FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 7
BENCH/START WRAP-UP
October 21, 2003
Aaron Brooks and Quincy Carter highlighted some of this week's best picks. Eddie George was one of our better bench calls, but we didn't get them all right. Apparently, every Delhomme has his day. In a game where his team was dominated, Jake Delhomme managed to post a great game. Enough of the appetizer, let's get to the meat … Join us as we take a look back at our fantasy football week 7 predictions for bench / start and see for yourself how things went.
Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Aaron Brooks - Prior to the Falcons' game this past weekend, we told you about Brooks' mediocrity. Then we told you to start Brooks for the big game. He didn't disappoint. With 352 yards passing, 15 yards rushing, and THREE touchdowns, Brooks posted a monster day that fantasy owners dream about. For those of you in leagues that give additional points for long TDs, Brooks' 69 yard strike to Stallworth was an added perk. It doesn't get much better than this! Along those lines, now might be a good time to try to trade Brooks. He could turn things around, but his next two weeks against the Panthers and Bucs don't make us feel all warm and fuzzy about him. If you can't (or don't want) to trade Brooks, don't worry because he plays the Falcons again week 11.
Quincy Carter - While Carter didn't get the yards that Brooks had, he did get the TDs. Carter's three touchdown passes were a welcome sight for those fantasy owners who gave Carter the rock. Apparently, Parcells has put a voodoo hex on Carter and has turned him and the rest of the Cowboys into respectable ball players. The only downside to this is that all of the closet Cowboys fans will start crawling out from under their rocks … bummer.
Deuce McAllister - With the Falcons on the menu we told you to "order a double order of fantasy action." We thought that the Falcons would match their previous levels of futility, but they did the unbelievable … they exceeded it! The Falcons have become the laughing stock of the NFL. At this point you should look for match ups against the Falcons if you need someone to fill in. Virtually everyone on the Saints' team had a great game. Even Boo Williams scored a touchdown. McAllister was no exception. Prior to Sunday's Saints-Falcons game, McAllister had 2 TDs on the season. Thanks to the Falcons sad defense, he was able to double that tally in one game. McAllister's 116 yards rushing and 2 TDs were a welcome sight for owners who made him a high draft pick. Unfortunately, the Falcons have next week off … no easy points there. However, week 9 might mark the revival of Donovan McNabb when the Eagles take on the Falcons.
Vinny Testaverde - As a fill-in pick for those of you scouring the waiver wire last week, we suggested Testaverde. While he didn't knock it out of the park, he did give you reasonable start for a cast-off. Because he didn't turn the ball over and he did score, he still squeaks into the start category.
Shaun Alexander - Alexander hadn't rushed for over 100 yards and 2 TDs since week 1, but he did this week. If you started Alexander you were pleased with his best performance of the year.
Bench:
Eddie George - George had a pretty sad Day with no scores and only 51 yards rushing. If you benched Eddie, you were happy about it. If you drafted Eddie, you aren't too pleased.
Any Patriots RB - Mike Cloud had 8 yards, so you didn't want to start him. Faulk was posting an OK game until he fumbled, and McCrary had 3 yards. If you benched any of these guys you were satisfied with that choice.
Bobby Shaw - Shaw was blanketed by the Redskins' D. Shaw only managed 23 yards on three receptions.
Shawn Bryson - With 29 total yards, Bryson was a definite bench player this week.
Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Koren Robinson - Robinson's yardage wasn't bad, but we had hope for more. Apparently, the Seahawks decided to make it Bobby Engram Day and game him the TD instead of Robinson.
William Green - Green's total yards weren't what we had planned on, but he did accumulate enough for the so-so start.
Bench:
Onterrio Smith - Smith had only 29 yards rushing, but he did score. In fantasy football, a TD can make or break you. Smith broke our prediction and landed in the so-so starts.
Tai Streets - Streets snuck his way into the end zone and saved his 34 yard performance. Streets would have been a so-so start.
Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Derrick Mason - Thanks to the Panthers' inability to score, Steve McNair hardly threw the ball in the second half. As a result, Mason didn't get as many touches as we had thought.
Bench:
Jake Delhomme - Thanks to the Titans getting up and playing soft Delhomme was able to past his best game of the season (and this game will probably remain his best game of the season). This QB would have been a good start in most leagues.
Corey Dillon - Dillon's receiving and rushing stats were going to land him in the correct bench picks, but his added TD mad him a poor call.
