Ask Papa Weimer: Week 5

I’ve got a couple dandy questions this week, I won’t mix words here – just go right to the nitty gritty – I love being old sometimes – because I can say stuff like “I love being old sometimes” and go absolutely no where with it, link it to nothing, and just go one with what ever it is that I’m doing. And you know what, you’ll be like, “What?” and then you’ll just concede that I’m old and that’s that. Also, being old allows me to say things like “I won’t mix words,” and then put a damn lexicon in a blender. Domino!

Steven Talking from Tulane says, “This is the first time I’ve ever written in, as you will probably recognize. I was just wondering, I’m in a PPR league and can start a receiver or a running back at the flex this week – who would you start amongst the following? Bernard Berrian, Steve Smith (NYG), Steve Slaton, or Clinton Portis?

Boy, nice team of Flexers. I think Steve Smith is a great sleeper play this week, but you have 3 other non-sleeper guys, so cross him off the list. Portis is the best player, no doubt, but he has a very tough match-up in Philly this week, and I don’t think he does great things against another great defense for the 2nd straight week. THat leaves Berrian and Slaton, and though Berrian has the makings of a good game against the Saints secondary, I think Slaton is your best bet. Indy doesn’t stop the run without Bob Sanders, and the Iowa missile is out for sure. Slaton catches a lot of balls out of the backfield and his speed should give Indy trouble. He’s in line for 20-25 rushes and targets combined, which should be two to three times as many as Berrien. Good luck this week – Slaton is your guy. And by the way, Steven Talking – that’s great stuff on the name, unless freakishly your name is actually Steven Talking, then just give your mom a high five and your dad a fake high five and then a quick flick to the testicular region. You can’t hit girls and dad’s the next best option.

Talifan asks, “I dont see much rong with starting Regge Bush this week agginst the Vikes even thou Sota has a good run D – am I stupid?”

Yes. But you’re right about Reggie Bush. Joking. I’ll just assume you were getting special treatment under the desk while writing in your question – to keep in clean I mean a *pedicure. Reggie has a tough match-up running the ball, sure, but I’d be surprised if he was used as anything except a change of pace anyway. Deuce will get the tough runs and Reggie will get about 10-12 receiving targets. He could do a lot with those looks against the Vikings secondary. Even as a change of pace back, Reggie could break one and end up with a chunk of rushing yards. Bush struggled last week, but he still looks ready for a solid season. Your name is also pretty clever – what they hell is this, smart nickname week on LuckyLester.com? Brilliant. Maybe i can have a cool nickname too –  Papa Ten-Inge Weimer? You know, because I have 10 cousins that are related to Brandon Inge… Yacko!

David says, “I need a pick up for the future and I can have either Deuce or Le’Ron McClain – you have any advice on this one?”

Tough call. I’ll tell you this, I’ve seen all backs in Baltimore run and the best pro runningback this year is Le’Ron McClain. That being said who knows what the coaches will think and right now Deuce is looking like the guy to get the rock in New Orleans – maybe check out who they play on that bye week of yours and go from there. If Baltimore has to play Tennessee or Minnesota, haha, then go for Deuce. That’s what I’m thinking. If it were me, and I was just picking up either player based on his rest of the season fantasy total, I would probably go with the sure thing of McAllister. Deuce may be older, and he might have three bad knees, but he’s still the best running back in New Orleans, and there’s a lot about the match-ups that an NFC South running back goes up against opposed to an AFC North running back. Plus, Willis McGahee still looks like “the guy” when he’s healthy. Boy McClain runs hard though, tough decision for sure, and either choice could come back to bite you in the butt – at least you are just picking up a bye week future guy though, not much to lose either way.

Ten for Tuesday

I’m battling a pretty solid eye infection right now, so this Tuesday article is going to be a quick one. Sorry for the abnormally quick and to the point fantasy tidbit here, but it’ll have to do until I can look into the computer screen for 5 seconds without having to close my eyes. Ugh. Below are 7 guys and 3 guys, (10 for Tuesday), that are worth picking up this week and those that aren’t. 

1. Steve Breaston: Some may think his 100+ yards receiving a fluke, but I think Breaston could do that kind of damage if Bolding misses some serious time. he’s worth a flier. 

2. Lance Moore: With Shockey and Colston out a little while longer, he’s definitely a guy that is going to get looks from Drew Brees.

3. Robert Meachem: I don’t like him as much as the two guys above him, but if you need a receiver he could still be available. He’s especially nice in TD leagues as his few touches usually result in a score. 

4. Marc Bulger: His history makes him worth a shot. 

5. Mushin Muhammad: If he’s still there, feel free to go get the big guy. The Panthers will have red-zone chances, and he could be a recipient of about 6 Delhomme touchdown passes over the rest of the season, plus he’s a nice option to have beside a speed Steve Smith.

6. Le’Ron McClain: Yep. Here’s why. He’s the best running back in Baltimore. That’s right, if I had one guy to get 5 yards in that backfield, it wouldn’t be self assessed super back McGahee, and it wouldn’t be highly touted 2nd round pick Ray Rice – it’d be Le’Ron. Someone will realize that soon in Baltimore. 

7. Bobby Engram or Deion Branch: They could have been looked over thus far – two good receivers in a pass happy offense – hmm…. 

Three to Let Another Owner Pick Up

1. Mewelde Moore: I don’t think he’s worth it. Not a bad option, but that offensive line is dwindling, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed more in the 3rd down role while Russell and newly (again) signed Davenport get equal touches. All said, not much to get excited about here. 

2. Montel Owens: Don’t get crazy, not even a talent like Maurice Jones Drew can get consistent enough touches to be a good fantasy option week in and week out, leave Montel for those truly hopeless owners. 

3. Arnaz Battle: His line looks good, 7 for 120 yards, but I doubt he gets close to that any time soon. Bryant comes back next week, and there are lots of young receivers that will touch the ball in SF, and Gore needs more carries too (who knows if Martz will do that though?)

More tomorrow, sorry for the slow start to the week.