Week 9 Start Em’ & Sit Em’

Hello readers, welcome to this week’s edition of Start Em’ and Sit Em’! In honor of Halloween this week’s column will take on a slightly different feel. Muahahahahaha!

TREATS

Michael Vick: I know that Vick is ranked fairly well most places this week, but many owners have probably started to waiver with his inconsistent play and the rumors swirling that Vick will be dropped as the starter. It has been announced he will be the starter for this week’s matchup against New Orleans. It is a make or break week for Vick and his owners. He couldn’t ask for a better opponent to keep his job. I think he plays well, but if he can’t I think it might be time to cut bait if you own him. Heck, if he doesn’t play well he very well could lose his job.

Jay Cutler: Another QB who has been very up and down this season, you have to like Cutler’s matchup against a Titans defense that has been fairly generous to opposing QBs this season. There is some risk because Cutler has still suffered those occasional nightmare games this season, but Tennessee has yet to keep an opposing QB from throwing at least one TD in a game.

Jamaal Charles: The last time Charles was inexplicably limited to less that 10 touches in a game he went off for 288 total yards and a TD. San Diego just got gashed by Trent Richardson in a game where they knew the run had to be coming. So even if they expect the Chiefs to focus on getting Charles more touches, they might not be able to stop him anyway.

Alfred Morris: ALF is another RB poised to bounce back after a horrible performance the week before. The Redskins get a juicy matchup against a Carolina run defense who has yet to give up less than 75 yards rushing in a game. Start Morris with confidence again this week.

Rashad Jennings: The Detroit rushing defense numbers look good as a whole, but when you look closer that is largely due to two games where opponents abandoned the run early. Against Tennessee in week 3, the funk ridden Chris Johnson and the Titans only ran the ball 14 times for 24 yards. In week 6 in Philadelphia they held the Eagles to 26 yards on 19 carries. In their other 5 games the Lions have allowed over 100 rushing yards in 4 of them. I’m  not sure Jennings goes for over 100, but I’d expect 70-80. Couple that with some receiving yards and possibly a TD and you’ve got a very nice game.

Randall Cobb: It astounds me that Cobb is still out there in 12% of ESPN leagues. There is no reason he shouldn’t be owned in 100% of leagues. At any rate, Cobb’s role has solidified in the packers offense as a playmaker. He showed last week that even when he can be contained, he can still hurt you. If Nelson plays this week, I actually like him even better as that will take some of the attention off of him.

Andre Johnson: A big name that just hasn’t produced much this season, he has at least been close the last few weeks after the Texans publicly expressed the desire to get Johnson more involved. I think he breaks into the endzone this week against a horrid Bills secondary.

Eric Decker: Another case where a perceived tough opponent might not actually be that scary of a matchup. The Bengals so far have played the Ravens, Browns (2), Redskins, Jaguars, Dolphins and Steelers. Torrey Smith is a decent receiver. Josh Gordon is the only Browns receiver with a pulse. The Redskins were sans Garcon. The Jags game was before Cecil Shorts emerged. The Dolphins’ Hartline is not a good number 1 receiver. The Steelers were the first real threat and they gave up over 200 yards. Peyton Manning has been surgical as of late, so I like Decker.

Heath Miller: When is it going to be time that the fantasy community catches up to the fact that Miller’s breakout is legit this season and it starts to reflect in his projections. How is he a top-5 TE with 6 TDs in 7 games, going against a defense that was just torched by Jason Witten, but only projected for 6 fantasy points. I’ll take the over on that one, and so should you.

Jason Witten: Speaking of Witten, Atlanta seems like a tough matchup. However they have yet to face an elite TE this season (Gates has dropped out of that club with his struggles) and Witten silenced any doubters that he still belongs in that club last week.

Dolphins D/ST: The Phins defense has been quietly very good this season, and they get to face a rookie QB who has 11 turnovers to this point.

TRICKS

Joe Flacco: Flacco has put up a dud in each game since the last time he faced the Browns. Regardless of whether you consider Joe Haden a shutdown corner or not, there is not question that he has elevated the play of the defense as a whole after his suspension. Add to the fact that the Browns should be getting Phil Taylor back to anchor their defensive line, this defense could cause problems for Flacco and company. The 2-6 Browns are much scrappier than their record indicates.

