Hey folks. I hope Week 12 was kind to you despite all of the fantasy experts' picks. Last week I, and many other fantasy sources, laid an enormous egg by picking the Rams defense to do well against the Texans' wretched offense. As you well know, they fell quite short of expectations. Their getting picked as a starting defense will not happen again. Not here. Week 13 looks to be quite odd. I found myself picking starters that I have recommended you sit with regularity and suggesting you sit others I have recommended you start. I hope you will find these selections as helpful. Let's take a look at who you should start and who you should sit this week.
QUARTERBACK
Kurt Warner (ARI) -- Warner has never been a favorite of mine, especially once he started to look like a deer in headlights as opposing defenses were dragging him to the ground, forcing fumbles, and returning interceptions with regularity. He has continued his fumbling ways, but over the last four weeks has averaged two touchdown passes and over 320 yards passing per game. This week he faces a very weak 49ers defense, so the trend is likely to continue. START HIM.
RUNNING BACKS
Sankon Gado (GB) -- Gado rushed for 112 yards against a very good Eagle defense last week. He has been this season's Cinderella story, but he will look like he is running in glass slippers this week against the best run defense in the NFL in Chicago. Look for Gado to gain no more than 50 yards in total offense this week. This is an easy call. SIT HIM.
Cadillac Williams (TB) -- As mentioned above, the Bears possess the best run defense in the entire NFL. It was recommended here last week that you sit Williams, who failed to reach the end zone, but did gain 84 yards on the ground. If he managed 84 yards against the Bears, just imagine what he can do this week against the one of the worst defenses in football. Look for him to top the century mark and hit paydirt at least once this week against the Saints. START HIM.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Santana Moss (WAS) -- It seems everyone has career games against the Rams these days. If David Carr, Dominick Davis, Andre Johnson and the rest of the Houston Texans offense can light up the scoreboard against that secondary, imagine what Moss and Brunell can do against it. START HIM.
Mushin Muhammad (CHI) -- Muhammad has been better than awful as of late (which is an improvement), but look for him to return to horrible against the Packers this week. Cheese-Head country is proud to lay claim to a guy named Al Harris. He shuts down every wide receiver he faces and Muhammad will be no exception. Muhammad has been a real disappointment this season to both fantasy owners and Bears fans. SIT HIM.
TIGHT END
Heath Miller (PIT) -- Before Ben Roethlisberger went on the shelf to injury, he and Miller had something special going. They hooked up for six scores in the first six weeks of the season and now "Big Ben" is back. Look for the two to pick up where they left off. Miller is due for a big day against the Bills, who have a tough time stopping opposing tight ends. START HIM.
DEFENSE
Vikings (MIN) -- In past columns I have said that the Vikings' defense is vulnerable, especially away from home. Folks, that is no longer the case. They have been pretty darned good as of late and have possibly saved Coach Mike Tice's job. Last week they forced five turnovers while chalking up five sacks. They have only given up an average of 16 points a game the last four weeks. This week they take on the Detroit Lions, who stink out loud. The verdict? START THEM!
FANTASY BASEBALL- HOT STOVE REPORT
The MLB Hot Stove League has really heated up. In the last week, players such as Paul Konerko, Billy Wagner, Brian Giles and B.J. Ryan have signed big-
league contracts.
Konerko signed to stay on with the World Champion White Sox, who also recently acquired Jim Thome from the Philadelphia Phillies via trade. Lost in the deal was centerfielder Aaron Rowand. With Thome batting behind Konerko in what was already a World Championship lineup, look for the two to post huge numbers in 2006.
Wagner and Ryan proved that teams without closers in 2005 found out just how important they are, and as a result were willing to pay top dollar. Look for Wagner's new club (New York Mets) and Ryan's new team (Toronto Blue Jays) to be much improved in 2006, making available lots of save opportunities for both. I think I heard a collective sigh of relief from the Ryan owners out there that feared he was headed to the Yankees to set up Mariano Rivera.
Cardinal fans are probably well aware that Brian Giles signed a new contract to stay in San Diego and play for the Padres. It has been widely reported that the Cardinals had interest in Giles. From a fantasy viewpoint, Giles will not have near the value in San Diego, where homers go to die, than he would have had in a Cardinal lineup that boasts such hitters as Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds. Look for Giles' power outage to continue as long as he is a Padre.
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