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.
Email your questions to lammey@footballguys.com. Please mention your question is for “Denver Post Fantasy Football.”
Do I start Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger vs. the Browns, or should I go with Matt Schaub against the Chiefs? I am 0-5 in my fantasy league and need to find the winning formula!
— Neil
Cecil Lammey: It’s time to shake things up here, Neil. Ben Roethlisberger is returning to the field this week for the Steelers and I think the entire offense will play better with him under center. The game is at home against the hapless Browns, who happen to be starting a rookie QB in Colt McCoy. Pittsburgh should win this game easily, and they’ll want to get Roethlisberger plenty of reps this week. The road to redemption for Big Ben starts this week, and I fully expect him to light the league on fire with his play for the rest of the season.
I have a pretty decent stable of running backs, but want to upgrade my wide receivers. I want to trade Colts RB Joseph Addai and Saints WR Lance Moore for Falcons WR Roddy White and Dolphins RB Ricky Williams. Is this good value for a competitive trade? What do you think?
— JS
Lammey: I like this trade a lot. Addai is fantastic when healthy, but he has trouble fighting off the injury bug. He’s banged up once again and that’s why we’ve seen more of Mike Hart in recent weeks.
Moore’s production will take a hit when Reggie Bush returns to the lineup for the Saints. Both of them run similar routes, but Bush is a bigger piece of the offense. The Falcons are opening things up more for QB Matt Ryan, and Roddy White is his trusted big-play target. I expect White’s success to continue throughout the year and he’s more consistent as a week-to-week starter than Moore.
The Dolphins want to get back to running the football, and Williams will be a big part of that. They like having a target like Brandon Marshall on offense, but his mere presence isn’t leading to more wins for the team. They need to pound the rock to set up the pass.
I have Browns RB Peyton Hillis and am worried about him staying healthy. Should I handcuff Mike Bell for fantasy insurance in case Hillis in hurt? I had Jerome Harrison, but now that he’s in Philadelphia what should I do with him?
— Gary
Lammey: I, too, am worried about Hillis staying healthy because of his aggressive running style, but I’m not in a rush to grab Mike Bell off the waiver wire as insurance. Cleveland grabbed another former Broncos back when they traded for Bell this week, but he’s not nearly as impressive as Hillis when it comes to running the football. Bell gets hurt a lot and if asked to play a bigger role I think he would wear down faster than Hillis.
I am somewhat intrigued by Harrison now that he’s in Philadelphia. The Andy Reid system is perfect for his skill set, and he’s proven capable of having huge games as a featured back in the NFL. Harrison’s game is all about challenging the edges of a defense with his quickness and speed. When Michael Vick is healthy, the running lanes are huge for the Eagles because defenses are so concerned with the superstar quarterback. I am definitely adding Harrison as a handcuff to LeSean McCoy in deep leagues.
I lost Packers TE Jermichael Finley to injury last week and now it sounds like he might miss the rest of the regular season. Who do you suggest I pick up on the waiver wire to replace him?
— Daniel
Lammey: It really depends on how deep your league is, but there should be several tight ends you can choose from in most leagues. Steelers TE Heath Miller becomes an attractive option now that Roethlisberger is under center. He’s a trusted target of Big Ben, and heavily targeted in the red zone.
Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis is another player you should consider. He has great size and athleticism, plus David Garrard is looking his way more than ever.
The Packers are going to move forward with rookie TE Andrew Quarless. I watched Quarless up close during the week of practice for the Shrine Game in Orlando earlier this year and came away impressed. The former Penn State player is extremely athletic and plays more like a “super sized” receiver. His talent level isn’t on the same level as Finley’s but he does create mismatches every time he’s on the field.
I have a monopoly on the New York Jets backfield. Would it be crazy to start LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene this week against the Broncos?
— Kent
Lammey: The Broncos defense is really beat up and decimated by injury. They finally gave up a 100-yard game to Ray Rice last week, and that could happen this week with Tomlinson. Just like the Ravens, the Jets have a two-headed monster at running back. This makes Greene a good option as a flex play against Denver. The Jets could run away with this game, and in the second half we could see more of Greene as their “closer.”
I have both Raiders RBs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush on my roster. Now that McFadden may be returning from his injury, how will the carries be split, and how will that hurt each back’s fantasy value?
— Shane
Lammey: Raiders head coach Tom Cable has stated that Bush is the lead back even when McFadden is fully healthy. I’m not sure I trust what he’s saying because if McFadden can play at the same level he was pre-injury then it will be difficult to keep that kind of talent on the bench. Right now I expect the Raiders to ease McFadden back into the lineup. This means more production for Michael Bush.
However, when both backs are healthy this could be a near 5-0/50 split which heavily damages both player’s fantasy value.
With Rams WR Mark Clayton being lost for the year should I acquire Rams WR Danny Amendola on the waiver wire?
— Aaron
Lammey: If you’re in a Points Per Reception (PPR) league then Amendola makes a great addition to your squad. I watched him at the Texas vs. The Nation Game in El Paso a couple of years ago, and he reminded me of Wes Welker. He’s not as talented as Welker (both went to Texas Tech) but he is very quick in and out of his breaks and has good concentration when bringing in the football.
The Rams have also activated undrafted rookie Danario Alexander off the practice squad. He was nearly unstoppable in college at Missouri when he was healthy. A knee injury at the Senior Bowl this year caused his draft stock to plummet. Some feel that his knees are shot, but the Rams have been impressed with his performance on the scout team. He is a huge target at 6’5″ and reportedly runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash.
I’m having trouble picking a WR for my flex spot this week. Should I go with Titans WR Kenny Britt against the Jaguars on Monday night, or should I flex Seahawks WR Deon Butler?
— Peter
Lammey: I would go with Britt this week. He was out of shape at the beginning of training camp, so much so that his own teammates gave him the nickname “Question Mark.” However, since then he’s worked really hard to get into shape and make the most of his enormous potential. Quarterback Vince Young trusts him, and Britt’s size makes him a great target in the red zone.
The Seahawks will use Deon Butler more now that Deion Branch has been traded to the Patriots. I like having him on your roster because of his hands and route running ability, but he’s sitting on the bench for you this week.
Should I start Ravens QB Joe Flacco against the Patriots this week, or go with Bears QB Jay Cutler versus the Seahawks?
— Sam
Lammey: Both of these quarterbacks have great matchups, but I would go with Flacco here. The Patriots’ pass defense has struggled through the first month of the season with a young and inexperienced secondary. Keep in mind the Patriots rank third in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs despite having played mostly average to below average quarterbacks: Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chad Henne. Flacco is arguably the best QB that the Patriots will have seen in the young season. All four quarterbacks threw for 220 yards and two TDs or more against New England.
Cutler has a good matchup against Seattle, but is coming back from a concussion so it’s hard to trust him this week.
I am matched up against my husband this week in our fantasy league and really need the win! Who do you like more as a sleeper this week: Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe or Saints WR Robert Meachem? (My husband is jealous of your football knowledge, LOL)
— Crystal
Lammey: This is a tougher decision than some may think. Bowe is playing against a Texans secondary that is the worst in the league. I anticipate it will be a good day for the Chiefs through the air. That means good things for rookie TE Tony Moeaki and Bowe. He is the answer here although Meachem could have a big game against the Buccaneers.
Last year Meachem scored three touchdowns in two games against Tampa Bay, and the Saints need to get their game on track. However, with so many targets in New Orleans it’s difficult to predict who will get the most receptions from week to week. Go with Bowe and get the win over your husband.
