The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 8 Bench/Start WRs & TEs

Week 8 is the fictitious middle of the season week (17 totals weeks with the bye). Its a perfect point to not only gauge your team, but to figure out your chances of getting into the playoffs. If you are currently a long shot keep in mind that most teams still have a shot, so making the right moves now is critical in taking the necessary steps to getting a coveted playoff spot. Lots of players will be missing with the four teams on the BYE week; Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers , so check out our picks for week 8 and use the to the best of yours and our abilities.

WIDE RECEIVERS YOU MUST START
We start with the standard guys Larry Fiztgerald and Andre Johnson. Fitzgerald will probably be without Boldin again and dominating as usual even on the road in Carolina and making the long trip. Johnson should have no problem catching passes against Cincinnati's secondary and should have a huge game at home. We really like Wes Welker this week and here's why. With 15-30 MPH winds expected Sunday, Cassel will keep most of the passes short and therefore lots of targets for Welker. Terrell Owens will get at least 2 TDs and over match the aging Tampa 2 defense. Steve Smith should have the most targets his this game against Arizona, start him. Marques Colston should be back and a force for New Orleans.

Others: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Lavernues Coles, , Randy Moss, Santana Moss, Roddy White, DeSean Jackson, Vincent Jackson

TIGHT ENDS YOU MUST START

Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Chris Cooley, Anthony Fasano, Owen Daniels, John Carleson

Other Wide Receivers To Consider Starting With Some Risk
We really like Antonio Bryant, but we worry about how charged the Cowboys defense will be this week. He is an intriguing start against a defense that gets torched often. We say start him and take the chance. He could get 1-2 TDs and 130 yards at his best. Keep an eye on the weather in New England. Its hard to say bench Donnie Avery after how well he has developed with Bulger, but 15-30 MPH winds are tough. If its closer to 15, start him. Closer to 30, bench. So far it looks like Plaxico Burress isn't starting and he is in the coach's dog house. If he starts he plays hurt and probably does alright, but this is a week (weather as well) to maybe bench him. If you still own Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams should both have solid games and 1 one them will at least score. We are concerned about Bryant Johnson because of the emergence of Josh Morgan, but he's a good #3 WR this week against Seattle. We do like Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Nate Washington. None can be called a must start, but all should get plenty of looks and 2/3 should have great games. Reggie Williams will look to take over for the suspended Matt Jones. Start him.

Others: Josh Morgan, Derrick Mason, Chansi Stuckey, Marvin Harrison, Kevin Walters, Antwaan Randle El, Greg Camarillo, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Devery Henderson, Hank Basket

Other Tight Ends To Consider Starting With Some Risk

Donald Lee, Dustin Keller, Benjamin Watson, Billy Miller, Zach Miller

Please Bench These Wide Receivers
Bench Bobby Engram, until further notice. He will still get his share of plays, but he is no longer a fantasy value with other options out there. You have to bench Calvin Johnson against Washington. Amani Toomer has lost his skills. He can still catch the ball, but he cannot get open. Torry Holt will be useless this week, find someone else. Marvin Harrison is a no go this week. Justin Gage is again questionable, but he did practice. We would bench him until he plays 1 week.

Others: Robert Meachem, Michael Jenkins, Isaac Bruce, Ronald Curry, Javon Walker, Lance Moore, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Braylon Edwards Donte Stallworth, Dwayne Bowe, Miles Austin, Jerricho Cotchery

Please Bench These Tight Ends

Todd Heap, Alge Crumpler, Dante Rosario, Vernon Davis, Tony Scheffler (Out with injury), Kevin Boss, Kellen Winslow

Sleeper Wide Receivers
Javon Walker should have a solid game against the beat up Raven defense. He is a bit of a long shot, but the Ravens has nasty injuries in the secondary and are susceptible to the pass. Malcom Floyd will again fill in for Chris Chambers and will again have a good game against New Orleans in London. Anthony Gonzalez has a great matchup against Tennessee. Manning will go to him quick and often with the Titans pass rush. A deep deep sleeper would be Jerry Porter. He's Finally, Steve Smith of the NY Giants. He will have a big game if Burress doesn't play, but an equally good game if he does. He is the go to 3rd down, short pass guy for Manning and that is what he needs in the windy city of Pittsburgh.

Good luck. Next are our Defenses!

The True Guru