Sign In
some nice matchups against the Rams, especially if Tru | Forum
Deleted user
Nov 28 '16, 05:35AM
UCLA is banking on young talent to turn its fortunes around while Pacific is counting on an experienced player with name value as head coach to resurrect its program.Danny Ward Liverpool Jersey .The 16th-ranked Bruins, who are coming off a 15-17 season a year ago, host Pacific in the season-opening game for both teams on Friday. The Tigers, who finished 8-20 in 2015-16, have 13-year NBA veteran Damon Stoudamire at the helm, his first experience as a head coach.UCLA coach Steve Alford, in his fourth season with the Bruins, recruited one of the best freshman classes in the nation that includes 6-foot-6 point guard Lonzo Ball, 6-10 power forward T.J. Leaf (who can extend to the perimeter) and 6-10 center Ike Anigbogu. Alford has indicated that Anigbogu was expected to miss at least three games at the start of the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee.The influx of young talent matched with veterans such as senior guards Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton and junior forward Thomas Welsh has Alford confident that the Bruins will become relevant after missing the NCAA tournament last year. UCLAs losing record a year ago prompted Steve Alford to write an apologetic letter to fans in which he stated he returned to the school his one-year contract extension signed after the 2013-14 season.I dont think our team is concerned about what money I make or what money I give back, Steve Alford said, referencing his letter. I dont think thats an issue to our guys at all, so that part hasnt been talked about. Its about where that bar is.Coach (John) Wooden, whether its me, guys before me or guys after me in the future, same with players that played for Coach Wooden and guys that are playing in Westwood now, that bar was raised a long time ago by a guy that won a bucket load of games and championships, and established something that quite honestly hasnt been established anywhere else in the country.Depth is not a concern for UCLA evidenced by guard Aaron Holiday, who started all 32 games last year as a freshman. He is projected to be the sixth man this season.UCLA experimented with different lineups during a recent exhibition game against The Masters University, including a four-guard up-tempo version with Ball, Bryce Alford, Hamilton and Holiday.We have four very talented guards who know how to take care of the ball and know how to put the ball in the basket, Steve Alford said.Stoudamire, who has coaching experience as an assistant at Arizona (where he starred in college) and Memphis, is taking over a Pacific program that was in turmoil last season. Former coach Ron Verlin and an assistant were suspended for three months before being terminated in March in the midst of an NCAA investigation into allegations of academic misconduct.The Tigers have a balanced lineup as they return 11 of their top 13 scorers from last season, including junior wing Ray Bowles (11.1 points per game) and senior guard T.J. Wallace (10.8). In an exhibition win over Bristol on Nov. 4, senior guard David Taylor had 19 points (including five 3-pointers) and junior forward Jacob Lampkin had 15.Stoudamire, who was part of the UCLA-Arizona rivalry from 1991-95, has noted that the wealth of Pacifics returning players are buying into his coaching.If you have guys at the top of your team, your best players that are willing to be coachable, then that makes it easy for you as the head coach, he said. Custom Liverpool Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Kolo Toure Liverpool Jersey . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. http:///...ni-Liverpool-Jersey/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. This page will be updated with new questions and answers up until just after noon ET, so refresh often to see if your question was answered. The most recent answers will appear first.Sometimes, rankings and columns just arent enough to help you decide which player should go in your lineup. If youre still not sure about that final spot before Sundays games kick off, send us a question on Twitter using the hashtag #startsitESPN, and you just might get yours answered below.Each week, ESPN Fantasy analysts KC Joyner and Jim McCormick will provide advice for players just like you stuck with tough choices to make.There are four teams on byes in Week 10, which creates additional lineup dilemmas, so lets get started on answering your fantasy football questions for this weeks games.