Here is a mix of interesting questions I received from fantasy players
this past week, and the response provided. If you have a question
for the HTH Mailbag, just drop
me an email.
Note that not all questions will be answered because it just isn't
possible to respond to them all. Also there are no certainties in
fantasy football. The responses represent one opinion to consider
in your final decision managing your fantasy team. Overall, I just
Hope This Helps...
Hey Mike, First, I just want to tell you that your
advice is great. It has helped me win a few games. I wanted to
ask you a couple of questions for this week.
Which Minnesota RB do you think that I should start this
week? I realize that Mewelde Moore might start, but does that
mean anything? I figure if they do RB by committee at least
Onterrio Smith has much greater chance of getting in the end
zone than Moore (I also have Michael Bennett, if that matters),
so maybe he is the smarter play despite who starts the game.
Also, I have Randy Moss and I was wondering if you think
that I should start him if I am told that he will play. I have
fallen into this trap twice in the last two weeks, getting back-to-back
zeros from my star WR (I'm starting think that he is just trying
to keep the streak going). Since I am getting hurt by byes this
week , I would have to start Donte' Stallworth or Brandon Lloyd
in his place, so I thought that it might be worth starting Moss
because if this weeks appealing matchup. He may at least catch
a TD, which could give me more points than the other two would.
I don't want to get burned again this week. I'm starting to
not like Mike Tice.
Finally, will Stephen Davis start this week? I heard that
he might but I thought that you may know more.
Thank you, Rick
Hi Rick. Thanks! Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1. I agree with you that Onterrio Smith is the best start this
week in the Minnesota backfield. Not only did Mewelde Moore have
a poor outing last week opening the door for Smith on his return
to the team off suspension, but he (Moore) is apparently not doing
well recovering from a sprained ankle. He was downgraded to questionable
on Friday in fact. Whenever a player is downgraded on the injury
report through the week, that is a big red flag. So, my choices
would actually be Smith first, Bennett second and Moore third,
but more likely bench Moore in favor of other options.
2. I would sit Randy Moss this week. He is a game time decision
at this point but the problem is the game is Monday night, which
is too late to change him if he does sit. Based on the past 2
weeks he really does not look like he should be playing until
that hamstring heals. It is unfortunate because he would have
a great matchup against the Colts. From your choices, go with
Lloyd who although you are down on him, has started to come on
the past few weeks and has a fairly decent matchup himself. Donte'
Stallworth has been very poor lately to the point he is getting
to be the third option at WR behind Jerome Pathon. Pathon caught
4 of 5 targets 2 games ago for 92 yards, and 6 of 9 targets for
79 yards in their last game. In the same games Stallworth caught
only 4 of 13 (ouch) for 34 yards and 1 of 2 for 15 yards.
3. Latest I've read on Stephen Davis is he is making it through
practice, but at this point I'm not sure if he will start or not.
I believe it wasn't the practice that was the problem before,
but the after-effect on the knee swelling up. Stay tuned to the
FF
Today Board as I'm sure the guys there will have a more definitive
answer right up until kickoff Sunday.
Mike,
I dropped Marcus Pollard to pick up Dallas Clark. Do you
think this was a wise move? Clark has come on of late and seems
to have greater receiving ability.
Also, with Javon Walker off this week which 3 wr do you
think that I should start: Torry Holt (obvious), Reggie Wayne,
Brandon Lloyd (Tim Rattay might be back), Donte' Stallworth
(good matchup).
Thanks, John
Hi John. Figuring out Pollard versus Clark is no easy task. They
seem to be virtually interchangeable in the passing game. I guess
we can really only look at the last 2 games because prior to that
Pollard was injured and prior to that Clark was posting goose
eggs except for his 1 long catch in the opening game.
So, in the past 2 games Pollard has been targeted 4 times and
3 times, he's caught 3 passes for 52 yards, and 3 for 21 with
a TD. Clark has been targeted 3 times and 3 times, he's caught
3 passes for 36 yards and a TD, and 3 for 88. As you can see,
the number of targets, catches and TD are virtually identical.
It does seem however that Clark is more of a big play threat
with long catches this season of 64 and 44 yards. Plus if you
think about it, he is the younger guy who the Colts should be
leaning on to improve and get more opportunity as the season progresses.
Although you could pretty much flip a coin on which of these guys
will score a TD any given week, I think the move you made was
fine.
As for the receivers, I have to think Reggie Wayne is pretty
obvious too facing off against the Vikings this week. And Brandon
Lloyd is the other choice (see prior question).