Week 2 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Aaron Rodgers and Ray Rice, or to bench Tarvaris Jackson and Bernard Berrian? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 2 of the 2011 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins vs. Texans. Lost amid Tom Brady’s passing heroics on Monday night were the terrific numbers compiled by Henne (416 passing, 59 rushing yards, 3 total TDs). He’ll likely find himself in another shootout this week against a Texans secondary that isn’t as good as it looked against the Colts.

Cadillac Williams, RB, Rams at Giants. He was impressive both running and receiving against the stout Eagles defense. Williams should fare even better against an injury-riddled New York squad, as Steven Jackson sits this one out.

James Starks, RB, Packers at Panthers. Ryan Grant still has seniority, but there’s little doubt Starks is the superior runner. Look for the bruiser to keep staking his claim to the starting role against a soft Carolina run defense that just lost its best player (MLB Jon Beason) for the season.

Robert Meachem, WR, Saints vs. Bears. Devery Henderson has proven over the years that he can’t be trusted to post good games back-to-back. Meachem is different. With Marques Colston out, and Lance Moore still questionable, Meachem is the New Orleans wideout to trust this week.

Davone Bess, WR, Dolphins. Bess is easy to overlook in an offense that features Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush. But he is arguably Henne’s steadiest receiver, and he should be very busy as the Dolphins try to keep pace with the Texans’ prolific offense. In PPR leagues, Bess is a terrific option.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Matt Stafford, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco; RBs Reggie Bush, Tim Hightower, Mike Tolbert, Ahmad Bradshaw, Peyton Hillis, Jahvid Best; WRs Plaxico Burress, Anquan Boldin, Mario Manningham, Nate Burleson, Jordy Nelson, Santana Moss, Braylon Edwards, Brandon Gibson, Johnny Knox.

Roll ‘em back

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons vs. Eagles. Ryan always plays better at home, so I don’t expect him to be shut out of the end zone for a second consecutive week. But he’ll be under constant pressure from the Eagles’ relentless pass rush, and their all-star secondary won’t yield much either. There are much better QB plays this week.

Chris Johnson, RB, Titans vs. Ravens. Look, I know you’re going to start him. You know you’re going to start him. But I’m telling you, you won’t like what you see. He was a virtual non-factor against the Jags in Week 1, and now he’s facing a fired-up Ravens squad that just dismantled last year’s Super Bowl losers. CJ2K will be great this year; just not till Week 3.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets vs. Jaguars. He averaged a measly 2.6 yards per carry against Dallas and was out-shone again by the ageless LaDainian Tomlinson. Greene is useless in the passing game, and this week’s opponent just held the multi-faceted Chris Johnson to 49 combined yards. Could Greene be headed for another bust season?

Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings vs. Buccaneers. Take away his kickoff return TD and Harvin had just 22 yards in the opener. Though the Bucs secondary isn’t as stout as the Chargers’, Harvin will be a risky play as long as Donovan McNabb struggles to move the offense.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles at Falcons. I was shocked to see Maclin in so many starting lineups last weekend, given that he spent nearly six months this offseason battling a mysterious illness and he clearly isn’t in game shape. He’s currently being started in more than 80 percent of one major site’s leagues, which is even more puzzling given his poor production in Week 1 (3 targets, 1 catch, 20 yards). Bench him until he gets his legs back underneath him.

More thumbs down: QBs Cam Newton, Matt Cassel, Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Tarvaris Jackson; RBs DeAngelo Williams, Mark Ingram, LeGarrette Blount, Daniel Thomas, Marshawn Lynch; WRs Chad Ochocinco, Jacoby Ford, Austin Collie, Michael Crabtree, Lee Evans, A.J. Green, Mohamed Massaquoi, all Jaguars and Seahawks receivers.

Taking a flier

Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos vs. Bengals. He and his teammates did little against the Raiders, but McGahee could have the backfield to himself against the Bengals if Knowshon Moreno’s hamstring doesn’t heal quickly. McGahee is always a good bet for goal-line carries, and he proved Monday night that he can be an effective receiver as well. He’s a decent flex play this week if Moreno sits.

