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.
Dan Cage: I need a ruling. Was the fake field goal for a TD by Dallas in Week 15
considered a special-teams play? My league uses a combination of defense/special teams as
a single player in the starting lineup. A playoff-game outcome hangs in the balance.
Please advise.
Fantasy Doctor: This issue has caused quite a ruckus. I was tempted to turn off
my pager because I was getting so many calls. It’s actually a very simple issue: Both
the touchdown scored by the Cowboys’ Eric Bjornson on Sunday (Dec. 19) and the one
scored by Green Bay’s Jeff Thomason on Monday night are OFFENSIVE touchdowns. They
are not considered special-teams scores. Since no attempt was made to kick the ball, those
plays became regular fourth-down plays — no ifs, ands or buts. (Note: If your league
uses "team quarterback" and you’re wondering whether you should get points
for Matt Hasselbeck’s TD toss to Thomason, consult your commissioner.)
Robert Lothian: Love your Web site and insight. I’ve made it to the
semifinals but am troubled by the possibility of the Colts’ and Rams’ starters
sitting in Week 16. What is your opinion? Is it worth it to play them or look elsewhere?
Fantasy Doctor: I wouldn’t hesitate to play any of your Rams or Colts.
There’s a good possibility their games won’t be any different from earlier
regular-season contests — blowouts, in which the starters come out early anyway. In
the Colts’ case, they do have something to play for — home-field advantage
throughout the AFC playoffs. If they win Sunday and the Jaguars lose at Tennessee (a
distinct possibility), the Colts still have a shot for the top seed in the conference.
They won’t take the Browns lightly. The Rams have the NFC’s top spot wrapped up,
but Dick Vermeil is worried about his players losing their edge. He’s a little
concerned about his guys becoming rusty with a bye in the first week of the playoffs. I
look for the regulars to play at least three quarters.
Randall Russell: I have a dilemma over which of my guys to hold over for next
year. I’m in a 10-team league where we start one QB, one RB, one WR and a combination
of three RBs/WRs. My first two keepers are Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor. My third will
come from the following group: Joey Galloway, Ricky Watters, Jeff George and Steve McNair.
I’m leaning toward Watters since he and James both catch a lot of passes out of the
backfield. Agree?
Fantasy Doctor: I favor McNair for several reasons. One is that you know what
his role is going to be next season, and you can’t say the same with certainty about
the other three on your list. Barring some sort of career-ending injury, McNair will be
the Titans’ starting quarterback next season. He’s having a "bad" year
in 1999, yet he still has been one of the more productive fantasy QBs, thanks to eight
rushing touchdowns. Galloway and George stand to become free agents after this season, so
their futures are unclear. Galloway will be a No. 1 receiver wherever he goes, but we
don’t know where he’ll end up, and he could become a holdout again. George is
arguably the top-rated QB for 2000 if he remains in Minnesota, but if he goes to a team
such as Baltimore or New Orleans, his value drops considerably. Watters is getting up in
years and could be challenged by Ahman Green.
Cardinal O’Neill: I’m in the Super Bowl and need some advice on which
receivers to start. Do I stay with Patrick Jeffers and Marcus Robinson, who are both
playing on the road against some tough defenses? Or do I take advantage of any of the
following matchups — Terrence Wilkins vs. Cleveland, Amani Toomer vs. Minnesota or
Terrell Owens vs. Washington?
Fantasy Doctor: I think you have to stick with the hot hands, and I
wouldn’t put too much stock in the opposition. Jeffers faces a Steelers defense that
isn’t playing well right now. Pittsburgh doesn’t have much to play for at this
point, and the team as a whole is playing with very little confidence. The Panthers’
passing game is clicking on all cylinders, and they have a lot to play for — namely,
a wild-card berth in the NFC. Jeffers has put together three consecutive 100-yard
performances, and he has five touchdowns in his last four games. After a two-game
mini-slump, Robinson had the best game of his career last week. The reason: The
Bears’ switch from Shane Matthews to Cade McNown at quarterback. McNown is willing to
take chances down the field and throw the ball up for grabs; Robinson is at his best in
jump-ball situations. He faces a Rams defense that is much better vs. the run than the
pass. Since St. Louis frequently jumps out to a big lead, its opponents often pile up big
passing yards in garbage time.
Charlie DeSando: I have Brad Johnson and Mark Brunell at QB. I am a Redskins
fan, so sometimes my judgment is clouded by 40 years of devotion to the Skins. I also have
Kerry Collins, but I have pretty much ruled him out. Whom would you start?
Fantasy Doctor: I’d start Johnson, and I’m NOT a Redskins fan. Johnson
faces what is unquestionably the worst pass defense in the league. The 49ers have
surrendered an NFL-high 31 passing touchdowns. Steve Beuerlein passed for 368 yards and
four TDs against them last week. Two weeks earlier, Jeff Blake threw for 334 yards and
four TDs vs. San Francisco. With the Redskins’ RB situation up in the air (will the
injured Stephen Davis play?), look for Washington to place a greater emphasis on the
passing game this week. I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson has his best game of the
season.
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. |
