First two quick updates....Laurent Robinson has been listed as doubtful and is in a boot. Knowshaun Moreno has been ruled OUT of Sunday's game due to a hammy injury.
Now for the Gut Check....Sometimes you have that feeling in your gut that just tells you to start Benjarvis Green-Ellis over Fred Taylor despite what all the "experts" say and all the rankings. You bench him only to watch on Sunday the stud tank and the second tier guy put up a career game. Of course this could also blow up in your face so proceed with caution.We all have them, so here are mine.
1. Shonn Greene NYJ: No Braylon for a certain period of the game, and possibly no Mangold who is a game time decision. So why start him over a better match up? Because the weakest part of the Miami Defense is stopping the run. Not that it's very weak at all, but with no Braylon and a QB who struggles against top D's the Jets are going to need to run a lot and often. L.T.'s effectiveness out of the back field shoul be limited by the Jets passing D, and it will make it a much harder day for him. A banger like Greene should have more effectiveness and get the touches as the game goes on.
2. Cadillac Williams TB: 23rd in rushing, against a top run Defense in Pittsburgh doesn't sound like a smart choice? So why do it? Pittsburgh has faced two teams who's identity is their RB. Both Turner and C.J. are top backs and the Steelers knew what they needed to focus on. Out come the Bucs, whom are more balanced but their strength is the pass. The Steelers know this and with rookie stud Mike Williams playing well and an added threat in Winslow, this might open a small window for Williams at times. Don't be surprised if Cadillac overcomes his low score projections.
3. Dwayne Bowe KC: Everyone knows he has the talent, but he has been useless with Cassel throwing the ball. SF is better at stopping the run game, and look for their strong LB core to shadow Charles and Jones leaving some good coverage against Bowe. There are plenty of better options, but he might surprise.
4. Brian Hartline MIA: All he's really done this year so far is catch one TD pass. Past that he's been useless. The Jets have no Revis, but Cromartie is no lame dog either. They should have him shadow Marshall, leaving Hartline in man coverage against a young secondary. Miami's run game should be kept in check pretty well forcing Henne to beat them. Hartline could find a lot of open looks downfield.
5. Brandon Jackson GB: While he's already slated to have a solid game, I expect bigger things this week. The Bears will have their hands full with the GB pass weapons and no doubt may employ a little more cover two than what they already use. Finley will cause the LB's fits and leave them on their heels for much the game. Jackson should have no problem finding holes and with his speed, could do damage. Any team playing the Pack are forced to focus on the downfield throw and Jackson should have a great day since the Pack will not take Chicago's pass game lightly and look to control the clock to keep the ball out of Cutler's hands.
6. Jonathan Stewart CAR: The Bengals D looked impressive last week after tanking in week one. A rookie QB for Carolina will have Cinci foaming at the mouth. Carolina no doubt will not want to limit Clausen's rookie opener to simpler pass routes and will plan on pounding the rock. Neither back has been at all spectacular, and while the backs worry me, I would not be surprised to see Stewart have the better day of the two. Bengals will bring the heat, and since Deangelo is more of a cut back dancing type of back I think a straight ahead guy like Stewart will have better success. He performed better than Williams last week despite fewer touches and could have his first good game of the season instead of Williams.
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