Denver Post fantasy football expert Cecil Lammey is a senior writer for and an “NFL Insider” for Denver sports radio station The Ticket, 87.7-FM.
E-mail your questions to lammey@footballguys.com. Please mention your question is for “Denver Post Fantasy Football.”
In a standard league, I have a possibility of Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart vs. Tampa Bay or Cincinnati RB Cedric Benson vs. Baltimore. Please help!
— Yisrael
Cecil Lammey: The Ravens are a tough matchup for any running back in the league, but Cedric Benson is their kryptonite and should be in your lineup this week. Last year the Ravens had a streak of more than games where they didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher and Benson ended that with a 120-yard performance against them in Week 5. Benson also broke the century mark against them when the two teams met later in the season.
The Bengals drastically improve their chances to win when Benson rushes for more than 100-yards, and I fully expect them to emphasize that against the Ravens.
What do you think of RB Laurence Maroney now that he’s in Denver? Should I stash him on my bench just in case the Broncos give him a shot?
— Carl
Lammey: Laurence Maroney has never lived up to his potential and needed a fresh start. I love this move by the Broncos as it’s low risk but high reward. Maroney is a very instinctive runner and has big-play ability that none of the other Denver backs have. He is veteran insurance in case Knowshon Moreno or Correll Buckhalter gets hurt during the course of the year. If you have the roster space I believe that he’s worth a spot on your bench. Maroney could be very productive in Denver if given the opportunity.
Cecil, I’m disappointed with my league’s website (the live scoring keeps crashing on Sunday) and want to upgrade before we get deeper into the season, any suggestions?
— Charles
Lammey: There are several good options out there, it just depends on how customizable you want your league website to be. Free sites offer decent live scoring, but often do not cater to leagues that are more complex. My personal favorite is . Their site has every option for all kinds of scoring and lineups. The home page is very customizable and allows for league polls, team icons, and a message board where owners can talk a little smack. They charge a fair price and in my five years of using that site the live scoring has never failed on Sunday.
I have two quarterbacks available currently, but there is still another available to pick up. Cowboys QB Tony Romo vs. Bears or Titans QB Vince Young vs. Steelers? I could also pick up Eagles QB Michael Vick vs. Lions. Thoughts?
— Ryan
Lammey: Michael Vick may not keep the starting job when Kevin Kolb comes back from his concussion, but this week he should be in your starting lineup. The Lions have a strong front four on defense, but they lack team speed and should have trouble containing Vick as a passer and a runner.
I started Texans RB Arian Foster last week and won easily, what does he do for an encore?
— Jason
Lammey: I saw Foster at the Senior Bowl a couple of years ago and his talent was immediately evident during practice. However, he has a long injury history and may not be able to stay healthy as the fulltime back for the Texans. I am advising all Foster owners to throw out a trade offer to the Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, or Frank Gore owners this week. Foster is the classic “sell high” and I don’t believe he’ll duplicate his Week 1 performance at any time during the year.
Eagles RB LeSean McCoy vs. Lions or Bengals RB Cedric Benson vs. Baltimore? I’m leaning towards McCoy because of the Ravens’ defense. Also, Colts WR Austin Collie vs. Giants or Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin vs. Lions? I have Collie in now but he could be in for a let down after last week’s performance.
— Paul
Lammey: LeSean McCoy is the answer here. He looked more disciplined as a runner last week and has speed and elusiveness that the Lions just can’t stop. I expect all the Eagles to have a big game against Detroit, and that makes Jeremy Maclin the answer to your second question.
Austin Collie is more comfortable this year in the Colts’ offense, but the main target may change from week to week. Collie was the star last week, but it could be Reggie Wayne or Pierre Garcon or Dallas Clark this week.
I send Rams RB Steven Jackson in a trade to get Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown and Broncos WR Eddie Royal. I’m in a 12-team PPR league. Do I take the offer?
— Greg
Lammey: This is not enough compensation for Steven Jackson. I am concerned about Ronnie Brown staying healthy all year, plus he splits carries with Ricky Williams in a 5-0/50 running back by committee. It looks like Eddie Royal has his mojo back. He seems much more focused this year and I could see him catching 75-80 passes for the Broncos in 2010. If you are going to get rid of Jackson then you need to ask for better players in return.
Do I bench Patriots WR Randy Moss this week since he’s going up against Jets CB Darrelle Revis?
— Mark
Lammey: Darrelle Revis has been bothered by a hamstring injury this week in practice, but I still feel he’ll shut down Randy Moss. The Patriots have many other targets to look to like Wes Welker and second-year wideout Brandon Tate. This will be a great matchup, but in the end I feel that Revis will come out the victor.
This week Randy Moss goes from a WR1 in fantasy to a low end WR2 or flex option.
Atlanta’s Matt Ryan or Jacksonville’s David Garrard at quarterback this week?
— Scott
Lammey: Matt Ryan is the answer here. David Garrard has been bothered by a back injury this week in practice and is not an exciting option against the Chargers. I fully expect the Jaguars to get the ground game on track which means more Maurice Jones-Drew and less from Garrard and the passing game.
How does Lions RB Jahvid Best perform now that his QB (Matthew Stafford) is out?
— Anthony
Lammey: The Lions are going to lean on their ground game with Shaun Hill as their starting quarterback. That being said, Best didn’t look very good in Week 1e against the Bears. Sure, he scored a couple of touchdowns, but he didn’t have an impressive day. Defenses are going to dare Shaun Hill to beat them through the air, so they may stack the line to stop the run. If you have a safer option I would put Best on your bench this week.
