Fantasy football: Spotting the next great tight end

Tuesday August 4, 2009 7:24 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Life is all about options.

For instance, I wouldn’t normally buy chicken nuggets out of an office vending machine. But when the other choices are bland energy bars and economy-size packs of Twizzlers, I’ll roll the dice on some poultry jerky every time.

Believe it or not, similar thinking applies to NFL tight ends.

Ask yourself this: What do the top fantasy football tight ends – Dallas’ Jason Witten, San Diego’s Antonio Gates and Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez -- all have in common?

Their offenses have no more than one top-flight wide receiver, meaning their quarterbacks have little choice but to use their tight ends as No. 1 or No. 2 options in the passing game. 

When evaluating this year’s class of tight ends — especially when trying to identify some breakout candidates — it’s important to first look at the wide receivers on their teams.

Here are a few tight ends who are in ideal situations to thrive this season:

Greg Olsen, Chicago
If the regular season began today, the Bears’ starting wideouts would be Devin Hester, a former defensive back still learning to play receiver, and Earl Bennett, who has never caught a pass in the NFL. New Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who leaned on his tight ends in Denver, should quickly learn that Olsen is his most reliable option.

John Carlson, Seattle
The Seahawks reeled in a big fish in free agency with wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who is expected to be quarterback Matthew Hasselbeck’s new go-to guy. However, No. 2 wideout Deion Branch has never had a 1,000-yard season and can’t seem to stay healthy, likely paving the way for a big year from Carlson, who was the seventh highest scoring fantasy tight end as a rookie in 2008.

Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
Wide receiver Laveranues Coles signed with Cincinnati, leaving Jerricho Cotchery as the Jets’ top receiver. The candidates to start opposite Cotchery are an unimpressive group of inexperienced players – Chansi Stuckey, Brad Smith and David Clowney. Reports out of Jets spring practices indicated that Keller was clearly Gang Green’s best receiver.

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Some tight ends facing stiff competition for targets:

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh
The Steelers’ Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes account for one of the league’s better wide receiver duos.

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesot
Bernard Berrian is entrenched as the No. 1 wideout, and Vikings coach Brad Childress has fallen in love with rookie Percy Harvin.

Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans
The Saints have too many strong receiving options – including Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Reggie Bush – for Shockey to post elite stats.
 

Fantasy Football: Playoff heroes often overrated

Thursday July 30, 2009 3:13 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Any time a player has a big game in the playoffs, you can bet he will emerge as the next hot item — like iPhones or Tickle Me Elmos — in the following season’s fantasy football drafts.
Fantasy owners love trendy players and big names. That’s why playoff heroes, including the following, often see their fantasy stock become inflated — going a round or two earlier than they should.

Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh
Holmes achieved NFL stardom when he made the game-winning catch in Super Bowl XLIII. However, he has never had a 1,000-yard season and has averaged just 52 catches during his first three NFL seasons. Yet Holmes’ current ADP (average draft position) is in the fifth round in 12-team leagues.

To compare, Holmes’ teammate Hines Ward, who has averaged 75 receptions since 2006 and has scored five more touchdowns than Holmes over the past three seasons, is being selected in the seventh round.

Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego
The diminutive Sproles amassed 256 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the Chargers’ two playoff games in 2008. But San Diego star LaDainian Tomlinson was limited to five carries in those contests because of a groin injury.

Now LT is back, and Chargers coach Norv Turner recently said Sproles’ primary role would again be as a special teams ace.

Yet Sproles, who accounted for just 672 yards of offense in the 2008 regular season, is being drafted late in the seventh round, ahead of Seattle’s Julius Jones, Baltimore’s LeRon McClain and Tampa Bay’s Earnest Graham — all of whom are expected to have even greater roles in their teams’ committee backfields.

Adam Vinatieri, K, Indianapolis
It’s been nearly six years since Vinatieri kicked his last Super Bowl-winning field goal for the Patriots, but his reputation has endured the test of time.

The truth is that the 36-year-old Vinatieri, now with Indianapolis, is far from an elite kicker these days. Last season, he was 28th in the league in field goals and 22nd in scoring among kickers.

Vinatieri should not be selected in the 13th round (his current ADP); he probably should not be drafted at all.

