Fantasy corner

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. Click here to pose a question. This week's dilemmas:

Q: I made a couple of what I thought were great trades and ended up with a starting lineup of Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson, Roddy White, and Jeremy Shockey in a 10-team league, but my team right now is 0-2. Should I stay patient and let them go a few weeks, or should I try to blow up this team, because in my mind there is no way this team should have that record?

DARREN RYAN, Derry, N.H.

ST: Darren, first, shame on your fellow owners for letting you assemble this team. Yes, they have underachieved, but ride it out for at least another couple of weeks. While there are cautionary signs with each one (Colts' OL, Rams stink, LT's toe, etc.), I would be stunned if they don't put up some big points soon.

Q: My quarterbacks are Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan. Do I stick with Palmer or make a trade fast?

JUSTIN SECHER, Bourne

GL: Justin, through two games Palmer does not resemble one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the game. Major team turmoil and the lack of a running game have affected his performance. I know he has great receivers, but it is time to cut bait if you can get a decent QB. But if your only option is Ryan, then you will just have to suffer with Palmer because I would never trust a rookie quarterback on a rebuilding team.

Q: I thought I had a good draft with RBs Larry Johnson, Joseph Addai, and Chris Johnson. Now I'm 0-2, thanks to no help from Larry and Joseph. Is it panic time? Should I unload Larry Johnson for a second-rounder or Addai for a low-first-rounder?STEVEN DEMPSEY, Marietta, Ga.

ST: Steven, see above. Don't force a trade simply because you're 0-2. That said, I would see what's out there for Larry Johnson. He's starting to do some running with his mouth, too (about playing time), which is not a good sign. And there's a lot of tread on those tires. Give Addai time to get it going (center Jeff Saturday is nearing a return), and Chris Johnson will be a rookie of the year candidate.

Q: Is Tony Scheffler a better option than Owen Daniels? And, Team A has David Garrard at QB and Chris Chambers and Larry Fitzgerald at WR, Team B has offered Philip Rivers and Chad Johnson for Larry Fitz . . . That would put Rivers and Chambers together and upgrade the QB spot, but at the price of Fitz. How do you see that deal?

DERRICK MILLER, Hudson

GL: Derrick, with the gunslinging Jay Cutler, Scheffler is hands-down the better tight end option. As for the trade, Rivers is an upgrade at quarterback. There is not much danger in giving up Fitzgerald because Anquan Boldin has been grabbing the touchdown passes of late. I would make the deal.

Q: Gentlemen, your opinions are of value - thanks. Last year, I drafted the Patriots' three-headed monster of Tom Brady-Randy Moss-Laurence Maroney in the first three rounds, and thanks to Maroney's fragility missed the playoffs despite a strong season. I took the same approach this year and went Marion Barber-Terrell Owens-Tony Romo in the first three rounds. With Dallas off to a fast start, will this approach hold up for a playoff spot this year or will another former Golden Gopher (Barber) get dinged up and seal my fate as another also-ran?

RON CHRISTOPHER, Hull

ST: Ron, if I could predict health, I'd win every league I'm in. You're right to be nervous about Barber carrying a full load, but the Dallas offense looks great, and I'd be happy to take my chances with this threesome.

Q: Who should I start this week, Tony Romo or Jay Cutler?

LOEWS KENNISON, Pittsburgh

GL: This is a tough choice, but I would go with Cutler at home against my native New Orleans Saints. If the Redskins' Jason Campbell can take advantage of a weak secondary, surely the next John Elway can. Romo is hot as well, but he will take his Cowboys on the road to Green Bay.

Q: My QBs are Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan. Given Palmer's struggles and Ryan's rookie status and bad week, should I drop Ryan and pick up Kerry Collins?JANET DONOVAN, Franklin

ST: Janet, interesting question. My initial instinct is to think that Vince Young will be back under center in Tennessee sooner rather than later, and that the Titans will rely on their solid ground game with Collins at the helm. You're going to play Palmer, and Ryan offers much more upside, even as a rookie, than Collins.

Q: I picked up T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the second round as my first WR. I still have Calvin Johnson, but I am thinking of dropping Housh completely, as I think anyone on the Bungles is primed for career lows. Do you think I should hold him in reserve or take a flyer on a riskier, unproven player with upside?

