Balanced scoring system. The guys I'm thinking of starting are in BOLD. Tell me if I've got it right, or if you'd do something different.

Need to start 2 DLs:
- Mark Anderson (CHI) @ IND
- Derek Burgess (OAK) vs. DEN
- Antwan Odom (CIN) @ BAL
- Juqua Parker (PHI) vs. STL

Need to start 4 LBs:
- Keith Ellison (BUF) vs. SEA (I dropped Crowell and picked up Ellison)
- James Farrior (PIT) vs. HOU
- David Harris, David (NYJ) @ MIA
- Shaun Phillips (SDC) LB vs. CAR
- Demarcus Ware (DAL) @ CLE

Can start 4 DBs:
- Cedric Griffin (MIN) @ GB
- Marlin Jackson (IND) vs. CHI
- Leodis McKelvin (BUF) vs. SEA
- Terence Newman (DAL) @ CLE
- Asante Samuel (PHI) vs. STL

- Will Demps (HOU) @ PIT
- Marquand Manuel (DEN) @ OAK
- Brandon McGowan (CHI) @ IND
- Kevin Payne (CHI) @ IND

I'm thinking about starting Marlin Jackson over Manuel, but how much will Chicago's offense be on the field?

Your thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Need to start 2 DLs:
- Mark Anderson (CHI) @ IND
- Derek Burgess (OAK) vs. DEN
- Antwan Odom (CIN) @ BAL
- Juqua Parker (PHI) vs. STL

I think you've got this one right. I like Odom's upside, but not until he proves he can get off the ball, fully recovered from the foot injury.


Need to start 4 LBs:
- Keith Ellison (BUF) vs. SEA (I dropped Crowell and picked up Ellison)
- James Farrior (PIT) vs. HOU
- David Harris, David (NYJ) @ MIA
- Shaun Phillips (SDC) LB vs. CAR
- Demarcus Ware (DAL) @ CLE

Agreed. I'd try to get Ellison upgraded so that you'll have another option over Phillips in your scoring system. Risky to start two boom-bust type guys (with Farrior) in a balanced scoring league.

Can start 4 DBs:
- Cedric Griffin (MIN) @ GB
- Marlin Jackson (IND) vs. CHI
- Leodis McKelvin (BUF) vs. SEA
- Terence Newman (DAL) @ CLE
- Asante Samuel (PHI) vs. STL
- Will Demps (HOU) @ PIT
- Marquand Manuel (DEN) @ OAK
- Brandon McGowan (CHI) @ IND
- Kevin Payne (CHI) @ IND

I'd start Jackson over Samuel and leave the rest as-is. Make sure Manuel is healthy enough to play tomorrow and be ready to add Demps or Samuel if he isn't. Too much risk with Samuel in a balanced scoring league.

Thanks for the reply Jene

My hesitation in starting Jackson and sitting Samuel is two-fold. Chicago stinks, and it makes me wonder how many sustained drives they will have, thus limiting Jackson's playing time. Much like Antonio Pierce's numbers from Thursday night. The Redskins couldn't stay on the field long enough for him to make any plays. I fear for the same thing here. Couple that with Samuel's seemingly perfect fit in Jim Johnson's aggressive defense and I would think he'd be a good play most weeks. Do either of those things factor into your thinking? Or am I over-analyzing a wee bit?

Samuel has almost no tackle value. In his years in Belichick's zone schemes, which should favor tackle production, he's had only one season with more than 45 solos. Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard weren't that much more dynamic, nor have the Giants corners been under Spagnuolo. I think Samuel would be a better consideration as a boom-bust DB4 if you had a more consistent group at the DB1-DB3 slots. Unfortunately, I don't see that. There's an argument to be made that since all your DBs are a little volatile, you may as well add the 4th volatile player.

Your concerns with Jackson are valid, and if you're feeling that Samuel is the better play, it's not so clear-cut that I feel compelled to argue against your gut.

Really the only thing I'd do different is start Ellison over Phillips. More chances for Ellison. Try to get a gauge on Bolts D this year before commiting to Phillips.

I like the lineup you selected, with one exception. I would start Odom despite his health issues, over Parker. Philly likes to rotate a lot at DE, plus Odom has a great matchup against a rookie QB.