The Story
How to Fix Your Fantasy Football Team
So you drafted Daunte Culpepper in the 1st round, Dominick Davis in the 2nd, and Andre Johnson in the 3rd, and you currently sit in last place. Don't worry, it's a long year and you still have plenty of time to catch up. Here are some suggestions on how to improve your team through trades and fantasy free agency.
Ship 'Em Out!
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB, Bucs
For the first three weeks of the season Williams was lights-out, rushing for 434 yards and two scores. Unfortunately for Cadillac owners, Week 4 was not as successful, as Williams carried 11 times for 13 yards. Perhaps as a result of 88 carries through his first three pro games, Williams has suffered some injuries to his foot and hamstring. Williams' value is extremely high despite his recent ailments. If you can trade in the Cadillac for another luxury vehicle (J. Lewis, R. Johnson, C. Dillon), don't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Willie Parker, RB, Steelers
Like Williams, Parker has put up impressive stats so far this season, totaling 327 yards and two TDs. Now that RBs Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis are healthy, Parker's best days might be in the past. Although Parker is still the starter, Staley is expected to spell him and Bettis is the goal-line specialist. Parker might rack up some decent yardage totals the rest of the year, but Bettis will likely steal the carries in the red-zone. In addition, the Steelers are playing some tough defenses in the upcoming weeks. There might be a Steelers fan in your league who is desperate for Parker, so look for a way to unload him before his trade value plummets.
Hines Ward, WR, Steelers
Ward is on pace to have his best year since 2002, when he caught 112 balls for 1,329 yds. and 12 TDs. He is averaging 18.3 yards/catch, well above his career average of 12.1. With these great numbers, why should he be traded? First, he has been saddled with a sore hamstring that has limited him in practice since Week 3. Second, his numbers have declined every year since 2002. There are certainly some owners in your league looking for more production out of their WRs, so try to trade Ward for a more reliable receiver, like Joe Horn or Plaxico Burress.
Bring 'Em On Board!
Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens
Jamal has been a major disappointment so far this year, not resembling the 2,000 yard runner he was in 2003. Lewis did manage 81 yards last week against the Jets, but his offensive line was sub-par and he looked tentative when hitting the few holes that did open. It is safe to say that Lewis's value is at an all-time low. That being said, there are some reasons to trade for Jamal. The Ravens are committed to keeping him as the focal point of the offense, and reports coming out of Baltimore say they want Lewis to carry the ball 30 times a game. Look for Lewis to rebound from a slow start, so start talking with his owner in your league about acquiring him.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts
Starvin-Marvin is consistently one of the best fantasy WRs in football, yet he is always overshadowed by some of his more flamboyant counterparts such as Chad Johnson and Terrell (I should be a Raven) Owens. Harrison has solid stats so far this year, 267 receiving yards and three TDs, but expect these numbers to drastically increase over the next three weeks thanks to the Colts' soft schedule and QB Peyton Manning's brilliance. See if you can pull a fast one on a fellow owner and package some mid-level talents for #88.
Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants
Eli Manning has been amazing the last two weeks, and the main beneficiary has been Plaxico. Manning-to-Burress has become a (very) poor man's version of McNabb-to-Owens. Burress has the athletic ability to beat CBs downfield and the size to leap over them in the endzone. He seems to have gotten over attitude problems that troubled him in Pittsburgh. If Manning continues to look his way, Burress could have a great season. Try to work a deal with an owner who hasn't realized Burress' value increase over the last few weeks.
Waiver-Wire Values
Kevin Curtis, WR, Rams
With QR Isaac Bruce out with a toe injury, Curtis becomes a starter alongside Torry Holt. Curtis has 11 rec. for 134 yds. and a score in the last two games. QB Marc Bulger is on fire right now, which increases Curtis' value even more. He was not drafted in most leagues, and is likely on your waiver-wire. Bruce could be sidelined for the next few weeks, so if you need a WR for a couple of weeks, Curtis is your man.
Robert Ferguson, WR, Packers
Like Curtis, Ferguson is also the beneficiary of an injury to a stud WR, in his case Javon Walker. Donald Driver will now be QB Brett Favre's favorite target, but Fergurson will step up into Driver's #2 WR role. While most #2 WRs are not good fantasy options, Ferguson will put up good numbers because Favre does not focus on a single receiver. It seems like Favre and Ferguson have made up from their sideline spat last week. Ferguson might have been claimed, but there is a good chance he's still available in your league.
Josh McCown, QB, Cardinals
NFL Expert Joe Richmond predicted that McCown would have a great day last Sunday night against the 49ers, and he was certainly right. McCown passed for 385 yards and two TDs filling in for injured starter Kurt Warner. Granted, this was against a terrible defense, but 385 yards is impressive against anyone. Warner is out indefinitely so McCown can be counted on to start in the near future. While Josh will not pick up ridiculous numbers every week he's a great pickup if you need an extra QB or a bi-week sub.
Brooks Bollinger, QB, Jets
No, I'm not serious. Watching Bollinger trying to play quarterback last Sunday against the Ravens was much like watching my roommate trying to spit some game. Train wreck. This guy might eventually be a decent NFL QB, but not anytime soon. He couldn't even supplant Zach Houseal as the QB of the D2E Angry Dragons.