Steelers vs. Titans: Cover Your Razzballs!
September 10, 2009
Category: 2009 Fantasy Football
Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Opening night. NFL football. Blood, sweat, beers. It is here! We’ve all been waiting for it. We all love it. What else could you ask for? The defending champs vs. the team with the best record last year. Defense, defense and some more defense! Even though I am a Fantasy Football nerd I still love watching good defense, but what should we be looking for fantasy wise?
There are some fantasy questions that can be answered here in the opener. How will Chris Johnson and LenDale White be used? Some talk of CJ getting more looks in his second season, but White went on a tequila-free diet and wants the ball. And will the slimmed down White be able to punch it into the endzone as often as he did last year? If not, fantasy value plummets.
And will Justin Gage prove to be a reliable 3rd receiver? Will Kerry Collins have his old bones ground into dust and then reconstituted into a Terrible Towel in which Casey Hampton then chokes on while mistaking it for a banana fruit roll up?
The Steelers aren’t much of a fantasy stream to be panned while you sport your old miners beard and one of those jugs with the x’s on it. But this will be a big test for the Steelers’ RB’s. Fast Willie Parker has a propensity to go up against tough defenses and gain about 2 yards a carry or break something. If I were a Parker owner I would just hope he gets out of this game alive or we could start seeing a lot of Rashard Mendenhall.
Will Ben Roethlisberger turn back into the viable fantasy starter of yesteryear? Will he ever get his TV fixed again?
Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are #3 Wr’s on most fantasy rosters. Will they be worth their spots?
Oh, and if you have the Steelers defense you probably took them too early and you better hope they have a couple picks for TD’s and 10 sacks. And they’ll need to do that often.
This is it. Don’t forget your cups.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Aren’t you supposed to be telling us if hines ward and santonio holmes will be worth their spots tonight? You are not even giving your opinion… how about a start / sit? How about a week #1 ranking?
September 10th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Tough calls this week: at WR2 and Flex start two of Anthony Gonzalez, Brandon Marshall, and Donald Driver. At RB2 start Cadillac, Orange Julius, or Buckhalter. Thanks!
September 10th, 2009 at 6:57 am
@Doc: I’m excited it’s finally starting. Way to complitment the quality advice, insights and fun of Razzball baseball. Only my 2nd season for fantasy football.
Finally, Julius Jones or Willie Parker for week 1?
September 10th, 2009 at 7:16 am
so i joined a new 2nd league this year to compliment my long running keeper league. most of the guys had been playing together for years, and they needed to fill out the league and i know the commish. anyway, 1 point per reception so semi-ppr. only 10 teams. 1 flex start. also start an HC and margin of vicotry counts. here is my unbelievably loaded team.
QB: mcnabb, palmer
RB: mjd, sjax, dmac, kevin smith, rice
WR: white, jennings, welker, moore
TE: zach miller
K: gould
D: chargers
HC: belichick
i can’t imagine a reasonable scenario where i am not in position to win this league in week 16.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Ditto on good job, Doc. I’m kinda hoping that Parker breaks down, and I am an owner, thanks to the wonders of auto-draft (yeah, I’m gonna be whining for awhile, I guess.) My RB’s are so bad that I will likely have to start Jamal Lewis, who rumor has it almost had a date with the Turk. Thankfully, AL KOHOLIC offered me a deal where I could handcuff Mendenhall, whom I think has a great deal of potential. Hopefully he will last more then a play or two, like last year. At least this year I didn’t waste a draft choice on him.
I, too enjoy a good defensive match, and this is a great one to kick off the season.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I grabbed Mike Bell a couple days ago, but I have Steven Jackson, Ray Rice, Julius Jones, and McFadden ahead of him (plus Marshawn Lynch and Justin Fargas)…..would it be worth offering him to the Pierre Thomas owner in exchange for Michael Bush? That would give me both of McFadden’s handcuffs.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:17 am
@ThePoonTycoon: mother of god.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:18 am
@Paulie Allnuts: ah yes,football is here.missed starting hanson in our rcl league or i would have taken a point from the leader,3 baseball and 3 football teams,i think im going to stick with 2 of each next year
September 10th, 2009 at 9:00 am
@AL KOHOLIC: I need you to take points from the leader. I am 7 points back, with a bit over 10% of the season to go. The other day I wanted to start La Porta, as he was playing in a double header. I guess I forgot to press the submit number, so I lost a homer and several Ribbies. Can’t afford to get sloppy. I guess I will have to consider trading a wide-out in RCL, to improve my putrid running back situation.
