Start/Bench
List - Week 13
By Whitney
Walters
November 26, 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 |
|
|
| Philadelphia (8-3) at Carolina (8-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Ericsson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
S2 |
Played an excellent game last week,
working the ball to 10 different receivers and rushing
for
54 yards. With the Panthers likely shutting down the
running game he'll need another one this week. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
X |
Normally a solid start. A rarity
in a RBBC situation. But this week against the stingy
Panthers' defense it may be another story. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
Only touched the ball 10 times last
week but produced 103 total yards. With the committee
approach to the running attack Staley has received
more than 10 touched only once this season. While he
on occasion has fantasy worthy outings, he can't be
relied on as a starter. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
X |
For the second week in a row received
minimal carries (7), did little with them (18 yards),
but scored a touchdown.
At
this
point his only possible fantasy value is in TD-only
leagues. May not pay off this week however against
a Panther defense that has allowed a league low five
rushing TDs. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
U |
The Carolina corners are solid but
they lack speed. That's just the matchup Thrash needs
as he lacks that quality as well. He should produce
well this week. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
Pinkston and Mitchell have had
more than 3 catches for 35 yards only twice each this
season. No fantasy value here. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith
Chad Lewis |
B |
The rookie Smith is proving to be
too inconsistent and the team is looking to Lewis more
of late. Splitting tight end production is death to
fantasy owners. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
X |
Has a setback last week against a
very tough opponent. Philly doesn't rank up there with
Dallas, but they bring a mean blitz from all directions.
Delhomme will have to stand tall in the pocket and
make quick decisions to succeed this week. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis |
S2 |
Now two weeks removed from the ankle
injury and should get back on track against a Philly
defense that allows over 120 YPG on the ground. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
U |
As expected, followed up his
189 yard explosion with a minimal effort. He only pulled
in two Delhomme passes last week, but the big play
ability is there as they were for 58 yards against
the top pass defense in the league. Should improve
on that performance this week. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
S2 |
The Eagles may get some of their
secondary back from injury this week (Dawkins and Taylor),
but Smith proved last week that he can produce even
against the top defenses in the league. Thankfully
for Smith owners this week, Philly is not one of those. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
No catches for the tight ends last
week. |
|
|
| San Francisco (5-6) at Baltimore
(6-5) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
M&T Band Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Rattay
Jeff Garcia
|
B |
Until they hit the practice field
on Wednesday there will be no clarity to this starting
situation, and the final decision may not come until
later in the week. Regardless it's best to stay clear
of the Niner QB this week. The offensive line is
decimated by injury, and against the Ravens that's
not a good thing.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst |
X |
It's like a broken record. Split
workload, limited fantasy value. This week with the
added negative of facing a very tough Baltimore defense. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
B |
Didn't see much action last week
(only 4 carries) due to the Niners falling behind early
and preferring to use Hearst in the mostly passing
situations. Should get back to a more balanced workload
with Hearst, but against the Ravens that won't likely
amount to much. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens |
S2 |
Owens has had an
up and down year, and the Ravens have a way of making
many opponents have a down day. But the pass defense
has been vulnerable this season so there's a good change
TO can produce this week. |
| WR |
Tai Streets |
B |
Streets continues to struggle due
to the quad injury that seems to be zapping him of
what little speed and quickness he had. |
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Stay away from the Niner tight ends. |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Anthony Wright |
X |
Simply blew up last week and will
find his way on to quite a few fantasy rosters this
week. I'd make him prove it wasn't just a one-night
stand before plugging him into your starting lineup. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S2 |
Lost in all the hoopla about Wright
and the overtime win was a monster game (160 total
yards) from Lewis. He's slowed somewhat due to injury
and excessive use, but he'll get it done this week
against a Niner defense that's fading lately. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
X |
Yikes! Where did that come from?
Robinson entered last week's game only 9-76 and left
it 16-207, 4 TDs. Robinson played with Wright in college
(somehow that seems to matter) and his big frame makes
him a good end-zone target. It's doubtful that he'll
ever go off for 4 TDs again, but he may be worth a
look if you need receiver help this week. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor
Frank Sanders |
B |
Thanks to the passing explosion last
week these two actually had some limited production,
three catches each. Not exactly something to hang your
fantasy hat on, but in this offense it was quite an
accomplishment. |
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S2 |
Could be limited this week by the
Niners' athletic group of safeties and linebackers.
