I’m a man that can admit my faults. I completely whiffed on Arian Foster last week, but he was left on the bench on a lot of fantasy leagues last week. I did make good recommendations to start Matt Forte and to bench Ryan Mathews, Donovan McNabb, and DeSean Jackson. Here are my weekly Sit/Start column for Week 2 of the 2010 NFL Season.
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
Peyton Manning – The New York Giants pass offense is weak, plus he’s playing against his brother at night, that’s automatic.
Matt Ryan – He’s not usually in this category, since he’s a better actual player than a fantasy player. He faces Arizona and he will have a big game.
Kyle Orton – He didn’t go very early in anyone’s draft outside the 303 area code, but he’s worth a start this week. Denver is a passing offense and he faces a Seattle defense that was lucky in Week 1.
Jason Campbell – He didn’t look great in his opening game, but the Rams will make him look like a Pro Bowler.
Ahmad Bradshaw – Did you see the holes the Texans opened up against the Colts last week? Arian Foster could have been a truck and still went untouched.
Ray Rice – He didn’t have a great Week 1, but the Jets are a hard team to run against.
Arian Foster – I was made into a believer last week, he’s a better back than I gave him credit for.
Jamaal Charles – I was worried about Thomas Jones taking away carries, but I’m not worried about that anymore, he’s the #1 guy in Kansas City.
Santana Moss – Here’s a name that is very unfamiliar with being listed in the start’em list. The Texans secondary is bad and McNabb should be able to hit Moss often.
Hakeem Nicks – Nicks emerged as the #1 option for Eli Manning in Week 1. He will follow up his three touchdown game with another solid game.
Wes Welker – He may have not accumulated a big yardage total, but Brady is looking for him in the red zone.
Mark Clayton – Sam Bradford targeted him more than any other team targeted any other receiver last week. He’s just a good fantasy player on a bad team.
Visante Shiancoe – The Vikings wide receiver corps is weak and Brett Favre is finding his tight end more in the offense.
Mercedes Lewis – You probably didn’t plan on owning him, let alone start him on your team. David Garrard’s receiving options are limited and he is looking for Lewis in the red zone.
Green Bay Packers Defense – They play the Buffalo Bills, enough said.
Philadelphia Eagles Defense – Matthew Stafford is out for a few weeks, so the Lions will start Shaun Hill at quarterback. The Eagles defense is explosive and will blitz Hill all day.
Javon Ringer – DEEP LEAGUE START – He stole a touchdown from CJ2K last week and it won’t be his last vulcher, he’s worth a start in deep leagues.
SIT’EM
Eli Manning – The Giants are going to run all over the Colts and they will limit the passing attack in favor of handing the ball off.
Joe Flacco – The Bengals are weak against the run and the Ravens will focus on giving it to Ray Rice.
Matt Cassel– Cleveland’s secondary is better than advertised, he will have a hard time finding open targets.
Any Buffalo Bills player – I think this will be a weekly tradition, their offense is terrible.
Derek Anderson – I was hoping Anderson would be a sleeper this year, but after Week 1, he looks like he could barely make a UFL roster.
Ryan Mathews – He didn’t get many touches against the Chiefs last week, but he looked like a rookie. I would wait until he shows you something before starting him again.
Jerome Harrison – The carries were split between him and Peyton Hillis. You probably picked him in the first 5 or 6 rounds, but he can’t be started right now.
Justin Forsett – Leon Washington is going to factor in Seattle’s offense, so starting Forsett could be like rolling the dice.
Nate Washington – He scored on a long pass on a busted play, don’t expect that every week.
Steve Breaston – There are better options on the waiver wire, try picking up one of the Mike Williams players on Seattle or Tampa Bay.
Mike Wallace – I have him on a few teams this year, but you can’t trust Dennis Dixon. He will be a better fantasy player once Big Ben comes back.
DeSean Jackson – Jackson is in the same boat as Wallace, both of their quarterbacks are “run first” and not many balls will end up in the air.
Dustin Keller – Mark Sanchez doesn’t seem to be looking for Keller in the offense, so he’s not worth starting.
San Francisco 49ers Defense – They had trouble with Seattle in Week 1 and New Orleans come into town this week.
Chicago Bears – The Bears are a good defense, but the Cowboys will be hungry and can’t go 0-2.