After a couple so-so weeks with some hot hits and a few mishaps, we finally ran into a week full of bad start calls. For that I apologize. But, like always, before you “Kill the Messenger” and lose all hope in yours truly, take a step back and see why these picks or suggested sits backfired.
Then, when we’ve all said our apologies and accepted that week five just wasn’t out week, we can join together once again for this week’s Start and Sit column, and attempt to pick the pieces back up again.
Week Five Record: 7-8
The Winners
Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings (Start)
No, he didn’t throw three touchdowns or go over 300 yards like we’d hoped, but if you did start him you didn’t lose because of him.
Favre is clearly an average fantasy quarterback, at worst, and can be very serviceable if needed. His one touchdown and 230+ yards was probably welcomed if you were a Drew Brees or Jay Cutler owner searching for an alternative.
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys (Start)
It took him until the second half and all through overtime to finally look like an elite NFL quarterback, and I must say, even I am still not convinced.
Regardless, no picks, 350+ yards, and two scores sounds like a good day (and a good call) to me.
Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (Sit)
Maybe it’s not Johnson we should be harping on. Perhaps the man responsible for letting us down week after week is the guy who keeps feeding him the ball; Todd Haley.
Yes, Johnson received 20 carries against the Cowboys, but his lack of speed and poor blocking led to another disastrous effort, a measly 37 rushing yards.
Johnson hasn’t recorded more than five points in standard leagues all season. Do the smart thing. Sit him until he proves he can be relied upon.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (Sit)
Yes, he played extremely well with his 10 passes that he had, collecting 173 yards and two scores through the air. However, he played too well, and his heel issue and the Giants big lead (as predicted) took him out of the game when there were many more points to be had.
Manning delivered a solid fantasy effort, but if you went with a Matt Cassel, Tony Romo, or Kyle Orton, you would have been loving week five. Hell, even Matt Hasselbeck would have been a better pick.
Kevin Smith, RB Detroit Lions (Sit)
It was the other way around this week. While Smith did almost nothing on the ground, but scored twice in week four, he racked-up 93 total yards against the tough Steelers, but couldn’t find the end-zone.
By all accounts, that’s not a bad game. In fact, it’s fairly solid, that is, if we’re talking about a Flex position. Your RB2 (or God forbid, RB1) should be getting you more than nine points. If Jacobs is a Dud with over 70 yards, sitting Smith made you feel good, too.
Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Sleeper)
Collie had a huge game, and may be ready to take the next step from sleeper candidate to “start” candidate. He will still be fighting with Pierre Garcon for looks, but his chemistry is too hard to ignore.
Eight catches for 97 yards and two scores says he was a fantastic sleeper/play this past week, and his 17 receptions for over 200 yards and three touchdown over the past three games say he’s ready to be on your roster.
Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Sleeper)
Rice delivered an average performance, but since it was his third straight game with at least 50 yards receiving, you knew what you were getting.
Rice also failed to get his feet in-bounds on a sure touchdown pass from Brett Favre, which would have given him extra yardage and a score. Still, Favre continues to look for Rice, and his value is solid going forward as a WR3.
The Duds
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (Start)
No running back for Philly got anything going against Tampa Bay, as Donovan McNabb and co. found it to be much easier (and quicker) to score through the air.
Westbrook couldn’t even help you out with a solid day of yardage, as he only mustered 35 total yards on eight touches. I can’t believe it’s finally come to this, but Westbrook is no longer a must-start back.
Santan Moss, WR, Washington Redskins (Start)
Washington found it’s offense on the ground for most of the day, and when that wasn’t working, Jason Campbell hooked-up with Clinton Portis for the Redskins’ only score through the air.
Moss still got you 40+ yards and didn’t completely leave you hanging, but that was a pretty weak effort, even for a WR3. Expect this type of consistency for the rest of the season.
Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants (Start)
He didn’t kill you if you had him in, but he sure didn’t live-up to his name, either. Well, I hate to say it, but it’s time you get used to it. Jacobs is in an offense that is very well-balanced, and he also splits carries fairly evenly with Ahmad Bradshaw.
You still need to start him every week, but since he’s not scoring at the rate that he was last season, you will definitely be handed some dud performances like this.
Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (Sit)
Who could have ever called this? Every analyst and every expert anywhere who had any inkling of knowledge about the NFL said to sit this guy. And so did I.
He is a bruising back with average speed, moves, and elusiveness, and he was going up against the bitter division rival Baltimore Ravens. And he runs for 120 yards and a 28-yard score?
Now that’s just a bunch of bull crap.
Kudos to those of you who didn’t sit Benson, and if you haven’t learned you lesson (I know I have), it’s to never again sit Cedric Benson.
Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos (Sit)
I was on the fence about Royal, and made the wrong call and suggested you wait until he had his big day. Well, in an unpredictable fantasy offense like Denver’s, we may not see a game like this for Royal for quite some time.
Then again, maybe it’s a sign of things to come. Regardless, he had a big game, and I missed it. My apologies.
Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland Browns (Sleeper)
I could throw-up over this one. But really, don’t hate on me or Massaquoi for this dreadful performance. For him, this ws merely a fluke. It’s the guy throwing him the ball you should really be after.
Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns (Sleeper)
Anderson was all over the field against Buffalo, and not even remotely in a good way. He was erratic and ineffective, going 2-17 as he passed for 23 yards, no scores, and an interception.
Take him off the sleeper list and forget about him unless he delivers back-to-back solid performances.
John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks (Sleeper)
We were hoping for more out of Carlson, but we had to settle with 31 yards on two receptions. Considering Matt Hasselbeck returned from injury to throw four touchdown passes, it was a bit of a letdown.
