November 16th, 2004 Page updated at 5:40pm
FantasyFootball Grab Bag For Week 11
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Week 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14  .15 . 16 . 17

My oh My another NFL Fantasy Football week in the down and I'm impressed with even myself. I'm in first place in three of my leagues (leading the points as well in two of them) and in my fourth league I just pulled off a blockbuster deal. Ahmen Green and Chris Chambers and in return I get Roy Williams, Jimmy Smith, and Corey Dillon. Not to shabby eh?? This was yet another week where everything that I possibly imagined happening in my leagues and probably yours happened. Manning and McNabb went off again?? I’m starting to see Peyton Manning for who he really is – a statistical egomaniac. I can’t think of any other reason that the Colts, up by 5 touchdowns with 4 minutes left in the game, would still be chucking the rock 50 yards downfield. That gumpified dork was looking to pad his stats, and nothing else. And don’t tell me those calls were coming in from the sidelines, either. We’ve known for some time now that Manning alone runs that offensive team, shaking off the OC so regularly that he looks like Randy Johnson reacting to the catcher telling him to throw anything but the heater. Seriously, I think I could be the Colts OC. Does that guy even need to show up to meetings every week?

Moss was a no show, again.....Corey Dillon went off against the Bills. Troy Brown picked off a pass from his old QB, The Bears Defense pulled out all the stops and I'm wagering if you had them on your team you won your week. Onterrio Smith did end up being the #1 guy in Minnesota, Jimmy Smith is old but amazing, Favre is still Favre, Culpepper is still putting up numbers, TO came up with three new endzone celebrations, and basically all is normal in fantasy land.

I have no complaints about starting and sitting announcements this week, all the coaches heard me venting last week, and all complied with my wishes. Way to go Walrus Holmgren! Don't give Alexander that 4th and 1 carry. I agree Mac Strong should be in the Pro Bowl this year, but he's not your 175 yard a game running back. That was a bed $hit. Also props go out Billy Volek. What?? Did you forget something? Umm ya...You LOSE !!!

I know there are several people like me out there who were depending on a good game from Witten on Monday night, well he sure came thru didn't he? So did McNabb to the tune of three TD's to TO, and one to Pinkston. And man oh man what a play on that pass to Mitchell. My buddy Tom got a hold of me and told me he was going to lose his week because he needed 6 more points from Phillies Defense to pull it out...well he phoned me back 20 minutes later thanks to that 102 yard interception return by Lito Sheppard. He was just a tad happier too when he called back. Not a very interesting game if you Dallas. Hey Tuna..whats a matter with BIG D?? Come on you can do better. I'm hoping for better out of Dallas next week. But I'm also playing any wide reciever I can against them.

Upon Further Review - My Where The Hell Did You Come From Award?

Muhsin Muhammad (123 Yd, 3 TD) - So what happens when a one year Super Bowl contender, built on the strength of it's running game and ability to stop the run, loses both its running backs and the interior of its defensive line? Time for a little pitch-and-catch, and apparently Muhammad is more then up to the catch task lately. Mark him down for 323 yards and 5 TD in the past 3 weeks. Do you think he has a feeling his Panther days may be numbered so he's marketing himself the best way he can?

Derrick Blaylock (224 Yd, 1 TD) - No Priest, no problem! I got your replacement here. Wait a second. You, Priest owners, after you picked up Derrick Blaylock earlier this year when you were on Priest Holmes injury watch, you didn't DROP HIM since then, did you? Oh, you did... Geez, well, yeah uh... this fantasy football is all luck anyway... That's it, all luck... I'm sure you had your reasons for dropping the most valuable handcuff in the league to protect against losing your MVP. You're against handcuffing? I see... Well, with playoff hopes practically dashed for the Chiefs now I'm sure they'll rush Holmes right back in there to pad his stats and help you continue the path to your fantasy football championship.

