Bye Week Replacements - Week 4

The bye weeks are coming...
And as much as we dislike having to bench our fantasy stars, bye weeks give owners an opportunity to show some creativity, flex their fantasy muscles and dig a little deeper than normal to find acceptable subs. Much like last year, the purpose of this post is to highlight a couple of players in each offensive position that you might have a chance of snagging (according to Yahoo! statistics) off your waiver wire for a bye week sub or flex play. I don't cover kickers, and depending on feedback, I may add team defenses in the next week or two. The teams taking a breather in week 4 include Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia.

QB

• Jason Campbell - Washington - 33% owned: Despite the Redskins' humiliating week 3 loss to the bottom-feeding Lions, Campbell put up solid numbers with 340 passing yards, 2 TD's and 1 INT. I'm not going to lobby for Campbell as an every week starter, but Washington has an opportunity to bounce back from last week's loss against a highly suspect Tampa D in week 4. Look for Campbell to lead the charge and attempt to repeat last week's statistics.
• Mark Sanchez - New York - 41% owned: After watching the Jets dismantle the Titans in week 3, I have to grudgingly admit that the Jets are the real deal. Their run D is stifling and Sanchez is benefiting from one of the most solid offensive lines in the league. Week 4's matchup against the Saints has all the makings of a shootout between Brees and Sanchez. If you don't already have a decent backup QB on your bench, Sanchez might be worth stashing for the long haul.

RB

• Glen Coffee - San Franciso - 24% owned: Coffee proved to be a capable backup during the pre-season. Now with Frank Gore sitting out 2-3 weeks with a sprain/strain, Coffee will have an ample opportunity to showcase his talents. With the Niners failing to sign Michael Crabtree and no obvious talent in the wideout category, Mike Singletary has been forced to roll with a run-first offense. This won't change just because Gore is hurt. NOTE: That % owned statistic is pre-waiver clearance. Coffee may be the hottest wire prospect of the week and that % owned figure will jump by Wednesday.
• Correll Buckhalter - Denver - 36% owned: While Knowshon Moreno is well on his way to owning the starting role in the Denver, Buckhalter has been running so well that a permanent time share is almost a certainty. Buckhalter had 14 carries to Moreno's 21 against the Raiders in week 3 and owners can expect a comparable week 4 workload. It's important to note that recommending Buckhalter is based on his anticipated touches, not the matchup. Dallas did a nice job shutting down the Williams/Stewart duo in week 3.
• Fred Taylor - New England - 32% owned: New England's running back situation is quickly replacing Denver's as the most frustrating and hard to predict in the NFL. However, Taylor had a nice game against Atlanta in week 3 (105 yards rushing, 1 TD) and may have distanced himself from the pack. An injury to Laurence Maroney could also net Taylor additional carries in the coming weeks. Once again, this recommendation is being made based on Taylor's anticipated workload, as New England's matchup against Baltimore is not ideal.

WR

• Pierre Garcon - Indianapolis - 28% owned: Peyton Manning and company appear to be thriving despite the early loss of up-and-comer Anthony Gonzalez. Part of that success is attributable to Garcon, who notched 64 yards and a TD in week 3's romp over the Cardinals. Garcon is a highly athletic wideout with possession and deep threat potential. He has a nice matchup vs. Seattle in week 4 and will likely contest for a permanent starting role if his outstanding play continues while Gonzalez rehabs.
• Mike Sims-Walker - Jacksonville - 36% owned: Many owners have already gone to the wire and snagged Sims-Walker. His 187 yards receiving in the past two weeks have firmly established him as David Garrard's weapon of choice. He represents a rare opportunity to grab a team's #1 wideout off the wire. Especially during a week when the Jags will face Tennesee's porous pass D. Act accordingly.
• Nate Washington - Tennesee - 25% owned: Acquired from Pittsburgh during the off season to provide a provide a deep threat for Kerry Collins, Washington's value plummeted when he was injured during the pre-season. Now he appears healthy and has snagged a TD in each of the last two games. His performance will likely continue to improve throughout the seasons as he builds rapport with Collins, and he presents an exceptional value for a bye week fill-in or replacement for an underperforming or injured draft acquisition (e.g. Eddie Royal or Anthony Gonzalez).
  

