Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Week 3 Waiver Wire Possibilities

QB:

J.T. O'Sullivan - You should have been watching him all along after he won the SF job simply because he's a QB playing in a Mike Martz run offense, and now he's posted the first of what should be several 300 yard passing games. He's a great fit for Martz's offense as Martz seems to look for things that most offensive minds don't in their QBs. That's the only explanation for why he's made stars out of prevous nobodies like Trent Green, Kurt Warner, and Marc Bulger. He's going to be in a pass-first offense, with a great RB behind him and a receiving group that Martz mostly put together in the offseason. Check out your starter's bye week and see if O'Sullivan has a favorable matchup that week.

Trent Edwards - I'll mention him one more time. He's a good, smart QB that has an excellent primary target in Lee Evans, a solid running game, and the return of All-Pro Jason Peters to protect his blind-side. Like I said before, he's not going to post big numbers, but he'll be efficient and avoid a real stinker game in what's shaping up to be a solid offense for Buffalo.

Brian Griese - A watch candidate. Griese has taken over as the starter for TB, and he posted his best run as a starter in Gruden's TB offense back in 2004. TB doesn't have any top shelf talent at WR, but Gruden manages to make things work, and both Graham and Dunn are capable receivers out of the backfield. Just someone to keep an eye on over the next couple weeks.

Brady Quinn - By no means am I suggesting to go pick him up right now, but that's two bad games in a row for Derek Anderson, and more importantly, 2 losses in a row for Cleveland. Quinn will have the weapons to make him a QB2 at worst should he take over, so keep him on your watch list for now to see how Anderson performs the next couple weeks.

RB:

Darren Sproles - Sproles only played when LT was out of the game having his toe looked at, but he exploded for 53 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards, and 1 TD in the wake of LT's absence. Now there's absolutely no reason LT owners shouldn't already own him, but he's an excellent speculation candidate on the bench of any team. SD's offense is going to be strong with or without LT, and without LT means with Sproles. Extra value in PPR leagues.

Michael Bush - As the injuries mouted up in the Oakland backfield with Fargas going down with a potentially serious groin injury and McFadden leaving early with a case of turf toe, Michael Bush exploded for 16 carries, 90 yards, and a TD. A broken leg during his senior year at Louisville tumbled his draft stock, but Bush remains a very good talent as a quick footed, solid receiving back at the imposing size of 6'1, 245 lbs. Assuming Fargas suffered a serious injury (he was injured without getting hit, and was carted off), McFadden will start, but we all know turf toes are very trick. Bush is worth grabbing to see what happens to McFadden this week.

Tim Hightower - 2 weeks, 2 TDs. He's not getting a lot of touches as Edge remains the primary RB, but he's in on the money downs (passing, goal line), and he's be an every down RB should Edge get hurt. Edge has been remarkably durable over his career, but there's absolutely no reason that Hightower should be a free agent given his upside should an injury befall Edge.

Fred Jackson - Jackson has re-emerged as the 3rd down RB for the Bills, and he racked up 90 receiving yards with some nifty footwork after the catch. I don't see him as a primary RB should anything happen to Lynch, but he's valuable insurance for Lynch owners as he would pick up enough touches to at least consider using.

LaMont Jordan - After Maroney left injured, it was Jordan, and not Morris who dominated carries in the 2nd half of the Patriots game. Given the uncertain nature of Maroney's injury (he did return) and the Denver-like situation brewing here, don't bother with Jordan, but do keep him in mind.

WR:

Justin Gage - Gage posted 59 yards and a TD with Collins behind center. Collins unquestionably raises the fantasy value of the Titans WRs, but they still remain an uninspiring bunch. Gage should be the best of them, but that's really no better than WR3 material only in the most ideal matchups.

Brandon Lloyd - Lloyd looks to be emerging as Orton's primary target, but on the Bears passing attack, that's like being the 4th WR on a great passing attack. I'd pass, but don't completely forget about him.

Robert Meachem - Watch list candidate. Meachem posted a TD in his one and only catch. With Colston sidelined for likely another 5 games, Meachem could carve out some fantasy value and he is easily the most physically talented of the Saints WRs. Keep a close eye on him.

TE:

John Carlson - Amazingly enough after the breakout performances of TEs Donte Rosario and Anthony Fasano in week 1, it was the rookie John Carlson who improved while the other 2 disappeared. With all the WR injures in Seattle, Hasselbeck is out of BFFs to toss the pigskin with, but he is quickly developing trust in Carlson. Seattle praises his all-around ability at TE, and with 130 yards in his first two games, he needs to be rostered. Hasselbeck trusts him, and Seattle's offense has always had the ability to produce a TE1.

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