Start/Bench
List - Week 12
By Whitney
Walters
November 20, 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 |
|
|
| San Francisco (5-5) at Green Bay
(5-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Lambeau Field |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Rattay |
S2 |
Looks to be getting at least one
more start. Rattay has shown the past two weeks to
excel at picking up the blitz and to have an accurate
arm. The Pack must blitz to get any pressure, so
this should be another solid week for "The Rat."
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst (P) |
U |
Got the bulk of the carries last
week but was still out produced by the concussed Barlow.
And so it goes for the Niner running attack. This week
you may get an up tick in Hearst's numbers as Barlow
will be coming off the concussion and the Packers continue
to struggle stopping the run. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
B |
First games back from concussions
can be sticky. He may see some action, but odds are
it will be limited or less than his usual work load. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S2 |
I just love those "don't bother me
teammates, I'm celebrating" celebrations, don't you?
Anyway, that's another topic. Owens has had an up
and down year, but in the past four games he's scored
three
times and put up two monster efforts. Always comes
to play against the Pack. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
B |
Streets' quad injury appears more
serious than first thought as he didn't play much at
all Monday night. If he remains limited there are no
real options in the Niner passing game outside of TO. |
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Typically a fantasy
non-factor, with all the injuries to the wide receivers
Weaver may see some additional looks this week. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
B |
With the running game in high gear
Favre is being called on to do less, which is good
because the broken thumb is obviously creating some
limitations in his game. Until he's fully healed it's
best that you go with another option if possible for
your fantasy team. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
The Niners do a good job stopping
the run, but the Packers are simply steam-rolling
opponents now with the running game.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
X |
4-30 in past two games. Continues
to disappoint.
|
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
X |
6-62 in past two games. Took advantage
of CB Tim Wansley last week as expected. Won't have
that type of advantage this week.
|
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
3-15 in past two games. Bench
until further notice.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks (P) |
B |
The team has stopped calling his
number at the goal-line and he's being slowed by a
thigh injury. |
|
|
| Chicago (3-7) at Denver
(6-4) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Invesco Field at Mile High |
Back to top |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chris Chandler |
B |
There are some matchup advantages
that can be exploited in the Denver secondary, but
pass protection for Chandler has been poor all season.
He'll be under intense pressure all afternoon. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
X |
Despite it's losses at linebacker
the Broncos remain solid against the run. But the biggest
obstacle to Thomas' fantasy success this week will
be his team falling behind early and having to turn
away from the running game. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
X |
When Chandler is under pressure,
neither Booker, ... |
| WR |
Dez White |
X |
... White, or ...
|
| WR |
David Terrell |
B |
... Terrell have shown the ability
to get open quickly and make plays after the catch.
Both skills are required for any success in the perimeter
passing game.
|
| 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. |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer (P) |
S2 |
The Bears get little pressure on
opposing QBs (only 11 sacks) and are forced to blitz.
This will be a problem against a QB with Plummer's
mobility and weapons. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis |
S1 |
Take away his two injury games in
weeks 3 and 4 and you end up with an average of almost
140 total yards a game this season. What seems to be
preventing him from reaching super-stud status is
Plummer's abilities around the goal line. Portis is
getting fewer carries in those situations. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
S2 |
Despite it's better statistics, the
Chicago secondary isn't much better than the San Diego
secondary Smith abused last week. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
U |
Only had two catches last week
in Plummer's return, but one was a very nice 48 yarder.
Look for a few more deep opportunities this week
as the Broncos stretch the Bears' defense.
|
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey (Q) |
B |
Still not recovering well from the
leg injury and is likely to sit out again. |
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
S1 |
With the lack of depth at WR Sharpe
will be a key to the passing game from here on out. |
|
|
| Cincinnati (5-5) at San Diego
(2-8) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Qualcomm Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
U |
The Chargers' ineptness in pass
coverage has them playing a lot of very soft zones
in an attempt to prevent big plays. Kitna will have
the opportunities down field and can put
up some nice numbers if he can take advantage.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
B |
May begin seeing a few more carries
now, but it's hard to imagine the team messing with
a good thing, a.k.a. Rudi. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
S2 |
Has rushed for an amazing 347 yards
in the past two games against two of the poorer run
defenses in the league. Now here comes number three.
Unfortunately now also carries the risk of losing carries
to a healthy Dillon. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Gave the deep ball up to Warrick
last week. The Chargers' young corners may be skilled,
but they don't have what it takes to keep up with Johnson.
Look for a few big plays to come his way Sunday. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
With Johnson stretching the field
deep, Warrick will have his way underneath the Chargers'
soft zone coverages. |
| TE |
Matt Schobel (P) |
B |
With the vertical passing game working
so well and Warrick tearing it up underneath there
just isn't much of a need for the tight end in the
Bengal offense right now. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Flutie |
B |
Look for the Bengals to do what most
teams do against a QB with the limitations Flutie has.
