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Posted Nov. 26 at 11:19 PM

Publisher Ian Allan fields your questions on strategy, how to run your league, player ratings -- and whatever else you think of. Updated every Friday during the season; Tuesdays and Fridays during the last two months of the preseason. You must be registered and signed-in to submit a mailbag question. After you sign in at the top of the page, the link to submit a mailbag question will become visible.



Question 1:

Going down to the end of the season, what players at QB, RB, WR, and TE do you see playing so that teams can rest starters, and/or determine their respective worths prior to setting goals for the draft and free agency?


Ed Taylor [WENATCHEE, WA]

A:

Kevin Kolb would be at the head of the list. As soon as the Eagles are out of playoff consideration, I think they'll let him start the final few games and see where he's at. I think he'll start the final three games. Andy Reid has a strong history of totaly blowing off meaningless games at the end of the season (either to rest for the playoffs or to prep for the following year), so I'll also guess that Brian Westbrook will be shut down at the end of the season. But the Eagles don't have much else at that position -- just Correll Buckhalter (who's hurt) and Lorenzo Booker (who's about the smallest tailback in the league).

Oakland, I think, will give more carries to Darren McFadden in the final month of the season. He's healthy now, and they'll want to see what he can bring to their backfield. By the end of the season, he may be getting more carries than Justin Fargas.

The Browns may continue to give Jerome Harrison more playing time at tailback; he's broken a few plays for them. Barring an injury to Jamal Lewis, however, Harrison won't be used as a starter.

I could see the Giants holding Brandon Jacobs out of their final game -- make sure he's fresh and healthy for the postseason. They've also got Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, so they have plenty of firepower at that position.

AFC teams most likely to be in a position to rest players for the postseason: Titans, Jets, Colts.

NFC teams most likely to be in a position to rest players for the postseason: Giants, Cardinals.

I also think you'll see the Steelers rest guys in week 17. Either they'll have the AFC North sewn up, in which case they'll be resting Parker, Ward and Roethlisberger for a week 18 playoff game, or they'll be eliminated from playoff consideration, in which case they'd probably sit down Parker.


Question 2:

You are killing me with Lance Moore, but at least you are not alone. Can anyone tell me why no fantasy site has this guy higher? Brees is going to beat Marino's record and hes the No. 1 receiver in catches and targets, but I keep him on my bench because no one likes him. What gives?


Colin Cody [Chicago]

A:

I agree. I was way too slow to move on Moore. He kind of snuck up on me. With the injuries to Colston and Patten, I thought Moore was just a No. 3 receiver who was filling in as a starter. He's their top guy, and I believe he'll be a top-10 receiver for the remainder of the season. Apologies making that move way too late. I don't particularly like Moore this week (Tampa Bay's defense is awfully tough at Ray-Jay, where it's allowed only 11 TDs in its last 12 games), but I think Moore projects to be very good in all of the Saints' other remaining games.

I find the passing yards race to be compelling. It's certain, I feel, that Brees will finish with more passing yards than Dan Marino. But Kurt Warner is also going to beat that record. I expect this to come down to the final Sunday, with Brees setting the mark in the early game (at home against Carolina), then Kurt Warner taking the field in the afternoon (home against Seattle) knowing exactly how many yards he needs to top it. And Warner will be working against Seattle's league-worst secondary. Could make an otherwise meaningless game very intriguing.


Question 3:

I watched almost the entire Saints-Packers game on Monday night. From what I saw, Marques Colston was only targeted once, which turned out to be the 70 yard touchdown but even that was a broken play. I'm beginning to think there are too many weapons on the Saints, especially when Reggie Bush comes back.

I'm in 5th place in a PPR league and need to make a move. I already have Welker and Cotchery. Do you think it would be wise to drop Colston for another receiver with more potential and favorable matchups such as Ted Ginn, Kevin Walter or Anthony Gonzalez?


Johnny Bazzano [SANTA ROSA, CA]

A:

That could make sense. I find myself intrigued by Ginn this week (playing against a listless St. Louis defense, with Greg Camarillo out for the year). But I would be hesitant to give up on Colston. With Drew Brees going over 300 yards every week, there's a lot of upside there. Maybe Colston regains his confidence, sheds the splint on his thumb or whatever. In that offense (if he regains form), Colston could potentially average 80 yards and a touchdown per game in the final month of the season. I don't think I'm sold enough on any of those other three guys to make a switch.


Question 4:

I have Brees and Warner. Which would you start this week? It's hard to see either with a huge game. The Bucs are usually stingy and the Eagles D is always capable of having a big game using their blitz packages. Both have a great set of WRs. Is New Orleans coming off a Monday night win a problem?


