Week Four Almost Last Minute

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones says MBII is playing, and MBII has backed-up that Slept-At-A-Holiday-Inn medical opinion by practicing fully by week's end. My sense is Tashard Choice remains a safer start.

RB Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions: Earlier this week, a ESPN's Football Today related a story about Jim Schwartz when he was the defensive coordinator in Tennessee. He said he would never publicly state a player was hurt because it gave the opposing team too much of an edge. Smith has practiced lightly so I suspect he is really out.

WR Wes Welker, New England Patriots: We have become so accustomed to teams lying and saying their players are hurt when they aren't. In this case, I suspect Welker is seriously hurt and the team won't IR him. Sit until he has played.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers: A great match-up against the Krispy Kreme run defenses of the San Diego Chargers screams, "Start!"

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins: His match-up is one of the best in Week Four. Without knowing his active status, I'd start Ladell Betts.