Week 4 ~ "Waiver Wire Watch"

As the season continues, the "pickin's" are gettin' slimmer (or "slimmah" as we "nohthehnehs" say). As the majority of fantasy GMs are lining up their "wish list" on the waiver wire, here is a few to consider to add depth to your line-up. Some will be no-brainers, some will appear as though I don't have one... only time will tell which is true.

QUARTERBACKS:

Kelly Holcomb: It is obvious now that he is at the helm in Minnesota. With weapons of Williamson & Rice (So. Car.), and Chester and Peterson handling the ball, there is a chance that he can produce some great numbers when the match-up is right. He is a journeyman by trade, but the likes of Huard, Kitna, and Schaub make him a viable candidate for the bench. (No, I didn't include Harrington, Garcia, and Green because they have been starters in recent years)

Brett Favre: I can't believe I am doing this but when the man revives his career and it appears he has, you have to jump all over him. Pick him up, play 'em when the match-up is right and use it as bait for the incidents that occur throughout the season (I.E. the cheapshot by Vince Wilfork on J.P. Losman) He has put up stellar numbers to date and there should be no reason he is available, but in many leagues, he will be!

Kurt Warner: If you own Leinart, this should be a no-brainer. He looked exceptionally sharp. Maybe that hand of his is finally healed or maybe he just got lucky, what with the excitement and all. If you are in a two QB league and have some dolt riding shotgun because you didn't draft well, Warner showed he can still be counted on. His history of Arena ball lends itself to quick, concise, even damned near perfect accuracy when he can grip the ball properly.

RUNNINGBACKS:

DeShaun Foster: I predict he will continue to bolster more of the carries as the team struggles, with D. Williams handling kick/punt returns, minimizing his effectiveness in leagues that do not award them touchdown and return yardage. Foster, if healthy, will continue to see the ball and may even reclaim his late run of last season (Six games over 100 yds and a TD). If your bench is weak, pick him up... it can't hurt.

Kevin Jones: Sure he got only two touches and a TD, but he point is he did it in the red zone, not shying away from contact, but running full force at a stacked line to score. Like I said previously, we are about two weeks away from significant Kevin sightings. Grab'em if he's available, if nothing more, he makes a great trade bait to squeeze out two second tier players for a top tier player.

Rueben Droughns: He has seen 2 TDs in three weeks. That is enough to land on someone's roster. The Giants pulled a win out of their behinds and a lot had to do with late running by Ruben. Here is your chance to grab'em and store him tilll he becomes more valuable. Even when Jacobs comes back, it will be slow going at first and Droughns may prove fruitful as Derrick Ward ran a little flat yesterday.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Kevin Curtis: Should he be available? No. But the sheer fact that PHI fell on it's face the first two weeks may have prompted some GMs to drop 'em for the likes of Shaun McDonald or Brandon Marshall. Grab'em while he is hot (and Donovan's new favorite target).

Dwayne Bowe: There isn't much else to throw at out in KC. Bowe is just about it. Gonzalez had 96 yds, but Bowe got the call for the TD catch. Huard will continue to grow and count on him as Kennison is still running behind on health and when available will still be counted on as the third receiver (more of a check down). He is the hot ticket for the moment on a poor defense. The good news is the scheduled slackens in about 3 weeks.. If you can ride him on your bench, do it.

Nate Burleson: I hate this guy, but he appears worth it as Hasselback relies more and more on him (Branch is double-teamed every play, now). He will see his fair share of drops as it has been a historical problem for this receiver, but Hasselback keeps coming back for more. I expect that between Engram who is worse at "dropsies" than Burleson, and Branch's double coverage, that Burleson will have a big fantasy impact in weeks to come.

Greg Jennings: This guy should be available and is the likeliest to be picked up early and often. He has had flashes of excellence and with Driver healthy and burning secondaries, it is only a matter of time before Jennings name is called upon to deliver big blows for this offense. James Jones is still young and shouldn't interfere all too much with Jennings production, once he is 100 percent, he will seem like a free agent steal!!!

TIGHT ENDS:

Chris Baker: Am I finally getting through to you that this guy is ligit? He has as many TDs as the typical fantasy TE leaders, yet has done it with less yardage. When this offense really picks up, so will his participation. With the focus on Coles and Cotchery, Baker is gradually slipping into that "Ben Watson" role of dependable, available, and trustworthy on those short yardage attempts.

Bubba Franks: This all depends on how Favre continues with his season. With Driver and Jennings healthy(er), the running back tandem of Wynn and Jackson improving, and the simple heroics of Favre, Franks is shooting up the TE charts. Pick him up if you have a fantasy bus on your hands (So far, Vernon Davis, Randy McMichael, and Heath Miller)

Good luck, and happy hunting. May your waiver wire be profitable and your season be one filled with championship written all over it.

Statistocrat