Fantasy Sports Review

If you are reading this post you are either getting ready for the first round of your fantasy football playoffs, are looking for that one players to help put you in the playoffs or you are in a no playoff league. Either way, congrats because you are still in it!

The good thing about fantasy football sleepers and waiver wire pick-up this time of year is that there isn’t much competition for them. You, my friend, get the pick of the litter because half your league either isn’t looking for anyone because they are out of it or some of the other teams in the playoffs may be satisfied to just roll with what they have. You shouldn’t be.

Look this list over and make sure you aren’t missing an upcoming match up that could give you an edge

May be available now…
Ladell Betts RB (WAS) - Portis injured his ankle against the Bills late in the game and didn’t return. The Redskins have a short week and play the Bears at home Thursday night. Not much time for Portis to recover. Betts would be a great start against a Bears defense that gives up a lot on the ground this year.

Chris Brown RB (TEN) - LenDale White suffered a shoulder injury and Brown finished the game with 46 yards and a TD. If White misses this week Brown should be a solid starting at home against a so-so Charger rush defense.

Fred Jackson RB (BUF) - He showed that he could carry the load if Lynch or Thomas miss any more time. If he gets another start next week he will be a great start against Miami.

Bryant Johnson WR (ARI) - Fitzgerald missed Sundays game and now Boldin looks like he is injured as well. Bryant is very good in relief and easily a solid number two or three receiver on any fantasy team if either of Fitz or Boldin are out. Versus Cleveland he had 6 for 56 and a TD. He should’ve had another TD but dropped it.

Amani Toomer WR (NYG) - With the injuries mounting, Burress seems to get less and less effective with each passing week. Toomer is getting more and more looks from Manning. Against the Bears he had 6 for 69 and a TD.

Roddy White WR (ATL) - Not sure if he would be available but if he is he could be worth a shot this week against the Saints. He has been surprisingly consistent this year despite the rotating QB’s. He went 10 for 146 and a TD versus the Rams. He play a bad Saints passing defense next Monday at home.

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - He posted 5 for 64 and a TD. Four solid weeks in a row means he could be considered for a WR3 spot this week against San Diego.

Dallas defense - Not only are they playing better and better each week but They get to play Detroit this week. I’m not sure they are going to be available this late but just in case.

Trent Edwards QB (BUF) - He could be worth a start in deeper leagues. He had 257 against the Skins. Next up, Miami.

Keep an eye on…
Luke McCown QB (TB) - Word on Garcia is all over the place. Reports on his injury vary greatly. If it is serious and he misses more time, McCown would a decent option in deeper leagues. He had a solid game against the Saints throwing for 313 and 2 TD. Tampa next three games are against Houston, Atlanta and San Fran. Very good match-ups!

Gus Freotte QB (STL) - Likes to throw interceptions but he does have some great players to get the ball to. He went for 311 yards and 2 TD’s against Atlanta. If Bulger can’t go again this week, he gets another start this week he will play against a soft Bengals defense.

Chris Redman/Byron Leftwich/Joey Harrington QB (ATL) - Deep league special. Who know who will play this week but whoever does should be able to have success against the Saints on Monday night (just ask Luke McCown).

Sage Rosenfels QB (HOU) - Schaub went down and he did alright. Keep an eye on the situation. He doesn’t have the greatest match-up this week in Tampa Bay but he does have a few good receivers to throw to.

Aaron Rodgers QB (GB) - It looks like Favre will start this week but at least keep an eye on the situation because you never know. Rodgers isn’t Favre but it is a pretty goo offense to be at the head of.

Notable performances…
Leon Washington RB (NYJ) - 10 carries for 68 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 catches for 35 yards.

Roydell Williams WR (TEN) - Decent performance against Houston with 5 for 74 and a TD.

Sidney Rice WR (MIN) - He has three touchdowns in his last four games. Quietly, Sidney and Tavaris are developing a connection in Minnesota.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week 14 waiver wire report.

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks for you to check out. There are a ton of guys on my list because I play in some deeper leagues. I need to look a little deeper than most.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** D.J. Hackett WR (SEA) - This is the last time you will see him on the list. If you don’t have him and he is available, grab him now. Last night 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. In his first two weeks back from the high ankle sprain he has two touchdowns.

