By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Double digit comebacks and continued offensive explosions keep occurring. Equating to a high amount of points being scored, and fantasy points being racked up quicker than Victor Cruz realizing he was not touched. More importantly with defenses struggling, teams are able to get production from receivers all across their depth charts. There are plenty of receivers included on this weeks waiver wire addition to help with your depth issues.

Quarterbacks:

Andy Dalton:

His second half versus Buffalo was a complete reversal. He showed the poise and had his teammates believing in the comeback. A double digit come from behind win, and solid stats to back it up. Dalton still would be ranked near the bottom of fantasy quarterbacks, but he is showing that he has valuable upside. If you’re in a tight bind with depth at quarterback, you may want Dalton for end of the season insurance.

Jason Campbell:

Entering week four, Campbell quietly was in the top ten for quarterback rating. He has also been fearless with his downfield throws and has been doing this with an injured group of receivers still sidelined. As they start returning, the Raiders are going to be even more explosive offensively. Campbell finally is able to run an offense where he has a familiarity with being in it a year ago. The first time in his career he has not had to relearn a new offensive system.

Alex Smith:

How crazy have the times become, that Alex Smith may actually be a fantasy factor? Alex Smith. It seems like he has been in the league for fifteen years, but he was only drafted in 2005.At 3-1 the 49ers have done it largely because of Smith. Frank Gore finally showed something vs. the Eagles, but the first few weeks it was Smith carrying the offense. Mistakes have declined for Smith, as he is taking what the defense gives him.

Kolb Struggling While Learning New Cardinals System

 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/877775-kolb-struggling-while-learning-new-cardinals-system

Running Backs:

Ryan Torain: Torain once again has re-entered the waiver wire sweepstakes. An explosive week four after no carries all season. Washington is going to run the football, it’s just a question of who will be doing it. Green arrows on Torain and put three red ones next to Tim Hightower.

How does Tim Hightower Fare Now?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/876017-shanahan-does-it-again-where-does-tim-hightower-fit-now

Isaac Redman: Pittsburgh’s offense just seems like it needs to be re-tweaked. Big Ben’s nimbleness is not quite there, and the support of a running game definitely isn’t. Rashard Mendenhall has not been able to break lose, while Redman seems to be delivering when on the field.

Derrick Ward: The carousel of backfield injuries keeps rotating for the Texans. With Ben Tate’s groin injury, the majority of the work load will refocus in the hands of Arian Foster like a year ago. Ward has missed a few weeks himself, but is expected to return next week. How responsive Foster’s hamstring is will determine if Ward will get eight to ten carries or not.

Stevan Ridley: New England’s backfield never truly has had a consistent fantasy back in quite awhile. BenJarvus Green-Ellis had his brief moments, but always had the worry of Fred Taylor/Danny Woodhead/Kevin Faulk. Plus the Patriots would rather run their short yardage passing game over running. Rookie, Stevan Ridley was a high pick for Bellichick in the third round. His workload Sunday led to a solid day as he filled in for injured back Danny Woodhead.

Top Seven Fantasy Busts Heading Into Week Three

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/873636-fantasy-football-the-7-biggest-busts-of-the-season-entering-week-4

Wide Receivers

Key In On Raiders Athletes for Waiver Wire Additions

 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/877397-key-in-on-raiders-athletes-for-waiver-wire-additions

Darrius Heyward-Bey:

The first round pick is starting to show signs that he can be a force at wide receiver. He needs to stay healthy, but if so his speed complements the cannon arm of Jason Campbell. Sunday he was targeted seven times by Campbell and had his second career 100 yard receiving game.

Laurent Robinson:

One positive for Dallas is that they are scoring a high amount of points each week. It’s almost all riding on the arm of Tony Romo. Luckily from a fantasy standpoint, receivers do not have to worry about Romo’s errant mistakes. Robinson should still have fantasy value even when Miles Austin returns. This offense is just too explosive to not have three main receivers as fantasy weapons.

