Start/Bench
List - Week 10
By Whitney
Walters
November 6, 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 |
|
|
| Arizona (3-5) at Pittsburgh
(2-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Heinz
Field |
Back to top |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
X |
Will be forced to make more plays
this week as Pittsburgh will surely focus on shutting
down the running game. The opportunities will be there
but he must not force the ball into coverage. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
X |
Last week Shipp became the first
Card RB to rush for over 100 yards in two straight
games since 1992. Number three won't come easy against
the #4 rush defense that has held opposing RBs to only
65 YPG in the last two games. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
X |
With half of his first NFL season
under his belt, Blake's favorite target has developed
into a top 10 fantasy WR, but is hurt by the low TD
total. Will continue to draw double
coverage, resulting in good and bad weeks depending
on the opposing secondary talent. |
| WR |
Bryan Gilmore
Bryant Johnson |
B |
These rookies lack in experience
and will continue to improve but struggle. Only
six
catches between them
over the past two games. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
U |
Blake should look for Jones when
the Steelers drop into cover 2, as he
has the speed to get behind the linebackers, and his
size causes matchup problems in the secondary. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
Another favorable matchup for Maddox
and the passing attack. He should find plenty of one-on-one
matchups to take advantage of in the secondary. The
Cardinal unit can play well as a group at times, but
they lack the talent to stay with the Steeler receivers. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
B |
His return to the 3rd-down / change-of-pace
role may be helping the Steeler offense, but it's
making him worthless to his fantasy owners. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
X |
Since moving back to the starting
lineup Bettis has received only 15 carries a game.
That may be enough to help open up the passing game,
but the only way that makes him a fantasy start is
if he can get some of those carries at the goal-line. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress (P) |
S2 |
Bounced back last week following
his second single-catch game of the year. Should
have little trouble with the poor Cardinal secondary
and is WAY overdue for a score.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S1 |
Only three receivers have more passes
thrown to them this season. |
| WR |
Antwaan Randle El |
B |
Typically creates matchup problems
for opponents when the Steelers spread the offense.But
it's rarely enough production to make him a fantasy
factor. |
| TE |
Jerame Tuman |
B |
The starter with Riemersma injured.
Mainly a blocker and non-factor. |
|
|
| Atlanta (1-7) at NY Giants
(4-4) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Giants
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kurt Kittner |
B |
Kittner-Johnson, Johnson-Kittner...
whatever. Stay away.
|
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
X |
Thunder and lightening appears to
be making it's way back. While Duckett is carrying
a bulk of the load, Dunn is still getting about 12
touches a game and is making the most of his limited
opportunities. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
X |
When the Falcons can run the ball
they continue to feature a power running game with
Duckett. He retains some fantasy value due to his use
at the goal-line. |
| WR |
Peerless Price
Brian Finneran |
X |
Both Price and Finneran may get some
life if Johnson returns as the starting QB. Both will
cause matchup problems for the Giants. But if they
go with Kittner again then they should stay
on your bench. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
X |
Crumpler
is struggling along with the rest of the Falcon offense,
and the injuries haven't helped. Only five catches
in the past
three games. |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
S1 |
Despite shuffling the secondary
last week, the Falcons remain the worst
in the league against the pass. Doesn't get much
better
than this.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S2 |
Last week it was the #31 run defense,
this week Barber draws the #30. However, Levens' increased
workload is keeping Barber from a loftier fantasy status. |
| RB |
Dorsey Levens |
B |
His touches have increased and he
scored last week. But his fantasy impact is related
more to how he's hurting Barber, not helping his owners. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
S2 |
May be the worst secondary in
the league. Start him.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard |
S2 |
Ditto for Hilliard. |
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey (P) |
S1 |
What can you say. Permanent stud.
Start him. |
|
|
| Chicago (3-5) at Detroit
(2-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Ford
Field |
Back to top |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chris Chandler |
X |
Another decent matchup this week
against a suspect secondary and pass rush. Put up over
200 yards and a TD on Detroit just two weeks ago. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
S1 |
On a major roll and the best thing
the Chicago offense has going right now. Had an impressive
NINE carries inside the 10-yard line last week. |
| RB |
Adrian Peterson (Q) |
B |
It's all Thomas now. |
| WR |
Marty Booker (Q) |
B |
May return to action this week after
missing the last three, but can't be relied on. |
| WR |
Dez White |
S2 |
Held to three catches in week
8 against Detroit. But the Lions' best CB (Bly) may
miss another game due to the hamstring injury.
