A good rule of thumb is to follow Zook, my unchained dog that roams the yard. Okay, he’s really a cat with a surly demeanor, but you’d be permanently riled too if you found out you were born and raised in Dawg country, and your namesake is a former Gators head coach. Zook has a good nose for replacements—just make sure you claim these guys off your own waiver wire because this truck with whiskers and feelings is territorial about his belongings.

Zook’s New (or Almost New) Toys…Low Use, Higher Risk

RB Najeh Davenport, Steelers: Yeah, I know, Willie Parker looked great last week. Just don’t name him the next Priest Holmes just yet. But Bill Cowher likes having situational backs and Najeh Davenport was a surprise cut from the Packers’ roster that fills the short yardage, goal line void left by Jerome Bettis. Zook has Davenport stashed away for a rainy day because Coach Lock Jaw and the Iron City Crew wouldn’t claim the Dorm Room Dumper if they had confidence in Duce Staley or Verron Haynes getting the job done. Maybe it’s not so much lack of confidence in these two as it is a higher confidence level in a promising player with low mileage.

WR Marques Colston, Saints: This 7th round pick out of Hofstra is a rookie with height, might, and fight. Devery Henderson has difficulties catching the ball and that’s why Colston got such an early chance. He’s won the respect and trust of Drew Brees—Brees has been quoted as saying he believes Colston will surprise people with his production this year—and delivered in Cleveland when Joe Horn has a lackluster effort…maybe it had to do with the cell phone interrupting his concentration on his pass routes.

Spare Tires…Works In A Jiff

WR Reggie Williams, Jaguars: What do you know, the first round pick actually got to make meaningful contributions before he danced! Funny enough, if you eliminate his 80’s influenced choreography after every catch you might find some resemblances to Marques Colston. Funny how a few years can even the gap between a high first round pick (Williams) and a lowly 7th round (Colston) guy, but these two guys are displaying similar skills. Williams platoons with another talented, overachiever in Ernest Wilford, but Jack Del Rio talks up Williams year after year so you know his fellow Pac Ten alum is getting every opportunity to succeed. With Jimmy Smith gone, it’s worth adding him to your roster if you have either of the other two Jags receivers—that is if you have room in your trunk…

QB Tony Romo, Cowboys: Everyone is calling for Bledsoe’s job this week, but don’t believe it until you see it. Still, if you have room on your roster—or the wire is empty of other starting QBs—he might be worth stashing away.

QB Charlie Batch, Steelers: Great week one for the former Lion, but Big Ben should be ready to go in week 3—maybe even this week if he has his way. So unless you need a short term spare to get you to the next rest stop, don’t bother. In fact, if you do take the chance and guess right, it’s worth remembering that Batch got some really nice help from his receivers, specifically Nate Washington and Heath Miller. Will they be able to do it against Jacksonville? Miami’s defense was pretty good, but J-ville can play the pass better…sounds risky.

Claim Them Now—Potential Treasures

RB Brandon Jacobs, Giants: If for some reason, no one handcuffed Tiki Barber during their draft and Jacobs is still on your waiver wire after his display against Indy then you better act quickly. As TJ from the forums mentioned, Jacobs attempting to catch a ball looks like a cat trying to climb a screen door, but he can pound the rock. When Tiki Barber tells television audiences that he doubts he’ll come close to repeating his 2005 totals and Jacobs’ development is a big reason, you should listen up. If Barber goes down, you have huge trade value sitting on your bench—if not a solid starter you can use.

QB Chad Pennington, Jets: Pennington has been an afterthought in many leagues due to the lingering questions about his twice-rehabilitated shoulder and doubts he would even win the starting job. But a 300-yard day with some nice intermediate-long throws can erase the doubts pretty quick—regardless of the fact it was the Titans. This is a team that will need to throw a lot in most games this season. Pennington could be in for a very productive season if he can stay upright and in one piece. That’s good enough as a replacement for your lackluster backup.