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 |
|
|
| Washington (3-4) at Dallas
(5-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at Texas
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey |
B |
The Redskins spent the off week
re-tooling their pass protection schemes. But until
they prove they can stop the rush, Ramsey will continue
to get a heavy dose of blitzes from all directions.
He's unlikely to find that early season success this
week in Big D.
|
| RB |
Chad Morton |
B |
With the injuries to Canidate and
Betts, Morton will get the start. He will split carries
with ... |
| RB |
Rock Cartwright |
B |
... Cartwright, and neither will
be worth a spot in your starting lineup against the
Cowboys' #3 rush defense. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S2 |
Look for the Cowboys to use a variety
of blitz packages with the safeties this week. This
should give Coles some opportunities to use his speed
to beat some man coverage. If Ramsey can survive the
blitzes Coles could do some damage down field. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
X |
Gardner remains inconsistent, and
this week against the Dallas secondary that won't be
enough. |
| WR |
Darnerian McCants |
B |
Leads the team with four TDs,
but only 16 catches. The Cowboys have the secondary
depth to limit McCants production out of the slot
this
week.
|
| TE |
Byron Chamberlain |
X |
Word is the Redskins have changed
their pass protection schemes by removing the TE from
the mix. That should allow for more production for
Chamberlain. |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
X |
Despite the desire to run the
ball, the Cowboys will again turn to the passing
game to move the ball. Outside of CB Champ Bailey
Dallas matches up will and Carter should have plenty
of open targets down field. The short game to Anderson
is finding success as well.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
X |
Aside from his 127 yard game in week
four, Hambrick has been very ineffective, averaging
only
about 50 YPG and a woeful 2.8 YPC. With Anderson starting
to take a few carries and now the re-signing of Murrell,
Hambrick's production isn't likely to improve. |
| RB |
Richie Anderson (Q) |
B |
Anderson has found a nice niche in
the Dallas offense with his 10-12 touches a game. If
you're in a league that awards points for receptions,
Anderson is worth a look. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
U |
With Glenn likely tied up with
Champ Bailey, some other Dallas receiver will be
left to take advantage of Fred Smoot's replacement
on the other side. Odds are that will be Galloway,
who possesses the speed to get behind the coverage.
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
X |
Glenn has emerged as Carter's
primary target on the perimeter, but this week's
matchup with shutdown corner Champ Bailey is not
one with an advantage for Dallas.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
X |
When the Cowboys spread the field
with 3-WR sets, look for Bryant to do some damage
against the weak nickel coverage of the Redskins.
|
| TE |
Jason Witten |
B |
The tight end is proving to be a
non-factor for the Cowboys. |
|
|
| Cincinnati (3-4) at Arizona
(2-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at Sun
Devil Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
S2 |
Has quietly worked his way into
the fantasy top 10. Shouldn't disappoint owners this
week against a Cardinal defense that has league lows
in sacks and interceptions.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon (Q) |
B |
Based on early week comments coming
from the Bengals, look for Dillon to be deactivated
again
this
week due to the lingering groin injury. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
U |
Johnson's 101 yard day last week
put the beleaguered Bengal running game over 100 yards
for the first time since week two. With Dillon a huge
question mark this week Johnson will be called upon
again and will likely see 20+ carries. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
The Arizona secondary did hold Terrell
Owens to only 53 yards last week. But that really isn't
proving to be that hard this year. With Kitna having
plenty of time in the pocket both Johnson and ... |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
... Warrick will find plenty of room
to roam. |
| TE |
Matt Schobel |
B |
Schobel has terrific hands and
will be a reliable target for Kitna. But lingering
injury problems had him sitting out last week after
scoring a TD the week prior. Best to stay away until
he can stay on the field. |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
X |
With the likely run oriented game
plan Blake's main job will be to protect the ball.
He must not force the ball into coverage. With Shipp
running the ball well the opportunities down field
should be there for Blake to make a play or two. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
S2 |
If the Cardinals stick to the successful
game plan of running Shipp behind that mammoth offensive
line, they should easily wear the Bengal front down
and Shipp will again find success running the ball. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
X |
Blake's favorite target, and drawing
the double coverage that goes along with that. That's
a tough challenge for any rookie and has resulted in
only three catches in two of the last three games.
Has also failed to score since week one. Is he due? |
| WR |
Bryan Gilmore
Bryant Johnson |
B |
Gilmore and Johnson are finally healthy
but the rookies lack any experience. They will continue
to improve but struggle. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
U |
This is a good matchup for Jones
against a Bengal LB corps that struggle in coverage. |
|
|
| Pittsburgh (2-5) at Seattle (5-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at Seahawks
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
As the offensive line returns to
health and the power running
game improves, Maddox should begin to resemble his
2002 form. This has the potential to be one of his
best games so far this season. Look for 200+ yards
and multiple touchdowns. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
B |
The return to his 3rd-down
/ change-of-pace role doesn't look to be paying any
dividends for his owners any time soon. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
U |
Only received 12 carries last week
in his return to the starting lineup due to the Steelers
falling behind. Given 20+ carries this week Bettis
will produce against a soft Seattle front that may
be without middle LB Randall Godfrey. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S2 |
Should bounce back this week.
