Return of the Fantasy Football Advice Column

[IggyWH]

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What do you people think of bettis now that staley is out?

I'd lump him with CMart, L. Jordan, maybe slightly behind Westbrook

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Stay away from Bettis... there's a reason he's never been a "great" fantasy player up until last year.

On a Steelers note though, I'd pick up Ward if you can get him at a decent pick. 3 years ago, Ward was #3 to Harrison and TO. 2 years ago, Ward was #2 to Harrison. Last year Ward fell off in Ben's first year (Ben favored Plax) but now that Plax is gone, Ward's going to get the load again. Also with the money the Steelers are gonna throw at him, expect him to become and even more focal point of the offense... and even some deep routes.

[IggyWH]

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I thin you paid a lot for LJ.

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I concur... but what's done is done so let's look forward for him.

I personally would try to move Jones. Since he's "rated" so high, a lot of people see that and think they have to have him for a good team. Truth be told, I'm not expecting too much from Jones. With the WR's they have, they're not giving it to Jones 20+ times a game, especially once Garcia starts and works that west coast offense.

FYI, how much more "elite" do you think you're gonna get at TE than Heap? Only problem with him is he's still nursing that injury from last year and now B-more has Mason to throw to.

[brettbrettr]

No, they're not going to give him the ball 30 times. *but* Mariucci runs this hybrid WC Offense built on running. I think he'll be mighty productive.

As for Heap, I agree. He could be stellar, and your team is pretty damned solid. The injuries are a concern but there aren't that many TE's worth packaging a K Jones for. Pople who thinkg Witten or Clark is a Jones better than Heap are nuts.

I'd package Jones and x WR. If X = Holt, I'd expect Moss or Owens *and* a b/u with upside. If x = someone else, I'd expect an Andre Johnson or Javon Walker type guy. Really, packaging a Kevin Jones should net you a lot.

[The Armchair]

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10 team league. 15 roster spots. Starting roster: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, K, D.

All TD's 6 pts. 20/y 1 pt bonus

I have pick 8.

I'm positive Culpepper will go before it gets to me, which is good. I figure at 8 & 13 I will have a choice between: Portis, D. Davis, Lewis, McCallister, Dillon, K. Jones, J. Jones. R. Johnson, Barber.

Which 2 RB's would you recommend I take at 8 and then who are my better options at 13?

Besides Manning or Culpepper is there a QB that would be worth a 3rd or 4th in this league? Who?

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I've been focusing on younger guys this year -- both Joneses, Davis, and Rudi. But you're not going to go wrong with any of the guys you listed. Really, don't fret it. The only caveat: If you take Lewis, take Chester Taylor with your last pick. In general, I'm anti-handcuff, but this meets me tripartide test for taking handcuff players:

1) Replacing the starter with anyone else is difficult at best; and
2) The starter is a high injury (or other) risk; and
3) The backup will put up fantasy-starter worthy stats if he gets to start.

Therefore, you take the handcuffs to Priest and Jamal, and maybe Ahman and CMart.

As for your QB question, the list goes like this:
1) Peyton
2) Everyone else.

I've stated why before and I'm not really keen on going into it again, but the short version is that Daunte lost his best receiver and was markedly worse without him last year, and with an improved defense, will less often be in quick-strike offense mode. While I think he will still be a top QB, he's not far enough removed from the guy at 12 or 15 to be worth a high pick. The same goes for everyone else, too -- you're better off starting Jake Plummer (a 9th round pick) than Kerry Collins (3rd), because you can get a stud WR with that third pick.

[IggyWH]

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No, they're not going to give him the ball 30 times. *but* Mariucci runs this hybrid WC Offense built on running. I think he'll be mighty productive.

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While I do think he'll be productive, I don't expect him to have the type of season everyone is expecting for as high as he's ranked.

While it was a Mooch offense last year, it really wasn't THE Mooch offense. Rodgers gone for the year, Roy out early and Harrington blowing chunks, Mooch was only left with handing it off to Jones.

Mooch likes that speed back that he can run outside the tackles with and spread him out wide. Is Jones that guy? Maybe... but he has yet to prove he can do it like Hearst did for Mooch.

I want to see Jones in the REAL Mooch offense this year before I go throwing him a high pick when there's so many other proven RB's out there.

[The Armchair]

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What do you people think of bettis now that staley is out?

I'd lump him with CMart, L. Jordan, maybe slightly behind Westbrook

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I had him with CMart before the injury to Staley, but that may have been because I'm downgrading CMart greatly (he carried the ball a ton last year).

That said, while I like Bettis, I'm not to keen on naming him my starter. And I think most people agree with me. Therefore, Bettis -- especially in a 10 or 12 team league -- will be around in most leagues as late as 5th or 6th round. By all means, take him there. He's a great backup, you get two uses out of a bye-week replacement, and will have excellent trade value.

[brettbrettr]

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I'm downgrading CMart greatly

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I hate you.

[brettbrettr]

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I want to see Jones in the REAL Mooch offense this year before I go throwing him a high pick when there's so many other proven RB's out there.

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Of course, but, sometimes you just have to gamble. (I think M Willams/M Pollard insures Mooch passing options in case of yet another C Rogers injury, which will in turn provide Jones with some running room. Might just be me...)

[IggyWH]

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I want to see Jones in the REAL Mooch offense this year before I go throwing him a high pick when there's so many other proven RB's out there.

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Of course, but, sometimes you just have to gamble. (I think M Willams/M Pollard insures Mooch passing options in case of yet another C Rogers injury, which will in turn provide Jones with some running room. Might just be me...)

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By all means gamble if you think it's the correct thing to do. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying Jones right now is holding a very high value. One I don't think he has proven he deserves yet and therefore I would try to move him for some good proven talent (which because of Jones' high value, this seems to be easy to do).

[bugstud]

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I want to see Jones in the REAL Mooch offense this year before I go throwing him a high pick when there's so many other proven RB's out there.

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Of course, but, sometimes you just have to gamble. (I think M Willams/M Pollard insures Mooch passing options in case of yet another C Rogers injury, which will in turn provide Jones with some running room. Might just be me...)

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By all means gamble if you think it's the correct thing to do. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying Jones right now is holding a very high value. One I don't think he has proven he deserves yet and therefore I would try to move him for some good proven talent (which because of Jones' high value, this seems to be easy to do).

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do keep in ming this is dynasty, so I keep him forever. In that same vein this team is capable of winning so I want to ensure that I have a stud offense. I just didn't see myself starting porter very much., driver is a capable #3. I think wayne's value is higher, and driver wasn't getitng the deal done. Ideally ricky gets some value and I can deal him.

I'm thinking lamont may even be my bait a couple weeks in if he starts well. I'm not averse to trading KJ for a huge guy, but who qualifies as huge?