Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Waiver Wire - Week 9 - Updated

November 2, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Ryan Dodson

QUARTERBACKS

Damon Huard, Kansas City Chiefs - Huard's numbers continue to be overlooked in fantasy leagues. Sunday it didn't appear as if he'd be able to start, but he toughed it out and threw for 312 yards and one touchdown without a pick. In the last four games he has passed for 249 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game. He has thrown one interception in that time. Tight end Tony Gonzalez and wideouts Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker form solid targets. Running back Larry Johnson takes off the pressure, and he has been known to take a pass and rumble to the end zone as well. With starter Trent Green (concussion) out until at least mid-November, Huard simply can't be ignored. He is still available in 61 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens - Two weeks ago the Ravens and offensive coordinator Jim Fassel parted ways, and head coach Brian Billick promised that the offense would look to go down the field more. Sunday McNair directed that attack, which saw him throw for two touchdowns and run for another versus the New Orleans Saints. Before that game he had only accounted for five scores all year (all through the air). Does Billick have the answer? McNair has a solid corps, with tight end Todd Heap and wide receiver Derrick Mason headlining. Baltimore's defense helped by giving the offense the short field a couple of times and adding a couple of touchdowns of its own. With new direction, McNair and the offense may also have new life. McNair is available in 43 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

RUNNING BACKS

KFFL NOTE: Since running backs are extremely valuable, you should not waste time debating whether one should be acquired or just watched. We strongly suggest grabbing a particular back immediately before somebody else does.

Wali Lundy, Houston Texans - Some fantasy leaguers were skeptical of Lundy's surprise performance (108 total yards and one score) versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. He sliced through the Tennessee Titans for 149 more total yards. Back-to-back mouthwatering outings should convince any doubters that Lundy is worth the shot now. With running backs being such valuable commodities, you shouldn't have waited last week. For those with the second chance, don't wait any longer. Lundy is still available in 19 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Cedric Benson - Lately we've received many questions concerning the worth of Benson. "Should I drop him?" or "Is he worth grabbing?" about sum it up. Sunday he proved that the answers are "No" and "Yes" Respectively. KFFL learned that the Bears wanted to get Benson involved versus the San Francisco 49ers earlier than usual. The result: 29 total yards and a touchdown. They may continue to use him earlier in the game. Chicago's offense is often building large leads, and the defense is often giving them the ball back. They can't give it starting back Thomas Jones all the time. Something else to note: Benson has averaged nearly 12 touches per game at home, while getting just 6.5 per game on the road. Keep that in mind for future matchups. Benson is available in 25 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

NEW - Chris Perry, Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals activated Perry from the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list as soon as they could. One reason is they were hurting at wideout, and he can help there a bit. Another is that he's just a pretty good player. In his two games back from an ankle injury, Perry has averaged two carries and 7.5 yards per game. He has also caught 2.5 passes for 19 yards per game in that time. As his touches increase (currently five utilizations per game, 7.5 percent, in that time), he should come closer to being the player that put up 45 total yards per game and caught 51 passes last year. Those in points-per-reception leagues shouldn't wait to grab him. He is currently available in 76 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders - Running back LaMont Jordan was a first-round pick for most owners, but now he may not even be the most valuable back on his team. Jordan (back) isn't completely healthy right now, so that hasn't helped. Fargas hasn't helped anyone either, except himself. In what is becoming a committee situation in Oakland, Fargas has averaged 61 rushing yards per game, which leads the team for that timeframe. Sunday he trudged through the Pittsburgh Steelers defense for 55 yards on 18 carries. The Raiders like his speed, and with Jordan ailing, Fargas is the lead car on the team. He is available in 84 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Najeh Davenport, Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers imported Davenport to give them depth at the running back position and perhaps find the goal line back they were missing after the retirement of the Bus. Pittsburgh has slowly worked him in, but now his touches should increase noticeably. The team lost Verron Haynes (knee) for perhaps the remainder of the season after he suffered a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders. Davenport received work as the team's third-down back after that. Fantasy owners looking for a good back to build depth need look no further than Davenport. In the past four games he has averaged 2.3 utilizations per game in the red zone (20 percent) and one per game inside the 5. He has upside and is available in 73 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

WIDE RECEIVERS

Mike Furrey, Detroit Lions - If any fantasy owners in your league dumped Furrey during his bye so they could pick up another need, grab this guy. He plays in the high-flying offense styled by offensive coordinator Mike Martz. He also plays opposite wideout Roy Williams, which means he sees plenty of single coverage. In the past four weeks (three games) he has tallied five receptions for 63 yards and 0.33 scores per game. He's a great receiver to use when the matchup is right, and in many weeks besides. You can start with a fantastic one this week versus the Atlanta Falcons. Furrey is available in 30 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

