Bolster bench depth for your title run

Week 11 marks a welcome end to the much-reviled NFL bye schedule. Much like the sense of relief Rick Perry experiences every time he remembers lists of three or more items, fantasy owners can relax knowing they no longer must prepare for battle with one or more star players taking mid-season siestas.

Now that the bye weeks are history, this is an excellent time to give your roster a thorough checkup to be certain you are best equipped for the stretch run. The most important strategic move you can make this week is to release any dead weight from excess kickers, defenses and even tight ends. There’s little justification for carrying more than one at each position any longer unless, for instance, you are fortunate enough to own two elite tight ends. You’re much better served by stocking your bench with fresh legs that can be instrumental to your title run.

Injuries to Michael Vick (ribs), Jay Cutler (broken thumb) and fantasy backup Matt Hasselbeck (elbow) underscore the importance of reinforcing your quarterback depth this week. Though the pickings are fairly slim, guys like Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton and Matt Moore are still widely available and can help out in a pinch against favorable matchups.

But your primary goal should be adding the understudy to your lead running back, if you haven’t already. As DeMarco Murray, Michael Bush and, most recently, Kevin Smith have proven, an unheralded backup can be an invaluable contributor when injury strikes.

And with Sunday’s knicks to Adrian Peterson (ankle), Fred Jackson (calf) and James Starks (knee), the threat of disaster should be top-of-mind for every contending owner.

Some of the most important backups in the game are flying well below the radar and are still available in the vast majority of leagues. As sure as the next Perry gaffe, it’s going to happen. One or more of these ball carriers will undoubtedly be thrust into the limelight during the upcoming fantasy playoffs thanks to an untimely, yet inevitable, injury to a star runner.

Consider adding Marion Barber, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, C.J. Spiller, Deji Karim, Bernard Scott or Jason Snelling to hedge your bets on your key runners. Ryan Grant has been abandoned in many leagues, yet he could see the majority of carries against the Lions on Thanksgiving thanks to Starks’ balky knee.

Don’t play running back roulette. Take steps now to avoid the waiver-wire frenzy that will occur should your lead horse pull up lame at the worst possible time.


FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Vince Young, QB, Eagles. Only if you were counting on Vick or Cutler should you consider adding Young, whose three interceptions should not be overlooked in the euphoria over his game-winning touchdown drive on Sunday night. Young gets a short-term recommendation solely due to the Eagles’ schedule, which has them facing New England’s awful secondary in Week 12.

Kevin Smith, RB, Lions. There’s little question that Smith will be the prized waiver-wire acquisition this week after his scintillating 201-total-yard, three-touchdown outing against the Panthers. Jahvid Best (concussion) does not appear anywhere close to returning, so Smith could conceivably remain the starter through the remainder of the fantasy season.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings. The truth is, even after Peterson left Sunday’s game early, Gerhart was only a bit player in the Vikings’ offense. Percy Harvin got nearly as many carries, and he will likely be the greatest beneficiary if Peterson sits out a game or two. But Harvin’s not available, and Gerhart should at least be a goal-line option.

C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills. Spiller has yet to translate his seemingly sky-high potential into production during his first two seasons. But the dual-purpose tailback could have his best opportunity yet, with injuries to both Fred Jackson and wideout Donald Jones (ankle). Though the Bills’ offense is sputtering, Spiller’s role will inevitably increase.

Don’t be fooled

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. With news that Cutler could miss the remainder of the regular season after surgery to repair his broken thumb, there’s no reason to let him take up valuable space on your bench. Ditto for his inexperienced backup, Caleb Hanie. Earl Bennett’s bubble just burst as well.

Jerome Simpson, WR, Bengals. Unless A.J. Green (knee) misses more time, Simpson is unlikely to be a worthy pickup in most formats. As surprisingly effective as Dalton has been throughout his rookie season, there aren’t enough balls to go around in Cincinnati to make two wideouts consistent contributors.

