Week 7 Start'em and Sit'em

Posted by Posted by Rich Brown On 1:57 PM

Week 7 is an interesting week for fantasy owners, because there are a few bye weeks that owners have to contend with. So if you are looking for filler, these are some options. Also, if you are looking for a starter to avoid, some veterans are underachieving.
Start ‘em
Ryan Grant
Green Bay Packer Ryan Grant is a solid start this week, going up against a Cleveland Browns defense giving up over 165 yards per game this season an average of 24 points each outing. The Browns defense is battered and sick. D’qwell Jackson, their leading tackler, just had season-ending pectoral surgery Wednesday. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and Shaun Rogers, who also has a nagging foot injury, were both sent home from practice Wednesday for flu symptoms, along with four other players. Grant has nearly 350 yards rushing this season, and has almost broken 100 twice so far. He doesn’t have any touchdowns this year, but this defense allows him a shot at a breakout week. Grant is also a part of the passing game, and has been an occasional target out of the backfield for Aaron Rodgers, catching at least one a game.
Austin collie
With six teams on bye weeks, Austin Collie is a nice fit for a replacement to your typical starters, and is probably available in smaller leagues, or can be a secondary part of a trade. Collie is seeing the ball more each week, including 8 receptions against Tennessee. In 4 of his 5 games, he has averaged more than 10 yards a catch, with three touchdowns this year. Playing the winless St. Louis Rams, Manning should go to the air early, given the Rams are allowing over 250 passing yards per game.

Sit ‘em
Steve Smith (Carolina)
Carolina’s Steve Smith is definitely an early draft choice that has been a bust so far this season, and week 7 is no different. First of all, he is facing a Bills team that is fourth in the league in passing yards given up, allowing just over a thousand yards this season. Also, only the Saints and the Eagles have more interceptions, which won’t make his day any easier. Smith is an unhappy employee, publicly complaining about his one catch for four yards on Sunday, but considering he has one fumble and no touchdowns, don’t waste a starting slot on this once-coveted receiver. I would be nervous to drop him completely, but he needs to show up this year, as does Delhomme.
Steven Jackson
Jackson was a hot commodity last year in fantasy leagues, and was considered a starting running back on most fantasy teams at the beginning of the season, but his yards and carries have slipped so far this season. He has been held under 100 yards for the last 3 weeks, but did give up a couple fumbles during that time. Shockingly, no Panthers have scored a single rushing touchdown this year, making Jackson’s impact, especially this week, minimal. The Panthers are facing a Colts defense that only given up around 100 yards per game, with the longest run of the season being 26 yards. The Colts defense has only allowed 4 rushing touchdowns all year. Bob Sanders, a critical part of the Indy defense returns this week, which will give the defense an emotional lift along with his physical presence being back in the mix.

By NFLANDCOLLEGEFOOTBALL.COM EXPERT JASON TIMMS

1 Comment

  1. drewbreezzy Said,

    Hmmm you seem a bit confused. Jackson is a Ram and Panther RBs have scored this season. With the lack of quality running backs in the NFL I don't see how you can justify sitting a 20+ carry back.

    BTW Odds 2 to 1 Steve Smith will strangle Jake Delhomme.

    Posted on October 24, 2009 at 9:23 AM