Week 8 Hardcore Picks -- Back to the Basics

I received an e-mail today from David M. who's playing in 3 leagues--or at least 3 that he admitted. There could be more.

He posed the age-old fantasy question, "I have 'x' number of players and have to sit 2 of them. Which ones should I bench?"

As I wrote this past Tuesday, the first step toward returning to basics is understanding your league's scoring system. If you're choosing between a running back and an equally skilled wide receiver for a "flex" spot on your active roster, which position tends to produce more fantasy points in your league? Look at your league's total scoring leaders: If 10 of the top 30 are RBs and only 3 are a WRs, then that might give you guidance on how to pick your flex spot.

On top of that, how tough is the defense they're facing? Apply my #2 hardcore strategy every time, and you'll automatically have an edge on your opponent.

Finally, are they motivated? I've told the story about LaMont Jordan two years ago telling the media that he was sick of not getting enough carries. Since the Raiders were losing, something had to change within the team's system. Jordan was the logical choice. So I picked him up, and he scored 3 TDs in his next game. The same applied earlier this year, when I picked up Jordan off waivers before Week 1, believing that he'd be motivated to play 110% for the 4 weeks Dominic Rhodes was out, so that he'd keep the starting job. Look up his stats during those first 4 games (552 total yards, 2 TDs), and you'll see how his motivation paid off for fantasy owners--as well as how back problems and ascension to clear-cut #1 RB have shut him down the past two games.

The following picks, as always, feature players who many teams have either reserved or dropped. None are among the top 10 at their position. But it's time to get them into your line-up:

QB -- Marc Bulger: I drafted him in the 4th round last year in my 14-team head-to-head league, and he helped me win the championship. This year he's been a colossal joke, much like Godzilla, who I recently discovered isn't real. But Bulger is real, and he's hungry. Although his offensive line is battered, for the first time in ages he'll have Steven Jackson back on the field. As you may recall from last season, Bulger utilized Jackson as a receiver to complement Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. At 0-7, expect the Rams to finally play like they did in '06, and to run up the score against the Browns--one of the worst defenses in the league.

RB -- DeShawn Wynn: You won't ever catch me hedging my bets on this site. A hardcore player makes the smartest pick he/she can and lets it ride, knowing that they did everything they could to pick the right player. Sure, there are better players than Wynn on this site, but he's the most undervalued running back in Week 8. Wynn has inherited the starting job . . . for now. As he said earlier this week, "It's definitely something I can't get complacent with." Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson are among those waiting in the wings to take the starting job back. Facing a Broncos team that is ranked dead last in rushing defense, combined with a home game on Monday night, makes Wynn a very hardcore play.

WR -- Jerricho Cotchery: When your quarterback is playing for his job, and when you're playing the 3rd worst pass defense, you expect to get some catches. When your name is Jerricho Cotchery, it adds up to a lot of yards. Cotchery is known for making big plays. Is he risky some weeks? Sure. But playing at home in a rivalry game makes him a fantastic option.

TE -- Greg Olsen is slowly becoming a fixture in the Bears offense, especially with Brian Griese at the helm. Coming into a Week 8 match-up against the rival Lions, the Bears are amazingly a game-and-a-half behind Detroit in the NFC North. But they will not allow the Lions to beat them at home--not this game, at least. Griese's leadership and skills are finally paying dividends, and Olsen has been one of the beneficiaries. The fact that the Lions own the 2nd-worst pass defense makes Olsen an under-the-radar hardcore pick.

Defense -- The Buccaneers: I'm putting my money where my mouth is, as I picked up the Bucs off waivers earlier this week to replace my bye-week Ravens. Actually, I picked up the Jaguars first, but then some guy made the softcore mistake of dropping the Bucs, so I made the switch. Why Tampa Bay, which is only the 14th best defense in my head-to-head league? First, don't underestimate the advantage of playing at home. Second, the Jaguars are playing their 2nd-stringer QB, who played like he'd just been plucked from a flag football league. Finally, Maurice Jones-Drew is gimpy; even if he plays, it will be difficult for them to move the ball against the Buccaneers.

Good luck this week. But if you're operating like a hardcore player, you probably won't need it. Do your homework, make smart picks, and let reality take its course.