A glance at Giants' receiver battle

Thursday July 9, 2009 2:43 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Domenik Hixon (Photo by Getty Images)

By Ryan Chatelain

It’s one of the burning questions heading into training camp: Who will emerge as the Giants’ starting wide receivers?

Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are now gone, leaving five wideouts legitimately vying for two starting jobs.

Here’s a quick look at what is sure to be one of the league's more intriguing position battles this summer. Camp opens Aug. 3 at the University of Albany.

Steve Smith

The third-year player caught 57 passes last season, albeit for only 574 yards and one touchdown. This possession receiver has probably the best chance of any wideout to land a spot in the starting lineup – but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll end up as the Giants’ leading receiver.

amNY odds to start: 2-to-1Domenik Hixon

If the season began today, Hixon would likely line up as a starter. While he is the early front-runner to replace Burress, he also must stave off Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss and first-round draft pick Hakeem Nicks.

amNY odds to start: 3-to-1

Hakeem Nicks

As the new guy in the mix, the rookie will be watched closely in training camp. Nicks is 6-foot-2 and runs decent speed (4.49 in the 40-yard dash). However, few rookies deliver in their first seasons. It might be unfair to expect big things out of Nicks this year.

amNY odds to start: 8-to-1

Sinorice Moss

Many Giants fans have already labeled the former second-round pick a bust. But Santana Moss’ little brother reportedly impressed coaches in offseason practices. The third-year player is most likely in competition for the No. 3 job.

amNY odds to start: 20-to-1

Mario Manningham

He’s the sleeper in this competition. The second-year player is a big-play threat who put up huge numbers at the University of Michigan.

amNY odds to start: 30-to-1

Amani Toomer speaks up, shows concern for his future with the Giants

Wednesday January 28, 2009 2:55 PM By Max J. Dickstein

Photo by Getty

Amani Toomer has never been one to speak out against the Giants. But after Big Blue's dismal end to the season, Toomer chimed in, offering his two cents on why the Giant's couldn't recover after Plaxico Burress was removed from the lineup.

"The last couple of games I wasn't a big part of the offense and we lost a big percentage of the games [four of the last five]," Toomer said. "I feel like you can't tell me [that] didn't play a big role in [the losing]. I think it did."

But not wanting to seem too hasty, the 13-year veteran receiver decided to clear the air a little on his Web site, posting a few interview excerpts about the previous day's comments.“I absolutely did not intend to criticize nor did I criticize the coaching staff’s game plans," Toomer said in the posted interview. "What I did say was that I thought the team as a whole had less focus this year than they did last year and that I almost could see this [Eagles] loss coming.”

However, on a new Giants deal, Toomer spoke frankly about his future.

“Based on how my role declined near the end of the season, I just don’t know how the Giants view my role ... If I were to come back and not really have a chance to compete, then I’d rather go someplace else where I would have a chance to compete. So, I guess it’s fair to say I am conflicted.”

— amNY

Time to say bye to playoff byes?

Sunday January 11, 2009 1:23 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

As I write this (at halftime of the Steelers-Chargers game), home teams that “enjoyed” some downtime last week are 0-3 this weekend.

What once was considered easy street to a conference championship game is suddenly being called into question. In each of the previous seasons, teams that earned a first-round bye were 2-2 in the divisional playoff round. Each of the previous three Super Bowl champs (the Giants, Colts and Steelers) had to play on wild-card weekend, making you wonder if having to play on the first week of the playoffs helps a team maintain its momentum.

Of course, we might be able to chalk up this trend up to coincidence. From 2001-2004, after all, bye-week teams went 13-3 in divisional playoff games and won four straight Super Bowls.

But perhaps the time is ripe now for the NFL to rekindle its discussion about expanding its playoffs.

I had never been a proponent of increasing the postseason field. I think sending 12 of 32 teams to the playoffs feels just right. (Sixteen teams in the NBA playoffs is too many, in my opinion.)

But after New England got shut out of the postseason this year with an 11-5 record, it’s obvious something’s wrong with the NFL’s playoff system. I’m not sure what the answer is, but if you wanted to expand the playoffs to 16 teams, taking away first-round byes entirely, now seems like a great time to fire up the discussion.

After Sunday, the Giants probably wouldn’t put up much of a fight against it.

