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Start Em vs Sit Em

Friday Edition Joe Fortenbaugh

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Happy Friday Everybody!  Just a few more hours to grind out before it’s time to jump-start your weekend.  Be advised, Willie Parker excited last night’s contest after he appeared to re-aggravate the knee injury that forced him to miss a couple of games earlier this season.  That means Mewelde Moore will once again become a hot commodity on the waiver wires this week.  As of right now, there has been no official word as to the extent of FWP’s injury. 

On a side note (non-fantasy related), I need everybody’s opinion on something.  If you watched last night’s game, you saw the Bengals driving late in the fourth quarter down 20-7.  On fourth and goal from the Pittsburgh 8-yard line, Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis opted to kick a field goal, rather than go for the six.  Did this surprise anyone else?  The Bengals had only scored 7 points the ENTIRE game, and a field goal would still put them two scores down against the league’s top defense with under seven minutes to play.  At 1-8, I don’t see the point in being conservative, but hey, maybe that’s just me.  Anyway, let’s get this Friday started right with another installment of Start Em vs. Sit Em.

START EM

Eddie Royal    WR    Denver Broncos:  Royal’s name kept popping up in several of the comments you guys left yesterday, so I figured I would write him up today to clear the air. (Side Note:  Great comments yesterday.  That was one of the best Thursdays yet).   Although he is only 10 games into his first season as an NFL wide receiver, fantasy owners can no longer look at Royal as a rookie, because his statistics certainly don’t reflect his inexperience.  Heading into Week 12, Royal is averaging 5.6 receptions and 65.9 receiving yards per game, while catching touchdown passes in two of his last three outings.  In addition, he is playing on the NFL’s third ranked passing offense (279.9 YPG) and has the good fortune of watching opposing defenses roll coverage towards star wide out Brandon Marshall, often leaving him with just one defender to beat.  As an added bonus, Royal and the Broncos host the flailing Oakland Raiders on Sunday, who they torched 41-14 in Week 1 (Royal caught 9 passes for 146 yards and 1 TD).  The deceiving statistic here is that Oakland is the NFL’s 12th ranked pass defense, while still allowing 23.5 points per game.  The reason?  Opposing teams get up by so much, so quickly, that they stick to the ground game to run down the clock in the second half.  The Broncos should light them up this weekend.

SIT EM

Donovan McNabb    QB    Philadelphia Eagles:  Yes, apparently there are ties in football.  I’ll be completely honest with all of you:  I was aware of this rule.  How about you guys?  For those who were, are any of you being paid $10 million a year to play quarterback in the NFL?  Because I damn sure am not.  That being said, McNabb and the Eagles head to Inner Harbor this weekend to take on a very pissed off Baltimore Ravens defense.  Donny Mac has been struggling as of late, and fantasy owners should expect his woes to continue on Sunday.  Through his last four games, McNabb has thrown 5 interceptions, completed only 53.8% of his passes and has a QB Rating of 76.7.  Not exactly stellar numbers to take into a matchup with the NFL’s 3rd ranked total defense.  Ray Lewis and company are only allowing 18 points and 188.3 passing yards per game.  Anyone thinking the Eagles will be able to duplicate what New York did last weekend better think again.  Philly is not nearly as talented on the offensive line as the Giants are.  McNabb is going to see some serious pressure all day on Sunday.  Sit Him. 

Comments

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anthony
Nov 21, 2008
08:49 AM

cinny needed the points and should have gone for the td. they had nothing to lose. it is nice that the nfl shows parts of the game online but could they please stop the boring and repeatitive conversations during the game. those guys were killing me. in addition to your sit'em you should add the entire philadelphia eagles team because they may not know how many yards they need for first down or how many downs they get. they suck. i think detriot could beat them. ouch!!!

Nick U
Nov 21, 2008
08:50 AM

Joe, couldn't agree more about the Bengals. That was the most ridiculous coaching decision I've seen this year (and I'm a Bills fan, so that's saying something). I don't get why these coaches are so wimpy and conservative. Thanks for the good info every week!