TE

• Anthony Fasano - Miami - 31% owned: Coming off a miserable game, where Fasano's only real contributions were his two fumbles, the Miami TE is not a popular individual. But the loss of Chad Pennington, may be enough of a shock to the Miami system to make Fasano productive again. After a stellar 2008 campaign, the potential for Fasano's resurgence under Chad Henne presents a high risk/reward opportunity.
• Kevin Boss - New York - 44% owned: With the emergence of multiple talented WR sleepers in the Giants offense, Boss has been relegated primarily to blocking duty. However, New York's week 4 matchup against the pathetic Chiefs could result in lots of looks during play-it-safe garbage time.
  
• Bejamin Watson - New England - 45% owned: Watson created some major buzz for himself after catching two TD's in New England's week 1 comeback over Buffalo. Since then he has been quiet. However, Baltimore's defensive powerhouse may force Tom Brady to look for Watson frequently as checkdown option in New Enland's week 4 matchup. I would like to see at least one more solid game out of Watson before recommending him as a roster mainstay. But for bye week purposes, he's a nice option if available in your league.

IDI Fantasy All-Stars

There was so much interest in fantasy football at IDI this year, Crusty and I were forced to create an entirely new league. With 10 owners in each league, we now have IDI Fantasy All-Stars I (IFAS I) and IDI Fantasy All-Stars II (IFAS II). In an effort to give some visibility into what's happening in both leagues, I will be posting the weekly results and standings for both IFAS leagues here on Roughing the Passer.

RTP Reboot '09

Last season's attempt to start my own fantasy football site was a partial success. It gave me a forum to write about fantasy, but the scope may have been overly ambitious. So this season I will be focusing on more frequent blog posts, trying to add authors to the RTP roster and providing a home for the IDI Fantasy All-Stars (more on that later). Here we go again...

D-Lo Knows How to Finish

The team that I handed off to my girlfriend at the beginning of the season was looking pretty heading into MNF in the first week of the playoffs. She was up by 4 with DeAngelo Williams to play. Her opponent had Antonio Bryant. D-Lo has been on fire lately and Bryant just didn't look that scary. I didn't turn the game on the 3rd quarter. When I did, Emily's team was in trouble. Bryant was having a career night, D-Lo had only 43 yards on the ground and Jonathan Stewart had gotten the only rushing score. During the remainder of the 3rd quarter, Bryant continued racking up receiving yards, but D-Lo also got rolling. In fact, Williams carried Carolina all the way to the goal line so that Stewart could punch it in with 12:21 to go.

At this point, Emily is down 9 and I'm worried. Particularly with Stewart getting the goal line carries. But with 8:30 to go, Williams wraps up a nice drive with a 16 yard TD scamper. Emily is up by 1 and Carolina leads 23-31.

On the following drive, Bryant grabs a 15 yard pass and pulls the fantasy score even at 91 apiece. With 2:29 remaining, Garcia throws a strike that Bryant snags in the end zone with one of the most ridiculous one-handed catches of the year. Fantasy score 91 - 99. Not looking good.

On what will likely be Carolina's last drive, I'm looking at the field and wondering if D-Lo rips off a TD run, are there enough yards left to regain the lead. Turns out that yes, there are. Williams broke right and evaded a couple tackles for a 36 yard TD. Fantasy score 101-99. Tampa was shut down on the their final drive, and that was the ball game.

What really struck me is in the middle of the Williams' final run, I realized that he should kneel at the 1. Given the score, the right move was to run out the clock in the red zone. The smart football play was the same one that caused Westbrook owners to rise up in rage and disgust when he pulled that stunt last year. But DeAngelo Williams is NOT Brian Westbrook. And as a result, there are a lot of grateful fantasy owners out there.

