Start/Bench List Week 4

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, Turn and face the Studs, ch-ch-changes. It’s time to adjust your thinking process about certain players and prepare for the rest of your season with a fresh perspective. I hope this list starts you on that journey in a positive light.

When using this list, try and remember a couple basic rules:

1) Studs – Always play your studs. Each position will include a list of players that are considered studs and should not be benched. If you have the luxury of needing to decide between studs, check out the matchups or feel free to let the shark tank assist you in your decisions. The first two weeks the studs list remains the same (except for injury). After week two, players are added/removed as needed.

2) Depth – Every fantasy team is different and some have more depth than others. Only follow the recommended moves if your team depth allows you to make such a move.

Enough of the chit-chat, onto the list!!

Quarterbacks

Bye Weeks:

Vince Young, Drew Brees, David Gerrard, Jason Campbell

Studs

(

* = new addition to the list)

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

vs. Denver

Tom Brady, New England vs. Cincinnati

Carson

Palmer, Cincinnati vs. New England

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Giants

Tony Romo, Dallas* vs. St. Louis

Removed from Studs List

Marc Bulger, St. Louis: broken ribs, sprained ankle, no Steven Jackson

Start

Trent Green, Miami

(vs. Oakland): Green has not been the root cause of Miami’s 0-3 start. He has thrown for over 280 yards in each of the past two weeks and should have success in the air once again this week against the Raiders who rank 25th in the NFL in passing yards allowed.

Brett Favre, Green Bay

(vs. Minnesota): Not only is Favre breaking a variety of passing records, but he’s doing so in very impressive fashion. Favre has thrown 3 TD passes two weeks in a row and will continue to air it out this week as the Packers running game will struggle.

Bench

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh

(vs. Arizona): Big Ben, (Parliament! Sorry, European Vacation on the Brain), has had a fairly easy time of things this season. The Steelers are playing so well in every facet of the game, that twice this season Roethlisberger has completed less than 14 passes and the Steelers have won both games easily. Look for Big Ben to see some rough times this week in the passing game exposing the first chink in the Steelers armor.

Philip Rivers, San Diego

(vs. Kansas City): After struggling the first two weeks of the season, Rivers posted very solid numbers last week against the Packers: 306 yards passing, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Look for a return to the 180 yards passing range with 1-2 INTs this week against a Chiefs defense that have allowed the fifth fewest passing yards in the NFL.

Running Backs

Bye Weeks:

Chris Brown, LenDale White, Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Taylor, Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts

Studs

(

* = new addition to the list)

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego

vs. Kansas City

Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. Seattle

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh vs. Arizona

Shaun Alexander, Seattle vs. San Francisco

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Giants

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis vs. Denver

Willis McGahee, Baltimore vs. Cleveland

LaMont Jordan, Oakland* vs. Miami

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota* vs. Green Bay

Removed from Studs List

Steven Jackson, St. Louis: groin injury; out

Larry Johnson, Kansas City: horrible offensive line

Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati: Hamstring; questionable

Start

Marion Barber, Dallas

(vs. St. Louis): RBBC no more in big D! Barber has a firm grasp on the #1 RB spot in Dallas and sill once again produce big numbers this week against a Rams defense that is ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.

Laurence Maroney, New England

(vs. Cincinnati): I know you’re frustrated Maroney owners. Last week, there were at least three play calls close to the goal line that should have gone to Maroney, that cost him anywhere from 6-18 fantasy points. If you’re the gambling type, (and since you’re playing fantasy football, I’ll assume you are), then this week is a perfect opportunity for Maroney to justify that early draft selection against a Bengals run defense that allowed Jamal Lewis to rush for 216 yards just two weeks ago.

DeShaun Foster, Carolina

(vs. Tampa Bay): Another RBBC falling by the waist side? Foster posted big numbers last week and seems to have gained the edge over DeAngelo Williams for the top spot in the Panthers backfield. Look for more of the the same this week against the Bucs as the Panthers get back to doing what they do best: run the ball and play defense.

Bench

Brandon Jackson, Green Bay

(vs. Minnesota): While Jackson performed well last week, he hasn’t been as good as the Packers were hoping. This week, Jackson faces a Vikings defense that held Larry Johnson to 42 yards on 24 carries. Advantage: Vikings run defense.

Warrick Dunn, Atlanta

(vs. Houston): Even with Jerious Norwood playing poorly, Dunn has yet to post big numbers this season. The Texans defense has been a very pleasant surprise this season. Look for the Texans to continue to impress on the defensive side of the ball and Dunn to continue to struggle this week at home.

