Start 'Em/Sit 'Em - Week 12
By Patrick Lamont, EA Expert
I've decided I'm not going to waste any time here, I'm just going to jump straight into an apology for some down-right horrendous picks last week. Well, just one in particular, at least. Yes, Steve Slaton did just about everything he could do to make me look dumber than a box of hair in regards to my advice to "Sit 'Em" last week. Now let it be known, I appreciate all the feedback I got from my friends, family, fellow EA Experts (and especially you readers out there) as to why Speedy Stevie was a must-start for week 11. So come Sunday morning, I decided to re-think my logic and ultimately reversed my decision - yup, I started Steve Slaton and, as a result, won my critical divisional match-up. I also apologize that I decided long ago to never to update this article once it's been posted…
So you guys played the role of Wing Man for me last week and now I'd like nothing more than to return the favor. Therefore, in addition to the top-notch picks I am going to give you for week 12, in tribute of you, the loyal reader, I am kicking this column off by answering some fan mail.
Out of Sync:
I make mistakes in this article from time to time, and last week was no exception. So a big thank you goes out to "TheGekoGuy" (amongst others) for pointing out the error in my zinger aimed towards Dr. Pesti:
"I hate myself for knowing this, and even more for pointing it out, but in the first paragraph it mentions "bye bye bye" for any Backstreet Boys fans, but "Bye, Bye, Bye" is an NSYNC song. Guess being a fan of boy bands in middle school is finally paying off….." Thankfully, this is one mistake I won't lose much sleep over. I am also a bit surprised at the sheer number of almost immediate response I got pointing out my Boy Band Blunder. Most of you claimed "I only know this because of my girlfriend…" or something to that regard, but come on - I don't believe that for a second. This I Promise You.
I'm no Man-Genius:
My little brother Matthew, who I own in fantasy football and therefore harbors a great deal of resentment towards me, sent me a text message about 5 minutes after the article dropped to tell me I referred to Jets' head coach Eric Mangini as "Mike Mangini". My bad, little bro - you were right. I love how my entire family reads my article just to point out my mistakes or to give me a hard time about bad jokes, worse puns and crappy picks. But truth be told, I'd be disappointed in them if they did anything but.
Wild Seahorses couldn't drag me down:
Ryan from somewhere (he didn't leave his info) requests the following:
"Okay, enough with the Seattle Seahorses comments".
Thanks for your feedback, Ryan. Truth be told, there's actually a story behind that one. See, my former fiancé (rest her soul) once claimed that she could name every NFL team, complete with city and nickname. She answered the first, I don't know, four questions correctly but when I asked her what team played in Seattle, she said "Um, the Seahorses"? That's one of my fondest memories of her and my referring to Seattle by that name is my way of honoring her memory as sadly, she is no longer with us. A word of advice to all you people out there - never let your girlfriend go bungee jumping in Mexico. They just don't have the regulations…
Ok, so the whole bungee jumping/death part isn't exactly true - I guess I just wanted to make you feel bad for hating on my nickname. Either way, I'll change it. How about I call them the Seattle Thunder? Better?
2 Guys, 1 Name:
Ironically enough, the next email comes from Steve in Seattle. Steve, you're cool. I officially owe you one free copy of Madden 2009. My people will contact your people and get your list of demands. T hanks for pointing out the fact that two players named "Robert Jackson" suited up for the Cleveland Browns back in 1980, complete with dates, a screen shot and hyperlink for verification. Well played, my friend. Enjoy the game, personally autographed by the EA Experts! Engaging wings…on to the week 13 picks!
*Those of you who read this column last year remember my disclaimer: This article is not designed to cover obvious starts (ex. Larry Fitzgerald) or obvious sits (ex. Vernon Davis). You shouldn't need my help making decisions like that! I usually go out on a limb and recommend sitting players that many owners start, or starting guys that are normally relegated to back-up duty. So keep that in mind when writing your fan mail/hate mail to fantasy@ea.com.
