Start/Bench
List - Week 8
By Whitney
Walters
October 23, 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 |
|
|
| St. Louis (4-2) at Pittsburgh (2-4) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Heinz Field |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S2 |
Look for the Rams to attack the primary
weakness of the Steeler defense - poor coverage skills
- by spreading out the offense and emphasizing the
passing attack. Should complete many passes against
the soft zones played by Pittsburgh. |
| RB |
Arlen Harris |
S2 |
Harris showed his versatility last
seek subbing for the injured Gordon. Will get his first
start this week and should perform well. But look for
the Rams to throw the ball often in this one and for
them to not ask too much of Harris. |
| RB |
Lamar Gordon (Q) |
B |
Not expected to play due to the ankle
injury, and if he does he will not be 100%. |
| WR |
Torry Holt (P) |
S1 |
On a tear. Start him. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S1 |
Bruce's sharp route running enables
him to excel against zone coverage schemes. He should
ring up big numbers this week against the very soft
Steeler zones. |
| WR |
Dane Looker |
B |
The team has gained some confidence
in Looker but his playing time will now start to
shrink as Shaun McDonald has returned to
action.
|
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
The TE seems to be a bigger part
of the game
plan lately. Manu has seven catches in the past two
games. His first duty remains pass protection however
as the Rams continue to send multiple receivers and
the back into pass routes. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
The line should be healthier after
the off week and the power running game should be back
with Bettis. This will mean better protection and a
more balanced attack, both of which should mean more
success for Maddox and the passing game. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
X |
Just didn't provide the impact to
the running game the Steelers thought his speed and
quickness would bring. So it's back to the 3rd-down
/ change-of-pace role for Zereoue. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
U |
Okay, everyone bring their best Steven
Tyler impression. I'm BAAAAAAAACK! I'm back in the
saddle again! The Steelers should attack the Rams'
undersized front with a pounding running attack lead
by Bettis' fresh legs. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S2 |
Burress should produce this week,
but he is best against man coverage, which he will
not be seeing against the Rams. He's also been hindered
by Maddox's lack of time in the pocket, but that
may improve this week.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S1 |
Great start this week as he is best
suited at finding the soft spots in zone coverages. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
B |
Randle El can create matchup problems
for opponents when the Steelers spread the offense.
Look for a few of those mismatches to pay off this
week as the Rams will bring a rookie out in nickel
coverage. |
| TE |
Jerame Tuman |
B |
Likely starter with Riemersma injured.
Non-factor. |
|
|
| San Francisco (3-4) at Arizona
(1-5) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Sun Devil Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia |
S2 |
The emphasis on the running game
will surely hurt Garcia's fantasy production. But
he'll remain effective and may just make it through
the entire season now. Arizona has a league low four
sacks through six games.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
S2 |
Expect last week to be just the beginning
of a more deliberate running attack by the Niners as
they attempt to move the ball without relying on a
very banged up Garcia. With that in place Hearst becomes
close to an every week start with ... |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
X |
... Barlow close behind. But as history
indicates he will remain behind Hearst's production. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S1 |
Continues to lead all receivers in
passes thrown his way... Oh whatever. Just start him.
It's Arizona for crying out loud. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
S2 |
Streets too. |
| WR |
Cedrick Wilson |
B |
The Cardinal love stops here.
|
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Not only is the TE an afterthought
in the Niner passing attack, but Weaver is proving
to be very ineffective. |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
B |
Still mistake prone under pressure,
Blake continues to be a hit-n-miss fantasy QB. This
week expect more miss than hit against a Niner defense
that leads the league in sacks. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
U |
Shipp will lead the league's worst
running game against one of the league's best run defense.
However, the Cardinal offensive line outweighs the
Niners defensive line by an average of 55 pounds. If
Arizona chooses to run the ball (which they have yet
to do) they should find some success. Shipp could also
have an impact as a dump-off target for Blake. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
S2 |
Continues to draw bracket
coverage from opponents as he remains the only WR target
Blake looks to. Despite that he also continues to produce
decent fantasy numbers, but has not crossed the goal-line
since week one. |
| WR |
Bryan Gilmore (P)
Bryant Johnson (P) |
B |
Gilmore and Johnson make up the other
two pieces in the Cardinals' rookie receiving trio.
Both are dealing with injuries and have yet to be a
factor in the passing game. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
U |
Jones has the talent to be a threat
in the passing game. Blake should be looking his way
this week as a dump-off target
under
pressure. |
|
|
| Tennessee (5-2) at Jacksonville
(1-5) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
ALLTEL Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S1 |
This one will be all "Air" McNair
as the Jags will have little trouble stopping the weak
Titan running game. McNair could also end up being
the leading rusher this week. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
B |
The Jags team strength is their solid
run defense. Don't expect the Titans to push the issue
given their inability to run this season. On top of
that George is likely to split carries again this week
with Holcombe. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe |
B |
With rookie Chris Brown likely out
with the hamstring injury, Holcombe once again is George's
backup. Last week that meant 16 carries. But he was
unable to generate any more production than George. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
Look for the Titans to spread the
field to create single coverage matchups for Mason.
