Start & Sit: Week 15

Whew! Sorry this is so late.

First, for those of us still playing fantasy football, congratulations! Several fantasy owners are deep in the playoffs now. Remember, trust your gut and instinct when decided who to start and sit, now more than ever.

Mother nature is going to throw some curve balls at fantasy owners everywhere this weekend. Here are a few guys you may consider using given the bad weather (particularly in the Northeast).

Start ’em

QBs

• Kurt Warner @ Saints: If Chris Redman can torch the Saints’ secondary, Warner should have a field day in a game that means everything for both teams.
• Vince Young @ Chiefs: It is do or die time for the Titans, which means Young must step up his game. Tennessee’s playoff hopes rest on his shoulders now.

Start & Sit: Week 14

The playoffs are here!!!

Every week from here on out is a one-game season. Now, more than ever, fantasy owners need to be diligent, trust their instincts and make the right roster decisions. If you have any of these guys on your playoff team, take notice:

Start ’em

QBs

• Kellen Clemens v. Browns: You likely did not make it to the playoffs because of Clemens, or any of the Jets for that matter. But if you are in a pinch this weekend, Clemens does have a good matchup and has been playing better lately.
• Marc Bulger @ Bengals: Bulger is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. If he plays, he should exploit a terrible Bengals’ secondary. This game should be fun to watch, if nothing else.

Start & Sit: Week 13

This is it. The final weekend in most fantasy football leagues. This could be the week that makes or breaks so many fantasy seasons, while other owners might be sitting pretty or eager to improve their playoff seeding (yours truly).

It is crunch time. Here are some guys to take a look at on this oh-so-important weekend:

Start ’em

QBs

• Matt Schaub @ Titans: With Schaub at the helm and Andre Johnson in the fold, this offense is capable of good things.
• Kurt Warner v. Browns: Warner lit it up last weekend against the 49ers secondary and get to do the same this weekend against a worse secondary.

Start & Sit: Special Thanksgiving Issue

Gobble Gobble!

I sure hope everyone is gearing up for a fantastic Thanksgiving. And in honor of Thanksgiving, I want to say thanks to all The Hazean’s readers. I really enjoy blogging about fantasy football and I just hope I can help y’all succeed in your leagues. Tell your friends about The Hazean, and keep those comments coming!

Alright, with all the mushy stuff out of the way, here is a special Start & Sit column for all the Thanksgiving football action. Enjoy!

Start ’em

QB

• Tony Romo v. Jets: So many in the national football scene consider Romo to be the next Brett Favre. Which is kinda perfect, when you think about it, in terms of Thanksgiving. Romo’s legacy started last year on Thanksgiving and will continue to grow until the end of his career with the Cowboys, much like Favre’s.

Start & Sit: Week 11

The 2008 NFL Bye weeks are behind fantasy owners as the stretch run to the playoffs begins.

No more waiver wire spot starters for studs on bye … now it is crunch time for the studs on every owner’s roster.

Here are some guys to think about this weekend:

Start ’em

QBs

• Kurt Warner @ Bengals: I have seen Warner on a number of other blog’s “start” list. I guess we all see the same thing: A terrible Bengals’ secondary.
• Matt Schaub v. Saints: The Saints have been giving up big plays (again) through the air. Yes, the Saints D has not given up a 100-yard rusher since week 1, but why run the ball when they give up so much to the air attack?

Start & Sit: Week 10

Oh no, the Patriots are on a bye this week! What’s an owner to do?!

We have got your covered. For each position this week, The Hazean will give you one guy to start who probably is available on your league’s waiver wire … because we know how important those Patriots are to everyone’s fantasy teams.

Good luck as always!

Start ’em

QB

• JP Losman @ Dolphins: This one is for you, Tom Brady owners. Losman seems to be back on track as the Bills’ starting quarterback, and has Buffalo in the thick of the playoff hunt in the AFC. With Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch heating up, Losman has the weapons to have a big week in South Beach.
• Marc Bulger @ Saints: The Rams may not be able to beat the scorching hot Saints, but they might be able to put up some points. Bulger is going to need to air it out, and the Rams are healthier now than they have been for a long time.

Start & Sit: Week 9

The NFL season is halfway home. Fantasy football playoffs are just around the corner.

It is crunch time.

With most fantasy managers gearing up for a late-season playoff push, it is more important now than ever to get the right guys in the lineup. Here a few guys that could affect your team’s performance — for better or worse — this weekend:

Start ’em

QBs

• Derek Anderson v. Seahawks: Anderson is one of the best surprises of the season so far, and there is no reason to believe he cannot keep up the hot streak against Seattle at home this weekend.
• Jay Cutler @ Lions: Cutler has played better the last few weeks. Too bad Javon Walker cannot suit up for this game, as Cutler likely will have to air it out to keep up with the Lions at home.

Midseason fantasy report card

With the NFL season at the midway point, it is time to analyze some of the good, bad and ugly from the first half of the season … from a fantasy football perspective, of course.

Most of the guys in the “F” class have been hampered by injury, so the grade may not be entirely fair. But I am a tough grader, so deal with it.

One guy not on this report card — Brandon Jacobs — has not been evaluated because he missed a few weeks with injury, but now healthy is doing well at runningback. However, with the overall emphasis on the production during the first half of the season, it is hard to give him a grade.

Where would you rank Brandon Jacobs on this list? Also, did I miss any rookies you think should be making the grade?

Let me know in the comments section.

A+ (The front of the class):

• Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: 2,400+ yards, 30 passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns … no more needs to be said about the kind of year Brady is having. Brady may have his sights set on Peyton Manning’s single-season touchdown record of 49.
• LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Tomlinson, again, is the top of the class at runningback. The guy gets it done, year-in and year-out. It may be impossible to find a more consistent fantasy player over the last five seasons.
• Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Moss is having a superb season, one that may surpass anything and everything he ever did in Minnesota.
• Antonio Gates, TE: Chargers: All Patriots and Chargers in the front of the class, and that includes Gates. He continues to be the best fantasy tight end in the NFL, although he is being challenged for the top spot this season.