He'll draw a matchup this week against either an
injured or rookie corner. Either
way the Steelers should take advantage of this matchup
advantage.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S1 |
Same goes for Ward. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
B |
Creates matchup problems
for opponents when the Steelers spread the offense.
A few of those mismatches
may pay off this week against the banged up and inexperienced
Seattle secondary. But it's never enough production
to make him a fantasy factor. |
| TE |
Jerame Tuman |
B |
Likely starter with Riemersma injured.
Mainly a blocker and non-factor. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
The Steelers play some pretty soft
coverage schemes and Hasselbeck should be able to find
success moving the ball through the air this week. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S2 |
The Steelers are tough up front and
will pose a challenge. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson (Q) |
S2 |
Provides the Seahawks with it's best
run after the catch opportunities, which is needed
in their quick-hitting West Coast offense. The softer
coverage used by the Steelers should provide KRob with
the room necessary to do some damage. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
X |
The physical play of CB Chad Scott
could cause some problems for Jackson this week. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
X |
Seattle's beginning
to open the offense up more with 3-WR sets and Engram's
production is showing the affect (10 catches for
146 yards and a TD in the past two weeks).
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
X |
Waiver wire darling this week. An
80 yard, 2 TD game by a tight end will cause that.
Prior to last week's 5 catch game he had only 11 catches
in the previous six games. |
|
|
| Philadelphia (4-3) at Atlanta (1-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at Georgia
Dome |
Back to top |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb (P) |
S2 |
Had a decent game last week, which
resulted in 141 passing yards and a 4-yard TD to his
fullback. Not exactly what his fantasy owners are looking
for. If he can't get it going this week against the
league's worst defense then it's over. So what the
heck, give him a chance this week. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook (O) |
B |
Out due to an ankle injury. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
May see some additional carries this
week with Westbrook out, but you should not rely on
him as CBuck appears to have taken the starting job
by the horns. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
S2 |
The window of opportunity opened
wide for CBuck last week and he crashed through it
like a mad-man. Look for the Eagles to give him the
rock against a Falcon defense that allows 150 YPG on
the ground and a league worst 12 rushing TDs. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
X |
Could this be the week? The week
that the Eagles get their first touchdown thrown to
a wide receiver? Call me an optimist, but could be. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston |
B |
Another wide receiver TD this week?
... Nah. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith (P) |
X |
Has nine catches for 101 yards in
the last four games and has become a viable option for
McNabb. |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kurt Kittner |
B |
Kittner makes his second NFL start
against the blitz-crazed Eagles. Yikes!
|
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
X |
Dunn isn't a good fantasy starter,
but he provides the best shot at a big play. You just
can't rely on this type of all-or-nothing fantasy player. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
B |
The Falcons will continue to featured
a power running game with Duckett carrying the load.
Unfortunately that means a lot of series that will
look like this: Short gain on first down. Short gain
on second down. Long trot off the field for third down
and a punt. |
| WR |
Peerless Price
Brian Finneran |
B |
Until Vick returns it's to the bench
for all Atlanta wide receivers. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
S2 |
The WRs won't stand a chance against
the physical Eagles' cornerbacks and Kittner won't
have much time in the pocket. Crumpler will become
Kittner's best friend this week. |
|
|
| St. Louis (5-2) at San Francisco
(3-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at 3Com
Park at Candlestick Point |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S2 |
The #1 fantasy QB is playing at
the top of his game right now. He's confident and reading
defenses very well. Don't expect that to change against
the Niners this week. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk (Q) |
X |
Faulk is expected to return to action,
but may not start depending on how his practices go
this week. He's a risky start given the fact that he
will likely split carries with Harris and he was not
all that productive prior to the injury. |
| RB |
Arlen Harris |
B |
Had a nice debut last week, but it
took three TDs to make up for the mild 81 yards that
took 34 carries to gain. That's a pathetic 2.4 YPC.
Will split carries with Faulk and likely do little
with them. |
| WR |
Torry Holt (P) |
S1 |
On a tear. Start him. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
The Niners don't have the talent
in the secondary to match-up with Bruce's sharp route
running skills. |
| WR |
Dane Looker |
B |
The team has gained some confidence
in Looker but his playing time will now start to
decrease as both Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis
work back into the rotation.
