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.

Line ‘em Up

QB Kurt Warner of Arizona. Kurt has been a good fantasy starter. This week, he faces the 27th ranked pass defense of the 49ers. I expect a big game from Warner.

QB Alex Smith of San Francisco. Smith has been a decent fantasy player since he took over. This week his is facing the terrible pass defense of the Cardinals.

RB Quinton Ganther of Washington. Ganther has taken over the starting job for Washington. He is a decent start this week against Oakland's 30th ranked rush defense.

RB Thomas Jones of the New York Jets. The Jets are the #1 rushing team. This week they go against the 31st ranked rush defense. Look for Jones to have a big game.

WR Robert Meachem of New Orleans. Meachem has been red hot for the Saints. This week he faces the 29th ranked pass defense of the Falcons.

WR Marques Colston of New Orleans. Colston has been up and down all season partially because Brees spreads the ball around. This week, the Saints are playing against the Falcons' 29th ranked pass defense.

Bench their Butts

QB Carson Palmer of Cincinnati. Palmer is facing a very tough pass rush and solid defense of the Vikings this week.

QB Bruce Gradkowski of Oakland. Gradkowski has had a couple of good games since taking over as QB. This week he will face a very tough pass defense (#5) in the Redskins. If you were considering starting him, I would not this week.

RB Cedric Benson of Cincinnati. Benson has been a huge fantasy surprise this season. This week he faces the 2nd ranked rush defense of the Vikings. He is not a strong start this week.

RB Steven Jackson of St. Louis. Jackson has a sore back and has been banged up this season. He is going against the Titans 8th ranked rush defense. Keep Jackson on the bench.

WR Antonio Bryant of the Tampa Bay. Bryant has bounced back to be a good fantasy starter after a poor start. He is going against the Jets' first ranked pass defense. I would put him on the bench this week.

WR Braylon Edwards of the New York Jets. Edwards. Clemens is starting since Sanchez is injured. This is not good news for Edwards. Tampa Bay has a decent pass defense.

The Counselor is OUT:

Free Agents for the Fantasy Playoffs

The Counselor is IN:

As the playoffs are upon us, here are some players that might still be available in your league. These are important in for injury replacements, underachieving players, and keeper leagues.

QB Vince Young - Tenn

Vince is making a bid for come back player of the year. He was completely undrafted in most leagues but over the last few weeks he has been putting up good fantasy numbers.

QB Alex Smith – SF

Since Smith has taken over as the QB, the 49ers have become a pass happy team. He is not the QB you want to lead you into the playoffs but he will due if you have a major need.

RB Chris Brown – Houston

Slaton is out for the season. Brown was already stealing goal line carries. He should be a good RB2 from here out.

RB Justin Forsett- Seattle
Forsett is being limited in touches because the lackluster Jones is ahead of him. Forsett is getting some key carries in the red zone. He is not a bad flex player but could be more if Seattle gets their head screwed on properly.

WR Antonio Bryant – Tampa Bay
Bryant was one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the season. He is now playing much more inspired. Look for Bryant to continue this. I picked up Bryant in two leagues this week.

WR Dwayne Bowe – KC
Bowe is a stud that many owners dropped while he was suspended. He is still out another week but will be here for most of the fantasy playoffs. He is a great pick up in a keeper league.

WR Robert Meachem – N.O.

This kid is coming into his own late this season. He had a giant game last weekend. I would not expect that level from him but he could be your WR3 or flex guy with no issue.

TE Jermichael Finley – Green Bay
Finley is a big target for Rogers and Rogers has been feeding him the ball. I was amazed that he is still available in many leagues.

TE Marcedes Lewis – Jags
Lewis is a level below Finley but does put up decent fantasy numbers. He is a good backup and spot starter.

K Garrett Hartley – NO

Carney is out after missing a ton of field goals and Hartley is in. With the Saints being scoring machines, he is worth starting now.

K Rob Bironas- Tenn
Bironas is a fabulous option with the upturn of Titans. He is available in many leagues and is a starter.

Def – Jets
I was shocked to find the Jets available in ¾ of my leagues. This team is opportunistic and puts up decent numbers.

Def – Bengals

Many will be saying to themselves- “The Bengals?” Yes they are a good defense and are worth starting every week.

The Counselor is OUT:

Week 14 Fantasy Injury Report - Thursday Edition

Here are the Thursday edition of Week 12 fantasy injuries and my commentary. I am posting a Thursday's edition along with the regular Weekend edition. The Thursday Edition will list injuries for the Thursday's games only.


Browns:
No significant fantasy injuries.


Steelers:
RB Rashard Mendenhall is probable with an ankle injury. He was limited in practice in all week but is expected to play.

WR Hines Ward is questionable with an ankle injury. He is considered to be very questionable but Hines did not want to rule himself out for the game at this time.

The Counselor is OUT:

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.

Line ‘em Up

QB Donovan McNabb of Philadelphia. McNabb will be a good start this week against Atlanta. Atlanta’s defense is 27^th against the pass. Atlanta’s star QB Ryan is out and starting Running back Turner is still fighting off his ankle injury. The Falcons defense will probably be on the field a lot this week. This bodes very well for McNabb this week.

QB Carson Palmer of Cincinnati. Palmer has been a decent starter and this week he goes against Detroit’s 32^nd ranked pass defense.

RB Rashard Mendenhall of Pittsburgh. Big Ben is still banged up and to help protect him or Dixon (if Dixon starts), the Steelers will focus on their running game. Since Oakland has the 31^st ranked rush defense, it will be a good week for the Steelers to focus on the run.

RB Thomas Jones of the New York Jets. Jones has been decent #2 starting RB. This week he goes against the 32^nd ranked rush defense. Look for Jones to have a big game.

WR Jeremy Maclin of Philadelphia. With Jackson recovering from a concussion, it does not appear he will play this week. This will make Maclin the top receiver for Philly.

WR Chad Ochocinco of Cincinnati. Chad had not been the old Chad but he is a decent WR 3 or flex player. This week he has a great match up against the Lions.

Bench their Butts

QB Drew Bress of New Orleans. Bress is a stud and I honestly do not expect anyone to bench his butt but... he is going against the Number 1 pass defense.

QB Kurt Warner of Arizona. Warner is still trying to recover from a concussion. This week the Cards are taking on the 7^th ranked pass defense of the Ravens (5^th overall defense). If you have a good back up, I would let Warner have another week to recover from the concussion.

RB Justin Fargas of Oakland. Fargas is a decent spot starter but this week he is going against the #1 rush defense of Pittsburgh.

RB Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants. Jacobs has been a fantasy disappointment this season. He is going against a tough rush defense of the Cowboys. Keep Jacobs on the bench.

WR Miles Austin of the Dallas. Austin has had a break out season for the Boys. This week he faces the 4^th ranked pass defense of the Giants.

WR Anquan Boldin of Arizona. Arizona will score points but the Ravens are a tough defense and will be stopping parts of the Cards offense. It is unlikely that they will stop Fitzgerald.

The Counselor is OUT:

Week 13 Fantasy Injury Report - Thursday Edition

Here are the Thursday edition of Week 12 fantasy injuries and my commentary. I am posting a Thursday's edition along with the regular Weekend edition. The Thursday Edition will list injuries for the Thursday's games only.


Bills:
No significant fantasy injuries.



Jets:
QB Mark Sanchez is probable with a knee injury. He is expected to play Thursday night.

The Counselor is OUT: