Fantasy Football Week 8 | In the Eyes of The Optiongirl

The fantasy season continues with the dreaded bye weeks. I am 4-3 after 7 weeks, losing another running back Willis McGahee who needs  surgery for his   fractured right hand,  however the good news is he is not out for the season.  The waiver wire is slim pickings, so it’s a good time to make a trade and give two players for one if you have extra depth on your bench to get a stud. So send your trade offers  to other managers that have favorable schedulesduring  the fantasy plaoffs which is usually weeks 15 -17. Now is the time to make the move and take a chance, look ahead and  prepare for the playoffs. There is no time like the present.

Waiver wire favorites of the Optiongirl

DeMarco Murray (RB, DAL) Jackie Battle (KC) –Bernard Scott (Cin) Keiland Williams (Det) Doug Baldwin (Sea) Early Doucet (Ari) Kevin Walter (Hou) – Braylon Edwards (SF) Roy Helu, Redskins, Phillip Tanner, RB Cowboys Tarvaris Jackson ( Sea) Visanthe Shiancoe (Min) Kregg Lumpkin ( TB) Terrell Owens (FA)

This week I will share part of, Waiver wired Deep League vs. Shallow League by Chris Wesseling of Rotoworld.com  a great source of information for possible available players that can help your team as bye weeks continue. 

1. DeMarco Murray 2. Ryan Torain 3. Pierre Thomas 4. Bernard Scott 5. Knowshon Moreno 6. Michael Bush 7. Roy Helu 8. Alfonso Smith 9. Montario Hardesty 10. Maurice Morris

Quarterbacks

Sam Bradford  Shaun Hill Christian Ponder John Beck Andy Dalton

Running Backs

Pierre Thomas Bernard Scott Roy Helu Alfonso Smith

Leon Washington Delone Carter Kregg Lumpkin Lance Ball Javon Ringer Phillip Tanner

Wide Receivers

Demaryius Thomas Antonio Brown Jabar Gaffney Michael Jenkins

Emmanuel Sanders Braylon Edwards Early Doucet Roy Williams Dezmon Briscoe

Tight Ends

Evan Moore Jake Ballard Visanthe Shiancoe Brent Celek

Defense/Special Teams

Texans  Seahawks Saints  Titans

Quarterbacks

Sam Bradford, Rams - A slow start and a high-ankle sprain have Bradford unowned in half of all CBSSports.com leagues. Bradford’s status for Week 8 against the Saints is up in the air. The Brandon Lloyd trade and the return to health of Steven Jackson provide reasons for optimism over the next month with two games against a Cardinals defense that allows the fourth-most points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks. At the price of a waiver pickup, Bradford makes for a fine QB2 for the second half of the season.

Shaun Hill, Lions - Matthew Stafford is officially day to day, though PFT reports that he’s in a walking boot and seeking a second opinion on his ankle injury. Until we know with certainty that Stafford will play against a Broncos secondary allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs, Hill needs to be added. He averaged 259.8 yards passing and with 16 touchdowns as a low-end QB1 in 10 starts a year ago.

Christian Ponder, Vikings - The numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, but Ponder provided plenty of reason for optimism in his first NFL start. The ball comes out of his hands better than expected, he hangs tough against pressure, seems to have a better handle on the offense than Donovan McNabb, makes aggressive throws down the field, and creates with his feet. If he can get Percy Harvin back healthy to pair with an explosive Adrian Peterson and a steady if unspectacular Michael Jenkins/Visanthe Shiancoe combo, Ponder could approad high-end QB2 status going forward.

John Beck, Redskins - The Shanahans designed plenty of roll-outs to take advantage of Beck’s mobility, and the result was a respectable 22-of-37 for 279 yards with two total touchdowns — good for a ninth-place fantasy finish in Week 7. The job gets tougher going forward, though, with No. 1 receiver Santana Moss out 5-7 weeks. Beck looks decent on the Rex Grossman scale, but he’s not going to be more than an inconsistent QB2 option in the coming weeks.

Andy Dalton, Bengals - While the second-rounder has exceed expectations, Dalton’s 15 fantasy points per week leave him in the same tier as Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, and Matt Cassel. He’s a low-end QB2 heading into matchups against Seattle (17th-most fantasy points to opposing QBs), Tennessee (19th-most) and Pittsburgh (28th-most).

Running Backs

Pierre Thomas, Saints - A mixture of Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram, Thomas is coming off a season-high 15 touches and 125 yards in Week 7. Now that Ingram is battling a heel injury, Thomas is a candidate for an increased role against a Rams defense that was absolutely shredded by Dallas’ draws and pitches to open space last week. If the PT Cruiser is available in your league, he’s looming as a rock-solid RB2 option against the leagues’ worst run defense.

