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The Fantasy Doctor will be checking his messages and making house calls on Fridays this
season. E-mail your fantasy questions to fantasydoctor@pfwa.com
Pettich: I have been offered Isaac Bruce, Keenan McCardell and Michael Pittman
for Marvin Harrison. My other wide receivers are Boston, Muhammad and Warrick. My other
running backs are Lamar Smith, Corey Dillon and Jerome Bettis. In order to make the trade
happen, I would have to drop two players. Here is a list of possible bench players I can
drop: Desmond Clark, Joe Nedney and the Seattle D. Should I make the trade?
Fantasy Doctor: It would be best to know who your starters are at tight end and kicker
to properly help you in your time of need. It’s an interesting dilemma being that
you’re pretty stocked at running back. If you needed Pittman worse than you do,
I’d say you should look into it. But on the other hand, I don’t really see
McCardell being that much more productive than Muhammad or Warrick, and you’d be
giving up arguably the No. 2 fantasy receiver out there.
Alana: Should I start Sammy Morris or Stacy Mack?
Fantasy Doctor: If you need to start one of those two, perhaps you should ask if you
can go back and start the draft over. Remember: Running backs first. I would advise making
a trade to help stop the bleeding. Quickly.
Dave: I'm in a very deep 12-team league and have a problem at my No. 2 WR. I
have Moulds entrenched as my No. 1, but I have a list long on potential but short on
consistent production to fill the No. 2 hole: Marcus Robinson, Travis Taylor, James
McKnight and Koren Robinson. In your opinion, who do you think draws the call Week One,
and for that matter, the season? Robinson is doubtful for opener. Koren is a rook, but I
love the matchup. McKnight is looking good as a Dolphin, but I hate the matchup (Titans).
Taylor against the Bears maybe? Your input is appreciated.
Fantasy Doctor: Marcus Robinson should stay on the shelf. One, because he’s been
out for so long, and two, because he’s got Shane Matthews at quarterback and the fact
the Bears averaged like negative points in the preseason and are facing Baltimore. The
McKnight matchup against the Titans’ defense looks like something you may want to
avoid, but I don’t think you can lose with either of the other two. The Ravens will
be throwing more with the question marks surrounding their running game, and Koren
Robinson and QB Matt Hasselbeck have elevated their games the past few weeks. That looks
like it could be a nice combo this season.
T. Wilder: Dear Doc, I have a decision to make this weekend. I have Kurt Warner
and Brian Griese for my QBs. I've heard that Griese might have a huge game at home against
the Giants, and Warner could have a tough afternoon at Philly. I've also gotten some
advice that you should never bench your "studs" unless they are injured. Who do
you think I should play?
Fantasy Doctor: Well, I’ve heard that China has a lot of people, wrestling is fake
and that an earthquake is pretty frightening, but I’d still start Warner. Griese
could be huge in that offense and is too good to be a backup, so you may want to entertain
the idea of trading him for a back or receiver unless there are no able bodies out there
in the QB free-agent pile.
Bronxbaffler: Hey Doc, I just got through our draft. I'm part of a 14-team
league and left the fifth round with Moss, Lamar Smith, Jamal Anderson, David Boston and
Matt Hasselbeck. I feel I got good value on all my picks, but a run on defenses in the
fifth round left me scrambling later on to pick up the New York Jets. I'm now in a
position to trade a wideout — either Boston or Darrell Jackson — along with
Ernie Conwell, who is my backup for Byron Chamberlain at tight end, for the Ravens’
defense. My question is this: Is there enough room between the Jets and the Ravens to make
this deal, or should I hold off to see what kind of upside my backups and the Jets’
defense really have?
Fantasy Doctor: Good question Baffler, and yes, it seems you did get good value. The
Jets are pretty solid, but I would say there is enough room between the Jets and Ravens to
make the deal, but ONLY if defense weighs heavily in your point total. Compare defensive
points to a quarterback or running back. If a good game by both is relatively equal,
I’d say do it. But if not, I’m not sure it would be worth it to give up a
quality receiver in such a large league. And don’t give up Boston for any defense,
period.