But he remains starter material. |
|
|
| Cleveland (4-7) at Seattle (7-4) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Seahawks Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kelly Holcomb |
X |
It takes a bad pass defense to
make Holcomb a viable fantasy starter. The Seahawks
are not one.
|
| RB |
James Jackson |
S2 |
Had his best game of the year last
week, almost cracking the century mark rushing on 25
carries and adding 49 yards receiving. Life without
Green is getting better. Should be more of the same
this week against a Seattle defense that's giving up
almost 120 rushing YPG. |
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
U |
Holcomb is spreading the ball around well, but since
the release of KJ, Davis has seen the most looks
out of the three WRs. The team is looking for the
young and explosive Davis to step
to the
front
and
become
Holcomb's
go-to
guy. Not a real strong matchup with the talented
Seattle secondary this week.
|
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
B |
The Seahawk nickel coverage is
not a weakness and matches up well against the Brown
receivers. Not much of an advantage here for #3 WR
Northcutt.
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
X |
With the ball being spread fairly
evenly amongst the receivers it's best not to look
for Morgan as a fantasy starter. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Doesn't matter who they get to play
each week. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
Cleveland poses another defensive
challenge this week. Well... you saw what Hasselbeck
did to last week's defensive challenge, didn't you? |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S2 |
The Seahawks possess what is likely
the league's most underrated running attack. The challenge
is stiff this week, but with the help of guys like
OL Walter Jones and FB Mack Strong, if they stay committed
to the run Alexander remains a solid start this week. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Matches up well with Browns' corner
Daylon McCutcheon with a size and speed advantage.
Look for Hasselbeck to look Robinson's way a bit more
this
week. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
X |
Jackson has been solid this season,
but hadn't seen a 100+, multi-TD game since week two
against Arizona. Cleveland may have the #2 pass defense,
but the Seattle passing game is clicking and Jackson
is a big part of that. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
B |
Engram's fine play is prompting
the Seattle coaches to add more 3-WR sets into the
offense. Will likely struggle this week against the
Browns' more physical nickel corner Lewis Sanders.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
B |
Has put together a couple of nice
4-catch games, but for the most part the Browns have
contained tight ends this year. |
|
|
| New Orleans (5-6) at Washington
(4-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
FedEx Field |
Back to top |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
X |
Brooks isn't being helped by a WR
corps that just can't stay healthy and is no better
than a middle-of-the-road fantasy QB. Nothing in this
matchup stands out as a strong advantage or disadvantage
for Brooks. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S1 |
Eight straight 100+ yard games with
two 2-TD efforts to boot. What can you say, Deuce is
simply a fantasy force right now. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S2 |
Even though he's still not fully
recovered from the knee injury, Horn keeps on putting
up decent numbers. This week he should be the healthiest
he's been in a while and ready to burn a Redskins'
secondary that underperforms for stretches at a time. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth |
B |
Still battling quad and ankle injuries. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Continues to fill in for the injured
Stallworth, but has been held under 50 yards receiving
for the past four games and hasn't seen the end-zone
since week four.
|
| TE |
Boo Williams |
S2 |
Blew up last week taking over
for the injured Conwell. Don't expect another 9-110,
TD performance, but the TE is a viable part of the
Saints
offense
and Williams will continue to produce. |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Patrick Ramsey
Tim Hasselbeck |
B |
The word in Washington is that
Ramsey will get the start "if healthy," but that
won't be known until the team starts practice on
Wednesday. Either way, Ramsey
won't be
100%
and
Hasselbeck
is
mediocre
at
best,
so neither
are much of a fantasy option this week.
|
| RB |
Trung Canidate |
B |
Won the feature role by attrition
and received his highest carry total (20) of the season
last week and scored his first rushing TD. Only a one
week bump however as both Cartwright and Betts should
return to action this week. |
| RB |
Rock Cartwright
Ladell Betts |
B |
Both Cartwright and Betts are expected
back this week from injury. Neither are worth fantasy
attention since they will likely be less than 100%
and sharing carries with each other and Canidate. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S2 |
Coles continues to struggle along
with the Redskin passing game and the subpar quarterbacks.
