Studs to Sit - Week 5

Rather than having a first post that explains my plans with this blog (why I'm writing it, what qualifies me to write it, etc.) I'm jumping right into the fantasy advice. This first feature is Studs to Sit. It's a pretty simple concept - what guys that usually seem like automatic starts should you sit due to bad match-ups, injuries, or other factors. Now, if you have no better option (due to bye weeks, your bench players are hurt, or you have a really terrible bench because your're in a deep league) my thoughts might not apply. As you will see, I have examples of the caliber of player you could use to replace your Stud. If you do not have someone on that level, you might as well roll the dice with your Stud and hope he performs admirably. Finally, a Stud is defined as someone that has been steadily producing each week (Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Roddy White, etc.) or someone that was drafted high for their position (Chris Johnson, Dallas Clark, Larry Fitzgerald, etc.) Now that you know the parameters...

Randy Moss, WR, Vikings - As you have hopefully heard (you probably don't get ESPN if you haven't, or play fantasy football on a chalkboard rather than online) Moss is no longer a Patriot and now is a Viking. Brett Favre has not looked sharp so far this season, with many believing that his lack of a receiving corp with Sidney Rice out is to blame. Regardless of your thoughts on this, Moss is not a good play this week. He may be a great play for the rest of the season, but the fact remains that he will playing in a new offensive system that he doesn't know. Oh yeah, and his Viking debut (re-debut?) is on Revis Island. Until he has more time in the Purple and Gold and he is not playing against Darrelle Revis, sit Moss.

Suitable replacements: Malcom Floyd, Nate Washington, Mark Clayton

Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons - Gonzalez is an all-time great. Probably the best tight end to ever play the game (unless you are talking to Shannon Sharpe or Kellen Winslow Sr. who might beg to differ.) Regardless, he has not been very productive this season. The catches have been there the past two weeks, but Gonzalez is the check down option in this offense. Unless you are playing in a PPR league, he is far from a sure start this week and moving forward. With Michael Turner and Jason Snelling in the backfield, and Roddy White able to run the fade, Gonzalez is not a primary option in the red zone anymore which means less touchdowns. Fewer yard plus not likely to catch TDs means he should be on your bench.

Suitable replacements: Mercedes Lewis, Tony Moeaki

Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers and Shonn Greene, RB Jets - These guys should sit for similar reasons. They have guys they split carries with that are producing better - Mike Tolbert and LaDainian Tomlinson, respectively. Now I am not saying Tolbert and Tomlinson are on the same level (I like Tomlinson much more going forward than Tolbert because the Chargers throw all the time) however, the opportunities won't be there compared what we thought going into the season. Mathews had only nine carries last week; Greene had a bunch (22) but that was in a rout of the Bills, not against the Williams Wall, Jared Allen, and the rest of the Vikings front seven. Plus LT had 19 carries last week, most in the fist half before the game was decided.

Suitable replacements: Marion Barber, Fred Jackson, Michael Bush

Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos - Now if you don't think Orton is a Stud, you would be wrong. Dead wrong. Why? Maybe because he leads in the league in passing yards with 1419, that's why. He's also the QB of a pass first team coached by the guy that was the offensive coordinator for Patriots when they set the single season record for points scored (589 in their undefeated regular season) and made Matt Cassel one rich dude by making him look like Brady Light the following season. This week though, Orton plays the Ravens, who have been great against the pass.

Suitable replacements: David Garrard, Carson Palmer

Javid Best, RB, Lions - Did you know that the Rams are playing good football? They are 2-2, and are playing pretty solid defense. It helps when it sounds like your middle linebacker gives other people diseases when he tackles them (James Laurinaitis.) In most fantasy leagues (standard scoring in both ESPN and Yahoo!) the Rams defense is a top 6 or 7 fantasy defense. This trend will continue against the Lions, meaning at best, Best will have a mediocre day (pun intended.)

Suitable replacements: Ryan Torrain, plus the guys mentioned under Mathews/Greene

The entire Arizona Cardinals - As much as this pains me (I am a huge Cardinals fan) you should not start any Cardinals this week (possibly for many weeks.) Larry Fitzgerald is playing with a rookie QB and has 3 rookie wide outs playing behind him with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet both out with injuries (it looks like neither will play and if they do, they will be limited.) The Cards are playing the Saints, meaning this will be blow out, so starting Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower would be a mistake - they won't get enough carries between the two of them.

Suitable replacements: Anyone on your bench. Seriously. I'd roll the dice with Johnathan Stewart over Wells or Hightower and Santonio Holmes over Fitzgerald.

Other Studs to Sit - Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders (injured hamstring, start Michael Bush); DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles (Kevin Kolb is king of the check-down); Marques Colston, WR, Saints (hasn't done anything this season, Brees spreads the ball around too much); Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Vikings (Favre will try to force the ball, unsuccessfully, to Moss, leaving Shiancoe in the dark.)

Disagree? Think I forgot someone? Leave me a comment and we'll discuss.

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