Today I sat down and had a couple of thoughts running through my head that I thought I would share with you, the readers, as I begin this Wednesday column.
The first is, where exactly are we? From this week on, it will be much more difficult to decide as a writer, AND a manager, who to sit and start at WR since there are so many choices—not to mention we are in bizzaro world with some of the names that have come out of the wood work.
So with that said, I thought it would be a good idea to separate the must starts from all the other options out there. The sure fire WRs in the league are a given, like Reggie Wayne against St. Louis; you don’t need me to rank him as a number one option, you guys are smart enough to know that and are looking for something a bit more substantial to help you win each week.
Thought No.1: As we move forward, let me know if there are any ideas you would like to see me highlight in my weekly column since we do work for you; the readers. I cannot deviate from the Top Fantasy format, and for good reason. As stated above there is a specific way we would like you to pose your questions since it will help us to facilitate the best possible answer for you, and I can’t get away from the rankings since it is rather important. But I also believe if there is something you guys would like to see, and if I can accommodate, I will try to do so.
Thought No.2: Understanding how football works goes a great length in understanding how your Fantasy players will do. Although the traditional Fantasy stats are incredibly important, the overall knowledge of the game has a great effect in what you should do. So if you notice me trying to delve into the actual game play strategy you know why. I don’t coach anymore, but the basic principles always apply, and I will try to utilize that for you guys in a better understanding as to who may do what.
Ok, moving along.
Last week’s starters yielded 71 catches for 1,000 yards and 8 TDs, while the second set of starters yielded 30 catches for 499 yards and a single TD…not to shabby but they were pretty much top starters. The reason for that was there were many divisional matchups I felt should have been highlighted.
What is more important was where I went wrong.
My must start Steve Smith (Carolina) was a complete bust for the first time in his career vs. Tampa, so I apologize for the mis-guidance. In addition, although my sit options didn’t do that much I was way off on Dwayne Bowe, and Mark Clayton and Massaquoi chimed in for a combined 8 catches and 134 yards and 1 TD.
This week we will rank the must starts, the other set of starters, and the sits. Feel free to ask all the questions you want as usual regarding your players if you have a mix match.
Rankings The Must Starts of the Week
Reggie Wayne is about as obvious as a fly on a windshield for Must Start of the Week against St Louis. In addition to his start, keep in mind that Indianapolis is the number one team in the NFL for limiting yards per pass attempt, as St. Louis isn’t exactly setting the world on fire in the passing game.
Wayne will enjoy another week of huge success even with Collie in the mix, and once Gonzalexz comes back, this offense should balance itself out a bit with anyone catching the ball for Indy being a top option each week.
Two through Ten:
| #2 Wes Welker: It shouldn’t be any surprise he is a Top 3 option against a weak Tampa D. |
| #3 Donald Driver: Big Ben put up over 400 yards against the hapless Browns,; Rodgers should duplicate that with Driver an company. |
| #4 Randy Moss: Again, it’s Tampa and Brady is coming in with a boat load of confidence. |
| #5 Marques Colston: Colston proved to me that it doesn’t matter who he plays each week; he’s a WR stud and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down any time soon, start him with confidence. |
| #6 Roddy White: Dallas has some issue with deep coverage and White will be looking to mix things up a bit; gutsy call here, but I like his chances. |
| #7 Greg Jennings: It’s Cleveland, Think About It! |
| #8 Andre Johnson: San Fran is still a pretty good defense, but Johnson and Schaub can’t be stopped. You don’t need the Texans to win to have Johnson produce. |
| #9 Larry Fitzgerald: The Giant are 2-0 at home and are still looked at as a top defense, the Cardinals are 2-0 on the road and Fitz owns NY. |
