FANTASY FOOTBALL: Don’t be afraid to bench those big names: sit Barber, LT, other 2007 greats

Don’t be afraid to sit Barber, LT, other ‘07 stars

There’s a small group of stars who are so great you can never leave them out of your fantasy football lineup, regardless of matchup, recent performance or minor injuries.

Now that it’s halfway through the fantasy season in many leagues, it’s time to call out some impostors who’ve slipped out of that no-brainer category.

So goodbye, Steve Smith (no TDs). Adios, Clinton Portis (no line, little hope), LaDainian Tomlinson (1 TD, 2 missed games), Brian Westbrook (injuries, age) and Marion Barber (fragile time-sharer). See you later, Matt Forte (sophomore slump ends brief stay in this group). And if it weren’t for a 200-yard game that makes it just too scary to bench him, Frank Gore would be out, too, thanks to injury and the 1940s offense he plays in.

That’s not to say these guys should automatically hit the bench every week, just don’t be afraid to sit them down.

As you wonder why you didn’t sit Portis three losses ago, here’s a look at some players to start and some to sit in Week 8: