The regular season is in full swing, so the Fantasy Doctor will be making house calls regularly, answering readers' fantasy questions Wednesday, Friday and Saturday each week. Send your questions to the Doc at fantasydoctor@pfwmedia.com.

Dear Doc:
I'm sure your waiting room is crammed with patients afflicted with the dreaded and painful "Steve Slaton" virus, but I'm hoping you'll see me. At the beginning of the year in our keeper league, I thought I was set with Slaton, Matt Forté and Brian Westbrook, then was fortunate enough to have drafted Cedric Benson.

For Week Nine, I've got Benson and Forté in as my starting RBs, but who do I use as my flex: Slaton (timeshare) or Westbrook (uncertain)? I've also got Nate Burleson available in a nice matchup (vs. Detroit), but I know your preference for using RBs at the flex. Thanks for any relief.

— Marv, Sunnyvale, Calif.

You're definitely right about Slaton, Marv. Everyone wants to know what to do with him not only for this week but also for the remainder of the season.

In your case, I don't think you have any choice but to leave him on the bench this week. Texans coach Gary Kubiak has come out and said he will rotate running backs for the foreseeable future, meaning we're about to see a three-headed monster of Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown in Houston. Until we know more about how Kubiak is going to handle this newfound committee, I don't think fantasy owners can feel safe starting any one of the trio, although as the starter, Slaton would still seem to be the safest play of the three.

I would go with Westbrook as your flex this week. He's been practicing and is expected to return from his concussion Sunday, and he's facing a Dallas defense that yields a fair amount of yardage. He'll likely make an impact as both a runner and receiver in this one. If he can't play, though, Burleson is certainly a nice backup plan, as I expect him to post nice numbers against Detroit's porous secondary.

I was offered a trade this week, and I was wondering what you thought of it. I give up: Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. I get: Ryan Grant and Antonio Gates. Jacobs and Bradshaw have given me fits all year as I wonder which one to start every week. I've been thinking about getting rid of one or both for a while now. But am I getting enough in return for both? I already have Kellen Winslow as my starting TE, so it's not like I'm totally hurting at that position. I also have Marion Barber and Marshawn Lynch as RBs. Do I keep my Giants RB tandem or do I trade them? Help me out, Doctor!

— Will

Well, Will, this is an interesting dilemma you have. I definitely know how frustrating it can be to have to decide between two guys every week, especially when the two are in the same backfield. But are you getting fair value here?

Actually, I don't think you're getting enough to trade this tandem away. As much frustration as Jacobs and Bradshaw may give you, you can't argue with their production. At the halfway point of the season, they've already surpassed 1,000 yards rushing and have scored six TDs. Those aren't bad numbers at all, and they very realistically could improve in the second half, as it took Jacobs awhile to get going. I'd either stick with these guys or hold off until you get a more lucrative offer.

I mean, it's not like Grant has been any better than either Giants RB to this point, and he has a daunting schedule in the final month. And while Gates is a terrific TE, he's not exactly tearing it up this season. Winslow is an adequate starting fantasy TE who should be the Bucs' main receiving threat in the second half. While Grant and Gates are good players, I think you can do better here.

Hi Doc,
I am confronted with a tough decision at my RB and flex position and need your sage advice. My choices for RB are Maurice Jones-Drew, Kevin Smith, Jonathan Stewart, Laurence Maroney and Mike Bell. M.J.D. is an easy choice for one RB spot, but who is the best choice for the second? I am concerned about Smith being limited due to his injury. Bell has the most favorable matchup, but Pierre Thomas looked awfully good on Monday night. Stewart and Maroney have been hard to predict on a weekly basis. As to my flex position, I can add Mike Sims-Walker to the mix. Which of these players is worthy of a start this week?
 
— Mike

OK, Mike, let's see what I can do to help you out here.

Like you said, Jones-Drew is an obvious start, but it's pretty close between your other options. I don't like Maroney much against the Dolphins' solid run defense, and the timeshare in New Orleans makes Bell a gamble in a starting lineup. I'd say that Smith, Stewart and Sims-Walker are your top flex choices.

Of those three, I like Smith the most. Yes, his shoulder injury complicates things, but as long as he suits up on Sunday, he's going to get a lot of action at Seattle in both the running and passing games. And with Lions WR Calvin Johnson expected back, it should free up room for Smith to roam. I slightly prefer him over Stewart, who's been inconsistent and could be taken out of the game plan if the Saints jump out to a big lead. Sims-Walker, meanwhile, is a decent choice against a poor, depleted K.C. secondary, but I'd rather go with a RB who I know is going to get touches instead of a WR who might not.

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