Week 5 ~ Waiver Wire Watch

Sorry for the late installment this week... sometimes life just takes over the control of the wheel. Here are my list of potential players that are available (based on the top sites) in the free agent market. As usual, some of you are in more saavy leagues and these players aren't available or you are in a large league (12+) and there isn't much to pick from when it comes to bye week replacement and/or injury filler.

QUARTERBACK:

Duante Culpepper: Granted, he WAS playing the team that didn't want him (proved his point, I think). Not only that, the future of Oakland is a "Culpepper-like" guy (JaMarcus Russell). He didn't have to pass much because of the resurgent offensive line, however, he has great potential to reward his fantasy GMs with rushing yards and touchdowns. If you have the injured starters in the league (Alex Smith, Shoulder... J.P. Losman, Knee... Matt Leinart, Ego...) than Culpepper just might be your man.

Joey Harrington: Don't look now, but Harrington just may be the highest point total getter on your free agent market (unless Derek Anderson is still available, which he probably is). Joey has found something in the receivers of Jenkins and White and I don't think it will stop there. Expect Crumpler to grow into this lineup from here forward.

Kurt Warner: Arizona is 2 - 2 and that doesn't stop there as Kurt will be assigned to all no huddle, 2 minute offenses to start... but my gut feeling is that they may pull back the reigns on Leinart and let him watch and learn (Palmer-like). It will be ego bruising, but if he is a big boy, he will definitely suck it up and learn from a great, precision, fast paced, quick-releasing QB.

Marc Bulger: I know some of you are shocked that he is here, on my list. Take some time to search your waiver wire... You may be shocked to find him on the waiver wire. If not, try and trade for him. Jackson will be back and Holt will catch on...

RUNNINGBACKS:

Justin Fargas: "Huggie Bear" should be proud as Justin lit up MIA defense for 170+ YDs on Sunday. Rhodes is coming back from his suspension, but will be limited at best... Jordan is ailing... and Fargas is frothing at the mouth to start. He is someone you can pick up and use until the well runs dry. The team is based on running and shouldn't change in the next week or so when he proves most valuable.

Michael Pittman: Easily the highest runningback to be picked up this week. The loss of Cadillac Williams will make him valuable. He wil share snaps on 1st and 2nd, but will definitely retain his 3rd down position, giving him the majority of the touches. Pittman will have some big games, it's simply "in him".

Kenny Watson: He isn't Rudi Johnson, but CIN needs to run the ball to keep the defense honest. He will most likely see at least one more game as the starter and have some affect on 3rd down from here forward, actually limiting the quality of Rudi Johnson for the rest of the season.

Selvin Young: Even if Travis Henry continues to starts, I can all ready see a changing of the guard. Selvin is getting more touches every week. He has a great burst and ability to slip through tackles. Denver is a notorious 2-back team. He is a great filler on bye weeks and injury replacement, especially great trade bait, not if, but when Travis Henry ends up on the I/R.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Sidney Rice: Gamecock fans can't talk enough about his 75 YD, 1 TD game this past Sunday. (Trust me, I know, I now live outside of Columbia, SC and work in the Capital City during the day.) Holcomb looked comfortable throwing to Rice and I fully expect this relationship to grow.

Bobby Engram: Branch, Burleson....AND Engram. Bobby (another SC native) has a knack of being available to Matt Hasselback. He was last year, before injury, and is again proving that he still "has it". He is great to add depth to WR Corp. He will get more touches as the offense grows.

James Jones: Why not, Favre seems to be able to get it to anyone... hell, I think he threw a touchdown to Randy Moss in Cincinnati from Wisconsin during MNF tonight. He is growing in his role of the team and can be looked for more now that Greg Jennings is regaining health and a healthy respect from secondaries.

Ike Hilliard: The game plan was designed to utilize Hilliard more, but that doesn't mean that Chuckie and the Boys won't rely on him more as Galloway continues to get doulbe coverage and Pittman will be coming out of the backfield more and more. It gives more opportunity for Ike to get open and put up some significant fantasy points when the match-up is right.

Andre Davis: I told you during last weeks "Start'em" that he will going to have a big day. If you didn't believe me and he is available... Grab'em... Even when A.J. returns, expect Davis to be opposite him.

TIGHT ENDS:

Owen Daniels: Schaub is finally getting accustomed to the offense and it's weapons. Owen began to look like what most thought he would look like, a definite third option. The loss of Andre Johnson may have helped, but another Andre... Andre Davis became the new threat. Expect Daniels to be more integrated in the passing game as the season progresses.

Bubba Franks: What the hell... If Favre is now relevent, Bubba might as well be too. No, seriously, he is actually becoming more invaluable as the run game simply doesn't exist. With that, there is less blocking and more opportunity for reception. I expect that if Favre continues, Franks role will too...

Justin Peelle: A relative unknown, but proving that he deserves to be looked at, especially if your tight end is on a bye week, injured, or simply proving that he cannot do more than fill a hole in your roster spot.

I hope that this helps as you make your last minute decisions for tonight and tomorrow.

Statistocrat