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 |
|
|
| Seattle (6-2) at Washington
(3-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at FedEx
Field |
Back to top |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
The absence of KRob will hurt the
Seahawks' ability to spread the field with 3-WR sets
since there is little depth behind Engram. This will
prevent them from taking advantage of the injuries
and lack of depth in the Redskin secondary. What could
be a great matchup will only be so-so without KRob. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S1 |
As expected last week the Steelers
limited the Seahawk running game. That won't be the
case on Sunday against a Washington defense allowing
almost 130 YPG on the ground. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson (Q) |
B |
The sprained ankle he suffered last
week is expected to keep him out of most practices
this week and possibly the game. Even if he goes on
Sunday he won't be 100% and the risk is too high to
rely on him. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
S2 |
Will likely be expected carry the
load in the passing game this week. If he can cut down
on the dropped passes (9 in past 2 games) he has a
chance for a very productive day. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
X |
Slowed by injury last week (2
catches for 9 yards), Engram should be good-to-go
on Sunday and will be
asked
to step up again in the likely absence of Robinson.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
U |
Look for Mili to play a larger role
in the passing game this week. His speed and precise
route running will serve him well against a group of
linebackers and safeties that are not known for their
great cover abilities. |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey (P) |
B |
The Redskins just can't seem to
protect Ramsey. Until they prove they can
stop the rush, Ramsey will
continue
to get a heavy dose of blitzes from all directions.
|
| RB |
Trung Canidate (Q) |
B |
Expected to return from the ankle
injury this week. Wasn't doing all that well prior
to the injury, so I wouldn't hold out much hope he'll
contribute this week in his return to action. |
| RB |
Rock Cartwright |
X |
This bowling ball of a fullback averaged
5.5 yards on eight carries last week while filling
in for the injured Morton. May be asked to carry a
good part of the load this week with Canidate not likely
100%. Could pay off at the goal-line, if the Redskin
offense can get the ball down there. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S2 |
The best weapon this offense has.
But without at least SOME time in the pocket Ramsey
can't utilize him down field. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
B |
The combination of a quarterback
with no time and the fine play of Seattle CB Ken Lucas
means little production for Gardner. Which isn't all
that unusual. |
| TE |
Byron Chamberlain |
B |
The tight ends are worthless in this
offense as their only role in the game plan appears
to be pass protection. The three primary Redskin
tight ends
have
totaled nine catches in eight games. |
|
|
| Tampa Bay (4-4) at Carolina
(6-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Ericsson
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
S2 |
Protection will be the key. Poor
protection has resulted in Johnson struggling of late
and being forced into poor decision making. The Panthers'
front will pose a challenge for the Bucs, but
the secondary does not. Given time in the pocket, Johnson
should have a solid game. |
| RB |
Michael Pittman (P) |
S2 |
Has yet to score a rushing TD
(team only has 2 this season), but Pittman is very
active in the passing game and got his second receiving
TD last week. The Panthers have given up 100 yards
to the last three opponent's running backs. Don't
shy away from this matchup, it could pay off for
you.
|
| WR |
Keyshawn Johnson |
S2 |
After two single-catch games Meshawn
blew up for a season high 10-124. Problem is, his last
game with more than four catches was week two. Inconsistency
can kill a fantasy team, but given the weak Panther
secondary owners will likely want to give Johnson a
chance this week and hope for two in a row for a change. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
The most consistent Buc WR this season.
Four TDs in the past five games and no game under 68
yards in those same five. |
| WR |
Joe Jurevicius (Q) |
B |
May return to action this week,
but will be very limited.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
B |
The trend lately appears to be a
catch a game for each Buc tight end. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
B |
Doing enough to make Steve Smith
a fantasy factor, but that's about it. This week will
be no different. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis (Q) |
S2 |
Maybe instead of talking about how
you are the greatest defense of all time, you should
prove it by holding Davis under 100 yards this week.
Nope... not gonna happen. |
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
B |
Since his "breakout" game in week
six, he's touched the ball 13 times in three games. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
B |
Returned from his concussion last
week with a two catch game that is typical for this
season. Muhammad is not well suited for this matchup
with the Bucs zone coverages. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
S2 |
Smith's specialty is creating after
the catch. He will see a lot of soft coverage schemes
this week as the Bucs cheat up to stop the running
game. This will mean matchups he can exploit
with little deep help. |
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
U |
With the Bucs committing to stopping
the run by bringing a safety up to the line of scrimmage,
there will be soft spots to take advantage of in the
cover-3 zones. Mangum could surprise this week. |
|
|
| Minnesota (6-2) at San Diego (1-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 4:05 PM ET on FOX at Qualcomm
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S1 |
Do you really need justification
against a team like the Chargers? Didn't think so. |
| RB |
Moe Williams |
S2 |
Good power runner that will still
get 12-15 carries for at least another week or two
as Bennett works his way back into shape. The fact
that some of those carries can come at the goal-line
helps. |
| RB |
Michael Bennett |
X |
Looked great in his first action
of the season last week. Averaged over 5 yards on his
eight carries. Look for his workload to increase Sunday
against a Chargers defense that's allowing almost 130
YPG on the ground. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
No reason needed. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson |
B |
Traditionally only one WR other
than Moss gets any action in the Vikings' passing
game.
