Start/Bench
List - Week 11
By Whitney
Walters
November 13, 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 (3-6) at Cleveland
(3-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Cleveland Browns Stadium |
Back to top |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
X |
Continues to struggle with the blitz
and Cleveland will surely come after him when possible.
Can be inconsistent, throwing for under 100 yards and
no TDs three times this season. Could go either way
this week. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
S2 |
Topped the 100 total yard mark last
week by staying active in the passing game against
a tough run defense. Look for improvement this week
against a normally solid Cleveland defense that was
shelled
by KC last week. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
X |
Has
more catches than most team's #1 WR this season and
has found the end-zone in each of the past two games.
Defenses continue to key on the rookie and this week
will be no different. The Browns' secondary is solid
and may slow Boldin down this weekend. |
| WR |
Bryant Johnson |
B |
Becoming more of a target for Blake,
but until he can turn those looks into catches he's
a long way from any fantasy contributions. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
X |
Jones has the talent to create matchup
problems for opposing defenses and has become the only
real down field option outside of Boldin. |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb |
U |
Continued his inconsistent play
last week and has thrown for over 200 yards only
once this season. May improve some this week as the
Cardinals have little to offer in the way of a pass
rush. Comfort in the pocket should lead to better
throws down field.
|
| RB |
William Green (P) |
X |
Expected to play after a month off.
The shoulder appears close to 100% and Green was just
starting to get it going prior to the injury (two 100+
yard games). The Cardinals are solid against the run
and it's likely that Green won't get a full load his
first game back. May share with Jackson for a week. |
| RB |
James Jackson |
B |
It's back to the bench now, but JJ
will likely get a few series this week to spell Green. |
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
X |
Moved into the starting lineup last week and lead
the team in receiving yards. Unfortunately that meant
a whopping 35 yards. The inconsistent play at QB
will continue to make it hard to rely on Davis or
any other Brown receiver.
|
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
Has been the team's
most consistent receiver this season. But the ball
is being spread too thinly to make Northcutt or ...
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
B |
... Morgan reliable fantasy receivers. |
| TE |
Steve Heiden (O) |
B |
The Cleveland tight end position
is typically a non-factor anyway. |
|
|
| Atlanta (2-7) at New Orleans
(4-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Superdome |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kurt
Kittner (Q) |
B |
Kittner is just flat out bad and
the Falcons will continue to run the ball.
|
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
X |
Stepped up huge last week as the
starter. Dunn is expected to remain the starter and
should again have a solid game against another suspect
run defense in New Orleans. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
B |
The Falcons only gave the ball to
Duckett seven times last week. Thankfully two of those
carries resulted in touchdowns. That trend is likely
to continue this week, but that's hard to rely on unless
you are in a TD-only league. |
| WR |
Peerless Price
Brian Finneran |
B |
With Kittner at QB you pretty much
have to forget about these two now. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
X |
Working his way back to health, Crumpler
is the only Atlanta receiver with any fantasy value
now. That value has dropped significantly with Kittner
at QB, but it's still there. |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
S2 |
Brooks should have a healthy WR corps
now following the off week. Against the worst pass
defense in the NFL, that's a good thing. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S1 |
No team has allowed more rushing
touchdowns than the Falcons. Had six straight 100 yard
games going into last week's bye. Get Deuce in your
lineup and don't give it a second thought. |
| WR |
Joe Horn (Q) |
S1 |
Not a whole lot of analysis needed
this week. Against the Falcons you have to get Horn
and ... |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth (P) |
S2 |
... Stallworth in your lineups. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Has become a valuable part of
the Saints' passing attack with the injuries to Horn
and Stallworth this season. Both should be healthy
now so Pathon is not a fantasy option.
|
| TE |
Ernie Conwell |
S2 |
Went catch-less against the Bucs
prior to the off week. But prior to that he had become
a fairly consistent part of the passing game for the
Saints. Should get it going again this week. |
|
|
| Baltimore (5-4) at Miami
(5-4) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Pro Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Anthony Wright |
B |
Gets the start over Redman this week.
