Fantasy Football: Week 5

By Ryan Kerr, contributing writer
Posted on October 4, 2007 

Happy Thursday fantasy owners:

With one quarter of the NFL season complete, it’s time to make those necessary adjustments to stay ahead in your fantasy league. After the first month of the season, we have seen a number of Jekyll and Hyde players so far. Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Jason Campbell and Phillip Rivers have showed flashes of brilliance, but cannot seem to get their acts completely together.

The same can be said for guys like Javon Walker, Marques Colston and Bernard Berrian. With so much time still remaining in the season, I would be reluctant to drop any of these players. However, if they don’t start producing in the near future, you will have to move on.   

How about those Dallas Cowboys? Last week confirmed that Tony Romo is a legitimate Top-5 fantasy quarterback. However, there seems to be a problem with the Dallas offense. The problem in Big-D is not Romo, but rather offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The former Cowboy backup and first year coordinator has installed an offense that has Romo spreading the ball to every player on the field. On any given week you could have TO, Marion Barber, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, Julius Jones or Anthony Fasano score on a Romo TD pass. The same argument can be said for the Colts and Bengals.

My point is to not rely to heavily on guys who are surrounded with a good supporting cast. You want the most possible points from your fantasy starters and it’s hard to do that with other star players getting the ball. With all of this in mind, go to thebreeze.org to read about my studs, duds and sleeper picks.

 

Studs to Start

 

Eli Manning, NY Giants vs. Jets D

Manning has played the last two games despite being diagnosed with a separated shoulder. This is the kind of attitude and guts that New York fans have been waiting for from the fourth year QB. Eli has thrown at least one TD in each of the first four games and I see him and Plaxico Burress having huge games against an overrated Jets defense.

Donte Stallworth, New England vs. Cleveland

With all of the focus being on Randy Moss, look for Stallworth to have his breakout game in a Patriots uniform. He has not seemed to be completely healthy all year, slowing him from his usual blazing speed. Luckily for Stallworth, a Browns defense that gave up 45 points to the Bengals is just what the doctor ordered.

Chris Brown, Tennessee vs. Atlanta

The former Colorado Buffalo has been splitting carries with LenDale White through the first three games this season (Week 4 bye). Titans coach Jeff Fisher wants to give White the carries, in spite of Brown outplaying him. Look for Brown to establish himself as the No. 1 running back in Tennessee and have a big game against a shoddy Atlanta defense.

 

Duds to Sit

Matt Hasselback, Seattle vs. Pittsburgh D

The Steelers defense has been dominant all year. In four games they have given up only 47 points have 14 sacks and forced five fumble recoveries. Sean Alexander has yet to get going and Seattle’s O-line has been shaky all year. Look for Hasselback to have a long day behind center.

Cedric Benson, Chicago @ Green Bay

This guy is absolute garbage. Many fantasy experts, including myself, figured Benson would have a break out season now that Thomas Jones is in New York.  We were wrong. Benson will be behind Adrian Peterson on the depth chart within weeks.

Anquon Boldin, Arizona @ St. Louis

Boldin is banged up and will probably not suit up this weekend in St. Louis. Throw in the growing QB controversy between Leinart and Warner and you just don’t know where the ball will be going. You might want to pick up Arizona’s No. 3 WR Bryant Johnson, a former 1st round pick from Penn State.

 

Sleepers

Ernest Graham, Tampa Bay @ Indy

Graham will get the majority of the carries with Cadillac Williams done for the season. The Florida Gator alum has shown potential in limited action this season. Two weeks ago against St. Louis, Graham rushed for 75 yards on only eight carries and had a score against Carolina last week.

Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants vs. Jets

Jacobs looks to be back this weekend after injuring his knee in Week 1 against Dallas. Don’t expect too much from him, but a touchdown or two near the goal line wouldn’t surprise me.