Start/Bench
List - Week 15
By Whitney
Walters
December 11, 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 |
|
|
| Atlanta (3-10) at Indianapolis (10-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
RCA Dome |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Michael Vick (Q) |
X |
Made a bit of a splash with his
return last week, but as is often the case it was
due to his running ability. Without the rushing yards
he'd have been a fantasy flop. He'll get his chances
this week but the Colts have the ability and schemes
on defense to limit Vick into a borderline starter
at best this week.
|
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
X |
The Colts have had trouble this
year stopping power running backs like Duckett. But
with Vick back his opportunities are limited. He'll
likely top out at 15-18 carries a game. His scoring
opportunities will also decrease as Vick will be
used more at the goal-line now.
|
| WR |
Peerless Price (Q) |
X |
Price proved to be the main wideout
target in Vick's return but the two failed to connect
more than they succeeded. Price will struggle to
get open this week against the zone coverage schemes
thrown at him by the Colts.
|
WR
|
Brian Finneran |
B |
His great size advantage always presents
the promise of a matchup advantage. However, Finneran
continues to be banged up and for the most part ineffective. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
S2 |
Vick is definitely looking his
way and his ability to get down the seam and
put pressure on
the Colts'
struggling
safeties will bode well this week.
|
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
Did not perform well in the red-zone
last week and PK Vandy and The Edge took over all the
scoring. Against one of the worst pass defenses in
the NFL, that shouldn't be the case this weekend. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S1 |
Is carrying the ball almost 30 times
a game over the past four weeks and has scored seven
TDs. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
Just start him.
|
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
S2 |
Has had an up and down fantasy season.
This week may bring another "up" situation. Wayne has
good quickness and is a sharp route-runner and the
Falcon's very burnable secondary gives a lot of cushion.
That combination should lead to several opportunities. |
| WR |
Troy Walters (P) |
X |
The lose of TE Clark has opened up
more opportunities for the #3 WR in the Colts' offense.
Walters suffered a broken nose last week however and
saw Brandon Stokley receive more playing time. Not
a solid play this week. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S2 |
Wasn't as productive as many would
have preferred last week, but he will still shoulder
the entire TE production with Clark
out. |
|
|
| Buffalo (6-7) at Tennessee
(9-4) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
The Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
B |
Put up his worst game of the season
last week, which is saying something this year. Should
be avoided regardless of opponent for the rest of the
way. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
Has been tearing it up against his
fellow New Yorkers the past two weeks. Don't expect
huge numbers this week against the #1 Titan run defense,
but as James showed last week they can be worn down
if you keep at them. If the Bills stay patient with
the running game Henry will produce. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
B |
Still not 100%, and it shows every
week. Seems to serve as more of a decoy on many plays.
Over the last three games he's averaging about 3 catches
for 40 yards and hasn't scored since week two. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
With the passing game seemingly spiraling
down the chances for any Buffalo receiver are slim.
Reed remains the most consistent overall, but not always
reliable. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
X |
The Titans lack of secondary
depth should provide Shaw with some matchup advantages
in the Bills' 3-WR sets.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
The Bills simply don't feature a
TE in their offense. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S2 |
McNair's pain-free season got tossed
out the window a couple of weeks ago and fantasy owners
are likely faced with little practice and game-time
decisions each week from here on out. History dictates
that he'll gut it out each week and play at less than
100%. If you have a great matchup that is less risky
then maybe you turn to it this week against the touch
Buffalo defense. Odds are however that a less than
100% McNair is better than most other fantasy QBs each
week. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
B |
Has been running well (over 4.3 YPC
in the last three weeks) but may be limited this week
due to an ankle injury he suffered last week. He'll
play but will give up some carries to the young Chris
Brown. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
Is really in a groove with McNair
right now and has scored in each of the last two games.
