NFL Week 7 Sleepers | Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus | Tony Romo – Brad Johnson
(Update: It appears that Tony Romo will not start today, so the advice below regarding Brad Johnson is relevant. Romo is expected to play only if things “go haywire.”)
(Editor’s Note: This story was written and published before reports began to surface that Tony “I Want to Be Brett Favre” Romo began saying that he wanted to ignore the advice of the Cowboys’ training staff (per 1310 AM The Ticket in Dallas this morning) and play with his injured pinkie this weekend against St. Louis. Obviously, if Tony Romo plays it puts Brad Johnson on the bench. Still, the advice below is worthy of heeding, as Romo could still decide to sit out and is very much at risk of doing further damage to his pinkie should he decide to suit up. This is a situation to monitor as Sunday approaches, and certainly Brad Johnson should be on your radar screen until we hear that Tony Romo has a clean bill of health.)
It’s crunch time fantasy football owners — you know what I am talking about. We are in the meat and potatoes of the season. Week 7 marks the first game over the halfway point to the playoffs. Visit the link to my week 6 results and see why I should be your weekly source for all of your NFL needs and advice.
First, I would like to thank those who wrote into me this week at ProFootballInsight@live.com with their fantasy football questions. This week’s selected question came from Eric in Cleveland.
Eric has both David Garrard and Matt Ryan on byes and needs to pick up a QB. Eric has five options to start at QB that are available on waivers and wants to know who will be the most successful. His options are Matt Cassell, Brad Johnson, Dan Orlovsky, Charlie Frye and Seneca Wallace.
I will eliminate two for you right off the bat, those being Charile Frye and Seneca Wallace. As much as I do not like Charlie Frye, due to his liking to throw to opposite-colored jerseys, I love Seneca Wallace; that is, when healthy. If Seneca Wallace was 100%, that would be my clear cut choice, without a doubt. He has always played very well in the role of backup and can hurt you two ways, with his arm and his legs. His drawback was that he was only available in an emergency situation last week, and probably couldn’t have played even if called upon to do so. With that said, they will not risk his health to force him out there to start over Charlie Frye this week.
I do not like Dan Orlovsky due to the Lions’ inability to generate a power run game, and the fact that he ran out of the end zone because he was too stupid to stay inbounds. Matt Cassell will grow with the offense, if he is not decapitated by the opposing defense first, but still is not where I would like him to be. I am going with 107-year old Brad Johnson on this one.
Eric, my thought process into this is simple: All of the tools are there, and Johnson is a game manager. He knows the system and is supported by Terrell Owens, Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton. (Editor’s note: And now, Roy Williams too!) My dog can complete passes to this group. I anticipate the Cowboys to tailor their offense to Johnson’s availabilities.
Now onto the Week 7 Fantasy Football Sleepers!
Michael Pittman, RB Broncos- If your league is not deep, he is most certainly available. Even if your league is deep, Pittman is 
available in over 50% of fantasy football leagues. I love him this week as a flex or bye week fill-in for a few reasons.
The Rocky Mountain Times reported that head coach Mike Shanahan told Pittman that he will not only start Monday Night against the Patriots, but he will have an opportunity to keep the starting job based on his performance. Pittman is coming off the Broncos first 100 yard performance since last December, and was given more than enough motivation to perform at a high level on the big stage.
Brad Johnson, QB Cowboys- Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton…. and now, Roy Williams, WOW! Yes, Brad Johnson is 107 years old; but, defenses will now key in on Marion Barber to stop the run by stacking the box on him. This will force Brad Johnson a veteran QB who is familiar with the offense, to pass; and that he will.
Brad Johnson will give you his usual consistent 200 yard performance with 2 TD’s and a pick or two. Brad Johnson is a game manager with a ton of weapons. I look for Brad Johnson to do a better job of managing the egos in the huddle and bring a father figure type approach to a very powerful huddle.
I am going out on a limb now and telling you exactly opposite of what my advice was last week. Even though I could not have been more right last week by telling you to sit your New England Patriots, you have to start them this week.
They are on your rosters for a reason, and you probably gave your draft away to take them in early rounds. I see Matt Cassell, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Sammy Morris as legitimate starters for this week for one reason: Denver’s Defense. If the New England Patriots cannot put on a productive offensive game plan against this “D“, do not start them until Tom Brady is back under center.
