Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 9)

Wes Welker

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

    It's been a busy week and my apologies for no post earlier. I am back though and ready to bring you a late Start 'em, Sit'em which I feel very confident about. My logic has been tested these last few weeks and while my research and probability have been sound the outcome often is not. Without further ado week 9 Start 'em, Sit 'em.

Start 'em

QB Tom Brady - With just 34 points in his last 3 games this is definitely not the Tom Brady everyone drafted. Look for Brady along with Welker to return to form this week vs the Browns.

RB Ryan Mathews - Could this be the week? I really hope so... Houston's defense sucks and if Mathews doesn't get something going this week I don't believe he ever will.

WR Wes Welker - Ok, so you might be laughing at this one as Welker has scored only 9 fantasy points since Randy Moss left town. I think Brady and Belichick have put there heads together and are going to give Welker a lot of touches this week vs a weak Browns defense. I think he is a strong play this week and should earn you double digit fantasy points. 

Sit 'em

QB Eli Manning - Manning just isn't very good but the Seahawk's pass defense hasn't been great this year either. Walter Thurmond and Kelley Jennings are returning this week improving the Seahawk's secondary, this along with Quest Field's 12th Man spells trouble for Eli. 12th Man STAND UP!

RB Jahvid Best - He is banged up and going against the NY Jets, not to mention he is losing carries to Kevin Smith who I didn't know was still in the league until last week.

WR Percy Harvin - The biggest loser in the Randy Moss fiasco is definitely Harvin. With Favre banged up I don't see the Vikings passing much this week going against the Cardinals. I think AP and Shiancoe have big games this weekend but not Harvin while the Vikings play controlled and safe football.

Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 8)

Pierre Garcon (With a funny line under the c)

Every week I'll bring you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think will put up good numbers and help your fantasy team win. I will also give you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think you should stay away from and keep on the bench. As always if you have specific questions send me an email and I'll get back to you (ifivesports@gmail.com).

Start 'em

QB Matt Cassel: Alot of folks might have options they may feel more comfortable with but Cassel has been really good of late with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games. Buffalo has showed you all season that they can't defend the pass, why should this week be any different?

RB Felix Jones: Big game is a comin' this week for speedy Felix Jones. With 2nd string turned starter Jon Kitna the Cowboys will need to run, run and run some more, oh and by the way Jacksonville ranks 24th against the run.

WR Pierre Garcon: Austin Collie is out, Dallas Clark is out, Joseph Addai is banged up. That leaves Reggie Wayne and you guessed it Pierre Garcon against a Houston pass defense that ranks 31st in that department.


Sit 'em

QB Matthew Stafford: The Redskins defense destroyed Jay Cutler last week and I expect much of the same this week against the Lions.

RB Brandon Jackson: Don't mess with the Jets defense especially when you aren't a skilled runner. Stay away from BJack unless you have no other choice.

WR Michael Crabtree: You simply can't start him now, especially with Troy Smith under center. It doesn't help either that the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain. And yes I know London isn't in Spain.

Round 4 Update and Players to Target

David Gettis

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

     Another week is in the books and the Maple Bars have moved to 4-3 on the season. Roddy White continues to be a stud for me as well as two straight double digit games from Marshawn Lynch. This week I have a few issues with players on bye but hopefully my team can step up and make it two wins in a row.
     Week 7 was a crazy one with some superstars performing at a high level while others were no where to be found. This presented a chance for players to step up and perform better than expected. Below you will find players that may not be owned in your league but are worth a pick up and should be good for you the rest of the season.

Players this week I am targeting (that you should also):

David Gettis: I had this guy on my roster earlier in the season as a bye week replacement and he failed to perform. Now with Steve Smith back all the attention that was on Gettis is on Smith, opening him up for some great games like last weekend.

Kenneth Darby: Speculation add here for if Steven Jackson misses this weekends game. Jackson just had two pins put in his ring finger and is questionable this week vs a not great Carolina run defense. If Jackson sits Darby will get the carries and should perform well.