Has a very tough matchup with the Bills' corners ,
but his quickness will serve him well this week. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
Saw his TD streak stop at four
games last week, but he remains the only viable down
field target other than Mason. As with Mason, will
have a tough matchup this week with the very strong
Buffalo
corners.
|
| TE |
Frank Wycheck |
X |
With the lack of depth at WR, the
Titans have increased their usage of the TE. Three
(Wycheck, Kinney and Meier) produced last week. Look
for more of the same this week against the Bills as
their man coverage style on the perimeter opens up
the middle. |
|
|
| Detroit (4-9) at Kansas City
(11-2) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Arrowhead Stadium |
Back to top |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
X |
The Chiefs defense seems to get
worse with each passing week. Still isn't enough
to move Harrington into starter status.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
X |
Bryson leads the team with 51
catches this season and his eight grabs last week
shows that the Lions continue to attempt to move
the ball with the short passing game. Look for more
of the same this week as they look to keep the Chiefs
offense off the field as much as possible. If your
league rewards points for catches then Bryson remains
a decent option. If not, then he doesn't.
|
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
The only fantasy impact Gary is having
this year is hurting the value of Bryson as he steals
about 10 touches a week from him and does little with
them. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim (P) |
B |
Barely able to play last week
due to the lingering back problems. Stay away.
|
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
B |
If you are looking to Schroeder
the rest of this season you are officially scraping
the bottom of the fantasy barrel.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
The Chiefs continue to show that
their pass defense is vulnerable to a good downfield
tight end, and with a injured and ineffective WR corps
Ricks is about as good as it gets for a Detroit receiver.
While he may surprise this week you're better off not
relying on him. |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S2 |
Another week and another loss in
the Detroit secondary. This week they lose safety Corey
Harris. There aren't many sweater fantasy matchups
than the Lions pass defense this season. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes (P) |
S1 |
The Lions have done a decent job
of stopping the run this year. Yeah... whatever. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison (P) |
X |
Want to take a chance on Kennison?
Just flip a coin. If it comes up heads start him, tails
don't. Or if you prefer, if it comes up tails start
him, heads don't. Doesn't matter either way. He's a
hit-and-miss player and that's as good a way as any
to guess if this week will be a "hit" or not. |
| WR |
Johnnie Morton |
X |
Morton has been a borderline starter
all season but now that the Chiefs are increasing Hall's
role in the passing game he's more likely a desperate
starter now. |
| WR |
Dante Hall |
U |
I guess since he can't return kicks
anymore (not a one since week 5) the Chiefs decided
to force the ball to Hall through the passing game.
Hall had a whopping 15 passes thrown his way last week,
more than the last 4 weeks combined. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Stud. Just start him. |
|
|
| Houston (5-8) at Tampa Bay (6-7) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Raymond James Stadium |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr (Q)
Dave Ragone |
B |
Again expected to return to action
this week, but there's still a chance he won't make
it back onto the field. We may see Mr. Ragone again.
Oh joy. |
| RB |
Domanick Davis (P) |
B |
Davis is expected to give it
a go this week but will not be 100%. Look for Hollings
to still get some carries and for the running game
to struggle.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
B |
With the quarterback situation and
traveling to Tampa Bay it's best to stay completely
away from the Houston passing game. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
Ditto. |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
Ditto.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
X |
Unless you feel like taking a chance
on the big tight end. He did catch four balls last
week against the very stout Jags defense. |
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
X |
The Texans will likely try to
stop the Bucs passing attack with their base 3-4
defense that will crowd the short and intermediate
routes, forcing tight throws by Johnson. May prevent
a big game, but not his typical performance.
|
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
B |
In another of the many mysterious
happenings down in Tampa this season, Pittman appears
to be falling out of favor. His carries have decreased
over the
past two weeks as Jones' take an upswing. He's also
not making up for it in the passing game. The swiss
cheese Houston run defense would be a great matchup,
but Pittman can't be relied on anymore, ...
|
| RB |
Thomas Jones |
S2 |
... but it appears that Jones can.
