Fantasy corner
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Each Friday, assistant sports editors Scott Thurston and Greg Lee will answer your fantasy football questions, dispensing lineup and roster advice based on their experiences and statistical analysis. This week's dilemmas:
Q: A little advice on who to start. I need one back to go with LaDainian Tomlinson - I have Ryan Grant, Steve Slaton, Willis McGahee, and Darren McFadden. And I need one of these receivers to start alongside Brandon Marshall and Roddy White. My third receiver options are Calvin Johnson, Chad Johnson, and Anthony Gonzalez. I have Peyton Manning as my QB, so I usually like to put Gonzalez with him for double points, but I heard he is hurt. True? Thanks.
DARREN RYAN, Derry, N.H.
ST: Darren, we'll go against the numbers a little bit here and tell you to start Slaton. The rookie from West Virginia, taken in the third round, has exceeded expectations and is averaging 5 yards a carry. He's up against a stingy Dolphins run defense that hasn't yielded many fantasy points to backs, but I'm confident he's a solid play. As for your receiver, Gonzalez suffered a concussion against Houston and is questionable for Sunday. Go with Calvin (lower expectations in a struggling offense) over Chad (even lower expectations in a struggling offense).
Q: Would you trade Kurt Warner for Clinton Portis straight up? My backup QB is Brett Favre. My backs right now are Marshawn Lynch, Reggie Bush, and Ryan Grant. My league has two backs and a flex player in the lineup each week.
MATT, Tampa
GL: Matt, I would say make the deal. You can never have enough good running backs. Grant has struggled all year. I would always suggest getting players who touch the ball a lot. The Redskins' offense is showing signs of consistency, and Portis is a big reason why. Portis would be a big upgrade over Grant.
Q: This is the first weekend in which I am over .500 this year (3-2) and I'd like to keep it that way. My dilemma is that I have only two slots for running backs, but three solid options to choose from. My choices are Maurice Jones-Drew, Brandon Jacobs, and Steve Slaton. Jones-Drew has been up and down but goes against Denver's awful defense; Jacobs goes against Cleveland; and Slaton goes against the surprisingly decent Dolphins. What do you think?
MICHAEL FARR, Melrose
ST: Michael, Jacobs is coming off a monster game against Seattle (15 carries, 136 yards, and 2 TDs) and is a must-start against the Browns. As much as I have touted Slaton, I like Jones-Drew a little more this week against the Broncos, who have been getting hammered by running backs (7 TDs). He's also a solid receiving threat. The fact that Jones-Drew is losing touches to Fred Taylor is a concern, but I like his chances to break one.
Q: I'm a pathetic 0-5 because I, supposedly, overanalyze my roster and leave a ton of points on the bench. This being said, I'll let you decide: J.T. O'Sullivan or Jake Delhomme? Pick 2: Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai, or Fred Taylor?
KEVIN M., Phoenix
ST: Kevin, first, you know to play your studs each week; in your case, Addai. That takes a little of the analysis out of the equation. Neither O'Sullivan (vs. Philadelphia) nor Delhomme (vs. Tampa Bay) is a great option, but go with the better offense and start Delhomme (Steve Smith should find the end zone), along with Addai. I'm not ready to pack it in on Grant, who actually ran well against Atlanta (18 carries, 83 yards) and should keep going forward against the Seahawks, who were carved up by Jacobs last Sunday.
Q: I have to start three receivers this week. Lee Evans and Santonio Holmes are both on byes. I'm definitely starting Jerricho Cotchery, but have a logjam at 2 and 3 with Greg Camarillo, Kevin Walter, and Devin Hester. We don't get points per reception. Who do I start, in your opinion?
CHRIS CLANCY,
Dover, N.H.
GL: Chris, I would start Hester and Walter. Hester has been getting more balls thrown his way and I believe he will thrive against the Falcons' defense. Walter has been showing signs and stealing touchdown receptions from Andre Johnson (and that really has burned me up).
Q: Along with my beloved Red Sox, LT [LaDainian Tomlinson] is causing me sleepless nights. I know this could be considered blasphemy in the fantasy football community, but I think I want to try and sell. If I could get, say, a Marshawn Lynch and Dwayne Bowe, would it be worth it? I still think with his name I could get a decent haul, and I'm worried this toe injury is going to haunt LT (and me) all season.
HEMANTH
GUNDAVARAM,
Boston
ST: Hemanth, I've been waiting for the disenchanted-with-LT-should-I-trade-him question. Sit tight; you'll receive below-market offers for him now, and his schedule looks great from Week 10 on. The toe may limit some of his explosiveness, but the touchdowns will be there in the end. If you're determined to move on from him, at least get a Lynch or another solid No. 1 back and a better receiver than Bowe.
Q: Having trouble deciding who to start at a couple of positions this week. First, at quarterback: Brett Favre or Kurt Warner? At running back, do I start Jamal Lewis, Darren McFadden, or Willis McGahee? I am leaning toward Jamal Lewis.
DAN CESARIO, Stoughton
GL: Dan, this is a tough call - the red-hot Favre against the Bengals' pathetic defense or Warner against the shaky Cowboys. Warner will be playing from behind most of the game, so I would go with the Cardinals QB. I would start McFadden against the Saints. Don't be fooled by the Saints' defense against the Vikings last week. Lewis is going against the Giants' stout defense Monday night.
