Denver Post fantasy football expert Cecil Lammey is a senior writer for and an “NFL Insider” for Denver sports radio station 102.3-FM, The Ticket.
E-mail your questions to lammey@footballguys.com. Please mention your question is for “Denver Post Fantasy Football.”
What do you think of starting Broncos WR Eric Decker over Texans WR Jacoby Jones this week? Will Decker have better numbers with or without Brandon Lloyd in the lineup? Keep up the great work!
—Scott, Arvada
Lammey: We’re unsure of the playing status of Brandon Lloyd, but he did return to practice on Friday. Decker is better with Lloyd in the lineup, even if he’s not at 100 percent. Lloyd will draw coverage from at least one defender including Bengals CB Leon Hall, leaving Decker single-covered for the game.
We know that Decker has good hands and has earned the trust of QB Kyle Orton. But he needs to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage or the timing of his routes can be disrupted by physical cornerbacks.
I think Decker is a player on the rise, but I like Jacoby Jones better this week. The Dolphins were torched by Patriots QB Tom Brady last week, and the Texans know Matt Schaub could attack them in a similar fashion. The Texans will be without WR Kevin Walter, which puts Jones in the starting lineup opposite superstar Andre Johnson. We know that Jones is an incredible athlete and has big play ability because of his agility and elusiveness in the open field. Go with Jones over Decker.
I received the following trade offer and wanted to know your thoughts about it. I get Jets QB Mark Sanchez and Raiders RB Michael Bush if I give up Panthers QB Cam Newton and Giants RB Brandon Jacobs. This deal seems fair to me, but what do you think?
—James W.
Lammey: It’s a fairly even deal James, but not one that I would pull the trigger on. After what he did in Week 1, you should be getting a lot more for Newton. Yes, he’s unlikely to throw for 400-plus yards again this season, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have incredible fantasy value.
Scrambling QBs on poor teams can put up a ton of fantasy points as they try to keep their team in games. Remember, Broncos QB Tim Tebow was the No. 1 fantasy QB over the final three weeks last season when he started for Denver. I would hang onto Newton unless someone comes at you with an irresistible deal.
Cecil, who should I start this weekend at QB? I have Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Oakland, Rams QB Sam Bradford at the N.Y. Giants, and Falcons QB Matt Ryan against Philadelphia. Also, is this the week to sit Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd? I have Cardinals WR Early Doucet and Redskins WR Santana Moss on my bench. Thanks in advance!
—Ben, Denver
Lammey: I’m worried about Sam Bradford on Monday night. His finger wasn’t broken, but it was numb after the game against the Eagles last week.
Speaking of the Eagles, I fully expect them to harass Matt Ryan all day on Sunday. Atlanta may be more run-heavy in order to keep Eagles QB Michael Vick off the field. That means fewer opportunities for Ryan and the Falcons’ passing game.
You should go with Fitzpatrick here. The Raiders secondary can be picked on as Broncos QB Kyle Orton proved last week in the second half. The Bills looked great against the Chiefs last week on the road and now get Oakland at home.
Hey Cecil! I was able to pick up Texans RB Ben Tate off the waiver wire this week. I also have Houston’s Derrick Ward to go along with Arian Foster. Should I feel safe dumping Ward, and who should I be targeting at RB?
—Joey, Astoria, N.Y.
Cecil Lammey: Ward actually started over Tate last week while Foster was out. But he sustained an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice this entire week. Go ahead and drop him in favor of another RB.
Ben Tate looked like a different back from the one we saw at Auburn. He’s always been big and fast, but he was more patient and decisive in the opening game against the Colts last week. Foster is back, but Tate may get a little more work than some think, as the Texans try to keep both RBs fresh.
A couple of guys to consider in Ward’s place: Lions RB Jerome Harrison and Jaguars RB Deji Karim. Harrison plays a lot like starter Jahvid Best and will rotate in the Lions’ high-powered offense. Karim had 17 touches last week for Jacksonville and is built a lot like starter Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s obviously going to be more involved for a couple of reasons. First, the Jaguars passing game is anemic with QB Luke McCown under center. Second, the team wants to keep Jones-Drew fresh.
Cecil, what are some options to pick up in place Giants WR Hakeem Nicks? The game is on Monday night, and I’m afraid of not having any backup plans if he doesn’t play. Thanks!
—Rick, Thornton
Lammey: I’m in the same boat as you this week Rick. I’m going to start Nicks on Monday night against the Rams. We’ve seen this before from Nicks. He’ll get banged up, won’t practice most of the week, then come out and star for the Giants.
But if he doesn’t play you’ve got a couple of options. If you’ve got a flex position open, then consider Rams RB Cadillac Williams. He may be in the starting lineup for St. Louis if Steven Jackson can’t play.
The Rams also have a forgotten WR you need to know in Brandon Gibson. He’s not incredibly gifted physically, but knows how to get open and has good concentration and soft hands.
If you want another Giants WR then look no further than former Broncos player Domenik Hixon. He’ll get more targets if Nicks doesn’t play.
