Automatic/Don’t Do It

Week Six Automatic/Don't Do It

Saturday, 17 October, 2009

By Ted Cahill

I might owe some people an apology.

No, this isn’t about the time I threw my friends under the bus or when I tell random people where they can stick it or the very important meetings I skipped last night to watch The Office and 30 Rock. No, this is about not believing.

In the first five weeks of the NFL season, I’ve used this space to tell the fantasy football world who to start and who to leave on the bench. But in between I’ve thrown in some rather snide comments about the Denver Broncos and Chad Henne. I’ve been upset with the Broncos since they fired Mike Shannahan and well, Henne went to Michigan.

But last weekend, they both made me take notice. The Broncos beat New England to remain undefeated and Henne led the Dolphins to a dramatic win against the Jets.

But enough with my mea culpa, on to Week Six.

Start

Pierre Thomas, Saints vs. Giants
You shouldn’t be afraid of the G-Men. New York is allowing 4.8 yards per rush and has been excellent in pass coverage. They haven’t faced a top-notch passer yet, but Thomas should have success and the Saints need him to.

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers vs. Cleveland
I feel like I don’t have to tell you how awful the Browns’ run defense is. But I’ll throw a few numbers out anyway: 5.1 yards per carry allowed, two practices missed this week by Shaun Rogers.

Donnie Avery, Rams at Jacksonville
The Jaguars have had serious problems against the pass. St. Louis is normally a no-fly zone for me, but after Avery snagged a touchdown and 87 yards last week, I’m feeling better about his chances.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks vs. Arizona
At home against a defense allowing more than 300 yards through the air, Hasselbeck is a great play. To top it off, he’s thrown seven touchdowns in 10 quarters this year. That rib injury seems to be in the past.

Sit

Carson Palmer, Bengals vs. Houston
Palmer is nursing a sore thumb and the Texans give up more than five yards per rush. Cincinnati is unlikely to call on Palmer to win this game for them; there are better options at quarterback this week.

Marques Colston, Saints vs. Giants
I respect the Giants pass defense, but not anywhere near enough to sit Drew Brees. But Colston is unlikely to get free downfield, and if he does, Brees probably won’t have time to find him.

Bills Offense at Jets
After last week’s atrocity at home against the Browns this should be a no-brainer. I wanted to take the time to point out just how awful the Bills were, but I really don’t have room to do that here.

Willis McGahee, Ravens at Minnesota
The timeshare of McGahee and Ray Rice seems to be reaching a natural end with Rice winning. Besides the Vikings can handle the run very well.

Matchup to Watch: Kyle Orton vs. Josh McDaniels
The Broncos have made me a believer and I’m starting to come around on Orton as well. I might even advise him as a starter, but until they start throwing the ball more I’ll be a little uncomfortable. Hopefully that changes this week against their division rival.

Automatic/Don't Do It Week Five

Wednesday, 7 October, 2009

By Ted Cahill

The Brett Favre win in Green Bay news cycle was awfully short as Favre news cycles go.

Just two days later a pair of wide receivers had easily eclipsed the gray beard. First Michael Crabtree signed with San Francisco and will likely be active by Oct. 25. Then the Browns traded Braylon Edwards, the most talented player on their roster to the Jets.

Reasons abound about why Edwards was traded. He didn’t fit in with coach Eric Mangini’s philosophy, Clevelanders never warmed up to the Michigan grad, he simply dropped too many passes, LeBron forced a trade after Edwards punched one of his boys.

I am here to tell you this is all hearsay and rumors. The real reason Edwards got traded? After hitting a home run during batting practice at Progressive Field this year, he wanted to go to the Yankees and see how many he could hit in 162 games at the launching pad in the Bronx.

As if that nugget weren’t enough, we’ll try and get you ready for week five in the NFL. The usual rules apply here. I’m not going to tell you to start Edwards’ fellow alum Tom Brady and sit Chad Henne, his old quarterback in the Big House. I’ll trust you can take care of those on your own.

Start

Any healthy Cowboy at Kansas City
The Cowboys draw the lucky assignment of the Chiefs this week. Kansas City is one of the more pitiful teams, especially on defense in the league. Feel confident running Tashard Choice, the Dallas defense and Jason Witten out there. Even if Tony Romo doesn’t know it’s fourth down, he should be fine.

