Author: John Paulsen (Page 810 of 937)

Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Watch, Week 10

QUARTERBACKS

Here is a list of players that may be available on your league’s waiver wire, in order of relative value:

Tony Romo, David Carr, David Garrard, Alex Smith, Trent Green, Phillip Rivers, Joey Harrington, Chad Pennington, Steve McNair, Matt Leinart, Aaron Brooks, Charlie Frye, Damon Huard, Seneca Wallace, Brad Johnson, Mark Brunell, J.P. Losman, Bruce Gradkowski, Vince Young

Tony Romo was sharp again, throwing for 284 yards and two scores. He has one of the best receiving corps in the league and shouldn’t be on your league’s waiver wire any longer…David Garrard threw for three TD against the Titans, and it doesn’t look like Byron Leftwich will be back anytime soon…Trent Green is inching closer to returning, but Damon Huard is playing well in his place, so the Chiefs are being very careful. Keep an eye on Green’s status this week…Seneca Wallace has played well, but it looks like Matt Hasselbeck will return in Week 11 against San Francisco…Joey Harrington continues to put up decent numbers and it doesn’t look like Daunte Culpepper is coming back anytime soon.

RUNNING BACKS

Wali Lundy, Leon Washington, Mike Bell, Anthony Thomas, Maurice Jones-Drew, Travis Henry, Cedric Benson, DeAngelo Williams, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Brandon Jacobs, Maurice Morris, Najeh Davenport, Justin Fargas

Wali Lundy struggled for 43 yards on 20 carries, but the key is the second number. The team appears to be sold on him as their feature back, so expect lots of 15+ carry games down the stretch, making him a decent #3 RB…Mike Bell rushed 17 times for just 28 yards, but Tatum Bell didn’t get a carry due to a sore toe. Mike will continue to carry the load until Tatum can play, making him a good start against most teams…Anthony Thomas filled in admirably for Willis McGahee, who left the game with a broken rib. McGahee could be out two weeks or more, and if that’s the case, Thomas would become a hot waiver wire pickup…Shaun Alexander should return next week, so Maurice Morris is on borrowed time. Other than tonight’s game, he hasn’t really produced as expected, but the whole Seattle rushing game is down this season due to the loss of Steve Hutchinson.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Chris Henry, Mike Furrey, Mark Clayton, Wes Welker, Devery Henderson, Doug Gabriel, Ernest Wilford, Marty Booker, Jerry Porter, Eric Parker

Chris Henry continues to play well for the Bengals as the team’s third WR, catching two passes for 79 yards against a tough Ravens defense…Mark Clayton has become Steve McNair’s favorite target. Since Week 3, he has 31 catches for 329 yards, an average of 5-55. He also has two scores, but keep in mind both TD catches were off of deflections…Wes Welker caught fewer than four passes for the first time Sunday, but still caught a TD against the Bears. He has been a nice source of catches and has good value in PPR leagues…Devery Henderson went off against the Bucs, catching three passes for 111 yards and two scores. He started this week because Joe Horn was out, so if Horn misses any more time, Henderson could be a productive third WR…Ernest Wilford seems to play better with David Garrard under center. He caught two TD against the Titans and it looks like Garrard will start for the time being.

TIGHT ENDS

Owen Daniels, David Martin, Bo Scaife, Alex Smith, Eric Johnson, Jerramy Stevens, Courtney Anderson

David Martin has quickly become a nice target for Brett Favre and is a decent fill-in type at TE…Bo Scaife caught five passes for 70 yards against the Jags and is one of Vince Young’s favorite targets.

Couch Potato Alert (11/6)

There’s another great matchup on Thursday night this week, as undefeated #3 Louisville visits undefeated #15 Rutgers on ESPN. There are two national television NBA doubleheaders on Wednesday and Thursday (on ESPN and TNT, respectively), with the Suns/Spurs, Bulls/Cavs and Mavs/Suns matchups highlighting the week’s action.

(All times ET.)