It's 'hell' for Giants fan in Eagle country

Thursday January 8, 2009 12:30 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Brian Murray, left, attends a Giants-Eagles game with Philadelphia fans.

BY Ryan Chatelain

Philadelphia Eagles fans have pelted Santa Claus with snowballs and cheered when ex-Cowboy Michael Irvin suffered a career-ending spinal cord injury.

So imagine being a fan of a rival team while living and working in the heart of Eagles territory.

Welcome to Brian Murray’s personal hell.

“They’re brutal here,” said Murray, 30, a lifelong Giants fan and Brooklyn native who now lives in a Philly suburb.The Giants will host the Eagles on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game. If Philadelphia upsets Big Blue, not only will it be a dejected end of the season for Giants fans, Murray will undoubtedly never hear the end of it from friends, co-workers and even in-laws.

“The Eagles can definitely win, but I think the Giants are going to come out like a pack of rabid dogs and smack them in the mouth,” he said.

Murray, a computer network engineer, moved to Mount Laurel, N.J., four years ago so that his wife could be closer to her family, all of whom are Eagles fans.

He’s since been denied entry to a sports bar for wearing a Ron Dayne jersey, been beaten up outside Lincoln Financial Field and had “what seems like the whole store” at Best Buy chant “a--hole” at him for sporting a Giants cap.

Sean Presner, 26, remembers his first encounter with Murray. When Presner drove up to a movie theater to meet his future brother-in-law, he noticed a man wearing an Eli Manning jersey.

“Sure enough, that was the guy she was with. And we were like, ‘Oh, crap!” said Presner, an Eagles fan.

Murray said he’s had to leave family functions early because he feared heated conversations with his wife’s uncles might escalate into something “that I don’t want to happen.”

Jets coaching search progress report

Monday January 5, 2009 10:28 AM By Ryan Chatelain

Brian Schottenheimer (Photo by Getty)

By Ryan Chatelain

Our rankings for the Jets’ head coach search. Yes, we ranked them. Yes, we’ll probably be wrong.

1. Brian Schottenheimer, Jets offensive coordinator

He’s already interviewed. The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Schottenheimer, 35, has emerged as the favorite to get the job – although retaining a Mangini protégé would be a tough sell to fans.

2. Rex Ryan, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator

The Jets received permission to speak with Ryan, who probably helped his chances when his Ravens shut down the Dolphins 27-9 on Sunday.

3. Brian Billick, former Baltimore Ravens head coach

According to NFL.com, the Jets are expected to interview Billick, Rex Ryan’s former boss. No word yet on when an interview with the Super Bowl champion coach might happen.

4. Russ Grimm, Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line coach

The former Redskins “Hog” has drawn the Jets’ interest, but no interview is set yet, according to reports. He’s also drawing interest from the Rams, and nearly landed the Steelers job two years ago.

5. Ron Meeks, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator

He's expected to interview sometime this week for the job. Could be a sleeper.

6. Jeff Jagodzinski, Boston College head coach

Jagodzinski would get fired from BC if he interviews for the job, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports. Further speculation on ESPN on Monday morning suggested that the situation between Jagodzinksi and BC’s athletic director, interview or not, is irreparable. The interview is reportedly set for Tuesday.

7. Steve Spagnuolo, Giants defensive coordinator

Mike Francesca said on his show Monday that Spagnuolo's interview with the Jets didn’t go well. The Newark Star-Ledger backs up the claim, quoting a source that said he “wasn't as prepared as one would think.” This news would appear to rule Spags out for the Jets’ job. He will likely get some other chances at a head coach job; the Broncos, Rams, Lions and Browns are reportedly interested. The Giants might also anoint Spagnuolo as Tom Coughlin’s eventual successor, NFL.com reports.

8. Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

Several reports say the Jets have some interest in Frazier, but apparently not as much interest as the Rams and Broncos, who have received permission to speak with him about their vacancies.

