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Friday, October 21, 2005

Week 7 Tips

Quarterbacks:
Must starts:
Josh McCown, Arizona – The secret is out. McCown will continue as Arizona's QB even though Kurt Warner is healthy. Look for a track meet against Tennessee.
Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants - The "other" Manning is playing well this season. Denver's secondary is still banged up.
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia - Usually, he's a must-start. But he's banged up. San Diego's secondary is awful, however.
Mark Brunell, QB, Washington - He's a little banged up, but San Francisco has allowed 343 yards per game - and that's just through the air.

Bench them:
Kyle Orton, Chicago - I'd rather take a zero at QB than start Orton against the Ravens.
Alex Smith, San Francisco - Ditto Smith, who gets Washington's defense.
Vinny Testaverde, Jets - Vinny gets Atlanta Monday night.
Joey Harrington, Detroit - Jeff Garcia could replace him this week.

Running backs:
Must starts:
Lamont Jordan, Oakland - Buffalo has been soft up the middle and Randy Moss is out.
Steven Jackson, St. Louis - No Marc Bulger or Mike Martz this week means Jackson will see the ball plenty.
Ahman Green, Green Bay - Green will be back this week and he gets the Vikings.

Bench them:
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia - The Eagles have struggled running the ball and San Diego is tough up the middle.
Thomas Jones, Chicago - Could have tough sledding against Baltimore. Cedric Benson is also starting to steal some carries.
Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati - He's the last back to have 100 yards against the Steelers. They shut him down in their second meeting last year. They'll do it again. Plus, he's giving way to Chris Perry on third downs.
Julius Jones, Dallas - It looks like he'll sit again this week.

Wide Receiver:
Must Starts:
Jerry Porter, Oakland - Becomes the defacto No. 1 with Randy Moss out.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona - He's a stud.
Santana Moss, Washington - Has been outstanding since Brunell became quarterback.
Eric Moulds, Buffalo - Has 14 catches in the past two weeks since Kelly Holcomb became the starter.

Bench them:
Kevin Curtis, St. Louis - New Orleans is decent against the pass and Bulger is out. Torry Holt will get his catches, but don't count on Curtis.
Michael Jenkins, Atlanta - Where has he been all season? He won't show up against the Jets, either.
Laverneus Coles, Jets - Figures to be the focal point of Atlanta's pass defense, especially if Justin McCareins doesn't play.
Roy Williams, Detroit - Won't play this week.
Andre Johnson, Houston - See Williams above.
Joe Horn, New Orleans - See Williams and Johnson.

Tight Ends:
Must Starts:
Jermaine Wiggins, Minnesota - Should be healthy and ready to catch a bunch of passes against Green Bay.
Steve Heiden, Cleveland - Has quietly played well.
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh - Is becoming more of a factor each week.

Bench them:
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis - Just hasn't had the season everyone expected.
Todd Heap, Baltimore - Other Ravens receivers are hurting and he figures to draw Brian Urlacher a lot.
Jeb Putzier, Denver - Remains invisible most weeks.

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