Week 1 column: Lions and Texans and Bears, oh my!

I’m guessing you’ve heard about Arian Foster’s record-setting, 231-yard, three-touchdown breakout game against the Colts on Sunday. Foster’s explosion was undeniably the fantasy story of the weekend; but it wasn’t the only one worth reviewing.

For starters, Calvin Johnson – and his fantasy owners – were robbed. I don’t care what the rules state, that was a touchdown catch, and I empathize with anyone who loses their matchup over that travesty. (Especially my brother-in-law, who could have used those nine points against me. Sorry, bro; but rules are rules.)

Any confusion over the pecking order among Giants wideouts was cleared up when Hakeem Nicks racked up three touchdowns against the Panthers. Those who drafted Steve Smith several rounds earlier had better get used to that sinking feeling. Nicks is the real deal.

Chris Johnson’s dominant outing surprised no one; but was Matt Forte’s role as the Bears’ most prolific receiver a harbinger of things to come in Mike Martz’s pass-happy offense, or simply a byproduct of the matchup with the toothless Lions? Keep Forte in your lineup against the Cowboys next week, but don’t be shocked if you get a fraction of the production.

Has Darren McFadden finally seized the feature-back role Oakland drafted him to fill two years ago? Until he’s able to followup one solid outing with another – a feat that has eluded him to date – don’t bank on it. Especially with Michael Bush on the verge of returning to the lineup.

Is it too early to panic over lackluster opening-day performances from such notables as Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Andre Johnson and DeSean Jackson?

In a word, yes.

As for some other underachievers – I’m looking at you Matt Ryan, Jerome Harrison, C.J. Spiller and Mike Sims-Walker – you’re on a very short leash. Another flop like that and you’re going straight to our doghouse. And trust me, it stinks in there.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, you need to start with a good draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents can also make a big difference. Here’s a look at a few players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else’s line-up.

Catch ‘em while you can

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles – He looked like the dazzling All Pro of old in taking over for the concussed (and ineffective) Kevin Kolb against a talented Packers defense. Kolb hasn’t been ruled out of Week 2 (yet), but even if he returns, Vick’s shadow will loom large over his shoulder. Next up, Detroit!

Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers – Ryan Grant has never missed a game due to injury, but a badly sprained ankle will change that. Jackson looked good in relief Sunday, and he’ll get the start for at least one week. Consider the understudy a decent proxy for the Packers’ workhorse against the mediocre Bills. And remember, ankle injuries can linger.

Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers – The rookie wideout picked up where he left off in the preseason with five catches for 30 yards and a score. Not world-beating stats, to be sure; but enough to reinforce his value. I’ve been singing Williams’ praises for weeks, and yet he’s still available in more than half of fantasy leagues.

Austin Collie, WR, Colts – Peyton Manning isn’t going to throw 57 passes every week, but any receiver that catches 10 balls from him is worth a look. Collie still ranks behind Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Pierre Garcon in the hierarchy, but as we saw Sunday – and several times last season – he can produce when called upon.

Mark Clayton, WR, Rams – One team’s excess is another team’s gold. With less than a week to get acclimated, the Ravens’ castoff hauled in 10 passes for 119 yards, on a whopping 16 targets. Since St. Louis is bound to be playing from behind more often than not, Clayton should be in line for several more days like this.

Don’t be fooled

Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns – He was the surprise starter and poached the touchdown run from Jerome Harrison, but Hillis also coughed up the ball twice (losing one) while gaining just 41 rushing yards. I’m more concerned now about Harrison than intrigued by Hillis.

Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals – There may not be a better time to deal Hightower, after his solid, but flawed, performance against the lowly Rams. Even with Beanie Wells inactive, Hightower had just 54 yards rushing (with one TD); but his two lost fumbles won’t sit well with the coaches. Sell high, while you can.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars – Throughout his four-year NFL career, Lewis has scored no more than twice in any season. He equaled that against the Broncos, on his only two receptions. That’s what we in the business call an aberration.