Tony Romo: Even though Romo has actually played well on the road, Atlanta is not a fun place to play for opposing QBs. Looking deeper, check out Romo’s stats on games played in domes versus outdoors. Outdoors: 8 TDs, 7 INTs, 85.5 Rating. Indoors: 1TD, 6INTs, 62.6 Rating. The Falcons play in a dome.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: The Law Firm has not produced a useful fantasy performance since week 2 when he barely managed the feat with 10 points. He just isn’t running with much burst or purpose. It looks like he’s running just with the hope of getting positive yards and he’s not involved in the passing game to help make up for a lack of TDs.

Alex Green: I have been somewhat disappointed in Green. I figured he would’ve become a flex option by now. While he still remains worthy of a roster spot as he looks to keep the starting job, I just don’t trust him unless I’m desperate. Watch, in a week against a tough Cardinals running defense he will go off because it doesn’t make sense and I have finally listed him as a sit.

Ahmad Bradshaw: In a week where I expect the Giants to win a tough game in support of their battered city, I expect Eli to be the leader of the charge. Bradshaw is still dealing with the foot issue, and Pittsburgh does have a decent run defense. Plus Bradshaw saw a TD chance taken by Andre Brown last week.

Vincent Jackson: We discussed Jackson’s struggles against top-10 secondaries in last week’s Sit recommendation. Well this week’s opponent, the Raiders, are 11th. I say it’s close enough and Jackson struggles for another week.

Earl Bennett: This has more to do with his projection than his prowess. I’d like to know where they are getting the idea of Bennett scoring 12 or more points (depending on the scoring format, 12 is the lowest I’ve seen). He has yet to produce more than 5 points in a game this season. That was in week 1.

Dez Bryant: Call it a hunch. I think there’s a let down after last week’s tough loss. Bryant is also dealing with a few nagging injuries that will allow him to play but might affect his concentration which can be lacking at times.

Brent Celek: I know that New Orleans is horrible on defense, but TE is the only position they seem to be able to defend. Nearly 30% of Celek’s receptions and 40% of his yards came from one game. He might be good for 50 yards or so, but that shouldn’t get him into your lineup.

Antonio Gates: Remember earlier I mentioned that Gates has played himself out of the elite tier of TEs? In his week 6 game against the Broncos he managed 20 points. In his other 5 games combined he has 13 points. Yeah, I don’t trust him. Though, maybe you like gambling on low percentage games.

Cardinals D/ST: They have been a top-10 defense this year, but any time you face Aaron Rodgers you have to expect to get knocked down a peg or two.

BONUS EDITION:

In honor of the election, and based on the 94% correct “Redskins Rule,” I will be giving you a Presidential Sit and Start. Please read the link above if you are not familiar with this rule before continuing. I would also like to make a special note that this does not necessarily represent my political leanings or hopes.

START

Barack Obama: If you have read the above link, you will then understand that I expect the Redskins to defeat the Carolina Panthers this Sunday at home.

SIT

Mitt Romney: Romney becomes the biggest Carolina Panthers fan in the country this week. Regardless of who wins, it’s time for both candidates to have their game faces on.

Good luck in week 9 everyone!

Last Week’s Results: Season Totals in Parentheses

Starts: 4-7, .363 (38-50, .431)

Brandon Weeden: 5pts = L, Phillip Rivers: 6pts = L, Alex Green: 7pts = L, Doug Martin: 32pts = W, Darren Sproles: 11pts = W, Josh Gordon: 4pts = L, Chris Givens: 12pts = W, Jeremy Kerley: 4pts = L, Jimmy Graham: 12pts = W, Tony Gonzalez: 2pts = L, Falcons D/ST: 6pts = L

Sits: 8-3, .727 (59-29, .670)

Cam Newton: 11pts = W, Matthew Stafford: 37pts = L, Shonn Greene: 9pts = W, Trent Richardson: 19pts = L, Mikel Leshoure: 4pts = W, Vincent Jackson: 4pts = W, Jeremy Maclin: 3pts = W, Brian Hartline: 4pts = W, Jacob Tamme: 3pts = W, Vernon Davis: 3pts = W, Patriots D/ST: 9pts = L

With this week’s total of 12-10, my season total is at 97-79 (.551).