Second Half Sleepers
November 5, 2009 at 11:06 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
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As of this writing, the Houston Texans have yet to name a starting running back for Week 9. Former Philadelphia Eagles scat back Ryan Moats stepped in for a fumbling Steve Slaton in Week 8 and rushed 23 times for 126 yards and three TDs, while also catching two passes for 25 yards. So, unfortunately for Slaton owners, it looks like Moats may have traded places with their stud. However, with TE Owen Daniels out for the season, there is a slight possibility that Slaton will line-up in the slot as a receiver, with Moats in the backfield. Many also believe that Chris Brown will get his share of carries, but I don’t see that happening. Expect a heavy dose of Moats and Slaton moving forward, but with Moats perhaps being the more desirable of the two runners. I know it’s only one game – and Slaton was throwing up fine digits prior to his benching – but Moats looked like the real deal in Week 8… An update on Redskins TE Chris Cooley’s surgically repaired ankle hints that he might not be coming back this year after all. Look for the `Skins to give him a chance to return a few weeks from now, but ultimately shelf him once they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. This, of course, means second year TE Fred Davis could be a fantasy stud the rest of the way… Seahawks RB Justin Forsett – who I proclaimed the most fantasy-worthy Seahawks RB at the beginning of the season – will get a chance to shine now that the team has finally cut bait with veteran Edgerrin James. Julius Jones is still the starter, but the shifty Forsett is way more dynamic and should be pretty valuable as a flex option in PPR leagues – especially this week against Detroit.
Second Half Sleepers
There have been several players that have completely disappointed their owners during the first half (Weeks 1-8) of the NFL season. With only two bye weeks remaining, it is truly the mid-way point of the year, and time for fantasy owners to evaluate who is likely to bounce back and have a solid second half of the season – salvaging their fantasy value. Take a look…
Donnie Avery, Rams WR – It’s been a tough year for Avery, who hurt his foot in the preseason and hasn’t really been able to stay healthy, battling hip and shoulder injuries along the way. While he’s definitely been a fantasy bust, he hasn’t really been as bad as most owners have made the situation out to be. In spite of playing on one of the worst offenses in the league, Avery has caught three or more balls in four of eight games, including a respectable six catch outing against Jacksonville in Week 1, and a five catch, 87 yard, one TD outing against the Vikings in Week 5. Coming out of his bye this week, he’ll be healthy, recharged and ready to create separation against the Saints and Cardinals defensive backs over the next two weeks. He also faces the Titans’ 30th ranked pass defense in Week 14 and doesn’t face a top 10 passing defense the rest of the way. Look for Avery to get his act together and finish strong in the stat column even though the Rams are flat out horrible.
Kevin Walter, Texans WR – Considering that the Texans have one of the league’s top passing offenses, the seventh year man from Eastern Michigan has had an incredibly disappointing year. After two straight 60-catch, 800-yard seasons, including eight TDs last year, he’s on pace for only 51 catches, 609 yards and two scores. However, with TE Owen Daniels on injured reserve with a torn ACL, Matt Schaub will need to rely on Walter as a go-to target the rest of the way. Plus, he has match-ups against bottom 12 pass defenses such as the Titans, Jags, Rams and Dolphins. Walter will finish 2009 MUCH stronger than he started it.
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans DE – All you IDPers out there struggling to find consistency at the defensive end position need to go out and snag Vanden Bosch off of waivers right now. It’s true that he struggled early on with some nagging injuries, and adjusting to life without Albert Haynesworth, but the Titans pass rush looked freaking rejuvenated after their Week 7 bye. KVB recorded his first sack of the season against the Jags in Week 8, and is likely to put together a string of solid games against the 49ers and Bills in Weeks 9 and 10, then again in Weeks 14 and 15 against the Rams and Dolphins, respectively.
Marion Barber, Cowboys RB – MBIII started the year on fire, rushing for 203 yards and two scores in Weeks 1 and 2, but he injured his quad late in Week 2 against the Giants, and missed Week 3. He bounced back to score in Week 4, but hasn’t carried the rock more than 18 times in a game this season and is not contributing as a receiver out of the backfield after catching a career high 55 balls last year. Barber is getting more pep in his step recently, and looked much better against Seattle in Week 8. He should see more touches down the stretch as Dallas vies for a playoff spot. He’s a great buy low candidate right now in seasonal leagues.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks WR – Wow. Other than solid performances in Weeks 4 and 5 against the Colts and Jags, respectively, Housh has been a disappointment this season. He’s caught four or more balls in every game, but has reached less than 50 yards receiving in four of them, including his last two. Nate Burleson has received 66 targets to his 59, but that should change starting this week against Detroit. Matt Hasselbeck should be back to full strength soon after enduring a rib injury, and Housh should shine against the following opposing passing defenses over the next several weeks – Detroit (26th), Arizona (20th), Minnesota (23rd), St. Louis (24th) and San Francisco (27th).
IDP Pulse…
Cardinals 6’7” second year E Calais Campbell is a rising IDP star in leagues that require starters at defensive line. The monster out of Miami has 2.5 sacks in his last three games, and has six or more solo tackles on two occasions this year. He is looking like a solid dynasty prospect and a player who – if he stays healthy – could be an IDP force for years to come… Browns veteran Robaire Smith has burst onto the scene over the last few weeks, racking up 29 tackles in his last four games. In tackle-only IDP leagues, he’s a force, as he hasn’t recorded a single sack, interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery this season, and he only has one tackle for a loss… Justin Durant is back folks. The Jags’ middle linebacker missed Weeks 5 & 6 with a hip injury, and Week 7 with a bye. In Week 8, he racked up 12 solo tackles and four assisted against the Titans, meaning he’s averaging 19 fantasy points per ballgame in leagues that award points for tackles and big plays…Despite elevating his fantasy play, racking up seven solo tackles in each of his last two games, and 11 solos in Week 5, Dolphins safety Gibril Wilson was reportedly benched in favor of rookie Chris Clemons in Week 8. Those of you ready to invest a roster spot in Wilson should think twice, and monitor Clemons’ progress while you’re at it.
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