DARRELL PRESTELLA [CARSON CITY, NV]

A:

I'd build the decision around the Prestella Family. Do you like to turn off the television on Thanksgiving? If so, then you could go with Brees. That way, you don't have to worry about how Warner's faring at Philadelphia -- just put the whole thing off until Brees is at Tampa Bay on Sunday. If you like to soak in all three games, then perhaps you go with Warner and give yourself a player to pull for. I don't like the matchup for either guy. I would much prefer to just jot down "to come" at that spot in the lineup, then use both Warner (against St. Louis) and Brees (against Atlanta) next week. If you want to just look at it clinically, I would go with Warner.


Question 5:

The Tynes-Carney circus is bothering my lineup. I think either could be a very good, consistent point producer. How and when can I be sure which is kicking for the Giants each week? (Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the FI staff.)


MICHAEL HAMER [SPRINGFIELD, PA]

A:

The Giants have an early kickoff on Sunday, so most likely you'll know who's starting before the start of the weekend games. The inactive lists typically get posted on NFL.com well before the start of those games. The only possible snag would be if the Giants were to keep both guys active -- maybe use Carney for short field goals and extra points and have Tynes handle kickoffs and long kicks. With the Giants having a fairly tough matchup -- at Washington -- I wouldn't mess with this situation this week. Better to go with a lesser kicker in a better situation -- Dan Carpenter, Sebastian Janikowski and Kris Brown look like nice possibilities this week.


Question 6:

I had a disturbing dream last night that I accessed fantasyindex.com to check Tim Hightower's status, and in the spot where your Mailbag link would normally be, there was instead a notice that the site was temporarily out of service due to Bankruptcy proceedings by Fantasy Index, which had been hit hard by Wall Street's struggles. In an effort to raise money to cover attorney's fees, you were promoting fantasy football "Spring Updates", to be issued in March and May, for $29.95 apiece or $49.95 for the set. Normally I wouldn't trouble you with my dreams, but this one seemed almost real. Of course, after that I dreamed that I was being stalked by Michael Myers and a murderous pod of land-dolphins, but those weren't as vivid. Anyway, if you're hurting, don't despair -- maybe our new Socialist government will use someone else's hard-earned money to "bail out" the magazine.


Jacob Wilson [KAUFMAN, TX]

A:

Always good to hear from you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.


Readers' Comments

Question 1: Going down to the end...

Posted by Giovanni Alessi | Nov. 28 at 04:44 PM

Hey did Vegas post the odds on our new government getting re-elected? I'm guessing that there 2 to 1 favorites aganist the entire Rebuplic party member, 3 to 1 if they happen to be a "rush" favorite. Last time a newly elected democrat took office The Cowboys won the Super Bowl. Poll Texas a blue state by 2012?

Question 1: Going down to the end...

Posted by Mike Dauzat | Dec. 03 at 11:08 AM

...is L T worth starting in week 15 at K C? I also have A P vs Ari,Forte vs N O,and Cjohnson vs Hou.My buddy made me think about sitting AP b/c what if Minn goes down early vs Ari,then AP would be limited since Minn would have to pass. Geez,talk about options.It's the semifinals.Which two would you start to give yourself the best shot to make it to the finals,Ian?You gotta admit,this is a toughie!!

Question 2: You are killing me with...

Posted by Richard Loppnow | Nov. 27 at 12:51 AM

With a playoff game following, you really think they'd risk Warner in a meaningless game? Record or no, I sure don't see it.

Question 2: You are killing me with...

Posted by PHIL MURRAY | Dec. 01 at 05:13 AM

Ditto. I voluntarily added Moore to a trade after week 8 (redrafter ranking of 44). Same redrafter had B. Marshall ranked 13th overall, S. Slaton 28, so I sent Slaton and Moore away for Marshall and K. Faulk. Worst trade I've ever made.

Question 2: You are killing me with...

Posted by CHRISTOPHER TONELLA | Dec. 01 at 05:45 AM

why don't you add deangelo williams to the list of players Ian Allen refuses to acknowledge and move up the rankings. Perhaps 14 TD's and 5 100 yd games in his last 8 games isn't quite enough for the "experts". He has never been ranked higher than 16 and is usually ranked in the 20's or 30's. Hey Ian, can I play in your league?

Question 3: I watched almost the entire...

Posted by BEN HOGEVOLL | Nov. 30 at 12:35 AM

Bazzano-I disagree to not to drop Colston for Ginn who is a true talent with speed and will be main target for Pennington the rest of the way.N.O. who has way to many weapons such as Moore,Henderson and Shockey not to mention Dunn who is a great pass catcher.Miami also has way easy schedule-Rams,Buff,S.F,K.C,and Jets who will sit players by then.N.O has to play T.B,Chic,Car.

Question 3: I watched almost the entire...

Posted by BEN HOGEVOLL | Nov. 30 at 01:37 AM

Bazzano,Sorry,I did not mean to include Dunn who we all know plays for T.B.Reggie Bush is the pass catcher for N.O.who is getting healthy and will most likely also be a main target.In our league,Ginn already has twice as many point as Colston.

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