#StartSitESPN Zach Miller or Spencer Ware in the Flex in a PPR- Steve Z (@zmans22) November 13, 2016Miller has a perfect 100 rating in my matchup points system, which measures matchup favorability. That gives him significant upside. Ware practiced all week, but he faces a Panthers defense that has allowed 80 or fewer rushing yards to opponents running backs in six of eight games. That gives Miller the edge here. -- KC@ESPNFantasy Andy Dalton or Russell Wilson? #StartSitESPN- Luis (@lfgonzal7) November 13, 2016Wilson is coming off a great game against Buffalo, but a cross-country trip to face a Bill Belichick defense gives him a 35 on the aforementioned matchup points scale. Daltons 58 is a more favorable matchups total, so he would get the nod in this one. -- KC@ESPNFantasy Cam Newton or Marcus Mariota? #StartSitESPN- Evan Miles (@evanmiles10) November 13, 2016Newton has thrown only five touchdown passes outside of his four touchdown throws in Week 2. That may not change for the better against a Chiefs defense that has a shutdown cornerback (Marcus Peters) and shutdown strong safety (Eric Berry). Mariota has 13 touchdown passes in his past five games and is facing a banged-up Green Bay secondary. Add in equivalent rushing ability between these two and Mariota is the selection. -- KC@ESPNFantasy Doug Martin or kapri bibbs #StartSitESPN- Jake DuBose (@jakeduboseTEDDY) November 13, 2016This is a tough call because they both have playing-time question marks. Martin is the more likely of the two to be a bell-cow back, as Bibbs is most likely to end up in a platoon situation with Devontae Booker. The suggestion here would be to play for the playing time upside and start Martin. -- KC@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Cobb or Jordan Matthews? Full PPR league. Thanks in advance!- Cliff Ford (@Clipboard88) November 13, 2016Cobb was on the field for only 33 percent of the offensive snaps last week and was limited in Fridays practice. The Eagles secondary is struggling and thus Philadelphia is likely to get into a shootout with Atlanta. Since Carson Wentz threw more vertical passes (21 aerials traveling 11 or more yards downfield) last week than he has thrown in any other game this year and Matthews has a highly favorable matchup (80 matchup points), Matthews would be the pick here. -- KC#StartSitESPN Vikes or Jets DST??- Wayne Loranger (@22waylor) November 13, 2016This may seem like a crazy question, but the Jets face a Rams offense that has allowed the second-most points per game to opponents D/STs. The Vikings D/ST has struggled of late, but it still has scored double-digit points in five games this year. Unless you need to play for upside potential, stick with the known quantity and go with the Vikings. -- KC@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Rivers or Brees- SLHigg (@SamIamWDE) November 13, 2016The Saints may end up running the ball a lot versus a Broncos rush defense that is a lot less daunting than its pass defense. Rivers is also facing a much more favorable matchup in the Miami secondary. Even with these caveats, Brees is a pass-happy quarterback who will aim to test a Denver secondary that wont have Aqib Talib. That makes Brees the percentage play in this one. -- KC@ESPNFantasy gurley or ware? #StartSitESPN- Garrett Brown (@gbrown529) November 13, 2016Gurley has a 6.2-yard mark in my good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) metric that measures a running backs production when given quality run blocking. That is more than 4 yards fewer than his 10.9 GBYPA in 2015. Ware is back to full health and practiced all week long. Both of them have tough matchups, so Ware would end up having the edge in this one. -- KC#StartSitESPN Who ya got, Russell Wilson or Dak Prescott?- (@Jcal_83) November 13, 2016An article I wrote this past week noted how Prescott has posted elite numbers despite not throwing many stretch vertical passes to Dez Bryant. That could change against a hit-or-miss Pittsburgh secondary. Wilson has a tougher matchup at New England and thus is a riskier prospect. Add them together, and Prescott has the higher grade this week. -- KCKenny Britt or Kelvin Benjamin #StartSitESPN @ESPNNFL- JackieHernandez (@Its__Lisseth) November 13, 2016The tiebreaker in this one is Benjamin could see a lot of shutdown cornerback Marcus Peters. The Jets dont have a shutdown player on their roster to slow down Britt. Add in Case Keenums success on vertical passes this year (he was in the top 10 in vertical yards per attempt prior to last week) and it gives him the percentage and upside edges in this matchup. -- KC#StartSitESPN Dez Bryant or DeAndre Hopkins- A.J. (@AJ901) November 13, 2016There may not be a quarterback who has done more to hurt his receivers vertical production prospects than Brock Osweiler. Bryants issue is simply that Dallas hasnt needed to throw the ball to him vertically, but he did tally more than 100 yards on vertical throws (aerials traveling 11 or more yards downfield) two weeks ago and thus has that type of upside potential. That factor gives Bryant the advantage here. -- KC#StartSitESPN JJ Nelson or Jarvis Landry or Tyrell Williams- Tim (@tfreas_24) November 