Bye Week Replacements - Week 8

With Chicago, Denver, Minnesota and Green Bay out of action this week, there are a lot of roster holes to be filled. It's Friday and if you're struggling, here are a few largely unowned (according to Yahoo! statistics) players at each offensive position:

QB

• J.T. O'Sullivan - San Francisco - 49% owned: I've picked on the Seattle D the past few weeks. But then again, so have opposing quarterbacks. Look for JTO to drop a couple bombs against a sorry looking Seahawks secondary.
  
• Kerry Collins - Tennessee - 15% owned: Despite being 6-0, owners aren't showing Collins much love. And while you don't want a guy of this vintage as your starting QB every week, this week's matchup against the highly inconsistent Colts makes him a good desperation play if more appealing options like JTO and Matt Cassel have been claimed.

RB

• BenJarvus Green-Ellis - New England - 11% owned: Do I like Green-Ellis's running style? No. Did he look effective in the second half against Denver last weekend? Not really. Why is he here? Because you aren't going to find a less frequently owned starter anywhere else this week. The man of too many names will likely cede third down and receiving snaps to Kevin Faulk, but will still get enough of a workload to fill in for a bye week.
  
• Mewelde Moore - Pittsburgh - 49% owned: With the return of Willie Parker imminent, many of the folks who benefited from Moore's fantasy fiesta last week returned him to the scrap heap. That may have been premature. Parker was returned to Pittsburgh's injury report on Thursday. And even if this is a precautionary measure, Moore played so well last weekend, he will likely steal carries from a healthy Parker.

WR

• Kevin Curtis - Philadelphia - 57% owned: Due to Reggie Brown's ongoing injury issues, this week the Eagles name Curtis and DeSean Jackson as their starting wideouts. The market has been slow to react and the chances Curtis is available in your league is slightly less than 50/50. McNabb has been throwing well this season and if Curtis stays healthy, he may be a permanent add.
  
• Donnie Avery - St. Louis - 17% owned: Apparently a lot of owners missed Avery's coming out party against the Cowboys last week. Apart from his terrible end zone dance moves, everything else Avery did suggests he will be a major part of the resurgent Rams' offense. Avery is another guy that may be a permanent add if his production remains solid.
• HEADS UP PLAY. Steve Breaston - Arizona - 51% owned: A lot of owners have dropped Breaston on word of Anquan Boldin's return. But given Boldin's very recent receipt of medical clearance, and the extent of the injury (required 8 facial plates and having his jaw wired), he will likely be a game-time decision this week. If Q is out, look for Breaston to have another solid outing.
  

TE

• John Carlson - Seattle - 46% owned: After being completely left out of the game plan in week 5, the Seahawks have been conscientious about getting Carlson the ball. And with Matt Hasselbeck out, Carlson is proving to be a favorite checkdown and short yardage option for struggling backups.
• Zach Miller - Oakland - 38% owned: At Baltimore this week, Jamarcus Russell likely won't have many big play opportunities. Look for him to focus the passing game on the slot and to key on Miller for short gains.

K

• Ok, my bad on the Carney call last week. Tynes wasn't ready to come back and shoulder the load of the 6-10 plays per game his talents are actually required.
  
• You got an apology for Carney, but you're still not getting a kicker recommendation. Anyone with an "FA" indicator next to their name will suffice.

D/ST

• New York Jets - 67% owned: I realize that 2/3 of leagues have already wised up to the fact that anybody playing Kansas City is the matchup of the week. However, I'm still throwing it out there in the event you'r in the 1/3 of leagues where this creampuff is still available.
• Buffalo - 33% owned: If last weekend's game at Baltimore is any indicator, opposing D's have figured out Miami's Wildcat offense. So long as Buffalo operates on the continuation of that theme, they could completely shut down the Dolphins.
  

Cleveland: We Do Our Best to Be The Worst

ESPN.com reported this evening that the Cleveland Browns have decided to suspend TE Kellen Winslow for one game following his harsh remarks about the way the team, and GM Phil Savage in particular, handled his recent hospitalization for a staph infection.

