| NFL Waiver Wire Wonders: Week Nine |
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My grandma is addicted to weather forecasts. She watches them from ten days out, always updating the entire family on when it is going to rain, or what temperature it is expected to be. Unfortunately my grandma never gets out of the house to verify whether the information she received is accurate, which means she assumes the weather man was right every single time. I take her lunch almost every day, usually jogging over or riding my bike on days where it is 80 degrees and sunny, only to receive her astonishment over the fact that I went out in shorts when it was 50 degrees outside (because the weather man said it, so it has to be true). There’s no convincing her that the weather man might have been wrong. Despite the fact that I have been outside to actually verify the weather, when I tell her that it’s actually 80 and sunny outside, she tells me that I’m wrong, and that the weather man said it would be really cold. All day yesterday I heard about how it would be snowing here today, with temperatures below 40 degrees all day. That’s kind of a bummer, because I hate cold weather, and I hate snow. There’s no benefit to snow when you’re an adult. When you were a kid it got you out of school. When you were in college the chance of snow gave you an excuse to stay up all night playing online poker with your roommate instead of writing your term paper (and then skipping class the next day to write that paper when the snow never came). As an adult snow means that you have to clean off your car and shovel the driveway before everything turns to ice. (Insert my wife’s comment here about how I work at home and don’t have to drive to work, so how can I complain about cleaning off the car?) Well it didn’t snow today. In fact, it’s kind of nice outside today, sunny, and probably 55 to 60 degrees, which is extremely warm when you’re in the mindset of 30-40 degrees. Since it is kind of nice, I’m probably going to take a run over to my grandmas today, only to receive her shock that I went out in all of this snow. This kind of pleasant surprise is the same surprise that you get with a waiver wire breakout. A player isn’t expected to do much but dump a whole lot of snow on your fantasy team that week. When Sunday rolls around that player breaks out for a warm and sunny 163 yards and a touchdown (I’m looking at you, Donnie Avery). It gives you a new lease on life. You might take your team for a run to the playoffs with the bright weather that your unexpected waiver wire player brings. Because I want to carry this article’s motivation over in to actual running outside today, rather than staying inside and playing Madden, let’s check out this week’s Waiver Wire Wonders and see what AccuScore has forecasted for your team this week. E-mail your fantasy questions to Tim Williams and check back Friday for his answers in The Truth About Week Nine. Quarterbacks Marc Bulger – Bulger hasn’t been torching any defenses in the last few games, but he also hasn’t been making many mistakes. In the last two weeks he has combined for 464 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, scoring double digit points each week. The emergence of Donnie Avery has made Bulger a decent number two quarterback this week, throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown in AccuScore simulations. He’s perfect for owners of Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Jeff Garcia – Garcia takes on the Chiefs this week, with AccuScore projecting 226 passing yards and a touchdown. That’s about what you can expect from Garcia on a weekly basis. He’s not going to pile on the points each week, but he’s a solid ten to fifteen points a week option, which is great if you have boom or bust players like Lee Evans or Steve Slaton on your roster. Chad Pennington – Pennington has averaged 15 points per week over the last four weeks, topping 275 yards three times, and throwing for at least one touchdown in every game. This week he plays the Broncos, and AccuScore simulations have him ranked as the eighth best quarterback option, throwing for 235 yards and a touchdown. Running Backs Leon Washington – Washington is the poor man’s Reggie Bush. He’s not going to be a 20-30 carry a game running back, but he’s good for a long run each game, a few receptions, and a good chance at a touchdown each week. He’s a great flex option, especially this week where AccuScore simulations have him scoring a touchdown in a third of simulations. Kevin Faulk – With almost everyone in the Patriots backfield banged up, Kevin Faulk saw a lot of action last week, running for 60 yards on 13 carries, and adding four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. I like him and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, especially this week against the Colts. It appears that Faulk will be getting the primary work load, but I’d take a risk on either one if only one is available to you. Mewelde Moore – Until I see Willie Parker on the field playing a game, I’m holding on to Moore. As the primary running back in Pittsburgh, Moore becomes a must start until Parker returns. He’s averaged a little more than 18 points a game in his last three starts, finding the end zone four times in his last two games. Even when Parker returns I’d stash Moore in anticipation of another injury, or divided playing time. Deuce McAllister – With Reggie Bush injured, Deuce becomes the top guy to own in New Orleans. He carried the ball 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown last week, adding four receptions for 30 yards. He’s a great flex