Don’t be the bonehead who…gives up on the Steelers defense/special teams after their debacle in Baltimore. They’ll remind you why you spent a mid-round draft pick on them against the sorry Seahawks. Methinks Troy Polamalu will take one of Tarvaris Jackson’s passes to the house in this lopsided contest.

Week 2 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Aaron Rodgers and Arian Foster, or bench Shaun Hill and Kenny Britt? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for real help with your starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 2 of the 2010 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles at Lions. I have a well-documented history of skepticism about Vick as a fantasy quarterback, but that changed (for now) last Sunday. The former All Pro looked as dynamic as ever – both passing and running – against a salty Packers defense. He’ll have a field day against the Lions, while stirring up the QB controversy in Philly. He won't pass for 300 yards, but rushing yards add up faster.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants at Colts. If Arian Foster’s career day against Indy wasn’t enough, perhaps Bradshaw’s nearly two-to-one workload over Brandon Jacobs in Week 1 will convince you to start him. Bradshaw should improve upon last week’s 93-total-yard, one touchdown outing under the Sunday night lights.

Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers vs. Bills. He may not be the long-term answer to Ryan Grant’s season-ending injury, but Jackson will have a great opportunity to prove his worth against a bad Buffalo run defense. If you managed to grab him off the waiver wire, plug him into your starting lineup and enjoy the results.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts vs. Giants. Everybody except Garcon scored last week, but Indy’s No. 2 wideout was targeted 10 times and nearly had a TD of his own. In the primetime matchup of the Brothers Manning, Garcon will get plenty of chances to shine against the Giants’ suspect secondary.

Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers at Panthers. Josh Freeman’s favorite target lines up against a team that coughed up three TDs to Hakeem Nicks in Week 1. Look for the first 100-yard outing of the rookie’s career, along with his second TD in as many games.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Brett Favre, Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb; RBs LeSean McCoy, Knowshon Moreno, Cedric Benson, Jamaal Charles, Ryan Mathews, Darren McFadden; WRs Anquan Boldin, Malcom Floyd, Dez Bryant, Donald Driver, Robert Meachem, Santana Moss.

Roll ‘em back

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals vs. Ravens. He totaled just 495 yards and two TDs in two games against Baltimore last season. Despite his strong start in New England in Week 1, Palmer is a bad bet against a Ravens defense still fired up over Monday night’s dominating performance.

Jahvid Best, RB, Lions vs. Eagles. Though he salvaged his day with two TD runs, the talented rookie was limited to 1.4 yards per rush against the Bears in Week 1. With little concern over an aerial “attack” piloted by Shaun Hill, Philly will load up to stop the run, leaving Best scant room to roam. Detroit may also be forced to abandon the run early, if they fall behind as expected.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets at Patriots. The presumed workhorse of New York’s backfield fumbled twice and was benched in the opener, while LaDainian Tomlinson showed the youngster how it’s done. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer later clarified his position that any player who fumbles will immediately be removed from the game. The Jets can’t afford similar mistakes against their divisional rivals Sunday, so avoid the likelihood of another disappointing stat line from Greene if possible. LT should get the bulk of the workload against the tough Pats defense.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions vs. Eagles. Do you sense my pessimism about Detroit? With Hill at the controls, and the ground game struggling, this contest has all the makings of a Motor City blowout. Philly held Aaron Rodgers to 188 passing yards in the opener, and they should have no trouble shutting down Hill and his only legitimate receiver.

Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens at Bengals. The wily veteran was a bit player in the new-look Baltimore passing attack in Week 1, and last season’s results in two games against Cincinnati (3 receptions, 31 yards, 0 TDs, including a goose egg) offer little hope for a rebound this weekend.

More thumbs down: QBs Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Matt Hasselbeck, Alex Smith, David Garrard; RBs Matt Forte, C.J. Spiller, Tim Hightower, Ronnie Brown, Fred Taylor, Clinton Portis; WRs Bernard Berrian, Chris Chambers, Devin Hester, Braylon Edwards, Nate Washington, Lee Evans, Mike Sims-Walker, Mike Wallace, Mike Williams (SEA).