13, 2016Given the injury question marks for both Landry and Williams, and given that Nelson has taken over as one of Arizonas starting wide receivers, Nelson would have to be the selection in this one. -- KC@ESPNFantasy For QB..Rodgers, Brady or Brees. Yes, I have 3 QBs #StartSitESPN- nay (@jnjward) November 13, 2016Talk about an embarrassment of riches! The Seattle secondary looked far short of being a shutdown platoon last week against Buffalos mediocre passing attack. That means Brady is apt to have an even better game than Tyrod Taylor, who threw for 289 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks. With Rodgers struggling on vertical throws and Brees having a very difficult matchup against Denver, Brady rates the best among this elite trio. -- KCSterling Sharpe, Rishard Matthews, or Darren Sproles. Flex spot. #StartSitESPN- JP Ponton (@jaypeezy85) November 13, 2016With a majority snap rate and substantial touch pattern -- he has 28 carries and 15 targets over the past two games --?Darren Sproles is the flex of choice today. -- J.M.Devontae booker or Jonathan Stewart standard scoring? #StartSitESPN- Thomas Clifford (@tcliff_37) November 13, 2016Jonathan Stewart likely has the higher floor in regard to touches and has even enjoyed some goal-line work of late. With Booker potentially sharing touches with Kapri?Bibbs, we can ride with Stewart. -- J.M.Allen robinson or ty Montgomery? #StartSitESPN @ESPNFantasy- Jon (@juanioBACON) November 13, 2016Siding with Allen Robinson here, as his downfield usage this past week was impressive under the teams new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Rivers or Palmer?- @HSG_dirtymoles (@TimMcVey1) November 13, 2016With the 49ers allowing a touchdown on a third of opposing drives since the start of Week 2 and the Cardinals rested from the bye, Palmers setup is slightly more attractive than Rivers. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN booker or Hightower?- dave (@ds1977) November 13, 2016Hightower is in a minority share of the Saints backfield, while we can expect Devontae Booker to continue to enjoy a majority share, even with Bibbs earning increased work. Plus, Booker is on the better side of this matchup in the Superdome. -- J.M.Ivory, Perkins, C-Mike, non-PPR, pick one #StartSitESPN- Boilerinthebasement (@boilerbasement) November 13, 2016With Hackett at the helm in Jacksonville, Ivory is poised to again enjoy a strong workload as the team recommits to the ground game. For that reason, Ivory gets the nod in standard scoring. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Rishard Matthews or Stefon Diggs? #StartSitESPN- Diego Mathias Jofre (@BoomBapCat02) November 13, 2016Siding with Diggs, as he has a stronger target pattern and his usage since Norv Turner stepped down has been impressive. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Bernard or Crowder??- Kyle Armstrong (@spotrightkyle) November 13, 2016Bernard is a stronger flex, given a path to double-digit touches, and hes even netted some valuable red zone work this season. Crowders role could prove helpful with DeSean Jackson ailing, but the tougher matchup and his low average depth of target appears limiting. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy R. Wilson or A. dalton? #StartSitESPN- Chrissy (@shycu) November 13, 2016Wilson looked really good this past Monday, and as Ive stated, the Seahawks are far pass-heavier than one might expect. -- J.M.Randall Cobb or Emmanuel sanders at the flex? #StartSitESPN- Alex (@alexlovesguns42) November 13, 2016Sanders has an ideal matchup with the Saints exploitable secondary and leads the team in target share, plus he is among the top five in the league in his market share of his respective offense. Cobb is in a nice spot, given hes off the injury report, but Sanders is in the better overall position to produce. -- J.M.Rishard Matthews or Sanu #StartSitESPN- Garret (@glrosenbum) November 13, 2016Matthews is rightfully a popular name today, as he merits the start over Sanu given his steadier red zone role of late. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy RB: P Perkins or J Mckinnon? #StartSitESPN- Tony Mace (@tjmaceff) November 13, 2016Im actually more intriguued by Perkins nearly even share of touches in New York than McKinnons share, as Matt Asiata nets the more valuable batch of receiving and goal-line work. Joe Allen Jersey. -- J.M.Gurley or Cobb. PPR #StartSitESPN- Kennon Sweat (@KennonSweat) November 13, 2016In a full PPR, Im fine going with Cobb in this case, as Gurleys floor isnt so impressive in this scoring format. Its bold possibly to sit Gurley, but facing an elite rush defense, its more understandable. