WEEK 11 – FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKUPS

 By Gayle Saunders follow him on twitter: GayleESaunders

If you are looking for a free agent or waiver wire pickup, here are a couple of the best options likely available in your league. With major injuries all around the league, and especially at RB you’re probably thinking… what do i do now? 

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QUARTERBACKS

Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford is going up against the juggernaut they call the Cleveland Browns. (thats a joke)   if your looking for a safe play at any time in the season it would be this week against a team who also just played on Monday night.   Look for Stafford to at least go over 200 plus yards and 2 scores.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________RUNNING BACKS 

 Seattle Seahawks- Justin Forsett had a solid game last week after replacing Julius Jones, who is said to have bruised a lung and broken rib.  Forsett is an intriguing gamble because of upcoming favorable matchups against the Rams, Texans and Buccaneers. Forsett proved he could handle the workload with 22 touches, 149 total yards and a score against the Cardinals in Week 10.

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Atlanta Falcons – Jason Snelling , is going to get a boat load of touches with Michael turner and his high ankle sprain.  Its the kind of sprain you dont want to get as a HB.  With superstar Turner injured and in danger of missing at least one game, Snelling is going to be a huge name on the fantasy waiver wire this week. Its a plus that the Falcons also have a great running offense.

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New England Patriots – Kevin Faulk was effective this past weekend, totaling 86 yards on 14 touches, including a season-high 12 carries – the first time all season that Faulk had more than five carries in a game.

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New England Patriots – Sammy Morris- before he got injured he was getting touches.  If you cant get Kevin Faulk , your next long shot is Sammy Morris in deeper leagues.  He practiced last week and it was huge news when a reporter spotted him walking without a noticeable limp.

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TIGHT END

New York Giants- Kevin Boss Boss has scored touchdowns in each of his last two games,Eli Manning has looked his way in recent weeks (20 targets through his first six games; 12 targets over his last two), he’ll be facing an Atlanta defense that has given up some numbers to opposing tight ends.

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 WIDE RECEIVERS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Maurice Stovall has filled in decently for the injured Antonio Bryant (knee) , hauling in seven catches for 93 yards and a TD the past two weeks. If Bryant is inactive again , Stovall could match those two-week totals against the Saints.

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 Tennessee Titans – Kenny Britt  had 17 catches for 271 yards through his first four games. A healthy Nate Wahington and Kerry Collins  kept him from improving on his solid start, but w that Justin Gage is out with a broken back and Vince Young behind center.   He caught only two balls for 55 yards against a tough Buffalo pass defense last week, but he’s got Houston, Arizona, Indy, St. Louis, and Miami over the next five. 

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St. Louis Rams – Brandon Gibson the Eagles’ sixth-round pick who came over to St. Louis in the Will Withersppon deal a few weeks ago. Playing in just his second game of the season, he caught seven balls for 93 yards on a team-high nine targets Sunday.  With a season-ending injury to Keenan Burton and with last weeks  performance it has earned him a starter’s role against Arizona in Week 11, who has  allowed the seventh-most points to WRs in standard formats.

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By Gayle Saunders

follow him on twitter: GayleESaunders

If you are looking for a free agent or waiver wire pickup, here are a couple of the best options likely available in your league.

QUARTERBACKS

Josh Freeman is the new captain of the Ship for the Buccaneers.  He had a solid performance in his first game as a NFL Starter beating the Packers.  The Dolphins are 27th against the pass, lets see if the young man can pick them apart.

ALEX SMITH

 With the rebirth of Alex Smith among us grab him while he’s there.  He seems to have found a love connection with the rejuvenated Vernon Davis.  Davis has his mojo back and is 5th in receiving yards thanks to Alex Smith’s last couple of games.

VINCE YOUNG

Well Vince is 2-0 in his last two starts this season (that makes it 6-0 in his last 6 starts).  As the weeks pass look for his confidence to get back on track.  If you need a quick fix for the week, he could be worth a look against 3-5 Buffallo Bills at home in Tennessee. 

TRENT EDWARDS

Trent is going against the Titans.  We dont really know which Titans team will show up, so he could be a plug and play for this week.  