9. Bill Callahan, Jets assistant head coach/offensive line coach

Rumor has it that this was a courtesy interview and that Callahan isn’t a serious candidate. Despite leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl, Callahan was a flop as a head coach in Oakland and with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Beware of road teams on wild-card weekend

Thursday January 1, 2009 11:12 AM By Ryan Chatelain

Michael Turner and the Atlanta Falcons visit the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. (Photo by Getty)

Watch out for the NFL playoff road teams this weekend. All four of them are amNewYork’s picks in the Wild Card round:

Falcons at Cardinals

Sat., 4:30 p.m., NBC

Let’s call Atlanta’s Michael Turner, who led the NFL in rushing attempts with 23.5 a game, “Churner.” He and steady rookie quarterback Matt Ryan spell doom for the Cardinals. Arizona’s high-flying offense, tied with the Giants for the third-best points average in the NFL — 26.7 — looked erratic in the final five weeks of the regular season, averaging just 21.6 points.

Atlanta 31, Arizona 28

Colts at Chargers

Sat., 8 p.m., NBC

The Chargers are riding a four-game winning streak and are at home. But the Colts, winners of nine straight, are peaking on both sides of the ball. Peyton Manning has completed 82 percent of his passes over the past month, and the defense has held three of its last five opponents to six points or fewer.

Indy 35, San Diego 17

Ravens at Dolphins

Sun., 1 p.m., CBS

The Ravens rendered Miami’s tricky Wildcat formation ineffective in a 27-13 victory over the Dolphins on Oct. 19. The Ravens’ offense, led by another precocious rookie passer, Joe Flacco, has matured throughout the season, with fullback Le’Ron McLain (10 TDs) emerging as a goal-line threat. As long as the Ravens’ crushing defense plays up to its league-best potential, the comeback Dolphins’ dream season will end on Wild Card Sunday.

Baltimore 21, Miami 17

Eagles at Vikings

Sun., 4:30 p.m., FOX

The Vikings and Eagles account for two of the NFL’s top four run defenses, meaning the quarterbacks will be key in this matchup. Since returning from a Week 12 benching, the Eagles’ 32-year-old quarterback, Donovan McNabb, has tossed nine touchdowns and just one interception. Meanwhile, inconsistent Tarvaris Jackson has a week-to-week lease on Minnesota’s starting job.

Phila. 24, Minn. 20

Mangini couldn't withstand pressure

Monday December 29, 2008 3:59 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Eric Mangini was 23-25 in three seasons as Jets coach. (Photo by David L. Pokress/Newsday)

By Ryan Chatelain

It wasn’t just a late-season collapse that cost Eric Mangini his job as Jets coach.

When Gang Green’s front office splurged before the season, doling out $140 million in free agency and then trading for future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, it put the pressure on the coach once dubbed “Man-genius.”

“The team was built to win now,” said Joe Pietaro, editor of New York Sportscene magazine. “It wasn’t in rebuilding mode.”

The Jets yesterday fired Mangini, who compiled a 23-25 record in three seasons and led the team to the playoffs in 2006. After an 8-3 start this year, the Jets appeared to be a cinch to reach the postseason but lost four of their last five games, cutting their season short.In addition to Favre, the Jets added perennial Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, offensive tackle Damien Woody, fullback Tony Richardson, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Calvin Pace. But all they had to show for the roster overhaul was a disappointing third-place finish in the AFC East.

“In New York, you gotta win,” said Franklin Romero, 27, a Jets fan from the Upper West Side. “You’re always expected to be great. If you keep Mangini around, you’re going to be going in circles.”

Not all Gang Green fans, however, agreed that Mangini deserved the ax.

“They kind of forced Favre down his throat,” said Joseph Moscato, 45, of the Upper East Side. “They should have given both [Favre and Mangini] at least two years together.”

In fact, a report by Fox Sports surfaced yesterday about Favre being unhappy that Mangini would question the Pro Bowl quarterback’s on-field decision-making in front of the entire team.

The attention now shifts to Favre and whether he will return to New York next season. The Jets’ first order of business, meanwhile, is a search for Mangini’s successor. Super Bowl champion coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren are on many fans’ wish lists, but Pietaro said he thinks a promising assistant, namely Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, would be a good fit.

“They could win with a coordinator,” Pietaro said. “You saw with Atlanta and Miami that teams could have a quick turnaround and success without prior head-coaching experience.”

Aline E. Reynolds contributed to this report.

