Your #1 WR, do you ALWAYS start him? (1 Viewer)

[Pittsburgh United]

This question applies to any position. But let's say your #1 WR has what on paper looks like a tough matchup. Do you start him anyways because, well heck, he's your #1 WR? Or do you try to play the match-up and see who your #3 or #4 are playing? (In my case, we only start 2 WRs.)

To give you an example: I have Chris Chambers as my #1 WR. He has what would appear to be a tough match-up tonight against the Steelers. Then I have Antonio Bryant who plays the Cardinals this week. These games are typically high-scoring shootouts. Part of me says, there's no way I could sit Chambers in favor of Bryant. But then another part of me can easily see Chambers coming out of tonight's game with 5 points while Bryant gets 15 or so on Sunday.

Now, I've played fantasy football long enough to know that you always consider match-ups before putting in a line-up. But in this specific scenario, where it's week 1 and we're looking at every team and every player with a clean slate, would any of you actually consider sitting your top WR?

 

[Banger]

start your studs especially when your other option is a #30 wr. If deciding between Owens/Chambers you may have more of a decision but in this case it's a no brainer.

 

[Texican]

If you have a stud start him.

My #1 WR is Rod Smith

 

[LayinTheSmackDown]

Like the old skool rule says "Always start your studs"

 

[jon_mx]

If you have a top 10 player in a position, you should always start him if he is healthy. Chambers will get his chances and will score points. Trying to pick a week where a second-tier guy might outperform a stud is impossible. Matchups should only come into play if the picks are of equal quality.

I guess there is one situation where you sit a stud. When his team has locked up their playoff spot.

 

[jpapadub]

Marvin Harrison's worst 2 fantasy games last year were against the Cardinals and the 9ers. Against PIT in the regular season he went for 4/128/1. Chad Johnson blew in a Cleveland game last year 2/22/0, but against a top10 Indy he went 8/189/1. I'm of the mind that tough D matchups hit RBs much harder than stud WRs. With that said, I'm sorry that Chambers is your #1...I have him as a #1 in one of my leagues (had to keep him over McCallister after Bush) and I'm sure after a few weeks Driver is going to be my only sure thing at WR. 3 great games in a row last year surrounded by a bunch of ehhh.

 

[mightyeskimo]

This question applies to any position. But let's say your #1 WR has what on paper looks like a tough matchup. Do you start him anyways because, well heck, he's your #1 WR? Or do you try to play the match-up and see who your #3 or #4 are playing? (In my case, we only start 2 WRs.)

To give you an example: I have Chris Chambers as my #1 WR. He has what would appear to be a tough match-up tonight against the Steelers. Then I have Antonio Bryant who plays the Cardinals this week. These games are typically high-scoring shootouts. Part of me says, there's no way I could sit Chambers in favor of Bryant. But then another part of me can easily see Chambers coming out of tonight's game with 5 points while Bryant gets 15 or so on Sunday.

Now, I've played fantasy football long enough to know that you always consider match-ups before putting in a line-up. But in this specific scenario, where it's week 1 and we're looking at every team and every player with a clean slate, would any of you actually consider sitting your top WR?

Nope.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

Great stuff, everyone. Thanks!

 

[Boston]

He's not a #1 if he you have to bench him due to a matchup.

 

[jon_mx]

If you have a top 10 player in a position, you should always start him if he is healthy. Chambers will get his chances and will score points. Trying to pick a week where a second-tier guy might outperform a stud is impossible. Matchups should only come into play if the picks are of equal quality. I guess there is one situation where you sit a stud. When his team has locked up their playoff spot.

Of couse I say that but I have considered sitting TO this week until I see how the situtation gels. I will probably start him, but TJ and Driver are solid point scorers, TO is still a wild card.

 

[trogg78]

I was considering sitting willie parker my #2 RB in favor of Frank Gore based on matchups...but I just cant do it, especially when willie is playing tonight.

 

[Mapmaker]

Well if your WR1 was ummmm say DBranch you might want to start Bryant over him ... but not Chambers ... especially when your considering Alex Smith is the 49er starting QB ... give the kid some time to prove to you that he's really got that chemistry thing goin' with Bryant before you go out on a limb like that!

 

[Pittsburgh United]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

 

[Brassmonkey71]

Unless he is on a respirator you START him!!!

Stupid ?'s

 

[mojorizin]

Chambers wasnt a bad play and never will be. He got open, CPep got time, he just had trouble getting him the ball. You know this stuff happens all the time. When they should have a great game, they dont. When its a tough matchup they go off for 140/2. Thats why I dont pay much attention to in-season rankings. They are even less reliable than they are in preseason as they are only looking at expected results over one hour.

 

[Wingnut]

I never, ever bench any of my 1st 3 picks.

