FANTASY FOCUS: Every owner makes mistakes

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

First off, I opted to play Derrick Ward instead of Cedric Benson. Oops!

For those keeping score at home, Ward racked up a whole nine yards as Tampa Bay was crushed by the Giants, 24-0. Meanwhile, Benson ran for 76 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown in an old-school AFC North battle that had the Bengals beat the Steelers, 23-20.

Congratulations to the Detroit Lions on their first victory in defeating the Washington Redskins, 19-14. Coach Jim Schwartz has them headed in the right direction and the whole organization should be proud ... even though it was the Redskins.

Shame on the Oakland Raiders. They should change conferences. I'm thinking maybe the Big Ten. Maybe coach Tom Cable should spend less time hitting his coaches and more time teaching his team to hit.

Congratulations in a roundabout way to Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, who is done for the season. Pennington tore a muscle in his throwing shoulder Sunday. That puts him in the ridiculous situation of being a contender for the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year, an award he already has won twice.

Shame on Browns coach Eric Manigini. Your team is 0-3 while your former team (Jets) is 3-0 with a superstar in-the-making quarterback. Who looks like a genius now?

WEEK 3 Report Card:

Starts:

Jason Campbell (QB/Wash.): Was 24-for-41 for 340 yards with two TDs and one interception. This team is a complete mess and owner Daniel Snyder needs to make many changes.

Ahmad Bradshaw (RB/NYG): 14 carries for 104 yards. As expected, he and Brandon Jacobs literally ran over the Buccaneers.

Drew Brees (QB/NO): 16-29 for 172 with zero picks and TDs. Thanks Drew, you single handedly cost me a game this week. Please see Seahawks coach Jim Mora for postgame tirade!

Sits:

Frank Gore (RB/SF): 1 carry for 4 yards. This is not good news for the 49ers. Gore has a sprained right ankle that likely will keep him shelved for a couple of weeks. Rookie Glen Coffee is not ready for the full-time status.

Michael Turner (RB/ATL): 15 rushes for 56 yards and one touchdown. His numbers are down and maybe the Falcons are trying to lessen his load. That or they are trying to take Matt Ryan to that next level, which he has shown so far capable of handling.

Cedric Benson (RB/Cin.): PLAY HIM! PLAY HIM! PLAY HIM!

Week 4 STARTS/SITS:

STARTS:

Clinton Portis (RB/Wash.): Every running back plays against the Buccaneers!

Cedric Benson (RB/Cin.): They are playing Cleveland.

David Garrard (QB/Jax.): Obviously the Jaguars will go as Maurice Jones-Drew goes, but they have a matchup this week against the Titans. The Titans defense has spent an inexcusable amount of time on the field through three weeks. Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Schaub both torched them for more than 300 yards, and Mark Sanchez threw two TDs and ran for one.

SITS:

Tony Romo (QB/Dal.): At Denver. Say whatever you want to say about the "New Orange Crush," but 16 points allowed through three games speaks volumes.

Pierre Thomas (RB/NO): Remember, I don't like anyone playing against that Jets defense. Except for a certain quarterback ... right Drew?!

Bills running backs: Marshawn Lynch makes his return, but Fred Jackson still will have plenty of playing time. No one has had much success running the ball against the Dolphins.

Finally, don't forget this is the first bye week, with four teams off this week. This week will conclude in Minnesota on Monday as the Packers come calling in what should be a real slobber-knocker.

• Andy Hampton writes the weekly fantasy football column, “Fantasy Focus,” for the Daily Chronicle. Write to him a sports@daily-chronicle.com.