Start/Bench
List - Week 16
By Whitney
Walters
December 18, 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 (3-11) at Tampa Bay (7-7) |
|
| Sat, Dec 20, 1:30 PM ET on FOX at
Raymond James Stadium |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Michael Vick |
B |
May be a great talent, but the
team is falling apart around him. He can't be expected
to shoulder the entire offense and help your fantasy
team, especially against a Tampa team that seems
to have rediscovered how to play a little defense.
|
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
X |
About the only thing you can be
sure of this week for the Falcons is that they will
run Duckett. However, the Bucs are improving on defense
and the Falcon offensive line is in shambles. So
don't expect much.
|
| WR |
Peerless Price |
X |
Caught only one of the eight balls
thrown his way last week. Price may be the main man
in the passing game, but right now that isn't saying
much. His speed may present a few down field opportunities
this week.
|
WR
|
Brian Finneran |
B |
His size typically presents
the promise of a matchup advantage. However, Finneran
continues to be banged up and was never all that fast
anyway. He doesn't have what it takes against the Bucs
zone style of coverage. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
X |
There were plenty of opportunities
for Crumpler last week against the Colts' cover-2.
Vick did a poor job of finding his tight end when
in trouble. That must improve this week against the
similar Tampa schemes for Crumpler to have any value.
|
| Tampa Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brad Johnson |
X |
The Bucs have turned more to the
run of late since pass protection continues to be
a problem. They are completing under 20 passes a
game over the past five games. Only 4 TDs in that
time also. The fact that the Falcons' pass defense
is the worst in the NFL gives Johnson some upside,
but with the running game in high gear he won't be
called on as much.
|
| RB |
Michael Pittman |
B |
Seven carries in the past two
games (both wins). The season's over for Pittman
for fantasy purposes.
|
| RB |
Thomas Jones |
S2 |
Has received 54 carries in the past
two Tampa wins and averaged over four yards on each
of those carries. He's also scored three rushing TDs
in the past four week, something Pittman never did.
The Falcons' run defense is simply terrible. |
| WR |
Keenan McCardell |
S2 |
The Bucs most consistent wideout
went over 1000 yards last week and continues
to put up solid numbers. Hasn't seen the end-zone
in
four
weeks.
Should
be able
to
exploit the big cushion provided by aging CB Ray Buchanan. |
| WR |
Charles Lee |
X |
Since being thrust into the
starting lineup a few weeks back, Lee has held his
own and occasionally surprised. Against another very
weak secondary he could surprise again. |
| TE |
Ken Dilger (P) |
B |
Injuries this season have made Dilger,
and any other TB tight end, fantasy death. The most
productive TE has been Sapp, and that's just wrong. |
|
|
| Kansas City (12-2) at Minnesota
(8-6) |
|
| Sat, Dec 20, 5 PM ET on CBS at Metrodome |
Back to top |
| Kansas City |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Trent Green |
S2 |
With Holmes likely going off in this
one Green will be required to do little. Which means
he's only a borderline starter this week with an upside
only if the Chiefs decide to air it out in what should
be a high scoring game. |
| RB |
Priest Holmes (P) |
S1 |
Oh my. This could be fun to watch.
Unless of course you are playing AGAINST him this week. |
| WR |
Eddie Kennison
Johnnie Morton |
X |
Tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum (you
can determine which you feel is which) are the third
and fourth options in the not-always-consistant KC
passing game. If you have a Chief receiver on your
roster, it better be Gonzo. |
| WR |
Dante Hall |
B |
One catch, then 11 catches, then
back to one catch. Yeah, that's the kind of predictable
production your team should rely on. Forget it. |
| TE |
Tony Gonzalez |
S1 |
Stud. Just start him. |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S2 |
The Chiefs are a solid matchup
for Culpepper, but the running game may dominate
given KC's ineptitude in run defense. Still, there
should be enough production in this high scoring
game for CPep to warrant a fantasy start.
