Week 7: Start 'em

With this being week 7, the halfway point for most fantasy leagues, it's that time where we can finally start to ask whether some players will be a bust or not. Last week was no different then any other, with a few more fantasy starters going down with injuries. Once again fantasy owners will be stressing, dealing with bye weeks, injuries to their teams, and having the problem of deciding who to fill those spots along with what to do with players who just haven't put up numbers. Take a look below and make sure these guys are active in your lineup this week.

RB Shaun Alexander, ---

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I know what you're thinking: can Shaun Alexander really be getting this bad and the answer is yes. He hasn't scored since week 2 and hasn't broken 80 yards rushing since week 3 and has looked brutal over his last 3 games. Can this really be the guy who was the league MVP 2 seasons ago? Well it is and while he won't be duplicating his 2005 numbers, he faces a St. Louis team in turmoil this week, with a defense giving up 134 yards per game rushing. Seattle got knocked around at home last week by a winless Saints team and Shaun Alexander was never able to get on track. While they are playing another winless team this week in the Rams, don't look for things to repeat themselves. Seattle is normally a very tough team at home and they will do everything they can to get things going in front of their own fans. So don't give up on Alexander so fast.

RB Thomas Jones, ---

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While Thomas Jones has struggled early this season and still hasn't scored a TD, he did eclipse the yard plateau for only the 2^nd game and looked really good running against the Eagles last week. This week the Jets go into Cincinnati to face a Bengals team that is giving up 145 yards per week on the ground and has allowed every starting RB they have faced since week 1 to gain a minimum of 100 yards rushing. Jones finally looks like he has picked up the offense and with QB Chad Pennington struggling so much lately, it only makes sense for the Jets to try and get Jones established early in the game. After seeing what Jones was able to do vs. the Eagles last week when they gave him the ball early and often, look for much of the same this week. Expect over 100 yards rushing and don't be surprised when he runs through the Bengals defense to score his first TD of the season.

RB LenDale White, ---

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White has had an up and down season so far, splitting carries with Chris Brown. White doesn't make very many big plays (his longest rush this season is 13 yards), but he does get carries and gets many opportunities in the red zone to score TD's. 2 key injuries to watch for this upcoming week, one to QB Vince Young and the other to backup RB Chris Brown. If Young doesn't play, the Titans will try and get the running game going early to take pressure off the immobile Collins. More importantly, if Brown can't go again this week, look for White to once again get at least 20 carries and all the red zone opportunities. White has a good match up this week vs. the Texans, so make sure to keep him active.

WR Patrick Crayton, ---

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Over the past 3 weeks Crayton, not T.O., has been the #1 WR for the Dallas Cowboys. He is averaging 15.9 yards per reception and seems to have a knack for making the big play when the Cowboys need one, scoring 4 TD's during his last 3 games. It would appear that with most defenses paying close attention to T.O., Crayton has been able to slip by the coverage and get open down field for the big play. This week Crayton faces the Minnesota Vikings, who have the 2^nd best run defense, but the worst pass defense. So the Cowboys will be looking to throw the ball early and often. Over the last 3 weeks Crayton has proved to be one of Romo's favorite targets, especially when he needs a score or a big play. With his great match up this week, Crayton is a great WR3 or flex and could even be good enough to be an WR2.

WR Lee Evans, ---

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Not sure there has been a bigger disappointment at the WR then Lee Evans so far this season. He only has 1 game with more then 2 catches and more then 20 yards and still hasn't scored a TD. Evans, normally known for making the big play, has been averaging a paltry 9.8 yards per reception, making his lack of production even more surprising. The Bills are coming off a bye week and will be making every effort to get Evans involved in the offense and try to get back to where he was last year, making the big plays. The Bills know the best way to open up the offense and keep teams from stacking the line of scrimmage would be to get Evans open deep and let him make some plays. Facing a defense this week like the Baltimore Ravens who are great vs. the run, the Bills will really have to get the passing game going if they want a chance to win and it looks like Baltimore's top cover DB, Chris McCalister will not play, making it easier for Evans to come through. Make sure to keep Evans active this week.

WR Joey Galloway, ---

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Galloway had a great start to the season, then was nowhere to be found for a few weeks until last week when he caught 4 balls for 97 yards and a TD. Galloway is the classic boom or bust fantasy player. Either he makes a big play and scores a TD, or he doesn't do a thing. This week he faces a Detroit Lions team giving up over 260 yards passing, which translates into 31 points per game. The Lions' defense can't stop anyone let alone someone with Galloway speed and big play ability. Even though he has been far from consistent and it's a gamble every time you put him in your lineup, he is a must start against the Lions. Galloway makes a perfect WR3 or flex.

Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings