FanPost

Last Minute Lineup Decisions? Come here, + More

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Hey everyone. I came down with a Isiah Thomas as a GM-bad cold and have felt extremely under the weather, thus no Fantasy Filmroom this week. I was able to watch about half the games this week, so I may throw that together as something still. I'm also working on a fantasy baseball wrap-up megacolumn, and of course managing my own teams as well. I have one fantasy baseball auction team that is literally two steals away from at least a tie for first place that I'm engineering toward the finish line.

Regardless, I thought I would try and be useful in some way. So that being the case, if anyone has any last minute pickup or lineup decisions that haven't been answered elsewhere, shoot them here. Whether you need a second opinion or just an opinion period I can help out with that.

Here's some quick opinions though:

  • There are some great RB options this week to take advantage of if you or another team hasn't already scooped them up. Glen Coffee is obvious, and so is Tashard Choice. Total no-brainers there. There's other options though for deeper leagues or some teams desperate for a fill-in. Jerome Harrison is a great one as a very respectable flex play. The Bengals defense is much improved, but Ray Maualuga is hobbled and has been one of the strong points for that unit. If Derek Anderson can help turn around that offense in Cleveland, James Davis is out of the picture now and Jamal Lewis hasn't been that impressive. Harrison will test the interior line with his good inside running.
  • Ladell Betts is another one to take a look at. Clinton Portis is banged up, and if he can't shake his plethora of injuries, this is an exquisite matchup to exploit. Tampa Bay has been a fantasy graveyard this year so far, and that includes their very overrated defense. No one expected them to be this bad though, and even Washington and their own banged up offensive line will generate yardage for Betts. He's not a bad low-No. 2/good flex-play this week.
  • Nate Washington is still out on the free agency list of many leagues. Why? I personally have better depth at WR and haven't needed him for the most part (guys like Burleson and Sims-Walker), but you could definitely do worse than having the ex-Steeler. He's already got two touchdowns, and I see worse options on teams all over. He's at least good for depth on your bench right now, but now that he's healthy he could raise his stock even further.
  • Here's the defenses I feel good about starting this week, in no particular order: New York (N)(at KC), San Fransisco (vs. STL), Chicago (vs. DET), Pittsburgh (vs. SD), Houston (vs. OAK), Washington (vs. TB), Minnesota (vs. GB), and Indy (vs. SEA). I'm just saying I think those defenses are probably a cut above this week. The 49ers defense is available in a lot of weeks and is probably the best option available in most leagues. I'm not confident in the Cincinnati or Baltimore defenses being elite this week, Cincinnati because I think Derek Anderson injects some life in the Browns. I'm only advocating that the Vikings are a good start because of Green Bay's problematic offensive line and thus should be counted on for some turnovers and sacks. This isn't the week to start the Jets defense, either, against the Saints. They'll still be a top-notch defense for the rest of the year, especially with LB Calvin Pace returning from his suspension next week.
  • Now is also getting to be a good time to start throwing out trade offers on some buy-low guys. Tom Brady has to be the guy at QB. He's just outside the top 10 right now at his position. That's not going to last. He'll finish top five unless something unforeseen happens. Brandon Jacobs, Matt Forte and Steve Slaton all look like great buy-low candidates as well, and they're ranked outside of the top 20 at RB collectively; Forte and Slaton even lower. I only worry about Forte due to the offensive line, but his stability and number of touches insures that he's a good option, even if he doesn't finish in the top three like he was drafted. I still think he finishes as around a top 10 back. Wide receiver fluctuates so much week to week, but if anyone is still thinking Brandon Marshall is a bust this year, I want to talk to that guy. Maybe he's not a No. 1, but he's going to be close.

Seeing how I feel like I've come down with the swine flu, I'm back to taking it easy. Send your inquiries by way of comment and I'll get to them up until game time best I can.

TROR