Patrick Crayton: Two solid games in a row in an offense that passes first. Keep him in your lineup as long as Malcom Floyd is out.

Steve Johnson - Believe! This guy is for real and I doubted him the last three weeks and he continued to prove me wrong. Ryan Fitzpatrick is throwing throwing throwing and Johnson is getting a lot of looks. Pick him up if he's still available.

Vincent Jackson (if you have the roster space): He will be back at the end of November and be inserted right back into the starting lineup. This guy is their superstar and the Chargers need him back if they have any hope of turning around this awful season.


*As always email you questions to ifivesports@gmail.com and I'll get right back to you. Good Luck in Week 8!

Round 4 Update and Players to target

Marshawn Lynch

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

     Well, I'll be the first to tell you when I get something wrong and last week I got some things very wrong. I can only tell you what should happen, not what will and when predictions go wrong you can fully blame me. Stick with me I know what I'm doing and let's make the playoffs. 

     This week I moved to 3-3 with a loss to Tacompton. I'm still in it but need to pick it up these next few weeks. 

Players this week I am targeting (that you should also):

Marshawn Lynch - Beast Mode! If this guy is still a free agent get him now! He is the feature back and will get close to 20 touches every week and all the goal-line carries, not everyday you see one of those on the waiver wire.

Deion Branch - I thought he was dead and gone, far away from fantasy relevance but Tom Brady has shown that he and Branch can pick up right where they left off. I don't think Branch will necessarily have another 9 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown but he has shown that he can still produce in the right offense.

Buster Davis - With injuries to Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee, Davis could see a huge increase in targets this weekend if even 1 of those guys misses the game. He's had a few good games this season and could be in for a monster on Sunday, keep an eye on the Chargers injuries.

Mike Williams (Sea) - Finally healthy, Williams established himself as Hasselbeck's favorite target with 10 receptions for 123 yards. Going forward Hasselbeck will probably spread the ball around a little more but I believe Mike Williams still has a lot of value in an offense which passes first.

Benjamin Watson - If you need a TE this is your guy. He has at least 5 receptions in each of his last 4 games and QB Colt McCoy showed he can get the ball to him. If he isn't owned he is worth adding in your league.

Good Games I Don't Care About

• Chris Ivory
• Justin Forsett
• Derrick Ward

Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 6)

Hines Ward

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Every week I'll bring you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think will put up good numbers and help your fantasy team win. I will also give you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think you should stay away from and keep on the bench. As always if you have specific questions send me an email and I'll get back to you.

Start 'em

Ben Roethlisberger - The Return! At home, vs the Browns what more could Roethlisberger ask for? Look for the Steelers to come out throwing and go up big early.

Michael Bush - Even if McFadden plays he has already lost his starting job to Bush. The 49er's defense has  given up some big rushing games and I don't see any reason why this trend won't continue vs the Raiders.

Hines Ward - No one has wanted Big Ben to return more than Hines Ward who has been very mediocre so far this season without him. The Steelers are not going to ease Ben in they are going to come out firing and most of those passes should be in the direction of Ward.

Sit 'em

Kevin Kolb - The Falcons are first in the league with 10 interceptions and have allowed the 4th fewest points they also don't give up the deep ball. All three of these spell trouble for Kevin Kolb. Last week vs San Francisco Kolb didn't look for his best receiver, Jackson, which may cause him to force a few throws his way on Sunday. Unless your league doesn't penalize you for interceptions stay away from Kolb.

Peyton Hillis - Pittsburgh has one of the top run defenses and Hillis(thigh), as of Thursday, has not practiced yet this week. Even if he does play on Sunday I don't think he should be started. I expect Big Ben and the Steelers at home to go up early and never look back, taking the Cleveland's running game out of the equation completely.

DeSean Jackson - See Kevin Kolb.

