Which WRs should I start???!!!?

Question

I have: T. O., Steve Smith, Joey Galloway, and Bernard Berrian.

I can start two.

When both healthy, I start TO and Smith. However, TO has not had a great game since game 1, Smith has been nagged with hamstring, Galloway is inconsistent, and Berrian, which has the most points out of all of them this season, hasn't proved himself to be a 1000 yd receiver yet like the other three, though he's on his way this season, and I'm afraid he will have a bad game despite him and Grossman (another who hasn't proved to be a top rated player yet) are playing so well. But to date, the two times I started Berrian he did not disappoint.

Answer 1

I've got to agree with starting Owens and Berrian of your four players (they are all pretty good) simply because they have the best odds of producing. Consider it a luxury. It's true that Owens hasn't played great so far. According to Yahoo:

Despite being targeted a season-high 13 times, Terrell Owens managed just three catches for 45 yards against the Eagles on Sunday. For the season, Owens has 17 receptions on 41 looks – the 41.5 catch percentage is worst among the 35 players with at least 33 looks through Week 5.

http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis/news?slug=mb-lookstouches-week5-2006&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&league=fantasy/nfl

I think this is due to his injury mostly. Once he's healed up he's going to do much better.

Smith is definitely a weekly starter except as mentioned above, he's nicked up and playing a stingy Baltimore defense. He still might have a good game, and that's what great players do. But again, there's less odds he has a good game.

I think you underrate Galloway. He's played inconsistent because Tampa Bay has been rather awful under Chris Simms early in the season. True, he has a rookie QB throwing to him, BUT he is truly the Bucs' best receiver. Michael Clayton has regressed from his rookie year (what, 2 years ago?). The Redskins defense is not that good, despite what someone else has said, particularly because their top DB's are hurt (Shawn Springs). I think Galloway has a chance of having a good game too. I think the Bucs will give the Redskins a run for their money. Anyway, Galloway has been a Pro Bowl receiver before and has speed to match despite getting up there in terms of age.

And I think Berrian is for real. Let's not forget that every player in the NFL has been a star at the college level. Just because he is "new" and "unproven" doesn't mean he's no good. New and unproven players can produce nicely, except for maybe QB's. He has been in the league a couple of years and supposedly Grossman is soooo much better than any QB's the Bears have had in years (at least, that's what I read over the years from various football articles and interviews concerning the Bears) but he has just been able to shake the injury bug this year. Would you not play guys like Greg Jennings or Marques Colston because they are unproven? Would you not have played Edgerrin James when he was a rookie? You ride them until they get cold.

Last but not least, you really can't expect most receivers to have a TD every game. I can't think of any who have had 16 TD's in a season in recent memory, so that's why it's all about matchups. Seriously though, you have a good corps of wideouts. Good luck!

BTW, I'm 5-0 this year and have had many years of winning records in fantasy football too! =)

Answer 2

With 4 guys like that, it's best to go with the matchups for the week. Steve Smith has had the injury and he's facing Baltimore this week, so he's a risky play at best. TO and Berrian though are facing two of the worst teams in the league (TO vs. Houston and Berrian vs. Arizona), so they have the easiest Ds... but Berrian shares with Muhhammed, so you never know if he's going to score a ton or not. Galloway had some success with the rookie QB, but I think they have a tough matchup vs. Washington. So.... I"d go with TO for sure (Houston has no D) and then Berrian to light it up against Arizona. Smith's opponent is too tough and Galloway's QB is a rookie... maybe if Galloway has another big week this week, then you consider him down the strech.

Answer 3

T.O. and Galloway...Galloway was thrown to SO much, it's obvious who Gradkowski feels comfortable with. T.O. is a great play...BUT!!!...remember, he did talk some crap to the media about Bledsoe, so it wouldn't surprise me that Bledsoe sends a message back by means of not looking his direction a few times. Bledsoe needs a good showing though so he better just bite his tongue! Chicago will run more this week than you have seen all season long. The Cards might have a mediocre defense, but only because they can't stop the run. They have a very good secondary that is healthy. As for Smith against Baltimore...way too risky! You can't always look at the season or past season stats and say one or the other is a better play. You have to look at the match-ups as well and play the player that will have the better chance of getting looks and being open.

As for receivers to have 16 TD's in a season recently...Owens himself did it in 2001 and Moss has had 17 twice in his career!

Answer 4

((T. Owens & B. Berrian)) Please take some advice from a Fantasy Football veteran and already off to a 5-0 record for 2006. In week six with your choices I wouldn't start S. Smith on the road against the hardest defence to gain yards in the Baltimore Ravens also Smith isn't 100% yet as you might have seen with his last game against Cleveland. Terrell Owens will get a T.D and almost a 100 yards this week against the worst ranked defence in the NFL the Houston Texans and Dallas is at home this week, (T.O. Is A Must Start). Galloway has emerged as new QB Gradkowski's favorite target in Tampa, and had a great game against New Orleans last week but I dont think he has proven himself 100% yet and is up against a hungry Bengals defence that just came off of a loss a couple of weeks ogo. And on Berrian you have to start him, I have him also and I am. My reasoning is this hands down Chicago's defence is #1 or #2 ranked in the NFL depending on your leauge which gives there offence alot of scoreing oppertunties and Rex Grossman which was the player of the Week in Week four is with out a doubt in in the top five Qb's out there period over 1200 yards and 10 TD's which Berrian has caught four of them. Berrian has a average of 82.6 yards a game with a TD in every game except one. Grossmann last week against Buffalo which is ranked 4th in total defence hooked up with Berrian four times for 97 yards and a TD, not bad. And there against Arizona this week which has a O.K defence but has struggled on offence and against Chicago's defence look out. Chicago will control the games tempo and time of possesion so I think Berrian will have a big day this week as well. Sorry for the long answer but I wanted you to really consider some of my reasoning before makeing your choices. Trust Me & Gl this week!!!! Hopefully 6-0 for me.

Answer 5

i would go with the fantasy vet's picks of TO and Berrian. just i think TO is hungry and mad about his role and expect Bledose to try to get him the ball a few times to shut him up. Berrian has been the most consistent of your receivers so for this season. the two times i have started galloway he had O yards and 8 yards. the two times i didnt start him he had 100 yard games. like i said take the vet's advice and go with TO and Berrian.

Answer 6

Definitely go with T.O. and Berrian. Steve Smith will be going against a stingy, and pissed, BAL defense.....and you already know that Galloway is inconsistent, don't trust him.

T.O. vs HOUSTON & Berrian vs ARIZONA

that's you best bet.

Answer 7

Ward, Jennings, and White. Colston is a stud to boot, Bowe and Crayton shouldn't additionally be reported interior the comparable breath because of fact the different 4, Bowe because of QB, Crayton because of fact he's no longer the 1st or 2d guy Romo seems for, and Dallas likes to unfold the ball too lots.