In the fantasy world, turmoil is good unless you’re the victim of it.
Fantasy owners, be patient. Someone will get injured, someone will get benched, and a few newcomers will explode when given the chance. You can count on it like clockwork. Here are a few developing situations:
Tony Fisher, RB, Packers
There’s a fiendish side to me that loves to see a running back like Ahman Green go down for the season. Now his replacement gets thrown into the waiver waters like chum in a piranha pool of owners.
Fisher can’t do any worse than Green
(3.3 yards a carry), who hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 15 of 2004. Fisher is a serviceable starter who averaged four yards per carry when he was given his most rushes in a season in 2002. He mostly has been used in the passing game, currently the only functioning component of the Packers offense. They could lean on him.
Az Hakim, WR, Saints
The next time Joe Horn whips out a cell phone after a touchdown, he had better be calling a physician. Horn is a question mark again this week, which has translated to no catches for the past four weeks.
I’ve long ago forbidden myself from ever recommending Donte Stallworth (and Pharaoh said, “Let the name of Donte be stricken from every book and tablet, stricken from all pylons and obelisks … erased from the memory of men for all time”), so that leaves Az Hakim.
Hakim has played well in spots for the Rams and Lions, and gained 100 yards and a TD on six catches in Week 7. He’s good for an emergency fill-in, though he faces some stiff defenses in the Dolphins and Bears.
Kevin Curtis, WR, Rams
Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce have turned the trainer’s table into a seesaw, but Curtis has transformed himself into the Rams’ most reliable receiver. He has scored for the third straight week and is averaging 65 receiving yards per game.
Shaun Suisham, K, Cowboys
This latest episode of “Dallas” hurts owners more than it helps them. Bill Parcells cut Jose Cortez after he missed an attempt during the Cowboys’ three-point loss to Seattle. I’m not ready to trust this rookie Suisham, who on paper looks like today’s special. On Tuesday, Cortez joined the Eagles, who cut Todd France.
Brandon Jones, WR, Titans
Tyrone Calico is bigger and more experienced, but he can’t buy a look in the red zone. Not with the rookie Jones around. Both Steve McNair and Bill Volek have found Jones for touchdowns. Calico, not so much.
Week 8 picks
LIKE
– J. Delhomme, QB, Panthers vs. Vikings
– J. Plummer, QB, Broncos vs. Eagles
– C. Dillon, RB, Patriots vs. Bills
– R. Droughns, RB, Browns at Texans
– J. Galloway, WR, Bucs at 49ers
– T. Glenn, WR, Cowboys vs. Cardinals
DISLIKE
– T. Green, QB, Chiefs at Chargers
– J. Lewis, RB, Ravens at Steelers
– A. Smith, RB, Saints vs. Dolphins
– P. Burress, WR, Giants vs. Redskins
– M. Williams, WR, Lions vs. Bears
IFFY
– B. Favre, QB, Packers at Bengals
– F. Taylor, RB, Jaguars at Rams
– C. Portis, RB, Redskins at Giants
I one game against New York last season, Portis had 1 TD and 148 yards.
– J. Porter, WR, Raiders at Titans
In his last meeting against Tennessee, Porter had 3 TDs and 148 yards. I sense a theme.
–ASK ADVICE OR SEND COMMENTS TO plthompson@tribune.com
Edited by the sports staff of RedEye