I have 5 FBB and FF – way to many, especially now, when they are both active. I guess I have to learn to say no when asked to join a league. But I’m an addict, and fantasy is my crack. Was counting on two starts from the Freak this week in Yahoo playoffs; now I will get nadda. In another league last week, I had HanRam miss several days, after going 0-14. Went down to the Sunday night game. The only player my opponent had active was Kooz. I needed him to go 1-4 at best, with no ribbies. He gets 3 ribbies, and my team goes down. Fantasy can be a rough game, at times. Good thing that I don’t play for money…
September 10th, 2009 at 10:53 am
hey guys,
which is these should I play as my 2nd RB (behind MJD) for week 1.
Knowshon Moreno, Ahmad Bradshaw, Willis McGahee, Rashard Mendenhall… I know, “slim pickings”.
Also need to start 3 of these receivers (.5 ppr league): Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Bryant, Lee Evans, Davone Bess.
Any help appreciated.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:12 am
by the way i’m leaning towards like i listed them. moreno as my 2nd RB, and Welker/Jackson/Bryant as WRs.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:25 am
@Denys: i’d maybe go evans over bryant. you know the bills will have to put up points to have a chance, TO will get the most attention, and the pats secondary looks to be their weak spot.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Start Justin Gage vs. PIT, or Chris Chambers @ OAK?
September 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
is anyone leaning towards starting mike bell over chris johnson(playing the steal curtain)
September 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
Final week last year, I started DeShaun Foster over Chris Johnson (Foster was playing STL, CJ was facing PIT) and it cost me the championship.
Play the talent.
September 10th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
@mgeoffriau: yeah,thats what i wanted to hear,thanks
September 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Too bad we haven’t freakin drafted yet.
September 10th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Non PPR league, do i start Donald Driver or Josh Morgan?
@dbhammel: A Gonz and Marshall and I like OJ this week.
@Dad: I like OJ.
@Paulie Allnuts: Thanks, should be a great game!
@mgeoffriau: It’s an idea. I like Bush as DMacs handcuff. Bell could possibly get you more if he has a big game Sunday.
@Denys: Check Knowshon’s status. I don’t like him this week, but if he plays he might be your best bet. After that I’d go Bradshaw. Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Bryant. Make sure Welker starts. If not go with Evans.
@Iceman: I’d go with Chambers.
@AL KOHOLIC: I could see taking the risk, but I usually run my studs out there.
@Levo: Driver.
Hi all, thanks for your patience. Just got into Woodstock and am in an awesome b&b with the wifey. Have a fun opening night all!!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
@Doc:
Sooo is our league still gonna count in the standings if we’re drafting after the season starts? Can we still even set our lineups for week 1? Never used ESPN.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Derrick Ward or Carnell Williams as my starting running back ?
September 10th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
how was your defensive player draft Doc
September 10th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
@Doc: whats the deal with chambers?he was awesome then went to san diego,is he washed up or due a big year
September 10th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
@Elijah: is it a rcl league?why havent you drafted
September 10th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
The commish is a moron? no clue.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
And yes it is, thats why I’m asking here of course.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
@Elijah: you have 45 minutes to draft get teams entered and set for tonight,thubk id be canning the commish
September 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Hes a lazy ass…I’m frankly pissed off…this whole RCL thing is totally half-ass…
September 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
He scheduled it for tomorrow btw.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Right now, my opinoin of the RCL is a bit lower than my opinoin of Al Michaels new Toupee.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
@Elijah: your comish volunteered,it was up to him and you others in the league to draft,not the rcl,who is kind enough to provide us the site
September 10th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Eh, volunteer or not, I should think there should be some effort to provide oversight.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@Elijah: if you would have bitched the last 2 weeks at him as much as you are now,then he might have remembered,im betting that he forgot about tonights game
September 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
@AL KOHOLIC: im not picking on you,just that the rcl expects the leagues and its participants to be aware of when to draft,your commish is stuupitttt
September 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Well, exactly. But nonetheless I’d like a ruling here.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
@Doc: @Elijah: we nominate DOC to handle this
September 10th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Sure, that’s his job. To run the football portion of the sight and oversee it. I imagine he’s getting paid to do just that.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
i dont think they get paid,and again,he has nothing to do with the individual leagues ,they provide the site
September 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Frankly, if Doc is putting in that much work for free, he’s a sucker.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
@Elijah: i call him a gamer,a trooper or a hell of a good guy,if you join a yahoo league and some dumbass doesnt draft till after the season,who do you blame,1 person only,the commish,yahoo doesnt control the leagues either,drink a beer ,smoke a fatty and draft tomorrow night
September 10th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Wow. Titans blew that coverage like a Tijuana hooker.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
@Elijah: on a brighter note,big ben with a td and the steal curtain doing its thing,the 2 of them have me 22 points so far
September 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
@Elijah: spoke to soon
September 10th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
Jinxed yourself. I got the Titans dee in my money league, so far, not too bad.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
@Elijah: i have chris johnson in my keeper league and i love tenn,so its hard rooting against them
September 10th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
They’ve been the better team tonite, but all that matters is the scoreboard.