Tidbits

Mike Holmgren has tried everything to get his receivers to stop dropping so many passes. Pushups are obviously not working. Bringing in Jerry Rice is not working. I think it is about time he just gave up on them. From what I witnessed they appear truly hopeless, or is it the guy chucking them the ball?

The Jets like to try trick plays more then most teams. Sometimes they work, sometimes, not so much... Up 14-0 and driving with a backup QB against one of the best defenses in the league, is probably not the right time to pull out the tricks. Taking a line from Matt Waldman's weekly 20/20 article, hindsight's a bitch.

The past two weeks the Giants have been up 14-0 and 14-3 early, and lost both games. This is more what I expected preseason from them instead of the early season success. Now let's see what this other Manning can do.

Waiting for the Bills comment? I have no comment.

Waiver Watch - Week 11

You Might Wanna Pick These Guys Up??!!

QB David Garrard, JAX - With the bye weeks behind us, many fantasy owners are less inclined to make waiver moves, especially at the QB position. However, if you’ve been lagging behind your competition in production from your signal caller, David Garrard could be good for one or two starts. I listed him as a potential sleeper last week in my Weekly 6-Pack column because he has the ability to pick up yardage on the ground. He exceeded my expectations, tossing two touchdowns against the Lions. This week the competition is a bit stronger, but Garrard should have another decent game. A Week 12 match-up with the Vikings could be a goldmine.

RB Julius Jones, DAL - He’s one week closer to returning to action. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or the first weekend in December, Jones will be back in 2004 and I expect him to be a fantasy factor before the season is over. Bill Parcells will use the month of December to evaluate his draft pick and that will mean 20+ carries per game. Against the likes of Seattle, New Orleans and Philadelphia, Jones could close out the season like William Green did two seasons ago.

RB Antowain Smith, TEN – Ouch…my only good running back in one league goes down with toeitis. This isn’t good. Do I really have to play Barlow and three Wideouts??? Chris Brown will be listed as doubtful this week because of his turf toe which means Smith would be the man if Brown cannot play. Brown will be dealing with this all year which means Smith a guy you should definitely add to your team if you either own Brown or if you are thin at the RB position.

QB Patrick Ramsey, WAS - If your league doesn't penalize you for turnovers than Ramsey is a guy worth picking up. He knows how to move the ball and he will definitely use his weapons more than Brunell did. You'll see a fair share of INTs from him but if he can get that turned around he may even become a legitimate fantasy starter by the end of the season.

QB Eli Manning, NYG – I’m just throwing him in because of bloodlines. Yes he's a rookie but he's also the new starting quarterback for the Giants. He'll have good players to throw the ball to (Well ok…1. Shockey) and should have an easier time passing with Tiki Barber keeping defenses honest so don't be surprised if he has a couple of decent games.

WR TJ Houshmanzadeh, CIN – Double Coverage is the name of the game on Chad “underachieving” Johnson. Basically TJ was thrown to eleven times last game and that alone is enough to warrant consideration. He's gotten at least 50 yards his last few games and would help a thin WR core.

WR Eddie Kennison, KC – I had him in my lineup in one league 2 weeks ago, and on my bench last week for “Darrell I Can’t Catch Jackson” He’s had 100 plus yards two weeks in a row. With KC playing from behind in most games, he's an immediate "plug and play."

Cincinnati D – I picked them up in an earlier week in one league and dropped them the next week. A good matchup makes you think twice about the bungles D. Currently ranked in the top ten for fantasy defenses and have had their best three games the last three weeks.

Chicago DT – I kept this pickup to myself last week. I picked em up. I also told my Dad to pick him up. Family secrets…..I can’t believe the other morons in my league left them to me??? Their defense is their offense! Even with Urlacher going down with injury, this defense forces a lot of turnovers.