 

[Raider Nation]

Last year, I had a roster full of total CRAP at wide receiver. Every week, I'd pull my hair out trying to choose two guys from among Porter, Toomer, Lewis, Rogers and other trash like that. This year, I grabbed Holt in the 2nd, and was lucky enough to have Randy Moss fall to me in the 3rd. I won't have to wonder which two guys I'm playing every week, and yes.... I will always start them, regardless of the matchup.

 

[War Eagle]

This question applies to any position. But let's say your #1 WR has what on paper looks like a tough matchup. Do you start him anyways because, well heck, he's your #1 WR? Or do you try to play the match-up and see who your #3 or #4 are playing? (In my case, we only start 2 WRs.)To give you an example: I have Chris Chambers as my #1 WR. He has what would appear to be a tough match-up tonight against the Steelers. Then I have Antonio Bryant who plays the Cardinals this week. These games are typically high-scoring shootouts. Part of me says, there's no way I could sit Chambers in favor of Bryant. But then another part of me can easily see Chambers coming out of tonight's game with 5 points while Bryant gets 15 or so on Sunday.Now, I've played fantasy football long enough to know that you always consider match-ups before putting in a line-up. But in this specific scenario, where it's week 1 and we're looking at every team and every player with a clean slate, would any of you actually consider sitting your top WR?

First...YES....always start your stud!Second.....NO....Chambers is NOT a stud!Chambers is a SOLID #2 and #2's can be sat based on matchup. Holt, Harrison, Johnson, TO, Moss....those are studs.

 

[nygiants56]

start your studs especially when your other option is a #30 wr. If deciding between Owens/Chambers you may have more of a decision but in this case it's a no brainer.

usually I go with the 'always start your studs' theory.Chambers was a good play last night, we all knew that Miami would struggle, as everyone does, to run the ball vs. pitt, so they'd have to pass a lot..Cpepp kept missing targets last night , Chambers should have caught at least 1 TD, maybe two, but Cpepp couldn't hit the ocean with a beach ball...

 

[jon_mx]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

The bad thing about Chambers is he has a new QB. Culpepper was the problem last night, which downgrades Chambers value for the rest of the season. He now may become only a decent #2 WR option.

 

[Sabertooth]

I started Chambers and sat Hines tonight in favor of Ernest Wilford. The reason was Batch. I just wasn't sure him. Plus with Ward's hammy, I wanted to scout him for a game.

 

[Scorehoard]

I am just curious about your strategies as far as facing your weekly opponent. For example:

WR (my team): Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Rod Smith, Mushin M., Lee Evans

QB (Opponent): Eli and Plummer both starting

Do you take away some points from Plummer by starting Rod Smith opposite of him?

Do you stick w/ Roy since he's a #1?

This isn't for just this week, just curious as to how you look to trump your opponent other than simply scoring more points.

 

[mbuehner]

To give you an example: I have Chris Chambers as my #1 WR. He has what would appear to be a tough match-up tonight against the Steelers. Then I have Antonio Bryant who plays the Cardinals this week.

In your case there is a collarary to the rule: always bench your duds.

 

[mojorizin]

I am just curious about your strategies as far as facing your weekly opponent. For example:WR (my team): Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Rod Smith, Mushin M., Lee EvansQB (Opponent): Eli and Plummer both startingDo you take away some points from Plummer by starting Rod Smith opposite of him?Do you stick w/ Roy since he's a #1?This isn't for just this week, just curious as to how you look to trump your opponent other than simply scoring more points.

I would go with Smith due to his matchup in this case and wouldnt worry for a second. He and Plummer have as much chance of scoring points as Plummer and anyone else you started alongside him. Unless we have a lock-on situation for Roy this season, I have a feeling you end up sitting him more than starting him. Moose and Evans are going to get targeted more than a drunk chick at a frat party as well.

 

[matuski]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

 

[Keys Myaths]

Re: the title.

Depends on the WR.

 

[mojorizin]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

You're just makin' stuff up now, bro.

 

[Keys Myaths]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

You're just makin' stuff up now, bro.

And some of us will be going against Heath Miller in three leagues. FF isn't about one or two players in one week. Relax. Over time, things even out. You're not going to win every year, either. You just give yourself the best chance to win, and stop freaking out when the weird stuff happens.It makes you a lot saner (and a lot better at this, IMO).

 

[cr8f]

This question applies to any position. But let's say your #1 WR has what on paper looks like a tough matchup. Do you start him anyways because, well heck, he's your #1 WR? Or do you try to play the match-up and see who your #3 or #4 are playing? (In my case, we only start 2 WRs.)To give you an example: I have Chris Chambers as my #1 WR. He has what would appear to be a tough match-up tonight against the Steelers. Then I have Antonio Bryant who plays the Cardinals this week. These games are typically high-scoring shootouts. Part of me says, there's no way I could sit Chambers in favor of Bryant. But then another part of me can easily see Chambers coming out of tonight's game with 5 points while Bryant gets 15 or so on Sunday.Now, I've played fantasy football long enough to know that you always consider match-ups before putting in a line-up. But in this specific scenario, where it's week 1 and we're looking at every team and every player with a clean slate, would any of you actually consider sitting your top WR?

