Start/Bench
List - Week 9
By Whitney
Walters
October 30, 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 |
|
|
| Carolina (6-1) at Houston
(2-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Reliant
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
B |
Rarely a fantasy factor. And when
the star running back out gains him in four of
seven games, that's not going to change any time soon.
May find a bit more success this week against the league's
worst fantasy pass defense, and with Muhammad's return. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis |
S1 |
On pace for a 2100 total yard / 12
TD season. |
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
B |
While
Foster may be available, this is Davis' team. He
will only see a few carries in relief of Davis and
a couple
of looks in the passing game. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad (Q) |
B |
Expected back this week, but hasn't
scored since week one and has only two catches in three
of the last four games he's played. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
S2 |
Last week was Smith's third 100 yard
game in a row, the the first with Davis going off.
On a roll and you might as well ride it out, especially
against the terrible Texan pass defense. |
| WR |
Ricky Proehl |
B |
Even with Muhammad out last week
was a non-factor.
|
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
B |
Only a minor role in the passing
game. |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tony Banks |
B |
Likely starter due to the Carr injury.
Not a fantasy option this, or any, week. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack |
B |
Four carries two weeks ago and
only one last week. Mack appears done.
|
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
S2 |
The Panthers provide a tough challenge
as they will likely stack the line to stop the run
due to Carr being out. Carolina has also allowed
a league low three rushing TDs. Davis will get his
carries if Houston can stay close, but his 100 yard
game streak likely comes to an end this week. Will
stay involved in the passing game.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
X |
If Banks can step up, Johnson should
be able to exploit the overrated Carolina secondary. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
Only a single catch in three of the
past four games. Appears to have a firm grip
on the
#2 WR
spot, but that has been worth little so far this season. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Showed up last week with four
catches. But with Banks under center this week it's
best to avoid any Texan receiver other than Johnson.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
U |
Starting to be more involved in
the offense and finally scored last week. With Banks
under pressure he may get additional looks this week. |
|
|
| Indianapolis (6-1) at Miami (5-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Pro
Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S2 |
Likely to struggle this
week for two reasons. First, crowd noise on the road
always causes the forever audiblizing Manning problems.
Second, the play-action passing game will be limited
by a struggling running attack. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
X |
James looked good last week, returning
from the back injury. He'll be needed this week, as
always, to set up the play-action passing game. Against
the #1 run defense he's not likely to produce on the
ground and may be needed for pass protection, limiting
his opportunities in the passing game. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S2 |
Always a starter regardless of opponent.
In his last three games against Miami has totaled 27
catches for 402 yards and four TDs. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
Will see single coverage this week.
Unfortunately that will come in the form of either
Sam Madison or Patrick Surtain. Both have the ability
to neutralize Wayne. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard
Dallas Clark (Q) |
X |
Pollard emerged last week thanks
to Clark's injury. With Clark expected back |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brian Griese (P) |
B |
Fiedler's injury will likely keep
him on the bench for another week. Griese had some
success in his Dolphin debut Monday night, but the
cover-2 zone run by the Colts will cause him problems. |
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S1 |
Indy has made improvements on defense,
but still allow over 130 rushing YPG. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
Will find his open space limited
this week, but remains Griese's best option on the
perimeter. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson (P) |
B |
Surprisingly got fewer looks last
week than normally invisible #3 WR McKnight. Not worth
a start, or even a roster spot for that matter. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
Will be the key to Miami's offensive
success this week. His down field abilities will help
split the safety coverage, opening up his routes or
the running game underneath. |
|
|
| Jacksonville (1-6) at Baltimore
(4-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at M&T
Band Stadium |
Back to top |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
Can make great plays but has thrown
three interceptions in three of the four games he's
started this year. Against the Raven pass rush and
playmakers in the secondary, expect more of the same. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
X |
Should see a solid dose of carries
as the Ravens aren't likely to jump out to a lead,
and plenty of looks in the short passing game. But
against the speedy Baltimore linebackers, Taylor will
see only limited production. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
S2 |
Has been very productive since
his return from suspension and will have an advantage
