Benching Studs (1 Viewer)

[Arodin]

So the fantasy mantra has generally been "never bench your studs," but it looks like the increased availability of info and metrics is changing that?

Last week someone made the gutsy play to bench Luck for Palmer, and came out golden. This week, I see people talking about sitting Rodgers (vs Sea) for juicier matchups with lesser QB talents. Someone even suggested playing Mariota over him, in the Mariota thread.

Where is the line? Is there a good metric to answer the question "how good a matchup do I need to start the inferior player over the tough-match star?" Palmer vs. Chicago might be good enough. What about Foles vs. Washington? Mariota vs. Cleveland? Flacco vs. Oakland? Is it all just going off gut?

 

[bigbrownbag]

Never bench your studs

 

[TLK]

Never bench your studs

 

[Underachievers]

Never bench your studs.

 

[Manster]

Some are studlier than others....Rodgers don't bench

 

[LionOfGosforth]

It's a risk like anything else. Do it if you feel it's the right thing to do but prepare to be burned big time if it backfires. I benched Luck for Brady in one league last week (not that much of a gamble obviously, the opponents and circumstances just felt right to me) and barely gave it a moment's thought. Could have backfired badly. Sometimes it works, often it doesn't. Something like Mariota instead of Rodgers, nope, wouldn't do it until we have way more data on Mariota, don't know how anyone could pull that trigger. Don't know about any "metric" on it either, it's gut instinct and common sense mostly.

 

[djjosee]

Foster. Dez and Hilton sitting on my bench this week. :(

 

[Chaka]

Never draft studs!

Then you won't have this problem.

 

[TDorBust]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Don't bench your studs

 

[Chaka]

And why do we call them "studs"? Think about it, it's a little creepy.

 

[gethugefast1]

Never Bench Your Studs!

Definition of Stud in week 1 of new season?

Round 1 pick (or round 2) or Top Player in their position?

How many will end up round 1 or top in their position at end of season?

 

[Caesar]

Bench Rodgers against the defense that gave up 34 to St Louis last week? Sign me up for a league with that guy.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Bench Rodgers against the defense that gave up 34 to St Louis last week? Sign me up for a league with that guy.

Yeah, and for a rookie QB that looked really good against a poor defense. Would anyone be shocked in Mariota did not throw a TD pass this week? Rookie QBs can be very inconsistent.

 

[3nOut]

Instead of asking whether or not you should ever bench a stud, maybe ask if the players you have are truly studs. Studs are matchup proof (that's what makes them studs) and should never be benched unless they are injured. They may occasionally have a poor performance, but...

Never bench your studs.

 

[Manster]

Bench Rodgers against the defense that gave up 34 to St Louis last week? Sign me up for a league with that guy.

Yeah, and for a rookie QB that looked really good against a poor defense. Would anyone be shocked in Mariota did not throw a TD pass this week? Rookie QBs can be very inconsistent.

I'm as high on him as anyone.....dumped cam for him in a redraft after week one...but he's backing up Matty Ice until further notice

 

[Arodin]

LOL...that's an overwhelming consensus for the conventional wisdom.

I thought it seemed nuts to even think about benching Rodgers too, but I think the success of those crazies who benched Luck last week has given the insanity more life.

Maybe Rodgers goes off for 40+ FP and the whole notion goes away.

 

[Chaka]

Maybe Rodgers goes off for 40+ FP and the whole notion goes away.

I hope this does not come off as offensive, sincerely I don't, but is this your first time playing fantasy football?

 

[bigbrownbag]

And why do we call them "studs"? Think about it, it's a little creepy.

Because they get a lot of P_____

 

[Pietaster2]

I'm benching Brady against the Bills. Hopefully the gods of FF won't hurl a mountain upon me for violating the most important rule.

 

[Wrigley]

I'm benching Brady against the Bills. Hopefully the gods of FF won't hurl a mountain upon me for violating the most important rule.

No problem. He's not a stud

 

[MattFancy]

For me, it always comes down to what will I regret more. Would I be more pissed if my backup QB was on the bench and had a guy game or would I be more pissed if I sat Rodgers and he had a good game?

 

[Peak]

Luck has a tough matchup with the Jets Def this week. Considering benching him for a more favorable matchup of Mariota vs CLE. I get the don't bench your studs mantra, but sometimes you have to look at the data in front of you and make a logical decision.