Randall Cobb:

Even though Donald Driver returned to action Sunday, he has clearly reached the last leg of his career. This team wants to be explosive, and is loaded with weapons. Cobb had a sixty one yard play Sunday, and needs on field action to add even a higher dimension for the Packers. It’s a crowded receiving group, but injuries are bound to happen. Scoop Cobb now in fourteen team leagues, and monitor in ten or twelve team leagues.

Arrelious Benn

Defenses have figured out a way to limit Mike Williams. It has led to an offense that has struggled a bit to find a main offensive weapon. Sooner or later a quarterback of Josh Freeman’s caliber is going to find new ways to generate offense. Benn made a couple of big plays Monday Night. One would of been a 60 yard touchdown if he did not step out of bounds.

Victor Cruz:

A dominating performance with three touchdowns last preseason saved Cruz from being a likely preseason casualty cut. Now he has made the most of his playing time with early season injuries to Manningham and Nicks. Expect the Giants to have a formidable three receiver fantasy impact as they did a year ago with Steve Smith.

Steve Breaston:

As bad as Matt Cassel has been to start the year, there is no possible way he was going to perform like that for sixteen games. He has had the same pattern of awful games as a Chief, only to bounce back when least expected. If Cassel can have eight to ten games with over 250 yards passing, it’ll make Breaston a flex option and borderline number three receiver plug. That’ll be dependant on your other receivers matchups. Breaston learned behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald for years, and can be a bright spot for the Chiefs. With the running game in sharp decline, more emphasis will have to be put on the passing attack.

Jared Cook:

Matt Hasselbeck continues to surprise on how well he has handled the switch to the Titans. A true veteran that should bolster and improve upon his weekly performances with Chris Johnson re-emerging. Cook made a few big catches Sunday, and should see his targets rise with Britt out for the year.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Alert, alert. The Carolina Panthers have a wide receiver worth picking up off the waiver wire? Yes someone besides Steve Smith has fantasy relevancy. It might be the first time since Mushin Muhammed teamed with Smith that you could say that. Week one went rather unscaved as far as injuries to top players. Week two did not fare so well. Waiver wire pursuits will be hot this week, as there are plenty of solid athletes to consider. I hope you all enjoyed some of the highly rated start players and sleeper starters that proceeded to have great weeks, Jeremy Maclin, Brandon LaFell, and Nate Washington.

Here’s a look at who you should be reacting to their week two’s success by adding them to your fantasy football roster.

Quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick- It isn’t often to include a player on the waiver wire in back to back weeks. I will in the case of Fitzpatrick. Buffalo is probably the least marketable sports city franchise in the NFL. Seven touchdowns in two weeks and he is doing it with extreme efficiency. Neither game has he thrown for over 300 yards, but he makes big plays when needed. People were laughing when the Bills decided they had no reason to pursue a quarterback in the draft or via free agency. How’s a 2-0 start look?

Andy Dalton- How rookies are faring so well with no extended reps via training camp is mind boggling. Maybe there is some truth to over training mentally. These guys are out there just gunning and playing on instinct and it’s working. Dalton delivered the ball timely, and has found the Bengals new and improved investment at wide receiver in rookie AJ Green.

Matt Hasselbeck- I for one do not believe in Hasselbeck at all at this stage in his career. The back issues he has had, and the overall tendency of the Titans to play hot and cold. This week the team was hot, and you just can’t discount the top talent around Hasselbeck. Chris Johnson’s only going to motor back up once he gets himself back into shape. At receiver, Kenny Britt is legitimately now a top five fantasy worthy receiver.

Jason Campbell- With Washington Campbell showcased adequate capabilities. He just never could muster the proper backing from the front office. Campbell has new life, and in his second year as a Raider may be able to build this team up to new heights. True speed with every receiver will play to Campbell’s strengths, and having the backfield he does will open up the plays down the field to hit those fast targets.