Hold him in the pocket where he has no clean passing
lanes. The fact that he only has one viable down field
target (Boston) isn't helping either. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
Should rebound from the stinker he
put up last week on the road in Denver. The Chargers
should be able to stay closer in this one and can stick
to the running game, getting LT more than last week's
eight carries. |
| WR |
David Boston |
X |
With Dwight out and Caldwell mostly
ineffective, Boston is all the Chargers have to offer
in the way of a down field threat. That's the bad news.
The good news is that Boston has the physical skills
to beat the double coverage he'll see all afternoon. |
| WR |
Tim Dwight (O)
Reche Caldwell |
B |
Injuries, poor play and a run oriented
offense make any WR outside of Boston worth very little. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
With Alexander's return
and the emergence of rookie Antonio Gates there are
now three TEs seeing action. All three had ZERO catches
last week. |
|
|
| St. Louis (7-3) at Arizona
(3-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Sun Devil Stadium |
Back to top |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S1 |
It doesn't get much better than the
Cardinals this season. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S1 |
We'll just call this the
"any explanation will do" game of the week. |
| WR |
Torry Holt (P) |
S1 |
Because that's one nice grab in the
NFL Network Total Access commercial. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
Because he has that cool double "a"
thing going in his first name. |
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
May get you the occasional TD, but
that's about it. |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
X |
Blake has the ability to put up big
numbers one week then fall flat on his face the next.
Given the right matchup he can bail you out of a tough
QB spot, but this isn't likely one of those weeks.
His only upside this week is that the Cardinals will
be playing from way behind in this one. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp (P) |
X |
Has the offensive line and abilities
to produce each week. But as last week showed, this
team
can fall
behind
quickly then the running game can't be utilized. The
odds of that happening again this week are pretty high. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
S2 |
The only legitimate down field threat
on this team. With the Cardinals likely having to turn
to the air to keep pace this week, Boldin should do
alright. |
| WR |
Bryant
Johnson |
B |
Had a flash of potential two weeks
ago. But flashes are not what you need on your fantasy
team. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
X |
Has become a solid second tier TE
this season. Draws a very difficult matchup this week
with the SS Adam Archuleta, but has the size to win
any battles in the end-zone. Now you just have to hope
Arizona can get down there a few times on Sunday. |
|
|
| Oakland (3-7) at Kansas City
(9-1) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Arrowhead Stadium |
Back to top |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
If he can only complete nine passes
against one of the worst pass defenses last week, what
can you really hope for from this guy? |
| RB |
Charlie Garner (D) |
B |
Likely to miss another game with
the back injury. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
S2 |
Garner is out again and Fargas has
been IR'ed, so the path is clear for Wheatley to have
another nice game against a KC defense that's giving
up almost 5 YPC on the ground. |
| RB |
Zack Crockett |
X |
Won't get you many carries, but most
of them come at the goal-line. In TD-only leagues he's
a must start. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
B |
Please, make it stop.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
Dropping sure touchdowns isn't
the way I wanted to remember one of the greats.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter |
X |
If you're waiting for that "breakout"
from Porter this year, better have a comfortable
chair to wait in. You're not going to see it until
next season.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
The Raiders are playing three
different tight ends now.
|
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S2 |
Has quietly become one of the hottest
QBs in the league, throwing for 954 yards and seven
TDs over the last three games. At home against Oakland
provides no reason that won't continue. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S1 |
Oakland's giving up almost 150 YPG
rushing. After a sub-stud outing last week, Priest
is sure to get it going Sunday at Arrowhead. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
S2 |
Has defied all odds and strung
together three solid fantasy games in a row. I've been
burned every time in the past, but what the heck, give
him a go this week if you don't have other strong options
at WR. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
S2 |
Lead the team with seven catches
last week. A rarity. Morton is the best all-around
talent the Chiefs have at wide
receiver
and is capable
of
those type of games each week. But with so many other
options in this offense the chances become slim. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Just keeps crankin' it out. |
|
|
| Tennessee (8-2) at Atlanta (2-8) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Georgia Dome |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair |
S1 |
McNair and the Titans struggled last
week, but this Sunday they get the NFL's official "get
well" team... The Falcons. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
S2 |
It's hard to say what's going on
with the Titan running game. For a few weeks George
shares carries, then he gets most of the workload.
This much we do know however. Only one team allows
more rushing yards a game than Atlanta and no team
has given up more rushing TDs. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe
Chris Brown |
B |
Great rushing matchup this week,
but since Brown's return from injury, both he and Holcombe
have been divvying up the carries that George doesn't
get. Not a formula for fantasy value. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
The Falcons have shown some slight
improvements since shuffling their secondary. But they
are still giving up big plays every week. They have
no match for Mason's top-end speed and quickness out
of his breaks. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
S2 |
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. Calico is also seeing extra playing time
due to Bennett being out. But as most rookie receivers,
he's also showing his inconsistencies. Should be able
to torch the Falcon secondary, but he remains a risk. |
| TE |
Erron Kinney
Frank Wycheck |
B |
The bane of our fantasy existence,
one of the many two-headed tight ends this season. |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Johnson |
B |
Okay, now it's back to Johnson.
