Week 10: Pros and Cons - 11 comments

As you may have heard, Wade Phillips was mercifully fired this week. I think we’ll all remember where we were when we heard the news. And, while Jason Garrett has been promoted to interim head coach, the Cowboys may look elsewhere after the season. Let’s take a look at a few of the main candidates for the Dallas job, and examine their pros and cons.

Jon Gruden, former head coach of the Raiders and Buccaneers.
Pro: Won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002; would’ve taken Oakland to Super Bowl if not for the “Tuck Rule.”
Con: As a commentator, Gruden has praised all 1,696 players in the NFL so he’s basically forced to be a “players coach,” which is something Dallas is trying to get away from. Also, his resume indicates he prefers pirate-based organizations.

John Fox, current head coach of the Panthers.
Pro: 1–7 record should allow for a seamless transition; considered a “name” coach that could “excite the fan base.”
Con: Fan bases would be located in New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

Bill Cowher, former head coach of the Steelers.
Pro: Won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh in 2005; has shown good decision-making abilities throughout his career.
Con: Would request ability to make decisions.

Jason Garrett, interim head coach of the Cowboys.
Pro: Was “hand picked” by Jerry Jones to eventually succeed Phillips.
Con: (see pro)

Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager.
Pro: Would eliminate middle man.
Con: Would eliminate Cowboys.

Only time will tell who coaches America’s Team. In the mean time, let’s get to some picks that have a more immediate impact. Let’s get to Start/Sit! Here at the Café, we rank all the players we expect could see a significant amount of game action each week. We factor in a player’s overall ability, his weekly match-up, and the current status of his health. The result is one Start/Sit number, based on a scale of 100, and we’ll use each member’s ratings to find an average for each player. The higher a guy is on our list, the better you should feel starting him. Finally, below each table, I will give my personal Start/Sit recommendations for each position. Without further ado, here’s Start/Sit for Week 10.

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opp	Average
1	Peyton Manning	IND	CIN	91.50
2	Michael Vick	PHI	at WAS	87.75
3	Eli Manning	NYG	DAL	84.25
4	Matt Schaub	HOU	at JAC	83.25
5	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	NE	81.50
6	Kyle Orton	DEN	KC	81.25
7	Ryan Fitzpatrick	BUF	DET	74.25
8	Jay Cutler	CHI	MIN	72.25
9	Tom Brady	NE	at PIT	71.25
T-9	Mark Sanchez	NYJ	at CLE	71.25
11	Joe Flacco	BAL	at ATL	71.00
12	Matt Ryan	ATL	BAL	70.75
13	Carson Palmer	CIN	at IND	69.00
14	David Garrard	JAC	HOU	68.50
15	Josh Freeman	TB	CAR	68.25
16	Vince Young	TEN	at MIA	68.00
17	Donovan McNabb	WAS	PHI	67.75
18	Sam Bradford	STL	at SF	67.50
19	Brett Favre	MIN	at CHI	65.23
20	Matt Cassel	KC	at DEN	64.50
21	Troy Smith	SF	STL	61.00
22	Jon Kitna	DAL	at NYG	58.00
23	Chad Pennington	MIA	TEN	57.25
24	Derek Anderson	ARI	SEA	57.00
25	Jimmy Clausen	CAR	at TB	54.25
26	Shaun Hill	DET	at BUF	49.25
27	Colt McCoy	CLE	NYJ	48.25
28	Matt Hasselbeck	SEA	at ARI	42.99
29	Charlie Whitehurst	SEA	at ARI	39.25
30	Drew Stanton	DET	at BUF	15.00
31	Alex Smith	SF	STL	12.38
32	Chad Henne	MIA	TEN	4.00
33	Kevin Kolb	PHI	at WAS	1.85

Start: Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles. Vick looked better than ever last week, leading the Eagles past the Colts. He was very productive as both a passer and a rusher, making good decisions throughout the game. The only bad choice he made was his refusal to slide after he scrambled for a long run. I’m guessing he won’t make the same mistake this week against a Washington defense that injured him back in Week 4. Vick should stay both healthy and productive in this one, making him a must-start at the quarterback position.

