Quarterback
If your fantasy squad is playing the role of spoiler at
this point and you're looking for a high-risk, high-reward
type quarterback, consider starting Jake Plummer.
Plummer will return to action this week after four-game
hiatus due to a foot injury. While there's a good chance
that Plummer could show signs of rust and flop, he's facing
the Chargers . so he's got that going for him. San Diego
has given up a league-worst 19 passing touchdowns. My feeling
is by the end of the first quarter, Plummer should have
his legs under him and he'll throw for 240 yards and three
touchdowns. -After a stretch of really awful games, Steelers
quarterback Tommy Maddox is on a bit of a roll.
Maddox has thrown six touchdowns in his last three games,
and hasn't been intercepted in two weeks. I like Maddox's
chances again this week. The Steelers face San Francisco
in what could shape up to be a Monday night shootout. - Drew
Bledsoe ranks 31st in the NFL in passing
touchdowns and has poisoned fantasy squads with his lack
of production. If you've been holding onto the veteran
quarterback in hopes of a recovery, it's probably time
to face reality. At this point, you can go ahead and drop
him. The Bills are struggling to cope with the blitz and
they're missing receiver Peerless Price. While I expect
Bledsoe to post some decent numbers this week, about 210
yards and a touchdown, there is likely a better quarterback
on your waiver wire or even on your bench. - There's a
quarterback controversy brewing in San Francisco. In his
first NFL start, Tim Rattay threw three touchdowns,
paving the way for an upset win over the rival Rams. Last
week, during the bye, people in the Bay Area didn't have
much to talk about besides the quarterback situation. Not
surprisingly, many called for a change. Jeff Garcia responded,
saying, "The fickleness of things never surprises me. It's
the way things are." Look for things to get even a bit
more "fickle" this week, when Rattay posts another two
touchdowns and 240 yards against the Steelers. - Aaron
Brooks had his best performance of the year four weeks
ago when the Saints visited Atlanta. He threw for more
than 350 yards and three touchdowns. This week, Brooks
will look to recreate a little of that magic as the Saints
face the Falcons again. Top receiver Joe Horn continues
to be hampered with injuries, but Brooks will once again
exceed 300 yards passing.
This Week's Sleepers: Jake Plummer, Tommy Maddox
and Tim Rattay
Running Back
William Green has been suspended for three more
games by the NFL due to a repeat violation of the league's
substance abuse policy. He won't return until December
8. James Jackson should continue to light it up
(excuse the pun) in Green's absence. Expect 80 yards and
a touchdown this week against a decent Cardinals run defense. - The
last time the Saints met the Falcons, New Orleans racked
up 507 yards of total offense. In that game, Deuce McAllister rushed
for 116 yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Saints
are well-rested and coming off a Week 10 bye. Count on
at least 130 total yards from McAllister and a touchdown
as Atlanta regresses after last week's surprising upset
of the Giants. - Sunday night, Marshall Faulk had
one of the strangest fantasy performances you'll ever see.
He scored two touchdowns in the first five and a half minutes
and proceeded to gain about 40 yards the rest of the night.
Faulk should find the endzone again this week against the
Bears, but don't be surprised if he's held well below 100
yards again. St. Louis frequently struggles on the road,
and this cold weather game should be no different. - One
last pot shot at owners who drafted Michael Bennett and
then I'm finished. Prior to the season, I suggested keeping
Bennett off your draft cheatsheets. Those who ignored that
advice and spent a seventh, eighth or ninth round pick
on Bennett have received exactly 66 yards rushing in 10
weeks. This infinitesimal production doesn't even begin
to account for the roster spot that Bennett has absorbed
up until now, a roster spot that could've been used to
acquire a top free agent like Steve Smith, Peter Warrick,
Santana Moss or Rudi Johnson. Even if he erupts these next
few weeks, I sincerely doubt Bennett was worth drafting.
It's just something to keep in mind when you're pondering
drafting a severely injured player next year. - Charlie
Garner will likely miss Sunday's game against Minnesota
with a neck injury. As a result, Tyrone Wheatley is
a worthy of a start in all leagues and Justin Fargas deserves
consideration in larger leagues. After Garner was sidelined
last week, Wheatley and Fargas split carries and both posted
solid numbers. This week the team faces a Vikings defense
that has been bloodied in recent weeks, giving up more
than 470 yards rushing in the past two games. Assuming
Garner is sidelined, Wheatley is a lock for 90 yards, while
Fargas should net 65 yards. - I'm tired of the talking
heads at ESPN and Fox proclaiming Steve McNair as a lock
for this year's MVP award. I don't see how you can't mention Ahman
Green among the candidates. Green leads all players
with 1,376 yards from scrimmage and has scored 13 touchdowns.
