I’m back with this season’s weekly post when I announce who will be fantasy football studs and duds. I made it to the championship game in every fantasy football league I was in last season. I helped a lot of people last season and I got a lot of great feedback from readers. Here are my players to sit and start for Week 1.
I want to explain what I mean by “sit” and “start.” Of course you are going to start some of the guys i say to bench this week, because you probably used high draft picks or a lot of money in an auction for them. I am just not completely sold that they will have good weeks. If you have a guy that you are on the fence about, maybe this will help you pick between the players.
START’EM
Adrian Peterson – Favre isn’t 100%, Peterson should see a lot of work against the Saints.
Drew Brees – Vikings run defense is solid, but secondary can be throw on, if he’s given time.
Both Steve Smiths – They face each other this week and they are both solid starts. I think Matt Moore is an upgrade over Jake Delhomme.
Chad Henne – If Brandon Marshall can make Kyle Orton look good, imagine how good he will make Henne look this season.
Michael Turner – The Steelers defense will focus on stopping him and making Matt Ryan throw to beat them, but Turner is difficult to contain.
Rashard Mendenhall – Dixon is the QB and he will need a rushing attack and an option to dump the ball off, Mendenhall will have a nice game.
Calvin Johnson – When healthy, Johnson is a freak…he’s healthy and the Bears secondary is bad.
Matt Forte – I could be in the minority in thinking that Forte will have a nice season. He has nice hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Cutler will have to checkdown a lot to keep from throwing picks.
Cedric Benson – The Patriots front four is getting old and Benson should get the ball a lot.
Pierre Garcon – The Texans secondary is weak, all the Colts wide receiving corps should do well. Garcon has the hands and speed to do damage.
Chris Johnson – You used the #1 pick in the draft, you have to start him no matter the situation.
Jason Campbell – Redskins had him in handcuffs and the Raiders will let him use his cannon, even if his wideout options are weak.
Vernon Davis – He has turned to be Alex Smith’s #1 target and Seattle gave up a ton of TDs to tight ends last year.
Arizona Cardinals Defense – You have to start any defense that face the St. Louis Rams this season.
Tony Romo – He’s on the road in a big game, he has to be hyped for a game like this. He has many options to throw to and defenses will have to plan to stop Jones and Barber.
LaDanian Tomlinson – I know, I know…a bit risky. Shonn Greene is the #1 back, but I think LT gets in the end zone.
Green Bay Packers defense – Kevin Kolb looked good filling in for McNabb last season, but the Packers are going throw the kitchen sink at him.
Phillip Rivers – The Chiefs will be energized with a home Monday Night Football game, but their secondary is weak.
Both Mike Williams – DEEP LEAGUE START – You should start these in a standard league, but both Mike Williams (Tampa Bay and Seattle) are the only solid options on their teams at wideout.
SIT’EM
Brett Favre – He has to prove to me that his ankle is well enough to do anything of importance before I can start him in a standard league.
Pierre Thomas – He will lose some carries to Reggie Bush and the Vikings run defense is top notch.
Brandon Jacobs – He seems to have a scaled back role in 2010 and Ahmad Bradshaw is set to take over #1 duties.
Any Buffalo Bills player – I know C.J. Spiller is a sexy pick this year, but they need so much help on offense, they can’t just rely on him.
Dennis Dixon – The Steelers would rather have Byron Leftwich at QB…that should tell you something.
Jay Cutler – The Bears O-line is bad, if the Lions can get pressure on Cutler, he’s going to throw picks.
Any NE Patriots RB – The backfield for the Patriots is so congested, it’s a crapshoot in trying to choose who to play.
Arian Foster – Steve Slaton and Derrick Ward are both on the roster. Slaton has had good games against the Colts, but Foster is a different type of back, a back that the Colts can stop.
Sam Bradford – He’s a rookie and has zero options at wide receiver. It will be a long season for the young quarterback.
Donovan McNabb – He’s a question mark to even play, so he’s too risky to take a chance.
Derrick Mason – Not sure why so many people are on his bandwagon this season. He’s up their in age and Boldin should get the most targets.
DeSean Jackson – The Packers secondary is good and will play against the big play. Jackson only seemed to score last season on big plays, he’s not a red zone target.
Ryan Matthews – I don’t trust a rookie running back in his first game, plus it’s on the road.