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers at Detroit
With Willie Parker on the shelf last week with turf toe, Mendenhall reminded everyone why the Steelers took him in the first round. He is that talented and Pittsburgh probably won’t risk Parker this week unless he’s 100 percent.

Matt Schaub, Texans at Arizona
The Cardinals are giving up the third most passing yards in the league. That’s great news for Schaub, who has had to shoulder more of the burden than expected due to Steve Slaton’s slow start. Arizona has given up 100 yards and a touchdown to a wide receiver two weeks in a row. Andre Johnson should make that three.

Chad Ocho Cinco, Bengals at Baltimore
Baltimore has as stout a run defense as you’ll find in the NFL. With that in mind, Carson Palmer will be dropping back a lot Sunday. The artist formerly known as Chad Johnson will get the majority of the targets this week and will get his yards.

Sit

Kevin Smith, Lions vs. Pittsburgh
Smith isn’t fully healthy and this is not the week to be dinged up before the game. Pittsburgh has been the hardest defense to score fantasy points against and is giving up 3.6 yards per carry.

Roddy White, Falcons at San Francisco
White hasn’t been quite as good this year as last and this week he matches up with Nate Clements, one of the elite shutdown corners in the league. Atlanta is likely to use Michael Turner more this week, meaning fewer chances for the Falcons’ top receiver.

Kyle Orton, Broncos vs. New England
Denver’s strong running game was allowed Orton to sit back and throw only 29.2 passes per game. It won’t be easy going for anyone in a Broncos’ uniform this week. Denver also will likely try to run the ball more and keep Tom Brady off the field.

Tennessee Defense vs. Indianapolis
The Titans have already given up 300 yards though the air three times this year. Now with Peyton Manning in town, 400 seems within reach. Tennessee just isn’t generating the pass rush needed to keep Manning off his game.

Matchup to Watch: Ronnie Brown vs. Bart Scott
Without Chad Pennington, Miami’s running backs have been forced to step up. They now face one of their toughest tests against the rejuvenated Jets defense. New York allows more than four yards per carry, but will that be the case when they stack the box against Brown?

Automatic/Don't Do It: Week Four

Friday, 2 October, 2009

By Ted Cahill

It really is a fantasy world.

The Denver Broncos are 3-0, Michael Vick is even talking to potential sponsors and the Lions actually have a win. As for what’s going on in Cleveland and Kansas City, well it can’t all be perfect, can it?

Your fantasy team probably isn’t perfect either, so we’re here to help you make some final decisions this week. Once again I’m not here to tell you to start Steven Jackson and sit Chad Henne. You should be able to handle those moves on your own. Instead we’ll tackle the more borderline questions every owner faces week in and week out.

Start
Cedric Benson, Bengals at Cleveland
The Cleveland run defense continues to be absolutely awful. Benson has already performed well against quality defenses, now he gets to go against one allowing 5.4 yards per carry. Keep in mind the last time he faced the Browns he dusted them for 171 yards.

Kevin Walter, Texans vs. Oakland
Walter came off his injury very well last week and caught a touchdown. Now the Texans will try and get their season back on track at home against the Raiders, who are allowing 211 yards per game through the air and are dinged up in the secondary.

Knowshon Moreno, Broncos vs. Dallas
The ‘Boys are allowing 4.7 yards per rush this year. It’s been a pretty weak effort for Dallas this year and facing an undefeated team on the road likely won’t help matters. Moreno should really show off his skills this week.

Eli Manning, Giants at Kansas City
He may not throw the ball quite as much as his owners might like, but when he does throw it this week look out. The Chiefs are an embarrassment and allowing 243 passing yards a game.

Sit

Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers at Washington
Williams is nursing a knee injury and the Redskins play on a turf field. This isn’t the week to risk further injury to the lead running back for Tampa Bay. He’ll play, but probably won’t get the most carries this week.

Reggie Bush, Saints vs. New York
The Jets have done a fine job taking on Rex Ryan’s defense. They’ve really limited running backs in the receiving game, shutting down Steve Slaton and Chris Johnson so far. This isn’t the ideal week for Bush.
Roy Williams, Cowboys at Denver
Champ Bailey will turn his attention to Williams this week. I guess this just isn’t a good week to be named Williams in the NFL,

Brett Favre, Vikings at Green Bay
If you think the Packers aren’t charged up for a shot a Favre, you’re crazy. He might go off or he might go off in a body bag. That isn’t a risk to be taking with your quarterback slot.