Threw it all he has maintained some fantasy value,
scoring three touchdowns in the last four games. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
B |
Has had his brief moments in weeks
two, six and ten. But for the most part Gardner is
a fantasy dud. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Four different Redskin tight ends
have totaled twelve catches this year. |
|
|
| Denver (6-5) at Oakland (3-8) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Network Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer |
X |
The Raiders don't have a big, physical
defensive line that can apply pressure so Plummer
should have time to throw. The problem this week will
be the improving play of the Oakland secondary and
the injury to Sharpe. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis |
S1 |
The Raiders are playing better lately,
but they still can't stop the run. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
S2 |
Has put up his best numbers of the
season since Plummer's return two weeks ago (19-170
and a TD). Will be looking to keep that streak going
and to make up for his dismal 1-7 performance in week
3 against Oakland. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
B |
Will likely be given single coverage
by Raiders cornerback Buchanon. Lelie should be
able to use his great speed to get open deep. Problem
is he's been unable lately to make those down field
catches.
|
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
S2 |
Always a good start against the Raiders,
but may be slowed this week due to the injury to his
ribs. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
Showed some improvement last week
but remains ineffective in the passing game. He's not
a fantasy factor, and likely won't be for
the rest of the season. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
S2 |
Surprised many and played last week,
getting nine carries. Should return to full-time action
this week, and with Denver's last remaining starting
linebacker, Al Wilson, possibly out, this may be a
good week for you to also return Garner to full-time
starting status. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
X |
Has been highly effective filling
in for the injured Garner. Wheatley will likely continue
to get carries now that Garner is back, but not the
full load he's been getting lately. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
B |
Hey, did you see that? Rice actually
scored a touchdown last week, his first of the season.
Now the big question is will it be his last. Odds
are good with Mirer running the passing game now.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
When a seven catch, 50 yard game
is the best you've had in two months you know you're
having a rough season.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter |
S2 |
Porter's matchup this week with
Denver's nickel coverage is one he can exploit. The
Raiders won't throw much with Mirer at QB, but Porter
should be able to make some noise Sunday. Could have
his best game of the season.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Tight end, the forgotten position
in the Oakland offense.
|
|
|
| Kansas City (10-1) at San Diego
(2-9) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Qualcomm Stadium |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S1 |
The Chargers rank at the bottom of
the heap when it comes to pass defense. They've
allowed a league high 26 passing touchdowns this season.
No other team has even 20. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes |
S1 |
Put up 183 total yards and two TDs
against the Chargers in week one. Now in week 13 the
Chiefs' offense is even better, and the Chargers' defense
even worse. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison |
S2 |
Has strung together three solid fantasy
games prior to last week's hiccup against Oakland.
Consistency will continue to be a problem for both
Kennison and
... |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
U |
... Morton due to all the weapons
in the KC offense. But the matchup this week against
the woeful Charger secondary may be too good to pass
up for most fantasy owners. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Was held out of the end-zone last
week for only the second time in his last eight games. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Flutie |
S2 |
A borderline starter this week thanks
to a suspect Chiefs defense and the likelihood they
will have to pass often to keep pace with the Chiefs
offense. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S1 |
The Chiefs just can't seem to stop
the run. Look for LT to see plenty of action if the
Chargers can keep this one somewhat close. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
Amazingly the only receiver to catch
a ball for the Chargers last week. He's all they have.
They know it, everyone knows it. Will still put up
big numbers this week against an increasingly suspect
Kansas City defense. |
| WR |
The other receivers |
B |
Injuries, poor play and a run oriented
offense make any WR outside of Boston worth very little. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
There are now three TEs seeing
action for the Chargers. All three have had only a
single catch in the past two games. |
|
|
| Tampa Bay (5-6) at Jacksonville
(2-9) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
ALLTEL Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
S2 |
The Jags don't hold up well in
the secondary and provide little pass rush. Johnson
should be able to put up some decent numbers this
week as the short passing game Gruden loves so much
will be called upon often against a defense that
stops the run very well.
|
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
X |
Has potential, but now
while he's splitting carries with Jones. That has
happened the past two weeks and is likely to continue.
