Free Press Staff Writer
September 30, 2008 01:03 am
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A fourth of the NFL season is over and it’s time to start managing your fantasy football team as if the players and teams who have been struggling may not come around.
Those who stuck with St. Louis running back Steven Jackson in Week 4 were rewarded with a touchdown and more than 100 yards rushing, but there are other big-name players who simply haven’t performed and aren’t likely to improve significantly in the coming weeks.
Despite Jackson’s performance Sunday, the St. Louis Rams’ offensive line is a mess and that means traditional studs such as Jackson, Torry Holt and Marc Bulger/Trent Green should not be expected to produce the way they have in the past.
Ditto for the Cincinnati Bengals offense. The Bengals line is also porous. meaning Carson Palmer, receivers T.J. Houzmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco and running back Chris Perry will not be big-time producers. The Kansas City Chiefs are in the same boat, as are the Cleveland Browns.
The Chief’s Larry Johnson had a monster day Sunday but owners should assume that will be a rarity this season. Atlanta’s offensive problems are not so much the fault of the line as they are the insertion of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan into the lineup. Roddy White owners might be wise to trade him if there are people willing to give something up for his services.
As for waiver wire help, there were signs of life Sunday. Deuce McCallister finally showed up in New Orleans and had 20 carries for 72 yards. It’s wise to assume McCallister is the No. 2 back for the Saints ahead of Pierre Thomas.
Those of you who picked up and played Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter this weekend were not disappointed. He had 16 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Starter Brian Westbrook should be back soon but Buckhalter is a quality back-up.
Houston quarterback Matt Schaub re-emerged Sunday against Jacksonville, throwing for 307 yards and three touchdowns.
He had two very tough defenses to go against in his first two games (Pittsburgh and Tennessee) so his performance against the Jaguars may be closer to the norm than what he did in his first two outings. If he’s available, grab him.
Chicago’s Kyle Orton threw for three touchdowns for the first time in his career against Philadelphia Sunday night but fantasy players should not expect that kind of consistency. He’s not a yardage guy or a touchdown guy and is, at best, a one time bye-week player.
Tennessee’s Kerry Collins should be viewed similarly. He won’t get you many big-yardage games but might throw two or three touchdowns the week you have to use him.
Among wide receivers, everybody’s favorite sleeper Kevin Walter of Houston finally made an appearance.
He caught eight passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns and there’ no reason to think he won’t be a viable No. 2 or 3 receiver the rest of the way.
If the Giants’ Amani Toomer is still available, he’s a good candidate for pick-up. Toomer will never post huge numbers but is consistent enough to help most fantasy teams. With Eli Manning improving, Toomer’s stock should only go up.
Patrick Crayton of Dallas was dropped in a lot of leagues after Week 3 but showed up again Sunday with seven catches for 87 yards. He is clearly the Cowboys’ No. 2 wide receiver and should be treated as such.
Lance Moore of New Orleans had what many would consider a breakout game Sunday, catching seven passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. But Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees spreads the ball around too much to view Moore as a consistent receiver each week.
Sleeper tight end Zach Miller of Oakland finally had a good game with five catches for 95 yards and a TD. If you’ve been getting little to no production from your tight end position, Miller is worth a look.
Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at jrueda@mankatofreepress.com.
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