RUNNING BACKS 

LADELL BETTS

 Ladell Betts had a solid game last week after he came in for the injured Clinton Portis.  Look for Ladell to be starting for about 2 weeks.  If you have followed Brian Westbrookos recent concussion drama, you can guarantee Ladell for about 2 weeks.  He rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown,  had 1 target and 1 reception for 23 yards. His long was 23 yards.

CHESTER TAYLOR

 The Vikings play the Detroit Lions.  Look for Adrian Peterson to be out of this game earlier than expected.  What does that mean for Chester? Mucho Touches with a side of catches out of the backfield for big gains. Look to pick him up for some instant points. 

DERRICK WARD

(LAST GAME) RB Derrick Ward had 3 targets and 3 receptions for 54 yards, and 1 TD . Additionally 2 red zone targets. His long was 38 yards.  

DARREN MCFADDEN

Darren McFadden is coming back from injury look for him to be hungry and ready to play.   

SHONN GREENE

Look for Shonn Greene to get some touches against a Jaguars defense that is 22nd against the run  

TIGHT END

BRANDON PETTIGREW

One thing a rookie Quarterback really loves is a reliable TE.  Brandon had 8 targets and 7 receptions for 70 yards, and 1 TD . He also had 1 deep ball.  Look for the two rookies to start to gel as the season continues.

WIDE RECEIVERS

CHRIS CHAMBERS

New Home, New Offense, New State of mind.  Chris Chambers had 4 targets and 3 receptions for 70 yards, and 2 TDs . He also had 1 deep ball.  Look for him to feel important again

ANTONIO BRYANT

New QB under center, Tampa is coming off a big a win, look for Josh Freeman to get him involved.  The Dolphins are 27th in pass defense, something has got to give.

TED GINN JR.

Ted Ginn had 3 targets last game and 1 reception for 7 yards. He also had 1 deep ball.  Look for him to get more involved.  And if you get points for return yards, Ginn is a no brainer.

DONNIE AVERY

Donnie Avery should be on your list if he is still available, look for St. Louis to get behind as they play New Orleans. That means they will pass plenty when coming from behind. Get him in your lineup!

EARL BENNETT

Look for Earl to get some looks and Jay Cutler to air it out.  Last game he passed for 369 yds.  Against San Frans D look for him to get some opportunities. 

ANDRE CALDWELL

Andre Caldwell, believe it or not is one Carson Palmer’s favorite receiver not named Chad.  He has some big TD catches around the goal line.  He also has 29 receptions for 272 yds.  Not only is he the second leading receiver he also is a return specialist. 

ROBERT MEACHEM

With an injury to Lance Moore, Robert Meachem  has taken advantage of his touches, so much so, he had 5 targets and 5 receptions for 98 yards, and had a 54-yard TD catch. Lets just say he made the best of his opportunities. 

DEFENSE

TENNESSEE DEFENSE

Tennessee goes against the 3-5 Buffalo Bills, could be worth a look with them at home…and the Titans are also on a two win game streak. With the return of Cortland Finnegan it has reversed the fortunes of the Titans virtually overnight. Forcing six turnovers over its past two contests, Tennessee’s defense has regained some swagger.

Any questions or you need tips, give me a shout! GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!

Playing the Matchups – Decision Maker Week 5

Here’s a list of teams and the key numbers you need to know about each defense to decide who is the best start for your fantasy team. These team defenses are listed in order from easiest to most difficult and is based on a combination of points/yards allowed and the team’s offensive effectiveness. You’re in good shape if you see a lot of your fantasy players’ opponents appear on the upper half of the chart for this week. It’s also about time to start planning for a possible playoff run and targeting players who share similar value with easier schedules.

As always, feel free to tweet me your sits or start questions on Twitter.

Playing the Matchups – Decision Maker

Here’s a list of defenses and what they have done through 3 weeks this season. I have listed their points allowed in each game as well as their highest and lowest amount of yards allowed. Obviously, a big part of Fantasy Football is playing the matchups and this is a list I have compiled to help with that. Some of the “luck” involved in winning is directly related to how schedules shape up for players down the stretch. It’s good to take an in-depth look at what you can do to make the best decisions in getting the right players in your lineup. Things can change quickly and certain teams will match up more favorably than other teams. So, although this isn’t an exact science, following tendencies and starting players against the easiest matchups will give your the best chance to score the most points. I will try and update these periodically throughout the season.

