My sincerest apologies for my "no call / no show" for Week 6. I spent Sunday ~ Wednesday in Indianapolis on business and threw off my whole week. (I regretfully did not bring my laptop, not that I had any real time to do so).
Here is a list of players that may still be available in your free agent pool that could add depth to your line-up and help you on your way to your fantasy league championship game.
QUARTERBACKS:
Brian Griese: He is doing what no NFL quarterback has done in a long time in Chicago... put up points and cut down the turn-overs. Griese has shown an ability to utilize the offense he is in. Berrian is shooting up the ranks as an NFL wide receiver, the tandem of Olsen and Clark are proving invaluable and even Cedric Benson has shown flashes of coming out of his sub-par 3.8 YD per carry average. If you have a QB that has a late bye-week, this may be your man to fill the shoes when the time comes to get off the bench and into the starting line-up.
Tavaris Jackson: The Minnesota offense is growing, both on their fans and in the NFL. Having Holcomb come in did two things: show Tavaris that this offense can be potent if utilized correctly, and two, given Jackson a fire to perform better, knowing that there is a replacement that the organization is willing to lean on during their "growing pains." Jackson has mobility, which is in his favor, and has enough of an arm to utilize the deep threats of Williamson and Rice (both from So. Car.). He showed that he could do it this weekend with a DEEP ball to Williamson. The tandem of Peterson (needs more touches) and Taylor assure him that when ahead, they can run the clock down AND put up points.
Kerry Collins: This is only relevant if in fact Young sees any lost time on the field. Pay attention to the injury report. He isn't great, but has a strong arm and can get it down field in a hurry, especially with the young speed of the WR corp. in Tennessee. Collins would rely on White and Brown to keep the chains moving. He would only be a back-up, but could have good numbers when the match-up is right.
Cleo Lemon: If for no other reason, because he is now the starter in Miami. Cleo is mobile, something Trent Green has never been. He has to be to survive the weak O-line in Miami. Ronnie Brown continues to show great strides this season and WRs Chambers and Booker can, when healthy and motivated, get the job done. The defense is hurting without Zach Thomas and a young secondary, giving Lemon more opportunities to sling the ball down field. Again, another back-up or bye-week replacement, but he beats out a lot of other back-ups riding most fantasy teams' benches.
RUNNING BACKS:
LenDale White: He appears to be healthy and has lost his extra 30 lbs. due to the rigors of the NFL. He only put up 64 YDs this past week but did see the ball more than he has in the past. When facing the right defense, he can have big yardage, but the important factor is where he is receiving his touches... 1st and 2nd and the red zone... Brown is used to get'em there with White being utilized as the muscle when it counts. Sometimes being a little heavier has it's perks.
Nejah Davenport: Nejah is quietly putting up fantasy points and riding most free agent lists. He has 3 TDs this year and is capitalizing on every touch he gets. The coaches have changed in PIT but that doesn't mean that the basic offensive constructs have. This team is still going to pound it down your throat on the ground with only 18 - 22 passing attempts a game. Big Ben still puts up solid numbers but it is the ground game that is going to win ball games. Nejah will play his part and walk away with at least 8 TDs by the end of the season.
Selvin Young: The clock is ticking for Travis Henry. I expect that by the end of October, early November, he will need to 'fess up and serve his time for being a "pothead". The heir apparent is Selvin Young, an undrafted rookie free agent out of the University of Texas. The kid has powerful legs, shifty moves, and leans into every hit for that extra one or two yards. He also has speed enough to get around the linebackers and turn it up field in a hurry. If you have space on your bench, he should be sitting there. If you are in a keeper league, you should consider adding him to the bench before your free agent deadline, just in case Henry never makes it back to Denver...with injuries and addictions, this could be a distinct possibility.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Lee Evans: I am shocked at the number of leagues that I am in or the leagues that people I speak with have dropped this kid. Losman won't be gone forever and Lee Evans is his main target. With Lynch getting his NFL legs under him, by the time Losman comes back, this team could do some damage. Price is out as the 2nd WR, so speedy Roscoe Parrish steps back into the role and will prove invaluable late in the season (especially if your league rewards return yardage). Grab'em and let'em ride the pine until Losman comes back, then you are stacked for a late season run.
Reggie Williams: More and more, David Garrard is leaning on this first round draft pick that until this point has been a let down. The offense is starting to gel and Williams is definitely benefiting. If you have a weak WR corp., pick him up. He may be at the bottom of your WR package, but with the way he is being called upon by David, that may turn around in the 2nd half of the season.
Donte Stallworth: Due to the success of Moss, Welker, and Watson, many gave up on this player. A No. 1 on most teams, he has been picking up a head of steam in the past three weeks, averaging almost a 100 Yds and TD a week. Ben Watson may be down for a while (watch the injury report) which would all but guarantee even more utilization of this slippery, speedy, wide receiver. Check the free agent pool, you may be shocked to see him sitting there calling out your name.
David Patten: A few weeks ago I mentioned this players name. The one thing that NO lacks is speed, which is something that David Patten has. He went over a 100 YDs for the first time since leaving New England, making a stop along the way to NO at WAS. There he was under-utilized and eventually hurt and put on the I/R. Expect David to become more of a threat, not necessarily getting more than 5 - 7 passes a game, but with his size and speed it makes it difficult to keep up with him, then tackle him.
Bobby Engram: As long as he is healthy, he is the go to guy in Seattle. With Branch out at least until Week 9, Engram gets the call. He had four games in a row, late last year, where he saw the majority of passing attempts, netting high yardage and at least a TD a game... however, he got injured, so watch his health if you take a stab at him on your roster.
TIGHT ENDS:
Greg Olsen: For some, especially smaller leagues, he is still out there. He is fast enough to be a WR, yet big enought to be a TE. Clark is used more for short yardage and run-blocking ability yet Olsen still has the best chance to net you fantasy points. Griese is in love with his TEs and it should be known that Olsen is splitting out more and more, being utilized like Indy is doing with Clark.
Donald Lee: Let's face it, the Packers can't run... with that being said, anyone who is young, quick, and has "sure hands" has a shot at some fantasy points. Lee is steadily replacing Franks. He has been called upon with in the red zone more and more. I expect him to be in the top 7 by the end of the year...
Randy McMichael: Boy has he disappeared in the fantasy world. I believe that Bulger under-utilized his abilities (really the Offensive coach), but with Frerotte in, there is a chance that over the next few weeks, he could be useful in the fantasy format. Don't hold your breath or lose someone valuable for him, but if you have no one on your line-up, facing a bye-week, or dealing with an injured TE, grab'em.
Those are my fantasy waiver wire grabs for the NFL Week 7. I hope that you find this informative and useful. I will see you all later when we approach mid-week with my fantasy Sit'em and Start'em blogs.
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