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Chad Samuels, Fantasy columnist at Fantasy Football Maniaxs Week Two is gearing up and as we amass our stats and make our start and sit decisions it is good to have some extra opinions and advice...

Fantasy Football Week Two Starts & Sits

by Football Maniaxs (Senior Writer)

26

2,166 reads

Rankings/List

September 10, 2008


Chad Samuels, Fantasy columnist at Fantasy Football Maniaxs

Week Two is gearing up and as we amass our stats and make our start and sit decisions it is good to have some extra opinions and advice. We at Fantasy Football Maniaxs have you covered, as always.

Note to everyone:
"You may notice that sometimes we advice against starting a particular player and in the next message (comment box) we advocate on starting him.

The reason is very simple:
It depends on who your other option is. Oftentimes we're talking about players that will put up similar stats; what we're trying to accomplish is to take some gambles to optimize your lineup and max out your final score."
 
Finally, before we get into serious football, let me note that it was also stunning to see Tom Brady go down for the season and that will be difficult to recover from.

I think the Patriots will be fine though there is a lot of talent on that team and they are in a weaker division so they should still make the playoffs. I doubt they will get far, though.   

 

Start of the Week

Several running backs produced down games last week, but are slated to bounce back this week. The one I like to bounce back the most is Chiefs’ Larry Johnson.
Rookie Guard Branden Albert held his own, and Oakland’s defense needs more help than Al Davis spending money with reckless abandon.

Though we here at Fantasy Football Maniaxs do not wish injury on anyone, the injury to Brodie Croyle might actually help their offense.

Damon Huard is a solid veteran who is capable of running an offense even if it is not very impressive. Huard will run a safe offense that will require many handoffs to Larry Johnson. Start Larry this week.

 

Quarterbacks to start:

The balance of power will stay even in the AFC until Peyton Manning gets his wings back. Early on the Steelers are the team to beat. Pittsburgh’s offense is not as prolific as Dallas’ but they should have similar results.
Ben Roethlisberger can chuck the ball. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are more than capable of beating the Browns’ defense. Start him this week.
 
Eli Manning moved the ball well last week but could not overcome halftime adjustments to score in the second half. It may be “inconsistent” Eli this season, though, only time will tell. For this week, start Eli as he should expose the Rams’ defense again.
 
The Cardinals were able to move the ball last week but were not able to punch it in the end zone efficiently settling for three FGs. Kurt Warner will do better this week because the San Francisco defense is better than most realize. Give him the start against a weaker Miami’s defense.
 
Finally, for those who are looking for life after Tom Brady, do not despair. Matt Cassel will play solid and has weapons to throw to. He won’t give you the stud points Brady would, but he will be a serviceable option this week as you will probably play a QBBC this year.

Running Backs to start:

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26 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Dave Nemetz 10 months ago

    I can only start 2 RBs (no flex option) in my league, and I have the following to choose from:

    - Frank Gore
    - Clinton Portis
    - Reggie Bush
    - Matt Forte
    - Justin Fargas

    Do I go with the safe starts of Gore and Portis, or do I sub one of those guys for the hot new thing Forte, the resurgent Bush, or Fargas going against a shaky KC D?

    Thoughts?

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    • Football Maniaxs 10 months ago

      Dave, how did you end up getting so much talent at RB? It's not even funny!
      I guess people let up on Bush and you got him cheap. Forte was an uncertainty and Fargas had starter status as a low end selection.
      Anyhow, this week:
      Gore and Portis are the best on paper choices. Gore had a good game vs. the Cardinals and Seattle is in disarray right now. He could have another decent outing.
      Portis disappointed in the opener, but he was playing one of the toughest defenses in all of football, the Giants. He faces a somewhat softer run defense in the Saints this week and could probably give you some additional catching yards, a thing he wasn't able to do vs. NY.

      Bush's role with the Saints, with Colston out 4-6 weeks certainly increases and the Redskins aren't exactly a stout defense in the early going. Brees has still good receivers in Patten and Henderson, so I'm not sure.

      Fargas is a good candidate in week 2 to start, but that McFadden guy is there to steal a few carries.
      Forte vs. Carolina is a good matchup as well.

      I'd start Gore for sure, then if you need reception yards (ppr league?), you may go with Portis.
      Good luck.