Mike Kafka- I just wrote an article on Mike Vick’s chances of playing all sixteen games. It’s hard for any starting quarterback to make it through the year, let alone a guy that scrambles and moves around like Vick. For all Vick owners that drafted him highly, you’re likely extremely weak with your current fantasy backup quarterback. Depending on the diagnosis of Vick, Mike Kafka may have to be your starter for a few weeks. The Eagles are loaded, and Kafka looked rather comfortable in it. Vince Young shouldn’t be ready and even if he is, Kafka may be appointed anyway.

Running Back

Daniel Thomas- Looks like Miami was all talk in the way they stated they would run Bush as a work horse back. Miami hardly ran the ball vs. New England with Thomas injured. Week two with Thomas healthy the Dolphins tried to get the ground game going, and did so by utilizing Thomas to a much more proportioned work load than Bush. Thomas tallied over one hundred yards rushing but did cough the football up twice.

Mike Bush- There is three reasons to pick up Bush and retain him. Darren McFadden’s injury history. Darren McFadden’s inconsistency. Jason Campbell’s rollercoaster starts that causes the Raiders to run the ball as high as any team in the NFL.

DeMarco Murray- Look for the diagnosis on Felix Jones seperated shoulder. The extent of time out shouldn’t be long at all. Even if Jones is limited, things will bode well for Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray

Dexter McCluster- He has Jamaal Charles characteristics, but is a tad bit more undersized. With Thomas Jones on the down side of his career, it’ll be interesting to see how this split works out. Le’Ron McClain could also factor into the mix. Kansas City’s offense looks like it is in a world of hurting. Cassel has had these woes before and dug himself out. He better wake up quick.

Wide Receiver

Brandon LaFell- No one imagined Cam Newton throwing for nearly 1,000 yards in his first two starts. The exponential raise of every Panther offensively has sky rocketed. He is turning Steve Smith back into a top fifteen fantasy wide receiver. LaFell seems to be playing his role solidly, and is a great depth filler to add to your fantasy roster.

DeNario Alexander- With the Rams changing the offensive system, it has opened it up more for stretching pass plays down the field. Alexander torched the Giants broken down secondary, and seems to be Bradford’s new found favorite target.We will have to see how Mike Sims-Walker typical scattered play affects Alexander for when Walker shows up.

Eric Decker- He did it as a special teams threat in week one with a return touchdown. Week two he got the start to fill in for injured receiver Brandon Lloyd and made the most of it. Denver is going to have to find a way to get Decker on the field after the way he lit up the Bengals secondary. A high impact involvement will not just happen for one week for Decker.

David Nelson- Extra motivation after being undrafted in a lockout made Nelson even hungrier. Roster moves happen all the time, and Nelson has made the most of it. Nelson has been targeted a ton the first two games. His start should not be a fluke since he has caught the ball fourteen times in the first two games.

Titus Young- Here is a guy that just makes an impact wherever he goes. The Boise State alum, jumped on board for the Lions and made a great contribution week two. Catching five balls for nearly ninety yards. Being that this was during an onslaught blowout, chances are Young(as the Lions third receiver) won’t get near this amount of yards for quite awhile. It is intriguing though to see that Young can step in and contribute.

Preston Parker- It looks as if Parker is gaining some ground ahead of some of the mediocre young receivers behind Mike Williams. Parker led all Buccaneers and was really the only factor at wideout, as Mike Williams was shut down. One thing with Josh Freeman is if you’ve got his trust, he will find you consistently.

Nate Washington- Kind of a forgotten veteran. Washington pops up here and there but never grabs your attention fully. Firmly as the Titans second option at receiver he has re-blossomed with a slight fantasy pulse. After two solid games now, you can pick him up as your fifth receiver and at worse start your waiver wire carousel at wideout.

Jerome Simpson- In extreme deep leagues Simpson is worth scooping up. It’s not likely Andy Dalton will have too many games where he has a field day from a yardage stand point. In standard leagues, just keep you eye on him.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Get out the air horn and belt out at the same time, CAM NEWTON IS THE REAL DEAL. What a show he put on, in an all out treasure performance. It’ll go down as the debut of debuts. No matter what sport in the next ten to fifteen years, when a rookie’s first game is underway, Newton’s will be at the top of the bar. Play after play, throw after throw, Newton stayed undeterred, calm, and poised. Delivering rocket throws with his ahem, non accurate arm.

