Tip of the day

Stop reading this right now and pick up Ben Utecht immediately. Unfortunately, I have been subjected to every Indianapolis Colts game this season and believe me when I tell you the Colts will not miss Dallas Clark as much as you think. Manning already has a chemistry with Utecht, who has put up decent numbers for a backup tight end.

More and more athletes today are living by the Carlos Beltran rule and cashing in on free agency after the final year of a contract. Utecht is in his final year and he now has a golden opportunity to show the rest of the NFL what he can do. Chances are whoever owns Peyton Manning in your league is headed to the playoffs so picking up Utecht could pay huge dividends if you meet that team in the postseason.

Drop him

After Seattle lost to San Francisco I considered posting a rant about how horrible tight end Jerramy Stevens is. I decided against it, convincing myself that although Stevens is a disaster, he has little to do with fantasy football strategy. Well tonight against the Packers, Stevens forced me to make this post. As I write this, it’s early in the third quarter and Stevens already has two drops and a horrible route which prompted an announcer to call him out for quitting on his quarterback.

This is the same “football player” who had three costly drops in the Super Bowl. Stevens is a complete joke and it’s a miracle he has a job. Seattle has to be losing patience with him so expect him to lose playing time. Drop Stevens from your roster immediately.

Leftovers

While you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving leftovers, I thought I might share some of my “studs n’ duds” left over from Saturday’s paper. Below you will find the studs and duds that I just didn’t have room to mention:

Studs:

Michael Robinson

Ahman Green

Torry Holt

Plaxico Burress

Marvin Harrison

Duds:

Sammy Morris (Week 13)

Thanksgiving

Those who will look good on turkey day besides Larry Johnson...

Dallas defense

Javon Walker

Marion Barber

Olindo Mare

Lawrence Tynes

Who to avoid?

Carnell Williams

Ronnie Brown

League controversy

There is a controversy happening in the Bulletin Fantasy Challenge which I would like to share with all of you. Last Friday, I accepted a trade from Joe Truman of Greg Jennings and Mike Bell in exchange for Lamont Jordan and Chad Jackson. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you now know that Bell scored two touchdowns last week and Jordan is likely out for the remainder of the season.

The trade went through first thing Monday morning with no comments or vetoes from the league until Truman politely asked if he could veto his own trade. Being the commissioner, I responded that I would not mainly because I think trades should be evaluated based on fairness at the time of the trade. In other words, I think if someone gets injured or has a huge game that is tough luck for the other owner.

Below you will find responses from league owners and my response. Pick a side and let everyone know what you think.

Owner 1: “In all the leagues I'm in, a trade (always) has a (stipulation) that if a player or players get hurt over the weekend games the trade is null and void. Because trade was made when every player was healthy,it would not be the same trade if one or more players got hurt.”

Owner 2: “…In my personal opinion, the possibility of injury is always present and it's something you've got to deal with. It's tough to make a deal with someone if you know that there is an insurance policy, that in a way, keeps you from personally benefiting. I know how much it sucks first hand, I traded Portis away the weekend that he got hurt, and now I'm without Marvin Harrison and I am left with a running back on IR..”

Me: “Most importantly, this is the second issue we have had with completed deals going through and then owners being upset with things. As I stated before and after the Tomlinson trade, owners can send me vetos on here during the time when a deal is accepted and processed. Like the Tomlinson deal, none of the "complaints" happened until after that period. But like I keep stressing, even if I did get complaints I would need to hear arguments that didn't involve Jordan getting hurt because trades need to be evaluated on fairness at the time of the agreement. Also if the trade was proposed on a Monday we wouldn't be talking about this. Instead it was proposed on a Friday and I don't think I (or any other owner in this situation) should be punished for that.”

Man(ning) he's bad

This just in, Eli Manning is a disaster. I have always been skeptical of Peyton’s younger brother but Monday night confirmed my concerns that Manning was overrated and underexperienced.

The numbers (19-of-41 for 230 yards, one touchdown and two picks) don’t tell the whole story either. Manning completed several passes in the first quarter when the Jaguars were playing a prevent defense, and those passes actually improved his numbers. Manning also had a lost fumble erased because of a penalty call. At this point in time, Eli Manning is a bad quarterback and should not be started in any leagues.

Manning’s struggles aren’t good news for Plaxico Burress, Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs or Jeremy Shockey so knock them all down a few notches on your board.

Oh yeah, I loved the stat from ESPN which stated that Eli Manning is the league’s worst passer on third downs. Way to come through in the clutch, Mr. “I want to play in New York’s spotlight.”

But don’t worry Eli, it’s not like your last two horrific games were on national TV or anything.

