Waiver Wire Work for Week #5...gl boyz!

[bcbadgalz]

Week #5 wire work guyz.
Short on time but here are a few to look at:

Quarterback
That's two solid games in a row for Mark Sanchez, who, after four weeks, is suddenly the sixth-best fantasy quarterback. The second-year Jets QB went 14-of-24 for 161 yards and 2 scores in Week 4; those aren't earth-shattering numbers, but good enough top help account for eight touchdowns in the last three weeks. His only bad fantasy performance this year was in Week 1, against the Ravens defense.

It's unlikely Sanchez will continue to put up two touchdowns a game, but the Jets face only one tough pass defense (at home against the Packers on Halloween) the next six games. If this column's weekly quarterback pickup option isn't available, Sanchez could be a rewarding selection.

Kyle Orton (35-for-50, 341 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT ): Let's just make it as direct as possible this time: Go get Orton if you need a quarterback. He throws the ball 44 times a game. He leads the league in passing yards. With Knowshon Moreno hobbled, the Broncos absolutely cannot run the ball. Orton was even the team's leading rusher Sunday! He's still available in about 20 percent of leagues. He does only have six touchdown passes this year, but they'll come. Get him if he's available!

Ben Roethlisberger: The Steelers have a bye this week, but Big Ben is finally off suspension and is expected to return to the starting lineup in Week 6. He's stashed on the bench in most leagues, but if he's available in your league pick him up before someone else does.

Running back
Is Mike Tolbert the Chargers' top running back even when Ryan Mathews plays? That was the case Sunday, as Tolbert (16 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD) got 11 of his carries in the first half as the Chargers routed the Cardinals.

Mathews did run nine times for 55 yards and a score, but most of that was in garbage time. Tolbert didn't get another carry after the Chargers grabbed a 31-7 lead. It appears Mathews was healthy -- he played throughout garbage time -- but Tolbert continued to play on kickoff coverage despite being the No. 1 back Sunday. Tolbert is available in about 40 percent of leagues.

Ryan Torain (18 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD): Who knows what unknown running back will take the bulk of the carries for Mike Shanahan's offense in Washington next. For now, though, it's Torain, who had 18 carries to Clinton Portis' 11. He also helped the Redskins establish a running game for the first time this season. Of course, it came against Philadelphia, one of the league's worst run defenses. Still, Torain's a decent bet for the next few weeks, at least, as the Redskins face Indianapolis, Chicago and Detroit. Only the Bears have a solid run defense of those three.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (16 rushes, 76 yards, 1 TD): He probably started for somebody in your league this week, but if he's available, grab him. With Sammy Morris out for the year and Fred Taylor already injured, Bill Belichick might go with Green-Ellis for the rest of the season in New England.

Ricky Williams (8 rushes, 56 yards; 4 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD): Hey, look who showed up! Williams averaged seven yards a carry on Monday night for the Dolphins and scored a receiving TD. Plenty of owners probably dropped him already, but depending on what type of league you're in, he's worth grabbing and crossing your fingers. At the least, monitor what he does next game.

Michael Bush (7 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD): Darren McFadden suffered a hamstring injury, and Bush looked good for the Raiders against a solid Houston run defense in his first extended action of the season. It appears McFadden will be OK, but Bush did not appear hobbled by the broken thumb that kept him out of the first two games. It's conceivable Bush could return to being Oakland's No. 1 back by the end of the season.

Derrick Ward (12 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD): This is one of those deep looks for players in leagues where running backs are stockpiled. Ward scored his touchdown for the Texans when the NFL's leading rusher, Arian Foster, was benched for disciplinary reasons for the first quarter, but he did get seven of his 12 carries in the second half. Meanwhile, Steve Slaton's precipitous fall continues as Ward seems to have solidified his role as Foster's primary backup. Foster isn't going to break team rules every week, so a Ward pickup is for well down the line.

Mike Bell (3 carries, 6 yards; 1 catch, 5 yards): Be wary. LeSean McCoy injured his rib on Sunday. The Eagles say they won't bring in any short-term replacements, so if McCoy can't go Bell will start. He's been horrid this year (12 carries for 20 yards) and the Eagles' next opponent, San Francisco, has a decent run defense (and a badpass defense), but if you're absolutely stuck, Bell would be the interim starter.

Marshawn Lynch (4 carries, 8 yards): The Bills shipped Lynch to Seattle Tuesday for two picks, including a fourth-rounder next year; Seattle then released Julius Jones. Lynch has carried 37 times for 164 yards this year, but Seattle hasn't had a cohesive offensive line all season. Lynch could be a steal -- for your fantasy team and for the Seahawks. He won't put up huge numbers, but owners in desperate need of a running back should pounce.