|
| RB |
Michael Bennett (P)
Moe Williams (P)
Onterrio Smith (P) |
X |
All three are injured. All three
will play. All three will get carries. What
a waste of a
great
rushing matchup. You can take your chances with Bennett
or maybe Smith, but if you have another good matchup
on your roster with lower risk you might want to consider
it. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
May not always come through in the
crunch for his "real" team, but continues to come up
big for
his fantasy teams. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson
Kelly Campbell
D'wayne Bates |
B |
Remain bit players in the Culpepper-to-Moss
show.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
S2 |
It's been one injury after another
for Kleinsasser. He remains the starter and is a very
tough competitor. Due for a touchdown this week. |
|
|
| New England (12-2) at N. Y. Jets
(6-8) |
|
| Sat, Dec 20, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Giants Stadium |
Back to top |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady |
S2 |
Brady is rarely going to give
you elite QB type numbers and six times this season
he's gone TD-less in a game. The Jets pose a stiff
challenge this week as they play solid pass defense
and have allowed only 11 TDs, a league low. Troy
Brown's healthy return however provides just enough
of a boost to push Brady into starter status this
week.
|
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
X |
The Jets boast one of the league's
worst run defenses but that may not matter. Smith has
been the main ball-carrier the past two weeks as the
team has been playing at home in the snow. With a clear
but cold evening expected this Saturday there is no
telling how much playing time coach Belichick will
give Smith. A high risk starter if you turn to him. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
U |
Saw a few more carries last week
but the show was Smith's. That should change this week
in New York, but expect him to be more of a factor
in the short passing game than the running game. |
| WR |
David Givens |
B |
Slides back into the #3 spot with
the return of Brown. That combined with the emergence
of TE Graham make Givens an option to be avoided
now.
|
| WR |
Troy Brown |
S2 |
After missing over a month with a
leg injury, Brady's favorite target returned last week
and they seemed to pick up right where they left off. |
| WR |
Deion Branch (P) |
X |
The Pats continue to spread the
ball around to all four receivers, the TE and backs.
As a result it's rare that more than one wideout
has a solid fantasy game. So the upside just isn't
going to be there consistently for Branch now that
Brown is back.
|
| TE |
Daniel Graham |
S2 |
Graham should continue his fine late
season production this week. The Jets do have one of
the better pass defenses in the league statistically,
but they are weak underneath due to lack of speed and
athleticism at linebacker. |
| New York Jets |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Chad Pennington |
B |
The Pats are playing great defense
right now. They've allowed a league low 11 passing
TDs and are second in the NFL with 22 interceptions.
This will not be an easy one for Pennington and the
struggling Jet passing attack. |
| RB |
Curtis Martin |
X |
Looks like the old guy has a few
volts left in that battery. He'll likely need a jump
start after this one as the Patriots are playing some
of the toughest run defense in the league. |
| WR |
Curtis Conway |
B |
With Moss drawing the opponents best
coverage, you would think Conway could produce more
consistently. But he does not. The strong secondary
play of the Patriots provides no matchup advantage
this week. |
| WR |
Santana Moss |
X |
Was held to a single catch in
week three against New England. Both teams are very
different now but that won't result in much of a
change in Moss' chances as the Jets are struggling
through the air and the Pats secondary has improved.
|
| TE |
Anthony Becht |
B |
Has become a complete non-factor
in the Jets' passing attack. |
|
|
| Baltimore (8-6) at Cleveland
(4-10) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Cleveland Browns Stadium |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Anthony Wright |
B |
After three straight weeks of declining
numbers, had a slight improvement last week against
the Raiders. It's not enough to warrant any fantasy
consideration this week against a better opponent in
the Browns. Another stinker like his last two efforts
and it may be back to the bench. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S1 |
The yardage is great, and it will
surely come again against the Browns. But how about
a few touchdowns as well this week. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
X |
Wright's go-to receiver and
only real downfield threat was completely shutout last
week by the double-teaming Raiders. He can expect
similar treatment this week as well as he is obviously
the team's only solid down field threat. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
B |
With Robinson shut down last week
it was time for Taylor to fill the void in the passing
game. In typically Taylor fashion he caught only three
of the ten balls thrown his way. |
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S2 |
The extra attention given to Robinson
last week really opened things up for Heap, and for
a change Wright found him. |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Couch |
B |
Not a lot of deep analysis here.
The OL is in tatters and the Ravens are coming to
town. Couch will be lucky to just finish the game.
|
| RB |
Jamel White |
B |
A battered
offensive line, a touch defensive opponent and a
rookie running back (Suggs) itching to get some work.
Avoid White and the Browns' running game this week.
|
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
Northcutt remains the most dangerous
option in the Browns' passing game due to his speed.
Couch
won't have much time in the
pocket however and the Ravens bring a young but aggressive
secondary to bear.
|
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
B |
The ball is being spread around too much for Davis
or ...