Pittman remains a better fantasy bet due to his involvement
in the passing game.
|
| RB |
Thomas Jones |
B |
Saw significant carries for the
second week in a row. Also scored the first "non-Alstott"
rushing TD this year. A half-time back isn't what your
fantasy team needs though, especially against the very
tough Jags run defense. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
By far the most consistent Buc receiver
this season. With Jurevicius back now and Charles Lee
emerging, opposing secondaries will have difficulty
focusing their attention on McCardell. |
| WR |
Joe Jurevicius |
X |
Looked solid in his second game
back from injury. His height and
size create
huge matchup
problems
for
opposing secondaries. The Bucs will struggle to run
the ball so there may be more opportunities this
week.
|
| WR |
Charles Lee |
U |
Did Monday night what Meshawn rarely
does anymore, get big
yards after
the
catch. If Lee keeps this up the offense won't miss
a beat. In fact, it may improve. Could surprise this
week but McCardell will remain
the focus. |
| TE |
Ken Dilger |
B |
It's past time to write off the Tampa
tight ends. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
The rookie continues to struggle
and may be replaced by backup David Garrard. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S2 |
So much for the injury problems.
He had 32 carries last week, with an impressive SEVEN
of those coming inside the 10 yard line. Against tough
run defenses this year Taylor has struggled because
there is no passing game to keep the defenses honest
(35 yards vs. MIA, 48 and 65 vs. TEN, 78 vs. BAL).
If the Bucs defense can have another week of no talk
and actual good play, he'll struggle again. Borderline
start this week. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
X |
Even with the best of matchups
you can only expect average-at-best performances
out of Smith due to the quarterback situation. This
week you don't even get a good matchup.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
Well, that question seems to have
been answered. Edwards didn't get a single pass thrown
to him last week and new WR Johnson had six. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
X |
Expected to move into the starting
lineup this week. Against the Bucs' still solid secondary
and with an up-in-the-air QB situation, I would want
to be counting on Johnson's stats this week. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
If you are looking for 2-3 catches
and 20-30 yards, this guy MAY get you that. |
|
|
| Tennessee (9-2) at N.Y. Jets (4-7) |
|
| Mon, Dec 1, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at Giants
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair
Billy Volek |
B |
McNair may tough out another injury
start, or he may not. This decision may not be made
until Monday, too late for most leagues. Unfortunately
it's best to avoid this QB situation this week. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
S2 |
With backup Volek likely under center
the running game will be leaned on heavily again. And
like last week George draws one of the league's worst
run defenses. One slight downside might be the need
to get Holcombe and Brown more carries to spell the
aging George. |
| RB |
Robert Holcombe
Chris Brown |
B |
May see some extra work this week,
but not enough to warrant fantasy attention. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
X |
Mason shook off the injury last week
and was effective against the Falcons. Should be back
to 100% Monday night and be able to use his speed and
quickness to gain an advantage over the Jets' secondary. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
Has scored a touchdown in each
of the last three games. Last week's came after Volek
took over, a good sign since he may be the starter
this week.
|
| WR |
Tyrone Calico |
B |
The re-emergance of Wycheck likely
ends Calico's fantasy value for this season, limited
as it was. |
| TE |
Frank Wycheck |
X |
Still seeing some throws go to Kinney,
but Wycheck appears to finally be over the concussions
and more of a focus for the passing game. Carries risk
this week however since McNair is more likely to use
him than Volek. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chad Pennington |
X |
Remains a hot fantasy
commodity. The Titan secondary is typically ripe for
production, but they bring serious pressure. This one
could go either way depending on how his pass protection
holds up. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
For the second week in a row Martin
faces one of the league's top run defenses. Don't expect
much more than last week's 56 yard rushing effort.
But his stats could again get a boost in the short
passing game. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
X |
Has been a solid performer since
taking over the Chrebet. With Moss
stretching the defenses vertically there are plenty
of opportunities for Conway
underneath in crossing patterns. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S2 |
Had a terrible yardage game last
week, but has scored at least one touchdown in the
last seven games.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
X |
Disappeared for two games then leads
the Jets in receiving yards last week with 63. I thought
he's become more valuable with Chrebet gone but it
took a few weeks I guess. |
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