Right now that's looking like Bates.
|
| WR |
D'Wayne Bates |
B |
Being on the other side of Moss
can sometimes be a very good thing. But that position
appears to be in transition between Burleson and
the returning from injury Bates. Best to avoid both
for now.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
B |
Word is that Kleinsasser's role in
the offense will be increasing now that he's 100% healthy.
I'd make them prove it before relying on him as a starter
on your fantasy team. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees
Doug Flutie |
B |
I don't think it can get any worse
than losing your job to Doug Flutie. Well, maybe it
can if you actually thinking that will HELP your offense.
The starter won't be named until later in the week.
Stay away regardless. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
When your offense is so bad that
you hurt the production of a talent like LT, you're
in big trouble. Despite the obvious struggles, LT is
on pace for over 2000 total yards and 10 TDs this season. |
| WR |
David Boston |
X |
The Vikings lead the league in interceptions,
but they are also ranked only 28th in pass defense.
If anyone can put up some numbers this weekend besides
LT, it's Boston. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight
Reche Caldwell (P) |
B |
Injuries, poor play and a run oriented
offense make any WR outside of Boston worth very little. |
| TE |
Justin Peelle |
B |
With all the turmoil at quarterback,
it's best to leave the TE position alone. |
|
|
| Buffalo (4-4) at Dallas
(6-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at Texas
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S2 |
Has not played well of late, throwing
five INTs and only one TD in the last three games.
Must release the ball quickly this week against a likely
aggressive Dallas blitz. If he continues to hold on
to the ball too long the passing game will suffer. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
The Bills have really got it going
on the ground in the past two games, rushing for 133
and 196 yards. That was against two of the weaker run
defenses in the league however. The task is much taller
this week against the league's top fantasy run defense.
Look for the Bills to attack the quick but small Cowboys
front line and attempt to wear then down. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds (Q) |
S2 |
The Cowboys have been great against
the pass this season, but they do not match up well
in the secondary with the size, speed and strength
of Moulds. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
Must continue his solid play to keep
safety help from rolling to Moulds on every play. Reed's
great hands and fearlessness in traffic
will be invaluable this week against the physical
Dallas secondary. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
B |
Moulds is back and Reed is stepping
up as the #2 WR. Shaw takes a back seat now.
|
| TE |
Mark Campbell |
B |
Good for a few catches a game but
is not a breakaway threat. Has topped out at 38 yards
a game this season, twice, and has yet to score. |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
X |
The Cowboys will want to run the
ball but will struggle. So they will again turn to
the passing game. It won't be easy but they
will look to roll Carter out of the pocket where
he's
most comfortable. Also allowing the receivers more
time to get open.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
X |
Doesn't have the speed to turn the
corner on the Bills' LB corps and the massive defensive
tackles will stuff the middle. Overall this is not
a good matchup
for Hambrick. Expect him to struggle. |
| RB |
Richie Anderson (P) |
B |
Should be back from injury and will
help the offense this week. His great hands and quickness
will come in handy as Dallas looks to get the ball
on the corners through the short passing game. Murrell's
presence kills any fantasy potential Anderson had. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
B |
The Bills have the talent on the
perimeter to stay with and limit Galloway, who is
mostly just a vertical, sideline threat now.
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
X |
The Buffalo corners are two of
the best in the game, but Glenn's rare combination
of physical tools should afford him as good a matchup
advantage as you can get against them.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
U |
When the Cowboys spread the field
with 3-WR sets, look for Bryant to do some damage
against the Bills' weak nickel coverage.
|
| TE |
Dan Campbell
Jason Witten |
B |
The tight end is proving to be a
non-factor for the Cowboys. |
|
|
| NY Jets (2-5) at Oakland
(2-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at Network
Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chad Pennington |
S2 |
Looks to be in mid-season form after
his first start last week. The only thing the Raiders'
secondary can defend these days is their poor play. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
S2 |
Just when everyone thought Martin
was done, he's been coming on strong, putting up 100
yards on both Philly and the Giants. That task will
be much easier this week against the terrible Raiders
run defense. |
| RB |
LaMont Jordan |
B |
Getting some goal-line and short
yardage carries and has scored the Jets' only three
rushing TDs this
season. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
U |
Moss will draw extra attention this
week so look for Conway to make a bit of noise against
single coverage. |
| WR |
Wayne Chrebet (O) |
B |
Out this week due to the concussion
he suffered last week. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S2 |
Carried the passing game last
week when Chrebet went down. Will be asked to do
the same this week. The results might not match last
week's, but they'll still make his fantasy owners
happy.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
U |
Typically not much of a factor in
the offense, but there will be plenty of offense to
go around in this one, and with Chrebet out Becht will
be called upon more often. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
Why is this guy still in an NFL uniform?