Matchup to watch: Tom Brady vs. Baltimore defense
Baltimore allows only 2.5 yards per rush, so look for Brady to air the ball out again this week. But Baltimore has some ball hawks back there waiting for just that. They’ve already got six interceptions this season. This is a big game for Baltimore to establish AFC supremacy, you can be sure they’re gunning for Brady.

Pickup of the Week: Vernon Davis vs. St. Louis
The Rams have allowed the fourth most passing yards to tight ends so far. That’s fortunate for Davis, who is Shaun Hill’s favorite target this year. He’s coming off a two-touchdown game, look for more production from the Maryland product.

Top Ten Fantasy Players Too Disappoint

Thursday, 3 September, 2009

By Zack Cimini

Lets face it busts are bound to happen via fantasy football drafts just like NFL drafts. Sure, you can yap away with smack talk right now…your roster looks great on paper. Projections, mock drafts, and prior statistical seasons have you giddy on what your team is about to do. Well, trends say otherwise. More than likely your team is going to have a plethora of early round busts, and injuries piling up by the end of September.

A true fantasy guru keeps their season alive by the depth of sleeper picks and star studded handcuffs for insurance. We don’t need to delve too far into the drafts that haunted you, but will list some names and hear the echoes of disgust of the past. Tom Brady, LT, Steven Jackson (07, 08), Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, etc.

Our list below doesn’t necessarily mean we expect them to be a flat out bust. We do though anticipate their complete all around fantasy seasons falling short of expectations.

As always send us an email with questions or comments at notjustagame23@gmail.com

1. Brian Westbrook
Another trend back that has hit that wall is Westbrook. At 30, undersized and a back that has fought through numerous injuries throughout his career. Add two more offseason surgeries for 2009 and we smell trouble. Westbrook’s 06 and 07 seasons with over 2,000 all purpose yards and double digit touchdowns isn’t on his fantasy spectrum potential anymore. As a projected second round pick and possibly late first round pick there is better value out there. Draft McCoy and the retro Westbrook numbers may come close with the two combined, but then again you shouldn’t have to be thinking that scenario with a high draft pick.

2. Peyton Manning
The aura of Peyton Manning has fantasy owners hypnotized to be on the trigger to grab him. Our philosophy on this is why be the one to take the bait and grab him with your second round pick? His 2004 crazy world MVP numbers are long gone. He is going to be a weekly steady performer but why not grab a strong elite first tier wide receiver or get that second running back tandem? Manning has to deal with a new head coach and not having his safety net receiver Marvin Harrison anymore. We’re just saying you should use your second round pick wisely, as you can get a quarterback that will put up near Manning numbers (Rodgers, Romo, Warner, Cutler, McNabb) in the fourth, fifth, and even possibly sixth rounds.

3. Michael Turner
Turner had a career year last season and now he is expected to duplicate or go beyond that. There’s too many variables to see that happen so well with the combination of yards and touchdowns. Matt Ryan will throw more touchdowns and utilize his red zone target in Tony Gonzalez.

4. Ladainian Tomlinson
The RBBC style that was a pattern for the last three years is now set on just about every NFL roster. Protecting their star back and having a solid backup is the way to carry a strong running game all season, and also has cut back on injuries. LT wasn’t able to be a beneficiary back to this strategy and the miles may have taken its toll. Just look at your basic top 25-30 fantasy running backs and what jumps out at you? The most glaring is that LT is the only back averaging 320 plus carries a year. You can look at it from a multiple season stretch or further but LT leads the league by far in mileage. Only Clinton Portis comes close but he missed most of the 2006 season. After a dip like LT had last year it’s not just injuries that cause that. The wear and tear of the past eight seasons has got to him.

5. Terrell Owens
TO’s high ranking fantasy value has never been largely based on his receptions and yardage totals. He did have a career year in 2007 but that was in a dynamic offense. People are truly expecting Owens to not miss a beat and to be the difference for Buffalo. TO has always been a touchdown machine, a double digit threat basically every season. That’s what warranted TO as a top ten fantasy receiver. Insert Trent Edwards as his quarterback and let the thunderous laughs begin. Edwards hardly managed to throw for DOUBLE DIGIT touchdowns last season (11), so how on Earth is TO going to get his owners fantasy value? We all know the type of attitude that TO can display as well once he isn’t getting what he wants. His value will drop all season. If he happens to start off the year well, fantasy owners better wisely offer trade bait early and often.