NFL
Mon, 8:30 PM: Oakland @ Seattle – ESPN

College Football
Thurs, 7:30 PM: (3) Louisville @ (15) Rutgers – ESPN

NBA
Mon, 8 PM: Milwaukee @ Chicago – NBATV
Tues, 7 PM: Seattle @ Miami – NBATV
Wed, 8 PM: Phoenix @ San Antonio – ESPN
Wed, 10:30 PM: Detroit @ Sacramento – ESPN
Wed, 10:30 PM: Dallas @ LA Clippers – local
Thurs, 8 PM: Chicago @ Cleveland – TNT
Thurs, 10:30 PM: Dallas @ Phoenix – TNT

NBA: Eye on the standings

The NBA season is about a week old and there are only three undefeated teams left: Utah, NO/OKC, and Phlly. You read that right. Miami, Phoenix, Dallas and Denver are a combined 2-9. Sure, it’s early, but it’s interesting to see who is getting off to a good start and who isn’t.

Let’s look at the Jazz…Carlos Boozer has been a monster, averaging 20.7 points and 15.0 rebounds through the first three games. Mehmet Okur has also played well, averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 boards, allowing the Jazz to overcome sketchy play from Andrei Kirilenko. Deron Williams has played pretty well, averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 assists, but has yet to make a three after making 1.1 per game last season. If they can get good play from off guard (C.J. Miles is currently starting there and is shooting 55% thus far) then the Jazz should make the playoffs and could win the division. The 3-0 record isn’t a sham, either. They’ve got wins against the Rockets and the Suns.

How about the Hornets? They beat Boston and Indiana on the road before beating the Rockets in their home opener. Surprisingly, the Hornets are undefeated despite suspect play from free agent acquisition Peja Stojakovic, who has shot just 33.3% from the field and is averaging only 11.7 ppg. David West is building on his breakout season in 2005-06, and is posting 20.0 points (on 49% shooting) and 6.7 boards. Chris Paul continues to improve and is currently second in the league in assists with 10.7 per game. (Steve Nash is first with 11.8 per.) The Hornets play the Warriors twice before facing the Blazers, so they could be 6-0 when they face the Clippers on 11/12.

The biggest surprise is Philly, who faced a lot of questions this offseason with all the rumors swirling about potential trades involving Allen Iverson. Anyone worried about AI’s commitment to the team can lay aside those fears. He’s averaging 34.0 points, 9.7 assists and is shooting 49.3% from the field. The Sixers have winnable games against the Pacers, Raptors, Nuggets and Sonics, before facing the Suns in Phoenix on 11/17. The next night, they play the Clippers in L.A.

Of these three teams, the Jazz have the best chance at a division title. The Northwest is pretty weak and the Nuggets are beatable. It’s highly unlikely that the Southwest division champion will not be a team from Texas, but the Hornets look like a playoff team right now. The Sixers could overtake the Nets for the Atlantic title, but will need some good fortune (and good play from Chris Webber) to do so.

Fantasy Football: The Postgame, Week 9

Most of Week 9 has come and gone, and one of the league’s undefeated teams has already fallen – will the other one survive the day? Before the Pats/Colts battle begins, let’s talk about this week’s Headliners and Flatliners.

HEADLINERS

Drew Brees (314 yards, 3 TD)
Brees continued his fine play against the Bucs. He has benefited from the development of Marques Colston and his play this season has to make Miami fans wonder, “what if?”

Honorable Mention: Jake Plummer (227 yards, 3 TD), Tony Romo (284 yards, 2 TD). Marc Bulger (354 yards, 1 TD), David Garrard (177 yards, 3 TD), Damon Huard (148 yards, 3 TD)

LaDainian Tomlinson (21 touches, 192 yards, 3 TD)
LT was unbelievable in the second half after a very quiet first half. Unfortunately for Antonio Gates owners, the Chargers didn’t need to throw the ball very much in the second half since LT was running so effectively.