**UPDATE** Chester Taylor/Mewelde Moore RB (MIN) - Per Brad Childress, by way of the NFL on sirius, Adrian Peterson may miss some action with a LCL tear. Chester would be the main beneficiary but Moore might see some action too. The Vikes are home against the Raiders this Sunday and the Raiders aren’t very good at stopping the run.

Chris Henry WR (CIN) - He’s back and he didn’t waste any time getting back in the action. 4 catches for 99 yards.

L.J. Smith TE (PHI) - 4 for 49 and a touchdown against Washington. He could be a forgotten man on your leagues waiver wire and could be solid down the stretch if the Eagles get it going. Miami next week.

Marc Bulger QB (STL) - Is it possible that someone gave up on him in your league and just dumped him? If so, you could have a late season steal on your hands.

Isaac Bruce/Drew Bennett WR (STL) - Solid performances against the Saints. These guys could be laying around and might be worth some spot starts in the second half of the season. With Jackson back the Rams look like they have some offense again.

Chris Brown/Chris Henry RB (TEN) - LenDale hurt his knee but it doesn’t seem serious at the time I am writing this. Either way, keep an eye on his status and grab Brown or Henry if you have some roster space. Brown has been banged up but is close to returning and would be the favorite to assume the starting spot. Henry has showed some talent and could have some value but may be suspended for using a banned substance.

Leonard Pope TE (ARI) - His two touchdowns against Detroit were his third and fourth for the year and his third in three games. He also brought in 5 catches for 52. Could be a solid tight end if they continue to look his way. The Arizona offense has a few easy match-ups coming up; they will face both Cincinnati and Cleveland within their next three games.

Mark Clayton WR (BAL) - Solid game for Clayton with 8 for 107. If this offense could get it going, a healthy Clayton would have some value. Cleveland defense next week.

Donald Lee TE (GB) - Ever since Bubba Franks went down Donald Lee has stepped up. Yesterday he 4 catches one of which was a touchdown. The Packers offense is tight end friendly so he will continue to get a decent amount of looks until Franks returns.

James Thrash WR (WAS) - His 5 for 85 with 2 touchdown performance came out of nowhere. Not sure if he will consistently do this week in and week out. Also, I’m not sure what his role will be with a healthy Santana Moss but he was the first Redskin receiver to catch a touchdown this year.

Randy McMichael TE (STL) - If the Rams are clicking again Randy could be a nice contributer. 4 for 41 and a touchdown against the Saints.

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - More of a mention than a suggestion with 7 catches for 90 yards and a TD.

Brodie Croyle QB (KC) - Brodie came in after Huard was benched went 17/30 for 162. Deep league consideration only.

Rex Grossman QB (CHI) - Griese suffered some sort of shoulder injury and then Grossman came in to win the game for the Bears. Could be worth something in two quarterback leagues.

Keep an eye on…
**UPDATE**T.J. Duckett/Tatum Bell RB (DET) - This may be old news at this point but just in case. Evidently Kevin Jones had to leave the game a few time due to soreness in his surgically repaired foot. Hard to tell who benefits more out of this since Bell was sort of in the doghouse for asking to be traded earlier this year and has been inactive for a few games since KJ has been back.

**UPDATE** Ricky Williams RB (MIA) - He has been reinstated and he is en route to Miami. Not sure what his valuie is at this point but watch and listen. He isn’t eligible to play for a few weeks but after that we’ll know more. One theory floating around on the NFL on Sirius is that perhaps they will want to showcase him a bit to boost his offseason trade value.

**UPDATE**Byron Leftwich QB (ATL) - He has started to practice and the head coach has been mum on Harrington.

**UPDATE** Dwayne Wright/Anthony Thomas RB (BUF) - Marshawn Lynch had some ankle issues this week but insist he’ll play. Just watch the situation and be ready to move on one of these two back-ups. Anthony Thomas is listed as the back-up on many of the depth charts I looked at but a few weeks back I remember seeing Wright getting most of the carries a few weeks back when Marshawn left the game. Wright also has the second most carries on the team.