6. Tom Brady
Stop reveling and drooling on Brady’s 2007 season. Magical seasons have happened before for Manning, Marino, and Warner. Besides Warner none ever really came close to those magical touchdown numbers. Brady will get between 30-35, but the 40-50 range isn’t going to happen. That 07 season the Patriots rarely ran the football and it was a free for all air day exhibit every Sunday. Brady does look good and healthy, but it’s PRESEASON. Defensive game plans start week one.

7. Frank Gore
We’ve been waiting for Gore too bounce back for two years now, and he keeps disappointing. The 49ers wised up and drafted back Glen Coffee who has been fantastic in preseason. There are a few reasons why Gore has entered our list. One of the mains is that he has played in a division that has been the poorest in terms of talent but hasn’t distinguished himself enough. Playing the Cards, Rams, and Seahawks for a total of six games a year should be have been enough to catapult Gore as a sure lock top five back. Another reason is Gore’s never been a main touchdown threat, and that’s what is the most vital for owners. Who wants to see Gore have 100-120 yards and see your opponents back get two touchdowns and 60-70 yards and still gain on you?

8. T. J. Houshmandzadeh
Housh received a lot of money to go to Seattle but is on a team that has some serious offensive question marks. Their running back tandem of Julius Jones and Edgerrin James is without a doubt the worst in the league. His starting quarterback is coming off serious back surgery and yet still has likely the worst offensive line in the league heading into the 09 season. Teams aren’t ever going to load the box to stop the run against Seattle, which means more easily designed coverages to prevent Housh from making big plays. Housh’s yards per catch have never been stellar and has dropped every season over the last five years. His bread and butter has always been in the red zone, and with an offense with as many issues as Seattle that’ll be a hard area for them to get or finish off drives.

9. Thomas Jones
Aging, being disgruntled, and the drafting off a younger back are all signs that we have to wave the danger flag. At 31, Jones truly showed what the Arizona Cardinals were hoping when they drafted him in 2000. Jones has been surprisingly steady but not enough in the touchdown category. If he could boost his production out of the backfield, he could be a strong number two. The Jets though have an assured primary third down back in Leon Washington. Factor in the growing pains of Mark Sanchez and Jones could be in for a tough year in the trenches.

10. Eddie Royal
Do not expect Royal to be the huge sleeper everyone is talking about, especially with Brandon Marshall’s issues. If Royal has to be the number one he’ll be easily shut down. The Broncos do not scare anyone with Kyle Orton as their quarterback and Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Stokely as their other wide receivers. That means all the attention is centered on Royal. A guy that hit his sophomore slump before his rookie season even ended. He finished out the second part of last season with a horrid last seven games, catching only one touchdown pass.

Tight End Position Deeper Than Ever

Monday, 13 August, 2007

Only ten years ago the tight end position was rather non existent. There were stars at the position and the rest were situational pass catching targets but mainly blocking specialists. Ben Coates, Frank Wycheck, and Shannon Sharpe were the rare serious threat tight ends to have on your fantasy football roster. Drafting a tight end was like picking a kicker for fantasy owners. Now rankings are not clear cut and can actually shift on a week to week basis. Call it a vast improvement from five to seven years ago, as tight ends are catching more balls then ever and sometimes even considered the number one pass catching target on teams. For guys like Tony Gonzalez, Kellen Winslow, Todd Heap, Alge Crumpler, and Antonio Gates that is a definite fact.

Since Antonio Gates transcended the position with his dominance in 2005, more teams have caught on to utilize the tight end more. Instead of the tight end position having six or seven strong candidates for fantasy owners, there is enough talent to consider drafting a backup tight end for sleeper consideration. That’s how advanced and deep the position has become. All the worries of having to jump on a tight end do not have to happen anymore. Notjustagame.com analyzes some tight ends that you can get late in drafts after owners have snatched up the first tier. Times change quickly when teams see quick advances. There are a viable twenty tight ends to stick on your draft cheat sheets.

