Line 'em Up/ Bench their Butts

The Counselor is IN:

This column's intent is to give the readers an idea of few good players in favorable match ups and a few good players in bad match ups. If you have a great player, then it may not advisable to bench him for someone in the Line 'em Up section. If I suggest that you bench one of your studs, you can only do this if you have a good option behind him. If you don't have a good player behind him, don't bench 'em. Remember every league is different and I am advising from a standard league. This is the start of the Fantasy Playoffs for some leagues so build your best lineup.

Line ‘em Up

QB Matt Cassel of New England. Cassel’s Patriots are facing the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have given up a lot of points through the air. I look for this trend to continue this weekend.

I had drive fantasy question today from the director of my organization at work. He is in the Super Bowl of his league this weekend. He wanted to know if I would recommend Cassel or Warner. The lucky guy has both. After much thought and analysis, I am suggesting Cassel. I hope I am right so I have a job on Monday morning.

QB Shaun Hill of San Francisco. Hill has been putting up consistent great numbers over the last seven games. This week they are playing the Rams. Gore is possibility out so Hill may pass even more this weekend.

RB Steve Slaton of Houston. Slaton has been a great pickup for the teams lucky enough to have grabbed him. His Texans are playing against the Raiders. I look for Slaton to be a top five back of the week.

RB Pierre Thomas of New Orleans. Talking about steals from the waivers, Thomas has been gold. He is a touchdown machine. Reggie will be out with an injury and Deuce has not looked like his previous self. Thomas should get the bulk of the carries against the Lions.

WR Davone Bess of Miami. Bess continues to be the number target for Pennington. They are playing against the Chiefs. Do not panic if he does not have a lot of catches in the first half, the Chiefs have a way of letting teams back in during the second half (I attended last week’s freezing cold game).

Who ever thought we would be suggesting a Dolphin’s Wide Receiver during this point of the season? And who had ever heard of Bess outside of Miami before?

WR Isaac Bruce of San Francisco. Bruce continues to be a main target for Hill. I expect Bruce to play with a chip on his shoulder against his former team- the Rams.


Bench their Butts

QB Eli Manning of New York Giants. Manning was on his back all evening last week against the Cowboys. Burress’ suspension appears to be affecting him greatly. This week will not be a lot easier for him. The Panthers are only giving up 204.4 yards per game. I look for Eli to get acquainted with Peppers this week like he did with Ware last week.

QB “Big” Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh. Big Ben has a tough match up against the 5^th best pass defense in the Titans. He is not a great start most weeks but this week we are suggesting leaving him on your bench.

RB LenDale White and Chris Johnson of Tennessee. The Ying and Yang Brothers (or whatever there nickname of the week is now) will be facing a stout Steelers defense. It would be difficult not to start either one. Johnson gives you that big play potential and White is a touchdown waiting to happen. I would start a different option if you can this week because I do not see Tennessee being able to run over on the Steelers.

RB Marion Barber of Cowboys. As a Cowboys fan, this is on the verge of blaspheming. Barber did not look to be his usual smash mouth self last week. Choice has won himself some carries. The Boys are facing the tough Ravens defense this week. I would leave barber on the fantasy bench this week.

WR Domenik Hixon of New York Giants. Hixon did not have a good game against the Cowboys last week. It will not be any easier against the Panthers this week. Hixon’s play has gone down with the absence of Burress. Do not look for look for this to change this weekend.

WR Derrick Mason of Baltimore. The Dallas Defense has come on strong over the last few weeks. Part of the reason is the return of CB Terence Newman. I look for T-New to be paired on Mason most of the day. Mason is usually a WR3/ flex player anyway. Let him ride the pine this weekend. (I had to say something nice about my Boys after benching Barber).

The Counselor is OUT: