Stick or Deal: Dealing Away Manning, Barber and Tomlinson?

It's quite OK to claim that LaDainian Tomlinson's big toe is killing your fantasy season. Seriously, you drafted the guy No. 1 overall and you, like most people, have come to expect a little more from him. The same can be said about Peyton Manning and probably a handful of other projected "studs."

Look, there's no such thing as sink or swim when it comes to the stars. That's what can make it as equally maddening as losing a key player to injury when your first- or second-round pick just ain't picking up his end of the bargain. It's not as if these guys are flirting with being complete busts, but the early or current returns aren't in your favor.

As the stock market plummets in the real world, in the fantasy football world stock values fluctuate day in and day out as they should in a perfect world. Hero one day, on the block the next. Well, trading "studs" is always a risky proposition, but today I'm taking a look at three guys that are at the crossroads better known as "stick or deal."

Let's ante up and take a look.

Peyton Manning: You do realize that Manning has yet to have a signature "Manning" game. Um, he's yet to throw at least three touchdowns in one game. Did you also know that Eli Manning has outscored or nearly matched Peyton in each game this season? So, maybe that thingy we call a bursa sac is a big deal after all... right? Surely, we've got to point the blame at something other than Manning.

OK, let's be honest -- Manning has been a slight disappointment from the get-go, based on what we expect. And had he not reeled back the clock and gave us a tease at the end of that Houston game, Manning owners would be sporting the famous Manning pout face all week. Well, does this mean he can save his season and rear it back for another run at fantasy glory?

Deep sigh. I just don't see it happening this season. Maybe I'm wrong, but the Colts just seem a bit too banged up, out of sync, older, less gifted, etc. As with most underwhelming quarterbacks - we've gotta blame the line. Also, Joseph Addai has gotten himself off to a slow start, which hasn't helped. Marvin Harrison... well, he ain't right either.

Enough with the excuses, just look at the upcoming schedule (Baltimore, @ Green Bay, @ Tennessee, New England, @ Pittsburgh). Now, if you own Peyton Manning as I do in a few leagues - smash your computer screen (kidding). I don't think Manning will throw a bunch of stink bombs at us, but target a decent security blanket for tough matchups if you can. If you've got a decent backup already, see if you can snag another positional need for Manning. It's worth a look... seriously. There is always somebody who will overvalue the name "Manning" in your league... always.

Verdict: Deal.

Marion Barber: Perplexing proposition isn't it? Three games into the season you thought you had the soon to be consensus No. 1 fantasy running back. And who says fantasy football isn't a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately game? Now, if you own Barber you're probably wishing you drafted Felix Jones as a handcuff or you're hoping Jones gets injured or fails a drug test. Either way, you're not thinking straight. However, it would appear that there will be no holding Felix Jones back anymore.

That by no means is suggesting he will supplant Marion Barber as the starter this season. The job is Barber's for the present tense and it's not as if he's playing terrible. Rather, he's just seen his opportunities diminish ever so slightly and watched Jones make the most of his. So, what we could expect moving forward would be more of a timeshare. And that timeshare would still probably forge Marion Barber as the featured goal line RB, which isn't a bad thought. However, you can probably scratch the notion of Barber being a No. 1 RB.

Fair enough. The bright spot here is that eventually teams will have seen more of Felix Jones and they'll game plan accordingly. As the season wears on and the schedule gets tougher and the games get more physical, Barber will be the back the Cowboys lean on. Lower your expectations, dude ain't gonna score two touchdowns every week, but seriously - it's way too early to bail out now.

Verdict: Stick.

LaDainian Tomlinson: He's lost a step, he doesn't have the fire, he's not scoring four touchdowns a game anymore, the toe injury is more serious than imagined, and the Chargers stink. Did I miss anything? Glad we are all disappointed in the diminished returns from the consensus No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts. It's OK to vent - you've got support. However, I'm also afraid to deliver this dose of sobering news... you should've traded LT last week.

Yup, right after LT looked like the LT of old against the Raiders, you should've found the first taker. Sorry, LT is just not going to be LT this season. Whether he's on a career downslope is another argument for another day. However, I simply must call it like I see it and I do NOT see good fortunes for LT this season. Does that mean he's cooked and will simply continue to spin out more stinkers like he did against Miami? Of course not. We all know he's good for some breakout games now and again.

Yet, if you're looking for the big game every single week as your good ol' reliable, you're headed for a crummy Sunday most weeks. Much like Larry Johnson after his bust-out last week, both studs should've been sent packing for the best offer on the table. At ease, I know LT's schedule does lighten up here and there and I'm sure that I'll take flack for casting off one of the greatest fantasy heroes of this or any generation. However, sometimes you just gotta know when to fold 'em.

Verdict: Deal, if you can.