in his matchup with the banged-up CB Corey Fuller.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
X |
Has emerged as a solid down field
target alongside Smith, and with the attention
Smith gets he's been able to produce lately. But this
is not a favorable matchup for Edwards. Ravens CB Chris
McAlister has the speed, strength and size to neutralize
him. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
Has yet to click with
rookie Leftwich and will likely spend most of this
game helping in max
pass protection. |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller |
B |
Continues to grow, making more plays
and fewer mistakes. The Jags secondary should help
him look even better this week. But this is still a
run first and second offense, so Boller won't help
your fantasy team. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis (P) |
S1 |
Just keeps rolln' along. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
B |
Over the past three games the Baltimore
WRs have pulled in a whopping 13 catches. At least
Taylor has seven of those, for whatever that's worth. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders
Marcus Robinson |
B |
No fantasy value in this offense. |
| TE |
Todd Heap (P) |
S1 |
As expected was limited by the Denver
LBs last week, but Boller still went his direction
nine times. The Jacksonville LBs and safeties will
have no match for Heap's size and speed. |
|
|
| New Orleans (3-5) at Tampa Bay (4-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Raymond
James Stadium |
Back to top |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
X |
Getting Stallworth back will allow
the Saints to spread the field more, which produces
more opportunities for Brooks and the running game
to make plays. The downside this week will be the Bucs
pass rush. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S2 |
The Bucs obviously pose a big challenge
for the Saints running game. But Deuce is touching
the ball 27 times a game and has had success against
a better Bucs defense last year, averaging over 100
yards. |
| WR |
Joe Horn (Q) |
S2 |
If the Bucs are forced to bring eight
men in the box to stop McAllister, which is likely,
then Horn will find himself matched up against CB Tim
Wanly. This is a matchup Horn can win easily. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth (Q) |
B |
If he plays this week he'll
be limited. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
X |
Has become a consistent #2 along
side Horn. Hasn't scored since week four and may
be due to find the end-zone.
|
| TE |
Ernie Conwell |
S2 |
When the Bucs decide to stick with
their cover-2 schemes Conwell will play a key role
in working those coverages over the middle. |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
S2 |
Johnson has not been his normal efficient
self over the past two weeks. All the injuries to his
skill positions hasn't helped, limiting his options.
He gets a limited Jurevicius back this week, but that
may not be enough. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman (P) |
S2 |
Over the past three games Pittman
has averaged almost 100 total yards a game. But
he has failed to score and the Bucs have only two
rushing TDs this season. Look for Pittman to salt
away a Tampa lead and end the game with another solid
carry total.
|
| RB |
Thomas Jones |
B |
Has seen his touches decrease each
week since Alstott went down. Won't happen again this
week. Can't go any lower than zero. |
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson |
X |
Have a one catch game, call your
coach out publicly. Result, another one catch game.
Better find another approach Meshawn. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
Clearly favored in the passing game
right now. Should have little trouble winning his matchup
with either CB Fred Thomas or Ashley Ambrose. |
| WR |
Joe Jurevicius (Q) |
B |
May return to action this week,
but will be very limited.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
B |
Three different tight ends last week
with one catch each. |
|
|
| New York Giants (3-4) at New York
Jets (2-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Giants
Stadium |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
X |
The offensive line play improved
last week. Result, 375 yards and 2 TDs. Biggest fantasy
game of the season. Collins is a fine QB, he just
requires time to comfortably set up in the pocket.
The Jets lead the league in sacks, but Collins catches
a break this week as they will be without DE John
Abraham.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S1 |
As expected Barber remains the driving
force of the offense. It doesn't get much better than
facing the #31 run defense in the league. |
| RB |
Dorsey Levens |
B |
Don't expect more than 10 touches
a game. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
The Jets secondary weakness is
somewhat masked by it's intense pass rush and terrible
run defense. When Collins does get time in the pocket
look for both Toomer and ...
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard |
X |
... Hilliard to have an impact. |
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey (P) |
S1 |
The Jets don't have the LBs to match
up. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chad Pennington |
S2 |
Should be sharper in his first start
this week. Look for the Jets to get back to the pass-friendly
system Pennington ran well last season. Should find
matchup advantages in the injury depleted Giant secondary. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
The Jets have turned their running
game around. Over the past three games they are averaging
over 125 YPG on the ground. A big part of that has
been Martin, who appears to have a little left in his
tank. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B |
Getting the goal-line carries and
has scored the Jets' only three rushing TDs this season.
