Blitz Package - Week 3
September 20th, 2002
Bye teams: Jaguars, Raiders, Ravens, Steelers
Panthers @ Vikings
The Vikings have discovered a running game with Moe Williams. It'd be great for all of us who own Michael Bennett if they'd put us out of our misery and declare Williams the starter. But for now, expect this two headed monster, along with Culpepper's rushing, to produce enough on the ground to make LB Dan Morgan a must start. Start DB Mike Minter and DL Mike Rucker as well. Lamar Smith should find the going tougher, making LB Biekert a #3 or low #2 LB start. Good supporting starts are CAR DB Reggie Howard and DL Peppers (but he should come back to earth this week).
Jets @ Dolphins
With Ricky Williams performing the way he has been, you should always start the MLB and SS starting against him. In this case that would be Jets ILBs Sam Cowart and Marvin Jones, and DB Sam Garnes. Even though the Jet running game is set back by the injury to C Mart, MIA MLB Zach Thomas is a stud and should rarely be benched. Ditto DL Jason Taylor. Brock Marion should see a lot of tackles and PDs again and is a nice play. And if you need a DL long shot that may hit big, give MIA DL Adewale Ogunleye a shot.
Saints @ Bears
With both teams featuring potent running games, the LBs are great plays. For the Bears, Urlacher goes without saying, but Colvin is also a good start not only for tackles but for sacks since the DL is so depleted. For the Saints, start Clemons, Sammy Knight and Darrin Smith. Jay Bellamy is a good #2 DB, as is Bear DB Mike Brown. The Bears are only giving up a sack per week, so the Saints' DL aren't good starts unless you have no other option.
Bills @ Broncos
Even though the Broncos backfield has more heads than a hydra, they are a potent enough squad to make the Bills MLB seem like Herakles. So start London Fletcher and Nate Clements. Clements could also wind up the recipient of a Griese interception. BUF SS Coy Wire could come up big too. Denver is averaging 3.5 sacks given up per game, so start BUF DL Aaron Schobel. Since the Bills are giving up the same amount of sacks, start Trevor Pryce. Kavika Pittman could also hit big for you. DEN LBs John Mobley and Ian Gold are solid plays as well.
Packers @ Lions
With the Lions starting a rookie QB this week and giving up 4.5 sacks per week, start GB DL Vonnie Holliday, DL Joe Johnson and DB Darren Sharper. Hardy Nickerson's production has been solid and remains a must start until he proves otherwise. Mike McKenzie is a good supporting start since he could also get a pick and some nice tackle and PD numbers. Here's an astounding stat: the Lions have yet to produce one sack, INT or fumble recovery! So start DL Porcher as a #3 or low #2 DL. He'll show up eventually, but stay cautious with him. The Lions LBs and DBs are only getting 5-7 tackles per game, so use them as supporting cast until one of them breaks out.
Cowboys @ Eagles
Dallas' time of possession remains very low, so until that improves MLB Coakley remains a must-start. LB Hardy is also a solid starter. I expect Levens to see a lot of action, so Darren Woodson is a good start here. With Philly giving up 4 sacks a game on average, DAL DL Glover is a great start this week, and Ekuban should be a good #2 play. Hugh Douglas is a stud, but the Philly MLB situation remains a quagmire, so avoid it until it resolves itself. Quincy Carter should throw at least one pick, and my guess is that Taylor or Vincent will get it, but with Dallas' anemic running attack, they will be starts only in big leagues due to low tackle numbers.
Colts @ Texans
Houston is giving up a whopping 7.5 sacks per game, so get Colt DL Bratzke into your lineup. DE Brad Scioli could also hit for you. Idrees Bashir should get a lot of action with PDs, and possibly a pick from rookie QB Carr as well. I don't expect much from the Texan running attack, so the Colt LBs get a downgrade. Since they are facing RB James, HOU LBs Jamie Sharper and Jeff Posey will be decent starts. DB Aaron Glenn and DL Seth Payne have been playing solidly and remain good starts this week.
Tom Nadratowski
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