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** Ryan Grant RB (GB) - After his showing in Denver he should get at least one more start. Pick him up and be glad you did.

Adimchinobe Echemandu RB (HOU) - Not sure how you say`his name but he looked pretty decent against San Diego until the game got out of hand. 10 carries for 62 yards along with 2 catches for 11. Ahman Green was a last second mystery scratch and they cut Gado which gave AE had an opportunity to show something; he did. If you have a deep bench check him out because ya never know.

Lee Evans WR (BUF) - I doubt he would still be available but it is possible in some leagues someone may have given up on him with his slow start. If he’s not available, maybe he would come cheap in a trade. He is heating up a little more each week and traditionally seems to have strong second halves.

D.J. Hackett WR (SEA) - I mentioned him before but wanted to remind you again. He is healthy, has great upside and will be playing against the Brown defense this week. If there was ever a late season sleeper it would be this guy. He should be the first option until Branch returns from his injury.

Jacoby Jones WR (HOU) - He disappeared after that injury early in the season but he popped his head up this week with 5 catches for 51 yards.

Vernon Davis TE (SF) - He was a hot prospect coming into the season but lost some steam after getting injured. This week he had 6 catches for 72 on Sunday had their only TD. He seems to be the best option in the passing game. Maybe he is laying around on your wire.

Jeff King TE (CAR) - He had 10 catches for 82 yards. May be alright for some bye week spot duty.

Reggie Brown WR (PHI) - 8 catches for 105 yards. He did get hurt in the game so keep an eye on his status if you want to use him.

Tennessee Defense - It may not be to late to pick these guys up. They are solid and have a few games in a row against less than stellar offenses; Carolina and then Jacksonville.

Chris Henry RB (TEN) - As long as Chris Brown misses time Henry is worth some spot duty in deeper leagues. He had 4 rushes for 48 yards and a TD against the Raiders.

J.P. Losman QB (BUF) - He came in for an injured Trent Edwards and posted 113 yards with an 85 yard TD to Lee Evans to seal the win.

David Carr QB (CAR) - If you are in a deep league starting two QB’s or just like quarterbacks that wear gloves, you might want to secure his services. He will more than likely take over this week now that he appears healthy. He had 103 yards and didn’t get sacked in mop-up duty against the Colts. Keep you expectation low in the short run though, he plays Tennessee next week.

Brooks Bollinger QB (MIN) - Desperate for a QB in a deep league? This guy is a loooong shot if both Holcomb and Jackson miss any time.

Sage Rosenfels QB (HOU) - Matt Schaub was injured again with an unknown head injury that was worrisome enough that he went to the hospital. Rosenfels didn’t exactly light it up but could be usable in spot situations in deeper leagues.

Keep an eye on…
Josh McCown QB (OAK) - This is just an observation but to me Culpepper doesn’t seem to be as effective as McCown was before getting injured. You would think that Lane might start thinking about giving Josh another chance at some point.

Kellen Clemens QB (NYJ) - The saga continues. Pennington was benched late in the game with a chance to still win the game. Is this the week they make the switch? We shall see. For now if you are in a deeper league you may want keep an eye on the situation.

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

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks that I didn’t see on the Bruno Boys week eight waiver wire report. I play in some deeper leagues so I need to look a little deeper than most.

Mostly it is just a list with a mix of slightly unknown guys who had big days and injury replacements. 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:
**UPDATE** Kelly Holcombe QB (MIN) - T-Jack has a broken finger, dwindling pride and may miss this week. Chances are Holcombe won’t win the week for you but if you are desperate for a bye week replacement in a deeper league keep an eye out.

**UPDATE** Maurice Hicks/Micheal Robinson RB (SF) - Frank Gore said he will play but the bottom line is he is day to day. Hicks is second on the depth charts but they weren’t afraid to use Robinson last year either. If Gore can’t go either one of these guys would make a solid bye week replacement with a great match-up at home against the Saints.

**UPDATE** Tony Scheffler TE (DEN) - 5 catches for 50 yards and a TD against Pittsburgh. Those are pretty decent number for a tight end. Bye week replacement?

Lee Evans WR (BUF) -Only here because it is possible that some really disgruntled owner may have given up on him. Looks like he is starting to come alive.

Eric Johnson TE (NO) - In six games he’s had five or more receptions in four of them. With the Saints slowly coming around he could be useful on a bye week.

Arnaz Battle WR (SF) - Solid outing on Sunday, 6 catches for 57 and a TD, with two good match-ups on the way New Orleans and Atlanta.

Jesse Chatman RB (MIA) - If Ronnie Brown misses any time you could have yourself a serviceable starting running back. 7 for 73 and a TD isn’t to shabby in relief.

Roydell Williams WR (TEN) - 5 for 124 isn’t to bad in an offense that doesn’t pass a whole lot.

Chris Henry RB (TEN) - If Chris Brown misses more time Henry could have a few more days like Sunday 11 carries 57 yards and a TD. Possible bye week replacement or deeper league add.

Sage Rosenfels QB (HOU) - Depending on Shaubs status Sage could be a decent add. He threw three picks but threw for 4 TD’s (all in the fourth quarter) and 290 yards. He showed a lot of heart and almost got the win.

Ike Hilliard WR (TB) - If the Buc’s need to move the ball through the air he get a ton of looks. 9 catches for 92 and a TD. I doubt he’s still out there but if he is, go get him.

Zack Miller TE (OAK) - Not a game breaker by any means but I have noticed that C-Pep seems to look to him often. Could be worth a bye week replacement with a good match-up.

Will Heller TE (SEA) - Worth mentioning because he had 2 TD catches.

Muhsin Muhammad WR (CHI) - A touchdown in each of his last two games. With the Chicago offense seemingly starting to heat up through the air he may be worth a bye week start against the Lions next week.

Brandon Stokley/Brandon Marshall WR (DEN) - Two Solid games against a good defense 5 for 70 with a TD for Stokley and 6 for 77 for Marshall. With Walker out for awhile they could be an asset.

Keep an eye on:
**UPDATE** Chris Perry RB (CIN) - The head coach is being a little coy about the whole thing but there is word that Chris could be activated this week. He may not be a game breaker per se’ but when he played he was a decent player in spot duty as a RB3 in a points per catch league over the last few years.

Koren Robinson WR (GB) - Favre mentioned him a few weeks ago and is anxious to get him back. It’s not a bad thing for Robinson to have the QB waiting for your return. Who knows what kind of an impact he’ll have with all the other receivers in the mix but he has the talent to make some big things happen.

D.J. Hackett WR (SEA) - Returned last week from his high ankle sprain. Wasn’t involved in Sundays game but he could begin earning some of that pre-season love he was getting after the bye week.

Chris Henry WR (CIN) - Should be coming back from his suspension after week 8. Could be a situational WR3 down the stretch.

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.