Fantasy Football Question(s)

[sterlingice]

Ok, I need to figure out a second RB to start opposite Stephen Davis. And here are the choices:

1. Jamal Lewis has a bye
2. Edgerrin James is facing Tampa Bay and is questionable
3. Is TJ Duckett going to get enough playing time to make him worth playing?
4. Is Michael Pittman even worth playing?
5. Ditto for a questionable Kevin Faulk.

While I'm at it, how about my pair of recievers along with Toomer:
1. Warrick at Buffalo
2. Rod Smith at Kansas City
3. Deion Branch vs Tennessee
(and Conway and A Johnson have byes)

SI

[GrantDawg]

James or Duckett. It is almost a flip a coin. You'd think after a good game last week Duckett would play more. Hearing from some of the players this week, they said they didn't expect to as much Duckett in this game, though. I don't think Atlanta is going to score much against the Vikings in any case. I'd probably gamble with James. I think the Colts out score Atlanta and that gives James a better shot.

I'd say Warrick and Smith.

[The_herd]

I would go Duckett, he's the starter now and went for 100 yards last week. It appears Atlanta has decided to go with him, so he should get more carries as Reeves gets more comfortable using him.

James is a gametime decision and is facing the Buc's D, I don't think he's much of a choice this week. Pittman is too inconsistant for me, I don't care for his fantasy value personally. Faulk is facing a solid Tennessee D, isn't fully helathy, and doesn't even lead his team in carries.

As for your receiver's, I would go Smith and Warrick, pretty simple. Chad Johnson is going against Nate Clements, so most of Kitna's passes will probably be headed toward Warrick this week, who is on pace for about 90 catches this season. Rod Smith is due for a big game and he should be involved in a high scoring game this week giving him more potential value than Branch, who faces Tennessee.

[Chief Rum]

Running against Tampa Bay is rarely a good idea, and James isn't the kind of big back that does well against them (like Davis did in Week Two). Toss on the injury problem, and I think you have some idea that it might not be so great to start him.

Duckett got the most carries yet last week with 14. The carry total is more than any two previous games, and, as expected, he did something with it (100 yards). Everyone upon everyone has been wondering why Reeves isn't using him. Maybe he's kinda starting to listen? Duckett is a nice darkhorse back and I expect he will at least get as much carries as he did last week. The big issue you have to worry about is that it is likely the Falcons will have to pass a lot, since they are going to be behind.

Pittman has a lot of pros and cons. On the pros is the when he has gotten the ball, he has done pretty good. And Alstott is questionable for Monday night's game, meaning he'll get even more carries. The cons are he was indicted yesterday and is probably not at his optimum playing mentality as a result. Also, the Buccs don't run all that much and use a committee approach most of the time. And Pittman hasn't scored a touchdown yet.

Faulk didn't practice Thursday and says he will "try to play" on Sunday. Ouch. I don't like it, especially since the only guys who think backup running back Antowain Smith are any good is the Pats' coaching crew. They are likely to turn fully to Smith and only use Faulk sparingly, if at all. On top of that, they are facing one of the league's best run defenses in Tennessee. I wouldn't start him.

If I were you, I think I would start Duckett. If I wanted a guy who might get more carries, I would use James (and just grin and bear the low rushing total in the hopes he catches a few passes and scores a touchdown or two).

Now for your receivers.

Warrick remains somewhat hit-and-miss. Or I should say the Bengals' passing offense does. The Bills have been very solid in pass defense this season, and they have not one, but two very good cornerbacks. I think you should pass on Warrick.

Plummer is, IMO, still a concern and the Chiefs are a better defense than in the past, but I think Smith is probably the best play. He's a veteran receiver and Plummer has been making good use of all of his receivers, spreading it around. This means Smith won't likely have a big day, but he's guaranteed some catches and maybe a score. There's a small chance Plummer will completely implode and make Smith valueless, but since it didn't happen in Weeks Two-Four, the chance is smaller now than it was before.

Tom Brady remains a short throw receiver, which means he will look for Brown, Patten and Fauria much sooner than Deion Branch, who will often be outrunning his arm. On top of that, Brady will be under some pressure from the Titan front and is having a horrible season, especially with interceptions on long throws. Toss in the already addressed lack of a running game in this one, and I think you see the problem. A skittish quarterback, too many receiving options and a tough defense make Branch a poor play this week.

So there you go. Duckett and Smith is who I would go with. Although I can't say I am very impressed withg any of your options. Sorry.

