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Q : I have three quarterbacks; who would you start in week 16:
Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, or Drew Bledsoe? I didn't win last week, so
I'm playing for "pride" and the #3 Spot. No back to back championship
this year. Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Hilde P.
The Steelers and Cowboys are in must win situations this weekend and
the Giants need the win for a shot at a first round playoff bye...so all three
QBs will be gunning for their teams. Ironically, all three are also on the road.
In this case, I think you have to look at the opponents. Carolina and Washington
both need the wins and have the better of the three defenses. Although Cleveland
is still a division rival to Pittsburgh, their record is 5-9 and have a defense
that Big Ben should be able to pick apart. I'd give the edge to Roethlisberger
over Manning and Bledsoe. Good luck!
Q : Somehow, I'm still going (thank you Tiki Barber!) and headed
to my FF Superbowl. My question is at quarterback. I started the year with Donovan McNabb and switched to Kurt Warner when McNabb went down. My waiver wire was
extremely thin before it closed prior to my playoffs, so I grabbed Kyle Orton
and Rex Grossman (in case Warner faltered). Basically, is there a snowball's
chance Grossman will do anything for me?
Andy O. - Panama City, FL
This is a case where you have no choice and have to just hang on. But,
to make you feel better...yes, Grossman may have a decent game against the Packers
and could post a touchdown or two. If Barber puts up the numbers he had last
week, you won't need much from Grossman.
Q : Hey Freak! I lost in the second round of my playoffs, but I am in a keeper
league...so I still have decisions to make. Our league makes us decide our keepers
by the NFL Superbowl. We can keep 5 players and there is no salary...so basically
I just need to decide which guys I'm keeping. I've narrowed it down to 8. Please
give me some advice as to which 5 you'd pick (Plaxico Burress, Antonio Gates,
Edgerrin James, Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, Mike Vanderjagt, Darrell Jackson,
Terry Glenn). Thanks in advance for your help.
Gavin K. - Memphis, TN
Wow! Your team was loaded and likely the preseason favorite,
but I understand why (primarily due to injuries, etc.) your team didn't make
it to the final game. My suggestion for next year's keepers is that you hold
on to Edge, Owens, Gates, Jackson, and Burress! Good luck!
Q : I've made it to my Superbowl, but have a running back dilemma.
I need to start two of these four...Edgerrin James, LaMont Jordan, Ronnie Brown,
and Willis McGahee. I am worried about Edge's playing time and McGahee has been
doing poorly, so I don't know what to do. Please help!
Jon Y. - Marietta, GA
Edge definitely won't play the full game, but he will
play and produce prior to being pulled. McGahee is still a quality back, but
is in a poorly managed offense and has been somewhat a victim of circumstance. Jordan
and Brown, however, are doubtful and not expected to play on Sunday. Watch this
situation closely to see if either Jordan or Brown play, but playing Edge for
a half and playing a struggling McGahee are better than playing backs that don't see
the field.
Q : Our league is having a 'shootout' in week 17 (our Superbowl
is this coming weekend). We actually got the idea for the shootout from one
of your columns. We are in a keeper league and moved our Superbowl to week 16
due to problems with resting starters, etc....so this is a great solution to
give us 17 full weeks. Here is our question...Would you advise that we allow
the waiver wire to open back up between weeks 16 and 17? Is there any reason
to limit the quantity of certain positions? Thanks for your help and thanks
for the idea! It should be fun!
Felipe C. - Wheeling, WV
Hey Felipe! Actually, you can do whatever you'd like. But, I
think that opening the waiver wire may be a fun idea for the last week since
you are in a keeper league. You will find that some in your league will stock
up on kickers to help their chances of wining the shootout, while others in
your league will use the wire to pick up bargains and potential for next season
(the difference in strategy will really make things interesting). I see no reason
to limit pickups, but you will need to make sure that your rules are clear to
all league owners regarding waiver order (esp. with multiple pickups). Good
luck this weekend!
Q : We had our Superbowl in week 15 and I won!!!! (my first
ever!). Thanks for the help this season. I'm in a keeper league and already
looking forward to 2006. Thank you again!
Steve E. - Lebanon, TN
Congrats Steve on your first Superbowl win! Most
leagues have moved to a week 16 Superbowl, but some (including yours) have even
moved their S-bowl up to week 15. Thanks for the note...I look forward to hearing
from you again and plan on being here next season with full draft analysis and
fantasy coverage. Congratulations again on a perfect fantasy season and Happy
Holidays to you and all!
Send your fantasy questions to scoutfantasyfreak@yahoo.com