No matter how good or how bad you did in week one, week two promises you the chance to improve your starter selection and – in the end – your scoring. You can tweak your team and make a more educated decision on who to start now that you have had a glimpse of how good – or bad – teams or players may be and/or how a team may use a player.
That line of thinking, along with a healthy dose of history and some cold hard injury news, has led me to my start and sit selections this week. Here is what I have.
Start em if you got em
Chris Johnson RB (TEN) – We hear about the Mendenhall’s and the McFadden’s, but, outside of some faint preseason buzz, there hasn’t been much said about this promising rookie from Tennessee.
Last week in his debut – against a solid Jaguars defense – he racked up 127 all purpose yards and scored a touchdown in limited action. This week he will get more touches against a Cincinnati defense that allowed a touchdown on a reverse and let a rookie quarterback to scramble for a 38 yard touchdown.
I have a ton of respect for the Titans O-line and almost zero for the entire Cinci defense. Look for 100+ and a TD on the ground and 50+ and a TD through the air.
Final stats: 19 for 109 rushing, 2 for 12 receiving.
Final thoughts: No touchdowns but follows up week ones performance with another solid day.
Larry Johnson RB (KC) – He does not have the surrounding cast he used to but if there were ever a week to start him, this is it. Oakland’s defense is reeling after getting thrashed on Monday night. Besides, he has pretty much owned them over the years anyway. In seven career games versus the Raiders he has only missed the 100 yard mark twice and he has scored 1 or more touchdowns every time. Look for at least 100 and a touchdown again this week.
Final stats: 12 carries for 22 yards
Final thoughts: Are you kidding me? 12 carries. That’s it? I am sure the QB’s fiasco had somethign to do with it but they – KC coaches – just shut him down. He agrees according to the AP “It just didn’t happen for me today because of personnel changes. I’ve always needed 20-30 carries, that’s always been me. It’s tough not being able to get into a rhythm,” Johnson said.
Sit em if you got em
Matt Hasselbeck QB (SEA) – I know its tough but I think it is time for you to sit him down for a game or two – or at the very least until he gets a few warm bodies in the receiving corp. This week Burleson added his name to the injured reserve. That means that the top four wide receivers for Seattle are either out or hurt. On top of all that, himself is having some issues with his back.
Seattle gets San Fransisco this week. The Niners defense will be good enough to keep a wounded Seahawk corp well grounded. Look elsewhere or you will be stuck with 190 yards and maybe 1 touchdown.
David Garrard QB (JAX) – The man was sacked 7 times last week, doesn’t really have any viable receivers and is missing three starting lineman (you only get five). Add to that, he is facing a hot, healthy and much improved Buffalo defense. I wouldn’t feel comfortable staring him, would you? I am thinking less than 200 yards and maybe a touchdown.
Final stats: 17 for 28 with 165 and an INT. Also, 32 yards rushing
Final thoughts: David threw an INT in the redzone early in the game. This may be a type of game may be a familiar site this year.
Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if…
…Kerry Collins QB (TEN) has a solid outing against Cincinnati. Other than the disrespect for the Bengals D that I mentioned above, I remembered a game from last year in which Collins started in place of a an injured Young. He showed that he can still get it done with the limited resources available to him against lesser defenses. He went for 280 yards on the road against Houston. I am thinking this week it will be more like 250 but he should get at least 2 touchdowns.
Final stats: 14 for 21 with 128 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: Not quite what I thought but the Titans had this under control and there really was never a reason to pass much. The ground game was chewing up yards and the defense was stout.
…Sammy Morris RB (NE) gets a good chunk of the carries and goal line opportunities in a Patriots offense looking to pay ball control until they figure out what they have at QB. Look for 75+ yards and at least one touchdown.
Final stats:8 carries 0 yards and a touchdown.
Final thoughts: Got the TD but not the yardage. LaMont Jordan was this weeks lottery winner.
More for you
Don’t forget to check this post again after the games. Every Monday or so I go through and grade my performance based on the final stats so that you know how much stock you can put into my picks the following week.
Also, be sure to stop by and check out the Fantasy Football Librarians blog for her extremely thorough listing of start em, sit ems from around the web. I may have a few more for you too so check back later in the week.
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At steveO,
Looks like a decent team. As far as week two, you’ll have to be more specific. Thanks for stopping.
