Welcome to Fantasy Sports Counselor. Sit back on our Fantasy Couch while we provide a therapeutic look at fantasy baseball, fantasy football, and general sports thoughts.
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 Gus Frerotte of Minnesota. In August, I would have laughed at this pick. Frerotte has come in and has been very effective for the Vikings. He has a great matchup against Detroit this week. His defense will be missing their two stud linemen so they will need to put up the offensive numbers. He has developed quite a rapport with Berrian.
QB Shaun Hill of San Fransico. Hill is not a player you want leading your team every week but he is a good pickup for this week if you are in a pinch and he is probably available still in your league. Over the last 4 weeks, he is averaging over 220 yards and almost 2 touchdowns a game. He is matching up against a weak Jets pass defense (but a strong run defense).
RB Peyton Hillis of Denver.Hillis is the least known of the Arkansas Rookie Runningbacks. The Bronco Running system seems to help most runningbacks look great. This week he faces the Kansas City Chiefs. Hillis should be a good start.
RB Sammy Morris of New England. Morris had a rough week last week against tough Steelers Defense. This week he faces much better matchup against the Seahawks. I look for Morris to play a key role in New England's game plan this week.
WR Domenik Hixon of New York Giants. Burress is gone for the season and maybe forever in New York. The Giants are looking for someone to step up with big play ability. Hixon has that big play ability. If you get points for returns, then Hixon is a bonus. He should be a solid WR3.
WR Davone Bess of Miami. Bess may be the best WR that nobody knows outside of Miami. He is a rookie from Hawaii. He has moved into the WR2 position for the Dolphins. He is a good flex or WR3.
Bench their Butts
QB Jake Dellhomme of Carolina. Dellhomme has not preformed up to par this season. He faces a tough matchup against Tampa. If you were considering starting him, forget about it.
QB Donovan McNabb of Philadelphia. McNabb is playing against a tough Giants team. He is a must start for many teams especially if you are in the playoffs. If you have a good second option, you might want to consider it.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville. Jones-Drew is facing a tough Bears run defense. Maurice has not been impressive this season and I can not imagine he will fair well this weekend.
RB Jamal Lewis of Cleveland. Lewis is facing a tough Titans defense that is only allowing 98 rushing yards a game. Cleveland does not have much of a passing threat this weekend. WR Santana Moss of Washington. The Redskins will face a tough Ravens' Defense. I look for Moss to be far below his usual WR2 stats.
WR Terrell Owens of Dallas.T.O. has been hot and cold all season long. He is facing the Steelers who will look shut him down. I look for a frustrated Owens on the sidelines.
Here are the Thursday edition of Week 14 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 game only.
Thursday's Game
Raiders: WR Javon Walker has been placed on the Injured Reserve.
WR Chaz Schilens is probable and has an Achilles injury. He was limited in practice on Tuesday.
WR Ronald Curry has an ankle injury and is questionable. He missed practice on Tuesday. He will be a game time decision. He is not a good start.
WR Ashley Lelie is questionable because of persistent headaches. He is now their number 1 receiver. Russell will need better targets if the Raiders have any hopes of improving.
Chargers: WR Malcom Floyd has a sore shoulder and is probable for Thursday's game. Floyd has very limited fantasy value.
QB Tony Romo was Tabasco hot. He threw for 331 yards on 22 completions and 34 attempts. He threw three touchdowns and one interception. Romo has been heating up since he came back from injury.
RB Thomas Jones was steaming hot. He had 138 yards on 16 carries with 2 touchdowns. He is Favre's secret weapon.
WRMark Clayton was lava hot. He had 5 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. Who knew a Raven's Wide would be hot?
Who is Lukewarm?
RB Joseph Addaiwas lukewarm. He had 15 carries for 57 yards. Addai has not panned out as an early first round pick.
QB Chad Pennington was lukewarm. He completed 13 of 23 for 161 yards. I expected a better game for Pennington against the Rams.
WRCalvin Johnsonwas lukewarm. He had 5 receptions for 66 yards. Johnson has been a stud this season but he faced a tough matchup and played fairly average
Who is Cold?
QB Peyton Manningwas bitterly cold. Manning went 15 for 21 for only 125 yards and 2 interceptions. It is a rare game that puts Peyton on the cold list.
Running attack of the Lions were frozen Tundra cold. They combined for 14 carries and 23 yards. That is 1.6 yard per carry average,
WR Randy Moss was freezer cold. He caught only 4 catches for 45 yards. This is fine for WR 2 or 3 but he was suppose to the a first round fantasy pick.
Cardinals:(Thursday Game) No significant fantasy injuries.
