FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 16
BENCH/START WRAP-UP
December 23, 2003
We have been feeling the (playoff) pressure to make good calls in the Bench / Start
and in the "Ask the Docs". Week 16 was a crucial week for many teams, so the Bench
/ Start needed to be on the money. We tried to dig deep for you and grab some borderline players
that could make an impact. Anquan Boldin, Jerome Bettis, and Steve Smith
highlighted some of the best start calls. Sit back, relax, and enjoy
this week's fantasy football wrap up of Bench / Start.
Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Steve Smith - Smith had another great game. This 3rd year WR had truly broken out into the fantasy football scene. With 5 receptions for 81 yards and a TD, Smith gave you solid production in a week where many other WRs were injured or performing poorly.
Anquan Boldin - The Pro Bowl rookie had a MONSTER game. With 10 (count 'em those of you in point per reception leagues … 10) for 122 yards (for those of you in leagues that award bonuses for reaching 100 yards) and a TD (for every kind of league) Boldin did it for you when you needed him most. A great game from this young, surprising fantasy stud.
Anthony Thomas - Come on and ride the A-Train … Thomas had one of his best games of the season. With over 150 yards of total offense, 2 receptions, and a touchdown, Thomas was a true find for those teams in need of a spot start this week.
Jerome Bettis - We told you that the Bus would be ready to go this weekend, and boy was he ever! He racked up over 130 yards of total offense and a TD. A great game from a back that has been a secondary player all season. If you were in a bind and were able to get this production out of the bus, ... you might have been able to bring home the title.
Hines Ward - Ward was a money man for many teams this week. With over 120 total yards of offense, a TD, and 6 receptions, Ward had a fantastic game. Ward was able to show why he is one of the elite WRs in the game.
Curtis Martin - We told you that if you liked the standard production that Martin has been giving you, start him again even though he was facing a very good Patriots defense. He managed to give another good game with 110 yards of total offense and 4 receptions. Those of you who need that type of production were happy with the results.
Bench:
Jamel White - Not only did White have a bad game, but it also looks like he may no longer be carrying the rock for the Browns. Suggs got 21 carries to White's 4.
Troy Brown - with only 35 yards Brown owners were pretty satisfied with the choice not to start him.
Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Thomas Jones - Jones didn't light it up like we had though he might against the Falcons. He did manage some nice total yardage numbers and 4 receptions for those leagues that award points for receptions. We told you he was dangerous, but if you didn't have a standard stud to go with, Jones gave you a decent effort.
Dante Hall - Here is another one of our player that was hampered by injury. We told you to start Hall in deep leagues and in leagues with return yardage awarded to WRs. Hall had nearly 100 return yards by the half. Unfortunately, Hall couldn't finish the game due to cramps. This leaves Hall in our so-so calls of the week thanks solely to the numbers he was able to post before going out of the game.
Bench:
Donald Driver - Despite Favre having a fantastic game, Driver had a very mediocre game. Only 3 receptions and reasonable yardage were all that Driver gave you.
Any Washington Redskins RB - Cartwright had a sorry game, but Morton managed to squeak into the end zone. Even though Morton only had 2 catches and no carries, his TD puts us in the so-so calls of the week.
Domanick Davis - Davis snuck his way into the end zone, so despite his low yardage number he made our so-so calls.
Chris Chambers - Chamber had only 1 catch, but it was a TD. Ain't that the luck! In fantasy football, sometimes all you need is a TD. That lands Chambers in our so-so calls.
Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Matt Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck was having a great game until he got injured, but since he couldn't finish out the game, he makes our blown calls of the week.
Chicago Bears D - The Bears really fell apart. They got the win, but all of the "fun-n-gun" tricks we too much for the Bears D. Starting the Bears D probably didn't kill you, but it didn't help your cause either. That lands them in our blown calls of the week.
Bench:
Marty Booker - Amazingly, the rookie QB was able to get the ball to Booker despite the coverage of Bailey. 59 yards of Booker's 80 were on his TD, but regardless of how he got them, he got them. And he gave us a busted call.
