Welcome to the year's second NFL exhibition season. Or as Colts fans might call it, Sorgi Time.

Indy backup quarterback Jim Sorgi and his ilk will make rare departures from the bench this week as some teams pretty much take the day off to rest up for the playoffs.

It's a disturbing development for fantasy football leagues that run the playoffs through the bitter end of the NFL regular season, when many top players are sporting ballcaps on the sideline.

The Colts are always among the worst offenders, doing maybe an obligatory series with starters before packing it in. They'll be joined by numerous Cowboys and Buccaneers, and probably more than a few Seahawks and Packers. The biggest problem is trying to figure out who will play starters and for how long.

The key this week is to ditch the fantasy truism that you always start your big stars. Instead, look for players on teams that need to win, backups who will get heavy minutes or guys who've been trying all year despite playing for horrid teams.

As you prepare to again start watching football games just because they're interesting, here's a look at players to start in Week 17, some to avoid, and a few long shots who just might pan out:

START 'EM

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee. He has been a fantasy disaster, but he has a chance to put the Titans in the playoffs against the Indy backups.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego. The Chargers still have playoff positioning to fight for, and Tomlinson would like to hang on to the NFL rushing lead, so look for him to knock out 100 or 150 yards by halftime before catching some rest.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona. Veteran continues his tryouts for the 2008 starting job with a chance to give the Cardinals their first non-losing finish since 1998. He's thrown three TDs in each of his past three games.

SIT 'EM

Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis. It's the time of year Manning owners have come to dread. The past few years he had nothing to play for in the season-ender he put up these awesome stats: 1-for-2 for 5 yards in 2005, 1-for-2 for 6 yards in 2004.

Chris Redman, QB, Atlanta. He had a big day against Arizona, but everybody does. The Seahawks, resting starters or not, should keep him from decent stats.

Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle. Yes, that was actually Alexander looking aggressive and powerful last week. The Seahawks will want more of that, but probably not much more until the postseason.