Since those will come against either a dinged up corner
(Craft or Thomas) or a rookie (Mathis), Mason will
produce. |
| WR |
Drew Bennett (Q) |
S2 |
The Titans are working the ball
around the WR corps but this week Bennett is the
best bet
outside of Mason. The Jags simply don't have a DB to
handle his size. He has half a foot on any of them.
|
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
His speed will cause problems
all afternoon for the Jacksonville secondary.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
B |
Incredible upside and the team is
looking to him for the future. But he's still a very
raw rookie that will have flashes of potential, then
fade away. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney |
B |
Remains the starter while Wycheck
is out, but in the wide open Titan offense that's good
for only a catch or two a week. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
U |
If his line can give him the time
in the pocket against the lethal Titan pass rush, the
rookie could make some noise this week. Jimmy Smith
is back and the Titans are still missing their best
cornerback, Samari Rolle, and allowing over 250 passing
YPG. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
X |
Tennessee will likely play strong
safety Tank Williams in the box often to force the
Jags to turn to the passing game. The Titans can stuff
the run and held Taylor to only 76 total rushing
yards in their two meetings last season. Taylor's ability
to generate production out of the passing game keep
him a borderline starter this week. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
X |
Doesn't have the down field speed
he used to, but he still has the skill and strength
to do some damage against the inexperienced Tennessee
corners.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
U |
Has emerged as the #2 WR
alongside Smith. With the attention Smith garners that's
not a bad spot to be in. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
Has not clicked yet with rookie Leftwich
and will likely spend most of this game in pass protection. |
|
|
| Houston (2-4) at Indianapolis (5-1) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
RCA Dome |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
X |
This game will be all about establishing
the run and keeping the Colt offense off the field.
Carr won't be asked to do much unless the Texans fall
way behind and have to play catchup, which isn't that
unlikely a scenario. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
B |
Only had four carries last week
as Davis took over as the feature back. But he made
them big ones, scoring two touchdowns. That's great,
but goal-line backs are only valuable on teams that
get into scoring position often. That isn't the case
with Houston, especially this weekend against Indy.
|
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
S2 |
First back in team history to
rush for over 100 yards. If the Texans can keep the
score close there's a good chance Davis can repeat
that feat against a Colt defense that allows over
130 YPG on the ground.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
X |
Johnson's abilities are better suited
to exploit man coverage, not the zone schemes he'll
face in Indy on Sunday. He remains the top Texan receiving
option, but will struggle this week. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
X |
Only a single game this season with
more than two catches. Has a firm grip on the #2 WR
spot, but that has been worth little so far this season. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Started the season somewhat consistently
but has only four catches over the last three games.
Also seeing Jabari Holloway take some of the snaps
as the #3 WR.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
B |
Rarely pulls in more than two catches
a game this year and has yet to score. |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
Let's see, Manning against one of
the worst pass defenses in the league. Hmm... tough
call. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James (P) |
S2 |
All signs point to James returning
to the starting lineup this week. Should get plenty
of carries late as the Colts put away a big win. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams (D)
Dominic Rhodes (P) |
B |
With The Edge back the backups return
to being just that... backups. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
Will scorch the Texans' secondary. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
S2 |
Should be plenty to go around this
week in the passing game. |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
B |
The #3 WR will have little
impact in this offense that primarily runs 2-TE,
2-WR sets.
|
| TE |
Marcus Pollard
Dallas Clark (P) |
X |
Both tight ends are used in the flow
of the passing game and both have produced this season.
The problem is that they rarely are both
productive in the same game, and predicting who it
will be each
week is virtually impossible. |
|
|
| New York Jets (2-4) at Philadelphia
(3-3) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Lincoln Financial Field |
Back to top |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Vinny Testaverde
Chad Pennington |
B |
Vinny will start and Chad will come
off the bench. With such uncertain playing time for
each, both should be avoided this week. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
B |
While the Eagles defense against
the run has been suspect of late, the Jets sport one
of the worst running games in the league and have scored
only two rushing TDs this season and Martin has had
neither of those. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan (P) |
B |
Getting 10 touches a game since the
bye week and has scored the Jets' only two rushing
TDs. Potential, but only if he takes over for Martin. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
With the injury to Chrebet, Conway's
demotion to #3 WR didn't last long as he is back starting
opposite Moss. #1, #3, or #2, hasn't really mattered
much as he's been unproductive in all three spots. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet (Q) |
B |
Being slowed by the back injury,
but wasn't of much value prior to it. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
X |
Moss is the go-to guy now and
he and Vinny have worked will together since he moved
into the starting lineup. Problem this week is that
Vinny will not play the entire game and Pennington-to-Moss
is a big unknown right now.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
Still a great target over the middle
as Moss is now stretching the defenses down field.