Round 4 Update and Players to target (Week 5)

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports  

Calvin Johnson

     With week 5 in the books the Maple Bars have moved to 3-2 and are in a tight race with 3 other teams tied for 2nd place. I would like to thank Ray Rice for finally showing up and performing well, as well as the Falcons def/st who every week I consider dropping but can't bring myself to do it because they are so good. Ten interceptions and three fumble recoveries through 5 games is amazing and they have defenitely earned a fulltime roster spot even though I also own the Vikings def/st.
     In Week 6 I take on Tac Tacompton (2-3) who's team is a little banged up. Maurice Jones-Drew (wrist), Pierre Thomas (ankle), Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Calvin Johnson (shoulder), all big name players who's limitation should help me move to a 4-2 this week.


Pickups/players to target Week 5

     Beanie Wells didn't come through for me on the "Start 'em, Sit 'em" recomendation dispite 20 carries. It was a good sign for the rest of the season though that Wells got a huge majority of the work and Tim Hightower only received 4 carries. Stick with this guy and maybe even buy low if he is not already rostered because I see big things in the future especially with the Cardinals receiving core getting healthier every day.
     With the departure of the Seahawks slot reciever Deion Branch the team will look to recently added Brandon Stokley to fill that void. In week 4 Stokley had four receptions on eight targets for 62 yards and should improve on those numbers as he gains confidence with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

As always check back on Thursday for “Start ‘em, Sit ‘em” and if you have specific questions email me at ifivesports@gmail.com. Good Luck in Week 6!

Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 5)

By Baron Kuhn

Beanie Wells

I-5 Sports

Every week I'll bring you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think will put up good numbers and help your fantasy team win. I will also give you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think you should stay away from and keep on the bench. As always if you have specific questions send me an email and I'll get back to you.

Start 'em


Jay Cutler - After being "knocked out" by the Giants last week Cutler has made a quick recovery from the concussion and will most likely play this weekend against a weak Carolina team. Keep tabs on his status but if he plays he will impress. 


*After practicing Wednesday Cutler will be help out of this weekends game vs Carolina as he is still suffering from headaches.


Beanie Wells - I said it last week and I'll say it again, you can run on the Saints. Wells was eased back into action last week and should get the majority of the carries this week. 


Roy E. Williams - With Miles Austin drawing double teams and Cortland Finnegan it should leave Williams with plenty of favorable matchups. Roy showed last game he can still be a productive receiver opposite a star like Miles Austin.


Sit 'em


Mark Sanchez - For some reason people don't think the Vikings can defend the pass but they continue to be good vs opposing quarterbacks. If you have options sit the Sanchize.


DeAngelo Williams / Jonathan Stewart - I liked DeAngelo last week but vs a good Bears defense that was embarassed last week I expect both Carolina running backs to underperform.


Randy Moss - Two words...Darrelle Revis. He should be healthy and ready to shut down Brett Favre's new toy.

Round 4 Update (Week 4)

Jason Witten

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

     Well boys and girls week 4 is in the books and the Maple Bars have experienced the awful taste of defeat for the 2nd straight week. Some players on my team fought hard and others did not…Ray Rice and Beanie Wells (4 points combined) and going into Monday night I needed a miracle 31 points from Wes Welker to win, which did not happen.

     As you may have read last week, I was involved in a trade that was vetoed. Matt Forte for DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Mathews was deemed unfair by the League Master and therefore did not go through. This left me searching for another trade that would solve my problem of running back depth. This week I was involved in two trades, one with 253 Duff Man and the other with WA Merlin’s Beard. The trade with 253 Duff Man addressed my issue of running back depth. In the deal I traded Matt Forte for Beanie Wells and Marshawn Lynch. I have liked Beanie Wells since the start of the season and now that he is healthy and getting touches I felt it was the right time to make this deal. A few of you may be scratching your head at my desire to have Marshawn Lynch on my team as he hasn’t been running very well so far this season. This was a speculative deal in which I believe that in the next few weeks Lynch will be traded to either the Green Bay Packers or Philadelphia Eagles and immediately become the feature running back. Obviously I would much prefer for Lynch to be dealt to the Packers as there is little competition in Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn. I believe strongly that this will happen soon and that if the opportunity presents itself you should add Marshawn Lynch to your team. The second deal was Laurence Maroney for Jason Witten. Maroney is slowly climbing the depth chart in Denver but I felt that I could not pass up the chance to upgrade my tight end from Kellen Winslow to Jason Witten.

