FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

October 30th, 2009 11:55pm Pst

WATERCOOLER CHAT

The Weekly Waiver Wire

Wayne “The Wire” Bosco
(Courtesy of the Fantasy Football Gang)

Even though we have reached Week 8 there’s no need to panic, as long as Wayne “the Wire” is working overtime relief is on its’ way. Last Sunday there was plenty of let down with some of last weeks waivering choices, but with a whole new slate of games this weekend Wayne’s got the scoop on a few options off the wire.

Again fantasy owners are going to have to manage the bye week with players like Chad Ochocinco, Tom Brady, and Big Ben on siesta. With the well running dry and most of the stones over-turned, owners can still find a couple of plays for Week 8 to fill their vacancies.

So once again grab a cold one (better make it two) and take note of these week 8 Waiver Wire options;


Week Eight

On Sunday the Jaguars will roll into Tennessee with the memory of a week 4 throttling over the Titans. The Jags passing fired on all cylinders and took advantage of a severely handicapped secondary. Even though Tennessee will have the services of Courtland Finnegan back, I like wide receiver Torry Holt this week. There's no doubt Finnegan is going to have hbis hands full with Sims-Walker, so expect to see Holt roaming free from time-to-time. Holt and his quarterback are developing a great rapport and over his last two games he's seen 21 balls in his direction. Holt has lost a step and he is no number one fantasy receiver, but this week he should be a good start.

Whenever you have a player matching up with the Rams, they instantly become a consideration. In seven games this season the Rams have allowed a 100-yard rusher twice with Ryan Grant missing that plateau by one yard. This week running back Kevin Smith will get his shot. Smith has not been particularly successful this season with the Lions typically falling behind, but this Sunday they should be able to stay with the run longer than usual. Smith has also shown his versatility as a pass receiver with 20 receptions this season. The Lion's running back may not hit the century mark on the ground, but he should easily total 100 yards on Sunday and find the endzone at least once.

With the well drying up these days there doesn’t seem to be much left, but if you look at the bottom you might find the Eagles rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin available as a waiver option this week. He’ll face a tough Giant’s defense on Sunday, but one that has had its’ struggle with the pass game the past couple of weeks. With a lot of attention being focused on receiver DeSean Jackson, Maclin could see some favorable coverage and with his steady diet of seven targets per game he could be very productive. The Giants have been burned deep quite a bit in recent weeks and Maclin has already shown some big play capability. Consider the rookie a nice fill in option to get through the week 8 byes.

“Wayne’s Word”

This week’s word for the week is David Garrard. With the Jaguars playing the Titans on Sunday, it’s hard to ignore what Garrard did in week 4; 300-yards passing, three touchdowns. Tennessee is a little healthier this time around, but not much better off than their previous matchup with Jacksonville. Garrard will have his full compliment of weapons, Jones-Drew, Sims-Walker, and Holt and with the Titans making a change at quarterback that could mean better field position. Garrard is still available in quite a few leagues and should make a healthy fill-in for Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Carson Palmer fantasy owners.

Playing Fantasy GM.

Don-Peitro “The GM” Zamboni

Cut your losses now
Sometimes you just have to know when to call it a day and cut your losses. In the case of running back Larry Johnson, not performing on the field and now in hot water off the field; it’s time to go.

The GM Game

You’re always going to have those players you drafted with a lot of question and concern surrounding their fantasy value. When the season opened, players like LaDanian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and Terrell Owens were going to be drafted based on their historical merit. Like Owens and Tomlinson, Johnson was not taken as high as in the past, but he was drafted much higher than he is performing. With so much value vested in this player, what’s a fantasy GM to do?

Hardly Worth the Risk….

With LJ we knew he’d be a risky play in 2009. During the offseason there was plenty of talk about trade or even release, but by the same token he was just two seasons removed from back-to-back 1,700-yard rushing seasons. From a fantasy perspective, before the 2009 campaign began, it appeared he had mended some of the fences and was ready to play. Here we are seven weeks in and our fears are realized; it just doesn’t fit. Johnson is not going to flourish in Haley’s offense and true to form, he doesn’t know how to stay out of his own way. Recent tweets and comments made to the media have the Chiefs running back in deep water, currently suspended, and the way things look likely unemployed. There are not too many teams that want to deal with this headache, fantasy owners can do themselves a favor by addressing the inevitable and clearing roster space now. Jamal Charles is no LJ, but he’s a better fit in the spread style offense head coach Todd Haley likes and as the team’s number one he should be more effective as a fantasy back.

Keep checking back for more football....

By David G. Ortega