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Mike MacGregor | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer

HTH Mailbag
Week 9
11/6/04


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).

Good luck!