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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
In an effort to help those who have to have their lineups in early again this week,
ProFootballWeekly.com has paged the Fantasy Doctor away from his seminar to take care of
his responsibilities a day early.
Adam: Hello Doc, I have three quick questions regarding Week Seven. My running
backs are Bettis, Tomlinson and A. Thomas (I start two). Defenses are Philly and Chicago
(Which one?). Finally, would you start Green or Collins at QB? I'm leaning toward Collins.
Thanks for the input.
Fantasy Doctor: Adam, when you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you
tend not to fret too much about RB decisions that leave you with a pretty good scenario no
matter which door you open. My suggestion is to not take Bettis out no matter what. The
big man is on a roll and making cuts Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said he hasn’t
seen since 1996. As impressive as the A-Train was last week in his first bit of major
playing time, I’d probably go with Tomlinson against the 27th-ranked
Buffalo run defense. As far as defenses, the Bears are healthier, cockier and making
bigger plays right now. Go with what’s hot. Despite his problems Monday night, I
would go with Collins over the disappointing Green.
Doug: Hi Doc, how's it going? I was wondering if you can help me concerning a
report that I read on ESPN yesterday.
It said that the Lions will waive the rights to Barry Sanders and that they
will not stand in the way of him retuning to the NFL as a starter on another team!! First,
do you think that he may return, and second, if he does, will he have to do it before the
trade deadline in the NFL on Tuesday? Thank you very much. I just can't seem to get an
answer to this.
Fantasy Doctor: The Lions did say that they won’t stand in the way if Sanders
chooses to return and play for another team (the trade deadline has nothing to do with
it), but don’t hold your breath. He’s settled into retirement and probably is
quite content with being out of the public spotlight.
Murry: Would you trade Staley and Buckhalter for Huntley, Brookins, and Marty
Booker? My only other running backs are James Allen and Terry Allen.
Fantasy Doctor: A big "eeeeeeessssshhhh" goes out to you in regard to your RB
situation. More question marks there than you’d like, I’m sure. But all is not
lost, and yes, I probably would make that trade. The only way you’re going to get
consistent production from your Eagles is to start both of them, and even then
they’re splitting time and you’re losing potential points. Huntley is starting
now in Carolina with Biakabutuka out, and Brookins figures to assume the same role in
Baltimore with Allen’s ankle injury and relative ineffectiveness. Therefore, you
could potentially have two starters and Booker instead of guys on the same team who will
be sharing the rest of the way.
J.D.: Doc, I have been offered Priest Holmes, Jimmy Smith (or Curtis Conway)
and Jerry Rice for Marshall Faulk. I also have Tomlinson and Canidate. Our league scoring
is similar to PFW scoring, but we give more points for longer TDs and for running backs
catching TDs. We also give some yardage bonuses. I'm in second place, but my wide
receivers are horrible and Marcus Robinson just got hurt for the season. What is your
diagnosis?
Fantasy Doctor: Your WR corps must be in shambles for you to consider trading
Faulk. Ordinarily, I would tell you to avoid making such a move, but if your
receivers’ stats look worse than Keith Richards after a night on the town, then do
it. Holmes, Canidate, Rice and Smith isn’t a bad lineup.
W. Harris: I have Shaun Alexander and Cris Carter and have been offered Terrell
Owens. Should I make this deal? I am concerned Alexander will go back to the bench when
Watters returns, and Carter is not nearly as explosive as Owens.
Fantasy Doctor: I would say it should be dependent upon where you’re at in the
standings. If you’re close to the top, I’d probably suggest sticking it out with
Alexander because it sounds as if Watters may be out at least another month. I really
believe we’ve only seen the beginning of what Alexander can do. You’re right
about Watters likely taking over the starting job, but the longer you can go with two
quality players instead of one, the better.
Fredmand: I'm in a TD & yardage league. We have to start three wide
receiverss. I've got Marvin Harrison, an automatic start. Of the remaining WRs on my
roster, which two do I start? Amani Toomer, Jimmy Smith, Curtis Conway or Johnnie Morton?
Ike Hilliard is available as a free agent. Should I grab him and dump Toomer? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I would avoid Smith this weekend, as I expect the Ravens’ defense
to bounce back in a big way after hearing doubters the past few weeks. He’s got a
remarkably successful past against Baltimore, but with the shape the Jaguars’ offense
is in, it doesn’t figure to be pretty. Toomer is iffy as well because QB Kerry
Collins hasn’t been very accurate. I know he’s facing the Redskins, but the
secondary is still decent even without Fred Smoot. My choices would be Conway vs. the
Bills and Morton, seemingly the lone healthy wideout in Detroit, vs. a poor and injured
Bengals secondary.
Drew: Doc, I can start any of these two at RB this week. Who do you prescribe
between Dunn, Pittman, Huntley, Wheatley, Bennett?
Fantasy Doctor: Not Wheatley, because my sources in Oakland tell me he isn’t going
to play for at least this week with a sprained knee. Possibly longer. I would go with
Huntley, the Panthers’ new starter, vs. the Jets and their league-worst run defense,
and Dunn. The Vikings bottled up Ahman Green last week, but expect the Buccaneers to get
back in tune with the running game.
MCLG: I have the chance to pick up one of four receivers. Who do you think will
be the best bet for the long haul? Troy Brown, Jeff Graham, Kevin Johnson or David Patten?
Fantasy Doctor: I’m assuming Patten was just a one-week wonder, and I think
that’s a fairly safe assumption. I like Kevin Johnson first and Troy Brown a close
second.
Paul: I just acquired Anthony Thomas via trade believing he would become the
starter over James Allen. Do you think this was a risk or a good bet?
Fantasy Doctor: As good a bet as any. Despite Allen’s hard running and good
attitude, everyone knew here in Chicago that is was only a matter of time before the
rookie took over. And after last week’s performance, it’s pretty clear his time
has come. I heard that Thomas was tackled for a loss just once in his entire career at
Michigan. Not bad, and a very shrewd move on your part.
Toby: Fred Taylor has come available, and I was wondering if he would be a
reliable back in the weeks to come? Any feedback? Will he have a repeat of last year with
an awesome comeback, or is he all washed up?
Fantasy Doctor: If I could predict the future, you’d be seeing my face on
television about 2 a.m. telling people their spouse is cheating on them or that
they’re about to come into money. My feedback is this: Taylor’s injury made a
lot of people who were weary of taking him in the first place very upset. He’s been
ruled out of this week’s game, and the Jags are taking it on a week-to-week basis
with him. Even with some OL injuries, I think Taylor is more than capable of bouncing back
for the second half of the season. If you have the room, you should definitely pick him up
based on his potential upside when healthy.
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. |
