This column looks at the matchups of three �bubble� players each week � not guys you�ll automatically keep in the lineup week in and week out, but guys who are borderline starters depending on their matchups.

Week 12 Recap:� I told you to start Kurt Warner, Steve Beuerlein and Kordell Stewart, and to sit Koy Detmer.� What Happened: I projected Warner to throw for 257 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT; he threw for 301/2/1.� I projected Beuerlein for 261/1.5/0.3 and he fell way short, throwing for 185/1/2.� I projected Stewart for 229/2/1.5 and he threw for 236/1/0.� I projected Detmer for 184/1/1/ and he surpassed that even in limited play, throwing for 227/2/0.� If I had switched my projections for Beuerlein and Detmer, I would have been pretty close on all of them.

Week 11 Record: 2-2.� Season to date: 14-18-5.

Week 13 Bubble Players

RB Marcel Shipp vs. the Chiefs

Even before Thomas Jones broke his hand trying to answer the telephone, Marcel Shipp had been establishing himself as the Cardinals� most effective rusher this year.� Shipp had performed well in his limited opportunities, averaging 5.8 yards a carry on the season, compared to Thomas Jones�s 3.7 yards a carry.� With Thomas done for the year, Shipp will try to build on his 135-yard, 1-TD performance of a week ago.

Shipp was an undrafted free agent in 2001 after a very productive career at the University of Massachusetts, where he became the sixth all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division 1-AA history.� After running a 4.72 at the combine, however, no team was willing to spend a draft pick on him.

You can�t argue with production, though, and Shipp has produced on every level when he�s been given the chance.� In his first NFL start last week against the Raiders, he carried the ball 12 times for 122 yards in the first half before the Cards got behind and abandoned the run in the second half.

Shipp has a pretty juicy matchup this week against the Chiefs, who are allowing an average of 5.0 yards a carry this year � only the Seahawks have been worse.� The Cardinals have a huge advantage along the line of scrimmage.� Its offensive line, which features three first-round draft picks (OT L.J. Shelton, OG Pete Kendall, and OT Leonard Davis) has done an outstanding job of run-blocking in recent weeks; and the Chiefs� defensive line � a weakness to begin with � is banged up.� The Chiefs lost first-round pick DT Ryan Sims earlier in the year when he broke his elbow.� Current starting DTs Eric Downing and John Browning were both injured last week, and are expected to play hurt against the Cardinals.� (LB Larry Atkins, also injured last week, is out for at least two weeks.)

In fact, some caution may be in order because this is looking like one of those matchups that�s too good to be true: a hot RB running behind a dominant run-blocking OL going against a defense that looks soft up the middle.� Could Shipp win the RB battle versus Priest Holmes this week?� Don�t count on it.� Shipp should have a good week, but let�s not get crazy.� The bottom line is that if you were fortunate enough to stash Shipp on your roster earlier in the season when it looked like he�d start stealing more carries from Thomas Jones, that move is now paying off for you, as you�ve got a very worthy starter this week, and perhaps even for the rest of the season.

Projection: 110 yards rushing, 1.2 TDs (20 yards receiving)

QB Drew Bledsoe vs. the Dolphins

Bledsoe is a pure drop-back passer with a cannon for an arm but no mobility at all.� He has good size and can see the field well; he can drive the deep outs and shows touch underneath; and he is a tough competitor who seems to be enjoying the game this year more than he has in a while.� When he has time to throw, he can pick a defense apart.� However, when the he is pressured, he has no ability to escape the rush, and will force throws into coverage.

Bledsoe is on pace to throw for 4,666 yards and 26 TDs on the season, but he�s cooled off considerably in recent weeks, throwing for only 225 yards against the Chiefs in week 11 and 181 yards against the Jets in week 12.� He�s also cooled off considerably in the TD department: after throwing 14 TDs in the first six games, he�s thrown only 4 TDs in the last five.

The Bills began the season making lots of big plays as Peerless Price and Eric Moulds each had their share of long touchdown catches.� Opposing defenses have adjusted, and in the last several weeks they have taken away the deep pass, forcing Bledsoe to throw underneath.� So far, Bledsoe has failed to make the adjustment.