Sit: Vince Young, Tennessee Titans. When evaluating Young’s Week 10 prospects, it appears there are more cons than pros. On the plus side, he has Randy Moss as a potential deep threat. On the minus side, Young is still nursing an ankle injury. He also has to face a Miami defense that yields a better-than-average 213 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. Young himself has thrown for over 200 yards just once this season. It’s also important to consider that, while Randy Moss is a plus, he is also a bit of a question mark. Will he be motivated? Will he quit on plays? Are the catering services in Tennessee any good? I’m keeping Young benched until I get some answers.

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opp	Average
1	Adrian Peterson	MIN	at CHI	93.25
2	Arian Foster	HOU	at JAC	92.75
3	Chris Johnson	TEN	at MIA	89.50
4	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	DAL	86.25
5	Frank Gore	SF	STL	85.50
6	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	HOU	84.75
7	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	NE	83.50
8	Steven Jackson	STL	at SF	83.00
9	Ray Rice	BAL	at ATL	82.00
10	Peyton Hills	CLE	NYJ	81.50
11	Jamaal Charles	KC	at DEN	81.00
12	Cedric Benson	CIN	at IND	80.75
T-12	LeSean McCoy	PHI	at WAS	80.75
14	Michael Turner	ATL	BAL	80.50
15	LaDainian Tomlinson	NYJ	at CLE	79.75
16	Jahvid Best	DET	at BUF	77.90
17	Thomas Jones	KC	at DEN	77.00
18	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	KC	74.25
19	Matt Forte	CHI	MIN	72.00
20	Fred Jackson	BUF	DET	71.25
21	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	at ARI	69.00
22	Ronnie Brown	MIA	TEN	67.00
23	LeGarrette Blount	TB	CAR	66.50
24	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	DAL	66.25
25	Ryan Torain	WAS	PHI	65.90
26	Ricky Williams	MIA	TEN	63.50
27	Felix Jones	DAL	at NYG	63.25
28	Shonn Greene	NYJ	at CLE	62.25
29	Cadillac Williams	TB	CAR	60.50
30	Mike Goodson	CAR	at TB	59.25
31	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NE	at PIT	58.50
32	Tim Hightower	ARI	SEA	58.25
33	Justin Forsett	SEA	at ARI	57.75
34	Keiland Williams	WAS	PHI	57.25
35	Willis McGahee	BAL	at ATL	57.00
36	Marion Barber	DAL	at NYG	56.25
37	Kevin Smith	DET	at BUF	55.50
38	Donald Brown	IND	CIN	55.18
39	Danny Woodhead	NE	at PIT	51.50
40	Beanie Wells	ARI	SEA	51.24
41	Jason Snelling	ATL	BAL	51.00
42	Javon Ringer	TEN	at MIA	47.00
43	Toby Gerhart	MIN	at CHI	46.75
44	Derrick Ward	HOU	at JAC	43.50
45	C.J. Spiller	BUF	DET	42.25
46	Bernard Scott	CIN	at IND	39.50
47	Jarvarris James	IND	CIN	38.75
48	Chester Taylor	CHI	MIN	38.00
49	Deji Karim	JAC	HOU	37.50
50	Correll Buckhalter	DEN	KC	35.50
51	Mike Hart	IND	CIN	34.38
52	Mike Bell	CLE	NYJ	29.00
T-52	Tashard Choice	DAL	at NYG	29.00
54	Laurence Maroney	DEN	KC	28.75
55	Jerome Harrison	PHI	at WAS	28.25
56	Clinton Portis	WAS	PHI	26.10
57	Rashad Jennings	JAC	HOU	23.75
T-57	Leon Washington	SEA	at ARI	23.75
59	Joseph Addai	IND	CIN	23.13
60	Brian Westbrook	SF	STL	22.25

Start: LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his two games as the lead back in Tampa Bay, Blount has lit up Arizona (22/120/2) and been stuffed by Atlanta (13/46/0). It’s a limited track record, but Blount’s physical style seems to be tough matchup for weaker defenses. Enter the Panthers, who are fresh off surrendering 149 yards and a score to a Saints rushing attack that was without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Look for the Buccaneers to grab an early lead and control the clock with Blount getting around 20 carries.

