Quarterbacks

Off The Top

Jeff Garcia, PHI – He was once a good fantasy QB in a system that produced many. Now, he’s an embattled veteran who’s struggled to get snaps. Here’s his chance. I’ve seen guys like Garcia perform well in situations like this, but since Andy Reid hasn’t named his starter next week, you’ll have to stay tuned before you grab him. His schedule won’t be easy – and neither will that of any of the other fantasy QBs that are probably still be out there on the wire – but I have a feeling the Colts will shoot it out with Philly next week – and so will Washington in Week 14. If you had McNabb, Garcia’s a worthy backup to insert into your now-depleted lineup, especially if you didn’t have a good backup to begin with.

Digging Deeper

David Garrard, JAC – I’m bringing back the mayor because of “wha’ happened” on Monday night. Garrard played very well, and did exactly what he needed to beat the Giants, who are free-falling in the NFC East. He appears to be developing a nice rapport with Ernest Wilford and TE George Wrighster, although his receivers continue to drop passes. If he’s out there, he’s a nice fantasy backup, but beware the tough schedule.

Scouring The Barrel

J.P. Losman, BUF – The bottom of the barrel sometimes includes guys like Losman. Don’t be fooled by last week’s performance. As solid as he looked hitting Lee Evans on those two enormous first quarter TDs, he’s looked equally bad for 85% of the season so far. And he’s stuck with a tough schedule the rest of the way. Look elsewhere unless you have no other options.

Updates:

Tony Romo, DAL – The numbers weren’t there, but I can’t imagine the win over Indy did anything to hurt his fantasy value. The game was just plain bizarre. And he still looked a hell of a lot better than Eli Manning did on Monday night.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA – Didn’t play, but should this week. Of course, Shaun Alexander played last week, and that didn’t get anybody anywhere, did it?

Jason Campbell, WAS – He performed well in his first career start, completing 19 of 24 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. The Skins lost, but if you took him and used him to fill in, he probably didn’t disappoint you. And remember, he’s got a nice schedule coming up.

Jay Cutler, DEN – One week closer to the Jay Cutler Era.

Running Backs

Off The Top

Mike Bell, DEN – I hate Mike Shanahan. I really do. Last Friday, the AP ran an article headlined “The bell tolls for neither Denver running back named Bell,” in which Shanahan details how much he hates his two Bells and why they stink. Then he benches Tatum and starts Mike two minutes after I dropped him because I was seriously overloaded at RB and needed to pick up an IDPer. After two TDs on Sunday night, it appears Ma Bell is back in Shanny’s favor. And while he’s not available in most leagues, he’s available in some because one idiot I know dropped him leading up to last week’s game. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Digging Deeper

Samkon Gado, HOU – Just when you think the job is all Lundy’s, Gado comes in and puts up some nice stats (69 yards, TD) in a hard-fought game against the Bills. He’s involved in the passing game as well, snatching five catches for 30 yards on Sunday. He’s a decent play this week against the Jets, who can’t stop the run.

Justin Fargas, OAK – I’m just setting people up for disappointment, I know. But I have to include the Raiders’ starting running back in the wire for two reasons: First, Lamont Jordan tore his MCL and is done for the year. Second, the Raiders are getting better and it’s certainly not the passing game that’s improving. Huggy Bear Jr. has been okay and I’ve included him in columns past, so take a shot at him if you need help and pray for the best.

Scouring The Barrel

Arlen Harris, DET – This is a one-shot deal. Kevin Jones is doubtful to return this week, so if you’re seriously hurting at RB, you might want to use Harris at home against the Dolphins. But that’s not really a glowing recommendation, is it?

Updates:

Ladell Betts, WAS – Didn’t run effectively but stayed involved in the passing game with five catches for 48 yards. And still the man in D.C.

T.J. Duckett, WAS – Ran well against the Bucs but won’t be a true factor until Betts goes down.

Correll Buckhalter, PHI – He had six catches for 41 yards and looked decent running the ball, although he was limited to three carries as Westbrook saw lots of action in the loss. He’s not a bad grab since the Eagles might be chalking up the season soon and getting Westie some surgery. But I’m not a doctor, so stay tuned.

Michael Pittman, TB – Questionable for Week 12.

Damien Nash, DEN – Shanahan seems to like Mike Bell again.

Anthony Thomas, BUF – Figured I’d include another update on the A-Train. Sub-par running against the Texans but seven catches shows he’s a solid option in point-per-reception leagues, too.

DeAngelo Williams, CAR – After his last performance, I’d say he’s new top dog in Carolina, even if DeShaun is okay. He’ll split carries, but he’s a solid #3 fantasy back and maybe more.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Off The Top

WR Wes Welker – Things are getting slim in the WR pickings as the season wears on, especially when I posted a handful of great receiver pickups last week and the week before. Welker dinged up his ankle, but played through it and should play this week. He’s still a good find, considering he’s probably the most consistent 12-team, #3 WR in the entire history of fantasy football.

