Quick Slants - Week 4

Waiver Wire:

The Browns, Raiders, Rams, and Jets have byes this week. Romeo Crennel should be on the hot seat, but the wild Raiders’ press conference and Scott Linehan’s firing by the Rams have kept Crennel out of the national headlines. NFL coaches have to be hoping that this idea of firing the head coach during the bye week does not catch on in what is usually a copy cat league. Owners who took Derek Anderson high in the draft must be feeling great this week, because they can start their back up quarterback without worrying about wasting that high draft pick on Anderson, or about benching Anderson and having him throw for 5 touchdowns.

I cannot believe that I am about to write this, but the best quarterback to pick up this week is Kyle Orton of the Bears. He has had two straight weeks of above average Fantasy points which includes a big week against the vaunted Eagles’ defense. The Bears have a solid running game with Matt Forte. Orton also has a great match up this week against the Detroit Lions. If Forte stays healthy, Orton is a spot starter for Fantasy owners for the rest of the season. The one other guy that still intrigues me is JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders’ situation should be better with a new coach—the situation cannot get any worse unless Al Davis gets caught running a dog fighting ring.

After this Monday’s game, the Ravens’ Le’Ron McClain is the top running back to try and nab off the wire. He is probably not available if you are in a competitive league. He is huge and should get most of the Ravens’ goal line carries. Plus, McGahee runs so hard that he is always an injury concern for Fantasy owners.

No matter how bad your running back situation is, you have to be in a better position than Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Basically, three of the running backs will be out this week against Jacksonville. Mewelde Moore is a solid waiver wire pick up, but only if you need to start him for one or two weeks. He is not someone to pick up and sit on your bench. Moore will have plenty of work this week, but he is not that durable for a long run. The Bills’ Fred Jackson is a capable Fantasy player. He is a great handcuff if you have Marshawn Lynch. I would pick him up to handcuff to Lynch, but I am patiently waiting for Ryan Grant or Ray Rice to do something this year! Some off the wall running backs to pay attention to are Dominic Rhodes, Ladell Betts, and Jason Wright of the Browns. For a long range waiver claim, go with Rhodes.

When I saw the Jets score Sunday, I figured my guy Chansi Stuckey had at least a TD. Stuckey was shutout. Ouch. Don’t give up on Stuckey, because the Jets are going to keep throwing the football. Anquan Boldin is going to be out of action for awhile, but do not expect the Cardinals to change their offense. Take a look at any of the Cardinals wide receivers, but if you can acquire Steve Breaston, make that move. In my Dallas league, three Saints’ receivers are free agents. Any of these guys are worth taking a chance on if you are hurting at wide receiver. I still like Miles Austin from the Cowboys. Another guy that you probably can pick up after the waiver wire is Antwaan Randle El. He is a notoriously slow starter, but against the Cowboys he was getting open for Jason Campbell. Other WRs that are solid pick ups are Bernard Berrian, Arnaz Battle, and any of those Seahawk receivers that are returning from injury.

State of the Union: This whole Wall Street bail out situation is a mess. I really cannot blame Travis Henry for trying to make a few dollars on the side. Can you imagine what that guy has to pay in child support each month? Someone needs to do a breakdown of that on ESPN. While watching CNN on Sunday night, my wife and I tried to come up with a list of people in the United States that Americans could trust to do what is right for the country. Anyone could be on the list, but the main criteria was, can we totally trust this man or woman? The sad part is that eight years ago I would have immediately said Colin Powell. Not anymore. John Stewart? Take a minute and think about it--not that easy to come up with anyone.

Pop Culture: That Al Davis press conference was like a bad beer commercial. Frank Caliendo should do a spoof this Sunday on the Fox pregame show. Anyway, when I saw Stephanie Pratt visiting Audrina when LC was in Italy, I knew something crazy was going to happen on The Hills. I like this guy Doug’s style. Missed the episode this week, but will catch it on the internet. As soon as some extra cash is available, the laptop will be hooked up to the flat screen TV.