     As long as Ray Rice and Beanie Wells rebound in Week 5 I should be able to avoid falling to 2-3 after a 2-0 start. As always check back on Thursday for “Start ‘em, Sit ‘em” and if you have specific questions email me at ifivesports@gmail.com. Good Luck in Week 5!

QBs
Jay Cutler
Matt Ryan

RBs
Ray Rice
Beanie Wells
Marshawn Lynch
John Kuhn

WRs
Roddy White
Wes Welker
Steve Breaston
Vincent Jackson

TEs
Jason Witten
Kellen Winslow

DEF/ST
Vikings

K
Mason Crosby

Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 4)

DeAngelo Williams

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Every Thursday I'll bring you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think will put up good numbers and help your fantasy team win. I will also give you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think you should stay away from and keep on the bench. As always if you have specific questions send me and email and I'll get back to you asap. Good luck this weekend!

Start ‘em

QB Matt Ryan – Matty Ice, who I am starting in place of Jay Cutler, should carve up the weak 49er’s defense this week. The 49ers have not gotten any pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season and I see no reason why this wouldn’t continue on the road against the Falcons.

Projections: 235 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interceptions.

RB DeAngelo Williams – You can run on the Saints and that is just what Williams will do. Look for him to get it going and deliver double digit points for the first time this season.

Projections: 88 rush yards with 1 rushing touchdown, 2 catches for 10 receiving yards.

WR Santana Moss – I see a big day for Donovan McNabb and that means a big day for Santana Moss. This is more of a gut play than anything else as the Eagles have been good defending the pass this season.

Projections: 8 catches, 110 yards, 2 touchdowns

Sit ‘em

QB Chad Henne, Charlie Batch, Eli Manning – Hate them all.

Projections: Bad

RB Stephen Jackson – Seattle’s run defense has been a very strong point so far this season and this week against the rams should be no different. The Seahawks have faced the Rams to many times and seen Jackson run all over them. The game will be put on the rookie arm of Sam Bradford and the Seahawks will force him to make the big plays not Jackson.

Projections: 65 rush yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 catches for 14 yards.

WR Steve Smith – Who’s going to throw to him? Is it Clausen? Is it Moore? It is most likely Clausen who will be under center on Sunday but at this point it doesn’t matter. Smith has no chemistry with either quarterback and is going against a good Saints secondary. Add in the fact that the Saints are at home and you have a terrible day for Carolina’s passing game. Sit Steve Smith.

Projections: 4 catches, 62 yards, 0 touchdowns

Round 4 Update (Week 3)

Peyton Hillis

By Baron Kuhn


I-5 Sports  


     Well, the Maple Bars have been handed their first loss of the short season at the hands of The Decepticons (Dan Hockaday). While my team had their worst performance of the season (85 points), The Decepticons had their best total in the first three (134 points). First of all congratulations to Dan on handing my team it’s first loss of the season, it was a well deserved victory. Dan’s MVP of the week was Peyton Hillis, who scored a team high 26.5 points. My team decided to take a week off to say the least…with four of my players giving me six points or less and my first round pick (Ray Rice) only providing eleven and leaving the game early with an injury. If Rice were to miss significant time my running back situation would be in big trouble. I recently accepted a deal (pending league review) which would add needed depth to my backfield. In the deal I would receive DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Mathews (sprained ankle) from GA Headbussa#4 Headbussas for Matt Forte. Williams has underperformed and Mathews has been injured while Forte has been very good (except for this week) but I feel this is trade I needed to accept.