NEW - Isaac Bruce, St. Louis Rams - Surprised to see Bruce's name here? He does only have one touchdown. What a disappointment he has been, eh? To average four catches and 58 yards per game in the past four weeks (three games), how can you stand it? The guy has only produced 4.6 catches and 70 yards per game for the season. Wait a minute, what are you thinking? That's solid production from your No. 3 wideout. The Rams are beginning to look like the Rams of old, going down the field more often. They can do that now that quarterback Marc Bulger has a grasp on head coach Scott Linehan's system and isn't too gun-shy. With wide receiver getting a lot of attention, Bruce should pick it up in the scoring department (he has a good chance this week versus the Kansas City Chiefs) and should not be available on any waiver wires. Amazingly he is still available in 15 percent of leagues polled. Don't make your league a statistic, if some owner dumped him hastily. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

NEW - Kevin Curtis, St. Louis Rams - If you want Bruce, why do you want Curtis, right? For the reason mentioned above (St. Louis going down the field, Holt drawing coverage) and the fact that Curtis appears to be healthy. He suffered a head injury a few weeks ago, so the team was hesitant to work him back into the mix. In the last four weeks (three games), though, he's been right in the thick of things. In that time he has averaged four catches, 51 yards and 0.67 touchdowns per game. Curtis is a speedy guy who can get open against nickel corners and the like. He could make a decent spot starter for your team. He is available in 87 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: LOOK TO ACQUIRE

Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals - This isn't the police blotter, otherwise Henry's name might appear more than once. Instead he comes recommended as a good pickup for fantasy owners, despite his baggage. When he's on the field, he has been dynamite (averages of four receptions, 65 yards and 0.8 touchdowns per game in his four games this year). Now back from suspension, look for him to continue to do damage. Sunday he caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. This week he takes on the Baltimore Ravens, who've allowed 238 yards and two touchdowns per game to the position since Week 5 (three games). Henry is talented enough to be your No. 3 in many weeks. He is available in 52 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Eddie Kennison, Kansas City Chiefs - Perhaps owners grow frustrated with Kennison's lack of consistency, or they jumped ship when quarterback Trent Green (concussion) went down in Week 1. Someone should be willing to toss Kennison a life preserver, because if you've paid attention, passer Damon Huard has done OK. In the last four games Kennison has averaged 3.8 catches, 69 yards and 0.3 touchdowns per game as a result. Sunday he caught six passes for 132 yards. In Week 7 he only put up 30 yards but also scored. It's not a surprise to many that Kennison should be owned, because many already do. They might be shocked that he's still available in 25 percent of leagues polled. though. Grab him and start reaping rewards right away, in Week 9 versus the St. Louis Rams. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Eric Parker, San Diego Chargers - Quarterback Philip Rivers, in his first year as a starter, is proving that he can run this offense every bit as well as his predecessor. In Parker's eyes, perhaps better. In the last four games Parker has consistently gotten the ball, averaging 4.5 receptions and 67 yards per game. He has yet to score this season, but that could come in due time. He leads the team's receivers in looks over the past four weeks, with 7.5 per game (11 percent). His matchup this week (versus the Cleveland Browns) isn't the most enticing, but Parker is developing into a solid No. 4 wideout with No. 3 or more capabilities in certain weeks. He is available in 64 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

TIGHT ENDS

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys - Sooner or later it was bound to happen. Quarterback Tony Romo would replace Drew Bledsoe under center and shuttle in the new era in Dallas. This much sooner? Not many saw it coming. If early returns are an indication, fantasy owners should be doing the jig. With Romo leading the charge (in only a game and a half) Witten has collected 12 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown (his first of the year). Romo has proven to be a huge boon to Witten's immediate value. What's shocking is that even before the switcharoo, Witten was losing favor with owners. He's still a solid tight end - and now he's one on rise. If someone in your league has dropped him, scoop him up, because he's still available in 18 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears - Notice to fantasy owners: the Bears pass a lot. It sounds weird when you said it out loud, but it's true, and most know it. Clark stays involved in the passing game, and sometimes he gets really involved. Sunday he caught six balls for 86 yards and two scores. He has had at least 61 yards in four of his seven games this year, along with his three touchdowns. Given the way that some of the bigger fantasy tight ends have disappointed so far, he shouldn't be available. Yet he can be found in 25 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

NEW - Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins - Here's another case of a guy who shouldn't remain on the free agent list anywhere. Just when owners were beginning to give up on him, Cooley showed signs of life. After three weeks, he hadn't had a game with more than 23 yards receiving. In Week 4 he had 70. In Week 6 he caught his first touchdown pass. In Week 7 he caught another, plus a two-point conversion pass. Now coming off the bye week, he has averaged 3.33 receptions, 37 yards and 0.67 scores per game. Sure, it's not the numbers you expected, but those numbers are better than the large majority of tight ends you could grab off the wire. Cooley should not be available in your league, yet he is available in 25 percent of those polled. If yours is one of them, change that. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