RB Maurice Hicks, SF – Get him while the coach is talking about him. Erickson says Kevin Barlow knows his role but he will spell him more when he’s tired and isn’t afraid to leave Hicks in for long periods of time. Barlow is not having the kind of year many of us were expecting and despite having a big first half against the Panthers, he found himself watching from the sidelines in the second half after Maurice Hicks came in and ran well. Barlow is still the starter but head coach Dennis Erickson said that he plans on sticking with the guy who is the hottest which means you might see Barlow and Hicks split carries from here on out.

RB Jamal Robertson, CAR – I don’t think you care about Carolina’s running game. It sucks basically. But….Robertson, who previously backed up Kevan Barlow before fumble problems, has been recently signed by Carolina to fill in for Stephen Davis. While Robertson will likely split carries with both Brad Hoover and Nick Goings, he did show some talent in San Fran and could make for a decent play in those important weeks 13-17.

WR Ricky Proehl, CAR – The #3 man in Carolina’s passing attack, but man if they are losing does he get some balls thrown his way. Proehl saw the ball tossed his way 13 times last Sunday! He's quietly racked up some yardage and makes an intriguing addition.

RB Travis Minor, MIA – New Coach, New Role? We’ll see. But put him on your bench and wait him out.

Droppies

TE Daniel Graham, NE – What has happened to this guy? Seven receptions in the last five games?? Hmmm... I can think of plenty more TE's I'd rather have on my roster right now like Jermaine Wiggins, Jeb Putzier, and Dallas Clark.

RB Larry Johnson, KC – LJ can’t block. He’s in Crybabies doghouse, and to make matters worse the Chefs get the Patriots on Monday Night. Blaylock is healthy and took away whatever chance LJ had of playing with that big game against the Saints. He's a waste of roster space like he was before the injury to Holmes.

WR Donte Stallworth, NO - I’m so sick of having this guy on one of my fantasy teams I dumped him for a backup kicker. Every year he disappoints. Every year.

WR Antonio Bryant, CLE – Ok Pittsburgh’s corners aren’t the best, but he was the goto guy on Sunday and did not impress. He’s been invisible after coming over to Cleveland.

WR Quincy Morgan, DAL – Sure didn’t do much last night did he? Was he even on the field. He’s the 3rd option at best in Big D.

???'s

John M. Detroit MI - Can Manning save Toomer's season?

DB - He can't do much worse, can he? Toomer has not scored at all this season. Not once. You have to go back to 1997, Toomer's second year in the league, to find a season in which he didn't score at least five touchdowns. Toomer, who is on pace for 953 yards, hasn't been held under 1,000 yards in a season since '98. The quarterback change probably won't alter Toomer's production too dramatically, but I think he's in for a slight increase in value. Look at him as a No. 4 starter with nowhere to go but up a little bit.

Tony C. - Cleveland OH - With James Jackson being waived from Cleveland to free up room Dave help me out. Where is he going to end up? Will he play?

DB - Tony I see him swinging into Carolina, Dallas, Philadelphia, or believe it or not Tampa Bay. If he goes to Carolina he'll come in with Jamal Robertson who is currantly learning the offense there. In Dallas it would be as a RBBC with Lee, George and Anderson. But Dallas clearly needs offensive weapons. In Phili he'd be a nice change of pace back for Mahe and Westbrook, and guys like Jackson fit that offense. Honestly though, I see him landing in Tampa Bay. Jackson and Pittman has a nice ring to it. Gruden will love him.

Final Word

The Vikings won't fold like they did last year. I know they have lost their hold atop the NFC North, but when they get Randy Moss back they will be fine. I still believe Mike Tice has a playoff team. I mean, I like them more than Seattle right now and both of them are 5-4.

Marty Schottenheimer is doing a great job and Drew Brees has been on fire. Everything is clicking for Brees. LaDainian Tomlinson's injured groin will improve and look out. I like the Chargers; they are a hungry team, plus they are one of the good offensive teams that is also playing very good defense.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 6-3, but I don't see them making the playoffs. I see them coming back to the pack. I may be wrong, but I'll go out on a limb and say it anyway.

Week 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14  .15 . 16 . 17

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