Post by The President on Oct 4, 2006 7:47:19 GMT -5
swsl.football.sportsline.com/news/9702756
Playing the Waiver Wire: Mark-ed man
Oct. 3, 2006
Jamey Eisenberg
Senior Fantasy Writer
Tell Jamey your opinion
Washington's Mark Brunell made a statement with his play the past two weeks. The 36-year-old veteran showed he can still be considered a good Fantasy quarterback.
After starting the season with two miserable performances against Minnesota and Dallas, Brunell has come on strong. It started in Week 3 against Houston, when Brunell was 24-of-27 passing for 261 yards and a touchdown. Since it was the Texans, no one gave Brunell much credit.
But his performance against Jacksonville in Week 4 was astonishing. He was 18-of-30 passing for 329 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 36-30 overtime win. Despite a banged-up elbow, Brunell ripped apart a very solid Jaguars defense. He finally connected with wide receiver Santana Moss in the end zone, and Brunell looks in total control of the offense. Brunell threw mostly short passes against the Texans, but he took more chances downfield against the Jaguars, recording completions of 68, 55, 34, 33 and 23 yards.
"Things are coming together for us," Brunell said after Sunday's game. "Hopefully, we can keep it going. The guys are getting more comfortable with what kind of team we want to be on offense."
While it helps that Brunell started doing this with running back Clinton Portis' return from a shoulder injury, the Redskins are clicking, and it's time to grab Brunell now. Surprisingly, he is only owned in 43 percent of leagues on CBS SportsLine.
The Redskins have two favorable matchups for Brunell in the next two weeks, playing at the New York Giants in Week 5 and vs. Tennessee in Week 6. He can be useful in the short term, but he also has long-term value. Brunell isn't alone in surprising quarterbacks on the market. Cleveland's Charlie Frye also has come on the past two weeks with solid games against Baltimore and Oakland.
In Week 3 against the Ravens, Frye was 21-of-33 passing for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In Week 4 against the Raiders, Frye was 22-of-32 passing for 192 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Since tight end Kellen Winslow complained about opening up the offense, Frye has delivered. And he is only owned in 45 percent of leagues.
The Browns play at Carolina in Week 5, so Frye might not be the best option this week, but he could be useful as the season continues.
If you're in the market for a quarterback for Week 5 only with Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle and Houston on a bye, look no further than Kansas City backup Damon Huard. Yes, Damon Huard.
With Trent Green out again with a concussion, Huard has a good matchup in Week 5 at Arizona. In Week 4 against San Francisco, Huard was 18-of-23 passing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. And he is owned in only 7 percent of leagues.
Each Tuesday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBS SportsLine leagues.
Add 'Em
Reggie Williams, WR, Jacksonville
Owned: 61 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns against Washington.
Analysis: Williams has now caught 21 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has become quarterback Byron Leftwich's favorite receiver. Through the first three games, Williams was thrown at more times (24) than Cincinnati's Chad Johnson (21), Plaxico Burress (21) of the Giants and Washington's Santana Moss (16), to name a few.
Doug Gabriel, WR, New England
Owned: 42 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Four catches for 57 yards and one touchdown against Cincinnati.
Analysis: Gabriel has become quarterback Tom Brady's favorite receiver the past two weeks. Last week against Denver, Gabriel had six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. With the Patriots in need of a go-to receiver, Gabriel could be the guy, which is why he was acquired from Oakland.
Avoid 'Em
Peerless Price, WR, Buffalo
Owned: 8 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota.
Analysis: Last week it was Roscoe Parrish with a breakout game, this week it's Price. The Bills receivers are just not reliable right now to be considered good Fantasy options outside of Lee Evans. For the season, Price has 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Justin Fargas, RB, Oakland
Owned: 2 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Three carries for 54 yards and no touchdowns against Cleveland.
Analysis: Fargas is a good change-of-pace back for the Raiders in reserve of starter LaMont Jordan, but he is not getting enough carries to be considered a useful Fantasy option. Unless Jordan gets injured, Fargas is not worth owning.
Others to monitor ...
Leon Washington, RB, New York Jets
Owned: 11 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Nine carries for 33 yards and no touchdowns against Indianapolis.
Analysis: Kevan Barlow is the starter for the Jets, but they used Cedric Houston and Washington against the Colts and continue to go with a running back by committee. Houston left the game with a knee injury, which means Washington could have value if he continues to get more carries.
Mike Furrey, WR, Detroit
Owned: 7 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns against St. Louis.
Analysis: Furrey has become the No. 2 wide receiver in Detroit behind Roy Williams. For the season, Furrey has 22 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He has developed a nice rapport with quarterback Jon Kitna and could be counted on when the matchup is right.
Marcus Robinson, WR, Minnesota
Owned: 8 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 78 yards and one touchdown against Buffalo.
Analysis: Robinson scored a touchdown in Week 1 and then was injured for the next two weeks. The Vikings have no clear No. 1 wide receiver with Troy Williamson still developing, and Robinson could be the guy quarterback Brad Johnson looks for. Robinson has scored two of the three Vikings offensive touchdowns this season.
