Sit 'em and Start 'em for Week 16
Last week we told you to start Joe Hamilton (21 fantasy points), Dan Alexander (17 FPs), and Mark Lewis (9 FPs) and advised you to sit Craig Whelihan (0 FPs), Marcus Nash (13 FPs), and Etu Molden (12 FPs).
This week, we have more player recommendations for you, based on performance, matchup and intuition.
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Tony Graziani - Philadelphia
Just back from injury, Tony looked very sharp in the fine win over (an admittedly relaxing) Dallas. A matchup of 8-7 teams both still with playoff hopes promises a tense affair, but I think Graziani's quality and experience comes to the fore and gives the Soul the edge. |
Other quarterbacks with favorable matchups: Joe Germaine (Utah) vs Kansas City, Chris Sanders (Kansas City) vs Utah, Matt D'Orazio (Chicago) vs Grand Rapids, Jason Fife (Las Vegas) vs Los Angeles, Sonny Cumbie (Los Angeles) vs Las Vegas |
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Clint Dolezel - Dallas
Clint needs only 1 TD for 100 on the year. I suspect he may throw that one and then allow his understudy some playing time. No point risking injury this close to the playoffs. Even if he plays the full game (to chase the all-time passing TD mark), the much improved NY defense will keep him sub-par. |
Other quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups: Shane Stafford (Tampa Bay) vs Nashville, Mark Grieb (San Jose) vs Columbus, John Fitzgerald (Austin) vs Orlando, Nick Browder (New York) vs Dallas |
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Bobby Sippio - Chicago
Bobby was my choice just a couple of weeks ago, and I confessed last week to allowing Chicago players to dominate my column, but with the Rush still (bizarrely) in contention for the playoffs, and a juicy game against the deflated Rampage (although even more bizarrely in good shape for a playoff berth themselves should they contrive to win) he is likely to be the prime OS of Week 16. |
Other Offensive Specialists with favorable matchups: Anthony Hines (Grand Rapids) vs Chicago, Siaha Burley (Utah) vs Kansas City, Damien Groce (Arizona) vs Colorado, Marcus Nash (Las Vegas) vs Los Angeles, Damien Harrell (Colorado) vs Arizona |
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TT Toliver - Nashville
Tricky call, the Katz hosting the Storm. Both bring plenty of evidence to suggest that they are going to lose. Nashville have lost 4 straight, whilst Tampa Bay have only managed 2 road wins all year, at Kansas City and Grand Rapids (insert demeaning comment about Brigade and Rampage from stockpile). Tampa have managed to blow the playoffs, while Nashville have fallen ass-backwards into them. I think that Tampa are a better team however, and they will enjoy the chance to prove it to a playoff bound opponent. Toliver has been solid, but expect a fairly low scoring game. |
Other Offensive Specialists with unfavorable matchups: Ben Nelson (San Jose) vs Columbus, Freddie Solomon (Tampa Bay) vs Nashville, Steve Smith (Philadelphia) vs Georgia, Derrick Lewis (Austin) vs Orlando |
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Justin Skaggs - Utah
Surely the Blaze cannot continue to screw up. With Joe Germaine back under center after Andy Kelly was rightly benched in Week 15, Skaggs became the first choice receiver. The improved but still woeful Brigade march into Utah, and the Blaze need only a win to make the playoffs. Germaine ought to start and Skaggs and Bryant should see plenty of the ball. |
Other Wide Receivers with favorable matchups: Rob Turner (Los Angeles) vs Las Vegas, Aaron Boone (Kansas City) vs Utah, Etu Molden (Chicago) vs Grand Rapids, Javarus Dudley (Orlando) vs Austin, Randy Gatewood (Arizona) vs Colorado |
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Marcus Knight - Columbus
I’d like to tell Columbus fans that they are going to enter the SabreCats den and buck the odds to secure a (thoroughly deserved) playoff spot. Sadly these are not pussy-cats and it is all gonna end in tears. The Destroyers will still go to the show if Georgia can beat Philly, and certainly there is more chance of that than of Columbus winning in San Jose. But I have a bad feeling. It will be awfully hard on Marcus Knight and crew to watch the Rush/Rampage/Blaze/Gladiators (Jeez) showing just what a 6-10 team can do in the playoffs. Marcus will bust a gut – but it is not going to be his week. |
Other Wide Receivers with unfavorable matchups: Mike Horacek (New York) vs Dallas, Will Pettis (Dallas) vs New York, James Roe (San Jose) vs Columbus, Sean Scott (Philadelphia) vs Georgia |
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Marlion Jackson - Las Vegas
Had a superb Week 15 and is fresher than most, thanks to a long injury layoff. Las Vegas have a genuine chance of making the playoffs and could hardly ask for a better Week 16 game than the defensively hapless Avengers.
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Other Fullbacks with favorable matchups: Phil Glover (San Jose) vs Columbus, Kevin Clemens (Utah) vs Kansas City, Dan Alexander (Nashville) vs Tampa Bay, Lonnie Ford (Los Angeles) vs Las Vegas |
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Idris Price - Orlando
Orlando host their closest divisional rivals Austin. Both are in the playoffs, but Austin has a little more to play for with home-field advantage in the first round on the line (should Georgia and Columbus win, the Wrangler's would travel to NY in the first round, gulp!). So I expect Austin to play hard and since they themselves are a good rushing team, they'll handle whatever Idris can throw (well, rush) at them. |
Other Fullbacks with unfavorable matchups: Bob McMillen (Chicago) vs Grand Rapids, Jarrod Penright (Tampa Bay) vs Nashville, Chris Ryan (Grand Rapids) vs Chicago, Marlon Moye-Moore (Orlando) vs Austin |
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Omaar Smith - San Jose
The Sabercats have won 6 in a row and their defense has played no small role. Last time out against the Rattlers, Omaar had 5 solo tackles, but has elevated his game lately. With the possibility of a backup QB seeing some time, expect Smith to grab a few miscues. |
Other Defensive Specialists with favorable matchups: Rashad Floyd (Colorado) vs Arizona, Jeremy Unertl (Chicago) vs Grand Rapids, Eddie Moten (Philadelphia) vs Georgia, Nate Coggins (Georgia) vs Philadelphia, Damon Mason (Austin) vs Orlando |
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Thal Woods - Utah
Woods has had his fleeting moments, but they've bee sandwiched around long periods of inactivity and futilty. With the potent Brigade offense coming to town, expect Thal to see the backs of many receivers. |
Other Defensive Specialists with unfavorable matchups: Cecil Doggette (Columbus) vs San Jose, Kevin Gaines (Philadelphia) vs Georgia, DeShane Dennis (New York) vs Dallas |
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Jay Taylor - Orlando
Quietly having a wonderful season, Taylor will have even more chances against Austin, as the Predators will refine their game in anticipation of the playoffs. |
Other Kickers with favorable matchups: Peter Martinez (Grand Rapids) vs Chicago, Dan Frantz (Chicago) vs Grand Rapids, Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) vs Las Vegas, Mark Lewis (Columbus) vs San Jose |
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Carlos Martinez - Dallas
Martinez is a wonderful kicker, but expect Dallas to play a very tame offensive game, not wanting to reveal any new wrinkles or expose their key players to injury. Hence, Carlos won't get many chances. |
Other Kickers with unfavorable matchups:Gary Kral (Arizona) vs Colorado, Jesse Obert (New York) vs Dallas, Todd Sievers (Austin) vs Orlando |
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