Bernard Scott, Bengals - After a month straight of recommending Scott, he finally gets his shot at the Bengals’ starting job for one week with Cedric Benson suspended. The coaching staff had been slowly increasing Scott’s workload heading into the bye week to get him prepared for a heavier does of carries. Scott averaged 18.7 touches and 97.3 yards in three games Benson missed back in 2009. He’ll have tougher sledding this time around against a Seattle defense allowing the 21st-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

Roy Helu, Redskins - Ryan Torain is expected to ascend to the early-down role following Tim Hightower’s season-ending ACL injury, but this situation is as fluid as it gets. Mike Shanahan’s previously unwavering faith in Torain has shown cracks and fissures of late. More importantly, Torain’s checkered injury history suggest a heavy workload will lead to a big opportunity for the more explosive Helu sooner rather than later.

Alfonso Smith, Cardinals - The Cardinals have yet to confirm or deny a reported 1-2 week recovery timetable for Beanie Wells (knee). It’s problematic for fantasy owners because the Week 8 matchup against a revenge-minded Ravens defense is prohibitive while a Week 9 matchup against the Rams is a fantasy dream. For as long as Wells is out, Smith is expected to be the lead back in a committee with LaRod Stephens-Howling and Chester Taylor. Smith is worth picking up purely for the chance of a fantasy start in Week 9.

Leon Washington, Seahawks - Washington surprisingly drew the start in place of Marshawn Lynch (back) last week and outperformed Justin Forsett on 11 touches. If Lynch ends up sitting out again versus the Bengals, Washington could be a decent flex option in PPR formats. He’s not a great bet for more than 12-14 touches or a trip to paydirt in what should be a low-scoring game.

Delone Carter, Colts - The Colts have yet to update Joseph Addai’s (hamstring) status after he left last week’s game as a precaution. Carter finally showed a previously missing elusiveness against the Saints on his way to 89 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. He’s only a flex option at Tennessee if Addai ends up sitting out.

Kregg Lumpkin, Buccaneers - Lumpkin was brutal in relief of Earnest Graham last week, averaging 1.9 yards on eight carries and 6.2 yards on six receptions. LeGarrette Blount’s (knee) status is up in the air for Week 9 following the bye, and there’s a good chance the Bucs will bring in a street free agent regardless. In the meantime, Lumpkin is the only tailback on the roster. Hold off a week if possible.

Javon Ringer, Titans - For the second time in the past five games, the Titans could only move the ball on the ground once Ringer entered as a change-of-pace to a sluggish Chris Johnson. For now, Tennessee remains committed to its $55 million back. That’s subject to change if Ringer continues to function as the more explosive and effective back. He’s purely roster stash material in the mean time.

Phillip Tanner, Cowboys - The undrafted training camp star out of Tennessee State gained 5.7 yards per on six late-game carries in relief of DeMarco Murray. If he had drawn the start instead of Murray, it would have been Tanner gashing the Rams defense in a breakout game. With Tashard Choice nursing a shoulder injury, Tanner should ascend to No. 2 on the depth chart against the Eagles’ 23-rd ranked run defense.

Lance Ball, Broncos - Ball saw six touches to Knowshon Moreno’s nine after Willis McGahee (hand) went down last week. That split is a good guideline for Week 8 against the Lions, with Moreno getting the start and playing on passing downs. Ball’s primary issues are his mediocre talent level and Tim Tebow’s presence as the goal-line back. Ball is only an option in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Chris Ivory, Keiland Williams, Toby Gerhart, Justin Forsett, Taiwan Jones, Marion Barber, Chris Ogbonnaya, Joe McKnight, Chad Spann, Mossis Madu, Tiki Barber

Ivory could be active this week if Mark Ingram ends up sitting out with a heel injury. … Williams’ Week 8 role hinges on Jahvid Best’s (concussion). He’s not a great bet for more than 8-10 carries regardless. … Gerhart should be on the radar with Adrian Peterson nursing a minor ankle injury this week. … Forsett could see a few looks if Marshawn Lynch (back) sits out, but he’s averaging just 2.5 yards on 22 carries. … Barber is worth a look in TD-heavy leagues. … Spann and Madu are candidates to be promoted form the Bucs’ practice squad during the bye week. … Tiki is still a longshot to be signed in Tampa.

Wide Receivers

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos - Antonio Brown, Jabar Gaffney, and Michael Jenkins are safer Week 8 plays, but Thomas boasts the most upside over the long haul of any receiver on this list. Making an incredible return from Achilles’ surgery, Thomas was Tim Tebow’s favorite receiver from snap one last week, finding the end zone on a team-high 10 targets. It should surprise no one if the ultra-talented but brittle Thomas leapfrogs Eric Decker as Denver’s most valuable fantasy receiver the rest of the way.

Antonio Brown, Steelers - Brown has yet to find the end zone, but he’s coming off 102 yards on a team-leading seven catches and 10 targets against the Cardinals. Much like the Packers with Donald Driver’s role dwindling, the Steelers offense is at its most explosive with Brown and Emmanuel Sanders in three-wide sets with Hines Ward on the bench. Now that Ward is battling an ankle sprain, Brown and Mike Wallace will be the best bets for targets in what has the look of a high-scoring game against the Patriots in Week 8.