Team    Pts Allowed       High Yds       Low Yds

The Best Matchups

1. Browns      34, 27, 34      479       310
2. Bucs          34, 27, 24       462       387
3. Rams         28, 9, 36         446       362
4. Texans       24, 31, 31      462       398
5. Chiefs        38, 13, 34       501       420 (Oak 166)
6. Lions          45, 27, 14      515       265
7. Jaguars     14, 31, 24      397       365
8. Cardinals   20, 17, 31     505       203

This Tier is the worst in the league; you should feel most confident about starting your player when you see these teams on the schedule. All of the above have struggled vs. the run and the pass, and have varying degrees of offensive issues, so all positions have potential to be productive. The Cardinals have the best offense of the bunch as well as the best defense, but they can still be a good matchup because of their prolific offense and turnovers they commit. In ’08 they were amongst the most inconsistent teams in the league before making their playoff run and are off to a very similar start. The Lions are able to keep running games in check from time to time and have an improving offense, but will continue to struggle vs. the pass. The Buccaneers, Rams and Browns are the worst defenses at this point between yards and points allowed. The Texans and Chiefs haven’t been much better, although the Chiefs had one game vs. the Raiders where they held them in check (as noted above), but their typical yards allowed number is going to be closer to 400 than 200 each week. They have QBs who can manage the game and aid the defensive side from time to time. The Jaguars used to be known for their defense but have struggled with youth, injuries and inconsistency. After holding the Colts to a moderate game in Week 1, they have been exposed in the last 2 games.

One Sided Defenses

Team                Pts Allowed       High Yds       Low Yds

9. Bills              25, 20, 27         441               353
10. Raiders      24, 10, 23        409               317
11. Panthers   32, 28, 15         449               267
12. Falcons     7, 20, 26           445               259
13. Seahawks  0, 23, 23          379              247
14. Saints          21, 20, 7         463               231
15. Colts            12, 23, 10       403              228
16. Dolphins    19, 27, 17        356              281
17. Titans        13, 34, 24         420              229

This is a tier of teams who have problems stopping either the pass or the run most games. The Bills kept the Patriots in check for the most part in Week 1, then held Brees to no passing touchdowns in Week 3, but have gave up huge chunks of rushing yardage. The Raiders and Panthers are really hurt by their offensive troubles and can be a particularly good matchup for RBs. The Seahawks also have had troubles vs. the run giving up over 200 yards to Gore in Week 2. The Saints, Titans, Colts and Dolphins primary struggles have been against the pass, but they all have the ability to stop the pass and give up the run instead. The Falcons have a young defense that is will give up the pass or run on a weekly basis, sometimes both.

The Most Uncertain?

Team                  Pts Allowed       High Yds       Low Yds

18. Packers       13, 31, 17            352                   319
19. Cowboys     21, 27, 7              450                   271
20. Eagles         10, 42, 14            421                   169
21. Redskins     17, 7, 19              381                   245
22. Chargers     20, 31, 13            366                   289

The Packers are an uncertain because they have a ton of talent on defense, but they have underachieved so far. It’s a new 3-4 defense that still has some 4-3 players trying to adapt. That being said, running a 3-4 can unexpectedly give teams a problem in the passing game. The Cowboys and Chargers both employ a 3-4 and have some similar characteristics to the Packers, like plenty of talent, although the Chargers are without their Pro Bowl NT for the remainder of the season. The Eagles have a great pass rush and outstanding corners, so they can really shut down the pass in some games. They will struggle vs. the run more than anything, but can also be adversely affected by what their offense is doing. When things start to break down, you will see a game like Brees had vs. them in Week 2. The Redskins are a team who would be aided heavily by a better offense. Their defense keeps them in games and the offense seems to lose them. Sooner or later, this team’s morale is going to tank if they can’t get it together as a team. All of these teams have solid talent and the capability to shut teams down from time to time, but all have their weaknesses that can be exposed.

Bend But Don’t Break?

Team             Pts Allowed        High Yds         Low Yds

23. Bengals  12, 18, 20           373                    302
24. Broncos    7, 6, 3                307                    137
25. 49ers      16, 10, 27            377                    283

This is a tier of teams who will have kept offenses in check, but they won’t typically shut down good teams and players. The Bengals offense is much improved over the last few seasons. They aren’t quite the delightful matchup owners used to love to see on the schedule . The same can be said of Denver and San Francisco. None of these teams were looked at on the schedule as a tough matchup, they should now all be viewed as potential “stud killers”.

In For A Tough Day

Team                    Pts Allowed                High Yds          Low Yds

26. Bears          21, 14, 19                      346                      226
27. Ravens        24, 26, 3                       474                      186
28. Giants         17, 31, 0                        378                       86
29. Vikings         20, 13, 24                    268                      246
30. Steelers      10, 17, 17                     320                      273
31. Patriots       18, 16, 10                     276                      254
32. Jets              7, 9, 17                         299                      183

This last tier is a list of teams you want avoid starting your players against. Even “must start” players can be considered for the bench (good examples are Frank Gore vs. The Vikings in Week 3 and Chris Johnson vs. Steelers in Week 1). Matchups and injured players only compound the difficulty of these matchups. These are defenses who can be “stud killers” and really disrupt all positions from producing. Teams have actually moved the ball on the Ravens a little more this season than last, but this is still a solid defense that can really stifle an offense at any point. Same goes for the Giants and Bears. While both teams have injuries to key players, they get after the QB and can disrupt both the rushing and passing game. The Steelers, Patriots, Vikings and Jets have been the toughest matchup for players this season. It’s going to take a great game for offenses to put up big numbers on these teams.

As always, feel free to tweet me your sits or start questions on Twitter.

CHRIS JOHNSON…
If there was a theme for Week 2, it was long scoring plays and Chris Johnson, our RB “Start of the Week”, was the poster child. Scoring on plays of 57, 69 and 91 yards he racked up a monster 284 total yards and 3 tds! Despite being deemed the “Sit of the Week” vs. Pittsburgh last week and being held to 57 yards rushing, he was our RB Start of the Week for Week 2 and certainly didn’t disappoint!

CJ won this Battle of the Dreads!

OWENS! OWENS! OWENS!
There may not have been a more sought after WR the last ten years in fantasy football than Terrell Owens, but there are many reasons he has lost top billing fantasy circle. After an injury plagued preseason as well as a disappointing Monday Night showing, many were wondering how well he would really fare in the Bills new offense… Well he came through for owners in Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay. With 65 total yards and a TD, he was worthy of our WR “Start of the Week” status.

YEAH, BUT HOW’D THE OTHER GUYS DO?
QB Manning -
Our “Start of the Week” QB Peyton Manning didnt disappoint on Monday night vs. Miami. He threw for 303 yards and 2 tds proving that he’s still going to be a fantasy force, even without Anthony Gonzalez. He still has Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and now Pierre Garcon might be a name to monitor in coming weeks.

TE Daniels -
Owen Daniels also got into some of the action in Week 2’s Houston/Tennessee game. Our TE “Start of the Week” came through with 72 yards and a TD, fulfilling expectations this week. The Vikings “Start of the Week” Defense did a solid job on the Lions as expected. Creating 3 turnovers, they held them to 265 yards, 13 points and pair of sacks.

WHAT SLEEPER??
“Sleeper of the Week” Michael Clayton failed to deliver, gaining only 27 yards receiving. Despite having Antonio Bryant scratched from the lineup and opposing CB Terrence McGee hobbled by an ankle, the stars did not align for this WR who went undrafted in over 90% of fantasy leagues.

DID YOU SIT HIM?
Julius Jones was our “Sit of the Week” and although he did end up salvaging his day with a TD, his 9 total yards still left much to be desired, especially in game when his RB counterpart, Frank Gore, rushed for over 200 yards. He now has only 66 yards rushing outside of the 62 yard td run in week 1.

Julius had no where to run in Week 2

Week 3 Pickups

QB
Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers – Was on our waiver pickup list last week He’s averaging 45 passing attempts a game and threw 3 tds vs. Buffalo. The Bucs will be playing from behind their fair share of game this season so if Leftwich can stay healthy and remain the starter over Josh Freeman, he should be considered an upper QB2 with his stock rising.

Kerry Collins, Titans – Also on our list last week, he had 216 yards passing with 2 TD’s vs. Houston. The Titans defense isn’t shutting down teams like they were last season and that will force them to open up the offense a little bit more. You could do worse than to have Collins as your backup on a bye week.

