Fantasy Football Week Two Starts & Sits

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:

Marion Barber bruised his ribs last week. He left the game and Felix Jones filled in capably during that time. The good news is that Marion Barber should practice and be ready to play this Monday versus Philadelphia. Dallas has more weapons and they will be able to run the ball effectively on Philadelphia where St. Louis never really could. Start him.
 
Ryan Grant was monitored for a hamstring last week. He started and played well on Monday versus a tough Vikings defense. Despite a short week to prepare and rest up from the rigors of football, Grant should tear apart the Lions’ defense.
 
It appears that there will not be a committee in New York. Of the 32 plays Brandon Jacobs was part of, 66 percent of them were carries. The only thing that will stop Brandon Jacobs from having a large day will be injury.
 
It was surprising that Rookie Chris Johnson started the game over LenDale White. Then he goes out and almost rushes for 100 yards and a score. He did get a bit dinged up but will be ready to go versus Cincinnati. Johnson will be versatile and effective again in this game. Give him a go.

Wide Receivers to start:

Brandon Marshall will come back this week so get him in your lineup. He missed only one week, so he should still be ready to go even without practice to play Monday night. San Diego will have to gameplan for him and Eddie Royal.
 
Mushin Muhammad has some extra motivation playing Chicago this weekend, but he has more going for him than that. Even a rusty Peyton Manning was able to abuse the Bears’ secondary. Look for Muhammad to put up a good day.
 
Joey Galloway’s owners should check back on game day for his playing status. Atlanta is vulnerable to the pass; Galloway has the veteran moxy to exploit it if able to suit up.

Tight Ends to start:

Carolina proved vulnerable to an unhealthy Antonio Gates last week. Chicago has few offensive weapons in the passing game. They do have Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen though they might take some receptions away from each other. They are worth putting into your lineup this week.
 
Following the defense matchup’s line of thought, Cleveland gave up significant fantasy points last week to Jason Witten. Granted Witten is the number one fantasy TE but Heath Miller is no slouch either; look for him to have a solid day.
 
Finally, there is the issue of Tony Scheffler last week. It was reported to watch him because he had not yet claimed the top spot on the TE depth chart. Since last week, Scheffler has done so. It is safe to get him in the lineup to reap the benefits of having Jay Cutler throwing to him.

Defenses to start:

Look to start Buffalo this week. They play a Jacksonville’s offense in disarray. It should be a couple of weeks until they get their house in order. If you play the drop/add defense’s strategy look to follow Jacksonville the first part of the season.
 
Two other teams that offensively need work takes place in Washington State this week.  If you own either the 49ers or the Seahawks defense, start them.
Matt Hasselbeck will be less likely to turn the ball over; however, he runs the offense with the least weapons. Seeing what has happened this season with the Seahawks wideouts, one has to wonder.
"Mike Holmgren, do you regret your decision to come back for one final season?"

Sit of the Week:

 
Last week I suggested sitting Peyton Manning and this week I am sticking with the Colts. They travel to Minnesota and will face a formidable rush defense. Yes, Ryan Grant did well but he had a big week versus Minnesota last season as well.

Take away Grant’s 57-yard run, and he had 35 yards for the night.

Indianapolis still is missing their starting center, Jeff Saturday, and Chicago has given the rest of the league a template of how to shut down the Colts. This will happen until Peyton loses the rust. That will be soon, but this week if you have other options bench Joseph Addai or expect lower numbers than normal.

Quarterbacks to sit:

The QB that everyone starts start this week that will be likely to underachieve will be Tony Romo. Philadelphia has three very good defensive backs headed by Asante Samuel. They will be good enough to slow down the Cowboy’s offense. I am saying it now; Tony will beat my sit them standards. Just be ready for a down week.
 
Baltimore’s defense is solid and Matt Schaub looked shaky last week (1 TD 2 INT). It is safe to bench him for other options this week.
 
Things are getting ugly in Seattle. The top three receivers are out this week after Nate Burleson went on the IR. Matt Hasselbeck’s top options will be Rookie TE John Carlson and Courtney Taylor. Keep Matt on your bench this week.
 
Miami has WR difficulties as well. Chad Pennington will have a tough time throwing into the Cardinals’ defense and keeping his receivers from being smacked around. Look for Pennington to put up low stats this week.

