Matt in KC

I expect Fred to graciously retire when he is actually outplayed, but I expect him to do everything he can to help the team win. Someone earlier in the thread said they weren't sure you can teach heart, and someone else said Fred has been a part of the Bills' losing culture. I couldn't disagree more. So often Fred was a spark and came through for the team when they were lagging. And I think Spiller has bought in to Fred's example. I suspect he'd be acting completely differently if he played with say McGahee or Lynch instead.

I completely agree. Bravo, and thanks Bandit!

I only see up-side, assuming EJ looks like he can run the plays well in practice. Are we concerned he might get hurt, that he might fail, that he might succeed?

Unfortunately, my full roster scored only 3 TDs combined, and I lost by 11 points. As it turned out, I would have won if I started Knile Davis. . . (not that I seriously considered it with Charles starting). Oh well. As always, it was fun while it lasted. I might be bummed if the Bills didn't pull out a great win.

I like Starks as much as Bush this week, so long as you're okay playing against the Bills. I generally rather play against the Bills in fantasy than start any Bills. I'm fine if they get shut out, or if they do well, there's a silver lining for my fantasy team.

With Julio Jones ruled out, I think I'm going to start Benjamin. I really think the Steelers are going to kill the Falcons today, So Bryant won't be so much a part of the late game. I hope Bell doesn't destroy my playoff hopes scoring 50 points for my opponent. I'm hoping my move of grabbing Suisham will mitigate the damage.

This is a case where I wouldn't over-think it, and just play Lacy.

I'll echo the others: D. Thomas for sure. An added benefit: if you start him and Sammy does better, you can come back and blame us. Same as Buftex, I expect the Broncos passing to explode this week, which for them means getting back to the old normal.

I've been leaning toward Fred as RB2, Murray as flex. I have been on the fence whether to play Bryant as WR2, or Benjamin. I think the Steelers are going to eat up the Falcons, and I don't know how Benjamin is going to do with a new QB. From all I've seen this year though, Netwon looked like the problem on their connection the vast majority of the time. KB might actually be better with Anderson, I'm just uncomfortable banking on it vs. Big Ben throwning against a lousy Falcons secondary with a starting CB out and their strong safety a game-time decision with an ankle injury.

Don't start Tre Mason Edit: I just saw in the other thread you didn't start him. Congrats on that! I think would probably play Crowell over Evans, but they are close enough I think it's not a big decision. My thinking is that CIN is the 31st ranked run defense. Carolina (who Evans plays) just held NO to 10 points in New Orleans. Then again, CIN has been a pretty good run D recently except against Le'Veon Bell. I think this decision will come down to Dalton. If he and AJ Green are "on," and they get a lead, Crowell won't get as many carries; if not, he will.

Team: Party Fowl - 12 Team half point PPR League Help me fill my last spots. Who do you like as the last RB, WR and Flex and why? Starters Peyton Manning Marshawn Lynch RB2 TY Hilton WR2 RB/WR/TE Flex Dwayne Allen K= Suisham (PIT) CHIEFs (vs. OAK) Bench Fred Jackson vs. GB Latavius Murray OAK @ KC Steven Jackson ATL vs. PIT Kelvin Benjamin CAR vs. TB – with Derek Anderson at QB Martavis Bryant PIT @ ATL Anquan Boldin SF @ SEA Jarvis Landry MIA @ NE Note: My opponent is starting Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell (and Demaryius Thomas)

Detroit keeps saying they plan to have Bush play a big role, so he's likely to get a chance at least, though I don't know if he's really healthy. I drafted him in the 3rd round this year, which hurt. Next year I'd still take him, but in the lean later rounds, if he's still available. The Ravens are a great play, I think. I would start them over the Chiefs, who I'm likely to start. I'm also grabbing Cleveland for next week against the Panthers if I'm still playing.

Bush did practice today. He's not a good choice, but I think is the best of that sad lot. After that Sims? There has to be someone better. . . . I kind of have the same reaction to the defenses. I'd rather play Tennessee than either of those two. I would play Miami over Houston. Miami beat NE week 1 and sacked Brady 4 times.

I agree on all counts and am planning to start Murray myself.

I don't doubt that's the plan, but I wouldn't bet against Fred beating out the competition in preseason.

I have no problems with Fred. He's not an explosive young stud, but he gets the job done. I was thinking this is the first game since his injury that he looks "right" again. I suspect he'll be even better against Green Bay.

Unless you have a kicker than can hit the skip-and-pop-up kick consistently, I personally favor the line drive approach, bouncing off a defender. The danger is of course missing them, or having them doge it and having it go far downfield or out of bounds. It would be great to be able to hit it hard and create a 20-25 yard downfield pop-up to let your speed guys get there by the time it falls into reach.

The problem with this approach, and any similar jump ball techniques is that the receiving team can call for a fair catch on a kick-off. This is why so many on-sides attempts are kicked off the ground, because a fair catch doesn't apply when the ball has already hit the ground. Having the ball hit the ground and pop up for a jump ball is the best of both worlds, but is difficult to do consistently.

I'd put Orton somewhere around 20. There's no way Newton can be higher on the list. He's playing dreadfully. It may be the fault of his OC, but performance is all I can judge as a package deal. Maybe that makes him 21, but I voted for Average. He's performing about the same as the guys 17-23 on your list, so let's call him tied for 17th.

...and Herschel Walker, and Deion Sanders, and. . . .

Okay, thanks for posting. SG was a touch early; and I likely am a bit of a homer. If Gilmore's head was up it wouldn't (shouldn't) have been called since he was on the side where the ball was headed.

So, stupid question: by the rules, does a DB need to wait for the ball to get to a WRs fingertips, or further before making contact? I always assumed it was at any touch the ball "got to the WR" and they are fair game to hit/disrupt.

You're right. But I couldn't, and still can't really get my head around it. Except for the hit being more brutal than the NFL would like, I didn't see anything wrong at all. The timing looked perfect to me. I still think they threw the flag first, then talked about it and maybe decided the hit was legal after discussion. Am I just a homer, or did he really get there early?

I didn't like the call for the hit on Sanders at all when I saw the replay, BUT in real-time, the hit cause a very loud click that only happens when one helmet hits another. I'm convinced the refs called the hit largely based on the sound.

He should have thrown it to Chandler. I know I have the luxury of watching the replay and not having a LB hit me head-on at full speed, but it the LB was the only one covering Chandler (and Miller was looking away, at Jackson). The only way the playcall makes sense is if they also had a 4th down play already called. Orton cannot lose yards on that play! He was clearly out of the pocket. He needs to either run for the first, throw beyond the sticks, or throw it away.