First, let me give you an offensive tip most other pundits are missing: Kolby Smith. Chiefs' RB Larry Johnson will probably be fired after his current two-week suspension is up.  Meanwhile, anyone who has seen him play knows that Jamaal Charles is a mediocre change of pace back. 

Smith started the season on PUP but has resumed practicing.  Odds are high his activation will take up Johnson’s roster spot.  He’s done this before and will keep being a midseason waiver wire godsend until the Chiefs acquire a real running back.

But we were talking about Will Witherspoon.  I think I like the new format for this column, because last week's "Start of the Week" is probably the best call I ever made. 

One of the Maniaxs' colleague asked me if Witherspoon is a threat to Stewart Bradley’s job at MLB when Bradley returns next year.  I don’t think so, but I do believe that Witherspoon is a keeper.  He has found the defensive scheme that he was born to play and is a must start for the rest of this season at the very least.

Enough self-congratulation, you only want to know how I can help you this week, don't you?

Start of the Week

DB George Wilson, Bills – The Bills have few things going right for them this year.  At the top of the list has been the stellar play of their secondary.  Starting safeties Donte Whitner and Byron Scott were both top 10 DBs before being injured, and will return to that status as soon as they see the field again.  Meanwhile, their replacements Wilson and rookie Jarius Byrd have kept up the torrid statistical pace of this unit. 

As Wilson is a converted wide receiver, he also has eligibility at WR in ESPN leagues.  If your leagues awards points for tackles, then Wilson has been a great start at WR and will continue to be one until Whitner and Scott are both completely back.  Their matchup against the high flying Texans’ passing game this week should only add to their already impressive production.

Looking Good

DE Greg White, Bucs – Looks like Tampa Bay did a little addition by subtraction when they shipped Gaines Adams to Chicago.  Of course, this will look bad for them later when Adams blows up in his new uniform.  But for now it has offered a bit of clarity to the Bucs’ DL assignments. 

Jimmy Wilkerson had already stepped up his production before the Adams deal and is now a pretty safe weekly start.  White is on the verge of the same status now that he doesn’t have to share playing time.  White is also probably still on most waiver wires.  His bye week is a good time to sneak him onto your roster, just in time for him to face the porous Packers’ OL in Week Nine.

DE Mario Williams, Texans – His shoulder injury has been a problem for those of us who depend on Williams for weekly production.  After putting up a goose egg against Arizona three weeks ago, he was able to record a sack last week against San Francisco.  Although he is questionable for this week’s game with the Bills, he is healing and is most likely safe to use again unless he suffers a setback.

DE Justin Smith, 49ers – Expected to continue his studly ways coming into this season, Smith had a great Week One game, then seemed to drop off the map.  Most of his owners have probably dumped him by now.  Smith reappeared with 10 total tackles against Houston last week and has the chance to improve upon those numbers against Indianapolis this week.  Yes, Peyton Manning has only taken two sacks this season, but the tackle numbers alone will make Smith worth playing.

Who faces the Packers this week? – That would be the Vikings.  Start Ray Edwards and be very happy if you are a Jared Allen's owner.

LB Thomas Davis, Panthers – Davis is back to full practice and should be good to go on Sunday against the Cardinals.

LB Justin Durant, Jaguars – The same is true for Durant, who practiced fully this week and is back to being a safe start against the Titans.

LB Hunter Hillenmeyer, Bears – The winner of this week’s round of musical LBs in Chicago is Hillenmeyer.  Nick Roach goes back to the strong side.  I would be surprised if this doesn’t change every week, but for this one Hillenmeyer is the guy to use.

Indianapolis DBs – I am loving the latest incarnation of QB Alex Smith and believe he will do well against the Colts.  With Shaun Hill, the 49ers didn’t give opposing DBs much to work with.  Now that the 49ers have WR Michael Crabtree, expect Smith to test the deep ball frequently no matter the opponent.

Arizona DBs – As a Panthers fan, every time Jake Delhomme takes the field I live in fear.  The record for interceptions in one game is eight, set by Chicago’s Jim Hardy almost 60 years ago, is in danger every week Delhomme keeps his job.

Thomas DeCoud, Falcons – In one league I finally gave up on Chris Gamble and picked up DeCoud.  With rookie William Moore finally on IR and out of the way, DeCoud will only see his playing time increase.  Right now DeCoud collects five tackles or more in most of his games.  Moving that up to seven or eight a game is well within his reach.

Sit of the Week

Richard Seymour, Raiders – What looked so promising at first has turned into a morass in Oakland.  Greg Ellis has already dropped off the statistical cliff and should be put back on your league’s waiver wire.  Don’t let Seymour’s big game against the Eagles two weeks ago fool you into thinking he’s all that much better.

Looking Bleak

Seattle DLs – Not only are they collectively a crap shoot this season, this week they face the Cowboys, who have a significant lead on everybody for limiting fantasy points to DLs.

New Orleans DLs – Sedrick Ellis is out for the next three-four weeks, which takes away one problem for opposing offenses.  The Falcons have also done a great job all season protecting QB Matt Ryan, which should further temper your expectations for Will Smith and Charles Grant.

San Diego DBs – Eric Weddle remains a must start, even against Oakland.  But until the Raiders can start gaining more than six first downs a game, there’s just no opportunity for opposing DBs to produce. Frankly, I’m not seeing many more situations that seem safe to pick on this week.

Bad Cornerback Special

Vontae Davis, Dolphins – With Will Allen now on IR, Miami gets to start two rookies at CB.  Oh joy.  Since Sean Smith has already proven to be somewhat capable, expect Davis to see a lot of action.

As always, I’ll be happy to answer your IDP Start and Sit questions in the comments below or in our forums.  Come check out our weekly Start and Sit live chat every Sunday from 11m to 1pm eastern time.