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Fantasy Football
Ladd Biro: Week 10 starters and benchwarmers
November 12
By LADD BIRO
Special to The Star
Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 10 of the 2010 season.
Watch em roll
Shaun Hill, QB, Lions at Bills. Before breaking his forearm in Week 6, Hill was one of the hottest passers in the league. Now that hes returning in Matt Staffords place, and facing a delicious matchup in Buffalo (17 passing TDs surrendered vs. a league-low one INT), he should pick up where he left off. In a week when three top fantasy QBs are on bye, Hill offers great upside.
Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins vs. Titans. With Chad Pennington back at the controls, Miamis running game must shoulder the load. Brown scored his second rushing TD of the season last week against the Ravens, and he should have more success against Tennessees average-at-best rush defense.
Jahvid Best, RB, Lions at Bills. For the time being, at least, Kevin Smith has receded into the background, leaving Best alone atop Detroits RB pecking order. Thats excellent news since hell be facing the leagues worst run defense on Sunday.
Mike Thomas, WR, Jaguars vs. Texans. The diminutive wideout reached the end zone against Dallas in Week 8, and now faces a secondary thats arguably even worse. David Garrard should have another outstanding outing, along with both of his starting WRs.
Mario Manningham, WR, Giants vs. Cowboys. Steve Smith injured his pectoral muscle in Thursdays practice and is expected to miss one or two games as a result. With Dallas sieve-like secondary on tap, Manningham should have an outstanding game as Eli Mannings No. 2 wideout. Obviously, Hakeem Nicks is golden with or without Smith.
More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Garrard, Matt Schaub, Eli Manning, Mike Vick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Orton, Ben Roethlisberger; RBs Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones, Ahmad Bradshaw, Cedric Benson, Donald Brown, LeGarrette Blount, Peyton Hillis; WRs Mike Sims-Walker, Pierre Garcon, Jacoby Jones, Jeremy Maclin, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Steve Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston.
Roll em back
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots at Steelers. Bradys owners know he has been fairly mediocre fantasy-wise since Randy Moss left town. Now hes dealing with a sprained foot, though it wont keep him off the field against Pittsburgh. But with Wes Welker still less than 100 percent, Brady is a shaky start at best against a defense thats given up just eight passing TDs in as many games.
Mike Goodson, RB, Panthers at Buccaneers. The second-year back will start in place of the injured DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. But if those two couldnt produce behind Carolinas weak offensive line, what are the third-stringers chances? With Jimmy Clausen back under center, nobody in a Carolina uniform should be within sniffing distance of your lineup.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets at Browns. He has slowed down from his torrid early-season pace, while Cleveland (one rushing TD to date) has played formidable defense against some of the best teams in the league. With Shonn Greenes share of the workload steadily increasing, LT is no longer a sure-fire fantasy starter in tough matchups, like Sundays.
Santana Moss, WR, Redskins vs. Eagles. He was blanked in the first meeting between these teams, and Donovan McNabb wasnt much better against his old club. Both players are risky starts against Phillys high-pressure defense.
Randy Moss, WR, Titans at Dolphins. He is unlikely to see a full workload in his first game as a Titan, and head coach Jeff Fisher has suggested he wont even play on third downs. Regardless of which QB is under center, Moss has taken a big step down from Brady and Brett Favre.
More thumbs down: QBs Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna, Chad Pennington; RBs Beanie Wells, Ricky Williams, Matt Forte, Felix Jones, Marion Barber, BenJarvis Green-Ellis; WRs Michael Crabtree, Brandon Tate, Deion Branch, Steve Smith (CAR), Roy Williams, Mike Williams (SEA).
Taking a flier
Buccaneers defense vs. Panthers. Jimmy Clausen will start this game for Carolina, but he may not finish it. Meanwhile, the Panthers are down to their third running back, and they were arguably the NFLs worst offense when their starters were healthy. Look for sacks and turnovers galore for the Bucs defense, along with a possible shutout.
Don't be the bonehead who ... lets Sidney Rice remain a free agent any longer. Rice is on track to play limited snaps in Week 10, which should make him a hot commodity on next weeks waiver wire. Grab him now (hes still available in most leagues), and sock him away for the stretch run. Rice will be playing for a new contract, and with Moss in Tennessee and Percy Harvin better suited to the slot, the big-play receiver could resume his role as Favres go-to target as soon as Week 11.
Ladd Biro is a syndicated fantasy football columnist and host of Sporting News Radios weekly Fantasy Files show (Saturdays, 9-10 am ET). Follow his daily fantasy advice at the Fantasy Fools blog (fantasy-fools.blogspot.com) and via Twitter (@ladd_biro).