KEITH, Milford, N.H.

GL: Keith, I would never, ever give up on a top player such as Houshmandzadeh - no matter how bad the team is struggling. The Bengals will be behind a lot and will throw the ball often. As bad as it seems, never just outright cut a potential top-flight receiver.

Q: Is it too early to give up on Derek Anderson as a No. 1 QB? Backup is Jake Delhomme.

BRIAN, Raynham

ST: Brian, keep your options open each week and look at the matchup. Anderson will be fine with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, and Delhomme's value goes up with the return of Steve Smith this week.

Q: Out of three, which two would you play: Thomas Jones, Joseph Addai, Maurice Jones-Drew? I believe the Colts when they say they'd like to get Addai going; Jones has proven to be the featured back with the Jets; and Jones-Drew looked a little better with his banged-up OL. But with the matchups in Week 3, who do you like?

GAVIN, Reading

GL: Gavin, I would start Addai and Jones-Drew, whose teams face each other Sunday. Addai will get out of his funk against the tough Jaguars defense, and Jones-Drew loves playing the Colts. Jones faces a tough task traveling to an angry San Diego team. I think Jones will be stuffed in that environment.

Q: I can start three WRs maximum for my league, only one problem: Who do I start out of Terrell Owens, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, and Eddie Royal for Week 3?

MIKE ACKERMAN, New York

ST: Mike, this is an easy one. You start the first three every week, no questions asked.

Q: I have a problem at receiver and RB. I have Earnest Graham, Matt Forte, and Brian Westbrook. Westbrook is a no-brainer, but it's basically a matter of which run defense is worse, because Forte and Graham are playing each other this week. And I'm not sure which is worse. My gut tells me to go with Forte because Chicago is beastly. Also, for my wideouts, Santonio Holmes, Chris Chambers, Larry Fitzgerald, Isaac Bruce, and Amani Toomer. Fitzy and Chambers, I think, is a no-brainer, but Bruce and Toomer have stepped up in the last week and both are facing teams that aren't that good. Meanwhile, Holmes, although he had some good numbers last week despite weather conditions, is just not getting red-zone balls his way. My gut tells me to go with Toomer because he's facing just an awful Cincy defense, and Bruce gets Detroit while Holmes gets Philly, who gave up some serious bombs to Dallas Monday night. So, I'm thinking Holmes or Toomer. What are your thoughts?

JAY LAVARNWAY, Lowell

GL: Well, Jay, it really depends on your league scoring. If yardage is more important than touchdowns, then go with Holmes. The Steelers, when they get into the red zone, will go to RB Willie Parker or WR Hines Ward. I would go with the steady Giants and the well-dressed Amani Toomer.

Q: Should I start Peyton Manning at home against the Jags or Jay Cutler at home against the Saints?

MICHAEL CONKLIN, Walpole

ST: Nice problem. You have to ride the hot hand and go with Cutler. Once the Colts' offensive line gets healthy and their offense gets in synch, you'll have two nice options. Or you could shop one for an upgrade elsewhere.

Q: I have been offered Randy Moss and Jake Delhomme in exchange for Andre Johnson and Donovan McNabb. I have some reservations on the Andre/Moss deal, since Andre is more likely to produce consistent numbers every week than Moss, who is now a high-risk/high-reward option on any given week given that Tom Brady is done for the season. I'm not concerned about the McNabb/Delhomme deal, since Donovan is my backup to Peyton Manning. What do you think? Should I take this deal or no? I am currently leaning toward no.

JAY SNUKIS, Somers, Conn.

ST: Good call. Don't make this deal. You haven't significantly upgraded at either position - Johnson's numbers could be better than Moss's, and I like McNabb better than Delhomme.

Q: I can only play 2 RBs in my league, but I have a lot of depth at that position. With Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Matt Forte, and Chris Johnson, I just wasn't sure if I would be better off keeping all these players in case of injury, or look to trade and upgrade my WRs?

JOHN RILEY, Marlborough

ST: Without knowing what you have at WR, it seems you're in position to dangle one of those guys in a trade. See if you can get a high-end No. 2 receiver for Forte or Johnson.