Get your questions in so the experts from ProFootballInsight.webs.com can provide you with exclusive, individual and personal attention for your fantasy football needs. Send your questions to profootballinsight@live.com. Good luck this week fantasy owners. Your playoffs are right around the corner.
[tags]fantasy football, week 7 sleepers, nfl[/tags]
Tags: Fantasy Football, NFL, sleeper focus, sleepers, week 7 fantasy, week 7 sleeper
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Kurt,
I have two WRs on byes this week and need a fill-in. Who would you recommend among the following:
Derrick Mason
Antwaan Randle El
Antonio Bryant
Bobby Wade
Thanks!
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Jerod,
This group is very difficult to make one selection out of, as they all have alot in common. All are inconsistent and are in run first offensive systems, and all have touchdown potential on a week to week basis.
With that said, Bryant has big game potential with Griese as the starter, but he is not. Garcia does not appear to have developed chemistry with Bryant as Griese had.
Wade is averaging 6 to 8 fantasy points per week, and is establishing a rythm with Gus Frerotte, but hate this start against the Bears this week.
That leaves Mason and Randle El. If your league gives points for receptions, I would start Mason as Flacco goes to Mason whenever possible. For all other leagues, I like Randle El. He not only gets his share of targets throughout a game, but is involved in WR end arounds for yardage carries and passing attempts for the former college QB, with one passing touchdown already on the season. It should be noted that Randle El has a perfect QB rating as he is 4-4 with 4 touchdowns.
profootballinsight@live.com
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which qb… johnson or garcia?
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Hi Joe,
Thanks for your question. If both play, Brad Johnson is my pick, all day long. The only problem is, he is not a 100 percent start at this point, where Jeff Garcia appears to be exactly that. If you have both on your roster, place Johnson into the starter slot until Sunday morning, hopefully something will be on concrete as to who will be the starter. If you do not have a definate answer when your lineup is due, go with Garcia. I hope Johnson does in fact play this week, my QB’s are eating bye weeks this week.
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I was just reading another post on this site that said clinton portis is injured but supposed to play. Should I still start him or how badly is he hurt? Is Shaun Alexander worth a pick-up?
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To Dan Snyder is short.
Clinton Portis’s status for this weekend is currently probable, and every report out of Washington has him playing. I am hopeful that his numbers will be better than before since his spell back, Ladell Betts is on the shelf. Remember Rudi Johnson and Cedric Benson were both signed before Alexander, which should tell you his NFL value immediately. It will take time for Shaun to learn the offense, and he is far away from his MVP days. If Portis was to go down with an injury, I could see Alexander, or Betts when he comes back being worthy of a pick up. If your league charges for pick ups or there is better talent who will get more carries than Alexander, I would leave him where he has been, on the shelf.
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Hello,
Should I start
Jonathan Stewart or Matt Forte?
and
Tony Romo or Jason Campbell?
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Hi Jon Paz,
I will answer the easy one first. Jason Campbell without a doubt. Here’s why. Forget about Campbell, his matchup or his abilities. The Cowboys are looking for one thing only, a victory. If Romo plays, heres what may happen. He starts and;
A. Leaves the game after throwing a pick or fumble with negative points and is injured on the play.
B. He plays, The Cowboys go up by 2 or 3 scores, and they pull Romo because the game is a lock.
C. Does not start at all.
There is an extremely slight possibility that Romo does play a hole game, and plays well, and that the Rams are competitive against them. I find that the odds of this are not very likely.
Your other question is far more difficult to answer.
Stewart is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Saints because of a stomach illness, but the Panters expect him to play on Sunday. Meanwhile, Matt Forte is facing an extremely stingy Vikings run D. Forte will get more carries, but how productive they will be is another story. If 100%, I like Stewart at home, only because of that Vikings D. If they are not positive on Sunday as of his status, start Forte, as he usually gets 20 touches a game.
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Is tony scheffler going to be productive this week?
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Which two?
Portis
Pittman
Tom Jones (he’s CLE)
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Jon Paz,
I don’t look for him to be productive this week, let alone even on the field. He was limited in practice on Friday with a groin injury, and is currently listed as Questionable. You don’t see too many players with this type of injury play, let alone be productive. Hopefully you have another viable option at TE, if not, check the waiver wire to be safe.
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Hi Levi,
I am assuming that’s Thomas Jones of the Jets, otherwise its definately your first two. With what Portis has done year to date, and the loss of his spell back Laddel Betts, Portis is a must start.
