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Start Em vs Sit Em

Thursday Edition Joe Fortenbaugh

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Welcome to your Thursday edition of “Start Em vs. Sit Em.”  I’d like to lead off by saying the National Football Post had a monster day yesterday thanks in large part to our fantasy readers.  You guys have been great since day one and I can’t thank you enough for all of the comments and traffic you have brought to the site.  For the new readers out there, I want you to know that you have found the best fantasy football forum on the internet.  Even though the season is winding down, the comments on these articles are always a great read.  And yes, you are allowed to bash me all you want.  As long as there is no profanity, you can fire away whatever you like.  If you bet $500 on the Jets last weekend and are pissed about it, feel free to blast them in this section.  I’m all for it. 

For those who don’t know, I’m a Philly fan, so you can bust me up for that as well.  However, if you expect to come in here and start talking about Dallas and New York, you’re going to hear it right back from me (although I’m not sure what I could possibly say, since both teams waxed Philly this year). 

Question Of The Day:  San Diego -9.5 vs. Oakland.  Who do ya like?  I’m going with the Bolts because I’m a former season ticket holder from back in my law school days.  I can promise you D3 in the Qualcomm parking lot is going to be rockin’ tonight.

Now, let’s get down to business:

START EM

Colston & Moore    WRs    New Orleans Saints:  No need to beat around the bush on this one.  Make sure if you have either of these guys, you get them in the starting lineup.  The Saints are 4-1 in the Superdome this season and are averaging an eye-popping 33.4 points over those five games.  New Orleans boasts the league's #1 total offense (405.2 yds/gm) as well as the #1 passing offense (316.9 yds/gm) and will be looking to avenge their 34-20 Week 10 loss to the Falcons.  Atlanta rolls into the Big Easy with the NFL’s 23rd ranked passing defense, allowing 20.2 points and 222.4 yards per game.  In addition, Moore and Colston have been hot lately.  Lance has reached pay dirt in each of his last five games, with 6 total TDs over that span.  He’s also topped 75 receiving yards in 7 games this season.  Meanwhile, Colston has been coming around as of late, averaging 86.5 receiving yards over his last 4 outings.  Get em in your lineup today.

SIT EM

Marion Barber    RB    Dallas Cowboys:  MBIII was the focal point of several comments yesterday, so I figured it would be wise to clear the air and discuss why he’s a rough start this weekend.  The Cowboys take their three game winning streak up to Steel City, where the NFL’s #1 defense will be waiting.  Pittsburgh has been filthy on D this year, allowing just 14.2 points and 71.2 (1st) rushing yards per game.  The Steelers haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season and are giving up just 17.0 points per game at Heintz Field in 2008.  Which says a lot since they’ve already played home games against Indy, San Diego, New York (Giants) and Houston, all of which have shown they can put up the points.  Barber is still nursing a toe injury he sustained on Turkey Day against the Seahawks, so he won’t be operating at 100%.  You should only start Barber if your other options are mediocre RBs who split carries.

Comments

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michael
Dec 04, 2008
09:20 AM

Hey Joe; Easy to say start Colston and Moore. Here is what I am looking at:
Colston, Moore, E.Royal, Berrian, L.Evans
I will even throw in Gonzo.

See what I mean, tough choices. Thanks man

Dave
Dec 04, 2008
09:22 AM

Hey Joe, the Jets are overrated, I predict they lose on the road at SF - remember the Oakland game?

Need help at wr - I have Boldin, but wr2 is weak. Breaston, V Jackson, Walter and Roy E Williams are the choices. Like Breaston, but perhaps to much risk playing both Card wr. Thanks!

Good luck to your Eagles!

London_Ben
Dec 04, 2008
09:47 AM

Dave, personally, I'm going with V-Jax. Zero catches for zero yards last week, so he will have been in Rivers' ear all week about getting him the ball. He's been the Bolts' most reliable performer this season, and against the Raiders, he should have a field day.

Cooper
Dec 04, 2008
09:49 AM

Hi Joe,

Still having trouble deciding on my WR3. Bess, Hixon, or Kevin Walter. I know you like Hixon, but I'm afraid that the Giants will run all day, especially if there is bad weather. Walter disappeared last week, and this week's matchup against Green Bay isn't favorable. So I'm thinking Bess who will be playing in a dome and likely get his looks.

Thanks Joe!

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
09:50 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Michael: How the hell do you have 5 stud receivers? That is unreal. I'd say Moore is the better start over Colston and I also like Royal this week as well. however, keep your eye on the weather in Denver.

Berrian worries me because Minny could get up big early and be content to run the entire second half. Evans generally plays well against the Dolphins, but Losman could make him a wild card. However, JP's big arm could mean big things.