RB
Michael Bush, Raiders – He also made our list last week, but again Justin Fargas was inactive and Bush saw a ton of playing time. Darren McFadden looks to be the starter in Oakland but they aren’t afraid to give Bush more touches at any given time. They both share time on 3rd downs with Bush getting more of the all important short yardage stuff.

Correll Buckhalter, Broncos – Somewhat a forgotten man, he made an impression with a strong showing in week 2 vs Cleveland. Although the Broncos will feature Knowshon Moreno and he’s going to end up with the most touches, Buckhalter can be at least used as a decent bye week replacement. Expect the Broncos to split carries 50/30/10/10 between Knowshon/Buck/Hillis/Jordan when everyone is healthy, making Buck a mid-low RB3.

Justin Forsett, Seahawks – He actually outshined Julius Jones in Week 2 gaining 92 total yards on fewer touches. Some fans are actually calling for Forsett to be the featured back in Seattle. For now, he is a RB4 with decent upside to be considered down the road, if Seattle decides to expand his role.

WR
Mario Manningham, Giants – He gained a little bit of buzz in some circles heading into the season but really didn’t get the consideration because of the cloudy WR situation in New York. With Hakeem Nicks and Dominik Hixon going down with injuries, it really opened the door for Manningham and he siezed the moment on Sunday night vs. Dallas. He will be the top waiver pickup in nearly every league after that performance and can be used right away as a WR3.

Manningham actually caught this TD, making it 2 weeks straight with a TD grab!

Johnny Knox, Bears – A “throw-in” 5th round pick in the Cutler to Bears deal has suddenly emerged as a deep threat and reliable target on a team searching for one. With 8 catches for 152 yards and a TD in 2 games, he’s someone to target off the waiver wire.

Julian Edelman, Patriots – Mentioned last week and this week on Twitter with all the talk Wes Welker could miss time, Edelman did start for him in Week 2 and came away with 92 yards. While “handcuffs” for WRs are rare, he’s someone to target if you have a Patriots WR, especially if it’s Welker. He’s next in line in what is still a dangerous passing offense.

Laurent Robinson, Rams – If you’re desperate at WR in games coming up, Robinson is the leading receiving on one of the worst offenses in the league. It’s a buyer beware type of pickup, but with 2 decent weeks to start the season, you could do worse.

TE
Todd Heap, Ravens – Although Heap had only 1 catch in Week 2, it went for a TD. With 2 good games to start the year, he looks like he has put his injury-marred past behind him.

Dustin Keller, Jets – Another mention from last week, again, this is a guy who can lead the Jets in receiving when its all said and done.

Kicker
John Carney, Saints – Carney’s long term value is in question as Saints regular kicker Garrett Hartley is out on suspension for 4 games. But on the top offense in the NFL, whoever is kicking for the Saints is worth a start.

Defense
Denver Broncos – Seems a bit strange to mention them as a recommended defense after the last few years, but after allowing only 13 points so far this season and with Oakland on the schedule next, they are a decent start in Week 3.

Darrell Reid and the Broncos Defense is worth a look in Week 3

Every Friday, I will bring you the second part of my weekly fantasy column. This feature will include:
“Starts of the Week” – “Sleeper of the Week” – “Sit of the Week” & “Proceed With Caution” where I preview the upcoming weekend’s best and worst fantasy options.

Starts of the Week

You ready Dolphins!

QB – Peyton Manning vs. Dolphins

RB – Chris Johnson vs. Texans

WR – Terrell Owens vs. Buccaneers

TE – Owen Daniels vs. Titans

D – Vikings Defense vs. Lions

The Sleeper of the Week – WR Michael Clayton

Better be ready for me!

The Skinny -
Look for Peyton Manning to post big numbers vs. Miami on Monday Night. I’m also picking some players to rebound after subpar Week 1 performances… Although Chris Johnson didn’t score a TD vs. Houston last year, I like him to get back on track in a big way. Terrell Owens should be a much bigger factor this week vs. a weak Tampa Bay secondary. Owen Daniels lead his team is receiving last week but still disappointed fantasy owners. The Vikings Defense should create plenty of sacks and turnovers vs. a Lions team with a rookie QB playing from behind. And the “Sleeper of the Week” for Week 2 is Michael Clayton who faces Buffalo with Terrence McGee questionable and teammate Antonio Bryant has an injured knee.

