9/19/06
Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections that will help your team from week to week while you
strive to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs, and
win the elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
While I’m just as big a proponent of making trades to bolster
your roster, the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource
when it comes to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each
week, I’ll target players that may be available in shallow
leagues – sometimes just breakout stars that eluded your team’s
draft – as well as players who can help your squad that will
still be available in most deeper leagues.
Off The Top
Charlie Frye, CLE – I
know it’s tough to take a QB on a team in turmoil. TE Kellen
Winslow is bitching about being held back, and this thing could
go either way. But the Browns will get in some shootouts (as was
evidenced in years past under Waiver Wire HOFer Kelly Holcomb)
and Frye’s fantasy numbers could be serviceable. Sure, he’s
got more rushing TDs than passing scores so far this season, but
they count too, don’t they?
Matt Schaub, ATL – Michael
Vick owners take note: You’re always treading a thin line
between injured and healthy, and Schaub is a big (6-5, 237), strong-armed
pocket QB who was a very effective fantasy QB in 2005 during his
limited opportunities. And he’s always one ligament away
from being a starter.
Digging Deeper
J.P. Losman, BUF – Couldn’t
find it within my self to slide not-so-much-a-Loserman up to the
top, but so far, he hasn’t disappointed anybody in Buffalo
– which really isn’t saying that much. After beating
Miami, he’s shown he can win games, and that usually leads
to more confidence and better numbers. Keep an eye in him for
now.
Vince Young, TEN – I
can’t recommend picking him up to start, but nobody was
taking this guy in my drafts and I’m assuming he made it
through yours unclaimed. While 7-19 passing is not what you want
out of your quarterback, it looks like the Titans have no choice
but to baptize Mr. Young via the proverbial fire. He relieved
“Scary” Kerry Collins last week and tallied 106 yards
and a TD, with 24 rushing yards. With a tremendous upside, he’s
worth a seat on your bench if there’s room.
Scouring The Barrel
Andrew Walter, OAK –
Peter King thinks the 2006 Raiders are the worst team in the history
of football, and while I agree, even fantasy players on bad teams
can sometimes score big points. Yes, he’s somewhere near
the bottom of the barrel. No, he’s not going to throw for
25 TDs or rack up 3000 yards. But Brooks is out for 2-4 weeks
and this enormous kid (6-6, 230) will get his shot.
Updates from Week 2:
Jay Cutler, DEN – It’s
only a matter of time.
Rex Grossmanm, CHI – I
had him on my second tier as a guy with a 98.6 QB rating who was
probably available. Did you grab him? Can you still?
Jon Kitna, DET – Sluggish
offense keeping Kitna under wraps for now.
Brad Johnson, MIN – The
numbers still aren’t that impressive, but he’s got
his boys winning.
Charlie Batch, PIT – No
longer an option, with Big Ben back.
Alex Smith, SF – Alex
snagged a win and destroyed several of my huge parlays that all
hinged on the Rams covering. His weapons keep looking better,
and his team is building a confident swagger. Upgrade this guy
and grab him if you need a backup with an upside.
Damon Huard, KC – Trent’s
noggin is clearing up. Damon, we Huard-ly knew you.
Off The Top
Joseph Addai, IND – Most
fantasy owners heard the hype on this guy and somebody in your
league snagged him on draft day, right? Well if not, you know
exactly what to do. He’s emerging as the go-to-runner and
even grabbed a TD pass last week. A true no-brainer pick-up if
he’s out there.
Digging Deeper
Kenny Watson, CIN – A
necessary handcuff for Rudi Johnson. With the way injuries are
burning the Bengals, it’s not a bad move. He’s already
got a TD and if he gets a chance should something tragic happen
to Rudi, he’ll shine.
Scouring The Barrel
Mike Anderson/Musa Smith, BAL –
It’s a cop-out, I know. But chances are at least one of
these guys is gone in your league. The other could end up being
the guy that puts up decent fantasy numbers should Lewis re-injure
that hamstring. Anderson had one carry – a 34-yard TD run,
but Musa got about 10 touches. That numbers should only increase
as the year goes by.
Updates from Week 2:
Jerious Norwood, ATL –
Nine rushes, 45 yards in Week 2. And Warrick Dunn isn’t
made of titanium.
Brandon Jacobs, NYG –
Looked solid again, but action was limited.
Michael Turner, SD – Busted
out for 138 yards and a couple catches in garbage time. You blink
again, and he’ll be gone from the wire.
Anthony Thomas, BUF –
If you grabbed him last week, just sit tight and wait for his
shot.
J.J. Arrington, ARI –
No action last week, but see A-Train above.
Off The Top
Bernard Berrian, CHI –
Great name. Better numbers. He’s the Bears’ new big-play
guy and with Grossman and that defense clicking, that’s
enough for me. Temper your enthusiasm with the knowledge that
he’s been in the league a while and had just 28 catches
in two seasons before 2006.
Digging Deeper
Greg Jennings, GB – I’m
not as excited as some people about this guy, simply because against
a good defense, he had just one catch. But in matchups like Green
Bay had versus New Orleans on Sunday, I’d take him as my
#3 WR.
Scouring The Barrel
Kelley Washington, CIN –
Carson Palmer loves this guy, and has been looking for him almost
as much as Chad Johnson. He’ll be less of a factor when
T.J. Houshmandzadeh comes back, but I have a sinking feeling that
heel injury’s going to linger longer.
Updates from Week 2:
Antonio Bryant, SF –
I said last week that he probably wasn’t available in most
leagues. If he was, you better have taken him.
Desmond Clark, CHI – Put
up solid numbers in the Detroit rout. Probably my best wire recommendation
of last week, save Rex Grossman and…
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ –
Oh yeah. Cotchery had a great Week 2 and looks like the real deal.
Reggie Williams, JAX –
The top fantasy-point scorer in Monday Night’s defensive
struggle.
Wesley Welker, MIA – Still
on Culpepper’s radar, still not Wesley Walker.
Off The Top
LB Angelo Crowell, BUF –
Not available in most leagues, but a solid LB. With his nose for
the big play, he’s emerging as Buffalo’s number one
IDP star.
LB Morlon Greenwood, HOU –
In two games, he’s got 17 tackles and a sack. The Texans
defense is on the field a lot, so he’s definitely a solid
option.
Digging Deeper
DB Jermaine Phillips, TB –
A veteran DB who has already racked up 19 tackles in two games.
When these guys face the Falcons again, get him in your lineup.
DL Trent Cole, PHI –
Anybody who watched the Giants game last week saw this guy terrorizing
Eli Manning for much of the game. Not a starter, but he will be
now. He’s young, he plays with fire, and with Kearse out,
he’ll really emerge in that defense.
Scouring The Barrel
DL Aaron Kampman, GB –
11 tackles and 4 sacks in two games? What more could you want
out of your DL spot? His pace may not keep up, but I’m sure
he’ll get plenty of chances to go after opposing QBs with
reckless abandon.
Updates from Week 2:
LB Thomas Howard, OAK –
Seven solos against the Ravens on Sunday.
LB Bart Scott, BAL – He
sacked Walter, tallied five tackles and record one pass defended.
Not bad for a guy on a defense dominated by Ray Lewis, Terrell
Suggs and Adalius Thomas.
DB Chris Hope, TEN – I
said that whatever Keith Bulluck doesn’t run down, Chris
Hope will. I was right – 12 solo tackles and a PD in a game
when the defense was on the field quite a bit – which will
be a common theme for the Titans this year.
DB O.J. Atogwe, STL –
Five solos and a PD. Not bad for the bottom of the barrel.
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