Ask the Fantasy Doctor
By Michael Lev, Senior editor
Editor’s note: Because of time restrictions, the Fantasy Doctor, a very busy
man, is unable to answer ALL of your questions. He appreciates your interest and will try
to get to as many of them as he can. Again, thank you for e-mailing the Fantasy Doctor.
KirkEmerich: I’ve managed to guide my team to a first-place
position so far in spite of having Kordell Stewart at QB since Vinny Testaverde got hurt.
I’m tired of seeing Stewart throw at most one TD pass per week and want to solidify
my QB situation for the playoffs. Here are my free-agent choices: Jim Miller, Jeff Blake,
Ray Lucas or Chris Miller. Your thoughts?
Fantasy Doctor: I would rank them as follows: (1) Jim Miller, (2)
Blake, (3) Lucas, (4) Chris Miller. It’s a very close call between Jim Miller and
Blake. If he continues on his current, Kurt Warner-esque pace, Miller easily is the best
of the bunch. However, there’s no guarantee he’ll keep the starting job if the
Bears fall out of the playoff race. If that happens, Chicago may give Cade McNown extended
playing time with an eye on the future. Barring injury, the Bengals are not expected to
make a QB switch for the rest of this season. Akili Smith is likely done for the year with
a toe injury, so it’s Blake’s show. He may not have the type of monster games
Miller had in Weeks 10 and 11, but Blake is the safer choice. Lucas is learning on the job
and will probably make more mistakes than big plays down the stretch. He is a threat to
run for touchdowns but is directing a RB-oriented offense. Chris Miller got dinged up
Monday night, came out of the game and may not be heard from again now that Brian Griese
is well enough to play.
Darkeyes: I need your blessing on a "risky trade," but one
that has me ready to pull the trigger. I would trade Jon Kitna and Curtis Enis. I would
receive Jake Plummer and Duce Staley. Any opinion?
Fantasy Doctor: You’re right; it is risky. Staley is definitely
an upgrade over Enis, but acquiring Plummer is a serious gamble. He most likely will
return to the lineup in Week 13, but how effective will he be? Plummer was struggling
big-time before he mangled his finger. If you could guarantee that Plummer would be the
Plummer of last season, I’d give you my blessing in a second. But he didn’t look
like the same player earlier this season, and Arizona’s schedule over the last five
games isn’t the easiest (home games vs. Philadelphia and Buffalo; road games vs.
Washington, Atlanta and Green Bay). In my opinion, your trade isn’t worth the risk.
DCSimon: Help! My team is suddenly dropping out of contention due to a
lack of production on defense (Baltimore and San Diego) and running back (Curtis Martin,
Errict Rhett, Olandis Gary and Kevin Faulk). I’m very strong at receiver (Jimmy
Smith, Muhsin Muhammad and Marcus Robinson). I can trade any of my receivers for the
Seattle or Pittsburgh defense, but I really want a running back. Do I hold out for a
better trade?
Fantasy Doctor: Do not — repeat — do not trade one of your
receivers for a defense. Defenses are to fantasy football what chiropractors are to
medicine — they don’t really count. Besides, how can you complain about
Baltimore’s defense? In terms of yards allowed, the Ravens rank second in the league.
They are first in average gain allowed per play. Two weeks ago against Jacksonville, the
Ravens had six sacks and allowed three points. What more could you ask for? I also
don’t see what the problem is at running back. Martin has rushed for more than 100
yards almost every week, Rhett has been a fairly steady scorer and Gary has been a godsend
for the Broncos. Stick with what you’ve got, my friend.
JDarrah23: My fantasy league is coming to an end, and we might have a
couple of ties for the wild-card berths. What criteria does the NFL use for wild-card
tiebreakers?
Fantasy Doctor: The NFL tiebreaking procedure involves conference
records and such, so it’s not necessarily applicable. The first tiebreaker you should
use is head-to-head meetings. After that, since this is fantasy football, look at total
points. If that doesn’t get it done, you might try win-loss percentage vs. common
opponents. If you’re still fit to be tied, flip a coin.
RKissy: I am in a yardage-based league, and we start three receivers.
I have been making the wrong decisions all year. Who would you start from these players:
Tim Brown, Marcus Robinson, Yancey Thigpen, Derrick Mayes and Jacquez Green. I figure
Brown and Robinson are no-brainers. What about the third spot?
Fantasy Doctor: I’d have to give the edge to Mayes, though
I’m not incredibly enthused about him. I like Mayes for two reasons: Seattle’s
passing offense is clicking right now, and the Seahawks are playing at home. Green has
been the more productive player of late, but he generally lines up on the right side of
Tampa Bay’s offensive formations, and that means he’ll be opposite Shawn Springs
this week. Thigpen has been slowed by injuries yet again this season, and the Titans’
WR production has dropped drastically since Steve McNair returned to the lineup.
Editor’s note: If you have a question for the Fantasy Doctor, you can send your
e-mail to fantasydoctor@pfwa.com. He will
answer several questions from our on-line readers in this space each Wednesday. We reserve
the right to edit your question and print your e-mail user name. |
