Another week, another group of injured players listed as "questionable." Is it frustrating? Yes. Should it provoke violence? No, though my friend Pete doesn't listen.
So what should you do if you have 1 or 2 starters listed as "questionable" this week?
1) If you have a deep bench, drop someone you'd never expect to play and pick up someone who will be good this week if the starter is ruled out. I'm talking about Kenton Keith (Joseph Addai's back-up) or Ladell Betts (Clinton Portis's back-up). Both of these back-ups are currently available in my 14-owner league--though with 8 starters and 2 bench players, we don't have much room to keep extra players.
2) So if you have a short bench, you'll have to decide whether this "questionable" player is one of those guys who guts it out no matter the injury. I've dealt with Kellen Winslow's questionable status most of the year, yet he's one of the 3 top TE's in the league. He's not leaving my starting line-up until he proves he's too hurt to play. Other guys--like the 30-some great players who are ailing right now--should be game-time decisions. What do I mean? Read on:
3) No matter what you do, you must check the Internet Sunday morning to learn your player's final pre-game status. In my league, our final line-ups must be set 5 minutes before game-time. Find the sites that work for you--there are hundreds out there--bookmark 'em, and add them to your Sunday morning routine. Between 11am and 1pm, the updates pour in, telling you who's starting and who's out. Interested in Kenton Keith? Pick him up, drop your mediocre kicker, and wait until 10 minutes before your line-up must be set. If Addai is ruled out, you've got yourself a hardcore replacement.
Here are your Week 5 hardcore picks:
QB -- Eli Manning: Even with #1 receiver Plaxico Burress questionable, the Giants have enough offensive weapons to put up big numbers agains a week Jets D. Manning has had to go up against 3 of the top 12 defenses this season. Manning is the #11 scorer among QB's in my CBS Sportsline league, but expect him to improve to #8 or higher when he faces his easiest match-up thus far.
RB -- Reggie Bush was picked in the 1st or 2nd round of most fantasy drafts this year. As a result, along with Drew Brees, he's been worse than softcore; he's been just plain soft. But after a bye week, and with their backs against the wall at 0-3, they have a golden opportunity to redeem themselves at home against the Panthers' bottom-10 defense. And with Deuce McAllister out for the season, look for Bush to carry more of the load and remind people why he's one of the most exciting players in the sport.
WR -- Brandon Marshall.is primed for a hardcore performance at home against a Chargers defense that's even worse than the Panthers' D. The Broncos' #1 receiver, Javon Walker, is out this week, giving Marshall sufficient motivation to prove that he can help lead this offense. And fortunately for Marshall--and not so for the Broncos--the team's running game is in chaos thanks to Travis Henry's drug bust. Cutler will do a lot of softcore throwing; thank goodness he's got a hardcore receiver who can make his QB look good.
TE -- Chris Cooley. Take this pick to the bank and cash it, hardcore style. Why? Do the math:
-- Redskins are at home
-- #1 receiver Santana Moss is doubtful
-- Detroit has a potent offense, which will force Jason Campbell to throw
-- Detroit's defense is 3rd worst in the league
-- Cooley has 2 TD's but is averaging only 18 yards a game--after averaging 45 a game each of the last two seasons
Picking players isn't guess work; mix the variables together, and you've got your answer.
Defense -- The 49ers were drafted in many leagues this year, but most owners have given up on them. After this week, many of those owners will express remorse. The Niners are at home and facing one of the most pathetic QB's in the league, Steve McNair. Am I being sacreligious? Shouldn't I be praising McNair for being such a gutsy and crafty veteran? After watching him play this season, it's clear that this will be his last season, and quite possibly will be the final start of his career. He's playing with the mental weakness of a rookie--something the Niners will exploit starting with McNair's first fumble after tripping over a tuft of dirt.
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