I'm not going to speculate about how this may be the most fascist management call of the 2008 season. But I am going to suggest that this may be the most boneheaded management call of the 2008 season. Despite the offensive explosion the Browns demonstrated against the Giants, they have since returned to their previously sub-par play. And now at 2-4, Cleveland needs to rediscover that explosive element immediately, or their promising season may be lost.

So if the goal is getting back to .500, why would you bench a guy like Winslow for anything short of a felony? The Browns have made it clear that Phil Savage's vanity is more important to them than fielding the best possible team. Fans and fantasy owners alike should take note.

Week 7 - Early Game Wrapup

Notes and observations from today's early games:

• The Cowboys are in TROUBLE - You can try and pin today's 34-7 beatdown at the hands of the Rams on Brad Johnson, but this losing effort belongs to the entire team. Getting Romo back may help things, but the magic has officially worn off in Big D.
• Steven Jackson put an exclamation point on his comeback when he ran for 160 yards and three scores today. Jackson has been improving rapidly over the past three outings and unless you need to replace your entire roster to try and make the playoffs, you don't sell him at any price.
• Buffalo is the real deal? With Trent Edwards back under center, everybody did their job against the increasingly slow looking Chargers today. Edwards was good for 261 yds passing and a TD strike to Lee Evans. Marshawn Lynch had 92 YFS and a score. If you're a worried owner with a lot of Cowboys, the Bills skill players may be good trade targets.
• Paging Dr. Drew. Has anyone seen Drew Brees? The #1 statistical QB in the NFL didn't show up for today's game against the hot and cold Panthers. The imposter in the Brees jersey put up 231 yards, a pick and no TD's. This is the kind of line that isn't too bad if the running game is clicking. It was not. Aside from Brees owners, the real victims today were all those folks who started Marques Colston, expecting an immediate fantasy payoff after holding him on the bench for the past six weeks. They were sorely disappointed when Colston did not have a single reception.
• Carolina was rolling this week, so expect them to lay down and get destroyed by Arizona next weekend. Williams and Stewart ended with nearly identical lines and both had a score. So it looks as though both players will be serviceable RB2 or flex options down the stretch. Steve Smith's performance (122 yds and a TD) was yet another reason he's the only Carolina receiver I want to own.
  
• Tennesee is living large. And I'm not just talking about Lendale White. The quietly unbeaten Titans racked up 332 rushing yards today against the lowly Chiefs. Both White and Chris Johnson are worthy acquisitions if you're trying to improve your RB depth. Side note from this game: Brodie Croyle went down with a knee injury that is likly season ending. Raise your hand if this seriously affects your fantasy situation. Nobody?
• Minnesota at Chicago. Who saw that one turning into a fantasy feast? AP had his first truly Petersonian game of the season with 121 yards rushing, 2 scores and no fumbles. Kyle Orton continues to look more and more like a real starting quarterback. If you're in QB trouble and Orton is available, pick him up. On the other side of the ball, Gus Frerotte would have had a veyr nice day (295 yds passing and 2 TD's) if weren't for the 4, count'em, 4 interceptions. Frerotte is definitely an upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson for the Vikings, but it's unlikely he's an upgrade over whoever you're starting now for fantasy purposes.
  
• I, like a lot of people, thought the Giants would come back from last week's embarassing loss to the Browns by laying the smack down on the 49'ers. So it was surprising when the 49'ers hung tough and kept the game competitive. I'm not suggesting that the Giants are in trouble the same way Dallas is in trouble, but their initial run of dominance may be over.
• If you picked up Mewelde Moore as a bye week plugin, yeah, I called that one. 134 YFS and 3 scores made Moore one of the most valuable RB's of the weekend (and the afternoon games are just getting underway). And Roethlisberger made his whole receiving corps look good while thrashing the Bengals. But Santonio Holmes' continuing lack of TD production is troubling.