You can e-mail your Fantasy Football questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Waiver Wire in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
Playing the Waiver Wire: Mark-ed man
Oct. 3, 2006
Jamey Eisenberg
Senior Fantasy Writer
Tell Jamey your opinion
Washington's Mark Brunell made a statement with his play the past two weeks. The 36-year-old veteran showed he can still be considered a good Fantasy quarterback.
After starting the season with two miserable performances against Minnesota and Dallas, Brunell has come on strong. It started in Week 3 against Houston, when Brunell was 24-of-27 passing for 261 yards and a touchdown. Since it was the Texans, no one gave Brunell much credit.
But his performance against Jacksonville in Week 4 was astonishing. He was 18-of-30 passing for 329 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 36-30 overtime win. Despite a banged-up elbow, Brunell ripped apart a very solid Jaguars defense. He finally connected with wide receiver Santana Moss in the end zone, and Brunell looks in total control of the offense. Brunell threw mostly short passes against the Texans, but he took more chances downfield against the Jaguars, recording completions of 68, 55, 34, 33 and 23 yards.
"Things are coming together for us," Brunell said after Sunday's game. "Hopefully, we can keep it going. The guys are getting more comfortable with what kind of team we want to be on offense."
While it helps that Brunell started doing this with running back Clinton Portis' return from a shoulder injury, the Redskins are clicking, and it's time to grab Brunell now. Surprisingly, he is only owned in 43 percent of leagues on CBS SportsLine.
The Redskins have two favorable matchups for Brunell in the next two weeks, playing at the New York Giants in Week 5 and vs. Tennessee in Week 6. He can be useful in the short term, but he also has long-term value. Brunell isn't alone in surprising quarterbacks on the market. Cleveland's Charlie Frye also has come on the past two weeks with solid games against Baltimore and Oakland.
In Week 3 against the Ravens, Frye was 21-of-33 passing for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In Week 4 against the Raiders, Frye was 22-of-32 passing for 192 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Since tight end Kellen Winslow complained about opening up the offense, Frye has delivered. And he is only owned in 45 percent of leagues.
The Browns play at Carolina in Week 5, so Frye might not be the best option this week, but he could be useful as the season continues.
If you're in the market for a quarterback for Week 5 only with Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle and Houston on a bye, look no further than Kansas City backup Damon Huard. Yes, Damon Huard.
With Trent Green out again with a concussion, Huard has a good matchup in Week 5 at Arizona. In Week 4 against San Francisco, Huard was 18-of-23 passing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. And he is owned in only 7 percent of leagues.
Each Tuesday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBS SportsLine leagues.
Add 'Em
Reggie Williams, WR, Jacksonville
Owned: 61 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns against Washington.
Analysis: Williams has now caught 21 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has become quarterback Byron Leftwich's favorite receiver. Through the first three games, Williams was thrown at more times (24) than Cincinnati's Chad Johnson (21), Plaxico Burress (21) of the Giants and Washington's Santana Moss (16), to name a few.
Doug Gabriel, WR, New England
Owned: 42 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Four catches for 57 yards and one touchdown against Cincinnati.
Analysis: Gabriel has become quarterback Tom Brady's favorite receiver the past two weeks. Last week against Denver, Gabriel had six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. With the Patriots in need of a go-to receiver, Gabriel could be the guy, which is why he was acquired from Oakland.
Avoid 'Em
Peerless Price, WR, Buffalo
Owned: 8 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota.
Analysis: Last week it was Roscoe Parrish with a breakout game, this week it's Price. The Bills receivers are just not reliable right now to be considered good Fantasy options outside of Lee Evans. For the season, Price has 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Justin Fargas, RB, Oakland
Owned: 2 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Three carries for 54 yards and no touchdowns against Cleveland.
Analysis: Fargas is a good change-of-pace back for the Raiders in reserve of starter LaMont Jordan, but he is not getting enough carries to be considered a useful Fantasy option. Unless Jordan gets injured, Fargas is not worth owning.
Others to monitor ...
Leon Washington, RB, New York Jets
Owned: 11 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Nine carries for 33 yards and no touchdowns against Indianapolis.
Analysis: Kevan Barlow is the starter for the Jets, but they used Cedric Houston and Washington against the Colts and continue to go with a running back by committee. Houston left the game with a knee injury, which means Washington could have value if he continues to get more carries.
Mike Furrey, WR, Detroit
Owned: 7 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns against St. Louis.
Analysis: Furrey has become the No. 2 wide receiver in Detroit behind Roy Williams. For the season, Furrey has 22 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He has developed a nice rapport with quarterback Jon Kitna and could be counted on when the matchup is right.
Marcus Robinson, WR, Minnesota
Owned: 8 percent of leagues.
Week 4: Five catches for 78 yards and one touchdown against Buffalo.
Analysis: Robinson scored a touchdown in Week 1 and then was injured for the next two weeks. The Vikings have no clear No. 1 wide receiver with Troy Williamson still developing, and Robinson could be the guy quarterback Brad Johnson looks for. Robinson has scored two of the three Vikings offensive touchdowns this season.
You can e-mail your Fantasy Football questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Waiver Wire in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.