Sit: Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins. He was a “full go” earlier in the week, but was then limited in Wednesday’s practice by a lingering hamstring injury. My guess is he plays, but the matchup (Philadelphia) isn’t all that great. If he had a more favorable opponent, I’d be willing to take a chance. However, the Eagles are hot right now and I think Torain owners would be best served by resting him another week, even if the Redskins don’t.

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opp	Average
1	Andre Johnson	HOU	at JAC	93.40
2	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	DAL	90.50
3	Reggie Wayne	IND	CIN	88.50
4	Calvin Johnson	DET	at BUF	86.50
5	DeSean Jackson	PHI	at WAS	84.26
6	Terrell Owens	CIN	at IND	83.00
7	Anquan Boldin	BAL	at ATL	82.25
8	Roddy White	ATL	BAL	81.75
9	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	SEA	81.00
10	Hines Ward	PIT	NE	80.25
11	Steve Johnson	BUF	DET	79.50
12	Steve Smith	NYG	DAL	78.50
T-12	Brandon Marshall	MIA	TEN	78.50
14	Mike Williams	TB	CAR	77.75
15	Mike Wallace	PIT	NE	76.75
16	Miles Austin	DAL	at NYG	76.00
17	Pierre Garcon	IND	CIN	75.50
T-17	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	at WAS	75.50
19	Braylon Edwards	NYJ	at CLE	72.75
20	Santana Moss	WAS	PHI	72.25
21	Brandon Lloyd	DEN	KC	71.75
T-21	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at DEN	71.75
23	Percy Harvin	MIN	at CHI	70.30
24	Michael Crabtree	SF	STL	70.00
25	Mike Williams	SEA	at ARI	69.50
26	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at CLE	69.25
27	Chad Ochocinco	CIN	at IND	69.00
28	Mario Manningham	NYG	DAL	68.50
T-28	Randy Moss	TEN	at MIA	68.50
30	Jacoby Jones	HOU	at JAC	68.25
T-30	Nate Washington	TEN	at MIA	68.25
32	Steve Breaston	ARI	SEA	67.50
T-32	Mike Sims-Walker	JAC	HOU	67.50
T-32	Mike Thomas	JAC	HOU	67.50
35	Dez Bryant	DAL	at NYG	66.50
36	Johnny Knox	CHI	MIN	66.25
T-36	Wes Welker	NE	at PIT	66.25
38	Lee Evans	BUF	DET	66.00
39	Derrick Mason	BAL	at ATL	65.25
T-39	Kevin Walter	HOU	at JAC	65.25
41	Steve Smith	CAR	at TB	64.25
42	Jabar Gaffney	DEN	KC	63.50
43	Danny Amendola	STL	at SF	61.50
44	Eddie Royal	DEN	KC	61.00
45	Jerricho Cotchery	NYJ	at CLE	60.25
46	Deion Branch	NE	at PIT	59.50
47	Nate Burleson	DET	at BUF	59.00
48	Davone Bess	MIA	TEN	57.25
49	Roy Williams	DAL	at NYG	56.50
50	Devin Hester	CHI	MIN	55.75
51	Josh Morgan	SF	STL	55.50
52	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	BAL	at ATL	54.75
53	Anthony Armstrong	WAS	PHI	53.75
54	Michael Jenkins	ATL	BAL	53.00
55	David Gettis	CAR	at TB	52.50
T-55	Brandon Gibson	STL	at SF	52.50
57	Bernard Berrian	MIN	at CHI	52.00
T-57	Deon Butler	SEA	at ARI	52.00
59	Blair White	IND	CIN	51.50
60	Sammie Stroughter	TB	CAR	51.25
61	Earl Bennett	CHI	MIN	50.25
T-61	Jordan Shipley	CIN	at IND	50.25
63	Brandon Tate	NE	at PIT	48.25
64	Brandon LaFell	CAR	at TB	47.00
65	Mohamed Massaquoi	CLE	NYJ	46.50
66	Joshua Cribbs	CLE	NYJ	44.25
67	Jason Avant	PHI	at WAS	40.75
68	Mardy Gilyard	STL	at SF	39.75
69	Arrelious Benn	TB	CAR	38.25
70	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	KC	37.75
71	Brian Hartline	MIA	TEN	37.50
72	Early Doucet	ARI	SEA	36.75
73	Chris Chambers	KC	at DEN	35.25
74	Justin Gage	TEN	at MIA	35.00
75	Greg Lewis	MIN	at CHI	34.50
76	Antwaan Randle El	PIT	NE	34.00
77	Joey Galloway	WAS	PHI	32.75
78	Harry Douglas	ATL	BAL	32.00
79	Golden Tate	SEA	at ARI	26.25
80	Devin Aromashodu	CHI	MIN	25.25
81	Chansi Stuckey	CLE	NYJ	24.75
T-81	Brandon Stokley	SEA	at ARI	24.75
83	Dexter McCluster	KC	at DEN	23.75
84	Bryant Johnson	DET	at BUF	23.00
T-84	Michael Spurlock	TB	CAR	23.00