But he's still only getting a few looks a game and
the QB situation this week would make it difficult
to rely on him as your starter. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb (P) |
B |
What more can be said about McNabb.
He just flat out stinks this year. Until be has a breakout
game (if he ever does) his only activity on your fantasy
team should be picking splinters out of his arse. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
S2 |
Over the past three games Westbrook
has averaged 65 total yards and a touchdown. On a team
that run three backs, that's not only amazing but it's
about as good as you could hope for. Against a Jets
defense that allows over 150 YPG on the ground, get
Westbrook in your lineup. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
X |
Odds are that against a terrible
run defense like the Jets, someone other than Westbrook
will produce. Staley has yet to carry the ball more
than 9 times this season, but his abilities catching
the ball out of the backfield give him an edge over
Buckhalter. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
B |
Will see some carries but has been
the least effective Eagle runner this season. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
B |
Thrash went catchless last week and
over the past two games the Philly passing game has
averaged 10 completions for 95 yards. Until further
notice all Eagle receivers are off limits. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston (P) |
B |
See above. |
| WR |
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
See above.
|
| TE |
L.J. Smith |
B |
See above. |
|
|
| Buffalo (4-3) at Kansas City
(7-0) |
|
| Sun, Oct 26, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Arrowhead Stadium |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S2 |
After starting the season strong
the KC defense has proven more vulnerable of late.
If Moulds plays look for a balanced attack and a solid
performance from Bledsoe. If Moulds remains sidelined
look for more of an emphasis on the running game. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
The rib injury finally seems a thing
of the past and Henry simply tore it up last week.
Look for more of the same against a KC defense that's
allowing 4.8 YPC rushing. Only Cleveland allows more. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds (Q) |
S2 |
The early indications are stronger
this week that Moulds will indeed return to action.
If he returns to
the
field
and is close
to 100%
then he's a solid start this week. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
U |
Finally broke out last week and flashed
some of the potential the Bills expected when they
signed him. With Moulds likely back this week his production
should continue. Now if someone can just find some
blackout for his other eye. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
X |
Shaw will likely move back to
#3 this week and his chances decrease.
|
| TE |
Mark Campbell |
B |
Good for a few catches a game but
is not a breakaway threat (averages only 7 yards a
catch) and has not scored this season. So he's either
due or should
be
avoided.
My
vote, avoided. |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
X |
Against the Bills' strong coverage
on the perimeter most of Green's success this week
will be to Gonzo and Holmes. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes (P) |
S1 |
Oh I don't know. How 'bout... they're
home this week. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
B |
A catch or two a game just doesn't
cut it for fantasy owners. Both Kennison and ... |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton (P) |
B |
... Morton will be taken out by the
strong CB duo of Winfield and Clements. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
With the wide receivers locked down
and safety support needed against the running attack
look for Gonzo to have a big impact in the passing
game. |
|
|
| Miami (4-2) at San Diego (1-5) |
|
| Mon, Oct 27, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Qualcomm Stadium |
Back to top |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler (Q) |
B |
Fiedler isn't asked to do much other
than win. His play must improve for the team's success
to continue and to keep backup Brian Griese on the
bench. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S1 |
Tons of carries against a bad run
defense. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
Chambers should produce against
the very conservative coverage schemes utilized by
the very young San Diego secondary. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
B |
Got more looks last week as he'd
been lobbying for. Still doesn't amount to enough to
make him a viable fantasy starter. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
McMichael should continue to play
a key role in the passing attack as opposing defenses
have no choice but to commit safety support to stop
the Miami running attack. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
U |
Having Boston back in the lineup
helps Brees be more productive. Most weeks that won't
amount to him being a fantasy starter. But surprisingly
the Dolphins rank at the bottom of the NFL in pass
defense. With the running game likely to struggle Brees
will be called upon to move the Chargers down the field
in this one. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
Gets the Monday night lights at home,
but draws the league's top run defense as the opponent. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
The strong man-to-man coverage of
the Dolphins hasn't shown up so far this season as
they rank only 29th in pass defense. That typical strong
corner play may give way to the stronger receiver play
of Boston. |
| WR |
Eric Parker
Tim Dwight
Reche Caldwell (Q) |
B |
Injuries, poor play and a run oriented
offense make any WR outside of Boston worth very little. |
| TE |
Justin Peelle
Josh Norman |
B |
The tight end position is only an
occasional producer in this offense. Norman is back
to starting, but Peelle still sees significant playing
time. |
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