@ D,
ELI, Parker and LJ
Its close to kickoff here in Detroit……
Should I start Desean Jackson @ Dallas or Amani Toomer @ St. Louis?
I’m not quite sure who to play this week with some minor injuries. Matt Shaub doesn’t play this week. Brett is going against the Patriots Defense would it be best to play Delhomme? With LT questionable to get many carries due to his injured toe…Do I play Matt Forte and Michael Turner this week instead? Kevin Curtis is out and Steve smith is suspended what three wide receivers would you play?
QB:
Brett Favre
Matt Shaub
Jake Delhomme
RB:
LadanianTomlinson
Micheal Turner
Matt Forte
WR:
Braylon Edwards
TJ Houshmandzadeh
Donald Driver
Deshaun Jackson
Kevin Curtis
Steve Smith
PK:
Jeff Reed
Kris Brown
Def:
Chargers
@Dan,
I like Jackson here. Toomer has a good matchup but I’m not sure how much the Giants will use him.
@Peter,
The Pats secondary is suspect so I like Favre. I would stick with LT…he owns the Broncos. HE averages almost two TD’s a game versus them. Edwards, Housh and Driver.
I really need a TE i had dallas but he is out and i dont know for how long. my back up was Robert Royal from Buf. but he got me 0 points in week 2 any ideas who i should pick up untill clark comes back. Thank you
Ok heres my lineup who should i start
Eli Manning, R. Moss, Harrison, L. Coles, B. Jacobs, Pittman, Robert Royal, Sammy Morris, F. Taylor, Dallas Clark, D. Anderson, Ike Hillard, Colts D, Buff D
Hi, I was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to drop Felix Jones in order to pickup Darren Sproles?
Thanks
Keith,
Thanks for stopping. That is an interesting question. Right now I think that Sproles is very close to playing a majority of the snaps – due to LT’s “nagging” toe injury – so if you need a guy to plug in right away, he’s your man. Just be ready to grab Jones the minute something happens to MB3 because you would have yourself a top ten back.
Thanks Corey……DeSean appears to be the man in Philly, and should be an every week starter! I need to get Isaac Bruce in the lineup this week against my lowly Lions….My starting WR’s: Randy Moss, T.O., Hines Ward, DeSean Jackson……total dominance if you ask me!
Thanks Corey, I did drop F. Jones to pick up Sproles and I might drop Jamal Lewis to pick him back up soon if he doesn’t turn things around. Which brings my next question; should I start Jamal Lewis or Sproles this week? I have Marshawn Lynch starting and then Jamal Lewis, Sproles or D. Williams. Also, my defense is a tough choice as well. I have the Vikings starting now but CAR seems to get lucky often in their passing and they have Smith coming back this week so would it be better to start the Bills to go against the Raiders run offense? Both the Vikings and Raiders need a must win so it seems it could go either way.
Thanks
Thanks Corey for your input, I did drop F. Jones to pick up Sproles and I might drop Jamal Lewis to pick him back up soon if he doesn’t turn things around. Which brings my next question; should I start Jamal Lewis or Sproles this week? I have Marshawn Lynch starting and then Jamal Lewis, Sproles or D. Williams. Also, my defense is a tough choice as well. I have the Vikings starting now but CAR seems to get lucky often in their passing and they have Smith coming back this week so would it be better to start the Bills to go against the Raiders run offense? Both the Vikings and Raiders need a must win so it seems it could go either way.
@Keith,
Hmmm..interesting call. LT thinks he will play more this week but doesn’t think he will be 100% until next week so it looks as if Sproles will get some action. How much is the question.
Jamal Lewis plays Baltimore which is never easy but it is his old team and he did have “some” success against them last year in both games. He never broke 100 (64 and 92) but scored a td in each.
I say Jamal since you know what you are getting.
I like the Bills on D. Oakland is a mess and will present many turnover opportunities as they play from behind.
I just picked up J.T. O’Sullivan because of Big Bens performance. Should I start JT or Big Ben this week. Ben has a good history against Baltimore but can he be trusted to do the same at this time?
Thanks,
Keith
@Keith,
Even Ben is worried about his offensive line. Hard to believe I am saying this BUT I honestly think that JT is the safer start.
Thanks Corey for your help! I think my biggest challenge is to start the Bills D or the Vikings. Last week the Vikings were struggling more until late in the 3rd quarter. It seems like the Bills are the safer bet but without one player so the defensive TD chance is a lot lower. Who do you suggest?
Thanks