John Beck QB (MIA) - There are rumors surfacing that it might be time to get him some action. Do ya think? It may not mean a whole lot unless you are in a deep league starting more than one QB but it is something to watch none-the-less.

Trent Edwards QB (BUF) - Just a hunch but Trent is getting healthier and Losman didn’t do a whole lot against a bad defense.

Kyle Boller QB (BAL) - McNair was finally benched. Not sure at this time if it will stay that way but it is something to keep an eye on. Boller seems like the better option and with a healthy corp of receivers maybe he could get some offense going. Cleveland defense next week.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week nine waiver wire report.

Week after week the injuries keep piling up. If you’ve been playing the waiver wire correctly over the past month you should have yourself a team that is solid and deep regardless of how good or bad you draft.

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks that I didn’t see on the Bruno Boys week six waiver wire report. Some of these guys could help you out now or just provide you with some depth and/or upside on your bench. Check them out:

May be available now…

Jason Wright RB (CLE) - He came in for Jamal Lewis and put up 59 yards on 15 carries against the Patriots. He also had 4 catches for 43. Not stellar but if Lewis misses an extended amount of time he could help you out. He would be a starting running back who plays Miami and St. Louis in his next two games.

Ken Darby RB (TB) - Who? The Bucs continue to lose running backs. Pittman was carted off the field with an ankle injury and could miss 3-4 weeks. Some guy named Ken Darby was listed next on the depth chart. Just thought you’d like to know.

Nate Burleson WR (SEA) and Bobby Engram WR (SEA) - Not sure at this time how bad Deion Branch is hurt but if he misses and time both of these two should benefit. Plus they have very good match-ups in the next two games getting New Orleans and St. Louis at home.

Cedrick Wilson WR (PIT) - Santonio Holmes tweaked a hammy yesterday; if it lingers and Ward continues to miss time Wilson could be the benefactor. He had 5 catches for 69 yards against Seattle. Pittsburgh does have a bye next week.

Dennis Northcutt WR (JAC) -He is not lighting it up but he seems to be emerging as the go-to guy on his team. 4 catches for 73 yards and a TD against Kansas City on Sunday.

Glenn Martinez WR (DEN) - Again…Who? Brandon Stokley went out with some sort of head injury and Martinez stepped in and posted 6 catches for 80 yards. If Stokley is out Martinez would be the number three and if Javon Walker continues to miss time he would be number two. Because their defense has been less than stellar, the Broncos have had to pass quite a bit this year. There could be some value there after the Broncos come back from their bye in two weeks.

Kurt Warner QB (ARI) - There’s a chance that he may be sitting around out on your leagues. Matt Lienart is going to be out roughly six-eight weeks with a broken collerbone and the job is all Warner’s. He’s getting up there but he has played pretty decent this year and you could do a lot worse for a starter. Need a bye weekly fill-in? Warner has Carolina at home next week.

Cleo Lemon QB (MIA) - Trent Green has to be thinking about his future after getting wheeled off with another serious concussion. Cleo Lemon may not win you a championship but he should get a few starts if you are strapped because of injury or bye week.

Keep an eye on…

Mewelde Moore RB (MIN) - The Bucs tried to get him from the Vikings last week but the Vikes wanted… Moore. If Pittman’s injury is serious enough, the Bucs might be willing to increase their offer. I’m a Vikings fan and have been watching him for a few years, although I would hate to see him go, he could be decent in a starting roll on a team like the Bucs.

Ricky Williams RB (FA) - I’m not sure if anyone will have the balls to sign him but as the injuries mount on teams with a shot you have to figure someone might come sniffing around.

Kellen Clemens QB (NYJ) - You have to wonder how long they will stick with Pennington as the season starts to slip away. Especially when Chad is throwing it to the other team.

Byron Leftwich QB (ATL) - Harrington was bench after a poor performance against the Titans. It shouldn’t be long before Leftwich gets his shot.

Also, I mentioned it earlier but if you missed it check out the Bruno Boys week six waiver wire report because it lists some of the more obvious picks that I didn’t feel the need to list twice.