Not a bad decision since Redman looked like a deer
in headlights last week after coming in
for
the
injured
Boller. Either way, no need to run to your waiver wire
for this guy. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S2 |
Get ready Jamal. You think you saw
a lot of 8-man and even 9-man fronts with Boller at
QB, wait until you see what happens with Redman back
there. Not pretty. Lewis remains a fantasy starter,
is not a dominant one this week. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor (P) |
B |
Lead all Raven wide receivers with
two, yes two, catches last week. |
| WR |
Frank Sanders (D)
Marcus Robinson (P) |
B |
No fantasy value in this offense. |
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S2 |
Even with all the problems Wright
may bring to the passing game this week, Heap
should remain a viable fantasy tight end. Half of Redman's
pass attempts went to Heap last week and it's likely
that Wright will follow suit. |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brian Griese |
B |
Anyone still wondering why Shanahan
let him go? The Titans' pass rush last week, the
Ravens' this week. Good luck young Griese.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams (P) |
S2 |
Has topped 75 yards only once since
week three. The line isn't opening many holes and Ricky
isn't hitting the
ones
there with
any
quickness
or power. Getting only 13 carries a game sure isn't
helping either. Amazingly, against the Ravens this
week Ricky is only a borderline starter. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
B |
With Griese under a heavy rush all
day, don't expect much from Chambers or ... |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
B |
... any other Miami wideout. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
X |
Under duress last week, Griese looked
McMichael's way more than any other receiver. That
trend will likely continue, but the Ravens have the
speed at LB and coverage skills at the safeties to
handle the Miami TE. |
|
|
| Houston (3-6) at Buffalo
(4-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr |
B |
Appears to be over the ankle injury
and is becoming more effective due to the solid running
game. But against the #2 pass defense in the league,
Carr will struggle his way through a sub-par performance. |
| RB |
Stacey Mack (P) |
B |
Injured knee may keep him out
of this one.
|
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
S2 |
The Bills pose the toughest challenge
to the running game since Tennessee in week six.
Davis will likely struggle to run the ball. The Texans
should work him back into the passing game, where
he has done much damage in the past. He has only
a single catch in each of the past two games.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
X |
Carr's favorite down field target
and his best option, but the Bills have two of the
best cover corners in the league right now. Don't expect
much. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
His only fantasy value comes from
his ability to turn in the occasional long touchdown
reception, which has happened three times now this
season for an average of 72 yards per TD. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
May surprise this week against
the Bills' nickel coverage, but the Texans don't
run enough 3-WR sets to make him worth your attention.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
X |
Will draw man coverage from safety
Lawyer Milloy, but may be somewhat effective on quick
patterns with Carr under pressure. |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
S2 |
Continues to struggle and has thrown
only a single touchdown in the past four games. Should
bounce back this week. The Texans are not a good team
defensively and are averaging less than a sack per
game. Bledsoe should be comfortable in the pocket for
a change
this weekend. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
Goes from one of the top run defenses
in the league (Dallas) to one of the worst in Houston.
Look for a big day from Henry. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
S2 |
Thrown to an amazing 15 times last
week. That likely won't repeat this week, but with
no pass rush and no corner that can stay with Moulds,
he won't need that many balls thrown his way to produce. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
S2 |
Has taken a hold of the #2 WR spot
now (20 catches in the last three games) and is starting
to pay off for his patient fantasy owners. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
X |
Will see plenty of action this
week as the Bills will look to stretch the shallow
Houston secondary with 3-WR sets.