Jabar Gaffney, Redskins - Gaffney and Fred Davis will be the primary beneficiaries of Santana Moss’ hand injury. Gaffney will see a substantial spike targets, but he’s not good enough to separate against top corners or make plays after the catch. He’s still more valuable in PPR formats, but now worth a look in standard-scoring leagues during the bye-week crunch. While the upside is low, Gaffney may be the safest Week 8 play on this list in a matchup with the Bills.

Michael Jenkins, Vikings - Bernard Berrian isn’t coming back, and Percy Harvin (ribs) could be held out this week with the bye on the horizon. Someone has to catch Christian Ponder’s passes against the Panthers, and Jenkins drew a team-leading eight targets in Week 7. That 71-yard play-action completion on the game’s first snap was a bit of fluke, but Jenkins has value as fantasy’s No. 25 receiver through seven weeks. Just be sure to note that he’s been held under 50 yards in 5-of-7 games. Consistency will remain elusive.

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Sanders and Antonio Brown have played roughly the same number of snaps over the past month, but Sanders was getting the call mostly on rushing downs. That will change this week if Hines Ward’s ankle sprain keeps him out against the Patriots. Sanderson would be worth a look as a borderline WR3 in a potential shootout.

Braylon Edwards, 49ers - The Niners have been targeting Week 8 for Edwards’ return from knee surgery, and coach Jim Harbaugh expects him to practice on Tuesday. With Josh Morgan out for the season, Edwards should have little problem bypassing Ted Ginn for the starting job opposite Michael Crabtree. While he’s not a recommended fantasy play in his first week back, Edwards is worthy of a flier for receiver-needy owners.

Early Doucet, Cardinals - Andre Roberts is clinging to the starting job opposite Larry Fitzgerald while Doucet has racked up five or more receptions in three of the past four games against single coverage. The Week 8 matchup with the Ravens is foreboding, but Doucet gets the fantasy friendly Rams in Week 9.

Roy Williams, Bears - Williams finally found the end zone for the first time in 15 games after regaining his starting job the week before. His four catches and 57 yards were also season highs, though canceled out by an ugly drop and subpar athleticism. I’ve resolved never to carry Williams on a roster again, but he’s worth a desperation look in larger leagues.

Dezmon Briscoe, Buccaneers - Who can figure out the Buccaneers’ receivers opposite Mike Williams? Arrelious Benn was held catchless in Week 7 after an 83-yard performance in Week 6. According to Pro Football Focus, the majority of Benn’s snaps come when the Bucs are playing with a lead and need a blocking receiver while Briscoe enters when the team is playing catchup. Briscoe’s 10 Week 7 targets doubled his season total, so this could easily be a one-game aberration.

Watch List: Brandon Gibson, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Earl Bennett, Jeremy Kerley, Devin Aromashodu

Gibson could regain fantasy relevance with Danario Alexander battling a hamstring injury. … Owens and Moss are long shots for deep leagues. … Bennett will likely return to the slot job in Week 9. … Kerley is an upgrade on Derrick Mason, which isn’t saying much. … Aromashodu led the Vikings receivers in snaps in Week 7.

Moss is out 5-7 weeks after surgery on his hand. There’s no guarantee that he’ll even return for the fantasy playoffs. … Meachem has fallen off the radar with Marques Colston’s return. … Already behind Greg Little, Massaquoi was concussed last week. … Sanzenbacher is entering the bye week with Earl Bennett set to return in Week 9. … Benn is losing snaps to Dez Briscoe. … Young’s role is actually decreasing of late. … Douglas will head back to the No. 3 role with Julio Jones set to return after the bye.

Tight Ends

Evan Moore, Browns - A highly athletic red-zone specialist at 6’6/250 with excellent hands, Moore has a shot at a substantial Week 8 role against the 49ers with Ben Watson coming off a concussion. If Watson ends up missing this week’s game, Moore is a sneaky borderline TE1 option as Colt McCoy’s top end-zone target.

Jake Ballard, Giants - Ballard took a three-game average of 10.2 fantasy points into the bye week on the heels of 72- and 81-yard performances. The matchup is right this week, too. Ballard hosts a Dolphins defense allowing 11.0 fantasy points per game, the second-most in the league.

Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings - Christian Ponder breathed life into the Vikings offense, and Shiancoe shared the team lead in targets with eight on his way to 45 yards for the second straight game. Ponder is looking Shiancoe’s way at the goal-line, too.

Brent Celek, Eagles - This one is for desperate deep-league owners only. Coming off his best game of the season with 42 yards and a touchdown, Celek draws a Cowboys defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Next week, he faces a Bears defense surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

See more analysis by going to rotoworld.com Deep League vs. Shallow League

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