Sit of the week

RB – Julius Jones vs. 49ers

The Skinny
While he had over 117 yards rushing and a td last week, 62 yards of it came on one run. San Francisco held him to 9 yards in their last meeting and while he had over 100 yards in the first game, I would expect somewhere in between.

Proceed With Caution

QB – Jay Cutler vs. Steelers

RB – Kevin Smith vs. Vikings

WR – Anquan Boldin vs. Jaguars

TE – Greg Olsen vs. Steelers

D – Chargers D vs. Ravens

The Skinny
Jay Cutler should be avoided vs. tough defenses in leagues that penalize for turnovers until he starts taking care of the ball a little better. Kevin Smith struggled vs. Minnesota in their last meeting in ’08 and averaged less than 2 yards in week 1 vs. New Orleans. Anquan Boldin has been bothered by a bad hamstring and Kurt Warner hasn’t looked like his ’08 self, yet. Greg Olsen was one of the biggest fantasy busts in Week 1 after gaining only 9 yards on 1 catch and now faces a tough Pittsburgh defense. The Chargers Defense faces a poor matchup vs. Baltimore who has a ball control offense that doesn’t make many mistakes.

Olsen against the Steelers might be a big reach!

Follow Jeff Lucero on Twitter: prosb4hos

Difference Makers

A common theme in Fantasy Football has been that first waiver wire run after Week 1, as some players who slipped through the cracks of the draft have produced right away. Many draft mistakes can be realized when the real games begin on Sundays and hindsight becomes 20/20….at least for one week! This year is no different and there’s no reason to panic, even if your team didn’t perform up to expectations. While there may not be as many difference makers now, as in previous seasons, let’s go over some intriguing options that may be available for you to add to your roster.

QUARTERBACKS

McNabb’s injury and some underachievers has owners looking around to see who’s out there…

Trent Edwards, Bills – After getting some initial buzz, the change in offensive coordinator, T.O. injury and subsequent bad press really hurt his value leading up to the season. Edwards really stepped up on the Monday night stage when many didn’t give him a chance to succeed. While he’s not an overnight savior and expectations do have to be kept in check (the Patriots defense isn’t as good as in years past), he is a guy who can be considered an upper tier QB2.

What’s the Skinny?: He’s got some decent mobility and scored 3 rushing tds in ’08. Also has a fairly high ceiling because of his WRs and no-huddle offense. He doesn’t take too many chances so he’s won’t have a ton of turnovers, but he’s also not going go downfield much limiting his big plays. Tony Romo had the 2nd best day for a QB in week 1 vs the Bucs defense so Edwards has a very favorable matchup.

Mark Sanchez, Jets I’m not terribly high on Rookie Quarterbacks usually but for owners who need some depth or a stop gap option, you could certainly do worse than Sanchez. He has decent weapons around him and a good run game that requires defenses attention.

What’s the Skinny?: He makes a better pickup to take a wait and see approach as the Jets face the Patriots in Week 2, but worth stashing away on the roster as a QB2.

Kerry Collins, Titans – Collins looks to be aided in having a full preseason as the starter and should be a mid-to-low end QB2. The Titan’s run game has also made a name for itself opening up the passing game.

What’s the Skinny?: He still has the arm to make all the throws and they have improved weapons around him. The Texans make for a favorable matchup this week as Sanchez nearly hit 300 passing vs them.

Jason Campbell, Redskins – The Giants did a good job of taking away the Redskins run game forcing Campbell to put it up late. He had some modest numbers vs a very strong defense and has some good weapons to take advantage of lesser opponents. A lesser opponent would be the St Louis Rams, who come to town in Week 2 after being torched by Matt Hasselbeck.

What’s the Skinny?: Campbell is more of a game manager, low end QB2 but worth a start this week for somewhat desperate owners.

Best of the rest:

Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers – Poor defense will probably boost Leftwich’s passing attempts. Consider him a mid-to-low QB2 for now.

Chad Pennington, Dolphins – Miami had a surprisingly bad offensive gameplan vs the Atlanta where they got away from the run. Pennington is a low end QB2.

Brady Quinn, Browns – Had an average day vs a strong Vikings defense. Could be useful as a QB2 in the right matchups.