If the Bucs give him 20+ carries in this one he'll
produce. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
The Bucs most consistent wideout
this season continues to put up solid numbers but hasn't
seen the end-zone in three weeks. Facing the #30
pass defense this week without their best cover corner
should fix that. |
| WR |
Charles Lee |
X |
The talented but raw receiver performed
well after being thrust into the starting
lineup last week. Could surprise against Houston's
very burnable corners but his lack of speed might prevent
it. |
| TE |
Ken Dilger (Q) |
B |
Hey, was that a Tampa TE sighting
last week? No matter. Stay away. |
|
|
| Jacksonville (4-9) at New England
(11-2) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Gillette Stadium |
Back to top |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
Continues to improve and show that
he may be the future in Jacksonville. But that doesn't
do any good right now for fantasy teams. Will likely
take a step back this week against the improving New
England defense. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
X |
The Patriots now sport a top 5 run
defense. Taylor is having one of his finest seasons
running the ball. Let's call this one a draw. He won't
do well enough to make him a solid start, but he probably
won't do bad enough to sit him on your bench. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
X |
With Leftwich under pressure all
day the passing game will be very limited, leaving
little fantasy impact for Smith, ...
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
... Edward, or ... |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
B |
Johnson. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
Will play a much bigger role in the
running game than the passing game this week. |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady |
X |
The bad weather shouldn't be a
problem this weekend, but the lack of a running game
due to the increasingly ferocious Jaguar defense
will be. He'll likely struggle. Check this out. In
Brady's last four away games he's thrown nine TDs,
in his last four home game, zero.
|
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
B |
Could be called upon to help pound
the ball against a very tough Jacksonville run defense.
Or not. Either way he won't find much success. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
B |
After being featured for two games,
last week Faulk touched the ball only six times. This
week brings another December home game so you could
see a repeat performance. |
| WR |
David Givens |
B |
Still struggling through the leg
injury and the ball is being spread around too much
for him to warrant any fantasy attention.
|
| WR |
Bethel Johnson |
B |
Has been awesome on returns but only
good for a couple of catches. |
| WR |
Deion Branch |
X |
Continues to be the
most consistent WR since Brown went down
with the leg
injury. But
there
remains little upside with Branch due to way the
Patriots are spreading the ball around.
|
| TE |
Daniel Graham |
S2 |
Graham's last five games have been
an on-off-on-off-on mess. Against the tough Jags in
another cold December home game, look for the trend
to be broken this week. |
|
|
| Minnesota (8-5) at Chicago
(5-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Soldier Field |
Back to top |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S2 |
Chicago lacks much of a pass rush
(league low 14 sacks) and they'll be hesitant to
blitz and leave single coverage on the perimeter.
So Culpepper should have plenty of time in the pocket
this week.
|
| RB |
Moe Williams (P) |
X |
Only 19 carries in the past three
games. Only in TD-only leagues does he warrant starting
consideration since some of those carries come at the
goal-line. Could see some additional touches this week
given Bennett's ankle injury, but he's also dealing
with a banged up knee. |
| RB |
Michael Bennett (P) |
X |
As predicted, put up his first 100
yard game last week, but promptly tweaked his ankle.
He's expected to play this week but may have his workload
cut back a bit. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
Just start him. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson
Kelly Campbell
D'wayne Bates |
B |
Remain bit players in the Culpepper-to-Moss
show.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser (P) |
S2 |
Last week a hip pointer, this week
a bicep injury. Continues to start but his hurting.
With a dinged backfield may be due for some additional
looks this week. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rex Grossman |
B |
The Viking defense may give up the
passing yards, but they know how to pickoff quarterbacks
(25 this season). If there's one thing a rookie QB
in his first start is good for it's interceptions. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
S2 |
The Vikings give up over 120 rushing
yards a game and a league leading 18 rushing TDs on
the season. The way Stewart is playing the Bears will
want to feed the ball to Thomas all day. One problem
with that plan is that they could find themselves down
a few TDs quickly and have to start airing it out to
catch up. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
X |
The only bright spot in the Bears'
passing game. They will likely have to throw often
once they fall behind and Booker has what it takes
to win his matchups with the suspect Viking secondary,
but with Grossman at QB it's best you look elsewhere
for a starting receiver. |
| WR |
Dez White |
B |
When the QB stinks there's no
need to look beyond the #1 WR on a team.
