Not starting a Kicker (1 Viewer)

[FUBAR]

Curious to see the SP opinion on not starting a complete lineup due to short benches.

Basic scenario - your team has short benches and a few players on bye this week. Your options are to go without a kicker or defense (Ds score more, so that's probably not the best choice) or drop one of your players on bye who you like for later in the season. In your opinion, any player you drop will probably be picked up as soon as they clear waivers and you want to keep them. Long term, the best move for your team is probably to take a zero at kicker. Do you do it?

(FWIW, I just dropped Dez to fill the lineup, but I'm interested in opinions in general)

 

[Donsmith753]

Do it, At this point in the season FF is more than one game.

 

[5 Digits]

Depends on how comfortable I am taking a loss this week and still making the playoffs. Also if one of the MNF kickers are available on the WW I'd consider not playing a kicker and then putting one in Sunday night if it looks like the game will come down to 5-10 points.

 

[Breesisdaman]

I love it when my opponents drop solid players because of bye weeks/ adding a kicker because often times it nets me a player for my team. If losing 1 more game makes or breaks your season it is worth it I suppose ,otherwise be prepared to make your team even weaker for the long haul. Who do you plug in when Dez Bryant finally lives up to his potential and starts going off for your opponent who snagged him up?

 

[glumpy]

I love it when my opponents drop solid players because of bye weeks/ adding a kicker because often times it nets me a player for my team. If losing 1 more game makes or breaks your season it is worth it I suppose ,otherwise be prepared to make your team even weaker for the long haul. Who do you plug in when Dez Bryant finally lives up to his potential and starts going off for your opponent who snagged him up?

and...when do you expect that? Honest question--limited rosters in my league too and he's just hit the waiver wire--but I'm not comfortable dropping anybody I've got for him...yet.

 

[Peeps Inc.]

Depends on how comfortable I am taking a loss this week and still making the playoffs. Also if one of the MNF kickers are available on the WW I'd consider not playing a kicker and then putting one in Sunday night if it looks like the game will come down to 5-10 points.

I was just gonna post this myself

 

[ForWhoForWhat]

##### move. Against the rules in my leagues, would get you thrown out.

 

[Bipolar Bengals]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

 

[gandalas]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I agree-no matter how valuable you think a kicker may be, he is not as valuable as a position player. In a roster with short benches, unless it is a 32 team league or something, there is always a viable kicker replacement on the wire.

 

[bushdocda]

Really should be in the rules that it's an auto loss. But if it's not then I agree it is a move to consider.

 

[Road Warriors]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

This is the correct answer. You can always find a decent matchup K on the wire. Drop your rostered K, field a full team, then re-add your K if he clears waivers or look for the next matchup K on the wire next week.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

If it's within the rules, and you're allowed to set a starting lineup with a player who is on a bye, there is nothing anyone could complain about. I personally don't like allowing it, but I play in some leagues that do.

I play in one league that has short benches and if I thought my team would take a significant net loss to make a waiver move to add an active Kicker, instead of just holding onto whoever I intended to drop, I think I would place the bye-week Kicker in my lineup and hope for the best. In addition, it would depend on my current record at the time and relative strength of the rest of my starters. If I felt my team could win without an active Kicker, I'd leave it be. If I felt my team could lose, and one more loss would eliminate my team from playoff contention, I'm making that waiver wire move to add an active Kicker. I'd also have to weigh in the cost of said move, as I mentioned above. Would making the waiver move to add an active Kicker give me a net loss in regards to overall team strength and what would be the ramifications of said move? Would my team be weakened for the playoffs I'm trying so desperately to qualify for?

I think those are the things that need to be examined when making this type of decision.

 

[FUBAR]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I dropped the kicker for Sproles before this. I drafted somewhat badly (unlucky?). My starting RBs are Spiller and DWill, I had Grant but now have Jackson, needed a 4th RB. I'm 1-4 right now so a loss this week would be even worse. By far my worst redraft league in 10+ years.

 

[Road Warriors]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I dropped the kicker for Sproles before this. I drafted somewhat badly (unlucky?). My starting RBs are Spiller and DWill, I had Grant but now have Jackson, needed a 4th RB. I'm 1-4 right now so a loss this week would be even worse. By far my worst redraft league in 10+ years.

