Week 9: Sit 'Em
This weekly column will feature players that are normally solid bets for fantasy production, but not worth starting in a particular week.
Week 8 Recap:
The New Orleans defense only allowed 10 points against Pittsburgh. Boy was I wrong with this one.
Wes Welker caught three passes for 24 yards.
Ronnie Brown had 68 yards from scrimmage and Ricky Williams stole the touchdown.
Jonathan Stewart had 38 combined rushing and passing yards.
Mike Sims-Walker, of course he would have 8 receptions for 153 yards and a score after my bashing of him last week.
Shonn Greene had 32 yards from scrimmage in the low scoring affair with Green Bay.
Michael Bush and McFadden had solid outings against Seattle.
Week 9 Sit'Em:
Those flex position guys and defenses are more important than ever now that we are entering the last two bye weeks. In Week 9 I have five running backs, one wide out and a defense to avoid. Consider your options carefully as you try to steal a few last bye week match-ups in your league. The bye weeks have helped me personally get back into the mix in a few of my leagues. I have found some value kickers and defenses over the past few weeks and dropped some of my dead weight bench players. Check your stats, listen to you gut and put forth your best roster come Sunday. Let the decision-making process begin and best of luck.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are both risky plays this week at Baltimore. Williams did find the end zone last week, but neither back is dominating with the run. Baltimore will stifle this duo in Week 9.
Jonathan Stewart is a sit'em candidate until further notice. The Carolina running game needs assistance and Stewart is not supporting, despite Williams' absence.
Michael Bush did have a score last week, but McFadden had over 100 yards rushing. I did like the 55 yard reception by Bush, but McFadden is the workhorse. Bush will get carries and opportunities, but not as many as McFadden.
Marion Barber has not been the force we have seen in the past. Felix Jones splits his carries, but the Dallas running game is not pretty. Sit Barber.
Marques Colston has been up and down this season. He finally scored a pair of touchdowns in Weeks 7 and 8. I like Colston's value in PPR formats as he catches about 5 balls a game plus for around 40-70 yards.
Indianapolis scores an average of 27 points per game. I think Philadelphia's offense will fair well in this match-up, but believe that their defense might struggle (as most do vs. Manning). I am looking forward to watching this game, especially with the return of Michael Vick.
RB Marion Barber, ---
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Tis the season to consider all of your flex options. I hope that Marion Barber is not toward the top of your list. Neither Barber nor Felix Jones have done much this season in the running game. Dallas is a mess, to put it bluntly. Both of these rushers can dominate a defense under the right circumstances. Unfortunately, the Dallas offense is not obliging. I consider Barber a sit'em candidate until further notice. The lack of attempts and running lanes is hard to stomach. Hopefully Dallas can turn their season around, but until that happens, sit these backs.
RB Ronnie Brown, ---
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I really thought the tandem of Brown and Williams would be one to reckon with this season. So far I have been wrong. Brown is the starter, but Williams has significant opportunities. I like both of these backs given their speed and power. This week Brown faces Baltimore and this stingy defense is not what Miami needs. Look for Brown to get a dozen or so carries for nominal yardage. Williams will be used to change up schemes so this decreases Brown's value too.
RB Michael Bush, ---
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Bush did have a huge reception and rushing score in Week 8, yet McFadden had over 110 yards rushing and several short yardage receptions. Bush is the number two in Oakland. He will get his attempts and occasionally break off a decent run or gain yardage after a catch, but I am not ready to recommend Bush as a flex start. Bush is starting to look better on paper, though McFadden will continue to be the workhorse back -- meaning, sit Bush until the workload starts to swing back in his favor. He had less than 10 carries in Week 8. The match-up against Kansas City does not help this week either.
RB Jonathan Stewart, ---
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There is a reason less than 30% of the ninety-some percent of fantasy owners with Stewart on their roisters are starting him. Stewart did not impress with his less than 40 yards from scrimmage with Williams out with a foot injury. Stewart needs to take advantage of his opportunities with Williams sidelined. I think Stewart has potential, but his last few performances have been very disappointing. Look for Stewart to get his touches in the running game and get a few passes tossed his direction. This game will be highly favored toward New Orleans.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveRB Ricky Williams, ---
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I have had Ricky Williams on my bench just waiting for another Week 4 performance. He did score in Week 8, but do not jump the gun and give Williams a go yet. I know flex guys are at a prime in these last two bye weeks, however, you need to keep things in perspective. Williams is still the number two behind Brown and he has only had a few solid outings this season. Week 9 against Baltimore is not the time to roll with Williams (and for that matter, Brown either).
