Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Strategy: Dealing with Sitting Studs

December 20, 2007 @ 15:34:29

By Kenneth Humphrey
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Everyone sing along now, "And in Week 17, my true love gave to me: 10 studs a-resting ..."

Face it, in the world of fantasy football, the most predictable unpredictability is the specter of good players on good teams being sat down. Usually it's because they've locked up all the playoff advantages they can and coach wants to save them a little wear, reduce the likelihood of injury and keep them fresh for the second season. (Traditional fantasy leagues are less susceptible to this occurrence as they often wrap up playoffs by Week 16, but altered league formats crop up every year and some take advantage of the full NFL schedule.)

The problem is, for you the hopeful fantasy owner, half the time you don't know who will sit, and the other half, when you do, it doesn't do you any good unless you can figure out who to grab as a fill-in.

In this report, we'll examine some of the teams likely to put in backup players, whether due to playoff standings or because they are up huge in a game. No better example of this can be given than the Week 16 blowout of the Detroit Lions by the San Diego Chargers. When third-string running back Darren Sproles is able to rack up 122 yards and two scores, despite not getting his first rushing attempt until 1:18 before halftime, you know it was domination by the Bolts. Yet, how many owners had the foresight to plug Sproles into their starting lineup? Lower your hand back there in the corner; you're just posing.

Anyway, let's dive in ...

Dallas Cowboys

Brad Johnson, quarterback - He was disgracefully dumped by Minnesota after a lackluster 2006 campaign. However, with the sudden attention paid to starter Tony Romo's thumb and the strong possibility of home-field advantage, Johnson may get playing time. He doesn't have the physical skills of Romo at this stage of his career, and he probably never did, but he can still manage a game.

Sam Hurd, Wide Receiver - He has seen some action throughout the year. If Dallas locks up home-field advantage, head coach Wade Phillips may decide to sit Terrell Owens and give some time to this sophomore. He may only have 13 catches for 200 yards and one score, but his 15.4 yards per reception ties him with a certain Mr. Randy Moss.

Anthony Fasano, Tight End - While the name Jason Witten should be first when speaking of Dallas tight ends, Fasano shouldn't be overlooked, either. He hasn't gleaned much action, what with Witten having a career year, but the Dallas scheme loves tight ends. If Witten ends up sitting, Fasano will be right there to pick up the slack.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback - Lord Brett Favre would not risk jeopardizing his little start streak, but he certainly could turn over the reins to Rodgers when a game gets out of hand. At Chicago in Week 16, and hosting Detroit in Week 17, might provide opportunities to the understudy kid, just as long as he is healthy enough to play.

Koren Robinson, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Wide Receivers - If Dallas locks up that No. 1 seed, Green Bay can't do anything to improve its standing. If Dallas loses one of its next two and Green Bay wins out, Dallas would slide to the No. 2 seed. Once in that mode, the coaches will start looking to see who needs a rest. Green Bay's depth at receiver is well known; sitting Donald Driver and Greg Jennings will not affect productivity much while giving needed reps to the non-starters.

Indianapolis Colts

Jim Sorgi, Quarterback - History has shown head coach Tony Dungy's willingness to sit his studs. At the head of that list is quarterback Peyton Manning. You may have heard of him. Although his next two games are at home, they are against divisional rivals Houston and Tennessee. These two teams are no longer walkovers; however, look for Manning to sit in the later half, especially in Week 17.

Kenton Keith, Running Back - He had a couple of nice games filling in for starter Joseph Addai in the second quarter of the season. Should Addai sit, Keith will be the primary recipient of those touches.

Anthony Gonzalez, Wide Receiver - Gonzalez has already logged 35 catches, 554 yards and three touchdowns in the absence of superstar Marvin Harrison (knee). If Wayne sits, he'll see even more time. Gonzalez is already, however, a fantasy starter in most all formats with is recently hot play.

Ben Utecht, tight end - With 29 receptions, 329 yards and a score, he's shown he can fill in for starter Dallas Clark. The other name to watch is Bryan Fletcher. He garnered a few looks in Week 10, to the tune of eight catches and 55 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Najeh Davenport, Running Back - The Steel Men are neck in neck with rival Cleveland for the division. Even though Pittsburgh owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, they can't afford to let up. You're not likely to see anyone sit much; however, pay attention to starter Willie Parker. With a Thursday night tilt down in St. Louis for Week 16, the Steelers have a chance to go up big. Davenport could be called in to burn the clock and in the process gain more touches than his average of 5.4 per game.

San Diego Chargers

Michael Turner, Running Back - As far as backups go, Turner is a well-known quantity. On top of that he's playing in a contract year. With the defensively strapped Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders to close out the year, Turner getting significant carries is a real possibility.

Brandon Manumaleuna, Tight End - This is a similar situation to Dallas when it comes to the tight position: Stud starter, so proficient he doesn't leave many catches for the backup. In this case, Antonio Gates is that starter, and Manumaleuna is playing the role of Dallas' Fasano.

Seattle Seahawks

Seneca Wallace, Quarterback - The Hawks have clinched their division and can gain nothing more. Further, in Week 17 they head to Atlanta to meet the Dysfunctional Birds. This is a game that could get out of hand fairly quickly. If so, look for Wallace to come in and relieve Matt Hasselbeck.

The big question after all this is: Why no Patriots? After all, they have the best record in the league and everything locked up in their favor. Why wouldn't they sit some players?

They have the best record in the league, because they have a chance to do that one thing done just once before in modern-era football: Go undefeated. There is as much incentive to play out the string and lodge their name in history as there is to ensure they are healthy enough for the playoffs. Head coach Bill Belichick intimated as much during a recent press conference. He doesn't know how to ease off the accelerator.

What about the other players listed above? Should you pick them up? Perhaps, if you have room on your roster to stash them. Mostly, this information is to make you aware of the fill-in names that may start cropping up in stats sheets across the nation. Don't be surprised to see Turner get more carries than Tomlinson, or find out Addai sat a large portion in favor of Keith.

Worse, don't get caught unprepared. Good luck!