The Name Game

In honor of the segment of the same name on ESPN’s Fantasy Football Focus podcast, we’ve decided to take this Tuesday afternoon to have a little nominal fun of our own. The Name Game forces you to make a decision about which player you’d rather own from now until the end of the season. Standard scoring is assumed for all comparisons. Unfortunately we don’t have a fancy drop, so let’s go straight to our experts’ opinions.

Donovan McNabb or Matt Ryan?

Marble Ryan: McNabb probably won't have a game like the one he was benched in for the rest of the year, but I think Ryan still has less risk. Ryan has been very consistent and in playoff time, that's what you need.

The Slow Eater: You don't want your QB to shit the bed in the playoffs, and with McNabb there's a decent chance of that. I’ll go Ryan.

Bruno: Ryan’s facing Tampa/Minnesota, but he wins out because he's got more weapons, especially “Rowdy” Roddy White. McNabb may have the softer schedule, but I wouldn't trust my playoff run behind a guy who could be out of a job in a few months


Frank Gore or Steve Slaton?

Marble Ryan: Gore is slowing down, but I think if he's gotten you to this point, you can't abandon him. Slaton's stock is pretty high in keeper leagues though.

The Slow Eater: Slaton has run for over 100 yards in 3 of his past 4 games. Gore has only broken 100 once in his past 7. Go with the hot hand.

Bruno: Slaton’s more likely to find paydirt and has better games through the air than Gore, who doesn't carry the ball as much in Martz's O. Look at Gore's last four games to tell the tale: 18 carries, 14, 24, 14.


Antonio Bryant or Kevin Walter?

The Slow Eater: Bryant just blew his load for the rest of the year. With Schaub back, Walter should see plenty of targets as the #2 WR in Houston.

Marble Ryan: Again, I’ll go with consistency. With Schaub back, Walter's the safer choice.

Bruno: It’s Bryant by a longshot. He's the outright #1 receiver in Tampa (Joey who?) and will be facing Atlanta and San Diego, who can't exactly stop a pass these days. Walter's got Andre 3000 to deal with and is the second or third red zone option.