 Wes Welker (credits below) With tremendous thanks to Brett Talley (@therealTAL) for filling in for me the past few weeks, herewith is Week Nine’s Sit/Start: QB Start: Matt Cassel, Kansas City
The Dolphins are not bad – they’ve been tied or ahead in almost every game this year – but they do tend to give up a lot of air yards (including 345 to Eli Manning last week). And if this year’s game log is any judge, Cassel’s due for a hot streak. He started with two poor games, followed up with 3 excellent games, and has now had 2 consecutive bad games – time might be ripe for a few hundred yards and a couple TDs.
QB Sit: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
Why, you might ask, would a lifelong Steelers fan be telling people to sit his beloved quarterback? Because, as anyone can tell you, Terrell Suggs and the Ravens defense LOVE playing against Ben. Week One saw 7 turnovers and 18 sacks, and although the Ravens offense lives somewhere between functional and mediocre, the defense is not. They hate the Steelers, and will be all over Roethlisberger like white on rice. Plus, with Emmanuel Sanders out and Hines Ward hobbled, the receiving corps is seriously depleted.
RB Start: Ray Rice, Baltimore
On this list because everyone seems to think the Steelers’ run defense is (a) still very good, and (b) shuts down Ray Rice. Neither of those things is true. In Week One, he had 149 yards and 2 touchdowns, and while those were first two career touchdowns against the Steelers, he has seven TDs through 8 games and without Willis McGahee, he is clearly the Ravens go-to guy for touchdowns. And with three-fourths of the Steelers’ starting linebacking corps injured, Rice may have a lot of opportunities underneath.
RB Sit: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England
I know some out there are saying to start him, but how can you start a guy with one good game this season and no knowledge whatsoever about what his coach will do?
Honorable Mention: Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Another guy with one good game this season, and playing a defense he traditionally does not excel against.
WR Start: Wes Welker, Patriots
Don’t think he’s too hurt – I expect a monster day from him. Belichick, Brady and the Pats are furious, Welker wants to bounce back from getting his clock cleaned last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have another 12 or 14 catch performance coming.
WR Sit: Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills
Two words: Darelle Revis.
TE Start: Ben Watson, Cleveland
Finally over the concussion that has hampered him the past few weeks, I expect Colt McCoy to find him early and often against the Texans, whose underneath pass defense isn’t the best.
Honorable Mention: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Suddenly relevant again and the #4 tight end in the AFC.
TE Sit: Any Redskins tight end not named Fred Davis
Please don’t think that it’s the system that has caused Davis’ success. It’s Davis. Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Jesse’s NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em and in the meantime, follow him on Twitter @jessemendelson and The Fantasy Fix @thefantasyfix.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Jesse Mendelson, Sit Em, Start Em, Week 9, QB Start, QB Sit, RB Start, RB Sit, WR Start, WR Sit, TE Start, TE Sit
 Kevin Kolb (credits below) QB Start: Kevin Kolb, Arizona
Though he seems to have a fumbling problem (3 in two weeks), Kolb has also put up 18 and 16 points, respectively, in the first two weeks. His opponent this week, the Seahawks, have yet to intercept a pass, and made Alex Smith look good in Week One. Kolb can certainly air it out, and I expect him to put up good numbers.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo. The Bills should be playing from behind, and the Patriots have shown they can be thrown on (416 yards allowed in Week One, 378 yards in Week Two).
QB Sit: Sam Bradford, St. Louis
Like the Steelers, the Ravens are smarting after an inexplicable loss last week, to the Titans. But even more smart-worthy than that is the 358 yards that Matt Hasselback threw for, even though the Titans led most of the game. The Ravens’ pass defense will be sure to show up for this one, and cover whoever’s left in the Rams wide receiving corps.
RB Start: Darren Sproles, New Orleans
Clearly not the Saints’ running back, Sproles has proven to be an invaluable member of the passing attack, with 15 catches and a touchdown in the first two weeks (scoring 13 and 11 points in the process). The Texans’ defense boasts some pretty darn good cornerbacks in Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, so a lot of checkdowns are in order…and Sproles in the king of the swing pass/check down. Especially for those of you in PPR leagues, Sproles is the man.
