12/24/08
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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 both offensive and defensive 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 may still be available in many deeper
leagues.
Since it’s Week 17 and many fantasy leagues have already concluded,
I’ll be brief in my introduction. I would like to share that
I was 3 for 3 in my fantasy Super Bowls in Week 16, courtesy of
the late scores from Shaun Hill, the eleventh-hour Matt Forte TD,
the surprising Randy Moss bomb, and a stirring performance from
Cedric Benson that got my 53+ points out of a flex spot in a work
league that awards for rushing attempts. Nice. Captain Ceddy won
me a title.
This week, if you’re in a total points league or just finishing
up your league’s games during the dreaded sit-your starters
week, be careful with offensive performers on the Titans, Steelers,
Colts and Giants. The early word is that Arizona’s starters
will play, but after last week’s debacle, I can’t see
any of them being their typical juggernaut selves.
As always, I welcome all your
e-mails and enjoy hearing from you regarding my waiver wire
recommendations – whether they have helped or hindered your
success this season, or if you have any ideas on how I could improve
the column for next season. I’m still answering questions
of any variety and responding ASAP. Good luck – and see you
next year.
Off The Top
Tyler Thigpen,
KC – As long as the weather cooperates, this game has all the
makings of an offensive blitzkrieg. The upstart Chiefs QB has
a lot of solid receivers (Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez, Mark Bradley)
and Larry Johnson is emerging once again as a great offensive
weapon. If Thigpen’s still out there in waiver land, he’s a great
start against the Bengals.
Digging Deeper
Jeff Garcia,
TB – As long as he plays against Oakland, he should post decent
numbers, because you know Jon Gruden’s not letting up against
his old team. He’s a solid QB #2 this week and has a big upside
if Antonio Bryant can break the ubiquitous curse of Nmandi Asomugha.
Joe Flacco,
BAL – He faces a Jags defense that’s been weakened by injuries
and made Peyton Manning look once again like the League MVP he
once was. Take a shot in deeper leagues, but beware the big-game
environs freaking out Flacco.
Scouring The Barrel
Tarvaris Jackson, MIN – The Giants don’t need to
exert too much effort in this one unless they really want to win.
In any event, Jackson should be able to post decent numbers against
the Giants lackluster secondary.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, CIN – I trust Thigpen a lot mote than
Fitzpatrick, but if this one turns into a shootout, Fitzie will
post big numbers too.
Updates
Matt Schaub, HOU – On 19-for-36 passing, Schaub finished
with 255 yards and 10 rushing but disappointed with an INT and
no TDs. He should fare better against the Bears in Week 17.
Shaun Hill, SF – Hill’s two late TDs sparked the 49ers
to a rousing victory, but the 3 INT he threw tempered his value
in most leagues.
Seneca Wallace,
SEA – Matt Hasselbeck’s backup had just 175 yards and a TD. You
didn’t really expect another 3-TD day, did you?
Off The Top
Derrick
Ward, NYG – Ward should, by now, be owned in all leagues,
but on the off chance somebody made roster room in Week 16 for
a spot-start QB or WR by dropping him, I’m including him here.
While the Giants plan to “play to win the game” despite wrapping
up home field in the NFC, Brandon Jacobs won’t be running all
game long, and Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw probably will be.
Digging Deeper
Cedric Benson, CIN – He’s not the most reliable back
on two feet, but he had 38 carries on Sunday. Expect him to get
a ton of carries in Week 17 as the Bengals try to determine where
their future lies at the RB position.
Tashard Choice, DAL – He’s running well and the Cowboys
will need to utilize all their weapons in Philly. If Barber’s
still not playing, Choice is a solid #2 RB.
Scouring The Barrel
J.J. Arrington, ARI – Check the injury report and make
sure he’s starting. The Cards don’t see Arrington
as a long-term solution, so they won’t worry about giving
him the workload during inconsequential Week 17.
Updates
Pierre Thomas, NO – On just 13 carries and 4 targets in
the passing game, Thomas managed 77 yards rushing, a TD and 3-26-0
receiving. If he could have grabbed even one of the other 4 TDs
the Saints scored on near the goal line, I could’ve watched
the entire Monday night game without blood-chilling anxiety.
