Dream Team: Pinner a Winner?

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Is your fantasy football team a nightmare? Express' Chris Mincher gives his advice on who to play and who to bench.

IF YOU FANTASY FOOTBALLERS have been bounced out of your playoffs already, don't quit just yet, just remember: consolation bracket = salvaged pride. If you're still in the playoffs, well ... good luck, you probably know what you're doing and don't need my help.

But whether you're still in it or trying to win your way into 5th place, if you're in a keeper league, you have big decisions looming on the horizon. Mainly — as most leagues are set up this way — you're probably going to have to decide who you're retaining and who you are going to send back into free agency. It's tough, because sometimes you just have to face the future on some previously tried-and-true veterans ... unfortunately, they're not always worth it. And, often, it's better to hold onto those rookies who may not be blowing up just yet, but will be primed for the spotlight next year. Here are some ideas of who I'm talking about:

Artose Pinner, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Here's how good Vikings backup Pinner has been in Chester Taylor's absence: Not only is he averaging 125 yards when he starts — and 4.6 yards a carry overall this season — but he's been able to do all this while overcoming the karmic burden of having his official NFL photo feature him in a Lions jersey.
TAKE? Usual starter Taylor is having a fine season as well, so the best role Pinner can work his way into is a shareback — which is a good fit for coach Brad Childress' system, but not a good fit for any fantasy football system.

Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Note to starter Brad Johnson: This weekend, put on a suit, pull up a full length mirror, drag over your desk, sit down, look straight into it and talk. You'll have to get used to it if you're to have any shot whatsoever at landing some satellite-TV hometown-Minnesota station announcing gig. Perhaps the first subject for you to strongly opine on can be the promising start of power-armed Alabama-State-standout Jackson. Uh oh, Brad. Stiffen up that trembling lip. OK, let's try this again ...
TAKE? Jackson's got a ton of talent around him, with two good running backs and five good receiving options. His production might be a little mediocre at the start, but with that supporting cast, the development should be quicker than, say, Bruce Gradkowski's was.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Broncos
Marshall is the first rookie wide receiver of the season to make other teams' fans wonder why they didn't draft this guy first. (Gee, Patriots fans ... it looks like that Chad Jackson jersey is still sitting in your closet looking brand new. Have you worn that thing at all?) With Javon Walker's shoulder popped like a can of Pringles, Marshall is commanding more looks from fellow-newbie quarterback Jay Cutler, who gave Marshall a season-high five catches last week. With Rod Smith's kids already checking out retirement homes behind his back, Marshall's role can only expand.
TAKE? The Broncos haven't figured out their passing game quite yet, but if Cutler and Marshall continue to hit each other up, this could be one of those connections that single-handedly turns things around.

Willis McGahee, RB, Buffalo Bills
McGahee racks up injuries with the frequency of Marion Barry traffic stops. Frankly, the Bills have been doing a lot of impressive things this year — including a don't-look-now-but year by quarterback J.P. Losman — and McGahee's increasing fragility isn't good for anyone. Unfortunately, though, the Bills have no promising backups and have to hurry him back onto the field. Maybe that's part of the problem.
TAKE? Crazy prediction time: The Bills let McGahee go in the off-season, take Garrett Wolfe from Northern Illinois and give him a chance to start. Orrrr, none of that happens. Either way, the Bills line is rapidly improving and McGahee needs to pick up the pace on his end.

Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears are 12-2, and Benson's gotten a ton more carries in his second year. But, by and large, he's blown his big chance to make waves. The situation couldn't be more ideal for him to secure the job once and for all; instead, anyone following the team can't help but notice that Thomas Jones is still the superior player. With Jones' muscles stretched out like rolled cookie dough, Benson may be nearing his last opportunity to avoid being an epic, forever-a-backup bust.
TAKE? Eh, whatever it is you need to be a star running back, I don't think he has it.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.