Falcons: WR Brian Finneran is questionable with a hamstring injury. He was limited in practice on Friday.
K Jason Elam has a hip injury and is questionable. Elam is no longer a young man. A hip injury for a kicker is bad news. I would start your backup Kicker if Elam is your normal kicker.
WR Laurent Robinson is out with a hamstring injury.
RB Jerious Norwood has a rib injury and is questionable. He was limited in practice this week.
WR Roddy White is questionable with a back injury. He fully practiced on Friday.
Ravens: WR Derrick Mason has a dislocated shoulder and isprobable. He was limited in practice this week but it appears he will play this weekend.
TE Todd Heap is probable with an illness. He fully practiced on Friday. He will play.
WR Mark Clayton has a straining his lower back and is questionable. He was limited in practice all week.
Bills: TE Derek Schouman is questionable with a hamstring injury. He was limited in practice this week. He is suppose to start with Royal out for this weekend. His value is limited at best.
TE Robert Royal is out with a hamstring injury.
Panthers:
RB Jonathan Stewart has a heel injury and is probable. He fully practiced this week. He should play this weekend.
QB Jake Delhomme is probable with a laceration on his throwing elbow.
Bears: TE Desmond Clark has a knee injury and is questionable for this weekend. He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. Clark is the backup Tight End and has very limited value.
WR Marty Booker is questionable with a knee injury. He was limited in practice this week.
Bengals:
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is probable with a back injury. He practiced on Fridaybut was limited in practice earlier in the year.
WR Chad Johnson has a sore knee and is probable. He will play this weekend.
QB Carson Palmer is out with an elbow injury. He is trying to rehab and play yet this season.
Browns: TE Kellen Winslow has a shoulder injury and is questionable. He was limited in practice all week.
QB Brady Quinn is out with a broken right index finger.
Cowboys:(Thursday Game) TE Martellus Bennett is questionable with an ankle injury. He has been limited in practice this week. He is not a violable option at TE at this point.
QB Tony Romo has a pinky finger injury and is probable. Tony will play. Start him if you have him.
TE Jason Witten is probable with bruised ribs. He is also expected to play on Thursday.
Broncos:
RB Selvin Young is questionable with a groin injury. He is not expected to play this weekend.
WR Eddie Royal has a toe injury and is questionable. He will be a game time decision. He was limited in practice this week.
Lions:(Thursday Game) RB Kevin Smith is probable with a shoulder injury. He practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play on Thursday.
WR Mike Furrey is suffering from a concussion and is listed as questionable. He was limited in practice this week.
QB Drew Stanton is questionable with a concussion. Last weekend he received some playing time when Cullpepper struggled but he is not expected to play on Thursday.
Packers:
RB Brandon Jackson has an ankle injury and is probable. He fully practiced on Friday.
WR Greg Jennings is probable with a rib injury. He fully practiced on Friday. I am pretty sure that he will play this weekend.
Texans: RB Ahmed Green was placed on the Injured Reserve.
QB Matt Schaub is questionable with a knee injury. He has started taking snaps. I do not look for him to play this weekend.
RB Steve Slaton has sore chest and is probable for this weekend. He practiced fully on Thursday and Friday. He continues to be a good RB/WR.
Colts: No significant fantasy injuries.
Jaguars: QB David Garrard is probable with a back injury. He fully practiced on Friday after being limited in practice earlier this year.
Chiefs:
WR Mark Bradley is questionable with a calf injury. He was limited in practice on Friday.
Dolphins: WR Greg Camarillo is out with tore ligaments.
Vikings: No significant fantasy injuries.
Saints:
RB Reggie Bush has a knee injury and is questionable. He was limited in practice all week. He is expected to play.
Patriots:
RB LaMont Jordan is questionable with a right calf injury. He did not practice this week.
Giants: WR Plaxico Burress is out with a hamstring injury.
RB Brandon Jacobs has a knee injury and is questionable. Jacobs should play this weekend.
WR Domenik Hixon is probable with an ankle injury. He is expected to start this weekend.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw has a neck injury and is probable. He was limited in practice early in the but fully practiced Thursday and Friday.
Jets: WR Laveranues Coles has a thigh injury and is probable. Coles is expected to play.
K Mike Nugent is listed as probable for this week with a thigh injury. I would not start Nugent until he plays for a weekend.
Raiders:
WR Javon Walker has been placed on the Injured Reserve.
WR Chaz Schilens is questionable and has an Achilles injury. He will be a game time decision. He was limited in practice.
TE Zach Miller has a groin injury and is questionable. The Raiders believe he will play on Sunday.