|
| 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. |
|
|
| Jacksonville (2-7) at Tennessee
(7-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
The Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
Put up a meager 158 yards and a TD
in week eight against the Titans. Can only hope to
play that well on the road this time around. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
B |
Hope you enjoyed his explosive game
last week because it won't repeat against the #1run
defense
in the league. Has averaged a total
of 52 yards a game against the Titans in
the past three games. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
X |
Still has the skills to get open
on the Titans suspect secondary. When Leftwich has
the time in the pocket (which won't be often) there
is some potential here for a few big plays. Odds
are against it however.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
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 |
U |
Will be Leftwich's best buddy Sunday
under the heavy pressure brought by the Titans. Could
have his biggest game of the season. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S2 |
The Jags may have what it takes to
slow the running game down, but the secondary is full
of mismatches for McNair to take advantage of in the
passing game. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
X |
Losing carries to both Brown and
Holcombe now but appears to be the favorite at the
goal-line. Sharing the load against the tough Jags
run defense (allowing under 90 YPG) will not get it
done for fantasy owners. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe
Chris Brown |
B |
The Titans are getting their
running game going by using a committee approach now
that Brown is healthy. This pair received 19 carries
to George's 15 last week, with Brown being the most
effective. Look for that to continue. Brown will split
carries with George and Holcombe will get some short
yardage carries and some third-down action. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
Because of the lack of talent in
the secondary Mason will see plenty of zone coverages
this week by the Jags. His quickness and run after
the catch abilities will serve him well. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
Will again start this week because
of the injury to Drew Bennett.
An excellent end-zone target due to his height advantage.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
X |
This rookie's rare combination of
size and speed is quickly making him a favorite target
for McNair. They show great confidence in him and look
to him at the goal-line. With Bennett likely out again
this week, Calico will see extra playing time. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney
Frank Wycheck |
B |
With Wycheck back both he and Kinney
are being used, making both of little fantasy value. |
|
|
| Kansas City (9-0) at Cincinnati
(4-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Paul Brown Stadium |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S2 |
On a roll and has only stumbled once
in the past four games. Don't look for him to stumble
against the Bengals. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S1 |
Do you really need a reason? Just
start him. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
X |
Has put together two solid fantasy
games in a row for the first time in who knows how
long.
Kennison however remains a one-deminsional
(vertical deep threat) receiver. As a result he has
a tendency of disappearing for games at at time. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton (Q) |
X |
Morton is the best all-around talent
the Chiefs have at wide receiver and is capable of
100 yard games. But that has only happened once this
season. This is a favorable match-up with the Bengal
secondary. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Another "no reason needed" player. |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
X |
Came up small in the past two
games. Two games in which he had great matchups against
weak defenses (ARI and HOU). This week he gets a
defense that rushes the QB very well and leads the
league in interceptions.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon (D) |
B |
As some might say, stick a fork in
'em, he's done. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
S2 |
Will continue to carry the load for
the Bengals, and carry it well. Look for Johnson to
produce this week as the Chiefs' defense does not stop
the run well. However, once the Bengals fall behind
(which is very likely) they will be forced to turn
to the passing game. The longer the Bengals can stay
close, the more you'll get out of Johnson this week. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Has the talent and favorable matchups
with the KC secondary to back up his "we will beat
the Chiefs" statements. CB's Warfield and McCleon will
have their hands full with this guy. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
With Johnson stretching the field,
Warrick has become a prime target on underneath routes
and at 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. |
|
|
| N.Y. Giants (4-5) at Philadelphia
(6-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Lincoln Financial Field |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
X |
If you can't get it done against
the Falcons' secondary, and under the Falcons' blitz,
what hope is there against the Eagles without Shockey?
