I'm up against a "blood rival" in my Yahoo fantasy league this week (I'm 2-1-1, in fourth place and have a chance to move up a couple of spots because of matchups) and have a huge quandary on my hands.
Peyton Manning is my starting quarterback. As most of you probably know, he's coming off a huge six-TD night against the Saints. But he's facing my Bucs down in Tampa on Monday next week, and I know in my heart of hearts he's going to get killed.
Until yesterday, Kyle Boller was my backup, and he has the week off. I managed to pick up the pride of Detroit, Joey Harrington, off the waiver wire. The Lions are traveling to San Francisco this weekend, and while the Niners are going to come out pissed after getting thumped by Minnesota on Sunday, that game also showed once and for all that they can't defend to save their lives.
So who do I go with... Manning or Harrington?
I bestow my fortunes upon this community...
A frank discussion of HHH's chances in Hollywood: Dark Renegade: "I can see it now...Freddy vs. Jason vs. Triple H. Both Freddy and Jason are much better, but Triple H will screw Satan's daughter and he'll get Satan's help in going over both of them." Canadian Bulldog: "That's just such an unlikely scenario. Obviously, it would end with Triple H running Jason over with a car, then invading his nightmare so that he could wallop Freddy Krueger with a sledgehammer."
Has to be Manning. More consistent over the longterm than Harrington. Manning is a safer bet, but you could wind up with more points from a great game from Harrington.
If you've got a guy like Peyton Manning, you can't bench him unless you've got another guy on his level on your team. You've gotta figure even against Tampa (esp. with James' status up in the air, thus no real running game) he's good for at least 200 yards and a couple of TDs. On the other hand, that's a good game for Harrington, who unlike Gus Frerotte on Sunday does not have a Randy Moss on his team to make him look better than he is. Manning's worst case scenario isn't much less than Harrington's best, so there's no way you take the chance. Play Manning.
Go with Harrington. He's facing Marriucci's old team SF who were lit up by Gus Ferrotte last week. If nothing else you will get an average outing. Manning on the other hand throws a lot of interceptions against big time match-ups. Maybe, the fact that he is facing a Defense similar in style to his own will help him with his reads, but I don't see it. Especially if Edge James is still down, with no running game Manning is meat.
Whitebacon: The only other starters available who are playing this week are Kitna, Kordell, and Couch (who I wouldn't be able to pick up until Saturday).
If the WWF decided to use a Super Mario Brothers gimmick...
"Mah gawd, King! Garrison Cade just bounced a fireball toward Rene Dupree!" "And look, Mark Jindrak just jumped on top of Conway's head! I think he's out cold, JR!" "What're they up to now..where did that huge pipe come from?!" "They're going down in the pipe! They're..they're gone!" --Mike Sweetser
"Oh my god, JR. Cade just shrunk after he was hit by that chair!" "Here comes RVD, King. What's that he has in that bag?" "Are those Mushrooms, JR?" "Cade's eating the Mushrooms. BAH GAWD, KING! Cade just grew twice his size!" --Mr. Tuesday
Originally posted by Texas KellyWhitebacon: The only other starters available who are playing this week are Kitna, Kordell, and Couch (who I wouldn't be able to pick up until Saturday).
If you ever start any of those guys, forget it. Your fantasy team is dead.
Originally posted by Texas KellyWhitebacon: The only other starters available who are playing this week are Kitna, Kordell, and Couch (who I wouldn't be able to pick up until Saturday).
Here are Hector & Victor's projections (with comments) from ESPN Insider. Hope they help.
9. Tim Couch - Named the starter - 17 points 15. Kordell Stewart - Running totals make him valuable in fantasy - 15 points 18. Joey Harrington - Not worth the risk on the road - 13 points 20. Jon Kitna - Bills allow fifth-fewest FFL points to QBs - 12 points 25. Peyton Manning - Downgrade: Bucs allow the fewest FFL points to QBs this season (5.7 per game) - 11 points
So according to H&V you should go with Harrington and try to pick up Couch.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
Originally posted by Texas KellyWhitebacon: The only other starters available who are playing this week are Kitna, Kordell, and Couch (who I wouldn't be able to pick up until Saturday).
Here are Hector & Victor's projections (with comments) from ESPN Insider. Hope they help.
9. Tim Couch - Named the starter - 17 points 15. Kordell Stewart - Running totals make him valuable in fantasy - 15 points 18. Joey Harrington - Not worth the risk on the road - 13 points 20. Jon Kitna - Bills allow fifth-fewest FFL points to QBs - 12 points 25. Peyton Manning - Downgrade: Bucs allow the fewest FFL points to QBs this season (5.7 per game) - 11 points
So according to H&V you should go with Harrington and try to pick up Couch.
