FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 10
BENCH/START WRAP-UP
November 13, 2007
Welcome to our weekly look back at our Bench / Start calls. Each week
we hold ourselves accountable for our good and bad recommendations. It
is easy to make predictions, but it is tough to stand behind them. Let's
not beat around the bush. Week 10 was a pretty solid week for Start and Sit recommendations. We hope
some of these calls helped you win a game or two this weekend. Without
further ado, let’s get to the weekly fantasy football Bench / Start Wrap-up.
Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Cedric Benson, RB, CHI – Benson has been a huge disappointment. Despite the fact that he runs for a team with a good line and commitment to the run, he has continued to be a fantasy flop. However, he is still worth owning and he is still an option on a case by case basis. This past week we said that EVEN Benson could run against the Raiders. He didn’t disappoint with 97 total yards of offense and a TD. This was a good performance in almost all formats.
Jesse Chatman, RB, MIA – Mr. Waiver Wire came through as we predicted. Chatman ran for 124 yards and he added 5 receptions for 25 yards. Those of you that were either lucky enough or fast enough to get Chatman have yourselves a back that can help you from here on out.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, BUF – Lynch had just his first 100 yard rushing performance of the season in week 9. We told you to saddle up this young rusher, who is rapidly approaching stud status. Lynch delivered again with 61 yards rushing, 3 receptions, 24 yards receiving, a 2-point conversion, and a TD.
Greg Jennings, WR, GB – Jennings didn’t score, but he did have a good game. For those of you in point per reception leagues, you enjoyed his 4 receptions plus his 63 yards receiving. He was close to being a so-so call, but you have to like his decent production.
Starting Pittsburgh QB – We thought there was a chance that Charlie Batch could start this game, so we wanted you to be ready to start him if he got the call. Well, Big Ben Roethlishberger got the nod and he delivered big time with 2 passing TDs and a long rushing TD. We have a suspicion that you just saw the longest rushing TD of his career even if he plays for another 15 years.
Bench:
Kenny Watson, RB, CIN – Watson had a big week 9 with 110 yards of total offense. We told you to forget about that performance because we felt like the Ravens would not allow a run game to succeed against them. Apparently, this we just fine with the Bengals because they won through the air. However, this left Watson with a less than ideal game in week 10. Watson didn’t break 50 yards of total offense and he didn’t score either. As long as Rudi Johnson and Watson are both available, it looks like neither is going to be a respectable option.
Jamal Lewis, RB, CLE – Jamal Lewis had 4 TDs in week 9, but we expected him to come back to earth in week 10. Lewis showed his true colors with only 43 yards of offense and a fumble. Yes, this is the Lewis we have come to know and love. He was a great bench call after a big week.
Reggie Williams, WR, JAX – In week 9, Williams went for 128 yards and a TD. Just as soon as we saw this, we knew it was nothing more than a mirage. Williams helped our bench call come true by managing only catch for 13 yards. Hopefully, you weren’t sucked in by last week’s big game.
Philip Rivers, QB, SD – Rivers gave us a slam dunk on his bench call. He threw barely over 100 yards, he threw 2 picks, and he coughed up a fumble as well. In many scoring systems, Rivers gave you a negative performance. That means that Ricky Williams and Corey Dillon both outscored Rivers in week 10.
Vincent Jackson, WR, SD – Jackson only had 28 yards and 2 catches on Sunday. This was an ugly performance from Jackson and he has become waiver wire fodder in most leagues. The bad news is that Jackson had more yards than Antonio Gates in week 10. That will tell you just one of the things that is wrong with the Chargers offensive attack.
Chris Henry, RB, TEN – Henry had 2 good games and then he had a let down last week. Some of you might have hoped that he would rebound for another decent performance. Henry really didn’t deliver much as he only posted 13 yards of total offense on Sunday.
Michael Jenkins, WR, ATL – Jenkins has had some good games this season and it turned out that the Falcons won the game. However, Jenkins was a non-factor. He only had 1 catch for 6 yards. That means he outscored Philip Rivers, but he was still a bad start.
Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Eli Manning, QB, NYG – Manning’s fantasy performance suffered from his 2 INTs. He did have a TD pass and 236 yards passing and a TD. The end result is a so-so performance from Manning.
Santonio Holmes, WR, PIT – Holmes Just made it out of the busted calls this week thanks to having a decent number of receptions (4) and moderate yardage (53). It is surprising that Holmes didn’t have bigger stats, but that is what you get from WRs.
David Patten, WR, NO – Patten was the last one in the so-so start calls to make it in. In point per reception leagues, he showed up, but we wasn’t very impressive overall.
Bobby Engram, WR, SEA – Engram was an unimpressive start this week with 4 receptions for 53 yards. In point per reception he would have served your purpose, but he doesn’t deserve to be called a good start.
Bench:
Shaun McDonald, WR, DET – McDonald would have been a busted call had he not ran backwards 15 yards and had a fumble. As it stands, he ended up being a so-so bench call.
Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
No one this week.
Bench:
Fred Taylor, RB, JAX – Taylor only had 45 yards rushing, but he did score a TD to bust up our bench call. Those TDs will kill your bench call every time.
Ryan Grant, RB, GB – If you saw this coming, raise your hand. Ok, you liars need to put your hands down. Grant has proven to us that he is a usable runner. He ran where few had run before and he posted a good running day against one of the toughest run defenses in the NFL. Grant went for nearly 140 yards of total offense and he had a TD to boot. With Favre passing like he has, going and getting Grant in a trade might not be a bad idea. He was a big time busted bench call.
