Studs vs Duds

Monday morning (ughhh) means it’s time for your weekly edition of Studs vs. Duds.  Kyle Orton owners need to hit the waiver wire or try to swing a deal since the Chicago signal caller is on the shelf for the next month.  In addition, Matt Schaub owners need to pick up Sage Rosenfels ASAP.  While there is no official word on the extent of Schaub’s injury, it’s certainly better to be safe than sorry.  How did you guys do this weekend?  The fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. 

STUD

Derrick Mason    WR    Baltimore Ravens:  In one of the more entertaining games of the weekend, Mason made sure to send the Cleveland fans home with nothing but lighter pockets (let’s face it, the stadiums really get you on the beer and cheese steaks) and a scowl.  The savvy veteran caught a season-high 9 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens 37-27 come-from-behind victory over the Browns.  The interesting thing about Mason is that he always tends to fly below the radar, even after coming off a season (2007) in which he caught a career high 103 passes.  Mason’s numbers on the year (43 catches, 557 yards, 2 TDs) have him on pace to haul in 86 grabs for 1,114 yards and 4 scores.  While he isn’t known for big-time performances week in and week out, Mason serves as a quality WR2 that has the capabilities of blowing up every so often.  Rookie QB Joe Flacco targets him more than any other Ravens’ receiver, giving fantasy owners a starter who is sure to see a fair share of action each week. 

DUD

Marion Barber    RB    Dallas Cowboys:  One of the few Start Em/Sit Ems in the newsletter that I actually got right this past weekend, Barber was a non-factor in yesterday’s NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.  The 54 yards rushing wasn’t terrible, but the fact that it took 19 carries to get there (2.8 YPC) is a testament to how well the Big Blue defense has been playing as of late.  In addition, fantasy owners couldn’t have been happy about the 1 reception MBIII hauled in for -12 yards.  After a hot start, Barber has only scored 1 rushing touchdown in his last six outings, and has only topped 100 yards once since Week 3.  However, (as always) there is a bright side to this story.  Barber’s drop-off in production can be directly tied to the injuries suffered by Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and backup RB Felix Jones.  Both are scheduled to return to the lineup following the Cowboys’ Week 10 bye.  What does all this mean?  Now is the time to buy low.  Barber’s value has been falling for the last few weeks, and the fact that he isn’t playing next weekend should give you the necessary leverage to get the MBIII owner in your league willing to deal.  It’s time to get creative and strike while the opportunity is on the table. 

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