Day: September 27, 2007

      Week 4 Preview

      September 27, 2007 /

      Every week, I highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Carson Palmer or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      START ‘EM

      QB: Chad Pennington has a nice matchup against Buffalo, who has yielded 286 yards and 2 TD per game to opposing QBs this season…Jeff Garcia is also a decent option for those in need of QB help. The Panthers have given up 252 yards and 1.7 TD per game through the air thus far…Everything is lined up for Brian Griese for his first start of the season. He faces the Lions, who have allowed a league-worst 296 passing yards per game this season, along with an average of 2 pass TD per game…At this point in his career, Steve McNair is a dicey start, but he has a great matchup with Cleveland. The Browns have given up an average of 263 passing yards and 3.7 pass TD in three games.

      RB: Marshawn Lynch is a good start against the Jets, who have allowed an average of 121 yards and 1 TD on the ground in three games…Definitely start Thomas Jones against Buffalo – the league’s worst rush defense…He’s been spotty thus far, but Cedric Benson should be good for 90 yards and a score against a Detroit defense that is 23rd against the run and has allowed 2 rush TD per game.

      WR: It seems strange, but the Ravens have been pretty mediocre against the pass (255 yards per game), and especially bad against opposing WRs. This means Braylon Edwards could be in for a big day…Dwayne Bowe is coming on and he’s facing a Chargers defense that has allowed 264 yards per game. He’s an option for those needing help at WR…Chris Chambers (vs. OAK), Wes Welker (@ CIN), Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery (@ BUF) all have favorable matchups this week.

      SIT ‘EM

      QB: Don’t count on much from Matt Leinart, who faces a Steelers defense that is on fire. He may also be reeling from being benched last week…Jay Cutler (@ IND) and Phillip Rivers (vs. KC) have difficult matchups this week…Be sure to stay away from Jake Delhomme if at all possible. Not only is he iffy to play, he faces a Bucs defense that is playing great right now; they’re allowing just 187 yards per game.

      RB: Edgerrin James faces a Steelers defense that has allowed just 80 yards a game on the ground and has yet to allow a rushing TD…Rudi Johnson is out for Monday’s game against the Patriots, but you should also stay away from his backup, Kenny Watson. The Pats have yielded an average of just 74 yards on the ground and 0.3 rush TD per game…Jamal Lewis should be avoided, if possible. The Ravens are the league’s #1 rush defense (62 yards per game) and haven’t allowed a rushing TD yet this season.

      WR: Those hoping for Andre Davis to produce again this week may be disappointed. Atlanta is 0-3, but they are pretty good at suppressing their opponents’ WRs…Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are still startable, but they are up against a tough Steelers D. The entire Arizona passing game figures to struggle…For those of you that haven’t heard, Craig Davis is now “Buster” Davis. He had a nice game against Green Bay, but don’t expect him to do too much against the Chiefs, who have been surprisingly good against the pass (183 yards per game).

      SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

      Ron Dayne (@ ATL)
      I’ve been burned by Dayne before (haven’t we all?) but he shouldn’t be a bad start for those desperate souls dealing with bye week issues. With Ahman Green out, he figures to be the main ball carrier and he has a favorable matchup against Atlanta, who has allowed 142 yards a game on the ground.

      TOUGH SLEDDING

      Larry Johnson (@ SD)
      The LJ saga continues. He’s still worth a start (assuming he plays), but he has a tender hammy and he’s facing a tough Chargers defense that has only yielded 88 yards per game. But there’s good news for Johnson owners: his schedule lightens up considerably after week 5 and he has two great matchups in weeks 15 and 16. Let’s hope he lasts that long!

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      The Matrix wants a trade

      September 27, 2007 /

      Shawn Marion is grumbling again. Only this time, he’s officially requesting a trade.

      Marion is fed up with another summer of the Suns considering to trade him. Marion is irked that the team is not willing to talk about a contract extension. After eight years in Phoenix, Marion wants to leave the Suns and has let the team know in recent weeks.

      “I’m tired of hearing my name in trades,” Marion said by phone from his Chicago home Tuesday night. “I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it’s time for me to move on.”

      It was apparent that over the last few years, Marion has been increasingly frustrated with the (perceived) lack of attention he gets playing in Phoenix along Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Earlier this year, almost a year after Nash won his second MVP award, Marion vented some frustration to ESPN’s Chris Palmer.

      “Steve is the MVP of the league,” says Marion, “but I’ve had people tell me I am the MVP of the team.”

      “I want the recognition,” says Marion, who got fewer votes for February’s All-Star Game than Shane Battier. “I feel I’ve done what it takes to get it, but for some reason it hasn’t happened.”

      I’m not sure what Marion’s beef is here. He’s due to make $33.6 million over the next two years, and is the Suns’ highest-paid player. Phoenix is on a very short list of legitimate contenders and was one game (and two bench clearing infractions) away from upsetting the Spurs in last year’s playoffs. His current situation looks pretty good and there are any number of players that would jump at the chance to switch places with him.

      He’s going to be 31 in the summer of ’09 when his contract expires and he is rumored to want a three-year, $60 million extension. Who can blame the Suns for wanting to wait and see what Marion’s game is like in two years before committing to such a Shaq-like contract?

      He’s also upset about his name being bandied about in trade rumors, but that has a lot to do with his attitude about his current situation. Besides, trade rumors are a part of the NBA and players have to learn to live with them.

      There are several interested teams, including the Lakers (who would swap Lamar Odom) and the Jazz (who would swap Andrei Kirilenko), but the Suns seem content to stand pat. They’re not going to give Marion away unless they’re able to get a really good player and some salary cap relief in the process.

      Marion needs to realize he’s in a terrific situation. He needs to work his ass off this year, get his ring, and then deal with his future next summer.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      A-Rod to stay in Bronx?

      September 27, 2007 /

      Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez is hinting that he wants to stay in New York according to an article by the Lower Hudson Online. Rodriguez’s contract doesn’t expire until 2011, but he can opt out at the end of this season.

      “This feels like home. It’s hard to believe that I played for another two organizations. So much has happened to me here – adversity, some success – that I feel like anything but New York feels weird for me now,” Rodriguez said.

      It will be interesting to see if A-Rod’s return to the Bronx is going to be about timing. If the Yankees go on to win the World Series this year, the same fans that have booed him relentlessly in the past will certainly want his face on a plaque by the turn of next year. However, what if he barely hits .200 and the Yankees bow out in the first round again? Will another public outcry be enough to convince him to look for greener pastures? My prediction is that A-Rod is going to price himself out of a ton of markets anyway, and therefore will return to the Yankees regardless of how they finish this season.

      What’s your prediction on A-Rod’s future? Will he return to the Yankees or will another team pony up for his services?

      MLB

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