New Yorkers buzzing about a possible Giants-Jets Super Bowl

Sunday November 23, 2008 3:38 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Leon Washington scored two touchdowns yesterday in the Jets’ 34-13 blowout win over the Titans. (Photo by Getty Images)

By Ryan Chatelain and Aline E. Reynolds

The Jets yesterday did what no team in the NFL has been able to do since the start of the football season nearly three months ago: They handily beat the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans, leaving no doubt in the minds of New Yorkers that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

And with Gotham’s two football teams on a roll, New Yorkers are buzzing about the possibility of a Big Blue-Gang Green matchup in Super Bowl XLIII.

“It would be great for the city,” said Ian Wallach, 26, of Murray Hill, a Jets fan watching the game at Stout, a sports bar in midtown. “You’re guaranteed a huge party, whoever wins.”With a 34-13 victory yesterday over the team that has the best record in the league, the Jets improved their mark to 8-3 — tied for second-best in the AFC.

“After this, we should look at ourselves as a great team,” veteran Jets cornerback Ty Law said after yesterday’s game.

The defending world champion Giants yesterday also trounced their opponents, the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29, despite stars Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress missing all or most of the game with injuries. At 10-1, the Giants have the best record in the NFC and have a three-game lead in the NFC East division.

While teams from the same state have faced off in Super Bowls twice before — including the Giants’ win over the Buffalo Bills in 1991 — never has there been a showdown between franchises from the same city in the NFL’s championship event.

“We’ve been through enough with the economy,” said Jessica Sattler, 30, of Manhattan. An all-New York Super Bowl “would be a good boost for the city,” she added.

The talk has evoked memories of and comparisons to the 2000 Subway Series, in which the Yankees defeated the Mets for baseball’s world title.

While some sports fans said a cross-town World Series trumps a Giants-Jets Super Bowl, Wallach disagreed.

“The Super Bowl is one game, one event. That adds to the importance and the hype,” he said.

Not everybody was convinced, however, that a Giants-Jets clash was likely.

“I think one of the two teams will falter before the Super Bowl,” said Keith O’Brien, 29, a Jets fan from Greenpoint.

Newsday contributed to this story.

Shop them while it's hot

Tuesday October 21, 2008 3:45 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Braylon Edwards has struggled this season and has a tough schedule ahead. (Getty Images)

By Ryan Chatelain

It can be difficult to let go, especially when one of your fantasy players is performing well or has an All-Pro reputation.

But as I wrote last week, predicting any sudden rises or falls in a player’s value can be an important ingredient on your way to building a championship team.

The following players will have a difficult road throughout the remainder of the fantasy regular season. It’s time to at least consider cashing in on their recent success or big-name status by trading for a player with a rosier future.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland

Edwards, who has treated footballs like hot potatoes this season, has failed to reach 60 yards receiving in five of his six games. Although he has nice matchups in two of his next three games (against Jacksonville on Sunday and against Denver in Week 10), he also faces four top-10 pass defenses before the end of the fantasy regular season (Week 14 in most leagues).

Edwards’ 154-yard performance on “Monday Night Football” in Week 6 might have been just the ticket to raise his trade value. But act fast before he turns in another stinker.Ryan Grant, RB, Packers

There’s no better time to trade Grant than before his next game. (The Packers have a bye this week, so you have a nice-sized window to move him.)

Sure, Grant has rushed for at least 80 yards in his last three games and finally had a 100-yard effort this past Sunday against Indianapolis. But considering his last three opponents were the Falcons, Seahawks and Colts – all have poor run defenses – and that Grant is averaging just 3 yards per carry in his last two games, it’s evident the Giants castoff is still struggling.

Once Grant returns from his bye, he will be in for quite a challenge as he squares off against three straight top-10 run defenses (Tennessee, Minnesota and Chicago).

Matt Schaub, QB, Houston

Schaub is averaging 318 yards and two touchdowns over his past three games. But those games have come against Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit, who all ranked in the league’s bottom 10 in defending the pass.

In fact, in his only two games against quality defenses — the Steelers and Titans — Schaub struggled mightily, throwing one touchdown and five interceptions.

Now five of Schaub’s next seven games come against top-10 pass defenses – and don’t overlook the fact that there was a quarterback controversy brewing in Houston when Schaub wasn’t playing well earlier this season.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati

There's plenty of reason to believe Houshmandzadeh's season will get worse.

First of all, quarterback Carson Palmer is reportedly considering season-ending Tommy John surgery, meaning Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick would remain the starter in Cincy.