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
B |
... Morgan to have much value. Both
have put up single catch games in the past few weeks. |
| TE |
Keith Heinrich |
B |
Two weeks, two catches, two touchdowns.
Oh yeah, and three yards. |
|
|
| Cincinnati (8-6) at St. Louis (11-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Edward Jones Dome |
Back to top |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
X |
The Bengals must have success
running the ball in order to pull the Rams out of
their cover-2 zones and open up the passing game.
The Rams aren't great run stoppers so the odds of
that occurring are about 50-50. Those are Kitna's
odds of having a good game as well.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
S2 |
The Rams do struggle to stop the
run and Dillon is expected to be over the flu and start
Sunday. If he's close to 100% he should do well as
the Bengals will look to run the ball as much as possible
in order to eat up the clock and keep the St. Louis
offense off the field. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
X |
Should see some additional carries
in his backup role this week as Dillon may still be
slowed physically due to recovering from the flu and
the fact that the Bengals will look to run the ball
more this week. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Zone coverages have given Johnson
trouble in the past as he continues to hone his route
running skills. He's on a serious roll right now, catching
five TDs in the last four weeks. He's gotten you this
far, no sense in turning away now. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick (P) |
B |
Late week scratch due to a scope
operation on his knee. Will not play this week but
is expected back for next. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington |
U |
He's a Chad Johnson clone and has
had some big plays this season as the #3 WR. With the
late week scratch of Warrick he'll get a chance to
start and do some damage in the Rams' secondary. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
In the past month three
different TEs have caught passes with only one of those
(Matt Schobel) having more than a single catch. |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S2 |
Good but not great. Bulger has thrown
for more than a single TD only once in the past seven
weeks. It's another borderline recommendation this
week, but this should be a high scoring affair and
the explosiveness of this offense keep Bulger in starter
status. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S1 |
Has had under 20 carries only once
since returning to action following the knee surgery.
Look for more of the same this week and great production
against a Bengal team that struggles stopping the run. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S1 |
Has all the skills and is one of
the elite receivers in the league now. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce (Q) |
B |
Expected to miss practice this week
due to a slight ankle sprain, but not the game. It's
likely that he will not be 100% and his main role will
be to draw coverage from Holt. Unless late week reports
state that he's VERY close to 100% healthy it's best
to find another option. |
| WR |
Mike Furrey
Dane Looker |
B |
If Bruce has to sit this one out
one of these guys has a chance to shine. The most likely
scenario however is for both to see about 3-5 catches. |
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
Actually ended the game last week
with negative yards receiving. |
|
|
| Detroit (4-10) at Carolina (9-5) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Ericsson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
B |
The Panthers aren't a great pass
defense, but the Lions aren't even a good passing
offense. There's also a good chance that the team
will want to get a look at backup Mike McMahon these
last two games.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
B |
Bryson will likely continue seeing
playing time on passing downs, but his carries are
going to take a serious drop now as the team gets
a look at their rookie Pinner. It's a shame since
Bryson is coming off his best rushing game of the
season.
|
| RB |
Artose Pinner |
B |
Look for the rookie to start sharing
the rushing load with Bryson and possibly even get
the majority of the carries. Make him an interesting
prospect for next season, not a late season answer
for your team this year. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
B |
Coming off his best fantasy performance
of the season and now the team is going to start
tinkering with their QB and other positions.
|
| 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 |
Regardless of all the potential personnel
changes now going on, Ricks remains the best fantasy
option in the Lions' passing attack. Under the heavy
blitz packages Carolina will be bringing, both QBs
better keep one eye in Ricks at all times. |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
U |
Against a suspect pass rush and a
secondary that has been decimated by injury, Delhomme
should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis (Q) |
B |
Age
or overuse could be taking it's toll as Davis
doesn't seem to have the same burst he had at the
start of
the
year. The ankle and knee tweaks he suffered last
week may give the Panthers an excuse to rest
him this
weekend.
He may
only play
sparingly.
|
| RB |
DeShaun Foster |
S2 |
A healthy and rested DeShaun Foster
is expected to get a bulk of the work this weekend,
if not start. Great matchup against the spiraling
Lions. If he starts then plug him into your lineup.
