Fantasy Football: 10 Players To Bench in Week 2
With week two of the 2010 National Football League season right around the corner, it’s time to talk fantasy football.
Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at about a dozen players you may want to consider benching for week two.
In the case of week two, we’ll be looking at why it may be smarter to bench than to bust.
And from breakout performances to complete disappointments in last week’s season openers, it’s time to take a quick glance at 10 players to bench in week two…
Honorable Mentions: Nate Washington, WR; Ricky Williams, RB
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington and Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams are two guys you may want to consider “on the radar” for possible bench moves heading into week two of the 2010 fantasy football season.
First of all, I wouldn’t expect either of those guys to rack up a lot of points for your fantasy team based on week two NFL matchups.
In addition, both Washington and Williams will be facing a much tougher secondary; so if you want my advice, I’d highly consider keeping the aforementioned players on the bench in week two.
No. 10: Michael Crabtree, WR (San Francisco 49ers)
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Garnering just two receptions for 12 yards in the season opener for the San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver Michael Crabtree should definitely be benched in week two.
In addition, the 49ers will be facing a solid New Orleans secondary in this week’s Monday Night Football contest—giving fantasy owners even more of a reason to bench Crabtree this weekend.
No. 9: C.J. Spiller, RB (Buffalo Bills)
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Buffalo Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller, who rushed for just six yards on seven carries in last week’s season opener, is another player that should absolutely be benched for week two.
Buffalo will also be facing a tough and talented Green Bay defense in a very hostile environment at Lambeau Field.
Want my advice? Bench Spiller this weekend.
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No. 8: Brandon Meriweather, SS (New England Patriots)
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Brandon Meriweather, a fourth year safety for the New England Patriots, had seven tackles in week one—but don’t expect him to be getting as many hits this weekend.
In fact, with New England facing the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon at New Meadowlands Stadium, I’d plan on leaving Meriweather on the bench for week two’s fantasy games.
Pondering defensive schemes in fantasy football can almost always be difficult, but I’d definitely bank on benching Patriots safety Meriweather for week two.
No. 7: Stewart Bradley, LB (Philadelphia Eagles)
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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Stewart Bradley is another must-bench for week two, at least in my opinion.
And with just one lone tackle in last week’s season opening loss to Green Bay, there are plenty of reasons to keep Bradley on the bench this weekend.
Regardless of what should be a somewhat easy victory for the Eagles on Sunday at Detroit, I’d plan on leaving Bradley benched for week two.
No. 6: Cliff Avril, DE (Detroit Lions)
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Wearing a nearly identical stat line as Eagles linebacker Bradley, there are just as many reasons to bench Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril.
As interesting as it may be having two lackluster defenders facing one another in hopes of getting out of a slump, I’d play it safe and bench Avril this weekend.
With just one tackle on the season and at home facing an Eagles team that will likely destroy the Lions, move Avril to the bench for week two.
No. 5: Jay Feely, K (Arizona Cardinals)
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If you’re a fantasy owner who happens to have Arizona’s Jay Feely as your kicker, here’s some words of advice: bench him this weekend as the Cardinals face the Atlanta Falcons on the road.
Not only has Feely been iffy in regards to kicking accuracy, but I wouldn’t bank on the Cardinals even getting within field goal range very often on Sunday at Atlanta.
So if you want to play it safe and give your team an opportunity to rack up as many points as possible, bench Feely for week two.
No. 4: Brent Celek, TE (Philadelphia Eagles)
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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek had a fairly dismal opening week in a loss to the Green Bay Packers, garnering just two receptions for 32 yards.
And although the Eagles will be hitting the road for what will likely be an easy victory, I wouldn’t plan on Celek being a key offensive target.
If you have other options at tight end for this weekend, now’s the time to use them.
Because if you want my advice on the TE position, I’d definitely bench Celek for week two’s fantasy football action.
No. 3: Knowshon Moreno, RB (Denver Broncos)
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Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno picked up 60 yards on 15 carries in week one for Denver, scoring one touchdown in his second season in the NFL.
But with the Broncos facing Seattle on Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High, it’s time to give Moreno an off-week and put him on the bench.
Regardless of Denver winning or losing this weekend’s matchup, the safe bet is to bench Moreno for week two.
No. 2: Hakeem Nicks, WR (New York Giants)
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Although New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks garnered 75 yards on four receptions, scoring three touchdowns as well, I wouldn’t expect the same from him this weekend.
With the Manning brothers set to battle it out on the gridiron on Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium as the Giants hit the road to face the Indianapolis Colts, I’d take the time to place Nicks on the bench for this matchup.
Could Nicks still put up some decent numbers on Sunday night against the Colts?
Sure, he could; but with an Indianapolis secondary intent on turning things around after a blowout loss to Houston in week one, I’d bench Nicks in week two.
No. 1: Carson Palmer, QB (Cincinnati Bengals)
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In Cincinnati’s week one loss at New England, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer actually had a decent stat line once all was said and done, throwing for 345 yards with two touchdown and one interception.
But don’t bank on Palmer getting anywhere close to those numbers this weekend when the Bengals host a top-notch Baltimore Ravens secondary at Paul Brown Stadium.
So if your starting QB is Palmer, you may want to throw in your second or third string play-caller this weekend.
Because regardless of how things turn out on Sunday afternoon at Cincinnati, it’s a safe bet to bench Palmer for week two.
Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com
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