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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
Eric: Who would you start, Tom Brady or Brett Farve? This question is under the
assumption that Bill Schroeder doesn't play.
Fantasy Doctor: I understand your dilemma, Eric. Many of my associates have enjoyed the
recent success of Brady and are using him on a weekly basis for good reason. I, however,
am going to advise going with Favre on this one, even against the Bears’ defense.
Chicago has not been able to mount a consistent pass rush, and if the Bears don’t
increase the pressure this week, Favre is one who could pick them apart. Plus, I’m a
believer in playing your superstars, and despite his good numbers, Brady is about three
MVPs and a Super Bowl short of Favre in that category.
Anthony: Doc, I am currently tied for first place in my league. I need help at
wide receiver in a bad way. I have trade bait at running back — Ahman Green, Jerome
Bettis and Shaun Alexander. My starting QB is Kurt Warner. My question is, which deal
would you think benefits me more: Shaun Alexander & Az Hakim for Randy Moss &
Jason Brookins, or Shaun Alexander for Tim Brown? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: If you’re as slim at the WR spot as you say you are, I think
you’re right in dealing Alexander because his playing time will diminish once Ricky
Watters returns. Right now, I’d have a hard time passing on the likes of Brown
because of the fact the Raiders’ offense is playing at another level right now, and
Brown is really on the same page as QB Rich Gannon. See if you can snag another running
back in the Brown deal just for depth purposes. He should still bite on it.
Jason: I need help Doc. What is up with Toomer? Two weeks ago, they say he may
be benched, and he scores a TD and has over 100 yards receiving. Last week, it looks like
a good matchup against the Cowboys, and he doesn’t start. Can you provide any
clarification as to his role in the Giants’ passing attack?
Fantasy Doctor: I can, but it’s not clear-cut. Basically, the Giants’ offense
has been in a funk for the better part of the year, and now they’re working all three
of their top receivers — Toomer, Joe Jurevicius and Ike Hilliard — pretty
equally. Not a good sign for fantasy owners, but any of the three could qualify as
starters vs. poor defenses.
Stuart: Dear Doctor, I have a dilemma now that Terrell Davis is healthy. I have
three running backs, and only two can start. Which two would you start: Antowain Smith,
Terrell Davis or Jerome Bettis. I think that Smith would want to show up his former team,
but Davis looked great against the Raiders and should run wild against San Diego, and
Bettis seems to be on fire this season. I’d hate to bench either one of them. What do
you think?
Fantasy Doctor: I think you’re right on. I wouldn’t bench the big boys
either. Despite Priest Holmes lighting up the Chargers last week, I think San Diego’s
run defense is much better than that. Davis won’t have an easy time of it, but he did
look like he was healthy vs. the Raiders and displayed the same old burst that made him
the league MVP what seems like 10 years ago now. True, Smith should be fired up, but I
don’t think "the Bus" comes out of the lineup the rest of the year.
Damon: Oh great one, when can I start playing Fred Taylor again?
Fantasy Doctor: So many frustrated owners are asking the same question, and I wish I
had an answer for you. At least one that would make you feel better anyway. He practiced
for the first time this week, but I wouldn’t expect anything from him until probably
Week 11. Just in time for the stretch run. Aren’t you excited?
Greg: I am, in my opinion, in need of some help this week at my WR position. We
can start two and get points for receptions, yards and TDs. I have Toomer, Pinkston,
Moulds, Kevin Johnson and Darrell Jackson. The best free-agent receivers seem to be Hines
Ward, Rod Gardner, Peerless Price and Ike Hilliard. Who should I start, and/or should I
look at one of the free agents? I am leaning on starting Johnson and possibly Moulds.
Greg: This is a tough one, but hopefully not one that will require any pain medication.
For you or me. I’ll start eliminating first. Say no to Jackson, who still has plenty
of QB woes and a tough Raiders defense blanketing him this week. I think Johnson has made
strides, but he’s facing the Steelers’ top-ranked pass defense this week. Toomer
will be facing a banged-up and inexperienced Cardinals secondary, so he probably should be
in the lineup along with Pinkston vs. the Vikings. As far as the free agents, I’ve
always thought Gardner would be a keeper, but it may be better to have him targeted for
next season due to the inconsistencies that come with being a rookie receiver. Plus,
he’s on bye this week. Ward is a good football player but far from a scoring or
yardage machine. Price and Hilliard aren’t any better than the group you have.
Stephen: I need to pick up a quarterback, especially one who will be good in
Weeks 11-15. That is when my divisional games and playoffs will take place. Would you pick
up Tim Couch, Elvis Grbac, Randall Cunningham or Tony Banks? I currently have Trent Green
and Tom Brady, but I am afraid Brady might get benched for Bledsoe. Should I pick up
Bledsoe?
Fantasy Doctor: Despite the Redskins’ recent upswing, Banks has proven to be about
as reliable as an HMO. He always toys with your emotions and then comes crashing back to
reality like the acting careers of the Seinfeld foursome. I would look in the direction of
Grbac, who has the most weapons at his disposal and will be back from a rib injury soon. I
wouldn’t jump at Bledsoe. He and the Patriots were doing next to nothing before he
got hurt, and it’s not like he’s going to be rushed back into the lineup with
Brady doing so well and him figuring to be rusty.
Michael: I've got four very good running backs in Bettis, Ricky Williams,
Hearst and Anthony Thomas. However, my receivers are lacking. I have Owens, Rice, Pinkston
and Pathon. I obviously want to hang on to Owens and deal one of my backs to get another
steady receiver. Which back should I try to trade, and is there any hope in hanging on to
Rice, Pathon or Pinkston?
Fantasy Doctor: I wouldn’t have a problem with you trying to upgrade, but my
medical advice would be to make sure you get a bundle in return. I would think Thomas
would draw the most interest right now because he’s such a hot commodity, but only
trade him if you feel secure enough with playing Hearst should something happen to
Williams or Bettis. If you trade one of those top three backs, don’t sell yourself
short. Get two good receivers or one great one and a backup. Rice and Pinkston should stay
put, but the clock appears to have run out on Pathon’s 15 minutes of fame.
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. |