If he doesn't
then
he is
still
a solid play. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
S2 |
Smith continues to lead the way in
the Panthers' passing attack and ... |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
X |
... Muhammad continues to disappoint. |
| TE |
Kris Mangum |
B |
Back from injury just in time, but
the TE plays almost no role in the Panthers' passing
game. |
|
|
| Miami (8-6) at Buffalo (6-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
Back to top |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler (P) |
X |
Outside the Dallas game three
weeks ago Fiedler has been forgettable as a fantasy
QB since his return. It's not going to get any better
against another solid defense and the cold in Buffalo.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams (P) |
S2 |
Ricky's best effort (153 yards,
TD) came in week three against these Bills. But he
appears to be wearing down slightly and the Bills'
defense is much improved since that meeting.
|
| WR |
Chris Chambers (P) |
X |
As with last week's matchup with
great press cover corners, Chambers' explosiveness
and speed could allow him to get behind the coverage
for some big plays. The down side is the weather.
The colder it gets the less likely Fiedler is of getting
him the ball deep and accurately. |
| WR |
James McKnight
Derrius Thompson |
B |
Outside of Chambers and McMichael
there is no fantasy factor in the Miami passing attack. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
X |
Last week McMichael finally took
advantage of his matchup and in one game topped his
production from the previous five combined. The potential
for a repeat is not high thanks to the strong play
of SS Lawyer Milloy.
|
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
B |
Too big a disappointment this season
to warrant consideration under any condition or against
any opponent. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
S2 |
Draws another tough matchup
this week in the #4 ranked Miami run defense. The Bills
should supplement the running game by throwing to Henry
on
screens and short dump-off routes as the Miami linebackers
have a tendency to be too aggressive and over-pursue.
Henry's a borderline start. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
B |
Still doesn't look 100% and appears
to serve as more of a decoy on many plays.
Over the last four games he's averaging about 3 catches
for 40 yards and hasn't scored since week two. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
Will not enjoy the usual light coverage
since the Dolphins have the talent at corner to single
cover Moulds. Don't expect much from Reed. |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
X |
This week does not bring the matchup
advantage he enjoyed last week as the nickel coverage
unit of the Dolphins is very solid.
|
| TE |
Mark Campbell |
B |
In a shocking development last week,
Campbell not only caught more than a single pass, he
hauled in his first TD of the season. |
|
|
| N. Y. Giants (4-10) at Dallas (9-5) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Texas Stadium |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jesse Palmer |
B |
Will make his second start on
Sunday, and he'll be fortunate to have it go as well
as his first.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
X |
Has scored only three TDs this
year and his rushing numbers get worse with each
passing week. The injury depleted offensive line
will be no match for the Dallas aggressive front.
The Giants will have no choice but to turn to Barber
due to all the receiver injuries and a rookie at
QB. Just don't expect too much from his effort.
|
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
Since being torched on Thanksgiving
CB Mario Edwards has given his opponents much more
cushion to protect against being burned deep. Toomer
still has the ability to occasionally produce fantasy
worthy
numbers but that has happened only twice over the
last seven weeks. To make it three in eight he will
have to take advantage on underneath routes.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard (D) |
B |
If Hilliard even makes in on the
field this week he will not be close to 100%. With
Palmer at the helm you should forget Hilliard for
the rest of the season.
|
| TE |
Vishante Shiancoe |
X |
With both Shockey and Rivers likely
done for the season, Shiancoe stepped in last week
and actually scored a TD. That gives him one more than
Rivers and half of Shockey's total this
season. May actually catch a few more balls these final
two weeks with all the receiver injuries. |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
S2 |
After Carter's worst two game stretch this season
he gets a break this week in the form of the Giants.
New York lost another corner last week and this injury
depleted secondary is ripe for the picking. Look
for Carter to bounce back this week and rediscover
his wideouts and tight end.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
S2 |
It's December and Parcells loves
to run the ball. The Cowboys have racked up 71 carries
in the past two games with Hambrick getting 33 of
those last week. Look for more of the same this week
against a Giants' defense that spiraling further
down the drain each week.
|
| RB |
Richie Anderson |
X |
In deeper leagues that award points
for catches Anderson has been paying off for his owners
most of the season. He's also scored three touchdowns
in the last three weeks. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
B |
Even though the passing game should
get it going this weekend, Galloway has been a major
disappointment since week three and should be avoided.
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn (P) |
S2 |
Due to injury the Giants are starting
corners that would be backups on most teams. Glenn's
speed should have them running for their life all
afternoon.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
X |
Could surprise, but we've been
waiting on that since week two. Most likely to see
not much better than his 2-35 season average.
|
| TE |
Jason Witten |
S2 |
Look for Witten to bounce back
this week against the overmatched Giants secondary. |
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