Honorable Mention: Steven Jackson (32 touches, 219 yards, 1 TD), Kevin Jones (30 touches, 140 yards, 2 TD), Larry Johnson (27 touches, 172 yards, 1 TD), Tiki Barber (20 touches, 155 yards, 1 TD), Ronnie Brown (31 touches, 190 yards)

Javon Walker (6 rec, 134 yards, 2 rec TD, 1 rush, 72 yards, 1 TD)
Walker was a dual threat today, catching six passes while also scoring on a long rush TD against a normally stout Steelers defense.

Honorable Mention: Roy Williams (6 rec, 138 yards, 1 TD), Devery Henderson (3 rec, 111 yards, 2 TD), Joey Galloway (4 rec, 97 yards, 2 TD), Marques Colston (11 rec, 123 yards, 1 TD), Ernest Wilford (3 rec, 44 yards, 2 TD), Donald Driver (9 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD), Terrell Owens (7 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD)

Tony Gonzalez (5 rec, 63 yards, 2 TD)
Gonzo is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season and would command big dollars in a short contract. He has played well with Damon Huard, and it’s not a sure thing that he’ll be able to keep it up with Trent Green back under center.

Honorable Mention: Jeremy Shockey (8 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD), Chris Cooley (3 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD), Alge Crumpler (4 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD)

FLATLINERS

Alex Smith (105 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT)
Smith squandered a very nice matchup against a Vikings defense that is pretty bad against the pass, costing this writer at least one win this week. Bastard.

Dishonorable Mention: Brad Johnson (136 yards, 1 INT), Carson Palmer (195 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Vince Young (163 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT), Eli Manning (179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Willis McGahee (4 touches, 15 yards)
McGahee left the game with a rib injury and left his fantasy owners in a pinch. Anthony Thomas came in and played well against the Packers.

Dishonorable Mention: Reggie Bush (15 touches, 17 yards), Carnell Williams (13 touches, 44 yards), Wali Lundy (23 touches, 59 yards), Travis Henry (19 touches, 67 yards), Frank Gore (24 touches, 77 yards), Fred Taylor (13 touches, 79 yards)

Chad Johnson (4 rec, 32 yards)
While Antonio Bryant certainly blew a good matchup this week, Chad Johnson simply isn’t meeting the expectations of those who drafted him in the second round this season.

Dishonorable Mention: Antonio Bryant (2 rec, 24 yards), Troy Williamson (1 rec, 4 yards), Amani Toomer (2 rec, 16 yards), Eddie Kennison (2 rec, 19 yards), Derrick Mason (2 rec, 20 yards), Torry Holt (3 rec, 50 yards)

Antonio Gates (2 rec, 22 yards)
LT ran the ball with ease in the second half and the Chargers didn’t need to use Gates very much.

Dishonorable Mention: Alex Smith (2 rec, 8 yards), Owen Daniels (3 rec, 34 yards)

Fantasy Football: Saturday Update

The Denver Post has reported that Mike Bell will receive a majority of the workload against the Steelers on Sunday…Greg Jennings still has some soreness in his ankle and may not play this week…LaMont Jordan practiced fully on Friday and should play against the Seahawks Monday night…Reggie Bush also practiced on Friday and should be a go against the Bucs…Speaking of the Bucs, they put Chris Simms on IR, ending his season…Darrell Jackson returned to practice on Friday and declared himself ready to play on Monday night…Santana Moss is listed as doubtful and it doesn’t look like he is going to play with his bad hammy…Plaxico Burress was downgraded to questionable after missing practice all week with a bad back. This would make Amani Toomer a better play against the Texans. Burress has apparently been dealing with a sore back since Week 2, so this is something to keep an eye on Sunday morning and for the rest of the season…Chester Taylor is losing third down work to Mewelde Moore, who has been explosive in that role…Laurence Maroney is expected to play against the Colts Sunday night despite being listed as questionable with a thigh injury…Joe Horn has missed practice all week, but the local papers seem to think he’s going to play on Sunday. Be sure to check the inactives before finalizing your roster…After an ankle scare two weeks ago, Clinton Portis is good to go for Sunday’s matchup with the Cowboys…Todd Heap was upgraded to probable even though he missed practice on Friday.

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