Owen Daniels, Tennessee Titans - Daniels, a rookie, is a top-10 fantasy tight end as it stands right now. That's right, top 10. He has 18 catches for 183 yards and five touchdowns this year. Sunday he caught nine passes for 99 yards and two scores. He's not strictly a touchdown junky; his numbers have gotten better as the season has progressed. In the past four weeks (three games) he has averaged 4.33 catches, 45 yards and one touchdown per game. In that time he is second on the team in targets (to wideout Andre Johnson, of course). Much of Daniels' production Sunday came when quarterback Sage Rosenfels entered the contest in relief of David Carr, who will return as the starter in Week 9. However, Carr has shown an affinity for passing to his tight ends (five touchdown passes to the position this year from him). Daniels is an up-and-comer and is worth grabbing. He is available in 67 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

PLACE KICKERS

Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City Chiefs - Tynes is almost a weekly fixture in the Waiver Wire page, and apparently he remains a fixture on many waiver wires. Tynes suffered through the debacle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, when he kicked only one extra point, but most weeks he has been a reliable performer. In the past four games (including the Pittsburgh one) Tynes has attempted 1.5 field goals and 2.5 extra points per game. He has scored 6.8 kicking points per game in that time. Without the Steelers game, he would be averaging two field goal attempts, three extra point attempts and 8.67 kicking points per game in that time. He is still available in 41 percent of leagues polled. KFFL Recommendation: ACQUIRE

ONE-WEEK PLAYS - PLACE KICKERS

Dave Rayner, Green Bay Packers - The Packers have been scoring a lot lately (25 points per game in the last three games). Rayner has been a beneficiary. He has averaged two field goal attempts and 3.33 extra point attempts in that time. When the Packers face a defense they can roll over, Rayner should keep getting his cracks. This week represents another case of that likelihood occurring. The Buffalo Bills, coming off a bye week, have allowed 2.33 field goal attempts and 3.33 extra point attempts per game to kickers in the past four weeks. For owners who like to play the matchups with the kickers, Rayner is a good choice this week - again, this time as a solid second-tier No. 1. He is available in 79 percent of leagues polled.

Jason Hanson, Detroit Lions - Hanson kicks for an offense that is often all or nothing. In four of his seven games this year he has attempted only one field goal, while in his last five games he has averaged 2.8 extra points per game. The offense certainly has the firepower to move the ball, it just usually moves it into the end zone. Hanson needs the right matchup to give fantasy owners reason to use him. That matchup should be this week. In the last four weeks (three games) the injury-depleted Atlanta Falcons defense has yielded 1.67 field goal attempts and 3.67 extra point attempts per game. Hanson is available in 72 percent of leagues polled. He could be a nice second-tier No. 1 in Week 9.

DEFENSIVE TEAMS

ONE-WEEK PLAYS - DEFENSIVE TEAMS

Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks are dropping like flies on offense, but on defense they've been lousy. Mostly they've been susceptible to the deep pass. In the past four weeks (three games) they have allowed 29 offensive points per game while notching 3.67 sacks, 1.33 fumble recoveries and a measly 0.33 interceptions per game. However, this unit still has talent, and they can put a hurting on a team with offensive woes like the Oakland Raiders. Since Week 5 that offense has scored 13 points per game while yielding four sacks, 1.3 fumble recoveries and 1.8 interceptions per game. Even in their two wins they have given up the ball way too often (2.5 turnovers per game). That offense is a sitting duck for the Seattle defense, which is available in 27 percent of leagues polled. Try using this unit as your No. 1 this week.

NEW - Washington Redskins - The Redskins defense, like the team as a whole, has performed below expectations this season. For fantasy purposes, this unit has been of little use. In the past four weeks (three games) Washington has allowed 26 offensive points per game while recording four sacks and absolutely no turnovers per game. Astonishing, isn't it? Teams can't give them the ball. Well, their recent opponents haven't. In Week 9, that could change. The Dallas Cowboys look like a promising unit with quarterback Tony Romo running things now. However, he is young, relatively inexperienced and is sure to make a mistake every now and then. In the past four weeks Dallas' offense has scored 26 points per game while giving up 4.3 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and two interceptions per game to the opposing defense. That could mean a turnover or two for the Redskins, which makes them a strong play as a low-end No. 1 defense this week. That unit is available in 63 percent of leagues polled.

Green Bay Packers - This unit still has too many questions to be an every-week fantasy performer. However the Packers have hit a stretch of games where the opponents just can't seem to keep from helping the other team. Week 9 is no exception when Green Bay visits the Buffalo Bills and their turnover machine at quarterback, J.P. Losman. In the last four weeks (three games) the Bills have scored just 10 points per game while allowed 3.33 sacks, two interceptions and 1.67 fumble recoveries per game on offense. The opportunistic Packers have allowed 20 offensive points and have recorded 3.33 sacks and 1.33 interceptions per game in that time. They could serve you well as a third-tier No. 1 defense this week. Green Bay is available in 87 percent of leagues polled.