Thursday Morning Quarterback - Week 7 Recommendations (Thu 10/22/09)
Hopefully, you have enough depth on your roster to withstand the two extra teams with byes this week (that’s also the case for the next two weeks). Thankfully, the Broncos are one of the six teams with a bye this week - not sure I could have looked at their throwback jerseys for another week. Here are my recommendations:
Chicago at Cincinnati - For those of you who’ve been complaining that Bengals’ WR Chad Ochocinco isn’t visible enough, take heart. The Tweeter Formerly Known as Johnson now has his own iPhone app, courtesy of teammate Jordan Palmer (who will presumably make more from this business venture than he will from playing football or being the younger brother of Bengals’ starting QB Carson Palmer). Hopefully, 85 remembers that he still has a game to play this weekend against the Bears. Chicago will have a tough time running against the Bengals, but should have a fairly easy time moving the ball through the air. Bears to start this weekend include QB Jay Cutler, RB Matt Forte (who figures to play a big role in the passing game), TE Garrett Olsen, K Robbie Gould, and the Defense. Since their week-to-week targets vary so much, I’d avoid Bears’ WRs Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and Johnny Knox unless you’re psychic or play in a very deep league with most of your receivers on bye this week. There are no Bengals I’d consider must-starts this week, although QB Carson Palmer and Ochocinco can be used if you lack other options.
New England at Tampa Bay - The Patriots’ loss to the Jets in Week 2 seems like a distant memory at this point. Instead of wondering “What’s wrong with Mr. Bunchen Tom Brady?” (hopefully, last week’s 59-0 whitewash of the Titans put an end to that), reporters are now focused on more earth-shattering questions (e.g.- Why was LB Adalius Thomas inactive last weekend when recently-signed LB Junior Seau was active?). I’m sure many of you are worried about the possibility of this week’s matchup with the winless Buccaneers being a proverbial “trap game” for the Patriots (if such a thing exists in London, where the game is being played). Fear not - I’m here to assure you that New England will prevail in a “squeaker” (defined as anything less than last week’s 59-point margin of victory). Patriots to start against Team Hapless include QB Tom Brady (Probable-there you go again, Belichickshoulder), RB Laurence Maroney, WRs Randy Moss (Probable-shoulder) & Wes Welker (Probable-knee), K Stephen Gostkowski, and the Defense. TEs Ben Watson & Chris Baker can also be started if you’re in dire straits. RB Sammy Morris (Out-Knee) will miss the game. The only Bucs you should consider for your lineup are RB Cadillac Williams and TE Kellen Winslow. Avoid starting QB Josh Johnson and WRs Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton (Probable-hamstring), & Sammie Stroughter.
Minnesota at Pittsburgh - When you think of NFL players winding up on the police blotter, kickers don’t usually come to mind (well, except for Sebastien Janikowski). Steelers’ K Jeff Reed is attempting to change that, getting arrested last weekend for the second time in the last 9 months. That’s good news for the Steelers because this weekend’s game with the Vikings could easily come down to a late-game field goal. Minnesota doesn’t figure to have much success running against the latest incarnation of the Steel Curtain, but QB Brett Favre, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, and WRs Bernard Berrian & Sidney Rice all warrant places in starting lineups. RB Chester Taylor can also be started by those in deeper leagues, as he figures to be involved in the passing game. For the second week in a row I would advise leaving RB Adrian Peterson (Questionable-ankle) on the bench if you have other RBs with more favorable matchups. WR Percy Harvin (Questionable-shoulder) should also be left out of starting lineups. Steelers to start include QB Ben Roethlisberger, TE Heath Miller, and WRs Hines Ward & Santonio Holmes. Take a shot on WR Mike Wallace if you’re in a deep league. Neither of the Steelers’ RBs, Rashard Mendenhall (Probable-knee) or Willie Parker should be started against the Vikings’ strong run defense.
Indianapolis at St. Louis - Tennessee Titans’ Head Coach Jeff Fisher came under fire earlier this week for wearing a Peyton Manning jersey at a charity event. Fisher can be forgiven for wishing that he could send out Manning as his quarterback each week instead of having to choose between Kerry Collins and Vince Young. Manning has a good shot to extend his string of five consecutive games with 300+ passing yards this weekend as he faces a weak Rams’ pass defense. Colts to start include Manning, TE Dallas Clark, WR Reggie Wayne, K Matt Stover, and the Defense. Those in deeper leagues may also want to start RBs Joseph Addai & Donald Brown, as well as WRs Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Leave WR Anthony Gonzalez (Questionable-knee) on the bench this weekend even if he is able to return. RB Steven Jackson is the only Ram who needs to be in starting lineups, although TE Randy McMichael can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave QB Marc Bulger and WRs Donnie Avery (Questionable-hip) & Keenan Burton on the bench.
