The Fantasy Sports Zone
“Diamonds in the Rough”
“Diamonds in the Rough”
(Fantasy Sleepers)
Players you should watch and perhaps a few to nab!With the free agent pool thinning just a little bit each week, it’s time to start looking back at some familiar faces to step up as well. Your fantasy sleeper is not just the unknown that no one has ever heard of, he’s also that guy that has been quiet for a while and drifted off everyone’s radar. We also can’t forget that stud that has yet to have his time to shine; could this be his week to breakout?
Week six weeks in the past and plenty of action lying ahead this coming Sunday, who will be lucky gems in week number seven or just damn good?
This week’s gems…
In Pittsburgh…..
There’s no question that the Steelers of 2009 are a passing team with 57 percent of their plays called being the pass. Roethlisberger has suddenly become another Tom Brady putting up ridiculous passing numbers and his wideouts are becoming more productive. One receiver that has yet to really take off has been rookie wideout Mike Wallace. At times Wallace has made some big plays, but he has yet to see a steady does of balls in his direction. Over the past two weeks he’s averaged just five targets in each game, but if the Steelers continue to have success in the air those numbers could grow. It’s very simple too, as long as this is the winning formula for head coach Mike Tomlin and his Steelers, expect this trend to continue and Wallace’s chances to get better.
In Chicago……
The production has not been there yet this season, but the numbers keep telling us that tight end Greg Olsen is on the verge of doing some big things and soon. Coming off the bye week Olsen caught five passes for 57 yards and a score; not a mammoth game, but a start. The key stat you won’t see in the box score were the 11 passes Cutler threw in his direction. Olsen is not at the level of a TE1 yet, but he has 36 targets thus far this season. Give him a little time, he’ll get there.
In Dallas……
With the Cowboys returning from their bye week you would expect the team to be healthy, but it’s sounding like Barber and Jones could still be less than 100 percent. With Barber (thumb) dinged, his touches could be limited and Jones apparently injury prone these days, Tashard Choice could actually be the running back of choice this weekend. The Cowboys number three running back has earned himself some added spotlight and even with the other two as healthy as they’ve been this season Tashard should see plenty of opportunity. In week five Choice rushed for 92 yards on just eight carries. He may not do that every week, but then again he looks like a favorite to see more than eight carries on Sunday.
In Atlanta……
It’s been a quiet season for the Falcons receiver Michael Jenkins, but this week he’s got a pretty favorable matchup with the Cowboy’s secondary (ranked 26th against the pass). With the front four not getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback the Cowboys have been little susceptible to the long ball;15 pass plays for 20 yards or more this season. With the defense keying on Roddy White, Jenkins could be a sleeper pick this week in some deeper leagues that could be thin at wide receiver.
In San Francisco……
Coming off a poor performance in week five, the Niner’s quarterback Shaun Hill could catch a break this weekend at home against the Texans. Facing the Texan’s front four that struggle to get to the quarterback (only seven sacks), Hill will have a full compliment of weapons with the return of running back Frank Gore and the arrival of wide receiver Michael Crabtree. This will be the best looking unit Hill has had to play with this season and against the leagues 20th ranked overall defense he could be in line for a nice game. Starting Hill could be a gamble, but looking for a bye week fill, he won’t be the worst option available.
With the 0-6 Tennessee Titan’s season all but over, you have to wonder at what point do you start planning for the future? In recent weeks it has become apparent that quarterback Kerry Collins has lost his effectiveness and with a young arm like Vince Young lying in wait, when do you turn over the reigns? We have seen two VY’s in the past, one that caught the league by storm and made plays and then one that was a complete train wreck. The difference this time around could be less pressure and more opportunity to develop and get better. When Young arrived he showed a lot of promise and ability to make plays. If given opportunity, he could be a fantasy football wildcard down the stretch.
With the arrival of wide receiver Michael Crabtree come the hopes of great things. This is a diamond that has a lot of potential to shine, but it also happens to be one that could shine bright right away. The feeling is Crabtree is a tremendous talent and a lock to be very good at this next level. The Niners aren’t going to waste any time, this Sunday the rookie is expected to start and everyone will get to see how talented he is right away. There’s going to be bumps in the road and some growing pains, but this jewel is a keeper and worth picking up now; playing right away could be a different story.
Remember to check back for more "Diamonds in the Rough!"
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