But more important, when looking at pass defenses, no team faces a tougher schedule through Week 14 than the Bengals. In fact, after Cincinnati returns from its Week 10 bye, it will go up against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indianapolis – all top-10 pass defenses.

All of the above can be applied to Chad Ocho Cinco as well.

BYE WEEK FILL-INS

Some options to replace your prized players who may have Week 8 off:

Matt Cassel, QB, New England (vs. St. Louis). Tom Brady’s replacement is coming off a three-TD outing and is facing the Rams, ranked 25th against the pass.

Maurice Morris, RB, Seattle (vs. San Francisco). Morris was on his way to a big game Sunday in Tampa (56 yards on six carries) before the trailing Seahawks scrapped the run.

Kevin Curtis, WR, Philadelphia (vs. Atlanta). Returning from a sports hernia, Curtis, an 1,100-yard receiver in 2007, is expected to be reinserted into the Eagles’ starting lineup Sunday.

Billy Miller, TE, New Orleans (vs. San Diego). Jeremy Shockey is hinting that he won’t play in London, and Miller is averaging 57 yards over his last three games.

Matt Bryant, K, Tampa Bay (vs. Dallas). He’s averaging multiple field goals in his last five games.

San Francisco defense (vs. Seattle). Surprisingly, the 49ers are a top-10 fantasy unit and are playing a Seahawks offense that is ranked 28th in the NFL.

Fantasy Football: Buying low

Tuesday October 14, 2008 12:47 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com

Unless you’re one of the fortunate few to have a bench loaded with talent, trading in fantasy football is often counterproductive. You might improve your team’s running back situation, but does it make much sense if you’re sacrificing a star quarterback?

That’s why, in an attempt to gain more value than their giving up, fantasy football diehards throw around stock market terms such as “buy low” and “sell high.” They’re trying to predict which players will soon experience a hot streak or a slump.

As the trading season heats up, here are five players who are buy-lows. (Next week: sell-highs.)

Torry Holt, WR, Rams

Usually a sure bet for 90 catches and 1,100 yards, Holt is on pace for just 64 catches and 672 yards this season. But new coach Jim Haslett, who led St. Louis to an upset win over the Redskins on Sunday, might have breathed new life into the Rams. And more important for Holt (pictured), seven of St. Louis’ next eight games are against teams with pass defenses ranked in the bottom half of the league.

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets

When looking at opposing run defenses, no team has an easier schedule through Week 14 – the end of the fantasy regular season in most leagues -- than the Jets. Jones, who scored three touchdowns last week against the Bengals, should shine against foes such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver and San Francisco.

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina

Carolina faces just one top-10 pass defense through Week 14. Forget about his dismal performance Sunday against Carolina; Delhomme should have big games against aerial lightweights New Orleans, Oakland, Detroit and Atlanta.

Deuce McAllister, RB, New Orleans

Over the first few weeks of the season, the Saints remained cautious with McAllister, coming off two offseason knee surgeries. But New Orleans is utilizing him more now as the Saints face a string of mediocre run defenses.

Zach Miller, TE, Oakland

Miller is the Raiders’ leading receiver. OK, that might not be much to brag about, but his remaining schedule includes games against the Jets, Falcons, Dolphins, Broncos and Chargers, who have all struggled mightily against the pass.

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BYE WEEK FILL-INS

Some options to replace your prized players who may have Week 7 off:

Brad Johnson, QB, Dallas (vs. St. Louis). It’s not often you can grab a starting QB on a very good offensive team that is playing an abysmal defense.

Sammy Morris, RB, New England (vs. Denver). He’s the Patriots’ leading rusher, is a goal-line threat and is facing a defense that has allowed more fantasy points to running backs than any team in the NFL.

Kevin Walter, WR, Houston (vs. Detroit). Walter has been a top-13 fantasy receiver over the past three weeks, and the Lions are ranked 30th against the pass.

Robert Royal, TE, Buffalo (vs. Chargers). San Diego has given up five TDs to tight ends, two more than any other team in the league.

Matt Bryant, K, Tampa Bay (vs. Seattle). Bryant has kicked at least two field goals in five of six games.

Jets defense (vs. Oakland). The Jets have a mediocre real-life defense, but thanks to 10 turnovers and a pair of touchdowns, they have a top-10 fantasy defense.

Photo by Getty Images