Uncle Dan
Nov 21, 2008
09:05 AM

A win would have been nice for the lack-luster Bengals, but it looked like they were playing for draft position last night.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
09:15 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

good to see i have some intelligent readers. that move really confused me. did Lewis really think he was going to get two more scores on the league's top defense?

mike wichter
Nov 21, 2008
09:48 AM

hi joe, based on your comments above, i think i know the answer, but i figured i would ask. d-mac vs balt, or jeff garcia vs the detroit lions?

SoCo Joe
Nov 21, 2008
09:49 AM

Joe,
Is Chris Johnson really a must-sit? I know you didn't write that, but many other sources have. I have R. Bush, who is very questionable at best, or I have to go to a WR (Chambers or Gage). Jenkins has been a beast on that NYJ D-line! Suggestion(s)???

mike wichter
Nov 21, 2008
09:50 AM

also, i agree, had to go for the TD there. they had a slim shot of winning at that point, but going for the FG, they now had no shot. even collinsworth said something at the time.

SoCo Joe
Nov 21, 2008
09:53 AM

Sorry to add to my last note, but I just saw that Fargas is available on the waiver wire. Is he a more viable choice than Chris Johnson?

SoCo Joe
Nov 21, 2008
10:02 AM

Regarding your topic... I can't understand why Marvin Lewis, when he first became head coach of the Bungles (not a spelling error there), was deemed a genius. What has he done? I'd put Sean Payton on that list as well..?

Wes
Nov 21, 2008
10:04 AM

Very poor play calling indeed. Romeo also did the same thing in the same situation earlier in the year. Conversely, Herm was a man and went for two against the Chargers. Sometimes coaches are too conservative for their own good. Remember, we play to win the game!

Pick 2: Braylon v Houston, Megatron v Tampa, Welker @ old team Miami. Wished I didn't play FWP last night grrr!

Pras
Nov 21, 2008
10:09 AM

Hi Joe -

I didn't see any point in going for the field goal either. I am just still mad at Bengals offence, they were so bad that Steeler's def didn't even had to do much (not as many fantasy points) to contain them.

I also agree with another post here, I had tremendous respect for Woodson's athletic ability, but him and the other gentlemen need to give all of us watching it on nfl.com/live a break!

Do you see Avery having a good game enough to play him over V-Jax?

Thanks

Pras

Jake
Nov 21, 2008
10:10 AM

Joe,

I have to play 2 RB's:

Chris Johnson
MJD
Steven Jackson

Jackson is hurt and I doubt will play... should I pick up Fargas or McFadden to play this week?

Michael C.
Nov 21, 2008
10:11 AM

Joe, do you think it is better to have a team full of "must start's" compared to a team with a couple "matchup start's"? I know it's nice not to have to think about your lineup as much, but sometimes it's nice to have a little flexability. What do you think?

michael
Nov 21, 2008
10:29 AM

Hey Joe; 12 team league, fighting for last playoff spot. I have them in my ranked order;
1 QB Schaub, Gus, Trent E.
2 RB 7/11 hot dog, DeAngelo, J Stew, Kev Smith
3 WR Royal, Lance, Berrian, Colston, Evans
1 TE Boss, Scheffler
My team looked good 2 weeks ago, now I am not so sure...How about you? Thanks as always

michael
Nov 21, 2008
10:50 AM

Oh yeah; on last night, Cincy would have covered the line w/ a td. Last week Pitt would have covered w/o the help of idiots! What is up?

Trevor
Nov 21, 2008
10:52 AM

Tampa DEF vs. Detroit, or Ten DEF vs. NYJ? I'm leaning Tampa.

Should I play both Marshall and Royal, or go with Royal and sit Marshall since he'll see a lot of Oakland's top corner? I've got Welker as an option if I sit Marshall. 10-person PPR league.

Right now I've got my lineup as Brees, Marshall, Roddy, Slaton, Forte, Tony G., Welker, and Portis. (The Portis for Fitz trade isn't working out). Turner, Royal, Breaston, and Norwood on the bench.

John L.
Nov 21, 2008
11:01 AM

Who should I start this week at QB Mcnabb or Hassleback?