Start: Steve Smith, New York Giants. He posted somewhat modest totals last week (4/46/1), but Smith’s day could have been a lot better if not for a long pass that he dropped on a play that he may have been interfered with. This week, Smith faces a Cowboys defense has allowed a league-worst 145 points over the past four weeks. Dallas was unable to cover Smith in Week 7 when he torched the Cowboys secondary for nine catches, 101 yards and a score. A repeat performance is likely.

Sit: Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Pro: talent, speed, hands, toughness. Con: James Richard Clausen. Sometimes it’s not about quantity.

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opp	Average
1	Vernon Davis	SF	STL	82.50
2	Dustin Keller	NYJ	at CLE	79.50
3	Jason Witten	DAL	at NYG	79.00
4	Jacob Tamme	IND	CIN	78.75
5	Chris Cooley	WAS	PHI	77.50
6	Brandon Pettigrew	DET	at BUF	76.50
7	Marcedes Lewis	JAC	HOU	75.25
8	Visanthe Shiancoe	MIN	at CHI	73.50
9	Heath Miller	PIT	NE	72.75
10	Kellen Winslow	TB	CAR	71.73
11	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	BAL	71.25
T-11	Aaron Hernandez	NE	at PIT	71.25
13	John Carlson	SEA	at ARI	70.00
14	Tony Moeaki	KC	at DEN	69.00
15	Todd Heap	BAL	at ATL	68.00
16	Brent Celek	PHI	at WAS	67.50
17	Kevin Boss	NYG	DAL	66.25
18	Jermaine Gresham	CIN	at IND	65.50
19	Greg Olsen	CHI	MIN	63.50
20	Ben Watson	CLE	NYJ	62.25
21	Anthony Fasano	MIA	TEN	60.25
22	Bo Scaife	TEN	at MIA	58.25
23	Jeff King	CAR	at TB	50.75
24	Owen Daniels	HOU	at JAC	50.58
25	Daniel Graham	DEN	KC	50.50
26	Ben Patrick	ARI	SEA	50.25
27	Tony Scheffler	DET	at BUF	48.25
28	Daniel Fells	STL	at SF	44.75
29	Rob Gronkowski	NE	at PIT	41.00
30	Michael Hoomanawanui	STL	at SF	40.75

Start: Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts. Any concerns about Tamme’s ability to produce in place of the injured Dallas Clark were put to rest last week as he caught 11 passes for 108 yards and a score. He’s a must start this week and should remain so for the balance of the season.

Sit: Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears. Olsen found the end zone last week, but he has a total of just six catches since Week 4. During that time he has become a smaller part of the Bears offense, losing targets to Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and DeAngelo Hall. Look elsewhere.