Eagles:(Thursday Game) RB Brian Westbrook is questionable with an ankle injury.He will be a game time decision.
Steelers: RB Willie Parker is questionable with a knee injury. He practiced on Thursday and Friday.
Chargers: No significant fantasy injuries.
Seahawks:(Thursday Game)
WR Koren Robinson is probable with a knee injury. He fully practiced on Wednesday. He is expected to play.
QB Matt Hasselbeck has a back injury and is probable.He will play this week but I would not start him until he shows one week that he is not rusty.
49ers: WR Arnaz Battle is questionable with a foot injury.
WR Josh Morgan has a groin injury and is questionable for this weekend.
Rams:
RB Steven Jackson is questionable with a quad injury. He will be a game time decision.
QB Mark Bulger has a concussion and is probable. He is expected to play.
Buccaneers:
WR Ike Hillard is probable with a shoulder injury. He fully practiced this week.
RB Earnest Graham has an ankle injury andwas placed on the Injured Reserve.
RB Warrick Dunn is probable with a back injury. He should receive a majority of the carries and should be a great fantasy start.
RB Carnell Williams has a knee injury and is probable.
TE Alex Smith is probable with an ankle injury.
QB Brian Griese has an elbow injury and is questionable. He was limited in practice.
Titans: (Thursday Game) No significant fantasy injuries.
Redskins: RB Clinton Portis is questionable with a knee injury. He will be a game time decision.
As the Fantasy Sports Counselor, I attempt to give the best possible fantasy advice. But I am not always right. Sometimes my advice backfires. I research and invest a lot of my time for the articles that are posted.
I do enjoy hearing other opinions. I encourage readers to comment and let me know what you are thinking. T.D. had the following comments on my latest "Line 'em up/ Bench their butts".
I have to respectfully disagree with some of your sits, owing to the "ride your studs" theory. Matchups are relevant, don't get me wrong. But tell that to the poor slobs (me being one of them) who benched Michael Turner last week because of his allegedly "tough matchup" against the Panthers' D. At this point, looking at the Panthers' recent woes against ATL and DET (although they did win that game thanks to a late bad decision courtesy of Daunte Culpepper ... they were underwhelming IMHO) in the past few weeks, I would say their defense is toeing the line of getting the "overrated" label. In any event, I think they are no longer deserving of the "really good" label as you describe them here.
So, if it were me, I would not be concerned about Driver due to the matchup. Clearly Jennings is the #1 option, so I think you could expect what you'd ordinarily get from Driver: a few receptions, maybe 70 yards, and possibly a TD although likely not. I don't think that would be any different no matter who GB is facing for an opponent.
To me, Forte has earned the 'must-start' or 'unbench-able' label regardless of the matchup. You have alluded to this, so we're on the same wavelength, I just wouldn't bench him.
And Calvin Johnson ... I would play him. Lav Coles looked pretty good against the Titans' stout D, and to me he doesn't have nearly the freakish skills that Megatron has. That said, admittedly CJ also doesn't have the great one Brett Favre throwing him the football. Still, on Turkey Day I think he will be looking to make an impact in front of a national TV audience (rare for the Lions!). And if the Titans take an early lead as we might expect, Detroit will be forced to throw even more and Calvin might be good for some "garbage time" stats even if he struggles early.
Here is my response:
T.D.,
There are a lot of people that will tell you to never sit your studs. There is a level of truth to dancing with the girl that you brought. I could simply say that every week but then my "Line 'em up/ Bench their butts" post would be pointless on the bench their butts section. To bench one of your studs because of matchups, you have to have good options behind them. You can not bench Calvin Johnson for Patrick Crayton. Now if you have an underrated Kevin Walter on your bench, then you could consider benching Megatron.
Donald Driver is usually a WR3 or a flex player. I do think the Panthers Defense has struggled lately but so has Rogers. I look for them to get it back on track against a sporadic Packers offense. I think Jennings will get his catches against the Panthers but I think Driver will struggle more than usual. Again, I would not bench him for Furrey but I would for a good backup option.
Forte has become a stud runningback. I would not hesitate to start him unless you have another good RB on your bench. I think Forte will not produce his usual fantasy numbers because the Vikings are going to line 8 or 9 men in the box and make the Bears beat them through the air.
I went back and forth on the recommendation to bench C.J. He has been playing at a WR1 level. I think he will still play some what well but not up to his usual level. He is currently their only weapon and I see a lot of game planning against him. I would start Ginn or Walter instead of him this week but I would keep him in the lineup instead of several other options.
Again thanks for your thoughts and comments. I enjoyed the comments and the interaction.