So, at this point, your team has no K rostered? Thats not a bye week issue, its a roster issue. You'll have to make a move sometime to roster a K to be competitive, I would think.In addition, as you are already tinkering on the edge record-wise, unless there is some future consideration ( dynasty, keeper ) involved, you can't afford another loss. I would suggest you need to maximize your points this week, or the fact that you're stronger later in the season won't matter. Another loss ( or 2 max, I would think ) will pretty much eliminate you from the playoffs in most systems.

 

[FUBAR]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I dropped the kicker for Sproles before this. I drafted somewhat badly (unlucky?). My starting RBs are Spiller and DWill, I had Grant but now have Jackson, needed a 4th RB. I'm 1-4 right now so a loss this week would be even worse. By far my worst redraft league in 10+ years.

So, at this point, your team has no K rostered? Thats not a bye week issue, its a roster issue. You'll have to make a move sometime to roster a K to be competitive, I would think.In addition, as you are already tinkering on the edge record-wise, unless there is some future consideration ( dynasty, keeper ) involved, you can't afford another loss. I would suggest you need to maximize your points this week, or the fact that you're stronger later in the season won't matter. Another loss ( or 2 max, I would think ) will pretty much eliminate you from the playoffs in most systems.

It's a one week issue either way as I'd drop Sproles or Jackson for the kicker next week.

 

[1stand2nd]

The OP brings up an interesting question. I don't know how many times I've scrambled to pick up a bye week K or DEF only to see meager production of a couple of points or so from that bye week fill in. In the meantime I've weakened the depth of my roster by dropping some other player that I really didn't want to give up. Sometimes you can get him back the next week, sometimes he's scooped up by a competitor. I don't like it when that happens! While 2 or 3 points occasionally makes the difference between a win and a loss, most times it doesn't. So I'm tempted to go empty at K, though I usually chicken out and pick one up.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I always just cut the Def or K on bye... no biggie

 

[1stand2nd]

Yeah, cutting your existing K or DEF that bye week is easy unless you've got one in the top 5, or so. Then I don't want to give him up.

 

[Breesisdaman]

Do you guys seriously carry a "Bye Kicker"? Is that in your league rules? I never draft more than one kicker, one Tight end or one DST unless the rules insist you carry them. They are so easily replaced on the waiver wire when bye weeks come that it isnt worth a roster spot IMO.

This year I am extremely lucky to have Kicker, DST and TE with their bye weeks all in week 8. I may drop Matt Bryant in week 8 and fill in with some WW scrub but I am not dropping my TE and DST so if I am not going to do that I might as well not fool with Matt Bryant either. I know it will be a loss week for me but I also know that I dont have to ever mess with carrying a backup K, DST or TE. Im just going to take my lumps in week eight and roll and keep my players as they are because I dont want to loose any position players to that nonsense of dropping a player to pick up a replacement for those positions.

 

[CaptainHook]

i cant think of any kicker good enough for me to not drop for another one

 

[munygon2]

I didn't play a kicker last week and lost by 5 points.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I agree-no matter how valuable you think a kicker may be, he is not as valuable as a position player. In a roster with short benches, unless it is a 32 team league or something, there is always a viable kicker replacement on the wire.

This seems like the right answer.Is the idea that there is some "stud" kicker out ther so valuable he can't be replaced? Especially at this stage of the season. So someone would take a zero this week with the idea that this kicker will net 5-8 points per week for the rest of the season?Even if that kicker exists, and I don't think he does, it's pretty early to say who that would be. There isn't a Neil Rackers type season from a few years ago anywhere on the boards this year. I would say just drop the kicker and get another one; you might actually improve your kicker situation if you do it right.

 

[MIMN]

I'd drop my bye kicker for a ww kicker before I'd drop Dez.

I agree-no matter how valuable you think a kicker may be, he is not as valuable as a position player. In a roster with short benches, unless it is a 32 team league or something, there is always a viable kicker replacement on the wire.

This seems like the right answer.Is the idea that there is some "stud" kicker out ther so valuable he can't be replaced? Especially at this stage of the season. So someone would take a zero this week with the idea that this kicker will net 5-8 points per week for the rest of the season?Even if that kicker exists, and I don't think he does, it's pretty early to say who that would be. There isn't a Neil Rackers type season from a few years ago anywhere on the boards this year. I would say just drop the kicker and get another one; you might actually improve your kicker situation if you do it right.