The Jets lead the league in sacks. Don't expect much
from Mirer. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
S2 |
The Jets have a terrible run defense
and your quarterback is worthless. If there was ever
a time to get Garner a ton of carries, THIS IS IT! |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley
Justin Fargas |
B |
Both Wheatley and Fargas will likely
see carries in this one as the running game will be
the best thing going for the Raiders. Not enough to
matter though. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
X |
Can't really recommend any Raider
receiver with Mirer throwing the ball. But if anyone
can make something happen in these terrible circumstances,
it's Rice.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
His last decent game was in week
4.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter (P) |
X |
Down field threat with a QB that
1) has no long ball, and 2) won't have time in the
pocket to get it deep even if he could throw the
long ball.
|
| TE |
Teyo Johnson |
B |
Has had more than a single catch
in only one game.
|
|
|
| Baltimore (5-3) at St. Louis
(5-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 9, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Edward Jones Dome |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kyle Boller |
B |
Has improved of late, but still unworthy
of fantasy starter status. Will struggle greatly with
the Rams' zone coverages. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis (P) |
S1 |
Cover-2 defensive scheme can be vulnerable
to power running games and the Rams
have trouble with big, tough runners. Hmm, do you
think there's a player in a Raven uniform that fits
that description? |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
X |
The only Baltimore wide receiver
with more than 10 catches this season. Amazing. The
only thing in Taylor's favor this week will be the
likely scenario of the Ravens throwing the ball late
against soft coverages by the Rams. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders
Marcus Robinson |
B |
No fantasy value in this offense. |
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S1 |
There are very few linebackers that
can cover Heap. In fact, there may not be any. |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S2 |
The aggressive Raven pass rush provides
the only down side to Bulger this week. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk (P) |
X |
Will be the starter this week, but
the speedy Raven linebackers and underrated defensive
line don't provide a desirable matchup for his return. |
| RB |
Arlen Harris |
B |
Harris may see a few series this
week to relieve Faulk, but that's about it. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S1 |
Raven corner Corey Fuller may be
out due to a hamstring injury, but even if he plays
he'll be limited. Not good. For the Ravens that is. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
Bruce will have plenty of one-on-one
matchups to exploit with safety help likely going Holt's
way. |
| WR |
Dane Looker
Kevin Curtis |
B |
The #3 WR is used often in the
Rams' multi-WR sets. But with Curtis back from injury
now the production is spread too thin for anyone
to be of consistent fantasy value.
|
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
I think it's time to forget about
the tight end in this offense. |
|
|
| Philadelphia (5-3) at Green Bay
(4-4) |
|
| Mon, Nov 10, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Lambeau Field |
Back to top |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb (P) |
S2 |
Last week was only the fourth time
McNabb has topped 300 yards passing. In a season filled
with great struggle, that's something he can build
on. Expect a more "typical" performance on Monday
night, making
him a borderline start this week. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook (D) |
B |
Expected to miss another game due
to the ankle injury. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
Touched the ball seven times last
week even with Westbrook out. That's about his season
average, so to expect more at this point is asking
too much. At least he's scored three TDs. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
S2 |
The Packers' interior defense struggles
to stop a power running attack, so look for Philly
to give them a healthy dose of CBuck up the middle.
Being a solid cutback runner will enable him to gain
good yardage this week. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
B |
It takes a secondary on the level
of the Falcons to make the Philly wide receivers respectable.
The Packers have struggled on the perimeter this season,
but they have the talent to handle both Thrash ... |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston (P) |
B |
... and Pinkston. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith |
S2 |
With the perimeter closed down (like
most weeks) Smith will play a big role in the passing
attack for McNabb. Could easily lead all receivers
again this week. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
Favre looks to be back on the top
of his game. The Eagles are likely to continue their
blitzing ways, so Favre will have good one-on-one matchups
in the secondary to take advantage of. And if those
aren't there, Green and the tight ends will be. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
The Philly run defense has shown
cracks of late, allowing 145 rushing YPG over the
last three games.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
S2 |
Driver is the best down field target
Favre has. But with the Packers using mostly short
drops to protect Favre from the pass rush, the big
play opportunities aren't there often. But that won't
keep Favre from going up top a few times on Monday
night, and Driver hasn't scored since week 5, so you
know what that means. |
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
B |
Hasn't had more than two catches
in a game since September. Suffered a concussion last
week. |
| WR |
Javon Walker |
U |
With Favre under a likely blitz
most passing downs, the short routes Walker is running
out of the slot will be in high demand. Last week's
2 TD performance seems to show that Favre is gaining
confidence in his young receiver.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks (P) |
B |
Went down last week with a thigh
bruise, but expects to be available Monday night. With
three tight ends in the mix now for the Packers you
can't really rely on any of them for your fantasy team. |
<< Go back to page 1
|
|
|
|