Running Backs to sit:

Cincinnati will have faced two of the top-2 defenses in the league in a row to start the season when they play the Titans this Sunday. Chris Perry should not do well this week; wait until week three to start him. Tennessee only allowed 33 rushing yards to one of the best NFL’s rushing duo as there is in Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor last week.
 
It has been confirmed that Pierre Thomas is the number two RB in New Orleans behind Reggie Bush. Until that changes, do not consider Deuce McAllister this week or any week unless he rises on the depth chart.
 
We mentioned before in our rankings  not to make Maurice Jones-Drew your number one RB this year; now add to all those reasons that Jacksonville is missing their starting center and both guards this week . This also is not good news for Fred Taylor’s owners. Do not start either Jaguar back this week.
 
Look for Jamal Lewis to have a tough time running versus Pittsburgh this week. Jamal is aging and having some hamstring difficulties. He is a bruising back who has taken a lot of hits. I am beginning to think he will be a player this season where you will have to check the matchups and not start him blindly every week. Look to bench him if you have better options.

Wide Receivers to sit:

Life without Tom Brady should decrease the effectiveness of Wes Welker as Matt Cassel looks to have locked onto Randy Moss as his go-to guy. Look to bench Welker versus the Jets.
 
As mentioned before, the Eagles have three top defensive backs. Terrell Owens should be fine and put up solid numbers. I do not feel the same with Patrick Crayton; keep him on your bench this week.
 
I liked Desean Jackson last week and he did not disappoint. I do think though he will be the most gameplanned WR this week. Are we really afraid of Hank Baskett? I thought not. Dallas has a solid secondary and I think he will not fare well this week.

Tight Ends to sit:

Anthony Fasano lit up the board last week but I do not think he will repeat. Arizona knows how to shut down the TE position and a young emerging tight end like Fasano should have some difficulties scoring fantasy points this week. If you want to pick him up off the waiver wire, go ahead. I think he will reemerge later this season.
 
Another out of nowhere TE is the Panthers’ Dante Rosario. He will play Chicago. I do not expect him to put up points to make him start worthy.
 
The biggest name to make this list is Jeremy Shockey. He is a good player and Drew Brees traditionally likes to target his TE. He also likes to spread the ball. Washington’s weakness right now is its secondary, so look for Brees to exploit there and Shockey will be a tertiary thought.

Defenses to sit:

Washington will give up a lot of points to New Orleans even though they are at home. I do not see them getting a lot of turnovers in this game. The yardage and points given up will negate what sacks they get.

The Giants moved the ball at will last week and the Eagles proved last week that the Rams are the moveable object. Sit the Rams this week.
 
I think the Browns defense is better than people give them credit. However, Pittsburgh knows how to score under Mike Tomlin. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall is getting minimum touches so fumbling should not be much of an issue. Big Ben is efficient when healthy. Do not expect him to turn the ball over. Don’t use this unit

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How I did last week:

Each week we will keep track of how I did the previous week because I should be accountable to you, the reader.

I am basing my starts a success by a standard yardage league and 4 points per passing TD.

A QB will need to score 18 points to be considered a good start, a RB will need to score 12 points, and a WR/TE 10 points.
Defense will be handled a little differently. Because points can vary so greatly if a defense ranks in the top 12 scoring defenses for the week, it will be counted as correct.

My sits will be judged by less than 14 points or less for QB, 10 points or less for a RB, and 7 points or less for a WR or TE. Again, due to the nature of defenses a defense needs to rank in the bottom 12 scoring defenses for the week to be counted as correct.

Defensive scoring will be 2 points for a turnover, 1 point for a sack, and 6 points for a defensive TD. I will also use a graded scale for defensive points scored and yards allowed.
 
Last week I was 1-1 in my start and sit of the week. I also called 22 correct start and sits out of 37 predictions.
That is good for a 60% correct percentage. It is solid but not excellent.

My notable correct calls were rookies Desean Jackson, Matt Forte, and Aaron Rodgers on the start side. My most notable correct calls were Steven Jackson and Peyton Manning on the sit side.

My notable failures were DeAngelo Williams (though Williams did do statistically better that Jonathan Stewart if I may point out), Braylon Edwards, and Donte Stallworth for the starts.

Notable incorrect sits were rookies Chris Johnson and Eddie Royal.

One final note: Ray Rice was a start as it looked like McGahee would not play; otherwise bench him. Sunday morning McGahee was not on the inactive list so that pushes Rice into the do not start column and he met the sit statistics.