option, and a decent number two running back until Bush returns. Cedric Benson – Benson hasn’t done much to impress (and that statement covers his whole career), but he does have 101 yards on 27 carries in the last two weeks. The Bengals have a horrible defense, which means their offense will be playing from behind a lot, leaving little chance for Benson to rack up the carries. He’s no better than a bye week replacement or a flex option, especially with a brutal schedule ahead that includes Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. Wide Receivers Donnie Avery – Avery has found the end zone in each of the last two weeks, and exploded for 163 yards against the Patriots last week. He’s a great start against the Cardinals this week, and has a great schedule down the stretch against the Jets, 49ers, Dolphins, Bears, and the Cardinals once again. AccuScore simulations have him ranked as the 11th best wide receiver this week. Ted Ginn Jr – I’m buying the big performance from Ginn Jr last week. In the last five games he’s only caught less than four passes on one occasion. He hasn’t piled on the yardage like we saw last week, but he’s certainly capable of it. He’s been getting the receptions all along, and it was only a matter of time before we saw that type of break out week from him. His next few weeks against Denver, Seattle, Oakland, New England, and St. Louis should make him a great sleeper down the stretch. Matt Jones – Jones is finally producing, with 15 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. Unfortunately his three game suspension will probably be kicking in soon, which means he probably will miss those juicy matchups against Cincinnati and Detroit the next two weeks. Reggie Williams – Williams finally caught his first touchdown of the season last week, after being a touchdown machine last season. With Jones expected to be out for the next three weeks, look to Williams as a sleeper option, especially against the Bengals and Lions in the next two weeks. AccuScore simulations have him finding the end zone in a third of simulations this week. Kevin Walter – Walter broke out for another big two touchdown performance last week against the Bengals. He’s a good receiver with a lot of potential, but unfortunately there’s too many options in Houston. Between Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Steve Slaton, and Kevin Walter, not every player will have a great outing each week. While Johnson and Slaton are reliable, Walter is hit or miss, with two big games, one average game, and two bad games in the last five weeks. Lance Moore – I’m a big fan of Moore, especially with Marques Colston back in the lineup. He showed what he was capable of last week with six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Saints are on a bye this week, but expect more good things from Moore in week ten against the Falcons. Tight Ends Zach Miller – Miller remains one of the favorite targets of JaMarcus Russell, catching two passes last week for 56 yards. Miller has caught 14 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown in his last four games. AccuScore simulations rank him as the eighth best tight end this week against the Falcons. Greg Olsen – Olsen returns from his bye week with a great matchup against the Lions, after combining for 34 points over the last four games. AccuScore simulations have Olsen as the ninth best tight end option this week, but I like him a lot more than that, ranking him at least fifth. Bo Scaife – Scaife had a big game Monday night with five catches for 44 yards. It was the third game in a row that he caught for at least 40 yards, and the fifth game in a row that he caught at least three passes. He’s a good bye week replacement, or a decent starter if the tight end supply in your league is depleted. Defense/Special Teams Indianapolis – The Colts have allowed a total of 65 points the last two weeks, with no turnovers. This week AccuScore simulations have them as the number four fantasy option against the Patriots, allowing 17 points with four sacks and two turnovers. Arizona – The Cardinals have been hit or miss this year, but expect good things against the Rams. I like Bulger and Avery this week, but that doesn’t mean the Cardinals defense won’t get their points too. AccuScore simulations have Arizona sacking Bulger four times and forcing at least one turnover, ranking as the eighth best defensive unit this week. Trackback(0)
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twilliams
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According to AccuScore simulations, the two running backs are about equal, although Parker gives you an advantage in week 10 by eight points, and in week 12 by six points. I'm guessing you play a flex spot, so you don't need both Grant and Houshmandzadeh. You're getting an upgrade where it matters, and even if it's just for two weeks, that's worth it, as that could lead to two wins. As for the RBs, I'd rank them Slaton, Parker, Grant. Now just do me a favor and call for some warm weather. |
the weather man
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Despite you badmouthing us weathermen Tim, you happen to be an excellent fantasy man yourself. Tell me what you think about this trade...i give ryan grant and tj houshmanzada for willie parker. My other rb's are adrian peterson and steve slaton and my other w.r. are lee evens and anquan boldin. Also how would you rank from now to the end of the season these running backs: ryan grant, steve slaton, willie parker. Thanks!! p.s. forecast for tomorrow...43 low-59 high partly cloudy.  |
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