Booker's possible return also bodes well for White
this week.
|
| WR |
David Terrell |
X |
Has been more active in the passing
game with Chandler at the helm.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
X |
Returned to action last week and
had a nice 31 yard catch. His production should increase
along with his health and Chandler's confidence in
him. |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington (P) |
B |
Continues to play just good enough
to keep his starting job. Too bad that's not enough
to give him any fantasy value.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
S2 |
Since the week 6 bye there has been
little rhyme or reason to the distribution of workload
between Bryson and Gary. In those three weeks Bryson
has 32 carries to Gary's 34, but has been much more
productive. He also has ten catches to Gary's two.
This is a great matchup for the Detroit running game
and odds are Bryson will lead the way as he did in
week 8. |
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
May have scored the TD last week,
but Bryson remains the better option. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
B |
Just not getting it done. Has had
two single-catch games in the past three. |
| WR |
Scotty Anderson |
B |
Ditto for Anderson.
|
| WR |
Bill Schroeder (Q) |
B |
Four catches in the last five games. |
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
Continues to be the Lions'
best option in the passing game. That may not mean
many catches, but it has meant a TD in two of his
last three games. |
|
|
| Cleveland (3-5) at Kansas City (8-0) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Arrowhead
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb (P) |
X |
Moves back into the starting lineup
this week. Seven weeks removed from his first,
and only, solid fantasy performance this season.
May be called on to air it out more this week against
the Chiefs.
|
| RB |
James Jackson |
X |
Gets the start with Green serving
a one game suspension. Should be fairly productive
against a Chiefs' defense allowing almost five YPC.
The Browns will likely look to control the line of
scrimmage by running the ball, but they are also likely
to fall behind and turn to the pass playing catch-up. |
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
Will likely see a few extra touches
this week, but will still function as primarily as
the 3rd-down back. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
B |
The Browns' leading receiver, but
will be replaced this week by Davis in the starting
lineup this week. |
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
Behind Johnson has been the team's
most consistent receiver. It's hard to say how the
shift in starters on the other side of the ball will
impact his production. Regardless, expect a bump
in his numbers this week as the Browns should be
throwing the ball more.
|
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
U |
Davis moves into the starting
lineup this week. He's the most athletic of the Cleveland
receivers and has been a solid end-zone target in
the past. With the Browns likely playing catch-up
in this one, Davis has a good chance to make some
noise.
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
B |
Has been the least productive receiver
since returning from injury several weeks ago. |
| TE |
Steve Heiden (P) |
B |
The Cleveland tight end position
is typically a non-factor. |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
X |
Began hitting his stride just prior
the off week. The Browns have allowed a league low
four passing touchdowns this season. But that's due
as much to their terrible run defense as it is to solid
pass defense play. Green won't need to do much in this
one. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S1 |
A week of rest and now it's back
to assaulting opposing defenses. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
B |
Surprised with a five catch game
before the bye, a season high. Don't expect that too
often. Kennison is a one-deminsional (vertical sideline)
receiver. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
X |
Remains the best all-around talent
the Chiefs have at wide receiver. Does not match-up
well against the Browns secondary on the perimeter |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Leading all top tight ends in yards
per catch and touchdowns. |
|
|
| Houston (3-5) at Cincinnati
(3-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Paul
Brown Stadium |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr (Q) |
B |
Expected to return this week. With
a solid ground game now Carr is becoming more effective.
The Texans are a run-first team and only once has Carr
put up fantasy starter type numbers this season. Expect
more of the same in his first game back from the ankle
injury. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack (P) |
B |
Only got his carries last week
after Davis was injured.
|
| RB |
Domanick Davis (P) |
S2 |
The Bengals have given up 110
and 150 yards to RBs in the past two games. Davis'
chest injury shouldn't prevent him from getting another
100-yard game this week.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
X |
Carr's favorite down field target
and his best option this week to take advantage of
the average Bengal secondary. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
14 catches in eight games just ain't
cuttn' it. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Has had a few moments this season,
but he now appears to be taking a back seat to TE
Miller as the second option in the passing game behind
the rookie Johnson.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
S2 |
After disappearing for the first
four games of the season, Miller has 15 catches for
156 yards and two touchdowns in the last four games.