Travis
Nov 21, 2008
11:04 AM

Joe,

Make or Brake week for me and the playoffs. I need to start 2 from a plethora of decent backs. What is your opinion?
MJD
LJ
Chris Johnson
D Ward
W Dunn
I am leaning MJD (riding the hot hand, plus as a Vikes fan and watching all their games, they are pretty vulnerable to the short TD by good RBs)and LJ, but Dunn and Ward (if Jacobs doesn't play) are very very very tempting. I just picked up ward and dunn this week so I am pretty nervous of starting 2 newbies to the squad. Thanks for the advice

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
11:19 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Mike: I like Garcia. He has an easier matchup and has been good for yards lately. The only problem is he doesnt seem to throw many td passes.


SoCo: i agree to an extent that CJ is not a great start this week. But i dont really like your other options in place of him. Remember, tennessee likes to throw him the ball out of the backfield, and i love the fact that he always is capable of breaking off the big play. If Reggie Bush is a go, start him instead.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
11:26 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Wes: Id probably start Welker and Megatron only because the injury to Quinn's index finger worries me about his ability to be accurate with the football. Houston is bad defensively, but im not sure i trust the situation.



Pras: i think Avery has a great matchup this week at home against a terrible Bears pass defense. I think VJax is capable of a good game, but Avery is not a bad option at all.


Jake: sit jackson. if you want to pick up fargas and put him in for CJ, thats not a bad play. But i have to be honest. i like CJ's upside more. That being said, fargas is not a bad play against a terrible Oakland run D.

Charlie B
Nov 21, 2008
11:47 AM

Any thoughts on which three to start from the following?

Steve Smith
Donnie Avery
Dwayne Bowe
Dallas Clark

Thanks.

fighting schnauzers
Nov 21, 2008
11:47 AM

Hi Joe, I'm waffling between starting Walter-who if the past 7 weeks of up/down trending holds, is due for an up week, and a recently exciting Ginn Jr, a guy I can't seem to trust. What do you think?

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
11:53 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Wes: I like Welker and Megatron due to Brady Quinn's broken finger.



Pras: Avery has a great matchup at home, against a weak Bears passing defense. He should have a nice week.



Jake: fargas for CJ is a decent move. I would personally stick with Johnson, but i dont see fargas as being a bad play

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
11:56 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Michael C: I'm more of a fan of "must starts." simply because it means you've drafted high ranking talent that has been proven to produce.


michael: id bump evans up and look to add Keller at tight end. other than that, i like the team. The big problem is the Schaub injury. thats tough.




Trevor: i'd start Royal over Welker and play Tampa vs. Detroit

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
11:59 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

John L: go with McNabb. Hass is a terrible option right now.



Travis: I like MJD and Dunn. Jacobs is likely going to play, CJ has a touch matchup and Dunn gets Detroit.




Charlie B: I'd leave out Bowe



Fighting: i love the way ginn has been playing. I'd start him.

Matt
Nov 21, 2008
12:25 PM

The Bengals were moving the ball so well though they had to no they were going to get another couple chances to score. Yeah so that was a joke but serious question,
Colston @ GB
Marshall @ Oakland
White @ Carolina
Pick two.

Sean
Nov 21, 2008
12:33 PM

Hey Joe,

2 RBs, 2 WRs and a Flex:

Choose between Portis, LJ, Chris Johnson, Fargas, Peyton Hillis, and Antonio Pittman at RB and Steve Smith, Lee Evans, Eddie Royal and Kevin Curtis at WR.

I'm probably going with Portis and Johnson at RB and Steve Smith and Lee Evans at WR...Who should I flex and should I go another direction with the other spots?

Joey in H-town
Nov 21, 2008
01:09 PM

Joe,
You are a Philly guy. What is the best plan of action for me to get the most points out of either Westbrook or C Buck this week. Do the Eagles bring in Buck to spell B West after an injury/ineffectivenss? Or, if B West starts, is he pretty much the guy throughout the game? Thanks

Nick U
Nov 21, 2008
01:14 PM

Who would you start at QB between these 3: Hasselbeck, Garrard, Collins? Thanks.

drew
Nov 21, 2008
02:05 PM

Joe, Who do I start as my 3rd wr Muhsin Muhammed or the recently hot Ted Ginn

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
02:06 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Matt: gotta start Marshall at Oakland in my opinion. In addition, I think Colston should have a decent game at home against Green Bay, but White is the safer play.



