Start em’ Sit em’ advice for Week 1

By Mike Cannici

If you didn’t solidify a top 6-7 QB and are going by committee here’s so guys to go with based on matchups

Start

QB’s

1. Carson Palmer– Going against an inexperienced Patriot secondary, with the addition of T.O., Palmer has the ability to have a huge day.
2. Matthew Stafford– The Chicago Bears ranked 19^th last year in pass defense and don’t figure to improve much in 2010.  Stafford has a ton of weapons to go along with a big arm, so if its between say him and Eli or Matt Ryan who are against two top 10 pass defenses from a year ago, go with Stafford.
3. Kyle Orton– Orton has lost Brandon Marshall but has some solid vets and high upside rookies to throw the ball too.  Oh, I almost forgot, he also faces the dreadful Jaguars defense this week and could be in for a big day.

RB’s

1. Matt Forte-If your in a PPR league than he should already be in your starting lineup, but if not a matchup against Detroit could mean big things in week 1.
2. Cadillac Williams– Week 1, Caddy is fully healthy and is playing the Browns at home, could be a big day, take advantage.
3. Arian Foster– If your playing in a league with a Flex position, another guy who should be in the lineup, but against the Colts, who finished 31^st last season against the run, Foster has the job all too himself and should be in store for a huge week 1 performance.

WR’s

1. Terrell Owens– Its so odd to have T.O. in a column like this but after last season, its understandable. He will probably line up against Pats rookie Devin McCourtey and should be able to give Devin fits running his routes. Owens still has something left in the tank and you should use some of that fuel in week 1.
2. Johnny Knox– Knox should finish the year as the Bears #1 producer at wideout, and starts off with a juicy matchup against the Lions. Start him as your #3 this week and witness the beginning of a breakout.
3. Legedu Naanee– One of the hardest names to pronounce in the league, as well as one of the hardest guys to acquire going into week 2 after what I expect him to do in week 1.  He doesn’t have the size of his starting counterpart Malcolm Floyd, but he’s got great hands and speed. He should be able to burnt he KC cornerbacks a few times and have a huge game.

Sit

QB’s

1. Kevin Kolb– He’s going against a tremendous pass defense this week in the Packers. It could be a shootout but both these teams have very good defenses, and did I forget to mention, Green Bay has Charles Woodson. He’s in for a solid “rookie” campaign, but it won’t start week 1.
2. Joe Flacco– I should have called this my breakout 2010 squad, after week 1. Flacco is also in for a huge season, but not against the Jets. I was on the fence about putting Flacco here but now that Revis signed, he’s on it.  Wait a week to start him and use one of the guys I said to start.
3. Matt Ryan– Another guy I like overall this year, but not against the steeler pass defense. He’ll make a few throws but will be lucky to finish with 1 TD pass and more than 150 yards.

RB’s

1. Beanie Wells– Yes I said Chris “beanie” Wells, he most likely won’t start and I like Hightower better in this matchup.  Wells is also slowed by a leg injury and may not even be 100% for this game.  Look elsewhere.
2. Raiders RB’s– Michael Bush or RUN DMC, whoever ends up starting this week, don’t start either of them on your team.  They match up against the 8^th ranked run defense from a year ago in the Titans.
3. LeSean McCoy– Now hopefully you didn’t draft him as your #2 and if you did, shame on you. He faces the #1 ranked run defense from a year ago, as well as plays for a team that is pass happy. This certainly will not be his best game of 2010, not even close.

WR’s

1. Mike Sims-Walker– He will match up against Champ Bailey week 1 and will not see the ball come his way too often. Denver was the #3 ranked pass defense a year ago.
2. Titans WR’s– Vince Young gets the Raiders in week 1, and that’s not good for his receivers.  Going against Nnamdi any week is not good for your fantasy health, and things won’t change now.  Bench Titan wideouts this week until they have a more attractive matchup.
3. Hakeem Nicks– I love this guy as much as anyone, but against Carolina this week, I am benching him. Carolina is a top 7 pass defense so Steve Smith will be the guy, if any to start in your receiving corp from the G-Men. Another reason I put him here is because, although Marshall is facing Revis, I can’t recommend sitting a top 6 receiver ever, even if it is against the guy who shut down Randy Moss and Andre Johnson a year ago.