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy L. Blount or D. Sproles #StartSitESPN- Ace Dawg (@los_ib04) November 13, 2016Sproles has the higher yardage floor, while Blount is essentially a touchdown-or-bust angle. That said, Id prefer Sproles in what should be a shootout in South Philly. -- J.M.Jarvis, Sproles, or Crowder in my flex? #StartSitESPN- Marshall Scott (@TheyCallMeMursh) November 13, 2016Landrys market share of Miamis targets is top three in the NFL, so Ill take his sizable workload against a depleted San Diego secondary. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Giovanni Bernard vs. Cole Beasley, flex position, standard scoring.- Larry Bunyard (@debuntx) November 13, 2016In standard scoring, Bernard has the edge, since he has a more viable path to touchdown production and simply more plays with the ball in his hands. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Need 2. Jay Ajayi -Lamar Miller - Carlos Hyde- jvincent (@brewerfan999) November 13, 2016Lets leave Hyde on the imaginary pine this week, as his injury and tough matchup make it easier to differentiate from the rest of this crew. -- J.M.Rob Kelly or Paul Perkins #StartSitESPN https://t.co/6P8YMkYEuT- ahmed (@ackissa17) November 13, 2016Trusting Jay Gruden for at least this week and his promise that Kelley is the teams workhorse in Week 10. -- J.M.TE The dilemma... Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry or Lance Kendricks. #StartSitESPN- Mariano Cepeda (@StrikesFirst) November 13, 2016Kendricks has been a busy target of Case Keenums lately and could exploit the Jets susceptible safeties and backers over the middle. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Ingram or Montgomery in flex #StartSitESPN- Steph Narde (@S_Nards11) November 13, 2016The Week 9 benching because of the early fumble is the outlier for Mark Ingram, as he has touched the ball at least 17 times in each game since the start of Week 3, save for that debacle. With Ty Montgomery limited in terms of snaps and touches lately, the return of James Starks would serve only to further cap his usage potential. This is more about Ingram, though, as hes still a feature back with a coveted workload, and the Broncos have actually proved generous to the run this season. -- J.M.#StartSitESPNPPR league, Edelman or Beasley?- #NYR (@NY_Sports84) November 13, 2016This is closer than we might expect, but Im still siding with Julian Edelman. The slot is where teams can move the ball against Seattle, while his ceiling is higher than Cole Beasleys. Its impressive to note Beasley has at least 50 yards in every game this season, a feat only Mike Evans has matched, but Edelman has more upside and a similar floor in PPR scoring. -- J.M.J.J Nelson or Davante Adams? #StartSitESPN- Jack Touchton (@jack_touchton) November 13, 2016With Aaron Rodgers dropping back as often as he has this season and the Titans ranked in the mid-20s in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus, I prefer Davante Adams to J.J. Nelson this week. Its more of a preference for his higher floor and greater cost certainty, while Nelson arguably delivers a more impressive big-play appeal. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy James Starks or Kapri Bibbs? #StartSitESPN- Gabriel Barbosa (@sancapats) November 13, 2016Going with Kapri Bibbs here, as reports suggest James Starks would be limited in regard to plays and touches if active today. Bibbs, meanwhile, is reportedly due for an uptick in touches in what is potentially a committee for Denver. The Saints, meanwhile, are soft enough against the run, which could allow Bibbs to exceed expectations as a flex option. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Prossise, Baldwin or C. Michael as flex for tonights game? #StartSitESPN- Sam Hayford (@SamHayford) November 13, 2016Doug Baldwin claims the highest share of targets on the team -- right around 21 percent -- and Russell Wilson finally looked like himself last Monday night. In a game with a healthy point total (which often promotes passing) and Seattle already fifth pass-heaviest when adjusted for game flow, per Mike Clay, Id rather avoid the share in Seattles backfield and trust Wilsons top wideout. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Non PPR, Asiata or J Hill? #StartSitESPN- Jeff Stephens (@JSooner67) November 13, 2016Going with Jeremy Hill here, as were angling for goal-line work for each of these backs to return value, and hes in a better position on a stronger offense in a Monday night game with a healthy implied point total. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Rob Kelley or Dion Lewis?- Alfonso Arellano (@quietstorm303) November 13, 2016With the team likely to slowly integrate him into the offense, I think we should let Dion Lewis sit this one out in fantasy football, outside of truly deep and desperate scenarios. With coach Jay Gruden asserting Rob Kelley will lead the backfield in early-down touches, hes the safer play of the two. -- J.M.Allen Hurns or CJ Prosise as flex in standard scoring #StartSitESPN- Bernie (@bortiz608) November 13, 2016Here is a situation where Im fine with deploying Prosise, as Allen Hurns is just returning from injury, and his wildly variant production is tough to trust, as he remains touchdown-dependent. Coach Pete Carroll continues to promise an uptick in work for Prosise, which might actually materialize with Christine Michael struggling and ailing. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy if Dion Lewis doesnt play is James White a better play than Spencer Ware given the matchup? 1 pt ppr. #FFNow #StartSitESPN- James Rodriguez (@JamesR5204) November 13, 2016Gotta go with Spencer Ware here, as we shouldnt attempt to predict how this Patriots backfield will play out past LeGarrette Blounts heavy share of early-down and goal-line work. As for Ware, hes top five in yards from scrimmage and a true feature back, while the Panthers have proved exploitable via the pass against opposing backfields. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Peyton Barber or Doug Martin #StartSitESPN- Alan Macaulay (@alan_macaulay) November 13, 2016Doug Martin is due to return after a long injury absence, but reports suggest hell share snaps and touches with Barber. Id rather side with Martin, based purely on talent and elusiveness, but we are projecting a situation that even the Tampa staff likely doesnt fully have a grasp on, given it will depend on how Martin plays and how his hamstring reacts to live action. That said, Id rather trust the proven vet, if we are assuming an even share. -- J.M.Matt Ryan or Palmer #StartSitESPN- Masen (@mase8499) November 13, 2016Carson Palmer is a fine value in DFS and a player Ive endorsed this week, but Matt Ryan is still at the helm of the leagues top offense and in a game with a point total sitting at or above 50 points on most books. There is also some potential for the Cardinals to run so freely on the 49ers that it could limit Palmers scoring upside, while the Falcons are more likely to get their points via the air, given matchup trends. -J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN flex - Britt or Hyde?- Edward (@edemanuelson) November 13, 2016In another case of a back returning from injury with a potentially limited workload, Im siding with Kenny Britt against that exploitable Jets secondary over Carlos Hyde possibly sharing snaps and touches with DuJuan Harris. The Cardinals have been tough on the run over the larger season sample, so Hyde could face tough lanes and isnt very productive or busy in the passing phase to complement the total-yardage angle. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN jj Nelson or dontrelle Inman- Matthias Ballard (@mballard921) November 13, 2016This is a scenario where we can ride with Nelson; he delivers rare sub 4.3 speed and has led Arizona in routes and is third in targets over the teams past two games. Dontrelle Inman, meanwhile, has a reception-per-route rate under 10 percent, which signals hes simply not a key target for Philip Rivers. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN PPR Allen Robinson or Kelvin Benjamin?- Nick Bryant (@nickb72) November 13, 2016I trust Cam Newton more, and thus Kelvin Benjamins outcome spectrum, this week. When its close, I do tend to use the quarterback as a differentiation point, and Id rather invest in a heavy share of Newtons passing game than Blake Bortles. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN #FantasyFootball PPR League. Walker or Eifert? Is the other one better than Dez for Flex? Thanks.- Adam Garland (@hokietect) November 13, 2016Lets ride with Tyler Eifert and his elite red zone role. Eifert looked great in London a couple of weeks back and has a similar, if not better, share of his offense than Walker with a far higher scoring ceiling. Id stick with Dez Bryant in the flex here, as his ceiling is also simply higher than these tight ends. -J.M.#StartSitESPN Standard need one J White or Ty Montgomery?- Rick Smith (@dadsbabys2) November 13, 2016White stands to lose some touches and snaps with Lewis on the mend, and he really doesnt have any viable claim to early-down work, thus we can side with Montgomerys intriguing role from the backfield. -- J.M.Jamison Crowder or Rishard Matthews? #StartSitESPN @ESPNFantasy- Alex Chase (@alexchasefit) November 13, 2016Lets ride with Rishard Matthews and his increasing target share and red zone rapport with Mariota. -- J.M.Michael Thomas or Brandon Marshall #StartSitESPN- Shawn Conroy (@mobiusmorte) November 13, 2016Michael Thomas faces a stingy Denver secondary, while Brandon Marshall could enjoy some nice matchups against the Rams, especially if Trumaine Johnson remains limited. Marshall hasnt been efficient, hauling in fewer than half of his targets, but his volume-driven role still offers real upside. -- J.M. Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