At the same point last year, Priest Holmes had 1,353
yards and 16 touchdowns. Fumbles not withstanding, Green
deserves MVP consideration. Look for another big week from
him this week when the Packers travel to the rival Buccaneers,
150 yards and two touchdowns seems about right.
This Week's Sleepers: Tyrone Wheatley, Justin Fargas,
Garrison Hearst and James Jackson
Wide Receiver
Marvin Harrison is listed doubtful to play this
week. Harrison's absence would be a major blow to owners
who have received consistent production out of the receiver
all year. His replacement, Troy Walters, is worthy
of starting consideration this week while Harrison is on
the bench. Walters had five catches for 73 yards last week
and should post similar numbers Sunday against the Jets. - My
Sleeper of the Year ballot hasn't been punched yet, but Santana
Moss is a dangling chad away from getting my vote.
Moss has been money lately, posting at least one touchdown
in five straight games. This week, the Jets travel to Indianapolis
to face an above average pass defense. Despite the tough
matchup, count on another 100-yard, one-touchdown game
from Moss. The speedy receiver is the team's only reliable
passing target with Wayne Chrebet out for the year. - It's
obviously been a difficulty year for owners who drafted David
Boston. Boston was one of fantasy football's biggest
busts over the first half of the season. But things are
looking up. The decision to start Doug Flutie last week
set off an electrical surge that reverberated throughout
the entire Chargers offense. Boston and Flutie hooked up
for seven receptions, 82 yards and a touchdown. While those
numbers are somewhat pedestrian when compared to Randy
Moss or Tory Holt, Boston is definite starter
material and could be in for a big second half of the season.
Count on another touchdown reception this week against
the Broncos. - Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller is out for
the year with a thigh injury. In a surprising move, Ravens
head coach Brian Billick will start former third-string
quarterback Anthony Wright instead of backup Chris Redman.
I actually think the move bodes well for Travis Taylor,
who never had much success with Redman at the helm. This
week's matchup against the Dolphins could very easily turn
into a field goal kicking contest. Even so, I like Taylor
to finish with more than 75 yards for the first time since
Week 7. - Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie hasn't had
more than 43 yards receiving in any game since Week 4.
If he was cast onto the scrap heap in your league, now
is the time to acquire him. With Jake Plummer set to make
his return this week, Lelie should see an increase in his
opportunities. Expect the second-year receiver to tally
90 yards and a touchdown against a weak Chargers defense. - Talk
about turmoil. The Browns suspended William Green and released
receiver Kevin Johnson all in one week. Green and
Johnson were arguably Cleveland's best offensive weapons.
With Johnson gone, look for Dennis Northcutt to
stake his claim as this team's best pass catcher this week.
I foresee 90 yards and a touchdown for Northcutt.
This Week's Sleepers: Troy Walters, Ashley Lelie,
Dennis Northcutt and Travis Taylor
Tight End
Colts tight end Marcus Pollard turned in his best
performance of the year last week against the Jaguars,
catching three passes for a team-high 92 yards plus a touchdown.
With Marvin Harrison expected to be sidelined, Pollard
will once again play a major role in the Indianapolis offense.
Expect him to catch at least four passes for 65 yards and
a touchdown. - New England Patriots fans aren't ready to
crown him as the next Ben Coates, but tight end Daniel
Graham has posted back-to-back quality games. His 110-yard
performance in Week 8 and 39-yard, one-touchdown showing
in Week 9, played a major role in New England extending
their winning streak to five games. If Graham is to have
success this week, it will have to come against the league's
toughest pass defense. The Dallas Cowboys are giving up
just 149.4 passing yards per game. Start Graham, and look
for him to find the endzone but put up mediocre yardage.
This Week's Sleepers: Daniel Graham and Jim Kleinsasser
Kicker
Last week against the Ravens, St. Louis kicker Jeff
Wilkins booted five field goals and two extra points.
