Q: Leon Washington was my secret weapon on draft night. I made sure to get him. Now I find myself scrambling to cover up the hole in my lineup. Is Shonn Greene really worth adding and relying on to anchor my team? - Asher
Week 8 Fantasy Q&A: Turn On Your Hartline!
A: In short, yes. During the preseason, Greene looked like a guy who was going to push Thomas Jones for carries immediately. Leon Washington was somebody Rex Ryan was prepared to feature in that offense on a very regular basis, at the expense of Thomas Jones. With Leon out for the season now, I expect Rex Ryan to hitch his wagon to the Mark Sanchez/Shonn Greene tandem of rookies. He needs these two to become his offensive studs and he will give Greene the chance this year to really secure his tenure as the long-term coach of the Jets.
Q: Who would you take as a long-term pickup in a keeper league: Mike Wallace or Sidney Rice? - Ben
A: The key there is long-term right? As long as Brett Favre is under center in Minnesota, Rice is capable of making people wonder if his first name is “Jerry”. Can Sidney get the same production working with Sage Rosenfels? Wallace has worked himself into the Steelers offense now and it appears they are really trying to get him the ball. From a fantasy perspective, he has already established himself as a decent starter. You have to go with Wallace here. And if you are able to get him now, he won’t be a reserve on your team very long. You should really be starting him most weeks.
Q: I am desperate at quarterback and want to know if adding Alex Smith right now is going to save my season? - Perry
A: Wow...Alex Smith the savior of a fantasy season? So many ways to tell you “NO” pop into my head Perry. Listen, what Smith did last week is what most decent backups are capable of doing in this league--come off the bench and spark the offense. Defenses in the NFL spend all their time getting ready for one guy. That is why if a team can keep an opponent in the dark on who is going to start, they will. We can argue whether Alex Smith is that much of a change-up from Shaun Hill. But even two average quarterbacks have different tendencies. And this tripped up the 49ers opponent last week. You say you are desperate. You better be if you are going to make Alex Smith the savior of your season.
Q: Got any ideas for a guy to pick up this week that may factor in down the stretch? I followed your advice and picked up Vince Young last week and now it looks like he might play. - James
A: James...good man! I picked up Vince as well and am hopeful he plays well fast so I can try and trade him to a guy like Perry (see above). This week I am looking at the Miami Dolphins and their apparent impatience with Ted Ginn. If they play hardball with him and make him ride the pine and earn his spot back, a guy like Brian Hartline might be a feather in your cap come playoff time. He almost broke 100 yards last week but you would be hard-pressed to find him owned in many leagues. Chad Henne is young and raw enough that he could build a trust and confidence in a guy like Hartline very fast. Don’t underestimate the value of this kind of relationship.
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