Suggestion

Marques Colston owners in shallow leagues who are looking for help at wide receiver should pick up Devery Henderson while waiting for any official word on Colston. Henderson should be picked up instead of Terrance Copper because he’s more experienced and because Copper has been coughing it up more than a smoker with asthma this season.

Hopefully Colston will be back soon (and I mean this sincerely because I own him in two leagues) but instead of waiting for news, you should be proactive and pluck Henderson from your free agent pool now. The same advice goes to Drew Brees owners and non-Colston owners who have the transactions to spend.

Don’t go there

Below is a list of people I wouldn’t start this week with my playoff hopes on the line.

*Joseph Addai

*Eddie Kennison

*Rod Smith

*Ahman Green

*Rob Bironas

Marked man

I’m falling in love with Mark Clayton quicker than you can say “The Ravens have a passing game.” The guy is averaging 7.5 catches and 100 yards in his last two games and he really seems to building a trust with Steve McNair.

Clayton’s schedule for the rest of the season features weaklings Kansas City and Cincinnati along with Cleveland, who he burned for eight catches and 74 yards in Week 3. Clayton is putting up solid numbers this season, but nobody seems to be talking about him. I expect very big things from Clayton for the rest of the season as the Ravens make a push for the playoffs.

4-0

Our reader picks this week were excellent. Well, some of them anyways. Mike Andrew was right on with several selections, but others were far less impressive (Chad Johnson). See my picks and the reader’s picks below. This win brings my season record to 4-0 when taking on readers head-to-head. If you think you have what it takes to beat the Coach, submit your “Studs and duds” to my email (tonyfarmer45@yahoo.com) or reply to this entry with your picks, name and town.

Reader picks

Studs

Brian Westbrook – Westbrook had 113 yards rushing and three catches for 37 yards through the air. I’ll be generous and label Westbrook as a stud.

Jon Kitna – Nothing special from Kitna, who threw for 202 yards and had a touchdown, an interception and a fumble lost.

Willie Parker – Great pick. Parker ran his way to 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Roy Williams – Five catches for 81 yards. Certainly not the “stud” material, especially against San Francisco’s weak secondary.

Total: 2-for-4

Duds

Chad Johnson – The worst pick in the history of studs and duds. Johnson had two touchdowns and 260 yards on 11 catches.

Randy Moss – Only one catch for eight yards. Excellent pick.

Reggie Bush – The rookie looked great running for 49 yards and a score while adding seven catches for 40 yards in the passing game.

Rex Grossman – Grossman was more of a stud than a dud (three touchdowns and 246 yards)

Total: 1-for-4.

Expert picks

Studs

Jason Witten – Witten had a decent game for a tight end, but it wasn’t stud worthy (five catches – 58 yards).

Maurice Jones-Drew - Who else is the business predicts that No. 2 running backs will have better days than the No. 1 back on a depth chart? Point, Farmer.

Alex Smith – Smith had no touchdowns or interceptions (one fumble lost) on just 20 attempts. He also ran for 15 yards, but he was no stud.

Matt Leinart – Leinart had 216 yards through the air and a touchdown on the ground, but his two interceptions prevent him from being labeled a “stud.”

Total: 1-for-4.

Duds

Clinton Portis – Before you go saying I got lucky with this pick because Portis got injured, read what I said in Saturday’s paper, “The Redskins’ running back won’t be getting many carries when his team is trailing significantly all game long.” Final score : Eagles 27-3.

Joey Galloway – Five catches for 87 yards and no touchdowns.

Alge Crumpler – Crumpler was hot coming into this weekend, but as I predicted, his streak of solid games ended Sunday.

Chicago defense – When I made this pick, I said that the Bears would have a solid game, but not be as good as what some people expected. I think two sacks, two interceptions and 20 points allowed fits that description.

Total: 4-for-4. (You could argue 3-for-4, but either way it’s a win)

Your opinion

Even though I'm an expert, I sometimes like to ask you all your opinion. Sometimes I do this in the form of a poll, but tonight I'm going to ask what you think about fantasy football league rules and check back Tuesday to see your thoughts.

I'm wondering what everybody thinks is a better way to decide trades in a fantasy football league. Your choices are commish veto or league vote.

It's easy to quickly respond with "league vote" because a democracy in a fantasy football league sounds like a good idea. But like the Raiders, this concept only looks good on paper. Dead teams will often make a majority vote impossible and if someone doesn't check his/her team for a few days that individual misses the vote. Not to mention people vetoing trades just because everyone else is or for revenge.

Can someone back me up on this?

Who to avoid

The following guys are leftover from the “dud” department in today’s paper. I advise sitting the following players unless you are desperate.