Wide receivers
Did you take this column's advice last week and pick up Jabar Gaffney over Brandon Lloyd? Um, sorry. Gaffney had five catches for 51 yards for the Broncos, but Lloyd had more than double that: 11 for 115. (For his part, Eddie Royal had eight catches for 113 yards and a score.) Kyle Orton obviously likes to spread the ball around; it's definitely worth taking a flier on whichever Denver receiver is available in your league.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (3 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD): The ex-Cincinnati and Seattle receiver finally made an impact in Week 4 by catching a TD to push the Ravens over the Steelers. Houshmandzadeh signed with the Ravens after being cut, so it seemed like it would take him a few weeks to get adjusted. If you pick him up now, you're not betting on him starting next week, you're betting on continued improvement throughout the rest of the season.

Brandon Tate (4 catches, 39 yards; 153 kickoff return yards, kickoff return TD): If your league rewards individual players for kickoff return yardage, pick up the Pats' Tate. Now. Otherwise, he's only going to put up fantasy-worthy numbers later in the season and can stay on the waiver wire, as Randy Moss won't be held without a catch every week.

Tight End
If you're looking for help from the waiver wire from the Lions, your team might be in trouble. But Brandon Pettigrew has put up respectable numbers so far, even if it doesn't include a score yet. Despite Matthew Stafford's injury, the second-year tight end has 22 receptions for 249 yards. He's caught seven, six and eight passes the past three games; it might not continue when Stafford returns, but for now he's a decent pickup.

Marcedes Lewis (2 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD): Lewis reached the end zone Sunday for the first time since scoring twice in the opener. A fluke? Well, the Colts-Jaguars game did feature a 25-yard David Garrard touchdown run on the option (as well as a Jags upset), so weird things were happening. Lewis looks to be a boom-or-bust tight end, but there are worse options.

Defense
Take a look Dallas coming out of the bye. The Cowboys are available in a lot of leagues, don't face high-powered Green Bay until Nov. 7 and looked solid in Week 3 against a good Houston offense.

Kicker
Interested in tying your kicking game to a guy with long range? Go get Josh Scobee, who nailed a 59-yarder to beat the Colts Sunday and also hit a 51-yarder against Philadelphia the previous week. There will be weeks the Jags can't move the ball and Scobee won't get any opportunities, but if your league offers big points for long field goals, it might not matter.

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As we head into Week 5 of the fantasy football season, bye weeks and injuries are causing a shuffle on rosters and waiver wires. While there were no real “I gotta pick that guy up”-performances in Week 4, here are some guys to consider in the short and long term.



Quarterback

Sam Bradford, Rams: Bradford may officially be considered as a solid bye week filler in Week 5. It has not taken long for the rookie to show that he should be considered as a fantasy football quarterback—and this is a rookie QB on the Rams! Bradford’s accuracy is turning heads and the Rams are moving the ball into the end zone.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: The time has come for Big Ben to join his team again on his bye week. Who would of thought they would be 3-1 without him? Chances are he is not sitting on your waiver wire because in most leagues Big Ben was a value pick as a backup QB in time for bye weeks. More than likely you will see him on the trade block in the next couple of weeks after he has some rust off.



Running Back

In case you missed it, we mentioned Peyton Hillis and Ryan Torain here last week so we won’t cover them again. If for some reason they are still on your waiver wire you should do your part of getting them off there!

Kevin Smith, Lions: We wouldn’t really suggest rostering Smith for the long haul, especially when you need depth to cover bye weeks, but he is worth keeping an eye on. Jahvid Best has that whole turf toe thing going on and Smith is the likely back between he and Maurice Morris to fill Best’s role if he didn’t go. He may be worth a handcuff for an owner that is relying on Best as a starter.



Wide Receiver

Davone Bess, Dolphins: Although Bess has a bye this week, you can look for him to be coming off the wire after another solid performance. If you need a guy at WR, you should consider grabbing him this week and stashing him as he may slip past some WW hunters looking for production in Week 5. He was targeted 12 times for nine catches on Monday night and got his first TD of the season. He appears like he will be the go-to guy for Chad Henne when Brandon Marshall is getting too much attention.

Mark Clayton, Rams: Clayton is likely long gone by now, but we wanted to talk about him in case he is available or dropped during bye week shuffling. Clayton has become the favorite target of the rising fantasy QB that is Sam Bradford. Clayton could have a career year and you may be able to get him cheap in a trade if he is rostered.