Things won�t get easier for him this week, as he faces a Dolphin pass defense that ranks sixth in the league, giving up just 193 yards per game.� The� CB duo of Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison are as good as any in the league.� Madison has great speed and quickness, and can blanket a receiver in man-to-man coverage.� Surtain doesn�t get as much publicity as Madison, but is the more complete corner overall.� He doesn�t have Madison�s raw speed, but he has excellent quickness and is a much more physical corner than Madison.� Surtain has fine technique both in coverage and in making tackles, and has really improved his run support this year.

If the Bills can establish their running game, and if Bledsoe is patient enough to come off his primary receivers when they are covered downfield and find his safety valves underneath, he could end up completing a lot of short passes that will add up to a 300-yard day.� However, trying to go downfield against the Dolphins will be much harder than it was against the Jets or the Chiefs, and if Bledsoe gets frustrated, his slump could continue.� In addition, Jason Taylor is rushing the passer as well as anyone in the league right now, and Bledsoe is a sitting duck in the pocket.

With the weapons Bledsoe has on the outside, and with his strong arm and ability to thread the ball between defenders, Bledsoe is always a threat to have a huge passing day.� But if you�re going to play the odds, this week doesn�t look all that promising.� There are enough good fantasy QBs this season that it�s likely you have someone on your roster who�s a better option this week than Bledsoe.

Projection: 19 of 35 for 203 yards, 1 TD, 0.5 INTs

WR: Eddie Kennison vs. the Cardinals

Eddie Kennison entered the league in 1997 along with fellow first-round picks Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Marvin Harrison, and Eric Moulds.� (Amani Toomer and Muhsin Muhammad were second-rounders; Terrell Owens was a third-rounder; Joe Horn was a fifth-rounder � not a bad WR class, eh?)� Coming into this season, however, Kennison hadn�t lived up to his first-round billing in St. Louis, New Orleans, or Denver, and wasn�t expected to play a large role in the Chiefs� offense.� TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Priest Holmes had been the team�s leading receivers in 2001; and if any WR was expected to be targeted much this year, it was Johnnie Morton.� Behind Morton, Sylvester Morris and Marvin Minnis would compete for the #2 spot, while Kennison was hopelessly buried on the depth chart.

Fast forward a few months: Morton has been ineffective, Morris and Minnis never came back from their respective injuries, and Kennison is the Chiefs� leading receiver, on pace for just short of 1,000 yards.� He certainly hasn�t been a fantasy stud, with only 2 TDs to his name.� But over the last three weeks he�s caught 15 passes for 281 yards and has established himself as the team�s #1 WR; he could finish the season strong.

Kennison has excellent speed (in the 4.4. range), decent size, very good quickness out of his cuts, fine leaping ability, and the ability to make the spectacular catch.� His main problem in the past was his lack of concentration: he would drop too many easy passes, and would get in trouble for running the wrong patterns.� If the mental aspect of his game has finally caught up with his physical skills, Kennison could be a dangerous weapon for the Chiefs.

Kennison may still be available in your league as a free agent/waiver wire pick-up.� If he is, consider grabbing him.� And if you do, consider starting him this week.� He faces an Arizona defense that�s ranked #27 in the league against the pass, giving up an average of 247 yards per game.� (They�re ranked #31 in yards per attempt allowed, at 7.63.)

Kennison will be facing CBs Duane Starks and David Barrett.� Starks had some very good years in Baltimore, but hasn�t played as well last year or this year.� He�s got excellent quickness, but will bite on the first move and let receivers get behind him.� (Jerry Porter�s second TD against Starks last week was a good example of this.)� Also, at 5-9, Starks has trouble matching up in the red zone against bigger receivers.� (Kennison, at 6-1, 201, has pretty good size.)� David Barrett also lacks size, and will also bite on the first move, but doesn�t have Starks�s recovery speed.� He would be much better suited to play the nickel position.� Kennison has the ability to make the big play against either corner.

Kennison is not a must-start this week by any stretch of the imagination; but he�s an okay starter in a pinch.� He�s becoming a bigger part of the offense, and he has a very nice matchup.

Projection: 70 yards receiving, 0.5 TDs