Amanda: Hello Doctor. After just completing my draft, I'm already looking ahead
to Week One, where I'm required to start three wide receivers and two running backs. With
touchdowns being almost everything in our league, what could you prescribe from a crop of
players that consist of Holt, Jimmy Smith, Darnay Scott, Darrell Jackson and Minnis for
WRs and Stephen Davis, Duce Staley, Fred Taylor and Lamar Smith for RBs in order to
jumpstart my season with that first win! Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I don’t know what you did to get that RB crop on Draft Day, but I
must say it was good work. Something that should be investigated perhaps. Even though
Smith and Holt are more valuable in yardage-based leagues, they should be in the starting
lineup all season, barring injury of course. Holt is one of the hottest young players out
there, and Smith has been awfully consistent over the last five or six years. Past that, I
probably like Snoop Minnis or Darrell Jackson. Minnis looks like a very good fit in that
offense, and the Raiders’ Charles Woodson will be harassing Derrick Alexander, so
that’s one less thing the he has to worry about as a rookie. Jackson is not a bad
choice either vs. the Browns, as Hasselbeck could be leading a very potent offense in the
Northwest. At running back, it’s hard — make that impossible — to shy away
from Taylor when he’s healthy. The guy had 10 touchdowns in the final six games last
year. Beyond that, you’re going to have a weekly battle between Davis and Smith, with
Davis probably edging him out for the start in Week One because of the fact the Dolphins
are visiting the Titans.
Bigblackshot: Who will start in the backfield for the 49ers? Barlow or Hearst?
Fantasy Doctor: Hearst gets the nod in Week One, but the Fantasy Doctor hears that they
pretty much will be splitting time throughout the season. The 49ers are very high on the
rookie.
Brian: I am in a basic-scoring league with some yardage incentives and have a
couple of potential dilemmas for Week One.
1. Should I go safe and go with the Redskins’ defense against a
potentially out-of-sync Chargers offense, or should I take my chances with the
Eagles’ defense against the Rams’ offense?
2. I have both Ricky Williams and Jerome Bettis as running backs, but I can
only start one of the two for Week One because I have Stephen Davis as one of my other
backs. Which one?
Also, with Derrick Alexander injured and "day-to-day", what impact
will Marvin Minnis have on the team. We picked him as our sleeper.
Fantasy Doctor: You’re certainly trying to get your money’s worth on this
visit, aren’t you. Go with the Redskins. The Chargers’ offensive line is in
shambles due to injury, and if you ever pick a defense that is facing the Rams, you should
come in for a battery of tests. Don’t drive, we’ll send the big white van for
you. Tough call on the RB situation, but I’d lean toward Ricky against a reshuffled
Bills defense. And the Fantasy Doctor is a big believer in Minnis, but don’t look too
much into Alexander’s injury. It isn’t believed to be serious.
Ray: Hi Doc. I'm sure you'll get this question often this week, but what do you
think about this dilemma? I have to choose one of the following running backs (James is my
No. 1 back):
Lamar Smith (@ TEN)
Michael Bennett (CAR)
Tiki Barber (@ DEN)
I'm thinking Bennett because after all, IT'S THE PANTHERS, and the Titans’
D may shut down Lamar Smith, while Barber starts the season in a hostile Monday-Night
environment in Denver's new stadium. What do you prescribe?
The Fantasy Doctor: I’m thinking you’re right on. Perhaps, the Fantasy Doctor
should spend less time on the links if people like Ray are out there lurking for a job.
Kevin: Going into Week One, I have a RB question. I have Eddie George as my No.
1 back, but for my second back, I have a choice of Garrison Hearst, Kevan Barlow, Travis
Henry and Thomas Jones. I know Arizona has a bye in Week One, so do I go for Hearst,
Barlow or Henry? And then what do I do in Week Two? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: Not an easy decision, but with Hearst and Barlow likely to split time,
I’d go with Henry. Other backs could see the field of play in Buffalo, and Henry is
going up against the Saints’ defense, but he looked solid in the preseason.
Don’t forget, Michael Pittman will be back from suspension in Week Two, further
limiting Jones’ production in Arizona.
The Fantasy Doctor has joined his associates at the golf course but will be back next
week. Please direct all questions to fantasydoctor@pfwa.com.
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