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  2. tom coughlin 10 months ago

    Hi I would like your thoughts on WR: need to pick three

    andre johnson
    brandon marshall
    jason witten
    eddie royal
    derric mason
    santonio holmes

    thanks

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  3. Lucas Don 10 months ago

    Hey, Football Maniaxs, you gave me good advice last week on a flex option, so I thought I'd ask once more...except this time its a bit more complicated. I'll just give you the run-down of names for my flex position: RBs Ronnie Brown, Sammy Morris, Pierre Thomas or WRs Wes Welker, Patrick Crayton? It's a bit of a mind-boggler for me, as A). despite several 'experts' picking Brown to have a good game this week, he really didn't show much in my opinion last week to have high hopes and warrant a start; B) Morris did better than Maroney last week, but there's a good chance that that won't repeat itself, especially with Faulk back in the lineup (presumably) C). Thomas, which I think may be the best play of these RBs, but not sure how much he can contribute; D). Welker, who I would start normally yet am a bit leery about doing so, as there is a more than decent chance that his targets could drop with Cassel under center; E). and Crayton, who did good for me last week, but is playing the tough Philly D, against whom the Boys have struggled in the past. Perhaps, just maybe, I have drastically overthought all this. In any event, at this time, I'm contemplating between Thomas and Morris, but would like to hear a second opinion. What you think?

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  4. tom coughlin 10 months ago

    offered an interesting trade today. what do you think?

    I would get Desean Jasckson for Eddie Royal. As noted above i have:

    andre johnson
    brandon marshall
    jason witten
    eddie royal
    derric mason
    santonio holmes

    I don't think i would ever start both marshall and royal in the same week.

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    • Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

      If you are not gonna start both of them in the same week, then do the trade.
      iF YOU KEEEP him would be for insurance handcuffs purposes.

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  5. Fred Lever 10 months ago

    ok last week i made all the wrong choices, hoping to get a win this week.
    my league starts QB, 2RB, 2WR, TE, K, Def

    For RB Willie Parker, Frank gore, Brandon Jacobs. on cbs sports Gore is projected to produce the least amount of points this week, i just have a bad feeling about sitting my #1 RB
    thanks in advance

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    • Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

      Fred, I'm afraid you'd have to.
      Jacobs plays the Rams and will have a monster game and Parker faces the Browns who were weak vs. the run last week.
      Seattle's defense is too good to repeat a bad performance again
      Sit Gore.
      You have good options that should give you equal points. Not in bad shape.

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  6. kyle flynn 10 months ago

    who should i start.....peyton manning or jay cutler matt forte or thomas jones brandon marshall or chad johnson tony gonzalez or tony scheffler

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    • Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

      Kyle, Cutler is having the time of his career lately, but I like Peyton vs. Minnesota' secondary this week.
      Jones and Forte should be good for around 90 yards with a possible score today.
      The Jets have other options vs. the Patriots, the Bears may have to use Forte more.
      Go with Forte.
      Brandon Marshall at WR and Gonzalez at TE.

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  7. greg 9 months ago

    LT is questionable this week will he play on sunday. also eli manning is playing a bad rams team is he a good start over philip rivers. One more justin fargas or selvin young this week

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    • Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

      Eli is definitely a better play then Rivers this week.
      LT will start.
      Fargas over Young should be a good decision.
      Young didn't impress me last week vs a porous Raiders team.

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  8. greg 9 months ago

    Also I just found out houston and baltimore won't be playing this week so who should I replace Andre Johnso with Reggie Williams who plays buffalo or Amani Toomer against the rams

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  9. Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

    I'd take my chances with Toomer based on the Rams factor alone!
    It looks like it should be a fantasy feast for their opponents this year.

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  10. greg 9 months ago

    thanks for all your help

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  11. Timothy Terpak 9 months ago

    Who should I start:

    Garrard or Palmer
    Folk or Gramatica
    Roy Williams or Bowe

    I am having difficult time to decide who should I start those players I listed. A help would be appreciated :) Thanks

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  12. Timothy Terpak 9 months ago

    I forgot to add... my league points counts every reception, yards, etc.

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  13. Timothy Terpak 9 months ago

    It's okay. I went with Garrard, Folk and Williams.

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  14. kyle flynn 9 months ago

    chad johnson and selvin young for marshawyn lynnch good trade? (im getting lynch )

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    • Football Maniaxs 9 months ago

      Kyle, I'm not sure.
      Chad Johnson will eventually come out of his slump.
      Young may not as Shanahan is a RB killer.
      Right now, if you want to do it, ask for another WR to make it even.
      You never know when injuries hit.

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  15. Brian P 9 months ago

    Never sit your studs. Never!

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