Fantasy Football 2011 Sit Em, Start Em: Kolb & Fitzpatrick To Air It Out In Week 3?
Though he seems to have a fumbling problem (3 in two weeks), Kolb has also put up 18 and 16 points, respectively, in the first two weeks. His opponent this week, the Seahawks, have yet to intercept a pass, and made Alex Smith look good in Week One. Kolb can certainly air it out, and I expect him to put up good numbers.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo. The Bills should be playing from behind, and the Patriots have shown they can be thrown on (416 yards allowed in Week One, 378 yards in Week Two).
QB Sit: Sam Bradford, St. Louis
Like the Steelers, the Ravens are smarting after an inexplicable loss last week, to the Titans. But even more smart-worthy than that is the 358 yards that Matt Hasselback threw for, even though the Titans led most of the game. The Ravens’ pass defense will be sure to show up for this one, and cover whoever’s left in the Rams wide receiving corps.
RB Start: Darren Sproles, New Orleans
Clearly not the Saints’ running back, Sproles has proven to be an invaluable member of the passing attack, with 15 catches and a touchdown in the first two weeks (scoring 13 and 11 points in the process). The Texans’ defense boasts some pretty darn good cornerbacks in Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, so a lot of checkdowns are in order…and Sproles in the king of the swing pass/check down. Especially for those of you in PPR leagues, Sproles is the man.
RB Sit: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England
The law firm is just too inconsistent for my taste. Yes, he’s put up a touchdown two straight weeks, but he isn’t a passing threat (1 catch total this season) and his rushing totals can range from minimal (7 in Week One) to moderate (17 in Week Two). As long as he’s sharing time with Little Danny Woodhead, I’d stay away from BJGE.
WR Start: Deion Branch, New England.
Quite simply, with Aaron Hernandez out, a lot of the possession receptions will go his way. He’s still the Pats’ #2 receiver, and gets a big leg up with the absence of the other young tight end.
WR Sit: Hakeem Nicks, New York Football Giants
He’s (supposedly) not injured, but I still wouldn’t touch him. Between not having Manningham on the other side (who on Earth is Victor Cruz????), and facing the top cornerback threesome in the league (Asomugha, Samuel, Rodgers-Cromartie), and having to be thrown by Eli Manning, Nicks is not even in my top 35 receivers this week.
TE Start: Randy McMichael, San Diego
The old Dolphin fills in for Antonio Gates, and I can’t believe that just because Gates isn’t playing, QB Philip Rivers will stop throwing to his tight end. He might not put up Gates numbers, but if you don’t have an obvious top-5 choice at tight end, or if you’re in a salary cap league, McMichael is a good cheap short-term pickup.
Honorable Mention: Fred Davis, Washington. A) I really do think he’s for real; B) I really do think Cooley’s on his last leg; and c) The Cowboys got burned by Dustin Keller in Week One, and Davis and Keller are employed very similarly in their respective offenses.
TE Sit: Scott Chandler, Buffalo
Everyone’s favorite tight end gem, Chandler has 7 receptions this season, comprising 87.5% of his career receptions. The problem, of course, is that he’s been in the league since 2009, and isn’t really all that good. And when you consider that the Patriots held Anthony Fasano scoreless in Week One and held the Gates/McMichael combo to 1 catch last week, Chandler is not a good bet to score. And if he doesn’t score, well, he’s not really worth very much at all. So, the logic goes, sit him.
Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Jesse’s NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em and in the meantime, follow him on Twitter @jessemendelson and The Fantasy Fix @thefantasyfix.
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(August 10, 2011 – Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)
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