Week 8 Faceoffs: Go back to the Wells?
Editor's note: Each week Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg will debate the value of a handful of key Fantasy players heading into a certain week. They not only state their case below, but they also provide owners with some alternatives.
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
 Let's not confuse this with my long-term prognosis for Wells, which is that he'll be a nice addition to Fantasy rosters. But this week, he'll face a desperate Panthers defense that's been improving against the run since their bye. And as you should know by now, the Cardinals are a team that likes to throw, not run. Only once this season have they had a running back get 15 carries in a game, and that includes blowouts. That running back happened to be Tim Hightower, who is still starting and sharing reps with Wells. Carolina has allowed 121 rush yards to running backs over the last two games, a sign that its porous run defense is on the mend after picking up a couple of defensive tackles. I'm excited over Wells' future as much as anyone, but let's not overreact and put him in lineups as anything more than a No. 3 or flex option.I'd rather start: Ryan Grant (vs. MIN), Frank Gore (at IND) and Justin Fargas (at SD) |  Wells picked the perfect time to have his first good outing in the NFL because now he gets a tremendous matchup at home against Carolina. Wells, who had 67 rushing yards and a touchdown at the Giants in Week 7, faces a Panthers team that has allowed a touchdown to a running back in every game this season. Brian Westbrook, Michael Turner, Tashard Choice, Clinton Portis, Cadillac Williams and Marshawn Lynch have all scored against Carolina, and Wells should follow suit. The Panthers are also giving up 133 rushing yards per game, and while they have improved the past three weeks against Washington, Tampa Bay and Buffalo, each starting running back has hit double digits in Fantasy points. Wells will lose touches to Tim Hightower, who should also play well this week, but the rookie from Ohio State is on the verge of becoming a solid Fantasy option, beginning with this week.I'd start him over: Frank Gore (at IND), Willis McGahee (vs. DEN) and Pierre Thomas (vs. ATL) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| I don't care if you play in a six-team league, sitting Gonzalez in a game that's crucial to the Falcons' success this season is just not a risk owners should take. Yes, the Saints have done well against tight ends (no TDs by a tight end all season), but they've only faced one credible Fantasy tight end -- Brent Celek -- and he had 104 yards against them. Gonzalez's best games have come indoors this season and he's a solid second on the roster in targets from Matt Ryan (more than seven per game). But more importantly than that: Who exactly are you going to start in place of Gonzalez if you bench him?! I'd start him over: Jeremy Shockey (vs. ATL), Vernon Davis (at IND) and Visanthe Shiancoe (at GB) | Gonzalez has struggled recently after a hot start. He only has one touchdown in his past four games and no games over 75 yards receiving this year. On the road, he only has 11 catches for 108 yards and no touchdowns in three games, and the Saints have done well against opposing tight ends this year. New Orleans is No. 2 against opposing tight ends with only 21 catches for 219 yards and no touchdowns allowed. Only one tight end, Brent Celek (eight catches for 104 yards in Week 2), has played well against the Saints, and New Orleans should be able to contain Gonzalez with Darren Sharper giving him some extra attention. In a 10-team Fantasy league, I would bench Gonzalez. I'd rather start: Brent Celek (vs. NYG), Vernon Davis (at IND) and Zach Miller (at SD) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| On a week where Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer are on bye, Kyle Orton makes sense as a good Fantasy option. He's grown comfortable with his aggressive offense which calls for him to throw a lot. And he'll throw a lot against a Ravens secondary that has been battered this season (over 250 passing yards allowed in four of six '09 games). Better yet, Orton has been on a hot streak; he's thrown two scores in each of his last three games and over 225 yards in all but one game on the season. He'll even get good pass protection against the Ravens' blitz (he's been sacked just six times all year). Orton might not be a popular choice in Fantasy, but that doesn't mean he's not a good one. I'd start him over: Eli Manning (at PHI), Joe Flacco (vs. DEN) and Matt Hasselbeck (at DAL) | Orton has been fantastic this season and comes into this game with six touchdowns and one interception in his past three games. Baltimore has also been bad in pass defense, ranking No. 23 with nine touchdowns allowed, seven interceptions and only 14 sacks. But I'll take my chances with the Ravens defense coming off a bye and playing at home. And the quarterbacks who have done well against Baltimore -- Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Brett Favre -- are all better than Orton. Orton remains a great No. 2 Fantasy quarterback, but there are better starting options available. Keep Orton reserved this week. I'd rather start: David Garrard (at TEN), Joe Flacco (vs. DEN) and Brett Favre (at GB) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Less than a month ago, Smith was considered the Fantasy sleeper of the year. But since breaking out through Week 4, he's been practically invisible, totaling 11 catches for 183 yards with no touchdowns. The Giants have seen other players step up, including both of their running backs and fellow receivers Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks. Teams have found a way to take Smith out of the game and the Eagles' pass defense definitely has the talent to do that and get to Eli Manning. It's hard to trust this guy when Smith hasn't been the most prolific receiver on his own team over the last few weeks. I'd rather start: Steve Smith (at ARI), Devin Hester (vs. CLE) and Greg Jennings (vs. MIN) | I can't wait to read who Dave is going to start over Smith, who has been the No. 4 Fantasy wide receiver in standard-scoring leagues this year. With six teams on a bye, there are not 24 wide receivers better than him. Smith might have three games in a row without a touchdown, but he still has 11 catches for 183 yards over that span, with one of those games a blowout victory against Oakland in Week 5 when he left the game early. Smith has also been targeted 20 times in the past three games, and despite the recent play of Hakeem Nicks along with the development of Mario Manningham, he remains the No. 1 option in the passing game. I'm starting him over: Devery Henderson (vs. ATL), Braylon Edwards (vs. MIA) and Lee Evans (vs. HOU) |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| If Reggie Wayne is out with a groin injury, then Collie would be expected to see more targets and catches. But if Wayne continues to pair with Dallas Clark as Peyton Manning's two top targets, then Collie will continue to see a limited number of passes come his way. It goes without saying that the Colts will throw all day against the 49ers in Week 8, but Collie didn't play great or see as much work as expected last week against a hapless Rams secondary. This is merely a situation where expectations have to be kept in check. He's no better than a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, and if Anthony Gonzalez comes back and takes a few limited reps this week, it will only limit Collie's stats further. I'd rather start: Donnie Avery (at DET), Braylon Edwards (vs. MIA) and Devery Henderson (vs. ATL) | All Collie has done in the past three games is catch 18 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns. He plays with arguably the best quarterback in the NFL in Peyton Manning and is a vital part of the passing game. And this week he faces a defense that hasn't stopped anyone the past two games in the 49ers, who were beat up by Atlanta and Houston. Collie should continue to play well even once Anthony Gonzalez (knee) returns because he is the slot receiver. And since Manning trusts Collie, I will trust him as well as a starting Fantasy option this week. I'd start him over: Eddie Royal (at BAL), Hakeem Nicks (at PHI) and Torry Holt (at TEN) |
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts or questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