@Elijah: Not sure what I could have done. 2 people dropped out at the last second. The commish emailed me and I posted something in the forums hoping people would fill out the league. I wish I could conjure up team managers out of thin air, but I’d probably conjure up unlimited beer instead.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Yeah. But whats the call then?
September 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
@Doc: im in then
@Elijah: If Espn will let you guys I will. Sorry it’s been a mess.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Ok. Sorry if I blew my top, just I get frustrated by incompetence.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
@Elijah: i can imagine ,opening night and all,hint ,if you draft either the tenn or pitt def,then draft another one real late,new orleans plays detroit wk 1
September 10th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Ben got HIT!
September 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Maybe some extra innings?
September 10th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
oh hines,
That was a heartbreaker
September 10th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I’m busting out the violin Doc.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Titans DC needs to be shot, lol.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
@Doc: i think a def that goes to o.t. without giving up a score should get something,like a pitchers era kinda
@AL KOHOLIC: Sounds like a good idea to me.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
@Doc: a big ben td pass would work also
September 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Big Ben’s escapability continues to cover up Pitts poor OL play, he’s amazing.
Wow, Ben made some big time plays there. The guy is good.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Yeah he saved Pitt’s bacon once again. Tenn on the other hand is what we thought they were: a team lacking a bigtime playmaker on offense.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
@Doc: he had a cheap hailmarry int and a few sacks but ill take it,my team is pretty solid if he has a good year
September 10th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
what a way to start the year,great game
September 10th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Ben might be ok in FF this year, they need to pass to move the ball. The running game hasn’t been good at all since Arians took the reins.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
@Elijah: i trade mendenhall,he just doesnt seem to run downhill,but that was one hell of a def. to run on
September 10th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Its only part Mendy’s fault, that OL just is bad. If they had an ordinary QB the steelers would be really average. Its just Ben is the best QB I’ve ever seen (by far) at avoiding the pass rush. Its a huge X-factor for Pitt.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Hmmm, rumour is Troy is DOA for the year. I guess that means Fitz is next.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
@Elijah: thier saying 4 to 6 weeks,
September 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
@AL KOHOLIC:
Good news, still, the curse is obviously still in full swing. The bait and switch dual cover crap wasn’t gonna fool Scratch.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Sprained MCL, could be 3 weeks could be 10.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
@Elijah: yeah but i just traded for that def in the rcl and drafted them in my keeper,they will still be goodmbut you dont grow palamalu`s on tree`s,hehe
September 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Lol. They need to start up a Polamanu republic somewhere.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Word of Advice: When reading Razzball football do not have multiple tabs open with your fantasy baseball team on it. The names definitely can be confusing, especially before the coffee.
Great job here Doc! Seamless writing and insights.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Polamalu was dominant in the 15 seconds he played at least, lol.
@Doc: Knowshon Moreno is #4 on the broncos depth chart after the preseason. Should owners be worried? How do you see this playing out?
September 11th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Also, how much higher would you value Marshawn Lynch had he not been suspended the first 3 games? Basically, once his suspension is up, whos value does he rival? Ronnie Brown?
@BSA: Gracias sir.
@darren lobo: Crazy. Looks like he’s out 3-6 weeks. Ryan Clark is a stud back there as well.
I have Lynch on a lot of teams because I value his skills, but I do worry about his line, which is god awful. He has power and can catch the ball so I’d put him up there with DMac.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I just picked up Mike Bell in my league and dropped dead weight Jamal Lewis. Should I play him over Vincent Jackson in my flex spot this week? I have DMC and Lance Moore too, but they don’t seem as appealling as BELL. Whatcha thinK?
@BOO: It’s between DMac and Bell. I like both about equally, but I’m starting DMac.