Hey Cecil! I liked what I saw from Raiders WR Jacoby Ford in Week 1 against the Broncos. But now he’s got a hamstring injury. Should I drop him for one of the following: Rams WR Brandon Gibson, Panthers WR Brandon LaFell or Browns TE Evan Moore?
—Josh M.
Lammey: I agree with you Josh, the Raiders were looking to involve Ford against the Broncos in a number of ways before he was injured. You’ve got some interesting decisions here on the waiver wire.
Gibson is a bigger receiver who may get more targets now that Rams WR Danny Amendola is going to miss some playing time.
LaFell (like the rest of the Panthers) surprised me last week. While in college at LSU, he was known as a big-play threat, but his hands have always been inconsistent. I saw him make a more concentrated effort to catch passes away from his body, which resulted in fewer drops for the young wideout.
Moore is a TE in name only. The Browns split him out wide as a WR in certain formations, especially when they get close to the endzone. The player who could get the most opportunity here is Gibson.
I want to know if you think last week’s production from Panthers WR Steve Smith was a fluke. I picked him up late and have him as my third WR behind the Lions’ Calvin Johnson and Chargers’ Vincent Jackson. Can he produce like a top WR this year?
—Frankie B.
Lammey: You are stacked at the WR position Frankie! The Panthers likely will continue to air it out more than some people think, and that will keep Steve Smith productive in 2011. Most fantasy owners drafted him incredibly late, and he should easily outperform his draft position. The chemistry between him and rookie QB Cam Newton was evident on the field. They trust each other, and when the play breaks down Newton will look for Smith to make a big play downfield.
You’re so stacked at WR that you could look to trade one of your wideouts if you’re weak at other positions. If not, get ready to score a ton of fantasy points every week with your WRs.
I need some backup RBs to stash in my re-draft league. What do you think of guys on the waiver wire like Jets RB Bilal Powell, Bills RB Johnny White, Packers RB Alex Green, or Patriots RB Stevan Ridley?
—Devin, Parker
Lammey: Powell is the guy to target here. He could take over as the Jets lead RB later in the season. Starter Shonn Greene is going to get every opportunity to prove himself as the lead back in New York, but he’s not shown the ability to impress consistently. Powell runs with a low center of gravity, gets to top speed in a hurry, and can run through arm tackles with ease.
While watching the practices at the Senior Bowl, I had an NFL RBs coach tell me he thought Powell was a workhorse. White is a talented runner who reminds many in the scouting community of Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Speaking of the Patriots, rookie RB Stevan Ridley could push his way into the starting lineup. He’s big, fast, and tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. I also like Packers rookie RB Alex Green. Scouts knew what he could do as a receiver out of the backfield based on the film from his college days at Hawaii.
But when I saw him at the Shrine Game practices earlier this year he showed better patience as a runner. He’s got good size, but is buried behind James Starks and Ryan Grant right now on the depth chart. Keep Green on your waiver wire ‘speed dial.’
I need help at my flex position. Should I start Bills WR Steve Johnson or Redskins RB Tim Hightower this week?
—Charlie, Jacksonville
Lammey: Stevie ‘Stylez’ Johnson is a little banged up this week. I think he’ll play through this groin injury, but you’ll have him on the bench. Hightower is going up against his former team and will have revenge on his mind. He felt underappreciated in Arizona and will run hard to prove the Cardinals were wrong for trading him.
Hightower is in a much better situation with Mike Shanahan, as the zone scheme in Washington fits his running style. I think Hightower could finish as a top 10 fantasy RB this week.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but is it time to trust Dolphins QB Chad Henne and Redskins QB Rex Grossman? They both looked really good last week, and I’m thinking about putting Grossman in my lineup this week over Rams QB Sam Bradford. Also, how long before the Vikings put in QB Christian Ponder?
—Will
Lammey: Yes, you can trust Henne and Grossman. It’s really incredible to believe but the stars are aligning for both in 2011. Henne has always had the physical talent, but was beset during his career by numerous mental mistakes. The Dolphins can’t run the football, and it likely won’t get any better when rookie Daniel Thomas gets a few carries. This means they’ll have to air it out early and often this season.
What we saw in Week 1 is just a preview. I expect Henne to put up decent fantasy points and stay in the lineup even if the team isn’t winning. Grossman has better all around weapons than Henne, and he too was very impressive last week. He’s finally playing with confidence and doesn’t go into a mental fetal position when he feels pressure. Grossman has good chemistry with his targets and has an offense built specifically for his skill set.
There is a little concern that backup John Beck could take over for him later in the year if the team isn’t winning. I think the Vikings should put in Ponder right now and let the rookie learn on the job. McNabb is a great guy, he just isn’t a good QB anymore. The longer they wait to make a switch, the more time they’re wasting.
Ponder was considered the most ‘pro ready’ QB in this draft class because of the pro-style system he ran at Florida State. I watched Ponder during the week of practice for the Senior Bowl earlier this year and he impressed me with his calm demeanor, toughness, and leadership ability.