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Mike Tolbert, RB, SD - Tolbert is running like a man not willing to lose his role in the offense. He led all Chargers RBs with 16 carries for 100 yards and a TD. He also tossed in 2 receptions for 3 yards for good measure (an added perk for those in leagues that reward fantasy points for receptions).

Michael Bush, RB, OAK - Bush is available in quite a few leagues out there, and you should be making a move to get him if you play in one of those leagues. McFadden tweaked his hamstring on Sunday, and there is some noise being made that Bush may start next week. McFadden has been a huge injury liability thus far in his NFL career, and there are many that question his durability in the NFL.

Ladell Betts, RB, NOR - Like a good villain in a horror flick, Betts just won't go away. After winning many teams across this land fantasy titles while playing lights out football for the Redskins during the fantasy playoffs a few years back, Betts reenters the world of fantasy relevance. With the late scratch of starter Pierre Thomas, Betts totted the rock for 13 carries to the tune of 47 yards. He also had 4 receptions for 23 yards. While those stats won't knock your socks off, he speaks to potential down the road, particularly as we learn more about the status of Thomas.

Mike Bell, RB, PHI - With starter LeSean McCoy suffering a broken rib on Sunday, Bell could be in line for more carries and fantasy points.

Ryan Torain, RB, WAS - Each week Torain digs his claws in the Redskins' offense a little further, and this week it is thanks to an injury to Clinton Portis that opened the door a little wider for him. While Portis' status is unknown for next week, Torain finished Sunday leading all Redskin RBs with 18 carries, 70 yards, and a TD. In a previous life Torain used to be in Denver, and he could continue to rekindle the mile high magic with his old Bronco head coach Mike Shanahan, who is now the head man for Washington.

Harry Douglas, WR, ATL - Someone other than Tony Gonzalez is going to eventually take advantage of the holes being left in the secondary by the attention drawn by Roddy White. That person could be Douglas, who cashed in on a couple of those opportunities on Sunday to finish the day with 3 receptions for 59 yards and a TD.

Ben Watson, TE, CLE - Watson continues to develop chemistry with his new QB. Wallace is starting to look at Watson as a safety valve when under duress, and that is paying nice dividends for those that own Watson in deeper leagues that reward points for receptions. Watson finished the day on Sunday with 6 receptions for 60 yards.

Shaun Hill, QB, DET - Hill has struggled since taking the starting reigns for Detroit; however, things may be turning around for him. He torched the Packers on Sunday for 331 passing yards, 2 TDs, and 53 rushing yards. Anytime you have a talent like Calvin Johnson to throw the rock to, good things can happen. Hill should be considered as a possible BYE week fill spot start candidate for down the road for as long as starter Matthew Stafford remains out.

Sam Bradford, QB, STL - Bradford is another candidate for a BYE week fill spot start for down the road. He turned in another solid performance throwing for 289 yards and 2 TDs against the Seahawks. As a rookie in the NFL playing QB, he will struggle too, but he has shown the capability to pop a nice game if the circumstances are right.

Bruce Gradkowski, QB, OAK - Unlike Hill and Bradford, Gradkowski brings a better presence as a potential every week starter for your team for those in deeper leagues. He is playing very good ball, and the chemistry he has with the Oakland offense is very clear. He ended the day with 278 passing yards, 2 TDs, and 16 rushing yards.

Todd Collins, QB, CHI - Starter Jay Cutler was knocked out of the game on Sunday Night with a concussion. For those that are real gamblers, play in a deep league, have major issues at QB, and have the roster room for a project, consider rolling the dice on Collins. Concussions are very strange beasts that are not well understood. Future concussions can be had on much lesser hits after experiencing a concussion, and it remains to be seen how Cutler will hold up for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, you have Collins, who would be the benefactor if things go south leading the high octane Mike Martz offense.

John Carney, PK, NOR - The Saints went down old familiar roads and inked Carney. Carney wasted no time capitalizing, nailing 3 FGs and a PAT. If still available, he makes a nice grab playing for an explosive offense that has no problems moving the ball and getting him into position to nab some fantasy points. He also kicks in a dome, which is an added plus as it offers perfect kicking conditions all year long.

San Francisco 49ers Team Defense - This defense has been horrible for the first three weeks of the season, but you know that head coach Mike Singletary is going to get this group pointed in the right direction. That may have just happened in week 4, as this unit accounted for 3 sacks, 2 INTs, a blocked punt that was recovered for a TD, and only allowed 16 points against a very respectable Falcons' offense.
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[Bobtheicon]

Thanks BCB. You rock!!