Thursday, October 30, 2008

WEEK 9 PLAYERS ON THE MOVE

October 29th, 2008 11:49pm PST






Players On The Move
(WEEK 9 WAIVER WIRE)

Eight weeks are down and it's time for the back stretch run. If you've drafted well and have made all the right moves to this point, you are sitting pretty. When you are looking back at the competition, while they try to catch up, now is not the time for complacency. You may have some weekly studs you are leaning on, but be sure to check your schedules, analyze those matchups, and if you want to win, find your Golden Ticket.

Willy Wants Ya (Weekly)"Golden Ticket"

This week's Tickets...

No matter how deep we get into the season, every week it seems we are finding new names or resurrecting old ones that have found relevance and could be one of those missing pieces your team needs to win its’ league Championship. Entering week 9 of the schedule, things are no different especially for those fantasy owners still "searching the scrap heaps" to plug a few holes in their fantasy armor!

QB-Chad Pennington (Mia)....the Dolphins quarterback has been playing very well of late and has put together a nice string of starts. Over his last three games, Pennington has passed for an average of nearly 300 yards and thrown 4 touchdowns. Pennington remains a solid QB2 option and could be a nice bye week fill in (against the Broncos) for those owners that will have to sit the likes of Brees, Rivers, and Delhomme.

WR-Matt Jones (Jax)....the Jaguars receiver has been steady all season, but not explosive. That all changed last Sunday when Jones, targeted 16 times exploded for 8 catches, 117 yards receiving and a score. Jones is the clear number receiver in Jacksonville. With his possible suspension looming some owners may hesitate to make this move, but grab him. Jones has appealed the suspension and may play the next couple of games against the Bengals and Lions. If and when he is suspended, Jones could return in time for the fantasy playoffs, where he again has favorable matchups (Chicago, Green Bay, and Indianapolis).

WR-Kevin Walter (Hou)....while the Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson is grabbing all of the headlines, their number two receiver has been stealing some of the glory. Last Sunday Walter scored his 4th & 5th touchdowns for the season, while posting 5 catches for 70 yards against the Bengals. Walter has been hot and cold this season making him a bit of a risky play, but he could be a nice WR3 that offers a huge upside. In four of his starts this season, Walter has scored 10, 19, 9, and 19 fantasy points (standard scoring).

More “Big Boys on the Move"...

If you are checking the "Waiver wires" and testing the deep waters hoping to find something that floats this week, here are a few names of some players that could be making more fantasy noise very soon in a neighborhood near you;

Shaun Hill QB (SF)-....there's no question after the benching of JTO and the insertion of quarterback Shaun Hill, a lot of fantasy owners will be joining this band wagon. While it's really too early to tell what to make of Hill, his one half of action (15 of 23 for 173 yards and a TD) was a good sign for the hopeful. If you are in desperate need, Hill could be worth taking a look playing in the weak NFC West division, but we'd recommend a little caution with this play.

Kevin Faulk RB (NE)-....with the backfield still banged up in New England (Morris-OUT and Jordan-Questionable), Kevin Faulk looks like the right play for Week 9. Faulk was the featured back last Sunday with 17 touches. He gained a total of 107 yards and had one touchdown against the Rams. Faulk saw plenty of carries last week and since he is the premiere third down back in Foxboro, fantasy owners looking for options can consider him a nice flex play in week 9 against the Colts.

Pierre Thomas RB (NO)-....the Saints are on a bye week this coming Sunday and with Reggie Bush (knee) sidelined the consensus has been to grab RB Deuce McAllister. With the team off this week, some fantasy owners may overlook the fact that McAllister faces the possibility of suspension. Now would be the time to make a move for RB Pierre Thomas. Playing behind Deuce and Bush, Thomas has not seen much action on the field, but with the two due to miss time, that all could change.

"Diamonds in the Rough"

Just when you think you are out of options and need to take chances, that's when it's time to start shopping for players that could come into play sooner or later down the line. These are the "hidden jewels' whose shine has yet to break through, but just need a foot in the door.

Your Week 9 Deep Sleepers...

Martellus Bennett TE (Dal).....the word out of Dallas is mixed concerning tight Jason Witten. Initial reports indicate that Witten would be better served sitting this Sunday and healing, but we are hearing he intends to play. Either way, with the bye week ahead in week 10, the team could look elsewhere for production like rookie tight end Martellus Bennett, hoping to get Witten to the bye in one piece. Expect to see Bennett fit into the mix this week a little more than the norm.

Kevin Smith (Det)....last week Smith was mentioned in our "Players on the Move" feature as a player to watch. Each week the rookie continues to out perform Lions RB Rudi Johnson; last Sunday Smith ran for 12 yards on 4 carries and caught 7 balls for 50 yards. It very well could be just a matter of time before Smith is the featured back in the Motor City.

Ryan Torain (Den)....the Broncos running back could be the only "man of the moment", that has yet to see action this season. With the entire backfield dinged up, Torain could not only see extensive action, but possibly start this Sunday. Keep your eye on this one, in Shanahan's system, this kid is expected to do well and could have the opportunity to show the world this Sunday.

Billy Miller TE (NO)....with tight end Jeremy Shockey apparently still not healthy (one catch last Sunday), Miller was the go to man in the middle finishing the day with 7 catches for 82 yards. Fantasy owners holding Shockey had to be disappointed with Sundays' no show, grabbing Miller could be a good hand-cuff, until the former Hurricane is 100%. Miller can also offer value as a bye week fill or even flex, but only until Shockey returns, then it's back the bench.

"Lying in wait" under watchful eyes...

Here are the week 9 "ones to watch"; those players that are not making a whole lot of noise for the moment, but keep your eyes open as only time will tell if these players have what it takes to be Studs on your fantasy team.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson-RB (BUF).....in deeper leagues, the Bills running back Fred Jackson is definitely worth a look. Jackson is a durable and versatile runner that can offer better value in PPR leagues. One thing to keep an eye for fantasy owners, the Bills are running more sets that feature both Jackson and Lynch on the field together. Last Sunday Jackson had 11 touches (including 10 carries), expect this trend to continue.

LaMont Jordan-RB (NE).....right now, running back Kevin Faulk is expected to start this Sunday for the Patriots. With RB Sammy Morris expected to miss a few more weeks, Jordan has an opportunity to get back on the field sooner and earn some playing time. Jordan is hard-nose runner between the tackles that can come out of the backfield and contribute in the passing game. Keep an eye on him in New England, if healthy he could see considerable work along side with Faulk.

Wide Receivers

Donte Stallworth (CLE)....so far this season Stallworth has been a big bust and disappointment due to the amount of time missed this season to injury. Now that Stallworth's healthy and back on the field, if his quarterback (Derek Anderson) and the offense can get out of first gear, Stallworth could be a late surprise in the second half of the season. He offers little value, if any at all for the moment, but he's definitely worth keeping your eye on down the road.





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