Lean towards Moore and Royal, with Evans and Colston right behind them. Let's talk about it more on Sunday.





Dave: I do remember the Oakland game...and i like the prediction...ballsy.


I like Breaston too, in that with both of them in the lineup, you are sure to get big points one way or another. If it worries you to play both, consider VJax against Oakland. However, he's riskier than Breaston at this point.

thanks for the luck. they are gonna need it

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
09:51 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Cooper: good analysis. If the weather turns out to be messy in NY, Bess is a nice play.

Scot
Dec 04, 2008
10:04 AM

Mike;

Depending on the weather, you need to strongly consider starting Lee Evans. ALL of Lee Evans best days have come with Losman at QB. Losman is his boy. If you start 3, I would think that that Evans would be a tasty No. 3 WR this week. Probably not going to give you a donut, and lots of tasty upside.

Eric
Dec 04, 2008
10:14 AM

Sorry, Joe, but no way does a San Diego team that just lost to Atlanta deserve to be getting 9.5 against Oakland. Take the points!

Joey in H-town
Dec 04, 2008
10:14 AM

Joe,
I like the carma you are giving me again with Marques Colston. That's two days in a row where you have been saying good things about my guys. Now, i am pumped about my matchup and i can lay all of the blame on you if i don't get the W. Perfect. I will take the bolts tonight because Oakland is barely a football team and Rivers is my QB. My march to fantasy football glory starts tonight. Thanks.

Quad
Dec 04, 2008
10:21 AM

Joe,
I need some help on my WRs this week. I need to start 4 of:

Steve Smith v TB
K Walter v GB
H Ward v Dal
Davone Bess v Buf
K Curtis v NYG
V Jackson v Oak

Leaning towards Smith, Ward, Bess and Jackson. I'm just not sure on Ward, Walter may be better, I'm just not sure how Schaub will play in the cold.

One of them will play in the Flex. Having a bad run with my RBs. Do you think Cadillac Williams is better than the 4th WR for the Flex?

michael
Dec 04, 2008
10:41 AM

Hey Scot: Thanks for the input. 5 stud rcvrs? I think out of our 12 teams I was the only one who thought Royal would be good. I love drafting the rookies.They are hungry!

Michael C.
Dec 04, 2008
10:57 AM

Pick two:

Colston, R. Moss, D. Bowe, Cotchery

All of them have pretty nice match-ups, so tough call.

Matt
Dec 04, 2008
10:58 AM

Colston, Marshall, White whose the odd one out?

Brian D
Dec 04, 2008
11:00 AM

Hey Joe!

Made the playoffs on the strength of Slaton's performance, thankfully, since I left B.West on the bench last week...

PPR league, yardage bonus at 100/300 and additional bonus for lenght of TD play. I need to start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR/TE and 2 FLEX from the following:

QB's - McNabb, Collins
RB's - B.West, Slaton, Lynch, J.Stewart
WR/TE's - S.Smith(Car), Evans, DeSean Jax

My current line-up is:
QB - McNabb
RB's - B.West, Slaton
WR/TE's - Smith, Evans
FLEX - Lynch, D.Jax

What adjustments would you make?

Thanks for rocking this column all season - I really appreciate it!!!!

Take care,
Brian D.

Brian D
Dec 04, 2008
11:01 AM

Oops... Also have Antonio Gates as WR/TE

Mike Wichter
Dec 04, 2008
11:05 AM

Hey Joe, I am in a huge battle for the playoffs this week. not only do i have to win, but i have to score as many points as possible to try and win my league's tiebreaker to get in the playoffs. that being said, mcnabb vs NYG or garcia vs carolina?

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:09 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Eric: i hear ya....i just cant bring myself to pick the Raiders with the way they play offense


Joey: i hope it all works out for ya! and yes, if it does not, i fully expect you to bust my chops

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:12 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Quad: i agree with you on your picks. good call. not sure about Cadillac. he will get limited touches and faces a faily tough carolina d on the road. He may be good for a score, but dunn will still see a good amount of the carries



Michael C: i think Moss and colston are your best bets. Be advised: the forecast in Seattle is calling for rain. I'd look to Cotchery if it gets messy in Seattle



Matt: thats one of the hardest calls ive seen. All three are studs this week. i'd hold out marshall if the weather in Denver is bad. otherwise, you may want to sit Colston. Roddy White should shred the N.O. secondary

Joel
Dec 04, 2008
11:13 AM

Joe,

I could use a little help in my situation. I am planning on starting three running backs (AP and DeAngelo Williams are for sures): MB3, McClain, or D.Ward? I am obviously leaning towards MB3 even injured and a bad matchup since he is my 3rd RB I am pretty ok with that but just wanted some other opinions.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:22 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Brian D: im glad to hear your playoff bound....congrats! and thanks for reading as well. glad you like the column.

to tell you the truth, i like your lineup as is. You have a tough start with mcnabb and bwest, but they are probably still your best options.