Especially since the OP said that kickers are not valuable enough that they are comfortable playing without one. I don't play in any league where I wouldn't drop one (even top 5). I have played without a defense in one league where points against could create a negative score pretty easily. Most defenses wound up negative. The commish thought it would make defenses more valuable but it just made me drop one for the year. After a couple of weeks a couple of other teams followed suit. The scoring was changed after that year.

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

I think there was a similar thread a couple weeks ago.

I'll just say what I said then:

I've never played a week w/out a kicker, since you're realistically spotting your opponent 7-10 points...sometimes more.

1 extra loss could be the reason you don't make the playoffs.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

first 4 weeks of this season I got a total 4 pts from my kicker position.

I'd have no problem with it.

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

first 4 weeks of this season I got a total 4 pts from my kicker position.I'd have no problem with it.

Haha, what?Does your league have unique kicker scoring?Or have you just been incredibly unlucky with starting K's?If only getting 1 point from the K is normal for a league, then yes I'd have no problem playing w/out a K in that specific league.

 

[Bayhawks]

Do you guys seriously carry a "Bye Kicker"? Is that in your league rules? I never draft more than one kicker, one Tight end or one DST unless the rules insist you carry them. They are so easily replaced on the waiver wire when bye weeks come that it isnt worth a roster spot IMO.

This year I am extremely lucky to have Kicker, DST and TE with their bye weeks all in week 8. I may drop Matt Bryant in week 8 and fill in with some WW scrub but I am not dropping my TE and DST so if I am not going to do that I might as well not fool with Matt Bryant either. I know it will be a loss week for me but I also know that I dont have to ever mess with carrying a backup K, DST or TE. Im just going to take my lumps in week eight and roll and keep my players as they are because I dont want to loose any position players to that nonsense of dropping a player to pick up a replacement for those positions.

I hate when people post stuff like this. Just because it's easy in your league doesn't mean that is the case in ALL leagues.16 team league, with 22 man rosters. Picking up players is usually meant for long-term potential, not fill in for a week help. In a small league, with small rosters, not carrying back-ups might be the wise choice, but in larger leagues, it's necessary.

 

[Asslete]

FWIW...Our $$$$$ league allows one to start a player who is on bye, injured, etc. with the caveat that if you do so and lose, you pay a fine equal to 5X our add/drop fees

 

[Breesisdaman]

Do you guys seriously carry a "Bye Kicker"? Is that in your league rules? I never draft more than one kicker, one Tight end or one DST unless the rules insist you carry them. They are so easily replaced on the waiver wire when bye weeks come that it isnt worth a roster spot IMO.

This year I am extremely lucky to have Kicker, DST and TE with their bye weeks all in week 8. I may drop Matt Bryant in week 8 and fill in with some WW scrub but I am not dropping my TE and DST so if I am not going to do that I might as well not fool with Matt Bryant either. I know it will be a loss week for me but I also know that I dont have to ever mess with carrying a backup K, DST or TE. Im just going to take my lumps in week eight and roll and keep my players as they are because I dont want to loose any position players to that nonsense of dropping a player to pick up a replacement for those positions.

I hate when people post stuff like this. Just because it's easy in your league doesn't mean that is the case in ALL leagues.16 team league, with 22 man rosters. Picking up players is usually meant for long-term potential, not fill in for a week help. In a small league, with small rosters, not carrying back-ups might be the wise choice, but in larger leagues, it's necessary.

I suppose thats true. Come to think of it I did play in a 20 man league once and I do remember kickers being at a premium in that league. Sorry for the generalized statement.

 

[DropKick]

Do you guys seriously carry a "Bye Kicker"? Is that in your league rules? I never draft more than one kicker, one Tight end or one DST unless the rules insist you carry them. They are so easily replaced on the waiver wire when bye weeks come that it isnt worth a roster spot IMO.This year I am extremely lucky to have Kicker, DST and TE with their bye weeks all in week 8. I may drop Matt Bryant in week 8 and fill in with some WW scrub but I am not dropping my TE and DST so if I am not going to do that I might as well not fool with Matt Bryant either. I know it will be a loss week for me but I also know that I dont have to ever mess with carrying a backup K, DST or TE. Im just going to take my lumps in week eight and roll and keep my players as they are because I dont want to loose any position players to that nonsense of dropping a player to pick up a replacement for those positions.

A 2nd kicker? Never.I really like a second "D" to play match-ups if I don't have a top end defense.A second TE can be important too... Just lost Finley so I'm glad to have a strong replacement.I have opted to not field a kicker for strength or roster reasons. No guarantee of points from the position and often it doesn't affect the outcome of the match-up. Of course, it depends on your scoring system but you can win without a kicker.

