Week 7 ~ Sit'em

With Week 7 simply hours away, I want to invest some time looking at the prototypical fantasy starters and why you may consider sitting them for one of your bench players that have a better match-up.

My goal is to make you think about certain scenario's, not to be your ultimate guide to your roster management... otherwise I will hear all kinds of complaints if you rely completely on me... In other words, I don't want to hear that I am the reason that you lost against your fantasy match-up this week.

Here are those that I think you may want to consider riding the pine this week.

QUARTERBACK:

Vince Young: Vince Young limps (hamstring) into Houston this week which is the biggest concern I have when considering roster management. Cortisone is a wonderful thing when you are trying to play through an injury, but it merely takes a way most of the inflammation and in turn the pain... but that doesn't increase the mobility of a quarterback that thrives on it. Houston can have moments of brilliance, especially on the defensive line and a pick here and there. I believe the LenDale White will be the true bright spot, if TEN is to win this week.

Jon Kitna: As much as people would love for me to stop bashing on Kitna, even with the artillery he has at his hands, it is not ultimately Jon Kitna I don't believe in, it's the lack of an offensive line. In all that is holy, how can an NFL offensive line be this bad? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are slowly turning into one of the top 5 D/ST in the league.

Marc Bulger: Let's face it... Scott Linehan is not doing what he needs to get the job done. Not only that...Tory Holt is not who he should be... not with that bum-knee of his... Leonard is good, but with the same problem as Detroit, the offensive line is their Achilles heal. Bruce has lost a step and Bennett isn't getting the looks that he should. McMichael is McMissing up until this point, too.

Jay Cutler: With the news of Walker heading to the I/R for darn near the rest of the season, it appears that the Denver Broncos are in a sticky situation. They have the defense, just not the offense. Brandon Marshall is the highlight of the offense and Cutler is still too young, experience-wise to be considered a must-start. Until they show me something, he has been permanently added to my Sit'em category.

Matt Schaub: Without a guaranteed RB (Dayne or Gado) and missing WR Andre Johnson (as usual), it is hard to go up against a young defense that capitalizes on turn-overs. Matt has been fairly productive to date, but I think this is the week that you opt for another starter. Owen Daniels, Andre Davis, and Kevin Walter will be no match for the TEN defense lead by Keith Bullock.

RUNNING BACKS:

Travis Henry: As his tenure as the starter for the Denver Brocnos comes to an end, so does his opportunity to put up serious points for your fantasy team... I am not saying that Selvin is the heir apparent, it is just that the offense is a shell of it's former self. Denver faces a ridiculous defense who is out to show that blanking the Seahawks was not a fluke.

Kevin Jones: Two reasons... one, they have no offensive line... two, they are facing the Tamp Bay Defense. Kevin should be growing into his position as the starters... the problem is, there is no way anyone could run with this offensive line. Heck, Barry Sanders couldn't get more than 3 YDs a carry. For that matter, don't start Tatum Bell either.

Ronnie Brown: He is leading most leagues regarding fantasy points. If you said this isn't a shock, you are full of bologna. But... He is facing the NE defense that has obliterated running backs since Week 1. Brown has historically been awful against the Patriots, whether at home or away. There is a high chance that Richard Seymour will see some playing time (unconfirmed, but was due back by Week 6). This is the week to sit Brown down and play someone on your bench.

Edgerrin James: Not that he was doing anything significant in your line-up to date, but with Tim Rattay at the helm and still no sign of Tackle Levi Brown, it appears that he isn't going to do much. Not to mention, Washington is man-handling everyone in their path... Edge will be no exception. AS a matter of fact, I believe that Marcel Shipp will have better stats by the end of the game.

Marion Barber III: No offense, but he hasn't gotten near 100 YDs in three seeks, partly due to the defenses he has faced, but also because Julius Jones has been fairly effective with the touches he has gotten. If they need yardage or they are down, Barber is the man... but Jones has seen more and more touches as the season progresses.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Larry Fitgerald: Look, I have him in a ton of leagues, but with Tim Rattay as the QB, Boldin Back, the o-line hurting, and facing the WAS defense, this looks like the time that you simply let him ride the pine. He may get 80 YDs but I don't expect too much more from him. With that being said, Rattay has a rocket for an arm and my prediction could backfire.

Darrell Jackson: He hasn't lost a step, just a quality offense and a solid WB to be throwing his way. With Gore, Jackson, Davis, and Battle, this offense should be better than it is right now. Alex Smith is on his way back, but that does not have the experience to make this happen... at least not yet. I expect that he will have a better second half but that is only if Vernon Davis does what he needs to do and Alex Smith is healthy.

Hines Ward: He is coming off an injury and facing the top-rated pass-defense in the league. Santonio Holmes is the deep threat and Ward will be used like Spaeth and Miller...as a short yardage, go-to guy. I expect that he will see 65 YDs or less... He will slowly but surely disappoint those who have drafted him.

Tory Holt: It is unfortunate because he is such a quality receiver. Bulger is going to be rusty at best and the offense is becoming less and less explosive and more and more implosive. I have Holt in my keeper league it it pains me to look at his name every time... Holt is equal to "disappointment" this year...joining the Stephen Jacksons, Javon Walkers, and Rudi Johnsons of the world... I expect bare minimums out of Holt, play him if you don't have much else, but sit'em if you have anything remotely close to effective.

Andre Davis: He is talented, but not talented enough to deal with double coverages, especially when their run game is such a big question mark. Owen Daniels and Kevin Walters can be covered by most in the league, giving Tennessee a chance to have a big D/STs week. If I start anyone for Houston at this point, it is either Kevin Walters or Owen Daniels, but even Daniels will be held tight by Bullock and the Boys.

TIGHT END:

Ben Watson: He is injured and there are capable back-ups available in Kyle Brady and David Thomas, not to mention the emergence of Donte Stallworth. It is a bad time to be hurt with Sammy Morris going down and Maroney not at 100 percent. Expect Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans to pick the slack there.

Desmond Clark: Phillie hasn't given up a TD to a TE yet this season and appears to be fully healthy. I think that Olsen gets the looks for receptions as Clark is relied more to block to give Griese time and get Benson out of the backfield to keep this game close.

Dallas Clark: I see this being a close game for Indy...eventually winning, but the hard-hitting and speedy secondary/linebacking corp. of the Jags are going to make it very difficult for Dallas to split out and make something happen. Instead, Anthony Gonzalez wil be the third man for Peyton this week.

That's it for this week, folks.. .hope you have a great fantasy week... to check out my full sunday review of the NFL, including confidence picks (straight up win vs. loss) against the spread picks, game overview and last minute must-starts, go the Screaming Sports.Com where I am a Featured Columnist throughout the week. Check out the featured columnist section on the home page Sunday morning.

I'm out!!!

Statistocrat