RB Sit: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England
The law firm is just too inconsistent for my taste. Yes, he’s put up a touchdown two straight weeks, but he isn’t a passing threat (1 catch total this season) and his rushing totals can range from minimal (7 in Week One) to moderate (17 in Week Two). As long as he’s sharing time with Little Danny Woodhead, I’d stay away from BJGE.
WR Start: Deion Branch, New England.
Quite simply, with Aaron Hernandez out, a lot of the possession receptions will go his way. He’s still the Pats’ #2 receiver, and gets a big leg up with the absence of the other young tight end.
WR Sit: Hakeem Nicks, New York Football Giants
He’s (supposedly) not injured, but I still wouldn’t touch him. Between not having Manningham on the other side (who on Earth is Victor Cruz????), and facing the top cornerback threesome in the league (Asomugha, Samuel, Rodgers-Cromartie), and having to be thrown by Eli Manning, Nicks is not even in my top 35 receivers this week.
TE Start: Randy McMichael, San Diego
The old Dolphin fills in for Antonio Gates, and I can’t believe that just because Gates isn’t playing, QB Philip Rivers will stop throwing to his tight end. He might not put up Gates numbers, but if you don’t have an obvious top-5 choice at tight end, or if you’re in a salary cap league, McMichael is a good cheap short-term pickup.
Honorable Mention: Fred Davis, Washington. A) I really do think he’s for real; B) I really do think Cooley’s on his last leg; and c) The Cowboys got burned by Dustin Keller in Week One, and Davis and Keller are employed very similarly in their respective offenses.
TE Sit: Scott Chandler, Buffalo
Everyone’s favorite tight end gem, Chandler has 7 receptions this season, comprising 87.5% of his career receptions. The problem, of course, is that he’s been in the league since 2009, and isn’t really all that good. And when you consider that the Patriots held Anthony Fasano scoreless in Week One and held the Gates/McMichael combo to 1 catch last week, Chandler is not a good bet to score. And if he doesn’t score, well, he’s not really worth very much at all. So, the logic goes, sit him.
Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Jesse’s NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em and in the meantime, follow him on Twitter @jessemendelson and The Fantasy Fix @thefantasyfix.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Jesse Mendelson, Sit Em, Start Em, Week 3, QB Start, QB Sit, RB Start, RB Sit, WR Start, WR Sit, TE Start, TE Sit
 Cadillac Williams (credits below) RB Start: Joseph Addai, Indianapolis ColtsKerry Collins did not exactly acquit himself well last week, and Addai’s facing the same defense that allowed the Bengals to rush for 140 yards in Week 1. I expect Addai to get the ball early and often and poke some more holes in that Brownies defense. RB Sit: Cadillac Williams, St. Louis Rams
He did have a good game last week, and everyone’s suddenly jumping on the Cadillac bandwagon in the event S-Jax can’t go. But don’t start Caddy! His last 100 yard performance came in December 2009, and his last multi-touchdown game was a year before that. I don’t see the Giants putting up another stinker; park the Cadillac.QB Start: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh SteelersDon’t let last week’s game fool you – Ben is still a top QB, and still has great weapons at his disposal. And it’s the home opener, where the Steelers always play well. And don’t forget he’s playing the same Seahawks who didn’t force a single turnover or register a sack last week. To stave off the buzzards, I think Big Ben comes through with a bounce-back performance.
QB Sit: Matt Ryan, Atlanta FalconsI know he threw for 319 yards last week, but he also threw for no scores, even though the Falcons were playing from behind the whole game. And this week, he gets the Eagles, who looked very good in shutting down the Rams and holding Sam Bradford to 188 yards and no scores. I think the Falcons will try to run more than pass, and when they do pass, its tough sledding. Sit Matty Ice if you can.WR Start: Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints Marques Colston out + home opener on turf = big game for Mr. Henderson. You’ve gotta love his MO – run fast down sideline, catch ball, score touchdown. With Lance Moore probably still out, and only Robert Meachem to take catches away, run with Devery.
