Category: NFL (Page 1173 of 1282)

Each week in the Pregame, I’ll provide a few players to start and a few to bench. These recommendations are based on that player’s strength of schedule (SOS) for that particular week or that player’s specific situation.

I’m a strong advocate of always starting your studs, so I won’t be telling you about LaDainian Tomlinson’s tough matchup or how Peyton Manning and company will light it up against a bad defense. Anyone can make those calls. I’ll be discussing marginal fantasy starters – guys that can start for you, but only under certain circumstances.

START

If you’re a Donovan McNabb owner (like me) you might be scrambling this week for a starter at QB. CHARLIE FRYE has a terrific matchup with a porous Bengals defense that has allowed the most points to opposing QBs over the last six weeks. Cincinnati will probably put up some points, so the Browns will have to throw to stay in the game. JAKE DELHOMME, AARON BROOKS and VINCE YOUNG also have favorable matchups… FRED TAYLOR and AHMAN GREEN have nice matchups against the Bills and Seahawks, respectively…SANTONIO HOLMES is worth a spot start this week. He’s been playing pretty well of late and actually has a great matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed the fourth most points to WRs over the last six weeks…

BENCH

REX GROSSMAN has a very tough matchup against the Pats this week. PHILLIP RIVERS, JON KITNA and JASON CAMPBELL also face tough pass defenses and may struggle…EDGERRIN JAMES, THOMAS JONES and LADELL BETTS will probably find running room tough to come by as they face the Vikings, Pats and Panthers, respectively…JOEY GALLOWAY, REGGIE BROWN and DONTE STALLWORTH have tough matchups this week and should be benched if you have another (decent) option.

INJURY UPDATE (THURSDAY GAMES)

Good news for KEVIN JONES owners: it’s not a high ankle sprain. He’s listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, but is not expected to play. He should be back for Week 13…RONNIE BROWN is listed as probable and did practice this week…TONY GONZALEZ returned to practice Tuesday and is a game-time decision against the Broncos…ROD SMITH is listed as questionable and, considering his production, shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups this week…MIKE BELL and TATUM BELL are both expected to play against the Chiefs, making any of the Denver RBs a risky play this week. Damn you, SKELETOR!

Remember, there are Thursday games this week, so get your lineups in early.

Have roster questions? Fire away.

**Remember, it’s a short week, so be sure to finalize your roster moves earlier rather than later**

QUARTERBACKS

Here is a list of players that may be available on your league’s waiver wire, in order of relative value:

Tony Romo, Steve McNair, Phillip Rivers, Jason Campbell, David Carr, Aaron Brooks, David Garrard, Charlie Frye, Trent Green, Alex Smith, Joey Harrington, Chad Pennington, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, J.P. Losman, Brad Johnson, Bruce Gradkowski

Jason Campbell threw two TDs in his first game as a starter and looks to be a decent play down the stretch…Trent Green was pretty quiet in his first game back as the starter, but the Raiders have an underrated pass defense, so he should improve as the season wears on…The Eagles aren’t certain who is going to fill in for Donovan McNabb. Jeff Garcia was the first one off the bench, but reportedly, Andy Reid may use A.J. Feeley as the starter.

RUNNING BACKS

Travis Henry, Anthony Thomas, Wali Lundy, DeAngelo Williams, Ladell Betts, Arlen Harris, Sam Gado, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jason Wright, T.J. Duckett, Cedric Benson, Leon Washington, Mike Bell, Justin Fargas, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Brandon Jacobs, Zack Crockett, Maurice Morris, Najeh Davenport

Arlen Harris looks to be first in line if Kevin Jones misses any time due to injury. The team didn’t have an update because tests were still being conducted. That doesn’t sound good…Jason Wright got the bulk of the work with Reuben Droughns out, but he’ll go back to the bench if Droughns returns…The Texans are happy to split the carries between Sam Gado and Wali Lundy, which limits the value of both players. Still, the Houston running game is doing well enough right now that either guy is a decent spot start given the right matchup…LaMont Jordan is out for the rest of the year, so look for Justin Fargas to get most of the work with Zack Crockett taking over at the goal line.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Mark Clayton, Reche Caldwell, Chris Henry, Marty Booker, Santonio Holmes, Mike Furrey, Wes Welker, Arnaz Battle, Devery Henderson, Doug Gabriel, Terrance Copper, Ernest Wilford, Marty Booker, Eric Parker, Jerry Porter, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd

Mark Clayton continues his strong play as Steve McNair’s favorite target and shouldn’t be on your league’s waiver wire after this week…Likewise, Reche Caldwell has emerged as Tom Brady’s favorite target (for the moment). It’s tough to count on any of the Pats receivers, but Caldwell is a decent play going forward…It looks like Marques Colston is day-to-day going forward, so Devery Henderson shouldn’t be as hot of a waiver wire pickup as he would be if Colston was confirmed out for the next few weeks…Terry Glenn returned to action putting to rest rumors that he may be done for the year. Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd will resume their supporting roles.

TIGHT ENDS

Jerramy Stevens, Owen Daniels, David Martin, Bo Scaife, Vernon Davis, Randal Williams, Alex Smith, Eric Johnson

Randal Williams (a converted WR) has been productive since he took over the starting gig from Courtney Anderson, catching eight passes for 102 yards over the past two weeks. He should be a decent spot starter down the stretch.