Week 11 Re-cap:
Dead on: Tyler Thigpen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGehee, Hines Ward, Laveraneus Coles, Owen Daniels, Kevin Boss
Dead wrong: Brett Favre, Jake Delhomme, Eli Manning, Steve Slaton, Ricky Williams, Julius Jones, Steve Breaston, Bobby Engram, Calvin Johnson, Todd Heap, Redskins Defense
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em!
Eli Manning - NY Giants (@ Arizona Cardinals) - You just saw what happens when a "good" team (the previously 6-3 Baltimore Ravens) try and turn the corner against a great team like the NY Giants. Bad things. Arizona is not as good as their 7-3 record suggests mainly due to the fact that their defense doesn't scare anyone. Eli is due for a big game and the Giants will have to score some points to win this one. I'm predicting big numbers in a shoot-out.
P-Track Predicts: 21/31 - 240 YDs - 3 TDs
Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers (vs. Indianapolis Colts) - I'm either going to look really smart or super stupid come Monday morning for putting Rivers on the "Start 'Em" list because he certainly hasn't played well enough to warrant the honor lately. But he's still a talented guy with a good supporting cast so I think the return home and the match-up with the high scoring Colts will wake him up. He might throw a pick (hopefully not more than "a" pick) but I expect the yards and TDs to be pretty big.
P-Track Predicts: 28/40 - 300 YDs - 2 TDs
The "Stretch Pick" - Brett Favre - NY Jets (@ Tennessee Titans ) - I know Brett Favre is rarely a "stretch pick" but the match-up against Tennessee bumps him down a notch. Actually, he's more of a "start at your own risk" pick for this week. But if TJ can't run the ball, and if Favre brings the magic like he's been known to do, you could see the Jets simply outscore the Titans.
P-Track Predicts: 26/41 - 300 YDs - 2 TDs
Other big play QB starts for week 12: Jay Cutler (vs. Oakland Raiders), Aaron Rodgers (@ New Orleans) and Tyler Thigpen (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Sit 'Em!
Marc Bulger - St. Louis Rams (vs. Chicago Bears) - Normally you'd have to love it when your QB has 53 pass attempts in a game…unless, of course, your QB is Marc Bulger. Although if your QB is Marc Bulger, you're probably not reading fantasy football articles in week 12. Anyway, expect the Bears to eat him alive.
P-Track Predicts: 18/39 - 190 YDs - 1 TD - 3 INTs + a benching
Trent Edwards - Buffalo Bills (@ Kansas City Chiefs) - It's been common practice to start as many offensive players against the lowly Chiefs as possible this season, but not this week. Edwards looked downright awful on MNF, and the Bills picked him off 3 times on his first 6 passes. Yikes! Buffalo has lost four games in a row and the Chiefs are starting to play with some pride. Add in the home crowd advantage and Kansas City's ability to control the clock (yup, I said it) and the once reliable Edwards becomes someone you want no part of.
P-Track Predicts: 16/31 - 160 YDS - 1 TD - 2 INTs
Bold Prediction: Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb will score fewer fantasy points than 49ers QB Shaun Hill in week 12.
RUNNINGBACKS >>
Patrick "P-track" Lamont has been with EA Sports since 2002, most recently as a Staffing Coordinator. He has been a fantasy football owner since 2002 and his "man-crush" on New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is widely known throughout the Central Florida area.
Comments or Questions? Email us at fantasy@ea.com
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Important Dates
| 07/16 - Live Draft Tracker available on Xbox LIVE™ and PLAYSTATION®Network |
| 09/03 - Prize Eligible Registration Cut-off |
| 09/04 - Live Score Tracker available on Xbox LIVE™ and PLAYSTATION®Network |
| 09/04 - Start of Pro Season |
| 10/22 - Midseason League Drafts Begin |
| 11/02 - Midseason League Scoring Begins |
| 11/27 - Trade Deadline |
| 12/06 - Waiver Deadline |