| #10 Miles Austin: He’s not you typical guy found on a Top Ten stud list, but he’s on mine. I have watched this guy for two years now and he's right where he should’ve been last year. He is starting at WR2 opposite of Roy Williams, and should do just fine against an Atlanta team that is 18th vs. WR1 and WR2. |
Ten Through Twenty:
| #11 Hakeem Nicks : 3 straight weeks of outperforming Manningham deserves an 11 spot in my book, especially against a porous Arizona. |
| #12 DeSean Jackson: Philly is now 0-12 vs. Oakland, and they should bounce back nicely against Washington who seems to get worse with each passing week. |
| # 13 Hines Ward: Minnesota is tough, but Ward isn’t wavered by tough defenses and has been on a tear this year. He should produce nicely this week. |
| # 14 Ocho Cinco: Ocho is the primary target in Cinci and has 197 yards on only 12 grabs in the past two games. His success should continue against Chicago. |
| #15 Roy Williams: There will be undoubtedly a lot of attention paid towards Austin which should free up just enough room for Williams to have a great game, if not a breakout game, against Atlanta. |
| # 16 Sidney Rice: Percy Harvin will not be an option this week vs. the Steelers which should boad well for Rice, and although I see this being a run first game on the part of Minnesota there is no denying that Rice is Favre’s favorite WR down field. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 Dwayne Bowe: San Diego gives up a lot of passing yards, and KC relies on Bowe regularly when healthy; which he is. Bowe should have a nice matchup against a weak secondary this week. |
| #18 Braylon Edwards: Oakland’s win vs. the Eagles was due largely to McNabb throwing 45% of his passes at his receivers feet; Sanchez won’t make the same mistake. |
| #19 Mike Wallace: The new kid on the block has shown himself to be a dangerous target for the Steelers and although he hasn’t broken out yet, he is still good for 5 catches and 50 yards or so this week vs. Minnesota. |
| #20 Jerricho Cotchery: Rex Ryan says the hamstring is better and you can bet if Cotchery is in the lineup—which it appears he will be with Brad Smith's injury—the Jets will go to him when Edwards isn’t available. He is worth a WR2/3 spot. |
Must Sit of the Week:
This week’s Must Sit of the Week is none other than Patrick Crayton. Crayton has consistently shows himself as a receiver that has potential, but a receiver that can’t be consistent on a week to week basis and with Miles Austin stealing his job he is relegated to the slot; a position that is not pass friendly to the Dallas WRs.
Crayton should be dropped in smaller leagues like 12 man PPR since his value went from “maybe” to “yeah right!”
Two Through Ten:
| #2 Steve Smith (Carolina): Last week’s biggest bust, Smith is unfortunatly the victim of a highly overrated QB that has less targets than a deer in hunting season. Smith has talent no doubt; his QB does not. |
| #3 T.O: Like Chris Henry, T.O. is the next winner of Mr. Fantasy irrelevant and shouldn’t be counted on for anything until further notice. |
| #4 Donnie Avery: Indianapolis gives up the fewest yards per pass attempt in the NFL, and Avery’s little time in the sun last week will be a forgotten memory against the Colts. |
| #5 Greg Camarillo: Camarillo is the top possession receiver for Miami, but against a Saints team that suddenly has a stout pass defense he should be sat for this week. |
| #6 Antonio Bryant: When exactly this guy gets to the point of starting status in Fantasy is beyond me, and until the Bucs show their QB situation is settled his production isn’t going to be good enough to warrant a start. |
| #7 Earl Bennett: Bennett has taken a back seat as the lowest man on the totem pole and should be benched until the Bears show more use for him consistently. |
| #8 Muhsin Muhammad: Not an option at all, nuff said. |
| #9 Santana Moss: Moss does good things vs. bad teams which the Eagles are not. Look for his performance to be minimal at best. |
| #10 Percy Harvin: Harvin’s shoulder is being downplayed by Childress, but you should consider benching him until he at least gets up to 100% which he is not. |
Honorable Mention: Steve Smith of the Giants at home vs. the Cardinals is worth a start indeed, and I thank one of our readers of my post, Eddie, for bringing to light his name even if it wasn't intentional. I would rank Smith tied for 10th with Austin as he is bound for some serious looks.
Also see our RB Start-Sit.
Also see our TE Start-Sit.
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Good Luck this week everyone.