*Travis Henry

*Rex Grossman

*Eddie Kennison

*Rudi Johnson

Third time a charm?

Reader Mike Andrew is looking for his first win against me. I'm 3-0 and he's 0-2. His picks are below and mine can be found in Saturday's paper.

studs
brian westbrook
jon kitna
willie parker
roy williams

duds
chad johnson
randy moss
reggie bush
rex grossman

Deadline deal

Here’s a list of players to trade for before your league's trade deadline. These guys have very favorable schedules during Weeks 14, 15 and 16 (fantasy football playoffs).

*Lee Evans –Jets, Dolphins, Titans

*Ronnie Brown – New England, Buffalo, Jets

*All Vikings – Detroit, N.Y. Jets, Green Bay

I win...again

I improved my record to 3-0 against readers this weekend. The reader's picks keep getting better, but mine are too. This weekends results are below. If you want to participate just submit four "studs" and four "duds" in an email (tonyfarmer45@yahoo.com) or just respond to this post with your name and town.

Reader picks

Studs

*Eli Manning – Peyton’s younger brother had an interception and a touchdown on 170 yards passing. Definitely not a stud.
*Chester Taylor – It was a solid day for Taylor, who grabbed eight passes for 45 yards and added 96 yards on the ground.
*Ahman Green – Green failed to score and only recorded one catch, but did gain 122 yards on the ground.
*L. Maroney – Maroney didn’t have a bad day (63 yards on 13 carries) but it was a less than stellar fantasy day.

Total: 2-for-4.

Duds

*Joey Harrington – Harrington had his best day in a while, tossing three touchdowns and two picks on 137 yards passing.
*Rudi Johnson – Rudi had 77 yards and a touchdown. Not a dud.
*Rubben Droughns – Droughns was indead a dud with only one catch and 36 rushing yards.
*Terry Glenn – Glenn found the endzone (three catches and 26 yards) and that means you’re not a dud if you’re a wide receiver.

Total: 1-for-4.

My picks

Studs

*Ashley Lelie – Lelie led all Falcons receivers in yards, but that’s not saying much when you only get 35 yards on two catches.

*Ernest Wilford – As predicted Wilford went off with two touchdowns on three catches and 44 yards.

*Chester Taylor – It was a solid day for Taylor, who grabbed eight passes for 45 yards and added 96 yards on the ground.

*L. Maroney – Maroney didn’t have a bad day (63 yards on 13 carries) but it was a less than stellar fantasy day.

Total: 2-for-4.

Duds

Seattle defense – Seattle’s defense made Oakland look bad. Real bad. And a really bad pick.

Carson Palmer – Cincinnati’s quarterback continued to struggle Sunday with two interceptions and only one touchdown while completing less than 50 percent of his passes.

Julius Jones – Jones had just the kind of day I expected. No touchdowns and less than 100 yards (73 to be exact).

Heath Miller – Miller had only 34 yards on five catches. Dud.

Total: 3-for-4.

There’s a story…

Tom Brady threw four interceptions on national television and I felt like nobody was happier about it than me. It wasn’t that I was playing Brady this week in one of my leagues, it was that I am so sick of hearing announcers and commentators talk about how good Tom Brady is.

Luckily I found time between hearing about his intangibles and reading the signs Pats fans were holding up to puke. Tom Brady is a great quarterback and will go down in history as one of the best of all-time. I have no problem with that. I have no problem with people talking 24 hours a day about how good he is. It’s the fact that people keep repeating the same things over and over.

It’s overkill. Kind of like when Kurt Warner started to heat up with the Rams and every day we would have to hear about how he was stocking groceries a little while before signing with the Rams. It’s a good story, and Brady is a good quarterback but enough is enough.

Tonight Tom Brady took Warren Sapp’s spot as my least favorite NFL player. Partly because of the annoying announcers and partly because I’m not sure Warren Sapp is still in the NFL.

Two more

I have two more names to watch out for tomorrow. Lee Evans should score a touchdown on 5+ catches and I expect Jamal Lewis to put together his best game of the season against the Bengals.

Reader picks

Norwich's Michael Andrew is back to challenge me head-to-head after losing two weeks ago. His picks are below.

Studs
Eli Manning
Chester Taylor
Ahman Green
L. Maroney

duds
Joey Harrington
Rudi Johnson
Rubben Droughns
Terry Glenn

Good starts

Here are some safe bets to start this week. These guys were leftover from my studs and duds which, as always, will appear in Saturday’s paper.

*Michael Vick

*Reggie Williams

*Corey Dillon

*Kellen Winslow Jr.

*Giants defense