Week 2 Start/Sit Thoughts

Start/Sit Philosophy: A Step Back

Do you ever vary your start/sit decisions based on your opponent? Do you consider playing a less risky, lower ceiling player against a "weak" team, rather than go for the boom or bust potential home run hitter? Or are you always chasing upside? And how bad does a matchup have to be for a particular player before you considering benching him for a "lesser" option?

The answers to the questions reveal a bit of the personal philosophy that goes into lineup decisions. Sometimes, the makeup of your team is such that lineup decisions are no-brainers; you have clear cut starters and pine-riders. Other times, you're in weekly, sometimes daily struggles to figure out your QB, WR2, or FLEX play. I think its worth considering the above questions when making these decisions, not only so that you feel you've made the correct one, but so that your process can be honed. If you know what you want, how to get it, and have practiced it thoroughly beforehand, you might just make the right lineup call when something unexpected happens. Like when a gun is to your head because something unexpected happened when inactives are announced or a player pulls up lame during pregame warmups.

Admittedly, this is a bit esoteric. But c'mon guys, its me.

Week 2 Thoughts

• Nathan: Vick vs. RG3: Until I see something from Bob’s wheels, I’m rolling with Vick. Karma be damned.
  
  
  This wasn't really that difficult of a decision. The volume of plays in Chip Kelly's offense, combined with RG3's lack of rushing production (a HUGE part of his 2012 value), makes Vick both the safer and higher upside play. And yes, I'm terrified of the injury propensity of both of these guys.
  
  
  Performance: Vick 33.1 (and it could've been bigger), RG3 23.9.
  
  
• Alan: Any consideration of Andre Roberts over Bowe? Talent differential is clear, but Week 1 wasn’t good for Bowe. At least you’re not overreacting to last week, and with Robert’s P, this is easily the right call.
  
  
  Bowe didn't get much action in Week 1. And Andre Roberts looks to be the second option on a pass-heavy team.
  
  
  Performance: Bowe 11.6, Roberts 3.6. Alan stuck with the talent, which was ultimately the correct all.
  
  
• Mark: Bench Shorts?
  
  
  I didn't provide Mark any alternatives. I just thought it was worth considering benching Shorts. After this week, that'll certainly be on his mind, as he went from having one really solid starting WR to about four or five. Things move fast in FF.
  
  
  Performance: Shorts 9.3. Totally acceptable as a starting WR, but Floyd, Hopkins, and James Jones outscored him sitting on Mark's bench. None would have provided Mark a win, but now he gets to enjoy lineup decisions with an embarrassment of riches, instead of a pile of soggy rags. We'll probably see the three-wide showing up for the Peens, sooner rather than later.
  
  
• Kirk: Wallace/Hartline
  
  
  This one was brought up in the match up Smackboard, and for good reason. Wallace disappointed in Week 1, while Hartline flourished. Wallace bitched and moaned, which at this point has to be taken as a sign to be sure you start the bitcher/moaner the following week.
  
  
  Performance: Wallace 17.5, Hartline 6.8. I'm really impressed by the number of CKL coaches that didn't overreact to Week 1's scores. Sticking to your guys and rolling with talent over past production is a sign of maturity. Well done, Kirk.
  
  
• Patrick: sorry bro that is a disgusting bench
  
  
  Provided without commentary.
  
  
• Joe: Anyone but Redman? Probably not. And will he start that Kicker?
  
  
  I hate that this particular issue cost Joe a game. But could he really have considered starting Kenny Britt or any of his backup RBs over Redman? Dubious, at best.
  
  
  Performance: Redman 1.1 points. He got hurt and he lost the game for the Brownies.
  
  
• Paul: Brown or Decker over Gio?
  
  
  The one that got away. Gio disappointed in Week 1 and I thought either receiver would probably have bounce back games. Both Paul and I were wrong.
  
  
  Performance: Brown 2.6, Decker 8.7, Gio 18.5. Totally understand why he started Decker (I would've too), but sometimes its better to ride a RB. Crapshoot.
  
  
• Derrick: need a TE bro
  
  
  Picking up a startable TE could've won you the game. Randle, Sanu and Hankerson would've all been worth sacrificing for a double yoo.
  
  
  Performance: Allen and Gronk didn't play, big fat 0 points. Lost to the Bruisers by 3.6.
  
  
• Rookie: guess you don’t really have another options besides Miller. Tough.
  
  
  So true. But sometimes desperation plays pay off.
  
  
  Performance: Miller 13.5 points in a TREX win.
  
  
• Russ: your team is actually pretty good. Way to go.
  
  
  But you ran into a buzzsaw.