Potential, but only
if
he takes
over for Martin. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
B |
Filling in for the injured Chrebet
didn't help his production at all. Now it's back to
being #3. His stock may rise now that Pennington has
returned, but it's a wait and see at this point. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet |
X |
Still nursing the back
injury but is playing. Should start to see a few more
looks now with Pennington back. Remains mostly a
non-fantasy factor. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S2 |
Look for the Jets to find ways
to get Moss matched up against the marginal CB Ralph
Brown. When they do Moss will smoke him.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
Wasn't much of a factor with Pennington
in control last year. Don't expect the rest of this
season to be much different. He'll get his 2 catches
a game and the occasional short TD. |
|
|
| Oakland (2-5) at Detroit (1-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Ford
Field |
Back to top |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marques Tuiasosopo |
U |
You couldn't ask for a better matchup
to bring your inexperienced young QB off the bench
to start. There is no nice way to put this - the Lions
are flat out terrible. Tuiasosopo could surprise this
week as a bye week fill-in if needed. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
S2 |
Only two games with more than 12
carries this season. Thankfully for fantasy owners
he remains a huge threat in the passing game. Logic
dictates that you'd lean more on your running game
with a new, very inexperienced QB this week. But when
have the Raiders done anything logical this season. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley
Zack Crockett |
B |
Wheatley 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 |
X |
The only thing keeping Rice from
bench status this week is the terrible opponent.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
Porter back, Brown out.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter (Q) |
S2 |
Returned prior to the off week
and had 10 passes go his way in his first game back.
More than both Rice and Brown. Regardless of the
QB, Porter will scorch the Lions secondary this week.
|
| TE |
Teyo Johnson |
S2 |
The rookie gets his first start
this week. Along with Porter will bring some much
needed speed to the passing game.
|
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington (P) |
B |
Harrington appears to have stemmed
the tide of controversy last week, but only barely.
Should improve his play this week as he will have
a productive running game to help bring balance to
the offensive attack. His wide receivers are still
a big liability however.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
S2 |
If there's any time to get your running
game going, it's against the team that occupies the
bottom spot in the run defense rankings. Bryson will
still split carries with Gary, but he should get the
majority of them and is much more active in the passing
attack. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
Will see some carries, but it appears
that Bryson is the main man for now. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
X |
Continues to get the looks, but does
little with them. Poor play and too many drops are
keeping Hakim from being a factor. |
| WR |
Scotty Anderson |
B |
Ditto for Anderson.
|
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
B |
Schroeder just isn't getting it done.
His age and knee injury are likely catching up with
him. |
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks (Q) |
X |
Proving of late to be the Lions'
best option in the passing game. Has a TD in each of
the last two games he's played. |
|
|
| San Diego (1-6) at Chicago (2-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Soldier
Field |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
U |
Only one team has fewer sacks than
the Bears, so Brees should have time in the pocket
to improve his play and limit his mistakes. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S1 |
It's the Bears. 'Nuf said. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
Boston should have little trouble
with the inexperienced Chicago secondary. |
| 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 |
Antonio Gates |
B |
The undrafted rookie may get the
start if Peelle can't go due to the ankle injury. Either
way is doesn't matter. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chris Chandler |
U |
A decent matchup this week for Chandler
against a Chargers' defense that has allowed a league
worst 15 passing touchdowns this season. Could surprise
this week as he'll be helped by a stronger running
game if Thomas is healthy. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas (Q) |
X |
Expected to be back in the starting
lineup this week. Against the Chargers, that's a good
thing for fantasy owners. Thomas had just started to
get it going before the foot injury. If he has a good
week of practice then you should move him back into
your starting lineup. |
| RB |
Adrian Peterson (Q) |
B |
May not be as far along in his recovery
as Thomas. Could miss another game. |
| WR |
Marty Booker (Q) |
B |
Still slowed by the ankle injury. |
| WR |
Dez White |
X |
White's ability to get down field
may benefit him if he can beat the jams at the line.
The young Charger corners have trouble at times with
deep coverage.
|
| WR |
David Terrell |
X |
Has been more active in the passing
game with Chandler at the helm. Could struggle this
week with the press coverage as
the Chargers look to crowd the short and mid-range
routes.
|
| TE |
Dustin Lyman |
S2 |
Filled in for the injured Desmond
Clark last week and put up a solid 42 yards on six
catches. Look for more of the same this week as Clark
is expected to miss another game. |
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