RUNNING BACKS

LaDanian Tomlinson is injured again, lots of running back by committee and some underachievers out there…

Darren Sproles, Chargers – If he’s somehow still on your waiver wire, get him immediately. Tomlinson can’t seem to stay healthy and has an ankle injury this week.

What’s the Skinny?: With each game, Sproles ceiling seems to get a little higher and LT’s a little lower. It still comes down to how much time Sproles gets on the field but he should be on a roster in every league as a handcuff or mid-to-upper RB3.

Michael Bush, Raiders – He scored Oakland’s only rushing touchdown from 4 yards out. He looks to be the Raiders short yardage RB as well as a back who’s gonna catch some passes.

What’s the Skinny?: Bush should be counted on to get around 10-12 touches most games, unless Fargas cuts into his reps. Look at Bush as a solid RB3 with potential to be a RB2 some weeks.

Lawerence Maroney, Patriots – There appears to be a majority split between Maroney and Fred Taylor with Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris taking a couple carries between them. Maroney looks healthy this year and poised for a rebound.

What’s the Skinny?: Maroney has the highest ceiling and most talent amongst the Patriot backs, so despite the limited reps, he should be on a roster as a mid-to-low RB3.

Mewelde Moore , Steelers – He has really been the most productive Steeler RB over the last year. Willie Parker looks tentative and bothered by his hamstring and Mendenhall looks a bit over his head. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Moore take over on more of a full time basis.

What’s the Skinny?: While he’s not real explosive, he catches the ball well and is a reliable runner. He’s not better than a low end RB3 for now, but could be a great asset down the road.

Others to consider:

Chris Brown, Texans – Could vulture some short yardage tds from Slaton this year if he can stay healthy.

Ricky Williams, Dolphins – Actually finished with more yards than Ronnie Brown in a near even split.

Mike Bell, Saints – Surely you’ve heard of him by now!? He could be in line for a major role even with Pierre Thomas’ return.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Justin Gage, Titans – Definitely looked like the top target for the Titans. Just when he started to become a fantasy factor in the past he got derailed by injuries and inconsistency.

What’s the Skinny?: Titans passing game should be more effective this year and he should benefit from getting the most targets. Consider him a middle of the road WR3 for now.

Michael Clayton, Buccaneers – Ended up as the top target in week 1 for Tampa Bay. Had a big rookie year a few seasons ago and hasn’t been fantasy relevant since.

What’s the Skinny?: Poor defense and presence of Leftwich bodes well for Clayton. He’s worth a flier and possible start as a low end WR3 vs the Bills.

Chancey Stuckey, Jets – Finished with the most fantasy points of any Jets receiver week 1. Looks like a solid chemistry developing between him and Sanchez.

What’s the Skinny?: Proceed with caution, take a TD catch away and he had a very mediocre day. He’s more of a stop gap high end WR4 right now.

Others to consider:

Mark Clayton, Ravens – Would like him more if he wasn’t on such a run 1st offense but Flacco’s emergence could mean big things. Keep an eye on him starting as a high end WR4.

Kenny Britt, Titans – Being a rookie wide receiver is a bit of red flag in itself, but he definitely has some ability. He’s a WR4 or better if Washington doesn’t eat up his targets.

Louis Murphy, Raiders – He looks more like the WR they took with a 1st round pick. He has been the 1st option with Schilens out and is a possible WR3 if he can put together another good game or two.

TIGHT ENDS

Jeremy Shockey, Saints – Was an elite TE a few years ago who nearly fell out of favor with the Saints last season. Considered a fantasy bust last year, he could be back on track this year.

What’s the Skinny?: Between his attitude and injuries, you may never know what to truly expect from Shockey, but he’s healthy and on the top passing offense in the NFL coming off 2 tds. That makes him at least a low end TE1.

Ben Watson, Patriots – Some of the same things can be said about Watson as Shockey. He’s also coming off 2 tds, a poor, injury plagued ’08 and is on a top passing attack.

What’s the Skinny?: With Tom Brady getting him involved, hes at least a low end TE1.

Dustin Keller, Jets – Some people continued to ignore him in drafts and he can still be found in some leagues.

What’s the Skinny?: He could be the number 1 option in the Jets passing game, hes certainly a TE1 most weeks.

