Category: NFL (Page 1197 of 1282)

One of this year’s surprises, Laveranues Coles is listed as questionable with a calf injury, but is expected to play…Ahman Green is also expected to play, but is listed as questionable…Drew Bennett practiced three straight times this week and should play, but isn’t a great option until Vince Young gets the passing game going…Reuben Droughns is listed as questionable, but also practiced on Friday and should play…Kellen Winslow missed a portion of practice on Friday so be sure to check the Cleveland inactives before finalizing your lineup…Todd Heap was a late add to the injury report with a thigh injury. The Ravens play on Monday, which complicates matters, but Rotoworld suggests picking up his backup, Daniel Wilcox, and use him if Heap can’t go…Desmond Clark returned to practice Friday, but is still listed as questionable…Donald Driver underwent diagnostic tests on Friday and missed practice after practicing on Thursday. He’s listed as questionable, so keep an eye on the inactives before using Driver tomorrow…Donte Stallworth is listed as doubtful for Philly’s big game against Dallas, missing practice again on Friday…Brian Westbrook also sat out of practice. He’s listed as questionable, but it will be a game-time decision. Correll Buckhalter is still the best alternative for Westbrook owners, given that the game is later in the day…Chris Henry was suspended by the NFL for two games for violating its conduct and substance abuse policies…Daunte Culpepper may not start Sunday due to a sore shoulder, and Joey Harrington would start in his place. This might actually be a good thing for Chris Chambers, who has had trouble getting into synch with Culpepper this season…Matt Jones was downgraded to out on the team’s website, so it looks like he will not play. He has been struggling with a sore hamstring for some time…Mike Tice, who is coaching the O-line in Jacksonville, is reportedly lobbying the Jaguars to acquire Randy Moss. It’s clear that Moss needs a change of scenery, but there’s no telling what the result would be. The guy just doesn’t seem to like playing football.

Every 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

MARK BRUNELL has been hot of late, throwing for 590 yards and four TD against only one pick in the last two games. Sure, the first of those games was against a bad Texans defense, but last week Brunell torched a normally stout Jacksonville defense. This week, he faces a Giants defense that has allowed 281 pass yards and 2.7 pass TDs per game. Even though Brunell has been known to disappear at times, this looks like a nice matchup…BRAD JOHNSON faces a Lions defense that has given up 282 pass yards and 2.5 pass TD per game. It’s a good week to start BJ and his #1 WR, TROY “STONE HANDS” WILLIAMSON…FRED TAYLOR has a nice matchup with a Jets D that has allowed 141 rush yards and 2 rush TD per game…GREG JENNINGS should get lots of work against the Rams, especially with Donald Driver hurting. Jennings is quickly becoming a trustworthy target for Brett Favre and that means lots and lots of targets for the talented rookie.

BENCH

Let’s see, JAKE PLUMMER had a week to think about how close he was to losing his job, and he gets to play the Ravens this week. Ouch…I think I’d also leave ALEX SMITH on the bench. It’s not that he’s not capable of torching the Oakland defense, I just don’t think he’ll have to. Teams have been able to run at will on the Raiders, so it doesn’t look like he’ll need to throw much…I don’t know that I’d bench him if I didn’t have a pretty good backup plan, but WILLIE PARKER faces a Chargers defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season…DERRICK MASON could have a quiet game against the Broncos, who have only allowed one score through the air thus far this season. This matchup has the feel of a low scoring defensive battle.

Check back Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, if you have roster questions, be sure to post them on the Fantasy Q & A. We’re happy to give you a second opinion.