only to his typical 3-5
catches.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
U |
Miller had a mini-breakout last week
with six catches. Don't expect him to emerge into the
force he was last season. But this week Carr will likely
be looking his way again under the heavy Jet pass rush. |
|
|
| Tampa Bay (3-2) at San Francisco
(2-4) |
|
| Sun, Oct 19, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
3Com Park at Candlestick Point |
Back to top |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
S2 |
Remarkably put up his best numbers
of the season last week with most of his receiving
targets out with injury. He appears to be coming into
his own in the Gruden system. Expect another efficient
and productive game out of Johnson this week. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
S2 |
The Bucs didn't open many holes for
Pittman last week, but he ran effectively for 62 yards
on 17 carries. The going won't get any easier this week
against a Niner defense that allows under 90 YPG on
the ground. |
| RB |
Thomas Jones |
B |
Pittman remains the main ball carrier
with Jones only getting the occasional carry or catch. |
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson (P) |
B |
Played through his thigh injury last
week and recorded his first TD of the season. May
see some single coverage Sunday as CB Rumph will need
more help with McCardell than CB Plummer will need
with Johnson. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
Has a good opportunity
against CB Mike Rumph, who remains
inconsistent in coverage. Rumph has good size but lacks
great instincts and struggles against quick, veteran
receivers who use
double moves to gain separation like McCardell. |
| WR |
Karl Williams (P)
Reggie Barlow |
B |
Both Williams and Barlow will
again be asked to step up this week due to the injuries
in the WR corps. Don't expect much.
|
| TE |
Todd Yoder |
U |
Had a huge game after Dilger went
down with an injury early in last week's contest. |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia |
B |
Garcia
remains inaccurate and the passing game unproductive.
Not exactly what you want with the Bucs (six sacks
last week) coming to town.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
B |
Both Hearst and ... |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
B |
... Barlow will split what little
production allowed by the stingy Bucs defense. Neither
will have much of a fantasy impact this week. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens |
X |
The Bucs are well equipped to neutralize
downfield receivers like Owens. Despite his height and
size advantage TO will not find any man-to-man coverages
to take advantage of. Expect another pedestrian game. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
X |
With all the attention TO will draw
this week from the Bucs, look for Streets to sneak
a few nice gains in this matchup. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson |
B |
Rarely used and has fallen out
of favor with the coaching staff.
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Not only is the TE an afterthought
in the Niner passing attack, but Weaver is proving
to be highly ineffective. |
|
|
| Kansas City (6-0) at Oakland
(2-4) |
|
| Mon, Oct 20, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Network Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
X |
Never expect a career day to be followed
by another. Against the woeful Raider defense this
one will be Holmes, Holmes and more Holmes. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes (P) |
S1 |
Draws the league's worst run defense
on a Monday night. Doesn't get much better than that. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
B |
Don't be fooled by last week's game
winning TD. Without that overtime catch Kennison was
1-6. He's averaging only two catches a game over the
last three. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
X |
Finally emerging as the top WR. Has
5+ catches in two of the last three games and has scored
a TD each of the past two games. The emphasis will
of course be the running game, but if any KC WR is
worth a spot in your lineup it's Morton. |
| WR |
Dante Hall |
B |
Getting more looks in the passing
game each week. Don't expect the Chiefs to run him
that much however as he needs to remain fresh for his
more important return duties. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
With former special teamer Travian
Smith patrolling the middle of the field due to the absence
of Romanowski, Gonzalez will have another big game. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rich Gannon |
X |
Has thrown for over 190 yards only
twice this season and has a TD pass in only half of
the games. Just doesn't seem able to handle the pressure
this season and the Chiefs do a good job of bringing
it. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
X |
Oakland is the only NFL team that
runs the ball under 20 times a game. If that does't
change
this week the Raiders are done, period. They must keep
the KC offense off the field and the Chiefs' defense
allows a league leading 4.9 YPC. There is some room
for Garner to run, but it will be limited by the presence
of LB Shawn Barber. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley (Q) |
B |
Typically gets a few of the "pound
the ball" and short yardage carries each game.
But when it gets to the goal line it could just as
easily be Crockett that gets the call. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
B |
Rice has been shut out of the
end-zone this season and is just too ineffective
to rely on as a fantasy starter.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
His days as a fantasy factor appear
to have ended. He struggles on almost every
play to gain separation and get open. Can't be relied
on.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter (D) |
B |
The waiting game continues.
|
| TE |
Doug Jolley |
X |
Has become an integral part of
Oakland's offense because of his reliability as a
receiver and
his improved blocking skills. Has quietly become
the Raiders leading receiver.
|
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