Bye-Week Blues

AHH! The dreaded bye weeks have arrived. And if you did not plan ahead, then you are feeling my pain. The evil television companies have devised an evil plan to increase profits, and they enact this plan under the cover of “more games to broadcast for the fans.” Well, this plan has wreaked havoc on my fantasy team. So, I have put together a list of a few players to watch for on the waiver wire. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find one or more of these bye-week specials to get you through.

Quarterbacks – It seems as if Daunte Culpepper has seen his last game starting for Miami this season, barring an injury to Joey Harrington that is. Harrington played decent enough and will most likely continue to start. Damon Huard is consistently playing his guts out, and is the best of the rest for fantasy starters. Philip Rivers has the best matchup this week against the 49ers.




Running Backs – Leon Washington is close to taking over the starting position for the Jets, if he hasn’t done so already. The regular starter out with a knee injury leads to increased playing time which leads to increased point production for you. Lendale White in Tennessee is also getting more touches and is likely the “mighty mighty” Titan back for the future. Try to get him now, while is value is still low, it will go up. Denver’s running back Cedric Cobbs is also….no wait…never mind. I’ve got C4 on my fantasy equipment manager team.

Receiver/Tight Ends – Bryant Johnson in Arizona looks to get a lot more looks now that No.1 Larry Fitzgerald is out 2-5 weeks. Of course you may want to sit him against Chicago (along with any other player up against the Bears), and then play him later versus Oakland and Green Bay. Wesley Welker may turn into Joey Harrington’s go-to guy in Miami. He’s catching more balls than any other Dolphin. Jerramy Stevens is back for Seattle. He should start this Sunday and could play a big role in Hasselhoff’s passing game.
Defense – If you need a get-you-through-the-bye defense, consider Miami vs the Jets. I know what you’re saying, “Miami? What the..?” But Chad Pennington threw three interceptions last week, come on, live a little.

In addition to the waiver wire acquisitions, don’t be afraid to peek at the line-ups of other fantasy owners in your league. Offer a trade here and there, the worst they can do is say no, and who knows, maybe you’ll get the Marques Colston for the Chris Chambers. Anyway, good luck to you, and to me.