WR Sit: Miles Austin, Dallas CowboysCall me crazy, but Miles has never had to play without a legit WR2 on the other side of the field, and with Dez Bryant out for Sunday’s game against the Niners, and with how deep the WR field is, I think Austin sees double-teams all day, opening space for…
TE Start: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys & BOTH Zach Millers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks
Coming off a huge game against the Jets in Week 1 (6 catches for 110 yards), I expect Romo to find a lot of room in the middle of the field as the Niners work overtime to stop Miles Austin on the outside and Felix Jones out of the backfield.
The Jags’ Miller, meanwhile, steps into the lineup for the injured Marcedes Lewis, and gets to face the same Jets defense that Witten tore apart in Week 1. Between the less-than-stellar Luke McCown starting, and the Jets’ excellent cornerbacks patrolling the outside, Miller could be a great check-down option and a good start.
As for the Seahawks’ Miller, did you see what the Ravens’ Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta did to the Steelers last week? (It was 7 catches, 104 yards and a TD). Obviously, Tarvaris Jackson isn’t half the QB Joe Flacco is, but tight ends have always given the Steelers fits. And without Sidney Rice in the lineup, and the Steelers sure to be in Jackson’s face all day, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Miller score.
TE Sit: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
I know its only one week, but we may have seen the changing of the guard in Washington last week with Fred Davis’ 5 catches and 105 yards to Cooley’s 2 catches for 21 yards. Davis was drafted to provide a stretch-the-field tight end threat, something Cooley hasn’t been for a little while now. And given the Panthers success in throwing deep against the Cardinals in Week 1, expect the field stretcher to get more looks than the old standby.
Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Jesse’s NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em and in the meantime, follow him on Twitter @jessemendelson and The Fantasy Fix @thefantasyfix. And don’t forget that for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
(December 26, 2009 - Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Jesse Mendelson, Sit Em, Start Em, Week 2, QB Start, QB Sit, RB Start, RB Sit, WR Start, WR Sit, TE Start, TE Sit
 Ray Rice (Credits Below) As a born and bred Steelers fan, I’d love to tell you that the Ravens stink. Unfortunately, they don’t.
QB-JOE FLACCO- Though he’s somewhat inconsistent, he’s as entrenched as anyone in the NFL. His backups are two guys no one’s ever heard of – Hunter Caldwell and rookie Tyrod Taylor – and Cam Cameron is rumored to be opening up the offense to Flacco this year. He’s a very solid QB2 on 2-QB teams, but not more than a backup or spot starter on others.
RB-RAY RICE - One of the top 3 or 4 players in the game. Ricky Williams may steal some goal line carries, but Rice is the man, in both the rushing and passing games.
RB-RICKY WILLIAMS – Takes over Willis McGahee’s spot as the Back Who Spells Ray, and scores some vulture touchdowns. May be worth a late round handcuff if you’ve got Rice.
WR-ANQUAN BOLDIN- For all the hype his acquisition brought last season, Boldin actually had a mediocre season, catching just 64 balls for 837 yards and 7 TDs. Only three games of over 100 yards, and nearly half his touchdowns came in a monster game against Cleveland in Week 3. He’ll see far fewer double teams this season, though, so I’d move him a bit higher on the board.
WR-LEE EVANS- After cutting Derrick Mason, the Birds desperately needed another receiver, and pried the former Pro Bowler from the Bills for a measly 4th round pick. Evans was outstanding in 2008, but has slipped since then and really only had one good game last year (it was against the Ravens…maybe the front office only watched tape of that game before dealing for him). He will, however, be a big-time deep threat for Flacco.
TE-ED DICKSON- The loss of Todd Heap will hurt more than the Ravens think, even if they do replace him with the capable Dickson. Although he didn’t do much as a rookie last year, the former third round pick has shown the coaching staff enough to make him the undisputed starter. Not really worth owning just yet, though.