Let me answer that for you. Not much.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S2 |
Barber remains one of the league's
best run-receiving threats out of the backfield. But
he is being hurt (only 2 TDs) by the team's troubles
in the red-zone and the increased usage of Dorsey
Levens
at the goal-line. |
| RB |
Dorsey Levens |
B |
His touches had been increasing until
last week, but he remains an option at the goal-line. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
CB Lito Sheppard
has shown to have problems with bigger, more physical
receivers, and Toomer fits that description to a
tee. Typically you would look for him to make
some plays down field against the smallish Sheppard,
but with no Shockey to occupy the safeties Toomer
will see more bracket coverage this week.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard (Q) |
X |
Hilliard doesn't typically match
up well against press coverage, and CB Troy Vincent
is one of the best in the business. Expect Hilliard
to struggle as he did in week seven against the Eagles
(1 catch, 11 yards). |
| TE |
Marcellus Rivers (P) |
X |
With Shockey out for the season all
eyes turn to Rivers. He will of course be no Shockey,
but he has good hands and decent size and
speed. He'll do alright, especially since he will not
attract the attention Shockey did. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
S2 |
Continues to improve of late. With
the injuries to the Giants' secondary, and his increased
willingness to run, McNabb should keep on doing just
enough to warrant his owners starting him. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook (P) |
U |
Highly ineffective last week (5 carries
for 1 yard) as he attempted to come back from the
ankle injury. Should be close to 100% this week and
his quick and shifty running style will cause problems
for the Giants' defense. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
In a surprise last week, lead all
Eagle running backs with 10 carries. Also the only
running back with a catch. With Westbrook back now
that's about as good as it may get this season. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter (Q) |
X |
CBuck did not perform well last week,
averaging only 2.6 yards on his nine carries. There
may be more of the same this week as the Giants are
effective at stopping his type of power running style. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
B |
Regardless of opposing secondary,
the trio of Thrash, ... |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston (Q)
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
... Pinkston and Mitchell continue
to struggle to get separation from coverage.
They provide McNabb with limited passing options and
continue to take up residence on fantasy benches everywhere. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith
Chad Lewis |
B |
Great, the week after Smith has his
best day as a pro, Lewis out-catches him. Another
TEBC (tight end by committee) brewing
that
may need to
be
avoided. |
|
|
| St. Louis (6-3) at Chicago
(3-6) |
|
| Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Soldier Field |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S1 |
One of the hottest fantasy quarterbacks
against one of the league's worst teams. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S1 |
Worked his way back against the tough
Raven defense last week. Will find much more room to
run this Sunday against a Bears defense that allows
over 120 YPG on the ground. |
| WR |
Torry Holt (P) |
S1 |
Leads the league in catches and yards,
and already has a career best nine touchdowns. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
Life has just been so-so this season
on the other side of Holt. But until last week's 3-13
performance, Bruce had been averaging nearly 100 yards
a game over the previous four. |
| WR |
Dane Looker
Kevin Curtis |
B |
Where the "start your Rams" love
ends this week. The #3 WR may be used often
in the Rams' multi-WR sets, but they don't get enough
looks to warrant fantasy attention.
|
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
I think it's past time to forget
about the tight end in this offense. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chris Chandler |
B |
Chandler has still has the skills
to produce, but the Bears continue to game plan any
decent production out of this passing attack. It's
as if they devise each week the best way to attack
opposing defenses through the air, then go out Sunday
and do just the opposite. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
X |
Running Thomas to chew up the clock
will be key for the Bears. If Chicago had any chance
of staying close in this one Thomas would be a good
play as the Rams can be run on. But a more likely scenario
will find the Bears falling behind and having to abandon
the run. |
| WR |
Marty Booker (Q) |
X |
Returned to action last week and
looked okay. Too bad the Bears' passing game didn't.
Look for them to better utilize Booker this week to
challenge
the Rams'
secondaries
down
field. |
| WR |
Dez White |
X |
Will take a back seat now to Booker.
|
| WR |
David Terrell |
B |
With only 28 catches on the year
and a paltry 6.5 yards per catch, the Bears continue
to underutilize Terrell's talents in the ineffective
short passing game they insist on running.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
U |
Look for Clark to have an impact
this week if the Bears choose to attack the advantage
they have here over a crew of linebackers that can
struggle in coverage. |
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