Others to consider:

Brent Celek, Eagles – Caught a td in first game taking over as full time starting TE shouldn’t be hurt by McNabb injury. He’s a low end TE1.

Robert Royal, Browns – He’s been on fantasy radars before but never with any consistency. Can he capitalize off a solid game 1? He’s a TE2 until he does.

Kicker

Lawrence Tynes, Giants – Always a solid contributor and Eli and Giants move the ball well enough have many scoring chances.

Defense

Falcons – Played very well against Miami in Week 1, shut down the run and had constant pressure and they face Jake Delhomme and the Panthers who turned the ball over 7 times in Week 1 vs the Eagles.

Wait Em Out

Every Fantasy owner is always looking at ways to tweak their roster and make it better, but be careful in being too hasty with releasing and sitting players. Afterall, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Whenever you can afford roster space, always try and hold onto your handcuffs, rookies, and viable backups. Oh, and try to ride out your starters as long as you can too.

QB Brett Favre, Vikings – Hang in there with the old man, don’t release him yet. He’s definitely gonna be forced to beat teams with the pass in a few games this season.

RB Ronnie Brown, Dolphins – Seemed to be more of a victim of few touches than productions with a 4.3 per carry average. Try to stick it out with him vs Colts this week.

WR Andre Johnson, Texans – Despite a shockingly low Week 1 output, he remains a must start. Just the type of player who blows up the second you bench him.

TE Dallas Clark, Colts – Even before Anthony Gonzalez went out with injury, I felt like Dallas was the true number 2 receiving option behind Reggie Wayne. He’s still a must start with or with out Gonzalez.

Tough Love

Sometimes you just have to go ahead and cut your losses…

QB Marc Bulger, Rams – Sorry for anyone out there holding out hope for this once top 5 Fantasy QB. His fantasy days appear over, stear clear.

RB Edgerrin James, Seahawks – Some thought he’d be able to steal carries from Julius Jones, but it remains to be seen. No reason to carry him on your roster unless you have Jones.

WR Chris Chambers, Chargers – I still have a soft spot for Chambers from the productive Dolphin days but with no catches coupled with being the 4th target and sharing reps with other WRs, you can feel free to drop him if you need to.

Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You: RBs Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. I’m not saying release these guys or that they won’t have any more productive outings this year, I’ll just say that their best days are seemingly behind them.

Gayle “Uncle Rico” Saunders Squad

My Sleepers in this draft are WR Percy Harvin…he reminds of Desean Jackson and i believe they will line him up all over the field, and target him early and often.  A guy who goes under the radar is TE John Carlson he will come into his own this year take my word on this one. My last sleeper is RB Ahmad Bradshaw  He doesnt have Ward to compete with for carries anymore…and we know Brandon Jacobs is injury prone and isn’t a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. Look for him to steal carries and receptioms

QB-Drew Brees

QB-Brett Favre

RB- Maurice Jones Drew

RB-Marion Barber

RB-Ryan Grant

RB-Reggie Bush

RB-Willie Parker

RB-Ahmad Bradshaw

WR-Marques Colston

WR-Eddie Royal

WR-Percy Harvin

WR-Donald Driver

TE-Greg Olsen

TE-John Carlson

KICKER Neil Rackers

CHICAGO DEFENSE

Steve O’Reilly’s squad

 
 A lot of people think I am stretching with Bernard Scott but I think I know a baller when I see one and he is just that. The kid has all the tools to succeed at the NFL level and I think it’s just a matter of weeks until he blows up.

Davone Bess is another sleeper I really like. He is going to have a good year for Miami.

Gayle stayed pretty true to his plan and has won this league more than anyone so I won’t doubt his skills. But as they say…”that’s why they play the game”

If you have any Fantasy questions and are looking for advice, just drop us a line.

QB-Kurt Warner

QB-Eli Manning

RB-DeAngelo Williams

RB-Chris Johnson

RB-Knowshon. Moreno

RB-LeSean McCoy

RB-Bernard Scott

WR-Wes Welker

WR-Esteban OchoCinco

WR-Santonio Holmes

WR-Lee Evans

WR-Davone Bess

WR-Mark Clayton

TE-Kellen Winslow

KICKER -Nick Folk

MIAMI DEFENSE