Rank	Team Defense	Team	Opp	Average
1	Jets	NYJ	at CLE	85.75
2	Steelers	PIT	NE	85.25
3	Giants	NYG	DAL	82.75
4	Titans	TEN	at MIA	78.25
5	Buccaneers	TB	CAR	77.00
6	Ravens	BAL	at ATL	76.75
7	Chiefs	KC	at DEN	76.25
T-7	Vikings	MIN	at CHI	76.25
T-7	Eagles	PHI	at WAS	76.25
10	Bears	CHI	MIN	75.75
11	Lions	DET	at BUF	75.00
12	Seahawks	SEA	at ARI	72.50
13	Colts	IND	CIN	72.00
14	49ers	SF	STL	71.50
15	Falcons	ATL	BAL	70.75
16	Cardinals	ARI	SEA	70.50
T-16	Cowboys	DAL	at NYG	70.50
18	Texans	HOU	at JAC	69.50
19	Dolphins	MIA	TEN	69.25
T-19	Redskins	WAS	PHI	69.25
21	Patriots	NE	at PIT	69.00
22	Rams	STL	at SF	68.50
23	Bills	BUF	DET	66.25
24	Panthers	CAR	at TB	64.75
25	Bengals	CIN	at IND	63.50
26	Broncos	DEN	KC	63.00
27	Browns	CLE	NYJ	62.00
28	Jaguars	JAC	HOU	59.75

Start: New York Giants. The Giants defense was featured here last week and they did not disappoint against Seattle. Now they’ll face the Cowboys in what has to be considered an equally favorable matchup. A must start.

Sit: New England Patriots. The Patriots were run over by Peyton Hillis and the Browns last week. Now they face Pittsburgh. Better options are available.

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opp	Average
1	Lawrence Tynes	NYG	DAL	82.00
2	David Akers	PHI	at WAS	81.75
3	Neil Rackers	HOU	at JAC	81.50
4	Dan Carpenter	MIA	TEN	81.00
5	Nick Folk	NYJ	at CLE	80.50
6	Rob Bironas	TEN	at MIA	80.25
7	Dave Rayner	DET	at BUF	79.00
T-7	Adam Vinatieri	IND	CIN	79.00
9	Matt Prater	DEN	KC	78.50
T-9	Shayne Graham	NE	at PIT	78.50
11	Mike Nugent	CIN	at IND	77.00
12	Robbie Gould	CHI	MIN	76.75
13	Jeff Reed	PIT	NE	75.75
14	Josh Scobee	JAC	HOU	74.50
15	Ryan Succop	KC	at DEN	74.00
16	Joe Nedney	SF	STL	73.25
17	Matt Bryant	ATL	BAL	73.00
18	Graham Gano	WAS	PHI	72.75
19	Jay Feely	ARI	SEA	71.75
T-19	Connor Barth	TB	CAR	71.75
21	Olindo Mare	SEA	at ARI	71.50
22	Ryan Longwell	MIN	at CHI	71.25
23	Josh Brown	STL	at SF	70.50
24	Rian Lindell	BUF	DET	70.00
25	Billy Cundiff	BAL	at ATL	69.25
26	David Buehler	DAL	at NYG	67.00
27	John Kasay	CAR	at TB	65.75
28	Phil Dawson	CLE	NYJ	65.25

Start: David Akers, Philadelphia Eagles. Twenty-seven fantasy points in his last two games. Philadelphia is 4th in total offense, but 15th in the red zone, meaning the Eagles should continue to give Akers plenty of chances.

Sit: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions. Likely being moved back to defensive tackle after hitting upright.

Drew is a lifelong Jets fan. Playing and writing about fantasy football has proven helpful in easing the pain.

Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section!

11 Responses to “Week 10: Pros and Cons”

HomerJay says:

November 11, 2010 at 1:31 pm

Nice list again guys….however I would strongly argue Tamme for being a top 2 this week easily.
Reply
joejlitz says:

November 11, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Nice rankings this week. Fitzpatrick at 7 is a great call and I would have to give some greater consideration to his opponent, Shaun Hill this week, who’s got a great matchup against DET and played well when Stafford was out.