Mike: wow, tough call. I think McNabb gives you the best option for big points if the weather holds up. however, if it gets messy in NY, garcia will be your best option. I can see McNabb having a tough time this weekend

good luck!

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:24 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Joel: i think in that situation, Barber is a decent option. I dont trust the RB situation in Baltimore. However, Ward may be a nice play splitting carries with Jacobs. The good news about Barber is if the Cowboys get close, he can punch it in.

b roo
Dec 04, 2008
11:25 AM

DMac breaks out and Oakland beats Chargers. How the heck did you afford season tickets in law school? I was eating Ramen Noodles and going to friends house to watch games on TV. Still paying those darn student loans...

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:29 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

BROO: they only cost 400 bucks for the season to sit in the upper deck.


i pay more than that to go to one game in philly

b roo
Dec 04, 2008
11:40 AM

Last game I went to I paid that for each ticket, too. Wouldn't pay that much to go to The Linc though. I'll watch Philly get pounded in the last regular season game from my nice warm couch. It will be great since fantasy season will be over and I can go back to really hoping McNabb and BWest get killed.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
11:45 AM
Joe Fortenbaugh

BRoo: all philly will have at that point is the chance to play spoiler. Dallas is going to head into that game on a three game losing streak and get pounded.

Brian D
Dec 04, 2008
11:45 AM

Joe:

Thanks for the info! I'm wondering if Gates has any play this week or are the Chargers going to ride LT all night against the Raiders? Otherwise, I'll roll with the line-up I noted earlier...

Thanks again,
Brian D.

Cisco from KC
Dec 04, 2008
12:37 PM

Joe:

I'm struggling at WR#2. I had been playing Braylon but w/the QB's out for the Browns I can finally bench him. I have the choice of Matt Jones, Dominick Hixon, and Derrick Mason to play. Who's the pick?

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
12:41 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Brian D: the only one i'd consider putting gates in for would be d-jax. i dont think thats a bad switch



cisco: I'd go with Hixon if the weather in NY is ok, otherwise Matt Jones may be your best bet. Chicago has a terrible passing defense

Doug
Dec 04, 2008
01:08 PM

I don't have a fantasy question today, but I'm taking Oakland to outright win the game tonight. I'm not sure why Phillip Rivers is struggling, but he did not look good last week and I think that's going to continue this week.

Jason
Dec 04, 2008
01:22 PM

Joe,

Jason
Dec 04, 2008
01:23 PM

Joe,

I could use some kicker and defense help for this week. Would you pick up Ryan Longwell and play him over Mason Crosby this week. Also, I have a choice between Tampa Bay and Arizona's defense this week. What are your thoughts between those two?

Charlie B
Dec 04, 2008
01:24 PM

Joe - thanks for all the great tips this season. i've enjoyed reading your posts.

Looking for some defense advice down the stretch - Philly or Dallas. Both seem to have tough matchups going forward. (I think Carolina is the best of the rest still available).

Thanks again!

Dan K
Dec 04, 2008
01:45 PM

Joe, I have Addai, W. Dunn, and R Bush at Rb. I have to choose 2, which ones?

Also, at WR I have:
D Driver
B Marshall
A Toomer
Antonio Bryant
And, I need 2 of these also.

I would appreciate your help, I am a little behind getting into the playoffs.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
02:30 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Doug: i like the pick. but remember, San Diego has beaten oakland 10 straight times


Jason: I'd lean towards Longwell in the dome against Detroit. Hopefully the lions can make some stops in the red zone.

In addition, you may want to go with AZ on defense. The Rams have been terrible on O lately and Tampa struggles a little bit on the road.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
02:32 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Charlie B: my pleasure buddy, thanks for reading. I'd lean towards Philly because 1) they are currently ranked higher in standard scoring formats and 2) i do not like Dallas' schedule down the stretch (Pitt, NYG, BALT, Philly)



Dan K: I'd probably sit Dunn, since he plays on the road at Carolina, and could lose the goal line carries to Cadillac. Marshall and Driver may be your best bets. I would def start Marshall, and the Houston defense has been shaky against the pass this year

Chopper
Dec 04, 2008
02:37 PM

I just moneylined the Raiders at almost 5 to 1 odds...hopefully the Chargers continue to underachieve tonight.

