Sunday, October 19, 2008

WEEK 7: SUNDAY PRE-GAME PLANNER

This is a key weekend of football for every fantasy football owner as this marks the halfway point for the regular season in most fantasy leagues. Be advised there are some players to key on and some to be wary of before the 1 p.m. kickoffs.
Start your Dallas Cowboys players with caution. The only reliable player will be back Marion Barber who will be the main guy with Felix Jones out.
Quarterback Tony Romo WILL NOT START and will be the second stringer according to the Cowboys' Web site. That places back-up Brad Johnson under center. He is a proven QB but don't expect a lot with his first start in many Warren Moons. I hope nothing ever happens to any player, but this is a situation where injuries happen, especially with receivers, who are used to going certain routes with the normal starter and find themselves vulnerable when the backup expects them to be somewhere else. I would not be surprised if Terrell Owens, Roy Williams or Patrick Crayton ends up banged up by the third quarter.
And do not sell the St. Louis Rams short against the Cowboys. I told you last week the Rams are ready to turn their season around and it will continue today. The Rams will win or at least keep the game close. If you're still undecided about starting Torry Holt at receiver, don't be. He and QB Marc Bulger should have a big game with Holt scoring his second (maybe third) touchdown of the season.
If you need a replacement at receiver, consider Rams' wideout Donnie Avery who has emerged as their No. 2 guy.
If you're hurting at running back, be wary of starting Kansas City Chiefs backups Kolby Smith or Jamaal Charles. If you're desperate enough to start them, be advised Smith will start and be active in goal line situations. But if you're in a point-per-reception league, start Charles instead since he is the better receiver and should be thrown to 10-12 times.
Guys I would start at back ahead of the Chiefs' guys are Redskins' new backup Shaun Alexander (he's pumped up to be active again), the Bengals' Cedric Benson or the Dolphins' Patrick Cobbs (expected to be thrown to 8-10 times today).
NOTE that Saints receiver Marques Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey will start after recovering from injuries. Start them if you have them and expect the value to drop big time for Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Expect huge games today or Monday from Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, Texans' back Steve Slaton, Vikings back Adrian Peterson, the Dolphins' Ronnie Brown, Rams back Steven Jackson, Colts backup back Dominic Rhodes, Bucs back Earnest Graham, Bills receiver Lee Evans, Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, Browns receiver Braylon Edwards, Patriots receiver Wes Welker and Redskins tight end Chris Cooley.
Good luck in Week 7!!!