Sink or Swim: Ocho Stinko, Eli and Jake

As we do every week, it's time to take a look at a few underachieving stars or marginal starters and determine if they'll be of any assistance moving forward. Ultimately the decision is up to you, but let our thoughts sink in before you make your decision. Roster space is valuable in fantasy football and sometimes it's hard to part ways, but then again sometimes you just gotta do it. Yup, it's time for another installment of sink or swim.

For starters, I'll toss out a few obvious names that you can go ahead and cut from your rosters: Earnest Graham and Felix Jones. Season-ending injuries to those key running backs may throw a twist at a few fantasy playoff rosters. However, you've just gotta keep on keeping on. And now for today's guests on the "sink or swim" ledge... Chad Johnson, Eli Manning and Jake Delhomme. Yup, a few obvious names are up for discussion and let's not waste any time... time to dip right into the waters.

Chad Johnson: Yes, we probably should've had this conversation a long time ago. Well, in case we haven't chatted on this topic yet, please pull up a seat. There's nothing worth waiting for here. Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson or Chaz Stinko is certainly not going to help you win any fantasy trophies. Nope. In fact, he's probably not even going to help the Bengals scrape together another win this season.

Yes, you heard by now that the Bengals opted to deactivate Stinko for Thursday's Steelers game. Sure, it's just one game is what they'd like us all to believe. However, it takes little curiosity to realize something is just not right in Cincinnati. And with all his offseason antics and a team in collapse with only one win on the season and a backup QB, this can't be good. As is, Chad is having his worse statistical season to date. So, you probably already had better options.

Anyhow, when I see Drew Rosenhaus calmly speaking in light of the situation on ESPN, I just know it's not gonna have a happy ending. Look, you're speaking with one of the biggest Chad Johnson advocates on this planet. He's been a staple on my fantasy teams for the better part of the past five years, but even I am thin on patience. This just wasn't meant to be his year from the get-go with the offseason surgery, team threats and lingering shoulder injury. That said, you know the drill - cut the man now. Spare yourself any further disappointment.

Eli Manning: The Giants might be the best team in the NFL (might be), but Eli Manning is certainly not or may never be the best QB in fantasy football. Yes, think of it in terms of stats and not wins. I'm sorry, but I have to explain myself before I get lynched with verbal assaults from the Giants fans out there who will plead that Eli is a winner. Yes, I know he's a solid NFL quarterback and yes, at times he's even great. However, what we all care about in fantasy football is stats, plain and simple.

And Eli is not giving fantasy owners nearly enough production to be in a starting lineup on Sunday afternoon. Week 5 was the last time he's been able to top 200 passing yards. No, he's probably not killing you, but there is certainly more out there to be had from other options. If you're cool with a guy who's going to average around 10 to 12 fantasy points per week then stick with him. However, don't come crying to me when he kills your championship dreams. Yup, let's all say it together... it's time to sink 'em.

Jake Delhomme: Seriously, do I really have to mention his name? If you thought it couldn't get any worse than the bland/average stats Eli is delivering, well Delhomme one-ups him. Jake started the season with some promise, but since then there's been little to sink your teeth into. The Raiders game alone should've been the sign you needed to find a new signal-caller. However, strangely enough, I do still see Delhomme grace the starting lineups in a few of my leagues.

Those folks are in last place of course, but they shouldn't ever question why. The Panthers have turned to the two-pronged running attack of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and it should stick that way for the remainder of their playoff push. Does Delhomme have a few vintage "rear back" the clock performances in him? He might, I mean he does still have Steve Smith, but I'm not banking on it. And none of us should be holding out hope for Jake to lead us into December. Sink and move on.