One of the greatest days of the sports calendar is the first day of regular season NFL games and yesterday’s games did not disappoint. We saw huge days by up and coming players like Michael Turner and Anthony Fasano, poor performances from guys like Carson Palmer, and injuries to others like Tom Brady.
So, after the first week, perhaps that fantasy roster of yours isn’t looking too good. But that’s why we’re here with the first installment of the weekly waiver wire. This weekly list not only helps fill holes in your roster, it can help you find valuable starters available as free agents right now in your league. Last year’s week 1 waiver wire picks included fantasy studs David Garrard, Jay Cutler, Wes Welker, Mason Crosby and the Green Bay Packers DEF/ST. Players included on the “watch list” are players that may not warrant a pick up right away, but are guys to keep your eyes on. Also, with two Monday Night Football games there will be a special edition Tuesday Morning Waiver Wire on players involved in those games, so be sure to check back to www.brunoboys.net for the most up to date waiver wire candidates. So without further ado, here is the Week 1 Waiver Wire. Enjoy.
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QUARTERBACKS
Matt Cassel (New England Patriots)
Let's make it perfectly clear, Matt Cassel will never be mistaken for Tom Brady, but with Brady going down with what appears to be a season-ending ACL tear, Cassel finds himself in a nice situation. The Patriots have plenty of weapons for Cassel in Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and Ben Watson. Even Ryan Leaf could put up some fantasy points manning that offense.
Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins)
If Chad Pennington proved anything in the Dolphins’ loss to the Jets on Saturday it’s that he’s still got a bit left in the tank. Accurate and efficient, Pennington will not throw for a massive amount of yards nor will he be mistaken for the Pro Bowl player he once was. What Chad Pennington brings to the table is consistency. He’s always solid, but never spectacular. Against a revamped Jets defense, Pennington, who is still playing catch up on the playbook, went 26-for-43 for 251 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. That’s a valuable backup and spot starter any week in any league.
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RUNNING BACKS
Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans)
If for whatever reason this guy wasn’t drafted or picked up it your league already, then drop what you’re doing and pick him up right now. Johnson is a dangerous back out of the backfield and in the passing game, and it’s clear the Titans are going use Johnson in their offense a lot. Nothing else needs to be said, if he’s available then go get him.
Matt Forte (Chicago Bears)
Similar to Johnson, this guy is probably already taken in your league, but if he is not, you need to pick him up. Forte, a rookie out of Tulane, proved he is legit and ready for a fulltime role at running back by rushing for 123 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. He also caught three passes and could figure into the passing game a bit. Having the kind of performance he did against the Indianapolis Colts was impressive as Forte ran inside and outside with effectiveness, never looking at all like the rookie he is.
Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)
Rice not only got the start for the Ravens in their win over the Bengals, he also got a lot of carries as he finished with 64 yards on 22 carries. Rice is not a game-breaking back as evidenced by his 2.9 yards per carry, but he is a workhouse type of back on a team that will run the ball a lot this year. While Rice’s performance against the Bengals didn’t register many fantasy points, he makes this list because Willis McGahee did not see the field at all. McGahee has had health issues his whole career, and if he’s unable to play, then Rice is the guy. Le’Ron McClain had more yards than Rice did against the Bengals, but we expect Rice to finish with more fantasy point by the end of the season.
Steve Slaton (Houston Texans)
Chris Brown was put on injured reserve ending his season before it started and Ahman Green is nursing injuries and only received five carries in the loss to the Steelers. So, that leaves rookie Steve Slaton to fill the void at running back, but Slaton impressed, gaining 43 yards on 13 carries against a tough Pittsburgh run defense. Slaton is a good fit in Houston because he is the type of back that fits perfectly into coach Gary Kubiak’s offensive scheme. Slaton is also a threat in the passing game as he is dangerous on swing and screen passes. Since Green hasn’t played 16 games since the 2003 season, take a gamble on Slaton.
Jerious Norwood (Atlanta Falcons)
The Falcons made an emphatic point in their win over the Detorit Lions that they’re going to run the ball a lot this season. Atlanta racked up 320 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the win. Michael Turner was likely drafted in the majority of fantasy leagues, if not all of them, but backup Jerious Norwood should still be avaible. All Norwood did against the Lions was rush for 93 yards and one touchdown on just 14 carries. Unlike Rice, Norwood is a game-breaking back who has exceptionable speed. It’s unlikely Atlanta will commit to Turner solely, so expect Norwood to continue to get 10-15 carries a game.
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WIDE RECEIVERS
DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Injuries kept the Eagles’ top two receivers, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, out for the team’s win over the Rams, but that didn’t seen to matter. Rookie DeSean Jackson led the Eagles with six catches for 106 yards and did so as the No.1 receiver. Even when Brown and Curtis come back Jackson should figure prominently into the team’s plans this season because he is simply too good to keep off the field. And, now, that Donovan McNabb is healthy expect Jackson to become one of the few rookie receivers to be productive in their first season.
Antwaan Randle El (Washington Redskins)
The Redskins looked discombobulated in the loss to the New York Giants on Thursday, but there was one player who looked good and it was Antwaan Randel El. Randel El is a guy who fits perfectly into the West Coast offense that Jim Zorn runs and should find himself in some favorable matchups as opposing teams focus on Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. It would be nice to see some improvement in the Redskins offense before picking up Randle El but napping in the fantasy football world is a good way to miss the playoffs. Randle El is a good receiver and would make for a good backup and spot starter on a team even in regular leagues.
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TIGHT ENDS
Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins)
Head coach Tony Sparano wasn’t the only guy Bill Parcells brought with him to Miami. Fasano was a high draft pick by the Cowboys but was stuck behind Jason Witten and received minimal playing time. Now a Dolphin, Fasano got a chance to show what he could do and did not disappoint as he caught eight passes for 84 yards and one touchdown. He was the most consistent receiving option for the Dolphins as well as the most targeted. It appears Pennington has developed a good rapport with the reliable tight end so expect more success from Fasano in the future.
Randy McMichael (St. Louis Rams)
If there was one positive about the Rams atrocious performance against the Eagles on Saturday it was seeing McMichael reemerge as a fantasy-viable tight end. McMichael led the Rams with five receptions for 77 yards. McMichael won’t be mistaken for Witten or Kellen Winslow but we’ve seen what other tight ends, such as Chris Cooley, have done in the Al Saunders offense. McMichael is a good pass catching tight end and would make for a good spot starter in regular leagues and a decent option at tight end in deeper leagues.
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KICKERS
Rian Lindell (Buffalo Bills)
The biggest question surrounding most kickers isn’t how good they are but how good the offense around them is and it appears Lindell may have a decent one this season. The Bills still need quarterback Trent Edwards to develop a little more but for now Lindell should enjoy success in stalled drives. If you happened to select Mike Nugent as your kicker, only to see him hurt himself on Saturday, Lindell would make for a good replacement.
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WATCH LIST
Matt Ryan, QB, Atl
Kerry Collins, QB, Ten
Trent Edwards, QB, Buf
Kyle Orton, QB, Chi
Le’Ron McClain RB, Bal
Sammy Morris, RB, NE
Pierre Thomas, RB, NO
Hank Baskett, WR, Phi
Matt Jones, WR, Jac
Bo Scaife, TE, Ten
Dante Rosario, TE, Car
Robert Royal, TE, Buf
Kris Brown, K, Hou
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Past Waiver Wire Articles (click to view)
Waiver Wire - Week 1 (Sunday Edition)
Waiver Wire - Week 1 (Monday Edition)
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