The Fantasy Football Fanatic: A Few Key Players

By Dan “Snake” Watson

Hello again fellow Fantasy Football Friends and welcome to Week 14 in the NFL. In a lot of cases this is the beginning of the playoffs. .

Naturally you should always play your Brady, Brees, Manning, Peterson, Andre Johnson etc, however, if you have fallen down and are looking to advance in the playoffs, I have a few key players that are interesting to me based on the matchups that they have this week.

QUARTERBACK

In spite of having a lousy game against the Jets last week, I have to recommend Ryan Fitzpatrick again this week if you’re in need of a QB. This week he takes on KC and they give up 260 yds per game average in passing and Fitz has healthy receivers in Lee Evens and Terrell Owens. I also like Chad Henne this week against Jacksonville. The Jags have been giving up a ton of yardage lately due to missing a couple of key defenders and Henne could see the end zone a couple of times this week. I also would like to give a shout out to Alex Smith. He’s been on fire lately and is looking to retain the job full time. He’ll play every week like he’s in the Super Bowl. .

RUNNING BACK

Jamal Lewis of Cleveland is on the Injured Reserve list and is done for the season and maybe his career as he had stated earlier in the year that this would be his last year. His replacement, Jerome Harrison. Against San Diego last week he had 10 carries for only 35 yds but he also had 7 catches for 623 yards and scored twice. He could be available and he appears to be the man now in Cleveland. Chris Brown of Houston seems to have taken carries away from Steve Slaton who’s had a miserable year from a fantasy perspective. With Houston at the bottom of their division, they could look to see what Brown brings to the table as they plan for next year. It’s almost too late to mention this but since Washington placed Clinton Portis on IR yesterday, Rock Cartwright has zoomed to the top of the newly acquired RB’s. There really isn’t anyone else on the team worth picking up as Rock is in there for every offensive play. Sammy Morris could have a good next couple of weeks and could put you in a better playoff position. Depending upon Michael Turner’s health issues, Jerious Norwood may be an RB that you want waiting in the wings.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Mavlin was noted in this column last week and he came through. I also like Robert Meachum from New Orleans. I have no idea where Marques Colston got to but he has become the missing man in the Big Easy. Kenny britt has become revitalized down in Tennessee thanks to the switch to Vince Young at QB. In KC, Chris Chambers is still trying to prove that he should not have been cut by San Diego. Guess what? He’s right. Pick him up

TIGHT END

Bo Schaife has at least 5 reception in each of the last two games. He scored last week so if you need a TE, he’s as good as any in Free Agency pools. I aosl kind of like Fred Davis in Washington. He took over when Cooley went down and has been a nice fill in. He should do well down the stretch.

PLACE KICKER

Garrett Hartley has served his suspension and scored 14 points last week. All of the games except week 17 are being played indoors giving him an advantage. He could be good stretch run kicker.

DEFENSE

I actually like Oakland this week hosting Washington. Campbell throws too many picks to ignore the Raiders. Philadelphia should handle Eli Manning and New Orleans should smoke Redman and Atlanta. I also like Tennessee and New England their opponents stink.

Again, welcome to the Playoffs. I made it in my work league and did not make it in my other league. Such is life. I tr to answer all the comments, questions, criticisms left on Clearysnotebook.com I’m enjoying writing this column very much.

Until next week, thanks for reading this column in Cleary's Notebook.

Dan “Snake” Watson

PS. I’ve gotten some feedback about upcoming course in Fantasy Football. I’ll be starting them up in late April or early May but after the college draft is completed so we have a full compliment of fantasy folks. Please stay tuned for more on this as the location and size of the classes has yet to be determined.