Tatum Bell, Detroit

(vs. Chicago): The RB duties in Detroit will be split between Bell and Jones as both players are healthy enough to contribute. However, both should get some splinters on your bench this week as the Bears defense will be looking to right some of the wrongs of last Sunday night’s game. I wouldn’t want to be wearing a Lions uniform this week.

Wide Receivers

Bye Weeks:

Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Eric Moulds, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, David Patten, Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper, Dennis Northcutt, Reggie Williams, Ernest Wilford, Matt Jones, Antwaan Randle-El, Santana Moss

Studs

(

* = new addition to the list)

Steve Smith, Carolina

vs. Tampa Bay

Chad

Johnson, Cincinnati vs. New England

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis vs. Denver

Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. St. Louis

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis vs. Denver

Roy Williams, Detroit vs. Chicago

Torry Holt, St. Louis vs. Dallas

T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Cincinnati vs. New England

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Pittsburgh

Anquan Boldin

, Arizona* vs. Pittsburgh

Randy Moss, New England* vs. Cincinnati

Removed from Studs List

Lee Evans, Buffalo: injuries at QB; inconsistent play

Andre Johnson, Houston: sprained knee; out

Start

Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia

(vs. N.Y. Giants): Wow! Just Wow! Don’t expect 221 yards again this week, but Curtis is obviously a major factor in the Eagles passing attack. The Giants rank 29th in the league in passing yards allowed, so the Eagles pass offense should be flying high again this week.

Chris Chambers, Miami

(vs. Oakland): Chambers has done very well with Trent Green at QB posting back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in the past two weeks. Look for Miami’s offense to continue to post solid numbers starting with Chambers as the offense tries to pick up the slack for a suddenly mediocre Miami defense.

Donald Driver, Green Bay

(vs. Minnesota): Favre seemed to look for Driver on every play last week against the Chargers and found him for 126 yards and a score. Look for Favre to impress once again connecting with Driver as the Packers will struggle running the ball forcing the veteran to air it out in Driver’s direction early and often.

Plaxico Burress

, N.Y. Giants (vs. Philadelphia): Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya punk! You just never know what Burress is going to bring to the table on a weekly basis, but three straight games with a TD cannot be ignored. As always, watch the injury report, but even a questionable Burress makes a solid play against a porous Eagles pass defense.

Bench

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh

(vs. Arizona): Ward left in the third quarter of last week’s game after a knee injury and is doubtful for this week’s game against the Cardinals. With Ward’s status in question and the Steelers passing game unlikely to post big numbers, this one is a no-brainer.

Ronald Curry, Oakland

(vs. Miami): Curry has been a very pleasant surprise for the Raiders offense as he caught his second TD pass of the season last week. While the Miami defense has struggled, Zach Thomas is likely to return this week which makes all the difference in the world for the Fins. With questions looming at QB for Oakland, expect Curry to have a below average game this week.

Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay

(vs. Carolina): Galloway is the definition of a hit or miss receiver. All he needs is one big play and his stats suddenly jump from three catches for 35 yards to four catches for 100 yards and a score. I’m betting that the Panthers contain the big play and keep Galloway in check this week.

Bobby Engram, Seattle

(vs. San Francisco): Deion Branch, meet Matt Hasselbeck. Matt Hasselbeck, meet Deion Branch. Bobby who? You get the picture.

Tight

Ends

Bye Weeks:

Bo Scaife, Eric Johnson, Mercedes Lewis, George Wrighster, Chris Cooley

Studs

(

* = new addition to the list)

Antonio Gates, San Diego

vs. Kansas City

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City vs. San Diego

Todd Heap, Baltimore vs. Cleveland

Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia

Jason Witten, Dallas* vs. St. Louis

Kellen Winslow, Cleveland* vs. Baltimore

Dallas

Clark, Indianapolis* vs. Denver

Start

Ben Watson, New England

(vs. Cincinnati): You never know who Tom Brady will throw to on any given Sunday and this week is no exception. However, with Cincinnati on the schedule, you can count on lots of offense from the Patriots (as usual) which should mean enough to go around to start Watson.

Alge Crumpler, Atlanta

(vs. Houston): Harrington is getting comfortable with Crumpler as his 6/63 1 TD performance last week can attest to. Look for more solid numbers out of Crumpler as he provides what little offense the Falcons will have this week against a stingy Texans defense.

Bench

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh

(vs. Arizona): The Cardinals did a decent job slowing down Todd Heap last week and should have more success against the Steelers passing attack this week. Miller will used more in the blocking scheme against Arizona and won’t be a TE worth starting this week.

Jeff King, Carolina

(vs. Tampa Bay): Don’t get all excited with King’s 4/56 1 TD from last week you waiver wire hounds. Look for his production to start to decrease starting this week against the Bucs.