Before the fantasy season started, I thought, "Load up on Redskins players, watch them tear the league up against lesser opponents, and then trade them all before we hit the second half of the season." Let's just say that while I have not reaped the rewards I had hoped for, it isn't as bad as the real life Skins. As always, these Start/Sit recommendations are based just on the personnel in this game. I am not suggesting you should start Jason Campbell over Drew Brees.
Start
Jason Campbell, QB WAS- Why not? He had a rough outing against the Bucs, but you know Zorn is going to keep throwing. In fact, the Carolina Panthers are among the worst run defenses in the league. Why does that matter for JC owners out there? Because Zorn seems to take stats like this and turn them on their head. He should run the ball down their throat all day...but he won't.
Chris Cooley, TE WAS - He's 5th in receptions and 3rd in yards among NFL tight ends. As long as he is healthy, they will feed him a steady diet of underneath routes. When are they going to open him up deep like they did in the preseason?
Washington Redskins, DEF- Something about the way Jake Delhomme has been playing tells me this will be a bug turnover game for the Redskins' defense. I just don't trust him or believe in him. Plus, Jeremy Jarmon is going to be on the field a lot more this weekend, and he strikes me as a difference-maker.
Steve Smith, WR CAR - He is a stud. He is very much like Santana Moss, only he seems stronger and angrier. He is a huge talent and they will target him plenty.
DeAngelo Williams, RB CAR- I am trying to not be homerish by picking him here. He is 35th in the league in rushing yards, but I can't forget the way he destroyed us in the preseason last year. They will get him carries, and our defense has allowed runners to get their numbers against us.
Clinton Portis, RB WAS- I still think he is hurt, but if he plays, he should have a great game. The Panthers--as noted above--are a weak rushing defense, and CP is 10th in the league in rushing yards. (quietly in the top 10, eh?) Here's hoping Zorn figures out that we should run on a team that gives it up like Paris Hilton.
Shaun Suisham, K WAS - He is batting a thousand! I figured that I had to recommend our biggest weapon at some point.
Sit
Malcolm Kelly/Devin Thomas/Fred Davis, WAS - I am hoping that by advising people to avoid this tandem, they actually blow up and play well. I want to be wrong, but there is simply nothing to suggest these guys are going to be getting the ball with any regularity anytime soon.
Jake Delhomme, QB CAR- I don't think he makes it through this game. He has played very poorly for stretches this season and I think it is going to take an injury to help Carolina move down their bench. Enter Jeremy Jarmon.
Carolina Panthers, DEF - The Redskins will move the ball up and down the field this week. It remains to be seen if we can score, but you figure it should be a long day for that defense (already 23rd in the league in total defense.)
Note: Make sure to check http://www.sbnation.com/fantasy for all the latest updates including who to sit/start. (Each week, each SB Nation NFL blogger provides their sit/start picks, including Sugar's).