FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 17
BENCH/START WRAP-UP
December 31, 2003
Looks like we have hit the end of the road for 2003 fantasy football season. This is the last look back at
Bench / Start calls this year, and hopefully you have enjoyed the trip as much as we have. "Playoffs? Playoffs!"
It is all over but the crying, so let's see how the Docs did in Week 17.
Needless to say, picking good starts when so many NFL teams aren't running their regular
game plans is more than a little difficult. Sit back, relax, and enjoy
this week's fantasy football wrap up of Bench / Start.
Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Jamal Lewis - This start call was just for those of you out there who were concerned about Lewis missing some carries b/c week 17 is the last week of the regular season. We told you that he wouldn’t be missing any carries, regardless of what was being stated by the media, and he didn’t. With 114 yards rushing, one reception for 13 yards, and a TD, Lewis finished off a great fantasy season by becoming second on the single season rushing mark (behind only Dickerson).
Edgerrin James - After James’ down week last week, many owners were becoming uneasy about giving him the rock in week 17. The Docs were not part of this group, and said to start James. James came through with 171 yards on the ground, 5 receptions for 35 yards and a score. He had a great game in any scoring system.
Andre Johnson - Not a bad game from this rookie WR, who has been up and down all year. His 5 receptions were a great help in point per reception leagues. If only he would have scored, he would have had a stellar game.
Jeff Garcia - Garcia continued to be a great fantasy start for another fantasy playoff week. He had 2 TDs and 248 yards passing. His 15 yards rushing weren’t too shabby either. Garcia was a risky pick at the beginning of the season, but those owners who had him in the playoffs were smiling from cheek to cheek.
Bench:
Jerome Bettis - No receptions, poor yardage, and no TDs gave us little to praise about the bus this week. After nailing the Bus as a starter the past two weeks, we flipped our story and told you to sit him week 17. That was a move that made many owners happy.
Justin McCareins - McCareins had been pretty hot coming into this match up, but he had a huge down day. Only one catch for 24 yards, which left many owners very pleased if they left this player on their bench this week.
Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
DeShaun Foster - A decent day for Foster. If we could have only gotten this joker into the end zone, we would have absolutely nailed this pick. The Panthers gave a few of Foster’s carries to Davis, and that was the difference between a so-so and a good game.
Byron Leftwich - Leftwich didn’t have any interceptions on the road, but he still didn’t get the type of game we had hoped for out of this rookie. He managed a so-so effort with a TD and 33 yards rushing to tack on to his passing yardage. Leftwich will be a fantasy QB that we will be keeping an eye on next season.
Kevan Barlow - We would have liked to have seen just a little more out of Barlow, but he still posted decent numbers in reception leagues. His 6 recptions for 38 helped to make up for some of his lack of production on the ground. It will be interesting to see what become of Mr. Barlow next season??
Anthony Thomas - The A-Train had a so-so game this week. He receptions weren’t for much yardage, but they were welcomed in reception leagues.
Bench:
Thomas Jones - Jones had only 68 yards rushing and no TDs, but his ability as a pass catcher knocked him into our so-so calls of the week.
David Boston - Boston didn’t have much to talk about until he ripped us for a score. As always, a score makes or breaks our bench start calls every time it happens.
Todd Pinkston - No TDs for Pinkston and only 3 receptions, but he eeked just enough yardage in on us to give him a so-so day.
Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Jerry Rice - Rice pretty much stunk it up all season, and we tried to give the guy a break this week because of his small hot streak. We were wrong. He had a terrible game.
Dennis Northcutt - Northcut had good ground numbers, but his receiving numbers were poor. He almost made the so-so picks of the week, but he fell a tad short.
Marcel Shipp - Ah-hem, Shipp was a reach for us and only recommended for desperate teams. Sometimes when you are reaching for diamonds all you get is coal.
Bench:
Eddie George - George had just enough to squeak into our busted calls. Mostly thanks to his 4 receptions for 45 yards. No TDs for George, but still that damage was done.
Chris Chambers - This was a really bad call. Out of nowhere, Chambers when ape$#!& on us!! Let’s just say, not one of our best moments. Hey, it happens.
Curtis Martin - Color us green and call us Martians. Curtis Martin ripped us for 92 yards and a TD. A pretty good day against a great defense and a busted call for us.