Kevin Faulk, NE – Only 1 rush for 1 yard, but 3-27-1 receiving
in a game that featured plenty ofaction from all three Pats backs.
P.J. Pope,
DEN – 6 carries, 44 yards and another season-ending injury to
both him and Selvin Young. Karma from the fantasy gods directed
at Mike Shanahan and his terrible treatment of fantasy owners
over the years.
Maurice Morris, SEA – Morris had 116 yards on 29 carries
and I’m sure helped a bunch of you from the flex spot.
DeShaun Foster, SF – Foster finished with 12 carries, 35
yards and 2-17-0 – a pretty feeble performance against a
bad Rams defense.
LaMont Jordan, NE – Jordan had the best game among last
week’s waiver recommendations with 20 carries, 78 yards
and 2 TD.
Off The Top
WR Steve Breaston, ARI – I don’t think Boldin will
end up playing this week, which means Breaston is the best option
not named Fitzgerald. Get him in your lineup.
WR Isaac Bruce, SF – He’s definitely clicking with
Hill, and the late TD shows me the journeyman QB wants to get
him the ball in crunch time. The 49ers won’t be as timid
as the Eagles were against the Redskins, so go ahead and give
him a shot if you need a quality WR #3.
Digging Deeper
WR Mark
Bradley, KC – The fourth-year man out of Oklahoma has been
hampered by a calf injury recently, but he had a decent game against
Miami with 4/57/0. And as I said before, this week could produce
a scoring bonanza for all involved.
Scouring The Barrel
WR Mark
Clayton, BAL – Derrick Mason has been playing through a separated
shoulder and deserves rest, although it’s not likely to come.
Clayton’s the #2 option, and could break through this week against
a vulnerable Jacksonville secondary.
Updates
WR Chad Johnson, CIN – Ocho Cinco was a late scratch with
a hamstring injury and isn’t likely to play Week 17.
WR Michael
Jenkins, ATL – 4/61/0 isn’t terrible, but the Falcons seemed
to play it safe in the passing game and squeaked out a victory
without big numbers from Jenkins or Roddy White.
WR Donnie Avery, STL – One of his better games in a while,
Avery has 5/56/0 in the Rams loss to SF.
WR Davone Bess, MIA – Bess continues to see a bunch of targets
and finished with 6/57/0 in a Miami win over KC that saw TE Anthony
Fasano catch 2 TDs.
WR Jason Avant, PHI – Just 2-16-0, but the entire Eagles offense
looked anemic.
WR Patrick Crayton, DAL – The talented Cowboys slot man had
3 catches for 58 yards in Saturday night’s loss to the Ravens.
Off The Top
LB Chad Greenway, MIN – He’s one of the best LBs
to have in the lineup this week against the Giants, who are now
running the ball more than anybody. And he’s been surprisingly
consistent for the Vikings this season.
Digging Deeper
DB Leon Hall, CIN – In shootouts like I’m expecting
in Cincy this week, DBs often rule. Hall has shown an affinity
for the big play, and when the ball is flying around, it’s
good for playmakers like Hall.
Scouring The Barrel
DL Mike
Montgomery, GB – He’s an ultra-sleeper and he faces the Lions,
who yield big points to opposing DL. I’m sure Aaron Kampman will
draw double-teams, so Montgomery should be able to break through
for decent numbers.
Updates
DL Will Smith, NO – 1 solo tackle. Maybe he’s just
not the same without banned diuretics?
LB Stephen
Tulloch, TEN – Posted just 3 solos and 1 assist while fellow
LBs Keith Bulluck and David Thornton posted huge games.
LB Xavier Adibi, HOU – Inactive during Sunday’s game
in Oakland.
DB Michael
Lewis, SF – Lewis was the 49ers best defensive player Sunday,
posting 13 tackles (12 solo) and 2 PD.
DB Cedric Griffin, MIN – 5 tackles (4 solo) and 2 PD made
it a decent day.
DL Juqua Parker, PHI – Parker had a PD, but it wasn’t
just the Eagles offense that looked terrible on Sunday.
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