Will find enough space in the middle of the cover-2
to have an impact. |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
S2 |
The second great matchup in a
row for Kitna. The Texans rank 30th in pass defense
and have allowed a league high 15 passing touchdowns
this season. Now if he can just cut down on the mistakes.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon (Q) |
B |
All signs point to Dillon once again
being the starting RB for the Bengals this week. Yeah,
like that really matters at this point. Until he can
prove to you he can make it through a game and be productive,
he's bench material. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
B |
Could see most of the carries if
Dillon can't play through his groin injury again, or
could stand on the sideline all afternoon watching
Dillon
run. You need more confidence in your starting RB then
that. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Has an interesting matchup this week
with CB Aaron Glenn, one of the league's best. But
overall the Houston secondary rates as one of the league's
worst. Johnson will find his spot to make some big
plays. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
Out catching Johnson and is the primary
target for Kitna when the team approaches the goal-line. |
| TE |
Matt Schobel |
B |
Schobel has terrific hands and is
a reliable target for Kitna. But the Bengals are working
Tony Stewart into the mix now which hurts both TE's
production. |
|
|
| Indianapolis (7-1) at Jacksonville
(1-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at ALLTEL
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
This one isn't rocket science. The
Indy passing game should have it's way with the Jags
secondary. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S2 |
The Jags run defense showed it's
toughness last week, holding Jamal Lewis to only 68
yards. But with the Colts' lethal passing attack they
won't be able to crowd the line to stop the run. Don't
hesitate to start James this week. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
Start him. |
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
S2 |
Him too. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S2 |
Without a healthy Clark,
Pollard should dominate for one more week. Fantasy
owners should cash in while they can before Clark gets
back to full speed. |
| TE |
Dallas Clark (Q) |
B |
May see some limited action this
week, but the hammy is still bothering him. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
Will look more rookie-esque than
usual this week against the Colts underrated defensive
unit. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
X |
Should see plenty of carries early,
but as the Jags fall behind the high powered Colts
the passing game will take center stage. Taylor also
lost 10 carries to his backups last week, the most
so far this season. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
X |
Has the route running skills to
find the soft spots in the Colts' cover-2 zones.
The problem will be Leftwich's ability to get the
ball to those spots and on time.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
X |
Continues to improve and have an
impact alongside the attention grabbing
Smith. Unfortunately with a rookie under center that
translates into only about four catches and 60 yards
a week. But he has pulled in two TDs and is a prime
target down by the goal-line. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
Just not in sync with Leftwich.
Only eight catches in Leftwich's five games as a starter. |
|
|
| Miami (5-3) at Tennessee (6-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at The
Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brian Griese |
B |
Here comes big game chance
#2. There will be favorable matchups down
field as the Dolphins will likely spread the suspect
Titan
secondary with 3-WR sets. Griese's recent history
doesn't provide much confidence in his ability to
take advantage.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams (P) |
S2 |
Interesting tidbit - the Titans have
the league's best run defense in YPG, but that's on
a league low 19.4 carries against per game. They allow
almost four YPC, average at best. If the Dolphins can
stay committed to the run and get Williams his 25 carries,
he'll have success. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
Simply the best option the Dolphins
have down the field. Will draw single man coverage
in 3-WR sets and should be able to take advantage of
the mismatch. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson (P) |
B |
Only 12 receptions on the year and
went catchless last week. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
If Griese learned one thing in Denver
it was how to use his tight end. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S2 |
With the running game stymied, this
one will be all "Air" McNair. It won't come
easy this week, but the league MVP at the mid-way point
should always be in your starting lineup. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
B |
The Dolphins sport the leagues #2
run defense, allowing under 80 YPG and a league low
3.1 YPC. Don't expect much from George in this one. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe |
B |
It appears that the Titans are attempting
to get the running game going by giving carries to
Holcombe (27 in the last two games). But the #2 guy
in a RBBC is hardly ever worth a start. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
X |
Will get the single coverage matchups
the Titans like to find for Mason. Problem is that
it will most likely be with shut-down CB Sam
Madison. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
U |
With #2 WR Bennett out due to
injury, McCareins steps into the starting lineup
this week. Could find himself matched up with a less
than 100% Patrick Surtain. Has been inconsistent
this season, but his speed should give him some
opportunities for a big
play
or two.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
X |
Will get more plays with Bennett
out. Still a rookie however and will struggle with
the various coverages the Dolphins can throw at him. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney
Frank Wycheck |
B |
With Wycheck back this becomes another
in a growing list of multi-headed tight ends. Stay
away from both. |
Go to page 2 >>
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