10/10/06
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
Philip Rivers, SD – Not
available in most leagues, but the Chargers QB is getting it done.
He now faces San Fran, KC, St. Louis and Cleveland – a solid
option with so much uncertainty out there.
Digging Deeper
Alex Smith, SF – He’s
scored 20/20/20/-1/24 the last five weeks, although he’s
faced some weak secondaries. The schedule’s getting tough,
and the 49ers haven’t always made the most out of garbage
time, but the next couple games are worth watching to see if he
steps up at all. And he’ll finish the year with lots of
big game opportunities.
Scouring The Barrel
Damon Huard, KC – A lot
of people will be picking this guy up, but he’s got a wicked
schedule coming up and might no longer be the quarterback by mid
season, when it lightens up.
Updates:
Bruce Gradkowski, TB –
He’s got a tough schedule coming up, but the kid looked
alright in the loss to the Saints, putting up a couple scores
and decent yardage. Gruden seemed impressed, and the fact that
he’s not down on the rookie – let’s admit it,
Chucky can throw some ominous glares your way – will give
the young man confidence. Then again, Gruden was the guy who once
said he loved Jeff George more than his wife. Doesn’t say
much for his wife.
J.P. Losman, BUF – The
Bills played the Bears. You know the rest.
Vince Young, TEN – Kept
his team in the game against the Colts, and I have this weird
feeling like he’s going to shred the deflated Redskins on
Sunday. No real analysis involved with that statement, unfortunately,
and he’s got a bye in Week 7. But the Titans have Houston
in Week 8, so that’s something to look forward to.
Off The Top
Leon Washington, NYJ –
Shame on me for having two Jets RBs on the top for two straight
weeks. Not sure if Kevan Barlow’s situation (see below)
was because of injury or ineffectiveness, but if Leon is the man,
he’s got a nice schedule coming up (MIA, DET , @CLE).
Digging Deeper
Travis Henry, BUF – He’s
the starter versus the Redskins. He’s coming off a big week
and after the trip to Washington he gets a bye and the Texans.
Not bad, and he’s usually out there.
Scouring The Barrel
Marion Barber, III, DAL –
With Julius Jones heading up the RB rankings, I’m sure a
few people dropped him. But Parcells continues to look to him
on key third downs, to spell Jones, and near the goal line.
Noah Herron, GB – Not
a guy to grab for a play this week, because he’s on a bye.
And once Green comes back, he’ll be useless, but 20 carries
for 106, a TD and five catches can’t be totally ignored.
Updates:
Kevin Barlow, NYJ – Did
Barlow think he was back in San Fran? He had -2 yards on the day
(4 carries for -1 yard, and 1 reception for -1 yard). Nice. Keep
a close eye on Mangini’s depth chart.
Jerious Norwood, ATL –
It’s amazing there are some leagues where this guy is still
available – but there are.
Vernand Morency, GB –
No real factor right now, and may have fumbled away his starting
job.
Mack Strong, SEA – Not
a great option. Just watch Shaun Alexander’s situation.
Stephen Davis, STL – Another
guy whose future value is dependent on another guy’s health
status.
Off The Top
WR Troy Brown, NE – Shame
on me for having two Patriots WRs on the top for two straight
weeks. But honestly, the pickings are slim at the WR position
in most leagues right now, wouldn’t you agree? Obviously,
he’s not a player to start this week (bye) but Old Reliable
seems to be Brady’s only reliable option in that passing
game.
Digging Deeper
WR Wes Welker, MIA –
Still not Wesley Walker, but he’s growing on me. And with
Joey Harrington at the helm, he could blow up.
Scouring The Barrel
TE George Wrighster, JAX –
Emerging as a top 15 TE, Wrighster makes the most of limited opportunities
and has a knack for finding the end zone. And in Jacksonville’s
offense, he’s often a sure-handed target all over the red
zone.
Updates:
WR Doug Gabriel, NE –
I got burned by Doug E. Fresh Pile of Crap when I sat Berrian
to play him, Muhammad and Owens. I’ll never leave St. Bernard
out of the lineup again.
WR Mike Furrey, DET –
Involved versus Minnesota, getting 3 catches for 41 yards. And
with Roy Williams’s stinger, he might be involved more.
Stay tuned.
WR Greg Lewis, PHI – Not
a factor against the Cowboys, in a game where he most certainly
could have been.
TE Joe Klopfenstein, STL –
Just one catch (albeit for for 24 yards) against the Packers.
Don’t bother.
Off The Top
LB Kirk Morrison, OAK –
10 tackles in his last two games, and no signs of slowing down.
And he’ll be getting lots more tackles in the coming weeks.
The Raiders defense is decent, but they’re back on the field
every few minutes and Morrison is the holding firm in the middle
of the action.
DB Lito Sheppard, PHI –
Back with a vengeance, Lito should be out there in most leagues
following his return from injury. After his game against Dallas,
he’s a no-brainer. Only superstars have games like that.
Digging Deeper
DB Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL –
I couldn’t pronounce his first name, but O.J. made the wire
after week one and has been posting solid numbers. I Still can’t
pronounce his first name, but he’s now the 9th-highest scoring
fantasy DB on defense that keeps him busy. If he’s still
out there, I wouldn’t blink.
DL Trent Cole, PHI –
Those who took my advice and grabbed him early are loving it.
But those who were late did not get their fruit cup.
Scouring The Barrel
DB Richard Marshall, CAR –
Making big plays and putting up great numbers, but they will drop
in the coming weeks. Just keep him on your radar.
Updates:
DB Rashean Mathis, JAX –
Just four tackles last week, but he’s going to keep scoring.
DL Ty Warren, NE – Just
three tackles and a PD, but don’t give up on him. He’ll
return to his 8-9 points a game form.
LB Clark Haggans, PIT –
Solid production in a defense that seems to be on the field a
lot.
DB Chris McAlister, BAL –
Didn’t have a pick against Plummer, but he saw plenty of
action and recovered a fumble.
LB Michael Boley, ATL –
He was on a bye, but we’ll get to watch him play the Giants
this week.
S Chris Hope, TEN – Second-highest
scoring fantasy DB in football so far this season. And you heard
it here first, folks.
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