Whatever.
|
| RB |
Warrick Dunn |
X |
The Falcons have given Dunn over
50 touches in the past two games and he's put up monster
numbers. Unfortunately he doesn't have a soft defense
to abuse this week. The Titans bring the #1 run defense
into the Georgia Dome this weekend but may be without
two of their defensive linemen. Dunn may have a chance. |
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
X |
Duckett is seeing his carries drop
like a rock, but he's scored four TDs in the last three
games. He remains a solid starter in TD-only leagues. |
| WR |
Peerless Price
Brian Finneran |
B |
With Johnson back at QB
the value of Price and Finneran raises somewhat against
the suspect Titan secondary. The Titan pass rush may
also take a hit with Javon Kearse and Robaire Smith
possibly out. One of these two may get a big play and
surprise this week. Just don't count on it. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
X |
Since moving into coach Reeves' doghouse
he's averaging under two catches a game. Johnson's
return at QB brings some hope as he look Crumpler's
way more, but it's best to leave Crumpler on your bench
unless you have no other good option. |
|
|
| Washington (4-6) at Miami (6-4) |
|
| Sun, Nov 23, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Pro Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey (Q) |
B |
Not only is he facing the tough
Miami defense, he may have to sit this one out due
to a flair-up of an old foot injury.
|
| RB |
Trung Canidate |
B |
Continues to disappoint. Against
the Dolphins, forget about him. |
| RB |
Rock Cartwright (Q) |
B |
Miami allows a league low 3.1 YPC
on the ground and Cartwright's sprained ankle will
keep him limited or out this week. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles (P) |
X |
Has proven himself a top-flight receiver,
but with a decimated backfield and a possible inexperienced
backup at QB, his chances are bleak this week |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
B |
Ditto for Gardner. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Four different Redskin tight ends
have totaled twelve catches this year. |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brian Griese
Jay Fiedler (Q) |
B |
It continues to get worse and
worse for Griese. The official announcement won't
come until later in the week, but if Fiedler can
play he'll get the start. If not it's another week
of Griese. Either way stay clear of this situation
this week.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S2 |
Pounded out 105 yards last week,
but it took 36 carries to do it against the tough Ravens.
The Skins won't pose nearly the challenge this week.
With the horrible QB situation, the Dolphins only chance
is to again give Ricky as many carries as he can
take. Good news for fantasy owners. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
The past two weeks with Griese under
center have brought only six catches for 64 yards.
May catch a break for fantasy owners this week against
the suspect Redskin pass defense. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson |
B |
When your team signs an old receiver
they let go earlier in the year (Oronde Gadsden)
this late
in the season, it's not exactly a vote of confidence. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
Regardless of who lines up at QB,
McMichael should produce as he matches up well against
the Redskin safeties. |
|
|
| N. Y. Giants (4-6) at Tampa Bay
(4-6) |
|
| Mon, Nov 24, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Raymond James Stadium |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
X |
Collins has the talent and skill
to pick apart a zone defense like the Bucs. But with
an ineffective offensive line and no power running
game to give him time, no stud TE and a banged up
WR corps, the odds of him doing that are slim.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
X |
Has only scored three times this
season, but has been a consistent yardage stud. This
week will be a challenge however. The Bucs have shown
great vulnerability to a strong power running game.
Barber and the Giants don't fit that mold at all and
will likely struggle to move the ball on the ground. |
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
The Giants will look for opportunities
to match Toomer up against CB Tim Wansley, who will
have difficulty dealing with his size and strength.
Look for him to be able to make some plays
down field this week.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard (Q) |
B |
While Hilliard typically fares
well against zones, his knee and ankle injury problems
will make it hard to deal with the press coverage from
the
Tampa cornerbacks. |
| TE |
Marcellus Rivers |
X |
Went 3-16 last week in the first
"Shockey-less" game for the Giants. That may end up
being the norm for Rivers, 3-4 catches a game. Because
he doesn't have the game breaking abilities of a Shockey
those opportunities won't likely add up to much production. |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
X |
Will see tons of pressure this
week at a time when his blocking and blitz pickups
are becoming more ineffective. With less time to
set up and throw, it's a good bet that Johnson will
struggle this week.
|
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
S2 |
After getting all but 11 of the
team's carries in the previous three games, PIttman
got out-carried by Jones last week. Go figure. It's
hard to say what's going to happen next in Tampa
these days. This is a great matchup for Pittman,
but he now carries some risk due to the team's instability.
|
| WR |
Keenan McCardell (P) |
S2 |
By far the most consistent Buc receiver
this season and now the owner of the #1 WR spot. Might
have been impacted more by the Johnson benching if
Jurevicius wasn't back in action. But it's basically
a wash and he should remain productive. |
| WR |
Joe Jurevicius |
U |
Quickly slides into a starting
spot just a week after returning from injury. His
height and size create huge matchup problems for
the Giants. JJ better be ready to carry the load
this week because he'll be needed.
|
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
B |
The best receiving TE the Bucs have
and may be called upon more with Meshawn out of the
picture. |
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