Not Chambers for Bryant. Maybe Driver or Javon Walker.

 

[huckyoda]

Figure out your expected point for each player / matchup. Start the players with the highest expected points.

"Always start your studs"

Any motto that begins with "always" is for guppies.

 

[cr8f]

Last year, I had a roster full of total CRAP at wide receiver. Every week, I'd pull my hair out trying to choose two guys from among Porter, Toomer, Lewis, Rogers and other trash like that. This year, I grabbed Holt in the 2nd, and was lucky enough to have Randy Moss fall to me in the 3rd. I won't have to wonder which two guys I'm playing every week, and yes.... I will always start them, regardless of the matchup.

And when Moss gets hurt for the 3rd year in a row?

 

[PsychoMan]

Last yr, when Steve Smith played the Jets - (great pass D), I considered benching him and was laughed at on this forum for even considering it. He got 3 catches for 34 yards.

The next week, he played the Bears. I considered benching him again and I did have another viable WR option. Again I was laughed at; luckily, I did play him though as he got about 20 or so targets and about 170 yards.

In other words, I really don't know what to tell you. You can't really predict this stuff. Ronnie Brown goes for 18 points against the Steelers last night. Rudi Johnson teared through some tough matchups down the stretch last year.

I guess thats why ppl say "Always start your studs"

 

[Pittsburgh United]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

Wow you are smart. Second season?

 

[matuski]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

Wow you are smart. Second season?

Lol don't get mad, I'm not the one who started this thread. You were suprised (DAMMIT!) that a player on your team didn't do well, and apparently just realizing (Now watch!) that it is possible a bench player will outscore him. What am I supposed to think when you post these epiphanies/revelations?

 

[Raider Nation]

Last year, I had a roster full of total CRAP at wide receiver. Every week, I'd pull my hair out trying to choose two guys from among Porter, Toomer, Lewis, Rogers and other trash like that. This year, I grabbed Holt in the 2nd, and was lucky enough to have Randy Moss fall to me in the 3rd. I won't have to wonder which two guys I'm playing every week, and yes.... I will always start them, regardless of the matchup.

And when Moss gets hurt for the 3rd year in a row?

I'll have none of your glass-half-empty attitude, mister.

 

[Keys Myaths]

Last year, I had a roster full of total CRAP at wide receiver. Every week, I'd pull my hair out trying to choose two guys from among Porter, Toomer, Lewis, Rogers and other trash like that. This year, I grabbed Holt in the 2nd, and was lucky enough to have Randy Moss fall to me in the 3rd. I won't have to wonder which two guys I'm playing every week, and yes.... I will always start them, regardless of the matchup.

And when Moss gets hurt for the 3rd year in a row?

I'll have none of your glass-half-empty attitude, mister.

Interesting that Moss and glass are being used together a lot.

 

[Draftnik]

"Start your studs" should be followed in just about every case, but it really depends on the league.

I have one league where my WR corps is: Driver, Housh, Kennison, Lee Evans, Coles, Muhammad and Keyshawn. I could see myself playing the matchups quite a bit this season in this league.

 

[redman]

If you're in an 8-team league and your WR3 is Reggie Wayne, then maybe based upon matchup you start him over guys like Galloway or Driver or Burress.

But if your WR is a legit stud, I don't think you ever bench them.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

First season? Surprise! Yes, it is true, not every player on your team will score well each week!

Wow you are smart. Second season?

Lol don't get mad, I'm not the one who started this thread. You were suprised (DAMMIT!) that a player on your team didn't do well, and apparently just realizing (Now watch!) that it is possible a bench player will outscore him. What am I supposed to think when you post these epiphanies/revelations?

Two posts and thus far no contribution of note to this thread. Perhaps you'd like to try a third? Or better yet - don't say anything.

 

[Wingnut]

DAMMIT! Like I said - 5 points for Chambers. Now watch Bryant have a huge game!

The bad thing about Chambers is he has a new QB. Culpepper was the problem last night, which downgrades Chambers value for the rest of the season. He now may become only a decent #2 WR option.

I dont think it devalues Chambers for the rest of the season. It may take some weeks for CPep to get comfy in his new digs...but in crunch time he was looking to Chambers often (TOO often though. He was staring Chambers down quite a bit in the 4th). They just need to get him involved earlier in the game, but the circumstances of last nights game doesnt scare me as far as Chambers goes - hostile territory, defending SB champs, Peps first game back from injury, new system, yadda yadda yadda... I have a feeling that Chambers will be a monster in the 2nd half of the season.That said, Im glad he IS my WR2 behind Fitz.