Gah... any other news on H&V projections? Namely, for Brad Johnson? They shoulda NEVER made them Insider-only, if ya ask me... (Although I suppose my reaction proves their point...)
Tim Couch is also going to be on the shortest leash out of everyone mentioned. Holcomb TORCHED Pitt. in the playoff meeting last year, and everyone in Cleveland remembers that. I'd still start Peyton.
On a side note, I thought I'd cancelled my ESPN Insider subscription before my free trial was over. I got an issue of ESPN the Magazine today, which was an added bonus to the Insider subscription. Turns out I've had Insider for the last month and did not know it.
Cub Fear looms for fans in Atlanta, San Francisco and Florida.
Cub Fear is real.
Cub Fear is frightening. Brian Murphy, ESPN.com's Page 2
Well, against my better judgment, I stuck with Manning, but it's probably not going to matter. Thanks to Portis having a hot day and Cleveland not rolling over, I'm down 100-80 going into tonight, which means I need at least a 3 TD performance with no mistakes from Manning to win (fat chance)...
If the WWF decided to use a Super Mario Brothers gimmick...
"Mah gawd, King! Garrison Cade just bounced a fireball toward Rene Dupree!" "And look, Mark Jindrak just jumped on top of Conway's head! I think he's out cold, JR!" "What're they up to now..where did that huge pipe come from?!" "They're going down in the pipe! They're..they're gone!" --Mike Sweetser
"Oh my god, JR. Cade just shrunk after he was hit by that chair!" "Here comes RVD, King. What's that he has in that bag?" "Are those Mushrooms, JR?" "Cade's eating the Mushrooms. BAH GAWD, KING! Cade just grew twice his size!" --Mr. Tuesday
Originally posted by WhitebaconTim Couch is also going to be on the shortest leash out of everyone mentioned. Holcomb TORCHED Pitt. in the playoff meeting last year, and everyone in Cleveland remembers that. I'd still start Peyton.
On a side note, I thought I'd cancelled my ESPN Insider subscription before my free trial was over. I got an issue of ESPN the Magazine today, which was an added bonus to the Insider subscription. Turns out I've had Insider for the last month and did not know it.
Tim Couch should be the starter now.Not only did he torch Pitt and run for a score he also got the win.There should be no QB controversy!Couch should be the guy!(I knew I should have used him this week over Trent Green)
Originally posted by Melon' HeadTim Couch should be the starter now.Not only did he torch Pitt and run for a score he also got the win.There should be no QB controversy!Couch should be the guy!(I knew I should have used him this week over Trent Green)
Pittsburgh has a weak pass D, for what it's worth.
(edited by Broncolanche on 6.10.03 0859) "How did the Cards go 11-5? How did Emmie Smith rush for 1,400 yards? How did Jeff Blake become the No. 3 rated passer in the NFL? You dreamt it, that's how."
Originally posted by Texas KellyWell, against my better judgment, I stuck with Manning, but it's probably not going to matter. Thanks to Portis having a hot day and Cleveland not rolling over, I'm down 100-80 going into tonight, which means I need at least a 3 TD performance with no mistakes from Manning to win (fat chance)...
Well, picking Harrington would have definitely killed you. At least you have a chance with Manning.
Dig this: I'm currently up 66.72-48.89 in my non-Wiener league matchup, and the guy I'm facing has Manning and Tampa's D. As long as he doesn't net more than 17.83 points tonight, I'm good for another victory.
(edited by Broncolanche on 6.10.03 0952) "How did the Cards go 11-5? How did Emmie Smith rush for 1,400 yards? How did Jeff Blake become the No. 3 rated passer in the NFL? You dreamt it, that's how."
Tampa chokes and loses the game in OT (and yes, while the officials' calls at the end were total crap, there's no way the D should have blown the lead to begin with).
Manning gets me... 17 points, three short.
God fucking damnit.
If the WWF decided to use a Super Mario Brothers gimmick...
"Mah gawd, King! Garrison Cade just bounced a fireball toward Rene Dupree!" "And look, Mark Jindrak just jumped on top of Conway's head! I think he's out cold, JR!" "What're they up to now..where did that huge pipe come from?!" "They're going down in the pipe! They're..they're gone!" --Mike Sweetser
"Oh my god, JR. Cade just shrunk after he was hit by that chair!" "Here comes RVD, King. What's that he has in that bag?" "Are those Mushrooms, JR?" "Cade's eating the Mushrooms. BAH GAWD, KING! Cade just grew twice his size!" --Mr. Tuesday
Would you trade Brian Simmons and a first round draft pick for someone who MIGHT come play for you? I dont think Nancy or his wife were going to pass up 100 mil.