TAKING A FLIER

Jacoby Jones, WR, Texans at Redskins. Kevin Walter is still Houston’s designated starter opposite Andre Johnson, and he grabbed the sole scoring catch in Week 1; but Jones is the more explosive of the two wideouts. Walter made the most of his only two targets of the game, while Jones had a team-high six targets (including one that slipped through his hands in the end zone). Houston will surely pass more frequently in Washington, giving Jones plenty of opportunities to excel.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…benches Randy Moss against Darrelle Revis. Yes, I realize the diva wideout was held under 35 yards on Revis Island in both games last season, but Moss did manage to add a touchdown in their second battle. Like trying to time the stock market, sitting an elite receiver of Moss’ caliber is riskier than starting him.

Starters & Benchwarmers -- Week 2

You don’t need me advising you to start Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson, or to bench Tarvaris Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez. So I’ll spare you the obvious recommendations, focusing instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy lineups. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 2.


Watch ‘em roll

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons vs. Panthers. After a decent start against Miami, Ryan faces a team that denied him a scoring pass in both contests during his rookie season. But Carolina is a team in disarray, and the more seasoned passer will have no problem picking them apart with his talented receiving corps.
Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders at Chiefs. He romped over the Chiefs for 164 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 last season. Though he’s sharing the backfield with the equally impressive Michael Bush, McFadden will get plenty of chances to rack up the yards, and scores, again.
Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins vs. Colts. Miami’s strength (running game) matches up favorably with Indy’s weakness (rush defense). Expect a healthy dose of Brown on the ground, as well as in the short passing game, even if the Dolphins fall behind early.
Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings at Lions. Nearly lost in the noise surrounding Peterson’s romp were the multi-talented rookie’s contributions. Harvin was the team’s leading receiver in Week 1 (36 yards, 1 TD), and he added 22 yards as a rusher. He’s clearly a major weapon in Minnesota’s arsenal, especially with Bernard Berrian still gimpy. You’ve gotta love his chances against Detroit.
Santana Moss, WR, Redskins vs. Rams. Moss has a well-deserved reputation for inconsistency, so it follows that he should excel this week after a meager effort against the Giants. The Rams have a knack for helping their opponents rebound.
Other thumbs up: QBs Brett Favre, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger; RBs Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Ahmad Bradshaw; WRs Derrick Mason, Eddie Royal, Justin Gage.

Roll ‘em back

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans at Titans. You can never bench Andre Johnson, but Schaub is a different story. His offensive line barely gave him time to breathe against the Jets’ relentless pass rush, and now he’s facing a team that held him to just 472 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs in two meetings last season.
Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers vs. Ravens. I like his chances better if LaDainian Tomlinson doesn’t suit up, but with the injuries along San Diego’s line and Baltimore’s outstanding run defense in town, Sproles will still have trouble excelling in this matchup.
Willie Parker, RB, Steelers at Bears. Parker has been dealing with a sore hamstring, and Mewelde Moore over-shadowed him in the opener. Chicago’s run defense takes a hit with the loss of Brian Urlacher, but they can still put the clamps down on the Steelers backs.
Laveranues Coles, WR, Bengals at Packers. Facing Green Bay’s ball-hawking secondary after a disastrous opener, Cincinnati’s aerial attack is a huge risk. Coles should be nowhere near your starting lineup until he shows some kind of a spark.
Ted Ginn, WR, Dolphins vs. Colts. Indy’s secondary is among the league’s stingiest, and Ginn has given no indication that he is finally ready to break out. He should be on your bench until further notice.
Other thumbs down: QBs Philip Rivers, Matt Hasselbeck, Jay Cutler; RBs Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, Pierre Thomas, Felix Jones, Julius Jones; WRs Bernard Berrian, Patrick Crayton, Devery Henderson, Devin Hester, Donnie Avery.

TAKING A FLIER

Trent Edwards, QB, Bills vs. Buccaneers. Returning home after a bitter loss to the Patriots, the Bills will seek revenge on the next available opponent. Tampa Bay’s secondary broke down against Dallas, and Edwards – who performed well in the opener – should find similar success. Look for strong outings for Terrell Owens and Lee Evans as well.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…gets discouraged after a tough defeat on opening weekend and starts mailing it in. In my leagues, some of the owners who drafted worst are 1-0 and getting cocky. Their time will come. If you keep on plugging, so will yours.