2008 Woodie Awards
Fantasy football fill-ins could make or break season
By Rocco Cremonese
Rocket Guest Columnist
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports
Even if your team is composed solely of stars, knowing who to start when injuries or bye weeks strike is of paramount importance.
With this being another week with a whopping six teams on bye, it's likely you may have to plug in a lesser-known player at a key spot.
With that in mind, here are a few of those types of players that may surprise in Week 9.
QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland - Admittedly, I never thought I'd be recommending a Browns quarterback this year, but Anderson has proven me wrong. The Rams have a No. 10 ranked pass defense, but that's deceiving, as teams haven't had to come back against them all year.
RB Jesse Chatman, Miami - Chatman becomes the lead back in Miami with starter Ronnie Brown lost for the season. He has looked solid in limited stints in both San Diego and Miami, and any owners that question why he's never gotten on the field for extended playing time need to look at the two guys he's backed up: LaDainian Tomlinson and Ronnie Brown.
RB Kevin Jones, Detroit - While still not 100 percent, Jones has reclaimed the starting running back job in Detroit and had a decent outing last week with 100 combined yards and a touchdown. Jones is also a difference-maker in the passing game, and the Lions are reportedly looking to go more conservative to protect quarterback Jon Kitna.
RB Cedric Benson, Chicago - Last week the Lions gave up nearly 180 combined yards to Earnest Graham, who was Tampa Bay's No. 3 running back until injuries ravaged their backfield. Benson may not have a better match-up all year.
RB Fred Taylor, Jacksonville - Do the math: Quinn Gray + a gimpy Maurice Jones-Drew + a weak Tampa Bay rush defense = Taylor being a fine substitute this week.
WR Lee Evans, Buffalo - Evans finally showed signs of life last week. This week he gets a Jets team that is struggling to do anything right, and the league's 26th-ranked ranked pass D is icing on the cake.
WR Isaac Bruce, St. Louis - Lost in the excitement of the Cleveland Browns' start is the fact that they statistically remain one of the worst defenses in the league. Bruce is healthy again after an injury a few weeks ago and should put up solid No. 3 wide-out numbers as the Browns try to stop Torry Holt and Stephen Jackson.
TE Tony Scheffler, Denver - Scheffler clearly benefited from the absence of the Broncos' top receiver, Javon Walker, last week, catching five passes for 50 yards against the Steelers. He was a favorite of Jay Cutler's last year when the two were rookies, so if your tight end isn't named Gates or Shockey, start him.
Rocco Cremonese is an English graduate student.
With this being another week with a whopping six teams on bye, it's likely you may have to plug in a lesser-known player at a key spot.
With that in mind, here are a few of those types of players that may surprise in Week 9.
QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland - Admittedly, I never thought I'd be recommending a Browns quarterback this year, but Anderson has proven me wrong. The Rams have a No. 10 ranked pass defense, but that's deceiving, as teams haven't had to come back against them all year.
RB Jesse Chatman, Miami - Chatman becomes the lead back in Miami with starter Ronnie Brown lost for the season. He has looked solid in limited stints in both San Diego and Miami, and any owners that question why he's never gotten on the field for extended playing time need to look at the two guys he's backed up: LaDainian Tomlinson and Ronnie Brown.
RB Kevin Jones, Detroit - While still not 100 percent, Jones has reclaimed the starting running back job in Detroit and had a decent outing last week with 100 combined yards and a touchdown. Jones is also a difference-maker in the passing game, and the Lions are reportedly looking to go more conservative to protect quarterback Jon Kitna.
RB Cedric Benson, Chicago - Last week the Lions gave up nearly 180 combined yards to Earnest Graham, who was Tampa Bay's No. 3 running back until injuries ravaged their backfield. Benson may not have a better match-up all year.
RB Fred Taylor, Jacksonville - Do the math: Quinn Gray + a gimpy Maurice Jones-Drew + a weak Tampa Bay rush defense = Taylor being a fine substitute this week.
WR Lee Evans, Buffalo - Evans finally showed signs of life last week. This week he gets a Jets team that is struggling to do anything right, and the league's 26th-ranked ranked pass D is icing on the cake.
WR Isaac Bruce, St. Louis - Lost in the excitement of the Cleveland Browns' start is the fact that they statistically remain one of the worst defenses in the league. Bruce is healthy again after an injury a few weeks ago and should put up solid No. 3 wide-out numbers as the Browns try to stop Torry Holt and Stephen Jackson.
TE Tony Scheffler, Denver - Scheffler clearly benefited from the absence of the Broncos' top receiver, Javon Walker, last week, catching five passes for 50 yards against the Steelers. He was a favorite of Jay Cutler's last year when the two were rookies, so if your tight end isn't named Gates or Shockey, start him.
Rocco Cremonese is an English graduate student.
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