San Francisco at Houston - 49ers’ rookie WR Michael Crabtree, known up until now for his nonsensical holdout, will finally get a chance to make a name for his exploits on the field. The Texans are a great opponent for a rookie wide receiver making his debut, but I still expect the 49ers to attack primarily with their running game. RB Frank Gore (Probable-ankle, foot) and TE Vernon Davis should be started, and QB Shaun Hill, WRs Isaac Bruce & Crabtree, and K Joe Nedney can be started in deeper leagues. Leave RB Glen Coffee on the bench. Texans to start include QB Matt Schaub, RB Steve Slaton, TE Owen Daniels, and WRs Andre Johnson & Kevin Walter. WR Jacoby Jones and K Kris Brown (Probable-ankle) should also be considered in deeper leagues.
San Diego at Kansas City - The thought that the Chargers were considered a preseason Super Bowl contender now seems like the biggest hoax this side of the Balloon Boy. The Chargers get another chance to salvage their season this week as they play the lowly Chiefs, who finally had the good fortune to play the Redskins got their first win of the season last week. Chargers to start include QB Philip Rivers, RBs LaDainian Tomlinson (Q-flu) & Darren Sproles, TE Antonio Gates, WRs Vincent Jackson & Chris Chambers, and K Nate Kaeding. Chiefs to start include RBs Larry Johnson & Jamaal Charles, TE Sean Ryan, and WR Dwayne Bowe. QB Matt Cassel can also be started in deeper leagues.
Green Bay at Cleveland - Cleveland Head Coach Eric Mangini is a big frequent target, but it’s shocking when even that bastion of football knowledge, Rolling Stone is piling on, comparing the embattled coach to Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Cue the Oompa Loompas. Just about any Packer skill position player on your roster should be in your starting lineup, including QB Aaron Rodgers (Probable-foot), RB Ryan Grant, emerging TE Jermichael Finley, WRs Greg Jennings (Questionable-hip) & Donald Driver, K Mason Crosby, and the Defense. RB Jamal Lewis is the only Brown worth starting this week; leave QB Derek Anderson (Questionable-ankle) and WR Mohamed Massaquoi on your bench.
New York Jets at Oakland - Finally, a week of good news for the faithful of Raider Nation. First, the Raiders pull off a stunning upset over the Philadelphia Eagles. Now comes word that Head Coach Tom Cable will not face assault charges for his alleged attack on former Raiders’ Assistant Coach Randy Hanson. While not exactly the news that spurs spontaneous celebrations, hopefully the Raiders will be able to get back to the task at hand - losing football games. This week’s beneficiaries of an extra bye week date with the Raiders are the New York Jets. RBs Thomas Jones & Leon Washington, WR Braylon Edwards (Questionable-quad), K Jay Feely, and the Defense (even without Kris Jenkins) should all be started. QB Mark Sanchez, TE Dustin Keller, and WR Jerricho Cotchery (Questionable-hamstring) can be added to the list in deeper leagues. Oakland RB Justin Fargas and TE Zach Miller should both figure prominently in the Raiders’ offense, and both are worth starting. RB Michael Bush is also a potential starter in deeper leagues. For those two of you who have QB JaMarcus Russell on your roster, please cut him immediately don’t even think about starting him. Ditto for WR Louis Murphy, who may be a very talented player, but will never get the chance to prove it so long as Russell remains the signal-caller. Double ditto for WR Chaz Schilens (Probable-foot), who is likely to return this week. RB Darren McFadden (Out-knee) remains sidelined.
Buffalo at Carolina - The Bills and the Panthers have two things in common: two wins and a disgruntled wide receiver. Carolina WR Steve Smith has been airing his frustrations publicly, while Buffalo WR Terrell Owens has resisted the urge to follow suit so far. Both teams figure to rely more heavily on the run than the pass this week. Bills to start include RBs Marshawn Lynch & Fred Jackson and the Defense. Leave the Bills’ QB, whether it turns out to be Trent Edwards (Questionable-concussion) or Ryan Fitzpatrick, on the bench (or better yet, on waivers). Ditto for WRs Owens & Lee Evans. Panthers to start include RB DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart (Probable-Achilles’), Smith, and the Defense. In the unlikely event they’re on your rosters, leave QB Jake Delhomme and WR Muhsin Muhammed out of your lineups.
