FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 14
BENCH/START WRAP-UP
December 09, 2003
Week 13 was a tough week for the FootballDocs' Bench / Start, but this week
(14) was a whole different story. The good calls were back on track
for this crucial time of the year. Kevan Barlow, Jerome Bettis, and
Jimmy Smith highlighted some of the best start calls of the week.
The Docs were also able to save some teams the heartache of a major letdown
from players like Jay Fiedler and Amani Toomer. Sit back, relax, and
enjoy this week's fantasy football wrap up of Bench / Start.
Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Jimmy Smith - As predicted, Smith continued his connection with Leftwich. With 58 yards and a score, most of you were pleased with what you got out of Smith. Even though the Jags are out of it, look for these two players to continue to have success the rest of the season.
Kevan Barlow - We told the Barlow owners of the world that "their dream is about to come true." Barlow was scheduled for his first start as the lone ball carrier. Barlow came through for fantasy teams in a big way this past weekend. With 154 yards rushing, 3 recpetions for 23 yards, and a 46 yard TD, Barlow was living large. Even with Barlow's fumble, you still got excellent production out of this sleeper right when you needed it the most.
Terrell Owens - Coming off of one of his worst games of the year week 13, we told you to brush that bad taste out of your mouth and give Owens the start. 7 receptions for 92 yards and 2 TDs is a great game for any fantasy player. Just incase you were starting to doubt Owens, don't. Owens should continue to be a good start the rest of the fantasy playoffs.
Jerome Bettis - We recommended that is was "time to jump on the bus." Bettis didn't disappoint with 106 yards rushing, 3 receptions for 19 yards and an eleven yard score. The Bus did fumble once, but that didn't diminish this great performance from Bettis.
Tiki Barber - Barber continued our pattern of fumble-mania this week, but he also continued our streak of good calls this week. Barber had 99 yards rushing and 3 receptions for 47 yards. We would have like to have seen a score added to this nice yardage, but it was still a good game from Barber.
T.J. Duckett - "There's a fumble. Fumbelina. Fumblerooski. Fumbeleena." Yes, another fumble from a recommended starter. However, it was another good performance from Duckett. 66 yards of total offense and a TD. We would have liked to have NOT seen the fumble but that is the kind of week it was.
Bench:
Amani Toomer - Coming off 110 yards and a score last week, some owners were hoping that Toomer could repeat. No such luck. Toomer was held to 2 catches for only 30 yards. If you benched Toomer, you were pleased with the results.
James Thrash - Despite the fact that the Eagles were able to light up the Cowboys, Thrash wasn't able to put up any decent numbers this week. No scores and only 34 yards is a pretty ugly game.
Jay Fiedler - Fiedler was only 10 days removed from a mega performance consisting of 239 yards passing and 4 TDs and we told you to sit him down. If you followed our advice, thank goodness. Fiedler not only had a bad game, he scored a negative score in most scoring systems. With only l11 yards passing, 2 interceptions, and a fumble, Fiedler stunk up the joint in New England this past weekend.
David Carr - We suggested not starting Carr with his current health condition. Hopefully most of you followed our advice just like the Texans did. Carr didn't play this week.
Corey Dillon - Only 45 yards lands Dillon in the good calls for a bench this past weekend. Ray Lewis and the Ravens shut down the Bengals and asserted their dominace over the AFC North.
Antowain Smith - Smith was the best RB for New England this past week, but in this snowy defensive battle few offensive players were worth starting.
Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Peerless Price - Price turned in a decent game this past week with 4 receptions for good yardage. Vick was a little to excited about his first start of the season and wasn't able to let his WRs get through their patterns. We would like to have seen some more from Price, but Sunday night was the Michael Vick show.
David Boston - In reception leagues, Boston had a decent week. Boston had good yardage and 3 receptions.
Bench:
Curtis Conway – Conway had a great week 13 performance on Monday Night Football with 78 yards and a TD. This week most fantasy owners were glad that they didn’t start Conway, but he did just enough to eek into the so-so calls for points per reception leagues.
Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Az-Zahir Hakim – Hakim didn’t play and it showed on the scoreboard. The Lions were only able to manage one score in their losing effort.
Bench:
Brian Westbrook – Despite the fact that the Cowboys have a usually solid run D, Westbrook stuck it to us this week. Westbrook had a good game and landed in our blow calls of the week.