Throughout all of his summer interviews and predraft interviews he answered questions appropriately but with emphasis on getting better each time. Those workouts and hard work advanced his weaknesses that were just on display in college eight months ago, to near flawless execution. Was it a mixture of the Cardinals attacking too much with pressure, and leaving the secondary exposed? Maybe. Newton though made plenty of tough throws and right reads. Right reads being key. As many rookies overlook wide open receivers consistently.

It was an amazing start to week one, and owners are for sure to scurry their way to right click and add plenty of players. At the top being Newton. Who else should be looked at.

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton-
Newton possesses all the attributes you could want. A younger 2001 Daunte Culpepper. Slimmer, faster, and possibly a better arm. He already shows the natural pocket presence that leads you to believe he will only get better. If you already had Newton as a fantasy player, all you were expecting was 200 yard games POSSIBLY, and additional points from rushing. Not anymore. He’ll obviously tail off in some games, but he is going to be a monster for years to come.

Ryan Fitzpatrick- Why he continues to not get his proper credit is beyond me. He did well last year by dropping back and putting the team on his shoulders week after week. He blossomed over the 2010 season and has the Bills believing. Four touchdowns and proper management of every drive at Kansas City was very impressive.

Mark Sanchez- Only 64% owned in Yahoo leagues, Sanchez showcased a solid week one outing. He may not have too many 300 yard passing games, but he should see an increase in the touchdown category. He has too many weapons to throw to and should be a viable backup fantasy quarterback at the least. With Shonn Greene performing bust like in the regular season again, the Jets might have to rely on Sanchez’s arm more than they thought.

Running Backs

Cadillac Williams- Steven Jackson’s exit after an galloping touchdown run, makes room for this waiver wire pickup. Cadillac Williams has been through his fair share of injuries over the years, but hasn’t lost his toughness. He stepped in well with nearly ninety yards rushing and fifty receiving. He is likely available in the majority of leagues and is worth stashing on your bench if you’re thin on backs.

Jacquizz Rodgers- You can already see the funk of the Falcons offense, resulting in some changes. One that likely will happen is finding a way to get Rodgers on the field and more touches. He is the scat back type that offenses love to mix in. Watch for increased plays from Rodgers over the next few weeks. He did some damage as a pass catching receiver Sunday.

Delone Carter- Whispers were circling just a week ago when Carter eclipsed Donald Brown on the depth chart. It seems that there are some big changes ahead for the Colts, not just in the loss column. Carter could end up overtaking this job before long.

Derrick Ward- Dependant on if Arian Foster’s hamstring injury lingers, Ward could be a decent impact guy. The Texans love to rush the football, so the top two backs always have great fantasy value.

Wide Receivers

Jason Avant- Avant just keeps staying productive as an Eagle. With the Eagles loving to throw the football, Avant has always had fantasy value. This year there are many variables to see that increase. The Eagles are more explosive, and the concerns with the athletes above Avant on the roster chart.

Jason Hill- Luke McCown is going to be the typical Jay Fiedler type at quarterback. Handing the football off enough not to lose the game and drive his coaches crazy. With an effective ground game as the Jaguars have, it’ll create openings for McCown to deliver some throws. Hill didn’t catch a touchdown but caught enough passes to warrant waiver wire attention.

Jabar Gaffney- Gaffney is a journeyman that keeps on handling his business. Could the decision to start Rex Grossman last season truly of been the proper call? Grossman seems to have found his niche with the Redskins, which boosts all Redskins receivers up a tad from a week ago.

Brandon LaFell- Newton’s yardage average was assumed to be near 200 yards a game at best. Was his four hundred yard game above average? Clearly. But teams will go back to doubling Steve Smith like they did years ago. When that happens, LaFell will become an increased target.