New Orleans at Miami - With Dolphins’ RB Ricky Williams enjoying a career resurgence in Miami, it’s easy to forget that former Saints’ Head Coach Mike Ditka gave up an entire set of draft picks in order to select the Texas Toker Williams with the 5th pick of the 1999 draft. That pick didn’t work out too well for the Saints, but they’ve long since forgotten, as they’ve arguably looked like the NFL’s best team through the first six weeks of the 2009 season. Saints to start this week include QB Drew Brees, TE Jeremy Shockey (Questionable-shoulder), WRs Marques Colston & Lance Moore, and K John Carney. If you’re in a deeper league, RBs Pierre Thomas & Mike Bell, WRs Devery Henderson & Robert Meachem, and the Defense can also be started. Dolphins to start include QB Chad Henne, RBs Ronnie Brown & Williams, and WR Ted Ginn. WR Davone Bess can also be started in deeper leagues.
Atlanta at Dallas - All is not well in Cowboy Country - WR Patrick Crayton was demoted this week in favor of record-setting teammate WR Miles Austin, and Crayton is not taking it well. Crayton will not be the only unhappy Cowboy following this week’s shootout with the Falcons if, as I suspect, Atlanta prevails. Falcons to start include QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner (Questionable-chest), TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Roddy White, and K Jason Elam. WR Michael Jenkins can also be started in deeper leagues. RB Jerious Norwood (Out-hip) will not play. Cowboys to start include QB Tony Romo, RBs Marion Barber (Probable-thigh, thumb) & Tashard Choice, TE Jason Witten, WR Miles Austin, and K Nick Folk. If WR Roy Williams (Probable-knee) plays, add him to the list. If not, add Crayton to the list. Leave RB Felix Jones (Probable-knee) on the bench.
Arizona at New York Giants - Imagine for a moment that Cardinals’ QB Kurt Warner and Giants’ QB Eli Manning could trade places. Warner would have a running game and an offensive line good enough to keep the pressure on opposing defenses. Manning would have a pair of All-Pro wideouts to throw to. Even though the NFL equivalent of Wife Swap would undoubtedly make for scintillating television, it’s unlikely either Warner or Manning would agree to such an arrangement. Cardinals to start include Warner and WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin (Questionable-ankle), & Steve Breaston (Questionable-knee). Add RB Tim Hightower to the list in deeper leagues. Do not start RB Chris Wells (Questionable-hip). Giants to start include Manning (Probable-foot), RBs Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw (Questionable-ankle foot), TE Kevin Boss, WR Steve Smith, and K Lawrence Tynes. Add WRs Mario Manningham (Probable-back) & Hakeem Nicks to the list in deeper leagues.
Philadelphia at Washington - The situation for Redskins’ Head Coach Jim Zorn keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. Unfortunately for Zorn, there’s no rabbit hole he can use to disappear/escape from this mess. In case you missed this week’s installment of As the Coach Twists, Zorn lost his offensive play-calling duties to Sherm Lewis. Then came news that Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder had offered Zorn’s current job to Mike Shanahan, who wisely declined. Then came the equally distressing news that Zorn had considered walking out on his team in the middle of the season (did former Falcons’ Head Coach Bobby Petrino talk him out of it?). Still, if the Redskins are embarrassed by the Eagles on Monday night on national television, look for the axe to fall. I think there’s a better-than-even chance that happens. Eagles to start include QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook (Probable-ankle), TE Brent Celek, WR DeSean Jackson, K David Akers, and the Defense. RB LeSean McCoy and WR Jerry Maclin can also be started in deeper leagues. WR Kevin Curtis (Out-knee) will miss yet another game. The only Redskins worth starting are RB Clinton Portis (Questionable-ankle) and TE Chris Cooley. Add WR Santana Moss to the list in deeper leagues. If you tempt fate by starting QB Jason Campbell this week (or pretty much any week), you deserve what’s coming to you.
Good luck to your teams this weekend!
Until next time,
The Sherpa
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