Sean: I like your selections. I'd make sure to have Eddie Royal in the lineup. He torched Oakland in Week 1.



Joey: I wouldnt start either of them right now. But if you are going to go with one of them, I'd have to say BWest.



Nick U: tough call. I'd lean towards Collins, although Garrard should have a nice day as well. I def would not go with Hasselbeck. He's done nothing this year

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
02:10 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Drew: I'd stay with the hot hand of Teddy Ginn

Joey in H-town
Nov 21, 2008
02:29 PM

Thanks Joe. I have got Hightower, Pittman, Westbrook and i have to play 2 but can play all 3. I know this looks bad right now but i figure BWest and Pittman are my best bets.

b roo
Nov 21, 2008
03:16 PM

Hillis or Ward? Also thinking of sitting McNabb but do I sit him for Collins? Is it that bad or are you still just hacked off as a Philly fan?

b roo
Nov 21, 2008
03:18 PM

Forgot to mention, did you see that Eagles shirt that T.O. was wearing in his interview last night? What is up with that?

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 21, 2008
03:42 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Joey: I agree with you. BWest and Hightower both have very tough matchups, but you gotta like BWest more.




BRoo: I like Hillis this week against Oakland unless Jacobs doesnt play. As of now however, it looks like he will.

My philly bias certainly comes into play on this one, but ive been watching the team all year and DMac just has not been playing well lately. Couple that with a trip to play one of the league's best defenses, and i think he will struggle.



I was watching the interview and could have sworn that was an Eagles shirt. I had and still have no clue what that guy's deal is. Always something with him.

Bryan
Nov 21, 2008
03:53 PM

Joe,

How much do you like Eddie Royal? More than Donnie Avery? More than Colston? Maybe more than Johnathan Stewart at the flex position?

CJ
Nov 21, 2008
06:55 PM

Whats up Joe? Need help should I start Peyton or Kurt and I need one out of Jacobs, Addai, T. Jones or C. Johnson.

Doug
Nov 21, 2008
08:20 PM

Hey Joe,

Do I start Campbell or Thigpen at QB this week? Thanks!

Mick-H-town
Nov 22, 2008
10:40 AM

Joe, Jacobs or T.Jones? I know Jacobs is iffy this week and Jones is @ Tenn.

Mick-H-town
Nov 22, 2008
10:45 AM

sorry Joe, a few more... Turner or Addai, Coles or C.Johnson, and Brees or Edwards??? Thanks alot.

Jason
Nov 22, 2008
03:10 PM

Need to start three of these six...
Larry Fitzgerald
J. Gage
A. Bryant
C. Chambers
L. Evans
L. Coles

Pras
Nov 22, 2008
06:18 PM

Hi Joe -

Would you start Dunn over Slaton given his matchup and also that C. Williams has shown up on injury report and Slaton will lose some carries to Green?

Thanks

Pras

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 23, 2008
11:23 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Bryan: I love Eddie Royal this weekend. Moreso than any of the other receiver options you listed (although i expect both Colston and Avery to have good games). im not a big fan of starting WRs over RBs in the flex spot. But with Stewart as your other option, I would consider it a toss up.



CJ: i'd start Peyton and Addai. They have the best matchups

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 23, 2008
11:24 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Doug: tough call. I like Campbell just a little bit more, but you cant go wrong either way. They both have great matchups.



Mick: Jacobs is playing. I like him more than Jones who's got a tough Tennessee defense to contend with.

Addai, Johnson and Brees

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 23, 2008
11:25 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Jason: Fitz, Evans and Bryant would be my choices.



Pras: Slaton has been a stud this year. Cant bench him...especially not against Cleveland

CJ
Nov 23, 2008
11:38 AM

Thanks Joe have a great Sunday.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 23, 2008
11:59 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

You got it CJ. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the games and GOOD LUCK!

Anthony
Nov 23, 2008
12:23 PM

Joe,
Rivers against a tough Indy pass defense or Thigpen against buffalo's defense?

I'm leaning towards Rivers, but doubt has started to creep in.

Thanks, Anthony

Joe Fortenbaugh
Nov 23, 2008
12:25 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

anthony: Rivers has been a stud this year, and Bob Sanders is out. I'd stick with PR

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