Ask the Experts
Posted Dec. 09 at 09:14 PM
ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly with answers to a new question being posted Thursday morning. How the guest experts responded when we asked them:
Which regular-season star will be a letdown in the fantasy playoffs?
SAM HENDRICKS
I consider the fantasy post season to be weeks 14-16. I see the COLTS winning home field advantage throughout the playoffs this week and Peyton Manning playing minimal time in weeks 15 and 16. Another candidate is Thomas Jones. Currently he is the 12th best RB in PPR leagues but I see more carries for Shonn Greene and a few less touches and catches and TDs for TJ. Age will begin to take its toll. The Jets finish @TB, ATL and @ IND, so look for a let down from the Wahoo.
Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips and Fantasy Football Almanac 2009, all available at his website, www.ffguidebook.com, at all major bookstores, and at www.amazon.com. He is a 19-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th overall in the 2008 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).
PRETZEL MAY
I have to go with Brett Favre or Kurt Warner for this one. Both these guys play on teams that at this point are essentially playing for nothing. Both will easily win their division but not home field throughout. Favre and Warner are older then dirt so with little upside to them being in the game and risking injury they will probably be on a pitch count as their coaches hope to save their arms for the playoffs. They may help you this week but look out for Championship week. You may need other options.
The May brothers have more than 16 years of combined fantasy football experience and are the co-founders of FantasyDraftMaster.com. The cornerstone of FDM is the UberRank which is a revolutionary approach to the traditional fantasy football cheat sheet. FantasyDraftMaster.com also offers insightful and humorous commentary on football happenings as well as recommendations on waiver wire pickups, line up submissions and weekly pick em' pools. For more info, visit www.fantasydraftmaster.com or email us at info@fantasydraftmaster.com.
LOUIS TRANQUILLI
Roddy White. He found a way to have a very nice game against the Eagles, but so much of that was garbage time it's hard to count on that production each week. Roddy gets Chris Redman at QB (not bad), but also gets the Saints (tough), at the Jets (VERY tough) and Bills (Tough) week #14 through #16. With Michael Turner, Matt Ryan and Michael Jenkins all out, there aren't many weapons opponnents need to focus on outside Roddy. White is going to get his catches, he just doesn't look like a guy that will explode for you during the playoff run.
Tranquilli is the founder and the primary "brains" (if you stretch it) of BFDFANTASYfootball.com. BFD is about delivering the information players want, not fluff, just opinions that matter to fantasy football players. Lou has worked with NFL players and gives a unique perspective because of it. We'll be giving MORE teams away in 2009 to BFD subscribers!
JEFFREY KAMYS
Ricky Williams has a couple of tough matchups against the run, during what will be key playoff weeks. Over the last 4 weeks of the season, he will face the Jags, Titans and Steelers run D's.
Kamys is president of Dr. Stats Fantasy Sports. His company, via the web, offers player news, injury reports, cheat sheets, projections, weekly matchups, statistics, and a customized team tracker. Dr. Stats Fantasy Sports also e-mails preseason newsletters and reports throughout the season. For more info visit www.docstats.com or send email to webmaster@docstats.com.
ANDY RICHARDSON
I'll be sitting down Ben Roethlisberger the rest of the way. Weather might be a factor in Cleveland tonight. He then plays Green Bay and Baltimore, and Green Bay's defense is playing very well right now, while the games with Baltimore usually don't have a lot of scoring.
Richardson has been a columnist and contributor to the Fantasy Football Index magazine and web site for the past eight years. His responsibilities include team defense and IDP projections, as well as various site features. He has run the magazine's annual draft and auction leagues since their inception. His A DAY OF FOOTBALL wrap-up column appears Mondays during the NFL season.
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Posted by John Clifford | Dec. 09 at 11:21 PM
Guys- long time subscriber- I need some week 14 linup help, as it's elemination week! WR3: Housh, Devin Thomas or D. Bess? (pretty close call i think- but i cant decide) Need 2 QBs: Eli, Cassel, Fitzgerald or Quinn (weather looks like it could play a big role)
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Dec. 10 at 02:55 AM
I would use Housh first and Bess second. TWO of those quarterbacks? Yikes. I wouldn't touch Cassel. I suppose I'd go with Eli and Fitzpatrick, Eli based on him being a quality NFL quarterback and Fitpatrick based on matchup. If the weather turns out OK tonight, maybe use Quinn. Good luck.
Posted by CRAIG SMITH | Dec. 13 at 12:12 AM
Is it too late for some help? I have Vikings defense and the choice of either Benson or Gore as my running back...who should be my RB for this week? Combo league, not PPR. Thanks!
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Dec. 13 at 01:46 AM
I'd use Gore, but it has nothing to do with what defense you're starting. I just like his chances better to catch some passes and be better overall than Benson.
Posted by chris sekerdy | Dec. 16 at 01:20 AM
I have a little bit of a problem only because i'm one of those worriers when it comes playoff time. I'm the number one seed and at this moment my starting lineup is qb tom brady rb chris johnson rb maurice jones drew wr larry fitzgerald wr marques colston wr greg jennings te jason witten k gostkowski def balt the question is should i replace any of my current starters with any of the following on my bench?wr robert meachem wr steve breaston rb thomas jones rb ryan grant rb jamaal charles rb ray rice and def philadelphia.IF fitz is ok i was also wondering should i pick up cribbs and start him?because i don't like the jennings matchup and i don't like starting 2 wrs on the same team.I'm going against qb peyton manning wr brandon marshall wr santonio holmes wr steve smith(car) rb rashard mendenhall rb cedric benson te heath miller k jeff reed def new england. Any help with my mental insecurities regarding my final lineup would be greatly appreciated.