|
| WR |
Justin Gage |
B |
Has the only 100 yard receiving
game by a Bear this season. His size makes him a
good target, but he lacks top-notch speed and suffers
from typical rookie inconsistency.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
X |
Hasn't been the breakout season many
expected this year, but he remains just consistent
enough to frustrate you into not starting him on a
regular basis. |
|
|
| Pittsburgh (5-8) at N.Y. Jets
(5-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Giants Stadium |
Back to top |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
X |
Amazingly, as bad as the Jets run
defense is, they have a league low 11 passing TDs this
season and for a time lead the league in sacks. Maddox
won't find many matchup advantages against the strong
Jet secondary, even if they spread out in 3-WR sets. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis (P) |
S2 |
Guess that early season rest is
paying off in December after all. A season high 27
carries last week and his first 100 yard game. He's
scored in three of the past four games. Bettis owners
should
be licking
their chops at him visiting the league's worst
run defense this week. Note however that the Jets
have done better this season against straight-ahead
power runners.
|
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S2 |
Okay, that's two weeks in a row
that Burress has come through, thanks to his first
score since week two last week. The Jets secondary
is solid but his size advantage push him into the
borderline start category.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S2 |
Takes a licking and just keeps on
ticking. Has struggled along with the passing game,
scoring only once in the past month. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Another season of worthless Steeler
tight ends. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chad Pennington |
S2 |
Pennington's ability to sell fakes,
get rid of the ball quickly and spreading
it around will cause havoc with a Steeler secondary
that spends much of it's time on the field looking
confused. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
Getting it going late in the season.
Has averaged 23 carries over the last three games.
Should maintain that pace this week but the Steelers
are solid against the run so Martin will put up only
average numbers. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
U |
The toastable CB Dewayne Washington
lost his starting job a few weeks ago but is now back
in
the
starting
lineup due to injury. Conway has remained a solid
performer since taking over the Chrebet. He may surprise
this week taking Washington deep a few times. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
S2 |
Won't face the stiff press coverage
he did last week and will have more room to run.
The Jets will likely stick to the controlled,
short passing game they moved towards a few weeks
back. The result has been fewer big play opportunities
for Moss.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
Logic would
have you thinking Becht would become more valuable
with Chrebet gone but he's had only a single catch
or less
four
times in the past five weeks. |
|
|
| San Francisco (6-7) at Cincinnati
(7-6) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Paul Brown Stadium |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia
|
S2 |
Maybe his career day last week
against the terrible Cardinals broke the ice for
Garcia. Maybe he's just finally close to healthy.
Whatever the case it had to be rewarding to any fantasy
owners that stuck with him this season. It won't
come so easily against the Bengals this week, but
if the offense can keep it's groove on Garcia is
worth some attention.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst (D) |
B |
Expected to sit out one more game
as his scoped knee recovers. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
S2 |
Barlow's first career start may have
been a glimpse into a soon to be Hearst-less future
(177 total yards and a TD). Yes it was Arizona, but
the Bengals have their problems stopping the run and
are
anything
but
rock
solid. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S2 |
If the Niner offense is going to
start clicking, Owens will always be at it's center.
But please, the dancing has to stop. Mime? Come on. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
B |
Streets has been fading since mid-season.
With all the scoring last week he managed only a single
catch. At least it was for a touchdown. Does't warrant
fantasy attention any more. |
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Stay away from the Niner tight ends. |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
X |
Going into last week Kitna was
one of the hottest fantasy QBs. The Ravens put a
stop to that. The Niners apply decent pressure on
the quarterback, but if Kitna can get enough time
in the pocket the down field opportunities will be
there.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
S2 |
Statistically the Niners are solid
against the run. They do however struggle against phyiscal
running attacks. Can you say Corey Dillon? I thought
so. Unfortunately retains the downside of giving up
carries to Rudi Johnson. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
B |
Just hasn't been as effective
with the shared role since Dillon's return. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
The Niner corners, Plummer and
Webster, have shown slight improvement
this season but they still give up way too much. Only
two teams have allowed more passing TDs and Johnson
is bigger and faster than both of them. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
After a couple of sub-par games Warrick
got it going again last week. He excels from the slot
because he has a knack for finding openings in
the secondary and
does
a good job of getting quickly up field. Those skills
will serve him well against the struggling Niner secondary. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington |
B |
Has his moments, but the inexperienced
rookie is receiving only limited looks in the passing
game. May have a few chances to get deep this week
for a big play. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
In the previous three weeks three
different TEs had caught passes
and only one
of those had more than a single catch. Schobel stepped
up with TWO catches last week. Wow. |
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