An average legitimate figure to predict from the first tier of tight ends is numbers of 900 yards receiving and six touchdowns. We have considered nine tight ends in our first tier, with a specialization category asterisk on the names of Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez. As they will likely have a slighter edge in both yards and touchdowns from the other first tier tight ends. Who follows Gonzalez and Gates are (by no specific ranked order) are Chris Cooley, Jeremy Shockey, Jason Witten, Alge Crumpler Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow, and Todd Heap. The trend amongst them is that they all are growing substantially in their teams offensive plans and their great athletes. Numbers from them will be steady or better from their prior seasons. Even with Alge Crumpler who is going to be without Vick but does not change the fact that he is a big target and knows how to get open. He’s done it without any wideouts supporting him and now he has Joe Horn to spread it out for him.

Behind the mentioned nine tight ends above are tight ends that can sneak into the bottom ten in ranking. Tight ends making our second tier are Benjamin Watson, LJ Smith, Dallas Clark, Heath Miller, Eric Johnson, Daniel Graham, and Randy McMichael. For the most part these guys all have strong offenses that love to pile up the yardage and scoring numbers. Getting away with snatching one of these guys as a starting tight end might not be as bad as owners may think. Most owners do not draft back up tight ends and certainly will not do it rounds after getting a tier one tight end.

That means you can holdout extra rounds to build on other areas without worrying about who your tight end is going to be. In other areas when quarterbacks and receivers start getting snared is when you see a dominoes affect begin from owners. With the likelihood of more tight ends having decent years like last season smiling and adding that extra back or getting a top defense can be done while tight ends get snatched.

For the first time there is even a third tier of tight ends. Not any of these tight ends should be drafted but maybe the second tier tight end you draft as your starter does not work out. Then scrambling on the waiver wire must be done and these third tier guys will be there. Marcus Pollard in Seattle has a chance to be a strong sleeper. Jerramy Stevens may have never filled the tight end role but Pollard has the veteran skills to do so. He has reliable hands that the Seahawks are not use to (Led the league in drops 06), and should have his fair share of decent games.

Over in Chicago, Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark as a duo is a twist that keeps both of these athletes in the third tier. We’ll have to see how the Bears figure both in the offense to bump either or in tier rankings. Last but not least David Martin in Miami creeps on the radar. He is a newcomer but the quarterback of the Dolphins is not at throwing to tight ends. Trent Green has the automatic wandering eyes to the middle of the field from throwing to Tony Gonzalez for the last five years. Miami always seemed tight at involving Randy McMichael more but you can bet Green’s instinctual heavy reliance on a tight end will make Martin involved.

Week Three Starting Cast/Extra Worries

Friday, 23 September, 2005

First and foremost mother nature may make football take a backseat this weekend. Hurricane Rita looks as if it’s going to be another disaster, and reports will likely be brought in constantly throughout the weekend. It may be hard for football fans to deal with the updates, but please keep in mind a lot of people have family and friends in the areas Rita is expected to hit. At Notjustagame we hope the precautions taken this time around will lead to the overall better safety and quicker response for voluntary help, that may be needed afterwards.

Atlanta vs. Buffalo

Automatic: TJ Duckett, Willis McGahee, Alge Crumpler
This game doesn’t present a forecast of fantasy madness. Instead it should be a low scoring and fairly slow managing game. TJ Duckett usually shines in these type of situations, because of bruising style.

Don’t Do It: JP Losman, Mike Vick, any WR.
The quarterbacks haven‘t looked effective in two games. There is no reason to see that changing this week.

Cincinnati at Chicago

Automatic: Bengals offensive starters, Thomas Jones, Mushin Muhammed
Marvin Lewis has done an outstanding job. The Bengals are not only a threat to make the playoffs, they may win their division. Their offense is always going to have the green light in starting on fantasy teams.

Don’t Do It: Kyle Orton
A time comes when a quarterback is forced out of his shell because of the status of play on the field. Once the Bengals jump on the Bears, the Bears will have to change their game plan with Orton. It may hurt him now, but he seems to be the type of quarterback that’ll turn around his fortunes quicker than most inexperienced quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay at Green Bay

Automatic: Brian Griese, Brett Favre, Robert Ferguson, Donald Driver, Michael Clayton
This will be a game of points and a few strange turnovers. That’s expected when Favre and Griese are under center.