     In week 4 I will be going up against the ENDZONE PIMPSSS who are also 2-1 after their loss to The HIV this week. This should be a match-up where I can come away with the victory as his starting quarterback Tony Romo is on bye and his backup Ben Roethlisberger is suspended until the following week. The ENDZONE PIMPSSS do have some players who can put up big numbers in Frank Gore and Larry Fitzgerald and with the Atlanta Falcons not being very good against the run may provide some scoring opportunities for Gore.

     My running game in week 4 is in trouble. Ray Rice is banged up and facing the Pittsburg Steelers run defense which is one of the best in the league. If the trade is allowed and DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Mathews are on my roster by this weekend I fully expect to be victorious. If not I am going to need my receivers to step up their game and shoulder the load. I fully expect the Maple Bars to be victorious and by this time next week be 3-1 and atop the Round 4 League Standings.


*Check back Thursday for "Start 'em Sit 'em"

Start 'em, Sit 'em (Week 3)

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Every week I'll bring you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think will put up good numbers and help your fantasy team win. I will also give you a quarterback, running back and wide receiver that I think you should stay away from and keep on the bench. As always if you have specific questions send me an email and I'll get back to you asap. Good luck this weekend!

Start ‘em

Joe Flacco – Flacco can’t possibly be any worse than his “performance” last week against the Bengal’s defense. Completing only 17 of 39 passes for 154 yards is not what we have come to expect from Flacco. Add to that 4 interceptions and you have an atrocious day. Flacco is too good of a talent to be performing at this level and will impress this weekend against the Browns. Look for Flacco to rebound this week and put up solid numbers for your team.

Projections: 18 of 29 for 240 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

LeSean McCoy – Jacksonville has been torched on the ground giving up 227 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season. McCoy has been getting the majority of the carries, including the goal line carries and has shown some chemistry with new quarterback Michael Vick. Look for McCoy to put up solid numbers in both the rushing and receiving categories with at least 1 touchdown.

Projections: 85 rush yards with 1 rushing touchdown, 20 receiving yards.

Calvin Johnson – Megatron has not been himself yet this season catching only 8 passes for 95 yards and 1 touchdown through 2 games. Don’t give up on him yet! Minnesota’s defense as a whole is focused on stopping the run and has been vulnerable through the air. Expect the Lions to be down early and be forced to throw for much of the game giving Megatron many opportunities to showcase his athletic abilities.

Projections: 9 catches, 95 yards, 1 touchdown.

Sit ‘em

Eli Manning – If Eli thought the Colts secondary is tough wait till he meets the Tennessee Titans this week.  The Titans defense has yet to allow a 200 yard passer this season, expect this trend to continue. Adding to the Giants problems is that Eli can’t seem to protect the ball, through 2 games this year Eli has 7 turnovers (4 interceptions, 3 fumbles). Expect his woes to continue this week.

Projections: 12 of 20 for 110 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

Jamaal Charles – So far this year the San Francisco 49ers have been good against the run. Charles does possess break-away speed and an ability to get to the edge but I don’t see him getting enough carries to warrant a start this weekend. With Thomas Jones in the mix Charles has now been pushed to 2nd on the depth chart. Expect for his carries to be around the same and for a sub-par day from last years breakout running back.

Projections: 30 rush yards with 0 touchdowns, 20 receiving yards.

Hakeem Nicks – Cortland Finnegan and Eli Manning…….enough said.

Projections: 2 catches, 24 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Why I will win Round 4 (14 Team League)

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Ray Rice RB Baltimore Ravens

When drafting a team, whether it is Fantasy Football or Baseball, the first rule is to understand the specific settings of your league. In such a deep league, like Round 4 (14 teams), it becomes even more important as the level of talent on everyone’s team is a lot lower than in a standard 10 team league. There are two major differences in Round 4 from standard leagues. First, is the addition of 0.5 points per reception which means every time a player on your team catches a pass they receive an extra 0.5 points. This may not seem like much but added up throughout the season makes a huge difference. Next is the addition of 1 point for every 5 completions for Quarterbacks. This increases the value of top tier quarterbacks in pass happy offenses, while diminishing the value of teams who tend to focus on the run. I am lucky to have been in the same league with the same settings for the last 3 years and have learned from my mistakes in past seasons.