Here are his game-by-game totals from my home league, which awards a point per reception: 8,7,5,7,14,9,8,8,6,7. He probably never going to blow up, but if you’re looking to avoid a goose egg, he’s a solid bet.

Digging Deeper

WR Travis Taylor, MIN – Again, I can’t make a glowing recommendation because Minnesota’s passing game sucks. But he’s the most consistent of the Vikings receivers and he’s got Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay among the teams he’ll face during the next five weeks. A good number three because of the easy matchups.

Scouring The Barrel

WR Ronald Curry, OAK – Take a look at his numbers from Sunday, then take a look at Randy Moss’s numbers from Sunday and you’ll know why I included him, albeit in the bottom of the barrel. I’ve always like Curry’s gamer attitude and his athleticism. There’s a couple favorable matchups left on the docket, but he’s no sure thing like many of the guys listed below in the updates section.

Updates:

WR Mark Clayton, BAL – I’d say 5-89-0 is probably what you can expect – on average – from Clayton in most weeks. I was just hoping McNair would link up for a TD with him. But Jamal Lewis made sure that didn’t happen.

WR Patrick Crayton, DAL – Not involved too much with Glenn back, but don’t give up. He’s a good receiver and his QB likes him. Should anything happen to T.O, he’d get tons of looks.

WR Reche Caldwell, NE – I only wish I had included him higher on my list and made the switch from Gabriel sooner. I grabbed him before my game last week and it paid off.

WR Devery Henderson, NO – With Colston down, Henderson stepped up – big time. He’s probably still available in most leagues, so stay tuned to the status of Marques, especially since Joe Horn isn’t always healthiest dude on the ranch.

WR Ernest Wilford, JAC – Like I said, he’s got good rapport with Garrard, but he’s just not consistent enough to warrant a roster spot with me.

WR Eric Parker, SD – Honestly, I’m sick of talking about Eric Parker and seeing him in waiver wire columns. He’s really not that significant.

WR Arnaz Battle, SF – He was my sleeper pick for two Sundays ago, and I’ve said I liked him a few times this year. He’s still on my roster, and he looks like the new #1 target for Smith.

WR Marty Booker, MIA – He had 6-84-0 last week and he’s got a favorable matchup at Detroit in Week 12.

IDP

Off The Top

LB – Tedy Bruschi, NE – He had one bad game recently that may have paved the way for his availability on the waiver wire. If so, grab him. He’s has two good week sin a row and the chances are he’ll post about 7-10 tackles versus the Bears. And I’m smelling a big play or five from him in the coming weeks.

DB Kevin Kaesviharn, CIN – I can’t pronounce his name, but he was a one-man wrecking crew last week versus the Saints. By the time the NFL had officially filed the gamebook, he had tallied 11 tackles (10 solo), 2 sacks a PD and an INT. With the way Bengals games have gone lately, he’ll probably see lots of action in the secondary and get in most of it.

Digging Deeper

DB Nate Clements, BUF – The numbers the past three weeks have been awesome (18 tackles, 7 PDs, 2 FR, INT) and if you grab him, I hope it continues. He’s only been excluded from the top spot this week because his matchups in the upcoming games (JAC, SD, @NYJ) really don’t favor DB scoring. I know, Champ Bailey and Darrent Williams both blew up against the Chargers. But I wouldn’t expect Philip Rivers to be throwing the ball too much against the Bills.

DB Richard Marshall, CAR – He’s all over the field on a defense that’s crowded with stars. He makes big plays and forges through injury. A gamer.

Scouring The Barrel

LB Caleb Miller, CIN – Seems there’s plenty of IDP points to go around in Bengals games, doesn’t it? Not so fast. Sure, he had a billion tackles last week, but that won’t be the case against a Browns team that must rely on the arm of Charlie Frye to get a win. He’s still not a bad pickup, but I wouldn’t expect a repeat of last week anytime soon.

Updates:

DB Dawan Landry, BAL – Nothing much on Sunday, but the way Big Ben has been tossing picks, I’d get him in my lineup versus the Steelers.

DL Leonard Little, STL – Solid numbers last week in the embarrassing 15-0 loss to the Panthers.

LB Al Wilson, DEN – Coming off an average game (seven tackles) but hasn’t made too many big plays this season.

DL Alex Brown, CHI – Just five tackles on Sunday (no sacks) and not a good bet the next couple weeks (@NE, MIN), but he’s a shoo-in for a few QB drops in weeks 15-17 (@STL, TB, @DET).

LB E.J. Henderson, MIN – He’s slipped off the last few weeks, but expect a nice resurgence.

LB Chris Draft, CAR – A decent option in the coming weeks against three NFC east teams that will be running the ball and trying to grind out wins.

DB Asante Samuel, NE – Inactive last week and now officially off my radar.

DB Darrent Williams, DEN – Darrent is healthy again and had a big play Sunday night that could have made your IDP lineup – as long as he was in it.