Don’t Do It: Carnell Williams
Just when the spotlight streaks on a young athlete is when a bad week happens. Every one has turned their heads away from Ronnie Brown to the league’s current overall best back. Green Bay has done a good job in stopping the run, and the Buccaneers don’t usually score too many points. Williams yardage may eclipse the 100 yard mark, but may be cut away from the end zone. You just can’t expect him to reach the end zone every week, he isn’t LT. If the game becomes a passing shootout, Williams carries may slide by the second half.

Cleveland at Indianapolis

Automatic:
Fantasy fans are preying that Trent Dilfer’s play hasn’t been a fluke. If it hasn’t then the Browns and Colts may be the best game of the week, highlights wise. Lay’s should show plenty of commercials, because there are more than one fantasy football players to choose in this one.

Tennessee at St. Louis

Automatic: Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Steve McNair, Travis Henry, Drew Bennett
The rematch of ‘99’s Super Bowl is not a fact to bring up here. The teams are no longer a strong force, and both are up in the air of where they are headed. Certain weeks they look okay and the next they look dismal.

Don’t Do It: Chris Brown
Brown seems to be losing his ground to Travis Henry.

Carolina at Miami

Automatic: Jake Delhomme, Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, Gus Frerotte, Chris Chambers, Marty Booker
Here is the type of game Delhomme needs to break out. Miami should be able to stop the run early, and that usually means they can be thrown on. The defense never seems to be able to stop both the rushing and passing game.

Don’t Do It: Ronnie Brown
Brown may not get a 100 yard game until one of the last weeks in the season. As soon as Ricky Williams is eligible, he’ll take away at least five to ten carries.

New Orleans at Minnesota

Automatic: Daunte Culpepper, Marcus Robinson, Aaron Brooks, Joe Horn, Donte Stallworth, Deuce McAllister
Another bad performance by Culpepper and you can kiss the Vikings season good bye. New Orleans can’t stop the pass, so that shouldn’t be the outcome for Culpepper.

Don’t Do It: Michael Bennett
The Vikings need to trade for a RB, or give Bennett an actual chance.

Jacksonville at NY Jets

Automatic: Jimmy Smith
He could get a big play or two.

Don’t Do It: Chad Pennington, Curtis Martin, Lavernues Coles
Let the garbage fly. The Jets offense has always ran off of Curtis Martin’s rushing. With his sore knee and the Jaguars defense that’ll be hard to get going. The Jaguars can play press on the receivers all day and let their safeties roam freely to shut down Pennington’s short throws. For the Jets to get over two hundred and fifty total yards would be a huge accomplishment.

Oakland at Philadelphia
The only question on this one is will Doug Gabriel, Jerry Porter, or Ronald Curry finally step up with the threat of Randy Moss out there?

Dallas at San Francisco

Automatic: Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn, Julius Jones, Keyshawn Johnson, Patrick Crayton
The drubbing the Eagles did to the 49ers last week will be a downplayed stomp this week.

Don’t Do It: Kevan Barlow
Word is Frank Gore is closer to getting a start.

Arizona at Seattle

Automatic: Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, Matt Hasselbeck, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin
Shaun Alexander has had some fantastic numbers in previous years against the Cards.

Don’t Do It: JJ Arrington or Marcel Shipp
Dennis Green is contemplating again. Shipp will likely get the start. If word comes on the official starter and it’s Shipp, start him. If it’s Arrington than don’t.

New England at Pittsburgh

Automatic: Corey Dillon, Hines Ward, Deion Branch, Willie Parker
Expect the teams to enforce running the football.

Don’t Do It: Either quarterback
Typically when these two play there have been points put up. It could happen again but don’t count on it.

NY Giants at San Diego

Automatic: LT, Drew Brees, Antonio Gates, Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning
The crowd is pumped to let Eli Manning have it. Manning can quiet them down if he shows his maturity, or he can get rattled like he did last year. LT has already made it known that he is frustrated. So a breakout game is due from him.

Don’t Do It: Keenan McCardell
Until Brees notices him when Gates is on the field, stay away from him.

Kansas City vs. Denver

Automatic: If it’s a Monday night game like this, you know to plug in all the stars you can. Keyword, Monday Night Football in the notjustagame search engine to see why it’s worth having an extra player or two for Monday.