Main reason for my post is to get some inside info from a former Bolts ticketholder....I've heard some sad things about the tailgating scene at Qualcomm, I heard it's a lot of drinking Zima and eating sushi (being from Wisconsin, this offends me, where's the beer and brats??). Any truth whatsoever to what i've heard, or do I have to slap a buddy of mine upside the head next time I see him??

Ryan S.
Dec 04, 2008
02:50 PM

Joe,
I have Romo, Owens, Pittsburgh DST, and Chargers DST. Out of these 4, who do I sit, who do I play?

al
Dec 04, 2008
02:54 PM

I need a win and help to make the playoffs this is my lineup in the ppr league what adjustments should i make.

QB-Peyton Manning
RB-Peterson
RB-LJ
WR-Boldin
WR-T.O.
TE-Scheffler
W/R-Welker

at RB i also have ronnie brown,hightower,lewis

atWR i also have driver,coles,and ward

At TE I also have Scaife

Chester taylor is also avaiable on waivers since they play the lions

thanks for the help

rob
Dec 04, 2008
03:01 PM

joe--
i need 3 from this batch:

E.Royal
B.Marshall
T.Owens
D.Hixon
B.Edwards

i'm leaning Royal, Marshall, and Hixon...

hard to sit owens after the past two weeks, but Pittsburgh is super nasty against the pass...

whatcha think?

Scot
Dec 04, 2008
03:59 PM

Rob;

You can't sit Owens in this game. The only place Pitt is nastier is against the run. With a dinged up MBIII, the Cowboys are going to be throwing ALOT (I think). Regardless of who wins, you know that T.O. is going to get his targets.

The problem with Royal is that I think he will become the third option in this game (Run, BMarsh, Royal/Sheffler). Cutler loves to throw Marshall's way unless the matchup is prohibitive. I would go Marshall, Owens, Hixon. (for tasty upside).

Jake B
Dec 04, 2008
04:03 PM

Joe,

Would you start either Kevin Faulk or Cedric Benson over MBIII?

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
05:03 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Chopper: I can't speak for everyone, but I know the people i was with (D3) used to do it up right. We were mostly all east coast guys, so brats and beers were a staple.

Gotta love that San Diego sun. almost didnt make it into a few games after being in the heat and throwing a few down, if ya know what i mean.


Ryan S: I dont like Owens this week, and I'm not sure who your other QB option is. Oakland stinks on offense, but you cant trust the SD defense. You may want to roll with the Steelers. They are number 1 for a reason

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
05:06 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

AL: id consider ronnie brown in place of LJ, since i have a feeling the Chiefs may be throwing alot. However, it is a good matchup for LJ, so he isnt a bad start. I'd also think about either Ward or Cotchery for Owens. He should struggle against Pitt.



Rob: i agree with you, unless the weather in Jersey gets nasty. then, get hixon out and owens in. Yeah, T.O. ate up SF and Seattle, but the good defenses have shut him down this year.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
05:07 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Jake B: faulk splits carries and it is supposed to rain in seattle. I'd consider Benson, but even though MBIII has a tough game, i dont think i'd sit him for a bengal

Chopper
Dec 04, 2008
05:11 PM

Joe---glad to know at least some people at Qualcomm know what's up. As for the sun blazing down on ya...I had that problem at more than a few Brewer games this summer, so I know exactly where you're coming from. Badger/Packer tailgating it's more of a problem dealing with the top of your beer freezing before you can drink it all :) need that whiskey to keep us warm up here.

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
05:21 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

yeah i know the feeling. philly doesnt get that cold, but it certainly gets uncomfortable.

Matt
Dec 04, 2008
05:50 PM

I can start two RB's and i have Gore vs jets, Addai vs Cincy, L.J. vs Denver. Who would u start. Im leaning towards LJ and Addai but im worried that KC will get down early and not use LJ very much. And im also worried about benching a stud like Gore even with two bad outings in the last two weeks. any ideas?

Dave
Dec 04, 2008
06:16 PM

Joe/London Ben - thanks for the opinions on V-Jax/Breaston....it's going to be "a game-time decision".

Joe Fortenbaugh
Dec 04, 2008
06:32 PM
Joe Fortenbaugh

Matt: well, you're right. Gore has the worst matchup of the group, but im with you. i also believe kc may get down and spend the majority of the day throwing, limiting LJs production. You may want to get Gore in there


Dave: you got it buddy

Trevor
Dec 04, 2008
08:07 PM

Joe - Not sure if you're still checking this after 49 posts. :-)

Looks like Welker is feeling better from his injury. So on my third WR slot, who's the better play this week...Welker or Eddie Royal? I've got Roddy and Marshall in the other two slots.

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