I’m :-L and :-) that we’ve finally recognized the greatness of Steve Johnson and put him at 11. B-Marshall is still way too high and I’ll keep posting that every week until he drops below 20 or he scores a TD. :-B

Mike Williams (TB) at 14 is ;-D and people definitely need to start him.

Looks like Greene has dropped to the dregs of the RBs.

For the DST – anyone vs. CAR is always the right play, which is why TB comes in at a solid 5.
Reply
BuckToothZombie says:

November 11, 2010 at 9:16 pm

Blair White at 59???? Really?
I might be a homer for the Colts.. But really?
Garcon can’t catch a ball this season.. Unless Peyton throws it 8 feet above him or off to the side.. Throw it right to him and he will either miss it or drop it..
Wayne gets doubled teamed so he’s either fest or famine.. He’s 50/50
Collie is out….
Tamme is now having back issued – which still won’t effect Whites points too much..

Blair white will get at least 12 Fantasy pts this week.. He will be great for a ppr..or even a standard league..

Donald brown couldn’t plow through a pile of snow.. And baby James will have very limited snaps..

I myself would place Blair White around a 15 this week..

Ok.. I feel better that’s off my chest.. lol.. Sorry if it seems I’m ranting.. I just hope I can help someone that needs a BYE player for the week..

Go Colts!!
Reply
BuckToothZombie says:

November 11, 2010 at 9:17 pm

Also on a side note… How I the world could y’all rate Clausen higher than Colt McCoy? Really? :)
Reply
joejlitz says:

November 12, 2010 at 9:19 am

Zombie! C’mon now…You’d put Blair White at 15??? Of course you’re exagerrating. That means you’d have him ahead of Brandon Lloyd and Miles Austin in these rankings. I understand your frustration with Garcon, but top-15 is reserved for guys who play consistantly week in and week out – guys you should be able to count on.

Guys like White, who could blow up, but haven’t yet don’t deserve to sniff the top-15. The most yards White racked up was last week: 3 catches for 42 yards. And he’s only got 1 TD on the year, which was 6 weeks ago (total career TDs?). Add in the fact that he didn’t even practice yesterday and I’m sure you understand what a reach that would be to put him at 15.

White should be considered no better than a WR3 or flex. Make a case for him to be bumped up in the 40s, but not 15.
Reply
Megalodon says:

November 12, 2010 at 1:21 pm

Steve Smith (Super Bowl Champ Steve Smith) is OUT, pec muscle. 2 weeks minimum. Revised your Start and Sit.
Reply
pcoyote7411 says:

November 12, 2010 at 2:34 pm

i agree with you guys 99% of the time but you are way off on shaun hill this week, 26th! Hill put up more than 20 points in 3 of his 4 complete games this year and he’s going against one of the worst defenses in the league in buffalo. i think he should be a top 15 qb this week.
Reply
Tmacdunk says:

November 12, 2010 at 9:47 pm

Garrard and Schaub need to be swapped. Houston is run first now and their pass def is worst in the league..
Reply
joejlitz says:

November 13, 2010 at 6:41 am

No way Jose. Garrard should be moved up, and Schaub might could be moved down, but not swapped.

Schaub goes against JAX (28th against the pass, 267 yards against/game and 17 receiving TDs allowed) who also just lost DE Kampmann for the season. Schaub will have all day to pick apart the Jags.

Garrard has the best matchup out there against HOU (32, 298, and 20). But Schaub is the better QB, has the better arm, and better weapons – I’ll take that over the better matchup: especially when they both have amazing matchups. It’s not like Garrard is going against the worst passing defense and Schaub is going against #10 or better. True, HOU is running more now, but I think this is where Schaub bounces back.

It’s likely they end up with similar numbers – or Garrard may even post slightly better numbers in the end. But Schaub does not deserve to be 14 and Garrard does not deserve to be 4.
Reply
joejlitz says:

November 14, 2010 at 5:42 am

Any rankers/authors got a reason they put Mendenhall above Charles? That’s my dilemma for today and I could use some more insight…
Reply
joejlitz says:

November 15, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Blair White was inactive this week…
Reply