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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
Russ: I have struggled all year at quarterback and have ended up with Tom Brady
and Charlie Batch as my two main QBs and Flutie as a matchup-only start. With the injury
to Batch, I need to pick up a quarterback to take me into the playoffs. Who do you like
amongst Plummer, Banks, Chandler and Van Pelt, given the remaining schedule and Brady's
Week 16 bye? Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I know you need help with Batch out, but let’s face it:
You’re not exactly looking at fine china here. I may have said Van Pelt, but his only
good matchup left is vs. the Falcons in a couple of weeks. Other than that, he faces the
Patriots, Jets and Dolphins, with two of them set for December weather in the northeast
and the other vs. the best secondary in the NFL. Banks I’m still not sold on yet, and
Chandler is iffy with an injury history that almost makes Fred Taylor squeamish. That
leaves Plummer, who with David Boston as hot as he is, should be considered, especially if
you don’t get hurt by interceptions. Even so, Flutie may be the way to go when Brady
is on bye, unless the Chargers have given the reins to Drew Brees by then.
Paul: A jolly old elf needs more than Santa's help with this week's lineup.
Need to select three from Emmitt vs. Seattle, Booker vs. T.B., Moulds vs. N.E., Jenkins
vs. NYG, R. Ismail vs. Seattle and Mason vs. G.B. For the right recommendation, I promise
to put in a good word to Santa for ya!!!!
Fantasy Doctor: Well, thanks Paul. That’s awfully kind of you, especially
considering the Fantasy Doctor gets paid more like a kindergarten teacher than a real
doctor. You have a tough call here because it’s hard to eliminate any one over the
other. Alright, here goes. I’m going to say Emmitt, Moulds and Ismail. Close call
though. I wouldn’t have a problem with Booker, either, even with the Bears playing
Republican football.
Michael: I have four running backs on my roster, and I must start two. Who
would you start this week among Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Shaun Alexander and
LaDainian Tomlinson? I appreciate your help.
Fantasy Doctor: Faulk shouldn’t even be part of the equation because the best
player in the league does not need to be toyed with. I’m going to go against two of
the better runners of this season and advise you to start the rookie. He’s facing an
Oakland defense that has been worse than atrocious against the run since midseason. While
Jon Gruden might be tightening the screws in practice, stats don’t lie, and they
couldn’t stop their grandmothers on a running back dive right now. They’ve given
up an average of 182 rushing yards per game since Week Eight. Martin, on the other hand,
is facing a Bengals defense that has been particularly stingy vs. the run lately, while
Alexander won’t be getting too many more 25-carry games with Ricky Watters
surprisingly back in the starting lineup.
John: Dear Doctor, I am fighting for my playoff life, and I need as many points
as I can. I have a good problem, though, in that I have both Gannon and Favre and do not
know which to start. According to the Yahoo writers, they say never, ever bench Gannon,
especially against San Diego. They also say that Favre is going against the worst pass
defense in the NFL and "our expectations for this week cannot be higher" for
him. What should I do? Thanks for your help.
Fantasy Doctor: They almost sound like experts, but I’ll bet they don’t have
a framed certificate of achievement in fantasy prognostication on the wall like I do.
While Gannon threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns in the Raiders’ Week 10 defeat
of the Chargers, I know a quarterback from St. Cloud State who went wild on the Titans
last week, and Favre’s résumé is a little more impressive than Todd Bouman’s.
I think both will produce large numbers, and while you may laugh at this suggestion, I
would check the weather forecast for Tennessee on Sunday and maybe let that be my guide
because this is such a tough decision.
Stephen: Hey Doc, I have a tough playoff matchup, and I need some help with the
following decisions:
1. Moulds, Mason or Willie Jackson?
2. Philly D vs. Jets D?
3. Akers vs. Mare?
4. Barber vs. Garner?
Thank you for your help!