|
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
Appears to be a bigger part
of the passing game of late. Manu has ten catches
in the last three games and a look at the goal-line
last week. His primary duty however, remains pass
protection in the Rams' multi-receiver sets. |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia (P) |
X |
Continues to be limited by the
injuries and has put up zero touchdown games in
four of his last six. Not what you need in a starting
fantasy QB.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
S2 |
With a banged up QB and underachieving
receiving corps, the Niners are more committed to the
running game. That will be of great importance this
week as they look to eat up the clock and keep the
Rams offense off the field. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
X |
Continues to get a good chunk of
the Niner carries, but also continues to do little
with them. Hasn't scored since week two (against the
Rams, hmm...). There's a good chance he'll see extra
carries this week. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S2 |
In this strange season Owens is no
longer a lock against any opponent. Last week's 6-53
effort against Arizona is a case in point. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
X |
Even with the Niners' struggles Owens
still draws opposing team's attention, providing opportunities
for Streets. Leads the team with four receiving TDs
this season. |
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
An afterthought and highly ineffective. |
|
|
| Green Bay (3-4) at Minnesota (6-1) |
|
| Sun, Nov 2, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Metrodome |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
In his last three games against Minnesota,
Favre has five TDs and eight INTs. The week one nightmare
is far behind now and the Pack are healthy and running
the ball very well. Favre carries risk every time he
steps into a dome, but he's still worthy of a start
in this huge divisional game. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
The Vikings defense doesn't break
often, but they do bend enough to make Green a no-worries
start. |
| WR |
Donald Driver |
S2 |
Green Bay has the weapons on offense
to spread the coverage and get both Driver and ... |
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
X |
... Ferguson in favorable one-on-one
matchups with a Viking secondary that is not as strong
in coverage as it's 17 interceptions would lead you
to believe. Look for both Driver and Ferguson to have
chances for big plays. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
Walker's use in the offense has
decreased now that all the WRs and TEs are healthy.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
X |
Franks has always been reliable in
the past, but with the emergence of Walls
his looks are decreasing. Still the more likely of
the two to score. |
| TE |
Wesley Walls |
X |
Walls receiving skills will not
go untapped and the Packers will continue to use him
often with 2-TE
sets. |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S1 |
Threw his first two INTs of the season
last week. It's more likely this week that we see a
repeat of his week one 3 TD game, than last week's
2 INT game. |
| RB |
Moe Williams |
S2 |
The Packers run defense struggles
at the point of attack and the front seven are undersized
and not very physical. Look for the Vikings to use
a heavy dose of both Williams and ... |
| RB |
Onterrio Smith |
X |
... Smith in a balanced attack. Great
for Minnesota, not so much so for fantasy owners. Both
are borderline starters this week with the edge likely
going to Williams. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
Dominant fantasy receiver. Start
him. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson |
U |
Life is good on the other side of
Moss. But that is translating into only three catches
a game for Burleson. Call it a hunch, but Nate breaks
off a long one this week at home. |
| WR |
Kelly Campbell |
B |
Should return to action this week
following last week's calf injury. Don't expect much
however.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
B |
The role of the tight end in the
Viking offense has greatly diminished. |
|
|
| New England (6-2) at Denver (5-3) |
|
| Mon, Nov 3, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at Invesco
Field at Mile High |
Back to top |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady (P) |
X |
The long passing game will likely
struggle due to the pass rush and press coverage in
the secondary. But the short game will be there for
the taking. |
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
B |
Returned from his injury last week
but received only three carries. The Pats need his
pounding style of running, but until he gets another
chance and capitalizes on it he has to remain on your
bench. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
X |
The Broncos stiff run defense has
taken a toll lately due to injuries to 2/3 of it's
starting LB corps. With the safeties back in pass support,
Faulk should find some room to run this week. His downside
will remain the uncertainty around when and
how much
Smith will be used from week-to-week. |
| RB |
Mike Cloud |
B |
Inactive last week and a non-factor...
again. |
| WR |
Troy Brown |
X |
Brown typically struggles against
physical cornerbacks that can jam him at the line
and disrupt his rhythm with Brady. The Broncos will
provide just that challenge Sunday.
|
| WR |
Deion Branch |
X |
Ditto for Branch.
|
| WR |
David Patten (Q)
David Givens |
B |
Patton, Givens or whoever are used
to spread the field and the defenses, but are not true
targets in the passing game. |
| TE |
Christian Fauria (Q) |
B |
Was always expected to give way to
the young Graham and that has likely happened now thanks
to the injury he suffered last week. |
| TE |
Daniel Graham |
S2 |
FINALLY! This guy is a stud on the
level of Heap and Shockey, but has struggled to stay
healthy. He appears to be now. A big, fast down field
target that Brady will continue to exploit. |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Danny Kanell (P) |
B |
Just trying to keep the Broncos'
heads above water until Plummer returns. He'll see
blitzes from all directions this week. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis |
S2 |
Until Plummer returns Portis will
face stiff defensive fronts designed to limit the Denver
running attack. Where Portis can make up his production
is in the passing game with screens and dump-offs. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
X |
With Kanell under center the Pats
will not be afraid of using man coverage on both Smith
and ... |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
X |
... Lelie, freeing up the blitz.
With Kanell under pressure he will be more likely
to use Portis and Sharpe in the short passing game
than the wideouts down the field.
|
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey (Q) |
B |
Is not recovering well from the leg
injury and may again sit out. |
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe (P) |
S2 |
Look for the Broncos to work Sharpe
in short crossing and flat patterns to combat the pressure
Kanell will be under. |
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