Wilkins' success can largely be attributed to the Rams
offense, which is suddenly sputtering. Don't count on
a repeat performance this week because the Rams aren't
likely to be gifted seven turnovers. Wilkins should net
around seven points in a game that will be closer than
many are expecting. - The Seattle Seahawks have given
up two or more field goals in five straight games. Jason
Hanson has kicked seven field goals in his last two
games. See where I'm going with this? Start Hanson this
week.
This Week's Sleepers: Jason Hanson and Morten Andersen
Defense
The Tennessee Titans have scored a defensive touchdown
in three of their last four games. They have a great chance
to post another score this week against the visiting Jaguars.
Last time the two teams met, Jaguars rookie quarterback
Byron Leftwich threw three interceptions. If Fred Taylor
struggles early against the league's best run defense,
the Jaguars will have to turn to the passing game. That's
when things will likely get ugly for Leftwich. Expect Tennessee
to cause at least three turnovers. - I'm not sure if Brad
Johnson is injured or if he's lost some confidence, but
he doesn't look like the same quarterback that started
the season so hot. He continues to post quality fantasy
numbers and has a touchdown throw in every game this season.
Even so, his interceptions are up and his quarterback rating
is down over the past four weeks. In that span of four
games, he's thrown six INTs, fumbled five times, and been
sacked on 11 occasions. Johnson's carelessness plays right
into the hands of a Green Bay Packers defense that
has a strong secondary. Look for two sacks from Kabeer
Gbaja-Biamila and a touchdown return from Darren Sharper.
This Week's Sleepers: Green Bay Packers and Seattle
Seahawks
The 6-Pack
Last Week's 6-Pack: Stella Artois
Price Paid: $6.99
What the Bottle Tells Us: Stella Artois is "Belgium's
Original Beer" and "has been brewed in the same noble tradition
since 1366. It's the Doug Flutie of beers.
What I Say: This beer is packaged in a green bottle
with a paper wrapper that envelops the cap. It gives Stella
a slightly upscale look. After peeling off the seal and
popping the top, I inhaled for a few moments. Lagers often
don't give off a distinctive aroma, but for some reason,
while in the bottle, this one smelled a bit like an apple-flavor
Jolly Rancher candy - sort of a tart, artificial apple
fragrance. When poured into a glass, Stella is pale yellow
and offers up very little head. However, the thin layer
of suds that did appear was persistent and left traces
of foam on the side of my glass until I had finished. Tiny
bubbles materialized from beginning to end - this beer
definitely has a fizzy quality to it. By the time I had
finished taking notes on the smell and appearance, I had
already finished my first bottle. To me, that was the clearest
indication of the smoothness and sheer drinkability of
this Belgian brew. As a lager, it's obviously not as complex
and bold as some of the darker beers we've sampled. But
Stella Artois puts beers like Bud and Coors to shame. On
the mouth it boasts a bright malt flavor with subtle hints
of hops that linger in the background. Each of my bottles
of Stella finished with a dry, pleasantly bitter flavor.
There were no off-putting skunk or metallic flavors to
speak of. If you have the means, I would recommend adding
Stella Artois to your beer-drinking repertoire.
What Readers Say: There
was quite a bit of dissention among the ranks of Huddlers
when it came to rating Stella Artois. Forrest Orswell of
Colorado agreed with me writing, "I couldn't have been
more pleased or surprised with this Belgian lager. Out
of a bottle or in the glass this beer is smooth and full
of taste. It flavors the tongue without being too
heavy. How the heck did the American brewers
turn the tradition of a wonderful Lager like this
to the swill produced today? I would drink this over
a Heineken any day." Conversely, David Fisher of Maryland
says, "(Stella's) got an unpleasant skunky aftertaste and
I don't know how it is marketed as a "premium" beer
here in the US." Meanwhile,
in the most interesting of reviews, Trey Kinney of Atlanta
was trying to catch up and purchased Anchor Steam, Hacker-Pschorr,
Pilsner Urquell and Stella Artois all in one weekend. He
had a happy weekend and best I could tell he enjoyed each
of his beers, including Stella.
This Week's 6-Pack: Tsingtao
It's time to venture outside the U.S. and
Europe to try an Asian beer. Tsingtao hails from China.
Sure they're communist, but that doesn't mean they don't
know beer. Besides, I like fortune cookies as much as the
next guy. Pick up a 6-Pack this week and e-mail me your
comments at paul.sandy@frontiernet.net.
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