 

[Hu-Tang Clan]

I'm benching Brady against the Bills. Hopefully the gods of FF won't hurl a mountain upon me for violating the most important rule.

I'm likely doing the same and going with Romo.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Luck has a tough matchup with the Jets Def this week. Considering benching him for a more favorable matchup of Mariota vs CLE. I get the don't bench your studs mantra, but sometimes you have to look at the data in front of you and make a logical decision.

There's nothing logical about benching a stud QB that put up 25 points last week in a "bad" game for a rookie QB playing against a good defense.

Not to mention that Cromartie is out this week, making the Jets D less attractive.

 

[Warrior]

The 'palmer over luck' guy was a blind squirrel who just happened to stumble across a nut. It was a horrible call and would have failed 9/10 times.

 

[dagwood]

Never bench your studs until they stop being studs (like CJ).

 

[Peak]

Luck has a tough matchup with the Jets Def this week. Considering benching him for a more favorable matchup of Mariota vs CLE. I get the don't bench your studs mantra, but sometimes you have to look at the data in front of you and make a logical decision.

There's nothing logical about benching a stud QB that put up 25 points last week in a "bad" game for a rookie QB playing against a good defense.

Not to mention that Cromartie is out this week, making the Jets D less attractive.

Luck didn't score 25 pts for me last week - but still. You note Cromartie is out, but what about Hilton? The Colts are relying on an aged Andre Johnson who looks slower than Wayne from last year. That makes Moncrief the next man up. The Jets front line is dangerous with a pass rush which can take advantage of Indy's vulnerable oline. With a mediocre running game, Luck may not have as much time to ward off the Jets attack. I haven't looked at all of the stats from a Dline to Oline battle, but I feel comfortable stating that the Jets may win that one in the trenches.

Looking at the CLE game, the Jets were able to continue running on them which opened up the passing game. CLE's defense didn't look as dominant as last year, and Mariota's quick release may be enough to keep them off balance.

 

[TDorBust]

Luck has a tough matchup with the Jets Def this week. Considering benching him for a more favorable matchup of Mariota vs CLE. I get the don't bench your studs mantra, but sometimes you have to look at the data in front of you and make a logical decision.

You should have not drafted him then and looked to trade for him after week 2....

This is what I did with Lacy last year and ended up with him in both leagues after owners got scared after a couple bad starts.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Luck has a tough matchup with the Jets Def this week. Considering benching him for a more favorable matchup of Mariota vs CLE. I get the don't bench your studs mantra, but sometimes you have to look at the data in front of you and make a logical decision.

There's nothing logical about benching a stud QB that put up 25 points last week in a "bad" game for a rookie QB playing against a good defense.

Not to mention that Cromartie is out this week, making the Jets D less attractive.

Luck didn't score 25 pts for me last week - but still. You note Cromartie is out, but what about Hilton? The Colts are relying on an aged Andre Johnson who looks slower than Wayne from last year. That makes Moncrief the next man up. The Jets front line is dangerous with a pass rush which can take advantage of Indy's vulnerable oline. With a mediocre running game, Luck may not have as much time to ward off the Jets attack. I haven't looked at all of the stats from a Dline to Oline battle, but I feel comfortable stating that the Jets may win that one in the trenches.

Looking at the CLE game, the Jets were able to continue running on them which opened up the passing game. CLE's defense didn't look as dominant as last year, and Mariota's quick release may be enough to keep them off balance.

Well, I'm not sure what scoring system you use so lets just say he ended up with 243 yds, 2 TDs, 2 ptc, and 20 yards rushing in a "down" week for him.

Jets surely have a good defense and a fierce front 7, but McCown moved them down the field (before fumbling on the GL) and Manziel threw a long TD pass against them, and then turned into a turnover machine. A great QB like Luck can move the ball against a good/great defense. Perhaps he's not going to have his typical 300 yard, 3-4 TD outings but he'll likely be solid at home coming off of a season opening loss.

Mariota looked very poised and accurate in Week 1. I'm sure he'll be a great QB, but as a rookie he's going to be inconsistent. Tenn also does not have WRs like Marshall and Decker on the outside to attack Cleveland's strong secondary, nor do they have the o-line or running game that the Jets have to soften up the middle.

No matter how you spin it taking on the risk of benching Luck for Mariota is not a logical decision. It's over-thinking things. It's possible that it works out in your favor, but then its a case of "bad process, but good results" not "good process".

 

[BobbyLayne]

Know who your studs are.