     Through the first two weeks of the season my team (Maple Bars) is 2-0 and has scored the most points of any of the 14 teams. Sure I have been lucky, Matt Forte scoring 33.5 pts for me the first week, but I have also had bad luck with my first round pick (2nd overall) Ray Rice, 6 and 13 points respectively. My first goal was to take advantage of the league settings, drafting pass catching running backs and possession receivers. Both Ray Rice and Matt Forte are big in the passing game and can beat you in a lot of different ways which is very important in the NFL today. Whether the Ravens or Bears are winning or losing both running backs are still going to be a big part of each team’s offense. This will allow for Rice and Forte to accumulate fantasy points over the course of the entire game while running backs like Michael Turner (5 catches last season) need their teams to be ahead as they are a non-factor in the passing game.
     In Round 4, just as important as running backs are wide receivers. In a standard league the old draft strategy is to take running backs with your first two picks. With the addition of 0.5 points per reception or ppr as it is called, it becomes very important to take a top tier receiver with one of your first 2 picks. With my 2nd round pick I took Roddy White, a top wide receiver who catches close to 90 balls a season. With 8 receivers taken in the first two rounds I was fortunate to see White fall to me. I was also surprised to see Wes Welker (123 receptions last season) still around in the 4th round and drafted him immediately, not at all worried about his off-season surgery as he had been playing all pre-season. Vincent Jackson is a risk but WHEN he does play this season he will give my team a boost down the stretch.

     With offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears offense is much improved already this season.  Martz is known to many as an offensive genius and so far this year he is living up to that title. Cutler, as many other quarterbacks coached by Martz, has seen increases in all of his numbers from a season ago. Completion percentage up 8%, average completion up 4 yards and quarterback rating up nearly 50 points! Although the sample size is small at only 2 games I expect this level of performance to continue and for Cutler to anchor my already strong team.

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Seth Smith

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Seth Smith – As of today the Colorado Rockies 4^th outfielder doesn’t have a starting gig but this guy can straight up hit. In 335 at-bats last season Smith hit .293 with 15 homeruns, 55 rbis and 4 steals. If Smith can get 500 at bats this season (which at this point seems unlikely) he is a safe bet to hit around .290 with good power and decent speed. So far this Spring Smith is leading the Rockies in rbis with 6, while hitting .467. This is a guy you can get at the end of your draft and is worth stashing away should one of Colorado’s outfielders get hurt or if the Rockies decided to trade him. Unless either of these scenarios happens look for Smith’s end of the season numbers to be about the same as last years. Seth Smith is only 27 and has tons of potential all he needs is playing time. Check back next week for more Fantasy Baseball Sleepers.

Projections: 420 at-bats, .290 avg, 19 homeruns, 71 rbis, 10 sb.

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Shaun Marcum

By Baron Kuhn

I-5 Sports

Shaun Marcum – People fail to remember that Marcum, after being out all of last year with Tommy John surgery, is only a year removed from being a very good fantasy pitcher. In 2008 over 25 starts for the Blue Jays he put up a 3.39 ERA, a 7.32 K/9 and a whip of 1.16 (C.C. Sabathia had a whip of 1.15). So far this Spring, (I know Spring stats mean nothing) Marcum has yet to allow an earned run and appears to be fully healthy. Standing at 5’ 10” he isn’t overpowering and his fastball tops out at around 92mph but he strikes out a good amount of hitters with pin-point accuracy. Shaun Marcum is still only 28 and with the departure of Roy Halladay is definitely the most talented starter on the Blue Jays roster. Look for him to be the opening day starter and make around 30 starts this year.

Projections: 15 wins, 3.50 ERA, 1.23 whip and 165 Ks.