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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
Rudan49: My RBs are Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James, Mike Anderson and Travis
Henry. My league scores for TDs and yardage, so with Terrell Davis' injury, I now have
three stud RBs and one solid RB. However I'm weak at WR (Holt, Schroeder and Coles) and QB
(Fiedler and Kitna), so I'm thinking of trading Anderson for a very solid QB/WR combo.
Good move?
Fantasy Doctor: Certainly. How you got out of Dodge with Faulk and James I don’t
want to know, but you definitely should look into upgrading both positions. With Davis on
the shelf for at least 3-5 weeks, Anderson is suddenly one of the hottest commodities out
there. Don’t get shortchanged on his value either. You should be able to make it
worth your while.
Chris: Here are my problems: We have a large league, and with running backs at
a premium, they run out quick. My starters are Marshall Faulk and Jerome Bettis, with
backups being James Allen and Richie Anderson. With Bettis on a bye week this Sunday, who
should I play, Allen or Anderson? Next, my two defenses are the Chargers and the Titans. I
am leaning toward the Chargers this week. What do you think?
Fantasy Doctor: I would start Allen because although he’s not a big scoring
threat, he is going to get more touches than a third-down specialist such as Anderson. I
have no problem going with the Chargers (vs. the Cowboys) over the Titans (vs. the
Jaguars) this week, but keep in mind that DE Marcellus Wiley and CB Alex Molden are out
with injury.
Nocalat: I have Lamar Smith, Staley and Hearst and need another top WR to match
with Horn. Is Hearst's trade value high or low, and will it get better? I was thinking of
moving Hearst and a WR (Dyson, Rob Moore or Kevin Johnson) for a top WR.
Fantasy Doctor: If you can get a top wide receiver for Hearst and say, Kevin Johnson,
go for it. I doubt you’ll be able to do it, but if RB depth is a problem in your
league, I suppose it’s possible. I would say Hearst’s trade value is difficult
to read right now. A lot depends on how Kevan Barlow progresses in the next month.
Mark Nelson: Doc, I have Boston, Coles, Kennison, and K. Johnson. I plan on
starting Boston as my No. 1 draft choice at WR. However, I am very unsure about my other
starter. Coles will get a poor cover corner, as Ty Law takes Chrebet. Kennison is in the
best offense. Johnson is on a mission after the trade rumors that surfaced here in
Cleveland. How 'bout some advice.
Fantasy Doctor: Here’s some advice: Start Kennison. I won’t even charge you
for that nugget of information. Simply put, he’s fast and now the No. 2 wideout in a
helluva system.
Jonathan: Who do I start as my third WR? Jerry Rice, who is going against the
Dolphins’ tough secondary or Todd Pinkston, who is playing against a weakened
Seahawks secondary? My thoughts are to play Pinkston. He came close to 100 yards last week
(as did Rice), but he is clearly becoming the go-to-guy, and Philly can't afford to go
0-2.
Fantasy Doctor: You know Jonathan, there should be some law that says a question that
suggests playing Todd Pinkston over Jerry Rice is punishable by having to listen to Eric
Dickerson for an entire game. But the thing is, I may have to agree with you. Patrick
Surtain and Sam Madison are stifling defenders in Miami, and the Seahawks probably will be
forced to go with their fourth and fifth cornerbacks again due to injury. I’m not
sure Pinkston is "clearly becoming the go-to guy," just yet, but he’s an
intriguing prospect given the situation.
David: In my league, I managed to end up with Fred Taylor, Corey Dillon, Lamar
Smith, Emmitt Smith, Charlie Garner and Michael Bennett at running back. (An abundance of
riches, I know.) Typically, my starters would be Taylor, Dillon and Smith, but I don't
like Taylor's matchup, and I really don't like Dillon's. If you had to pick two to go this
Sunday, who would they be? Right now, I'm leaning toward Smith and Bennett. Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: The decision against Dillon I can understand. He had 28 carries for 32
yards against them in two games last year. Taylor, however, I don’t think I’d
ever bench as long as he’s healthy. One thing I learned early in my seven years of
fantasy football schooling is to never bench your superstars. You draft them at the top
for a reason. Smith or Bennett could be your other starter. Tough call between those two.
Jason: I have been offered an intriguing trade and would like your help. I must
start two running backs, and my backs are currently Edgerrin James and Corey Dillon. I was
recently offered LaDanian Tomlinson and Ricky Watters for Dillon. Do you think that this
is a good trade for my team? Thanks for your help.
Fantasy Doctor: That depends on the rest of your roster and the way your league is set
up. If you can start three running backs, you could break the bank with those three on a
weekly basis. If you can’t, you may be setting yourself up for a lot of headaches
concerning whom to start from week to week, and I can’t prescribe medication for that
without a different diploma on the wall. If you’re lacking elsewhere, maybe try to
package a wide receiver with either Watters or Tomlinson. Don’t be in a hurry to deal
Dillon though. Make sure it’s worth it.
David: I have Eddie Kennison and Rod Smith, and I’m in a bind here because
I heard that Eddie will get a lot of catches because Smith is going to get double-teamed
all the time. Am I right?
Fantasy Doctor: Yes, Smith runs the risk of facing a few more double-teams, but that
offense is so diverse, it’s not like teams will be able to afford two defenders all
the time just for Smith. Personally, I wouldn’t bench Smith all year. For more, see
two questions up.
Jbrenson: Due to a horrible draft, I was left with the following backs: Priest
Holmes, Travis Henry, Thomas Jones, Michael Pittman and Antowain Smith. In a combined
yardage/scoring league I have to start two. Recommendation?
Fantasy Doctor: For this week, probably Henry and Jones. But when Pittman returns from
his one-game suspension and likely takes over the starting job in Arizona, he could be one
to watch. Holmes I have yet to form much of an opinion on, and he’s going against the
Giants’ defense. Smith led the Patriots in carries in Week One and is going up
against a Jets team that has had some difficulties vs. the run, but I want to see more
from him.
Jdswendt: Doc, I need a prescription. I have Ahman Green, Edgerrin James, J.R.
Redmond and Olandis Gary at running back. Pretty solid. At WR, I have Tim Brown, Freeman,
Pathon and Minnis. I am considering trading Green for a top receiver because I fear that
Freeman may be a disappointment this year. A lot depends on Favre at QB (who I also have),
and he looks pretty good. What do you suggest?
Fantasy Doctor: I suggest you take your Ahman Green trade talk and throw it right out
the window. Having two quality running backs in fantasy football is huge. Brown and
Freeman should be fine, but if it would make you feel better to upgrade the position,
check the free-agent wire.
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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