Randall Cobb- Cobb could be a one week wonder. Based on what we have all seen from special teams super studs the last few years, you’d have to expect for Cobb to get on the field more. Even with all the Packers receiving weapons, Cobb poses as a fantasy worthy pickup in deeper leagues.

Ed Dickson- Joe Flacco has always been very comfortable with his tight ends. Todd Heap was the main guy for the start of Flacco’s career. Now it’s Dickson, who even though has been a Raven, really never got involved as a pass catching tight end. Those doubting Dickson being effective as a fantasy worthy tight end may want to reshift, as he can be this years Mercedes Lewis.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Maybe Tiki Barber can stop waiting by his cell phone for renewed found work in football. Dancing with the stars or a behind the scenes gig looks like his only chance for a job this year. Arizona you would of thought would have been a possibility after Ryan Williams went down for the season. The Cardinals though opted to go the typical way. Wait for a team to cut an athlete that fits their needs.

Chester Taylor has been a solid veteran running back in the NFL. He gave an extra edge as a backup to Adrian Peterson as a Viking, and did his role as a Bear. For those teams there were already formidable backs ahead of Taylor on the depth chart. Dividing up any fantasy relevant carries was not going to happen there.

Sometimes an abrupt change right before the season starts is a good thing. If he wasn’t cut, Taylor just would of rode the bench in Chicago. Now he goes to Arizona where they’ll actually depend upon Taylor right away. The Cardinals starting running back in Beanie Wells has not gained the full support and trust of head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

He has been highly injury prone, and Whisenhunt never could pick his decisive number one back between Hightower and Wells. The Cardinals obviously sent more mixed messages than anything to Wells by drafting Ryan Williams in the second round.

Due to Taylor not registering fantasy relevant numbers for the last three years, we wouldn’t recommend drafting or over reacting to this signing. Especially considering he only gained an average of 2.4 yards per carry last season. Pay attention to how the Cardinals use him the first few games of the season. He should get around the same amount of carries per game as he did as a Bear last year. Lets just hope that he does more with the pigskin to garner a waiver wire acquisition.

With Beanie’s track record with being in and out of the lineup, there’s a good chance Taylor could start around three games this year. Unlike other teams stock piled at running back, the Cardinals aren’t. That would mean Taylor would get the majority if not all carries, besides for certain third down packages for LaRod Stephens-Howling.

By Zack Cimini

All around the locker room typically when a team has a poor season the fingers start pointing at the foundation at quarterback. For the Buffalo Bills last season it was the opposite. They were in the majority of their games because of surprising quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick. He came into the season ranked near the bottom of fantasy quarterback rankings, only too become a fantastic waiver wire pickup and viable fill in starter for teams that were suffering at quarterback.

Gaining confidence from your organization is an ultimate psyche booster. The Alex Smtih treatment the Bills were giving to Trent Edwards finally came to a halt. When the Bills said they have their guy at quarterback as the season unfolded, and in the early off-season, it had to of given Ryan a tremendous boost. Especially this past draft, in which quarterbacks were selected like it was a quarterback sweepstakes in 1999.

Can Fitzpatrick lift his accuracy woes he displayed last year? He only completed 57% of his passes even though he was able to keep defenses off guard?

His rise did come out of no where, since he had opportunities with the Rams and Bengals and didn’t necessarily look like more than a career backup to say the least . The stint with the Rams included an impressive outing against the Houston Texans, but his outings as a Bengal in place of an injured Carson Palmer were awful.

No one could have anticipated Fitzpatrick throwing for eleven touchdowns in his first four starts of the season in 2010.

The I don’t believe it until I see it carried over until that fourth game last year against the Ravens. Fitzpatrick absolutely picked apart the Ravens secondary, with precision and daring throws. His rise led to the catapult of Stevie Johnson, who also shot up the waiver wire to become a more than viable starter. It was apparent that Johnson had become the go to guy, and by dealing Lee Evans, Bills management had must feel secure with Johnson as the number one wide receiver.