K-BILLY CUNDIFF- He led the league in touchbacks last year and missed only 3 field goals, but finished 8th in scoring. You should never, ever pick a kicker before the last round. Ever.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS- Don’t confuse these Ravens with the Ravens of old – their defense is not bad by any measure, but it’s also not going to put up a lot of points for you. Their run defense and defensive line (led by Haloti Ngata, who’s as good as they come) is still stout, but they’re not a top tier D by any stretch.Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfixor for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
(August 18, 20112011-08-18 16:00:00 - Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Auction Values, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin, Lee Evans, Ricky Williams
 Peyton Hillis (See Credits Below) With the Madden cover boy leading the way, the Browns won’t be quite as pathetic as they’ve been in recent years.
QB-COLT MCCOY- Much better in real-life than in fantasy, McCoy does not seem fazed by the speed of the game (indeed, his debut was against the Steelers in prime time was a very respectable 23-for-33 for 287 yards, a touchdown and two picks). For fantasy, however, he shouldn’t be owned in single QB leagues.
RB-PEYTON HILLIS - Hillis is a first round pick, and is the man in Cleveland with absolutely no one else even close. Dealt by the Broncos before last season, Hillis went nuts, putting up nearly 1700 yards of total offense and 13 TDs. No reason not to trust the bruiser this year, but remember to put backup Brandon Jackson on your watch list in case.
WR-MOHAMED MASSAQUOI – He’s the Browns #1 receiver, which is kind like being the fifth Beatle. 482 yards, 2 TDs and one concussion last year don’t make me super hopeful about 2011, but he might worth a late-round flier...after all, someone’s gotta catch the ball.
WR-BRIAN ROBISKIE – See Massaquoi, Mohamed, but with 416 career yards. He’s got potential, but not even remotely draft worthy.
WR-JOSH CRIBBS – One of the most electric players in football (though we’ll see how the kickoff rule affects him) is only ownable if you can choose individual special teams players. Otherwise, he doesn’t do enough on offense or in the Wildcat to make him worthwhile.
TE-BEN WATSON- Fifth overall among tight ends in catches and yards, Watson functioned as a great safety valve for Colt McCoy in 2010 and I expect him to continue to do so this year. I’d like to see more touchdowns, but the consistency of catches and yards is worthy of making Watson an every-week starter.
K-PHIL DAWSON - Didn’t break 100 points last season, and may not again this year. Never, ever pick a kicker before the last round. Ever.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS- Worth a look because of Cribbs’ return ability, but the defense is simply not good enough to own. You’d be giving up a lot of defense points in the hope of getting a Cribbs punt return.
Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.
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(April 27, 20112011-04-27 16:00:00 - Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Auction Values, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Cleveland Browns, Peyton Hillis, Colt McCoy, Ben Watson, Josh Cribbs
 From Orange & Black Stripes to White & Black The Bengals have a real legitimate shot at being the worst team in football. They have exactly one offensive starter left from their 2009 AFC North champion team, Cedric Benson, who is the only definitely ownable player.QB- ANDY DALTON – Coming off a great run as TCU’s quarterback, Dalton will hit the ground running this year, and run into a very very steep learning curve, very quickly. He has looked overmatched in the preseason, and may very well take an entire season to get his feet under him, and having a rookie and sophomore (AJ Green and Jordan Shipley, respectively) as his top two receivers won’t help matters. Dalton is the worst fantasy quarterback this season, and I would not be surprised to see Bruce Gradkowski replace him mid-season and provide a spark, like he did with the Raiders and JaMarcus Russell in 2009.
RB- CEDRIC BENSON – Currently in jail (yes, you read that correctly) but hoping to be back in time for week 1 (you read that correctly too), Benson is at the very bottom of the good running backs list. But with a rookie under center, and no real competition behind him, he will be a workhorse – even if that horseness only provides 3.5 yards per carry . Handcuff with Bernard Scott, who has shown himself an able kick returner and a work in progress at running back. WR- A.J. GREEN – The fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft, Green is the Bengals’ replacement for the departed Chad Ochocinco. He is positively electric, and in the right situation (say, like Julio Jones’s system in Atlanta) could put up huge numbers. This, however, is not the right system. Maybe he’s worth a late-round flier in shallower leagues.
