Note: You certainly don’t need me to tell you that elite players like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Jason Witten, etc., are ‘must-starts’ every week. Never (ever!) sit a stud, unless you’re prepared to get burned (and subsequently ridiculed by league mates). It is equally as effortless for me to tell you to sit the rookie QBs, 2nd string RBs and journeyman WRs. That is not what this column is about. The purpose of the Shot Caller’s Report is to identify players who I expect to perform like a quality fantasy starter on a given week; and on the flip side, exposing some of the more highly-regarded players who I anticipate could disappoint.

Each week when compiling this report, I take into consideration not only the individual players mentioned, but also the state of their teams and their opponents, team schedules, historical player performance, inclement weather (when applicable), and of course, injuries. This is a dynamic, stat-driven article that aims to assist you in making the right roster decisions for your fantasy squad. Your feedback is important to me, so please keep the emails coming. Got a specific roster question relative to your team? Fire away. I may not be able to get to all the emails this week as I will be traveling with limited access to a computer, but I’ll do the best I can. Thank you for your support!

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Matt Hasselbeck @ SF
Hasselbeck was very good last week (save 2 INTs) against the Rams, getting off to the start that fantasy owners needed from him, throwing for 3 TDs and 279 passing yards. He’ll have a bit of a rougher road this week in San Francisco as their defense appears to be more formidable than expected, but the former Boston College Eagle should be good for 2 TDs and 250 yards.

Jason Campbell vs. STL
Campbell was solid yet unspectacular against a tough Giants defense last week, completing 73% of his passes for 211 yards and a TD, despite the struggles of the ground game. Luckily for the ‘Skins, the schedule eases up and Campbell should have no problem putting up good totals, at home, against the Rams this week. Need a fill-in for McNabb or Cutler? Look no further – expect Campbell to be fantasy relevant for the next 4-5 weeks.

Joe Flacco @ SD
The Ravens are still a run-first team, so it is unwarranted to expect 300 yards from second year QB Joe Flacco every week (it was the Chiefs, after all) but they are also opening up the offense to Flacco, as evidenced by called pass plays on 25 of the first 39 snaps of the game last week. With the re-emergence of Todd Heap, strong veteran play of Derrick Mason and playmaker Mark Clayton on the verge of breaking out, Flacco has the hardware to be a valuable fantasy QB.

Edwards should take advantage of the Bucs-D that gave up three long TDs to Dallas last week.

Trent Edwards vs. TB
Trent Edwards played well but was not great last week; however his performance on the road against the Patriots should serve to be a confidence builder. Edwards needs to get the ball deep to his receivers, and the Bucs defense could be perfect for him to get this part of his game going, after giving up touchdowns of 42, 66 & 80 yards last week to Tony Romo. Look for him to take some shots this week and put up respectable totals worthy of a fill-in for your injured or struggling QB.

Ben Roethlisberger @ CHI
With the Steelers running game struggling, expect Roethlisberger to be called on to step up and make plays with his arm. Last week he had 3 receivers with 8 or more catches; 2 of them - both Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward - toppled the century mark. The Steelers look good spreading it out and throwing it, and as long as Big Ben doesn’t get sacked 4 times and limits the turnovers, he’s in line for a nice day.

Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

David Garrard vs. ARI
Head Coach Jack Del Rio has been openly critical of Garrard this week, and while that should serve to light a fire under him, just who is he expected to throw to? He completed five passes to his wide receivers last week. MoJo Drew can only do so much. The other options that Garrard has to work with have not shown enough for him to be considered for a start on your team.

Jake Delhomme @ ATL
Delhomme was under constant pressure from the Eagles last week, forcing him into throwing four interceptions and fumbling once. That’s now 11 turnovers in his last 2 games (including the 2008 playoff debacle against the Cardinals). I don’t think Delhomme will be bad, but expect the Panthers to try and control the ball with their running game in an effort to take some of the heat of their QB. In any event, there is no reason to start Jake this week.

Jay Cutler vs. PIT
Jay Cutler tenure as the franchise QB of the Bears got off to a rocky start as he threw 4 INTs for the first time in his career in his Week 1 game against the Packers. Cutler will find a way to be better, but I would not trust him this week because of his opponent, the Steelers. Despite the loss of Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh frenzied defense is just not a good matchup for Cutler after such a disappointing start.

Chad Pennington vs. IND
Pennington, in typical fashion, completed 72% of his passes last week with 21 completions. Sounds pretty good…but it’s not. His longest pass on the day went for 21 yards and he averaged just 6.07 yards per attempt. He belongs on your bench this week when he faced the Colts on Monday Night Football. The Colts did not allow a passing TD last week and they are very good against the pass, allowing just 6 aerial scores last year and 16 in both 2006 & 2007.

Carson Palmer @ GB
In his first regular-season game since October 5, 2008, Palmer completed 21 of 33 passes for 247 yards, no touchdowns and 2 INTs last week. He showed some rust matched up against a better-than-advertised Broncos defense and it will not get any easier this week. The swarming defense of the Packers is reason enough to leave Carson alone; after another tough matchup next week Carson will be licking his chops for his Week 4 game @ Cleveland.

Running Backs