1) Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
After last season, it's pretty tough to want to bench Beanie, and unless you have better options, Beanie is someone that should, for the most part, be plugged into your lineup without much of a thought. The major issue I have with Wells going into this season is the emergence of Ryan Williams. I am very interested to see how the workload is going to be split up, yes, but the more important issue is whether or not Arizona is going to be any good. If Arizona is what I expect them to be, which is a 6-10/7-9 club, they are more likely to be playing from behind on a fairly regular basis, meaning the running game isn't going to get the kind of featurning Fantasy Owners would like to see to play Wells with confidence. The Cardinals will play 10 of their 16 games starting at 4:25 EST Sunday or later, meaning that unless you have additional West Coast RBs, you are going to be forced into a decision on Beanie earlier than you'd like. Here's how he stacks up against Seattle for this week: 4 career games, 42 carries for 168 yards (4.0 YPC), 3 catches for 39 yards (13.0 YPC) and 3 TDs (9.68 fantasy points per contest). Keep in mind he did appear in 1 game vs. Seattle in which he did not touch the ball, and the bulk of the numbers come from 1 game in 2009 in which he rushed for 85 yards, caught 2 balls for 32 yards and scored 2 TDs. This is enough for me to lean strongly towards benching Beanie this week. Beanie is flex-worthy in a 3 WR, 2 RB, 1 Flex league, but in most standard formats, you can find someone better. Wait to see what kind of shape he is in and how the workload is going to be split up before moving on Beanie in 2012.
2) Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
For the past 2-3 seasons, when you've seen an RB on your roster matching up with Buffalo, you've pretty much always been confident plugging that guy in and watching the results. Did you know that Shonn Greene has never scored a TD against Buffalo? This is a fact. In the 5 games Greene has appeared in vs. Buffalo, he has exceeded 10 fantasy points (standard scoring) only once, and that was a 117 yard performance against Buffalo in 2010. In 2011, Buffalo was the 3rd most generous fantasy team vs. RBs and the fact that Greene only managed to pile up 16.6 fantasy points (8.3 per game) against them is a sorry stat. I am fully on board with benching him to open the season this year because Greene and the rest of the Jets have been completely stagnant during this preseason, and while I am an advocate for the preseason not mattering much, I also believe that you can at least gather tendencies from these meaningless contests. Let this Jets offense turn into something before you start them. Bench Greene this week even if you don't have better options. If you don't have better options, shame on you.
3) Houston Texans' Passing Game
Matt Schaub has been the Texans Week 1 starting QB for the last 5 seasons and he has yet to throw for more than 225 Yards in any of those contests. He has also never thrown for more TDs than INTs in a Week 1 game (4 TDs: 7 INTs). Houston is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as AFC South Champs in 2012 and I predict that they will get off to the right start towards acheiving that goal this season, but it won't be because of the passing game. Arian Foster and Ben Tate are easily the league's best 1-2 punch in he backfield and with a Top 5 defense, this team should have no trouble imposing their physical will on the hapless Dolphins. I can see Schaub putting up around 175-200 yards through the air, maybe 1 TD and probably 1 INT in a game he doesn't have to control with his arm. You aren't starting any Texans WR not named Andre Johnson and while you can't bench Andre 3000, I would definitely temper my expectations for him this week and understand that this passing game will be dynamic at times during the season...just not this week. You also should be prepared to have a better option at TE than Owen Daniels. He will get his work in the middle of the field, but the depth available at TE this season is greater than it ever has been before. Look elsewhere.
4) Rashad Jennings, RB, Jacksonville
There is very little statisical backing that supports a pro-start argument for Rashad Jennings. You really have to use the eye test and your gut when it comes to this beast from tiny Liberty College. Here's the facts: Jennings has run reps with the Jags' 1st team offense all preseason while MJD has been holding out. He gained 209 yards on 47 carries this preseason (4.4 YPC) and Jacksonville showed life on offense. Jennings averages 5.4 YPC over his career while showing an ability to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield. MJD ended his hold out this past Sunday and while I feel he is a vital part to the Jaguars' success this season, I feel the Jags would be prudent to ease him back into game action and that includes this weekend vs. Minnesota. With MJD supposedly relegated to 3rd down duty, I see Jennings taking advantage of his opportunity this weekend and hitting paydirt at least once. The major case against Jennings: he has only received 15 carries or more twice in his career. So what do you do? I say that in leagues with a flex spot, Jennings is an easy start. He is a fringe RB2 this week only because no one can possibly know what to expect from Jacksonville's offense. If this team is any good this week and moving forward, it will be because their passing game prevents defenses from stacking 8 or 9 men in the box. That is a tall task, considering the mountain Blaine Gabbert has to climb towards respectability. This game is the opportunity to break out of anonymity for Jennings, and I feel he takes full advantage.
Tonight's Game (Dallas @ New York):
Start: Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, DeMarco Murray
Sit: Both Defenses, All TEs
Sleeper Potential: David Wilson
Notice I didn't mention Ahmad Bradshaw at all. I can't suggest sitting him, but he is definitely not a Must-Start. Depending on where you drafted him will dictate your usage of him. If he was one of your top 2 RBs selected, you are likely forced to start him and I don't disagree with that. If you have better options, I would suggest sitting him.
Follow me on Twitter @BernacK6
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