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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
Ogalalla Outlaws: Doc, who would you start this week in a scoring-only league,
Steve McNair or Jake Plummer? I need a win to stay in the playoff race. Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: Nothing like putting the pressure on me right off the bat with your
playoff scenario. That’s all right though. I thrive under pressure. Although Plummer
has attracted some attention on the fantasy scene lately, I’m going to advise going
with McNair, who has re-earned his nickname of "Air" lately, as the Titans’
offense has finally opened things up for him. He is facing a Vikings secondary that the
Fantasy Doctor has long been skeptical of (22nd in the league in pass defense).
Plummer, while at home, will be up against Champ Bailey & Co. Prior to giving up a TD
catch last week, Bailey had allowed only 10 catches in the previous four games while
matching up with the opponent’s best receiver.
Abaker: In a performance league, which two would you play with Tim Brown: Chris
Chambers, Darrell Jackson, Marcus Pollard or Willie Jackson?
Fantasy Doctor: Go with the rookie, Chambers. He has five touchdowns over the last four
games and is up against little resistance this week in the form of the Colts’
secondary. Jackson vs. Atlanta’s 29th-ranked pass defense is also a good
choice, especially with the Saints’ passing game coming on.
IKSMOT: Do I go with two RBs, two WRs and one TE, or do I use a one-RB, four-WR
option based on the players listed? The choices are: RB: Tiki Barber, Tyrone Wheatley,
Mike Anderson and Charlie Garner. WR: Isaac Bruce, Jerry Rice, Chris Chambers, Rod Gardner
and James McKnight. TE: Dave Moore. At QB this week, should I go with Brian Griese or Brad
Johnson? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I don’t think it would be good for your health to try to play more
than one of those running backs this week. Terrell Davis wants to shoulder the load in
Denver, so Mike Anderson may not be your best bet. Wheatley’s role in Oakland’s
crowded backfield is still in question following his recent return from a knee injury.
Although Barber likely will get more touches than Garner, the Cowboys’ defense has
been much tougher vs. the run than Kansas City’s. I’ll leave that one up to you
to avoid any kind of lawsuit. Going with Bruce, Rice, Chambers and Gardner should get you
some points. At quarterback, I think Griese probably has too many problems with the
Broncos’ offense to warrant a start at this stage of the season. Stats don’t
lie, and he hasn’t been above 224 yards passing since Week Seven.
Erik: My question is regarding the RB situation in Seattle. I was able to pick
up Alexander before anyone else in my league. With him and Faulk as my starting running
backs, and Farve and Garcia as my starting quarterbacks, it looks good for me. Do you
think that with Ricky Watters returning from injury, Alexander will lose carries and TDs?
Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: Congrats on snagging Alexander. If only other backups from around the
league could have filled in like him. I’m sure losing a little something from
Alexander is inevitable with Watters’ pending return, but I wouldn’t be too
scared. From what I hear from associates in the Great Northwest, Watters likely will serve
as the team’s third-down back for the remainder of the season because Mike Holmgren
realizes where the future lies with his club.
Adam: Hey, Doc, I have some fantasy questions for this weekend: Who would you
start for the third wide receiver? My options are Kevin Johnson, Hilliard, and Dyson
(Harrison and J. Smith always play). Also, who would you start between Stewart and Green
at QB? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I wouldn’t submit you for testing for starting any of those
receivers, but Dyson gets my vote. He’s got the hot hand(s) right now, and McNair is
playing well at the helm for the Titans. And although the Jets have been pretty solid vs.
the pass and Jerome Bettis doesn’t look like he can go, I’m going to lean in the
direction of Stewart this week, especially if you get penalized for interceptions
(Green’s forte).
Tim: I have Dillon, Tomlinson and Alexander for RBs. Who should I start this
week? I need help bad!
Fantasy Doctor: Sit back down, Tim. It’s a pretty easy choice here. Go with
Alexander and Dillon. Tomlinson is not getting any blocking up the middle these days, and
the other two are better candidates for a big day.
Franco: Doc, I have Cris Carter, Hines Ward and Laveranues Coles. But I'm still
trying to therapize my WR impact. I'm bound for the playoffs, so would you rely on some
free-agent pill named Kevin Dyson? Ike Hilliard? James Trash? I'm so hurt that I'm even
considering Raghib Ismail. Help!
Fantasy Doctor: Therapize, huh? Interesting. Well, unfortunately, my lawyer prohibits
me from distributing pills any longer, but I think it’s a toss-up for you. Carter,
Coles, Dyson and Thrash are all about equal in value in my book. Hilliard and the
versatile Ward aren’t too far behind. Take a look at the remaining schedule for each
and decide as to what free-agent choice to make. Good luck in the postseason.
James: I have to win this week to get in the playoffs. I've got Griese at QB
and have to decide between Rod Smith and Moulds at WR. Is Smith healthy enough to warrant
the start?
Fantasy Doctor: The last time I checked in on the Broncos, it didn’t look good,
James. Smith tried to practice on Wednesday, but after seeing him limp through warm-ups,
the coaching staff pulled him out. My suggestion would be do a late-week check-in on his
status. Moulds vs. the Panthers is not a bad alternative.
Brian: Doctor, We have just ended our regular season, and I unfortunately did
not make the playoffs this year. We are able to keep up to two players on our team from
this year. The most notables I have are: E. George, S. Davis, Shaun Alexander, G. Hearst,
T. Owens and I. Bruce. I know it's early, but who would you lean on keeping? I lean toward
Shaun Alexander and T. Owens. Thanks for your insight, and you are great!
Fantasy Doctor: Wow. The Fantasy Doctor has been called a lot of things in his time in
the business, but "great" seems to be the most underused of the compliments. I
think you’re right on the money here, Brian. There are enticing alternatives, but
Alexander and Owens seem like locks to me and should be good for a long time.
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. |