CR

[GrantDawg]

CR, he needs two recievers. And again, I heard Brian Finneran on the radio say this week he'd be "shocked" if Duckett gets as many carries this week as last. Reeves is a pig-headed and he still doesn't trust him.

[Eaglesfan27]

Well, this is a tough one. I'm also concerned about how much time Duckett is going to get, so I might consider Pittman. Just a feeling that he is going to have a decent game. But in my mind, it would be a tough call.


For your pair of receivers, I would go with Warrick and Smith just because I don't like Deion Branch against the Tennesee defense. I'm not thrilled with any of those receivers, but I think those two are your best plays.

[Chief Rum]

GD, if Duckett gets even as many carries as he got last week, he'll still outpoint the other backs with their matchups and expected on-field time. Reeves also gave no indication last week that Duckett was going to see the ball more, and he ended up leading the team in carries. And since when do the Atlanta players give out gameplan info to the radio? I'm not too certain I will buy into that one (not that they didn't say it, but that you should believe them).

Touché on the two receivers. The second would have to be Warrick. I don't see Branch as much of an option at all.

CR

[The_herd]

Reeves actually announced a couple hours before the game last week that Duckett would start and get most of the carries and Dunn would be used as a situational back. I would assume it stays the same this week, or at least until Duckett fumbles or does something to piss Reeves off.

[Chief Rum]

A couple hours before the game?

So why are we jumping to conclusions now? It sounds as if we should be waiting until Sunday morning to hear if Reeves has any more announcements, instead of amking assumptions what will happen right now.

CR

[The_herd]

Agreed, but James is a gametime decision on whether he'll play at all. Duckett isn't a great play, but the best out of a so-so group this week.

[TroyF]

Reeves is a fool for not playing Duckett. It's amazing. As I said in our "show" a couple of weeks ago, imagine if the Falcons had drafted Ashley Lelie instead of Duckett? They wouldn't have had to have blown their wad to get Price. They'd have lost only a guy who never touches the damned ball for it.

If Reeves didn't plan on giving the guy the bulk of the carries, there is no way he should have ever been drafted. Of course, Reeves hates drafting WR. He was a big reason the Broncos drafted Tommy Maddux over Carl Pickens. Pickens may have had an attitude, but he would have given Elway the first bigtime WR of his career at the time. Instead we drafted a QB of the future. . . even though our current QB had 6 years left.

TroyF

[Samdari]

Originally posted by TroyF
imagine if the Falcons had drafted Ashley Lelie instead of Duckett? They wouldn't have had to have blown their wad to get Price.

And Lelie is SO much better.

My questions, since time is short, I'll give the question, and my initial feeling:

W Green v Amos Z (Z)
Frerotte v Leftwich (Frerotte, get well soon Mike V)
Portis v Stallworth (Portis)
Rudi Johnson v Charles Rogers (Johnson)

[Tasan]

Okay I'll highjack this thread for a question of my own. I have a problem of excess at WR. Which 2 do I start out of these 5 at WR?

WR Derrick Mason (7.0) vs. NE
WR David Boston (2.8) vs. Jacksonville
WR Plax Burriss (9.8) vs. Cleveland
WR Ashley Lelie (9.0) vs. KC
WR Ike Hilliard (11.7) vs. Miami

The numbers in () are their league per game average. Now, averages say Hilliard and Burriss, but Ike is going against the Miami corners, who are scary, and Plax is coming off an injury. Boston intrigues me, as Jacksonville's secondary really sucks, but he's been so pitiful this season and is coming off that suspension. Lelie is also going against a good D, but I think KC's corners aren't as good as the rest of the D. Mason just doesn't get many looks around the endzone anymore. So, right now, I have Lelie and Burriss slated to start, but Boston keeps weighing on my mind. Any suggestions?

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Chief Rum
GD, if Duckett gets even as many carries as he got last week, he'll still outpoint the other backs with their matchups and expected on-field time. Reeves also gave no indication last week that Duckett was going to see the ball more, and he ended up leading the team in carries. And since when do the Atlanta players give out gameplan info to the radio? I'm not too certain I will buy into that one (not that they didn't say it, but that you should believe them).

Touché on the two receivers. The second would have to be Warrick. I don't see Branch as much of an option at all.

CR

He got (in my league) 7 points. Dunn outscored on the sake of one TD. He said he wouldn't touch the ball as many times as the last game and he didn't.