WR- JORDAN SHIPLEY– Another good young receiver with a big time college pedigree, Shipley scored 3 TDs on 600 yards receiving last year, and with a better quarterback could be looking at a potential breakout season. Another guy to put on your watch list and see how Dalton handles the NFL. If Gradkowski plays, however, Shipley is one to look at.
TE - JERMAINE GRESHAM– A mediocre season last year from a guy with big time upside. Plus, an inexperienced quarterback’s best friend is his tight end…which could set Gresham up for a big season.
K- MIKE NUGENT – Kickers on teams this bad shouldn’t be owned, last round or not.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS – I wouldn’t put the Bengals defense in the top 25…meaning there is virtually no reason for anyone to ever own them. And if you do, my condolences.Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.
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or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(December 4, 2010 - Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Auction Values, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Cincinnati Bengals, Cedric Benson, AJ Green, Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Shipley, Andy Dalton
 Big Ben & Mendy (credits below) I’m a Steelers fan, yes, but I’m neutral and objective, I promise. Just draft the entire Steelers offense and you’ll win your league. Trust me, I’ve tried.QB- BEN ROETHLISBERGER – For a guywho doesn’t get a lot of fantasy love, Roethlisberger sure does put up good numbers. Five times in seven years he’s put up a passer rating of at least 97 and hasn’t thrown for less than 3100 yards since 2005 when he played 12 games. In 2010, after missing the first four games, he finished with 3200 yards and a sparkling 17:5 TD:INT ratio and rushed for 2 more TDs. And in 2011, with the weapons listed below, Roethlisberger could have a big year. I wouldn’t pick him ahead of the big 5 (Rodgers, Vick, Brady, Brees, Rivers), but with Peyton’s injury, I’d put Ben at #6 overall at QB.
RB- RASHARD MENDENHALL – If he caught more passes, he’d be a top 5 pick. A workhorse back in every sense of the word, he rushed for nearly 1300 yards and 13 TDs last season, and is primed to do it again.
WR- HINES WARD – Capturing the Mirror Ball trophy seems to have served Hines well – it enabled the 14-year veteran to bring his body into camp in better shape than usual as he tried to rebound from a less-than-stellar 2010. Still one of the best possession receivers in the game, his YPC average remained consistent from the year before, but he caught 36 fewer balls. He’s no more than an 8th or 10th round pick, especially with the other firepower in the receiving corps.
WR- MIKE WALLACE – You want YPC, you come to Mike Wallace. He’s supposedly the fastest guy in the NFL, and he really blossomed in 2010, scoring 10 TDs on 1257 yards. I join the rest of the fantasy world and expect a huge year from Wallace, especially since he gets a full season with Big Ben.WR- ANTONIO BROWN/EMMANUEL SANDERS – The other two members of the Steelers’ Young Money receiving corps. Both have shown great potential (Brown in the 2010 playoffs and 2011 preseason and Sanders during last season), and are worth monitoring, but not drafting just yet. But be careful – one or both may become very relevant come Week One. TE- HEATH MILLER – Heath’s teammates and coaches insist he’s the best all-around tight end in football. Unfortunately for us, that doesn’t translate into fantasy greatness. He’s a mediocre fantasy option, and shouldn’t be your go-to guy.
K-SHAUN SUISHAM – When you call the league’s worst kicking environment home, you shouldn’t be owned in a fantasy league. You should never, ever pick a kicker before the last round. Ever.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS – The Steelers should be one of the best defenses in football again this season, and are worth targeting on the early side. They get a lot of sacks, will pick off passes and recover fumbles, and will score their fair share of touchdowns. Just be thankful you don’t lose points for passing yardage against.(August 17, 2011 - Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America) Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Auction Values, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward
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