11/30/06
Marvin Harrison is frustrated, and so are his fantasy football owners.
When the Indianapolis Colts score 45 points, that usually means
Harrison had a huge game. Not last week, however.
Harrison had just one catch for 8 yards in the Colts’ 45-21
victory over Philadelphia. That was his worst output in his 11-year
career. No wonder Harrison broke the wide-receiver-whining-for-the-ball
seal by walking off the field early before halftime and pouting
on the bench between possessions.
In the last five weeks, Harrison has had solid numbers just twice.
In Week 11, he had six catches for 94 yards, but without a score.
In Week 9, he had eight catches, 145 yards and two touchdowns. But
in Weeks 8, 10 and 12, he combined to catch eight passes for 68
yards with no TDs. Or low enough numbers to cause his fantasy owners
to grit their teeth in frustration.
So, what should his owners do with him? Should they even consider
benching him, or is that just Jeffrey Dahmer insane to even consider?
With Tennessee, Cincinnati and Houston – all of which have
poor pass defenses -- on Indianapolis’ schedule in the next
four weeks, keep Harrison in your lineup. He’s got too much
pride to let his slump last any longer. My thinking is quarterback
Peyton Manning and the Colts will find a way to make Harrison happy
again.
Here’s a few other struggling studs that used to be automatic
starts and whether you should start ’em, maybe start ’em
(only with good matchups) or bench ’em.
Start ’em
Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis: Since
Holt recorded 154 yards and three touchdowns to extend his scoring
streak to five games in Week 6, he has disappeared. Since, he
hasn’t scored or surpassed 73 yards in a contest. Remember
when Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson was in a slump? If you benched
him after his slow start, you missed out on his 11-catch, 260-yard,
two-touchdown slump-buster game in Week 10. Holt has the same
type of potential, and with Arizona, Oakland, Washington and Minnesota
left on the Rams’ schedule, he should regain his stud form.
Others: Alge Crumpler, TE, Atlanta.
Maybe start ’em
Julius Jones, RB, Dallas: Like
Tiki Barber with the New York Giants, Jones is giving way to another
running back when it comes to scoring touchdowns. The big difference,
however, between Jones and Barber is Jones doesn’t get nearly
as many yards as Barber does. Jones’ teammate, Marion Barber,
has nine TDs while Jones has three. If the Cowboys are facing
a weak run defense, plug Jones in your lineup and hope he racks
up some yards and possibly scores. But, if Dallas is taking on
a stout run defense, he’s too risky of a play when he’s
not a scoring threat.
Others: Edgerrin James, RB,
Arizona; Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis.
Bench ’em
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants:
The younger Manning brother has thrown for less than 200 yards
in six of the last seven weeks. He also has just three touchdown
passes and seven interceptions in the last four games. It’s
not going to get any easier for Manning as the Giants face a brutal
schedule against pass defenses. Manning will have to find a way
to break his slump against four pass defenses ranked in the top
11 in the next four weeks. Don’t drop him, in hopes he can
rebound, but look for another option.
Others: Santana Moss, WR, Washington;
Chris Chambers, WR, Miami.
Hot Read
Sammy Morris, RB, Miami: There
are a few rules that every fantasy football owner should follow:
1) Never draft a kicker before the last few rounds of a draft;
2) Always start your stud players, regardless of the matchup;
and 3) Never pass up on picking up a starting running back if
he becomes available. Morris falls under No. 3 after Dolphins
starting running back Ronnie Brown sustained a broken hand on
Thanksgiving Day.
Broken Play(er)
Randy Moss, WR, Oakland: Owners
of the receiver should either give him a permanent spot on their
bench or drop him. He has four catches for 34 yards the last three
weeks as he continues to whine about his situation in Oakland.
Moss may not care that he’s not producing, but his fantasy
owners sure do.
Off The Bench
Bernard Berrian, WR, Chicago:
The Bears meet the Vikings, who have the top rushing defense and
the second-to-last passing defense. That means Chicago should
air it out often. Berrian returned last week from a ribs injury
and gained 105 yards as the Bears’ most-targeted receiver
with 11 looks. He should have another solid game against the Vikings’
pass defense that has allowed 305 passing yards per game the last
three weeks.
Safe Bet
James, RB, Arizona: It’s
time to dust off James and insert him in your starting lineup.
Yes, James is coming off a pathetic four-carry, 15-yard effort
last week, but sometimes a matchup is just too good to pass up.
The Cardinals face St. Louis and its last-ranked rushing defense
that has allowed 195 rushing yards per game the last five weeks.
Look for James to get his first 100-yard game of the season.
Extra Point
Tennessee quarterback Vince Young’s stock is rising after
he had his best game of his rookie season last week against the
Giants, throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns and running
for 69 yards and a touchdown. Temper your expectations the rest
of the season, however, as rookie quarterbacks rarely perform
consistently. Young will have his jaw-dropping games, but he’s
just as likely to put up stinker games.
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