I also really like Pittman this week with the starting job being held over his head. Jones was a disappointment last week against the Bengals, which means he will probably bounce back against the Raiders. I still like Pittman because of the above, and I love having players on Monday Night, because if your winning going into Monday Night, your player is a bonus, if your losing, you have some hope left and you are glued to your TV.
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I have both Scheffler and Kellen Winslow. Who gets the nod? Do I need to find another one on the wire?
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Hi Rece,
This is the one thing that drives me crazy about fantasy football and the NFL. Teams wait until the last minute to disclose if a player is playing or not, espically players that impact the opposing teams defensive gameplan. Winslow is no exception. Because they line him up in the slot and he is a huge mismatch to most linebackers when in on the line, defenses have to plan againt that. He appeared to be fine at practice, but remains listed as questionable. Winslow is your best option to produce out of the two of these this weekend, but for a sure bet, I recommend picking up an additional TE to hold in reserve and check Winslow’s status at about noon on Sunday. If he is a go, play him, if not, use your reserve.
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Kurt, I just had a waiver wire acquisition go through: I picked up Torry Holt. With Dallas’ secondary banged up and missing Pacmoron, Holt’s has a decent shot of putting up some numbers this week right? I have both Larry Fitzgerald on DeSean Jackson on byes. The other options were the ones I asked about above. Are any of them better than Holt? Thanks.
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Jerod,
Talent wise, no, not even close. Yes, the Cowboys secondary is their weak spot, you just have to hope that the Cowboys aggressive front 7 does not get to Bulger before he gets his passes off. The O-line for the Rams has blown, which is the direct factor to their offensive lack of production. I look for the Cowboys to aggressively get after Bulger. If he has time, there is not a corner on Dallas who can shut Holt down, and Bulger should find him. Holt’s best game of the year was against the defending super bowl champs, and is due for another big performance. I do like Holt over your other options.
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Hi I have a really tough desicion at rb i need 1 out of these 5
Ronnie brown
Reggie bush
Matt forte
Darren mcfadden
or Willis mcgahee
I also need 3 out of these 4
Calvin Johnson
Santonio Holmes
Dwyane Bowe
Derrick Mason
Reply
Hi Jon,
You do have some tough decisions across the board. I will perform quick hits on your RB issues. Reggie Bush, not 100 percent, Matt Forte, facing the stingiest run defense in the league, Darren McFadden, not 100 percent and sharing half his carries with Duece McAllister, Willis McGahee, not 100 percent and sharing carries with two backs, and loses goal line carries. Miami’s offense as of late has gone through Ronnie Brown, and if I were in your shoes, he would be my starter. Next in line for me would be Reggie Bush.
At WR, I would rather start a few of your backs than this group. Johnson practiced Thursday after his concussion without issue, I would start him. I love Dwyane Bowe, but he lacks a good quarterback, or even a consistent starter, but is managing to have a good year despite these issues. He is facing the Titans this week, which is another drawback. I like Holmes versus the bengals. Mason is Flaco’s favorite target, but they are facing a tough Miami D. I would leave Mason out and take your chances.
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Thanks as for RB i think you mean Mcfadden is splitting with Fargas NOT McAllister
And do you think ronnie brown will have an easier time playing a Ravens Run D instead of Forte playing a Vikings Run D?
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Jon,
Thanks for the correction, they both split carries, as do most backs in the NFL anymore. The every down backs are few and far between. I love the Ravens D this year, but with that said, Minnesota has shut down Rudi Johnson to 38 yards on 17 carries, held Reggie Bush to 29 yards on 12 carries, Chris Johson and Lendell White to 74 yards on 28 carries, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to 42 yards on 17 carries, Joseph Addai to 20 yards on 15 carries and Ryan Grant had the most sucess in week 1 with 12 carries for 92 yards. This is a very talented group of RB’s, and I think that Chicago will have no problem aborting the run if it is not there.
Miami has a good defense too, which will cause Baltimore’s defense to be on the field quite a bit. If Flacco can not get the pass game going, this will be a very long day for the Baltimore D.
I would take my chances with Ronnie Brown. This is the same Ronnie Brown that took New Engand to task with a Tom Brady like performance with the final touchdown total.
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Hot off the Press, Brad Johnson will start today for the Cowboys!
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