FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

October 2nd, 2009 1:37pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

“Diamonds in the Rough”

(Fantasy Sleepers)

Players you should watch and few to grab!

As we continue to follow the games from week to week, we see the subtle sparkle of those players on the verge of shinning bright. Every Sunday provides the hope of a new football savior rising tall above the rest taking your fantasy team to greater heights.

With week four fastly approaching the search for these potential candidates continues. As we find every week, there are some interesting matchups that could prove to be the key for some of this weeks gems glittering like diamonds in the sky.Now that we've entered the fourth week of the NFL, let’s have a look at some of this week’s best possibilities;

In San Francisco….
This week the Niners have two sleepers that could emerge as two of this weeks’ best fantasy plays and it’s no accident it comes against the lowly Rams. Quarterback Shaun Hill has been steady this season averaging 180 yards passing and a touchdown per game while completing 63 percent of his passes. On Sunday he’s facing the Rams 25th ranked pass defense, so his numbers could greatly improve this week.

Another Niner that should benefit from their week four matchup with the St. Louis Rams is running back Glenn Coffee. This Sunday he’ll get a chance to start against the Rams soft run defense (ranked 27th) for an injured Frank Gore. Coffee looked dynamite in the preseason rushing for 249 yards (5.9 yds/carry) and facing a Rams defense that allows 4.3 yards per carry this Sunday will make him a fantasy favorite for this Sunday.

In Indianapolis….
It has not taken the Colt’s rookie receiver Pierre Garcon very long to make an immediate impact. With so many weapons in Indy, it’s easy to forget some of the secondary pieces, but Garcon is doing his best to make sure folks remember his name. He has scored in each of the Colts past two games and last Sunday he was targeted six times finishing the day with three catches for 64 yards and a score. Garcon is coming along slowly, but already he’s shown the knack for the big play and in an explosive Manning led offense, he’s a good prospect to produce.

In Baltimore….
Whenever you have a running back by committee it’s always a tough call, but after three games of solid play expect Willis McGahee to remain a major contributor. Thus far this season, McGahee has flourished in relief coming off the bench. The former Hurricane has scampered his way to 190 yards on the ground with five touchdowns. The Ravens runner has also shown some versatility as a pass receiver with six catches and another score. He’ll undoubtedly be a big part of the rushing attack this Sunday against the Patriots and should see plenty of opportunity in the Redzone.

In Cleveland….
The Browns offense has been nothing more than a stigma in 2009, but this Sunday at home they’ll have a shot at redemption with a new quarterback against a familiar foe. While Derek Anderson will not be anyone’s fantasy favorite this Sunday, his presence could once again elevate wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the forefront of fantasy wideouts (at least for one week). Anderson has historically put up large numbers against the Bengals and Edwards has typically been the recipient. The last time these two played together at home against the Bengals (in 2007) Edwards finished the game with eight receptions for 146 yards with two scores.

Worth keeping your eye on for now….

In the same Ravens-Patriots matchup in week four, another running back could catch some eyes. Last week against the Falcons running back Fred Taylor produced the team’s first 100-yard rusher this season while toting the rock 21 times. Against the Ravens this Sunday he may not hit the century mark, but he’ll likely be the featured back once again and worth watching going forward.

Off to a slow start this season wide receiver Brandon Marshall has unquestionably fallen far from the fantasy apple-tree. His sweet success in Denver may seem to be a thing of the past, but after last Sunday’s nice five catch, 67-yards receiving, and a touchdown performance, let’s not be too hasty. The Bronco’s “Patriot’s West” offense is still a work in progress, but Marshall is clearly a big key to its success in the future. On Sunday he was targeted eight times and it appears going forward he will become more prominent in the passing game. He’s not a must play yet, but each week he’s a step closer, so keep watching.

Remember to check back for more "Diamonds in the Rough!"