Question about holding players

[Palafox101]

Ok, so in my league we only have 3 bench spots with no IR spots. 2 of my bench spots have been taken up by Andre Johnson and Steven Jackson for about 3 or so weeks now. I am first in my league but it's starting to get to the point where I'm gonna need extra players, especially with all the bye weeks coming up. So....my question is, do I cut ties with these players to make room for fresh bodies for the bye weeks or just hold on to them and swallow hard?

[Pewterslimsme]

You don't have anyone else you can dump? You cut them and people will dog-pile to get in line to pick them up....besides, you said yourself you're in first if you make the playoffs in 4th and they are healthy how badly off would you be?

[Palafox101]

Yeah, you're right. But I'm also wondering how much contribution they will even make once they are "healthy" again. Here is my team:

QB Eli Manning
QB Kurt Warner
WR Steve Smith
WR Deion Branch
WR Dwayne Bowe
WR Ike Hilliard
RB Jamal Lewis
RB Ronnie Brown
TE Todd Heap
K Neil Rackers
DB Charles Woodson
DB Marlin Jackson
DL Eric Barton
DL Tamba Hali
DL Nick Barnett

With 3 bench spots:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
RB Steven Jackson
WR Andre Johnson

This is my starting roster for week 6, until the official injury report comes out, then I might make changes. Thanks for your input.

[#1BucsDefense]

I'd say drop Ike Hilliard, I seriously doubt he's the best WR available in your league.

[NFLs_Future]

If you really get squeezed, you can go a week or two missing defensive players. If they have a really good week, the most you can miss is like 10 points, right?

I think it'd be worth going without an IDP for a week, maybe two, to hold onto Johnson and Jackson.

[Pewterslimsme]

I'd go w/o the IDP as well...and although you have 2 starting QB spots I'd drop my worst QB and pick one up on his bye week so I could go w/o one IDP and keep Jackson and Johnson.

As for the Ike Hilliard question, he may not have a bunch of WR available if everyone is starting 4...and I thought Deion Branch was out this week, no?

[Palafox101]

Well, that's part of the reason I'm posting this question because of the branch situation. So I guess the consensus is to drop a defensive player to clear an extra bench spot for a while until jackson and johnson become healthy.

Btw, I just picked up hilliard because Lee Evans was KILLING me in points.

Here are some FA WR available in my league:
Calvin Johnson
Lee Evans
Hines Ward
Reggie Brown
Mark Clayton
Devery Henderson
Anthony Gonzalez
Donte' Stallworth
Isaac Bruce
Jerry Porter
James Jones
Dennis Northcutt
Brandon Stokley
Nate Burleson

[NFLs_Future]

I'd go w/o the IDP as well...and although you have 2 starting QB spots I'd drop my worst QB and pick one up on his bye week so I could go w/o one IDP and keep Jackson and Johnson.

As for the Ike Hilliard question, he may not have a bunch of WR available if everyone is starting 4...and I thought Deion Branch was out this week, no?

Yes, Branch will be out for 2 weeks and Jamal Lewis may not be playing much this weekend because he has a sprained foot and I've heard talk about picking up his backup.

Looks like you may be in more trouble than you thought, I'd hang on to Warner tight though, good QB's are tough to find this season.

EDIT: Nevermind, didn't see you had Big Ben, scratch that last part.

[#1BucsDefense]

Here are some FA WR available in my league:
Calvin Johnson
Hines Ward


What's the health situation with CJ and Ward? Because either one of them is better than Hilliard if they start.

[Palafox101]

What's the health situation with CJ and Ward? Because either one of them is better than Hilliard if they start.

Both are recovering from nagging things, but more importantly, both have bye weeks this week.

[#1BucsDefense]

Both are recovering from nagging things, but more importantly, both have bye weeks this week.

Ok, but I'd keep them in mind as guys to add to your roster after this week. Also keep an eye on Stallworth, with the way Moss has been performing opposing defenses are going to be giving him a lot of coverage opening up opportunities for Stallworth.

[Palafox101]

Ok, but I'd keep them in mind as guys to add to your roster after this week. Also keep an eye on Stallworth, with the way Moss has been performing opposing defenses are going to be giving him a lot of coverage opening up opportunities for Stallworth.

Thanks.

[Pewter Pride]

You start an awfully large amount of players in that league for only being given 3 bench slots. That would be enough to drive me mad during the middle of the season with all the byes.

[Palafox101]

You start an awfully large amount of players in that league for only being given 3 bench slots. That would be enough to drive me mad during the middle of the season with all the byes.

Yeah, it's real tough. Plus, we only get 20 moves through the whole season. So you can imagine why I seek out your help.:hiya:

[Pewter Pride]

If that's the case I suggest you hold onto them and bite the bullet. If you're in a pinch and you really think you need to add a few players due to byes/poor matchups/etc in order to win a key matchup, I'd do what someone has already suggested. Drop the defensive players that give you the most unfavorable matchup (i.e. drop a d-lineman if he's playing the Green Bay Passers since Favre throws so often, things like that, etc). That's the best advice I can give you from what details you've provided. Once your injured players heal up it looks like you're set to make a run for the playoffs. Good luck.