 

[solorca]

I have been quite happy with Neil Rackers and the Bear defense this season, but I will drop both of them when their bye weeks come up. It's just not worth losing a roster player that you're confident about.

Plus, how often would another league manager pick up your bye week kicker or defense when they can't use them that week? Worst case scenario, you just put in a waiver claim to regain your player after the bye week.

 

[kinghill]

Lack of enough bench spots is gay. I play in one of those leagues, commish set it up so we roster 10 players. start 9, bench 1. Hilarity ensues with top-15 players getting dropped every week.

 

[ratbast]

2 for 1 trade is the solution.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Lack of enough bench spots is gay. I play in one of those leagues, commish set it up so we roster 10 players. start 9, bench 1. Hilarity ensues with top-15 players getting dropped every week.

Why don't you guys just mud wrestle?

 

[the spanker]

2 for 1 trade is the solution.

I've done this multiple times. I try to open up a spot by upgrading a position while at the same time trade a player with any potential upside to the weakest team out there.Takes skill but you can 3 birds with one stone without sacrificing a kicker or DST starter.

 

[Captain Hook]

Curious to see the SP opinion on not starting a complete lineup due to short benches. Basic scenario - your team has short benches and a few players on bye this week. Your options are to go without a kicker or defense (Ds score more, so that's probably not the best choice) or drop one of your players on bye who you like for later in the season. In your opinion, any player you drop will probably be picked up as soon as they clear waivers and you want to keep them. Long term, the best move for your team is probably to take a zero at kicker. Do you do it?(FWIW, I just dropped Dez to fill the lineup, but I'm interested in opinions in general)

my thoughts.....STUPIDDrop a player (especially an injured Bryant since this is a disguised WDIS) and pick up the kicker.....haven't ever lost a game by three points? six points?STUPID to take a Zero even with short rosters

 

[bbuster]

Do you guys seriously carry a "Bye Kicker"? Is that in your league rules? I never draft more than one kicker, one Tight end or one DST unless the rules insist you carry them. They are so easily replaced on the waiver wire when bye weeks come that it isnt worth a roster spot IMO.This year I am extremely lucky to have Kicker, DST and TE with their bye weeks all in week 8. I may drop Matt Bryant in week 8 and fill in with some WW scrub but I am not dropping my TE and DST so if I am not going to do that I might as well not fool with Matt Bryant either. I know it will be a loss week for me but I also know that I dont have to ever mess with carrying a backup K, DST or TE. Im just going to take my lumps in week eight and roll and keep my players as they are because I dont want to loose any position players to that nonsense of dropping a player to pick up a replacement for those positions.

A bye week K...no, but the leagues I play in a top ranked D can score quite high and a WW D can actually cost you pts. If I draft a top DST and they have an early bye week, I always back them up and then drop them after my D has their bye. (ex. Steelers DST this year)For those that say it should be "illegal" to start a bye week player, that's not always cut and dried either. I play in a start 2QB 2DST 2K league. I had no choice but to start a bye week QB this week because my backups were injured and we don't have an IR spot on our rosters. There was not a single starting QB on the WW. My only option was a trade and people seem to think that if you are desperate enough, you will give away your entire roster for a one week fill at QB. I did make an attempt for M.Hall, but even after putting in a much higher bid than I thought he was worth, a "QB collector" spent all of his remaining money for him. FWIW I easily won the week with 1 QB.To the OP...I probably would have left Sproles on the WW. I highly doubt people are rushing to grab him at this point.

 

[Neon Archie]

Always start a full roster as you need to score as many points as possible. If you have problems filling bye weeks you need to make a trade or learn how to manage your roster better.

Drop your bye week K and get another one. These guys are interchangeable really. Never drop a position player for a bye week kicker.

 

[ratbast]

Overpay for a slight upgrade. If you have MSW and like Bowe better, the guy with Bowe would probably jump at MSW and Dez.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Yeah, cutting your existing K or DEF that bye week is easy unless you've got one in the top 5, or so. Then I don't want to give him up.

I dropped Nugent this week and will hazard someone in my league picking him up. The marginal difference just isn't that much. My one league limits us to two FA pick-ups per week (super dumb I know) and I usually try to plan a week ahead on these things. Next year draft a late-bye kicker - you'll be able to replace him with one move then.-QG