The Shot Caller’s Report strives to identify players that are borderline fantasy plays and clarify whether they should be started or benched. Rather than telling you to start Peyton Manning and bench Chad Pennington, the Report looks at those “stuck in the middle” guys and evaluates if they will help your team win.

With a slew of recent injuries, the bye weeks are rocking many fantasy teams. Losing one of your starters to a torn up knee or sprained shoulder is tough luck. When your backup QB/RB/WR is on a bye too, you need to reach down a little deeper than you would like to find a warm body so you can play with a full roster come Sunday. We can help with that. Don’t forget - the Panthers, Browns, Packers, and Chargers are on byes this week

Quarterbacks

Must Start:

Drew Brees v. ATL: I know I said I would never recommend him again, but did you see him pick apart the Seattle secondary last week? He looked great, almost like the MVP caliber quarterback he was last year. He has a deep stable of receivers to work with and Reggie Bush demands respect on the ground. Atlanta is not a good team on either side of the ball, so if Brees can’t get it done against the Falcons, owners might as well drop him. I have faith though. He will destroy Atlanta.

Jeff Garcia @ DET: In six games, Garcia has averaged 200 yards and a touchdown, including four TDs in the last three games. He also hasn’t turned the ball over a single time this season. Since Tampa Bay has no running game to speak of, Garcia will see lots of work. Maybe the additions of Zack Crockett and Michael Bennett will revive their anemic ground game. It is unlikely to happen this week, leaving the fortunes of the team riding on Garcia’s shoulders. Oh, and the Lions don’t really play much defense anyway, giving up over 260 passing yards per game

Donovan McNabb v. CHI: McNabb’s owners are getting yanked around by their quarterback. He started the season with two below average games, shredded the Detroit's defense in Week Three, put up a complete stinker the following week, and played a decent game last week after the bye. Which McNabb will show up in Week Seven? Do you know that Chicago’s defense sucks this year? They are allowing 25 points per game and are sinking fast. Here’s hoping the good McNabb is in the game this week.

Marc Bulger @ SEA: He was brutal before sitting out a couple games to rest his injured ribs and Gus Frerotte certainly wasn’t the answer for the Rams while Bulger was down. The team has some banged up receivers, but that is more than compensated for by a date with Seattle. After watching Drew Brees pick the Seahawks apart, Bulger will be able to do the same. Expect a high scoring contest between the two.

Going Out On a Limb:

Kyle Boller @ BUF: This selection is not an endorsement of Boller’s meager quarterbacking skills, but rather a commentary on the deficiencies of the Buffalo Bills defense. The Bills rank second to last in defending the pass. Even Boller will be able to score some fantasy points against them. For teams struggling to find a quarterback, Boller is definitely available in all leagues. Play the match up.

Grab A Clipboard:

Matt Schaub v. TEN: The Texans signal caller started the season off looking solid. His last two games have been anything but as he was held to less than 300 yards passing in each, no touchdowns, and a pair of turnovers in both. One of those outings was against the atrocious Miami Dolphins, which is inexcusable. Until he gets back on track or some of his receivers get healthy, stay away. This week versus the Titans may be especially brutal.

Byron Leftwich @ NO: Since we are into the bye weeks, some owners may be eyeing the seemingly sweet match up against New Orleans and thinking, “Maybe?” Don’t even consider it. Harrington has been bad enough over the last two weeks that fans are starting to call for Byron Leftwich to start. That is never a good sign. If Leftwich gets the nod, don’t let it raise your hopes. The Saints defense looked darned good last week and the Atlanta offensive line is in shambles. An immobile QB like Leftwich may leave the field in pieces Sunday.

Vince Young @ HOU: Even though he puts up highlight reel performances seemingly every week, he hasn’t been much of a fantasy quarterback. Through five games he is averaging a paltry 166 combined yards, and has four touchdowns to seven turnovers. The media focus on him has fixated NFL viewers. Hopefully owners realize that Young isn’t a starting option right now. Additionally, while he is expected to play this weekend in Houston, a strained quad will limit his biggest weapons, speed and mobility.

Jay Cutler v. PIT: Cutler is an average quarterback. If he ever gets his #1 receiver, Javon Walker, back from injury he may begin to blossom. Cutler is normally a decent bye fill in type guy, but not this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is the top ranked defense, allowing less than ten points per game. They are also the second ranked passing defense. Cutler should only be used in a good match up and this is not one of those.

Cleo Lemon v. NE: He had four touchdowns last week, so he should be a shoe in this week, right? I might buy that if his huge game had come against anyone besides the Brownies. Their defense routinely makes fantasy superstars out of ordinary players. One other problem – the Dolphins are playing the Patriots. Considering their rough treatment of opposing quarterbacks all season long, including Tony Romo last week, lower expectations for Lemon drastically.

Running Backs