Fantasy Doctor: First off, all three receivers are viable starters, but I think
I’d go with Jackson here because his quarterback, Aaron Brooks, is so hot, and there
is not threat of inclement weather like there is in Green Bay or Buffalo. With the way the
Bengals’ offense has been throwing the ball lately, I’d go with the Jets’
defense this week. Deciding between two playoff-bound kickers who have missed a combined
three field-goal attempts this year is a bit much for me to handle after a 16-hour shift,
so I’ll leave that up to you. And last but not least, go with the Barber, as Ron
Dayne is being phased out of the offense in New York and Barber has at least 100 yards
rushing in three of the last four games.
Wood: I'll be starting three Saints this week (Brooks, Horn and Ricky Williams)
vs. the Rams. I can also play the Rams’ defense (Bears defense is another option).
Would this be a savvy move so that if the Saints’ trio doesn’t perform, I'll get
points via the Rams’ defense? The worst the Rams could do is give me a -4 if they
give up 35+ points and don't register any sacks, turnovers, defensive TDs or blocked
kicks. Is this a reasonable strategy, or am I overthinking?
Fantasy Doctor: No, you’re actually not overthinking too much. Well, maybe you
are, but a lot of people do this type of thing, so don’t worry about it. My
associates and I typically believe that three players from any one team are too many.
There are exceptions, I know, but the chances of all three of them producing big points
are usually minimal, and what if the opposing defense comes up big? That said, the way the
Saints have been playing lately, you may have one of the few exceptions. I would go with
the Bears here because they probably have a better chance of shutting down the Buccaneers
than the Rams do the Saints. Plus, you’d be going for the maximum point total and
wouldn’t run the risk of hurting yourself.
Dave: Who is a better keeper-league quarterback? Drew Brees or Tom Brady. It is
a scoring and yardage league, and we can keep them for the length of their careers.
Thanks.
Fantasy Doctor: I love what Brady has done this season, and I think he may a productive
future with the Patriots or elsewhere, but Brees, in my mind, has the larger upside.
Especially if Norv Turner stays put and continues to tutor him in San Diego.
Paul B: Hello Fantasy Doctor. I need some help this weekend to make the
playoffs in our league. I've been guessing and hoping for a while now, and I get more
confused each week.
Which two running backs should I play? Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn or Anthony
Thomas? Which three wide receivers should I play? Marty Booker, Cris Carter, Willie
Jackson, Terrence Wilkins or Hines Ward? I've been trying to shuffle for the past few
weeks, and I don't seem to hit on the best combination. I could use your help.
Fantasy Doctor: Well, I hope I can help, Paul. I would go with Dillon and Thomas at the
RB position. Dunn had eight carries for 12 yards in the Bucs’ first matchup with the
Bears, and Chicago’s run defense is as good as they come. At wide receiver, I think
your first three are your best bets. Despite Chicago’s offensive woes of late, Booker
caught three long TD passes vs. Tampa in Week 10. I like Hines Ward, but the matchups are
better with the other three.
EazyE: Hey Doc, I have two dilemmas that I can't seem to get on top of, and
whichever player I sit seems to blow up whenever they are on my bench. This week is a
killer. I can't decide if I should start Aaron Brooks vs. St. Louis or Jeff Garcia vs.
Miami. I am leaning towards Brooks. To a lesser degree, I have another tough decision with
Troy Brown, Jerry Rice and Bill Schroeder all competing for two WR spots. I am leaning
toward benching Schroeder this week, which almost assures he'll score a touchdown. Any
insight here?
Fantasy Doctor: I can see a case of late-season pessimism has set in, Eazy. Ordinarily,
I would set you up with medication for talk of benching Garcia, but this week I can see
going with Brooks, who has been awfully productive since Week Nine. Sending Garcia up
against that Dolphins secondary is another reason to go with Brooks. I also have advised
people to get their Packers in the lineup vs. the Titans this week. However, in your case,
I’d play Brown and Rice. Brown just because of his consistency and the fact he’s
the No. 1 guy in New England, and Rice because Davis Sanchez will be covering him for the
Chargers. Yes, Davis Sanchez.
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. |