Subtract those four games from Fitzpatrick’s year and the year looks blindingly bad. He did not start the first two games, but from week eight on he only threw for multiple touchdown throws twice. There are certain variables that would lead you to believe the reasoning to that. Buffalo never had a consistent running game with CJ Spiller not showing first round pick value as a rookie. Also his decline coincided with the Buffalo winter.

At 28 though, Fitzpatrick is now a capable veteran. Look for him to be the same hot potato type fantasy quarterback as last year. You’ll likely miss out on the four touchdown games, but he will serve his purpose as being a solid fantasy backup quarterback. A bye week filler and worst case injury fill in. Do we see Fitzpatrick throwing for 23 touchdowns in 2011? Maybe not that high. The Bills should get some sort of running game going, that should cut Fitzpatrick’s red zone touchdowns a tad.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

There’s nothing like nabbing a late round pick or middle round pick that turns out to be a true gem. Last year Arian Foster and Brandon Lloyd were the top of the pack in their positions for overturned value. Lloyd, had faded into a special teams athlete for a few years, and was sort of written off. No one really knew how Houston’s backfield would shape up. Most thought it would be running back by committee. When Ben Tate went down though, it really opened up things for Foster as the lone back. The rest is 2010 fantasy history.

Of course the number one reason for opportunity is typically injury. Watchout for Beanie Wells having a significant year compared to projections. No longer is he in the shadow or worrisome of Tim Hightower. Ryan Williams was supposed to be that threat, but went down to a season ending injury in week two of the preseason. LaRod Stephens-Howling is a scatback type, but won’t get more than five carries a game.

We have a few guys listed below that will likely get drafted in deeper leagues. Keep them stashed on your bench, as opportunity could come your way for these young athletes.

Delone Carter:

He was never exceptionally flashy at Syracuse, but he piled up a solid career. His nature of running the football isn’t going to benefit him for a long career, but his first five should be decent. He is an in between tackles runner, that is going to carry defenders and fall forward for extra yards. With Indianapolis getting impatient with former first round pick Donald Brown, and Addai’s injury struggles, Carter could be the main back by mid-season.

CJ Spiller:

After an extremely disappointing rookie year, Spiller has a lot to prove. He wasn’t supposed to just be a special teams force. The Bills spent a first round pick on him, and were willing to part with Marshawn Lynch. The backfield remains the same, meaning the Bills haven’t given up on Spiller yet. Look for Spiller to make more of his carries this year as he tries to gain back coaches trust. The Bills have likely got the cheapest backfield in the NFL.

Rashard Jennings:

When will the bowling ball, fade into the gutter lane? Maurice Jones-Drew has been able to sustain the hits even at his small stature. The reason is because of his tremendous sized thighs and quads. Yet, it hasn’t staved off soreness and minor injuries for Drew. He has fought through them somehow, but the message in Jacksonville seems to be a new change coming. Jennings has slowly gained carries from Drew. If the opportunity presents itself, Jennings has shown that he can get the job done.

Roy Helu:

Everyone has been ranting and raving over Tim Hightower. He is the perfect back to run the zone blocking scheme, etc. Hightower has had a dandy preseason, but what will happen when teams actually game plan against the Redskins? They’ll get after their main weakness, which is at quarterback. Once that happens, the holes will clog up. Hightower is a breakaway runner, not a slasher in between the tackles. His main issue will pop up again, as they have year after year. Fumble prone. It just doesn’t alleviate a running back. Shanahan is an impatient coach, and Helu has been just as impressive in the preseason.

Ben Tate:

There really is no reason too elaborate here. Tate has been a monster in the preseason and if it weren’t for Foster, would instantly shoot up to a top ten fantasy running back. Good luck to the rest of the NFL on shutting the two down.

Jacquizz Rodgers:

The mileage on Michael Turner’s legs is in need of a Ricky Williams hiatus to refuel. The pattern of backs being over ran and tanking is predictable. Turner might have a year left in him before he fades like Larry Johnson. Rodgers can fit the old mold the Falcons were accustomed to with Warrick Dunn. A small back, but one that can carry the load twelve to fifteen times a game.