Top Targets for 2011 Week 9

**update**
Ahmad Bradshaw is doubtful and some reports have him with a broken bone in his foot. Brandon Jacobs should be grabbed immediately.

Saw a funny post today on facebook. “Jesus just dropped Tim Tebow from his fantasy team, I guess that whole faith thing only goes one way!” Too Funny, thanks Brandon Ficara

For the record, I am thinking I might have been a little off about Cam Newton, fine! are you happy?!

Here are your pick ups for this week

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassell, Kansas City Chiefs Matt did not look spectacular in the Chief’s fourth straight win but if you are in need of a Quarterback, he is worth a look. His chemistry with his wide receivers, new and old is getting better and Baldwin is emerging as a marquis guy. Best of all, the Chiefs face some really bad pass defences down the stretch, Dolphins, Broncos, Pats and Bears. He will become a better option as the season moves on.

Running Backs

Head Smacker

Javon Ringer, Tennessee Titans Chris Johnson is still the starter in Tennessee but that position is tenuous at best. Johnson has been very mediocre this season and is showing no signs of getting better. If Ringer has another good week and Johnson continues as he has been, this has timeshare situation written all over it.

Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns The Browns are down to their 3rd running back with Hardesty going down last week with a calf injury. The Browns are not any better than they have been, but a couple of things to think about, Ogbonnaya is getting his first NFL start, in the area he grew up, against the team who cut him earlier this year even though he wanted badly to play there. Ogbonnaya could have a really good game this week

Hail Mary
Tashard Choice, Washington Redskins Choice has been productive in the past, he is now playing in the Shanahan system and the guy in front of him is always getting hurt. Tashard is a Hail Mary because his production was in the past, and he is playing for Shanahan. He could go for 200 yards next week, or Mike could bring someone in from the scout team to rush for 200.

Wide Receivers:

Jon Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs – Baldwin is a big strong guy with good hands the ability to get open. Todd Haley likes him and Matt Cassell likes him and if you see him play, you will like him too.

Hail Mary
TJ Houshmandzadeh, Oakland Raiders Housh is back with his buddy Carson Palmer, the only QB he has ever had any kind of success with. Keep in mind, it has been a long time since either of them have had any value in fantasy but there might just be a little magic left for these two.

Pretzel’s Picks Week 8

San Francisco 49ers by 8.5 at home over the Cleveland Browns
The 49ers are coming off a bye after beating the 5-0 Lions and the 3 games before that to show the world that they are legitimate.  The Cleveland Browns
have come off the bye week to lose in Oakland and then win a shootout last week over Seattle 6-3.  The Browns are going to need a little more fire power then that to take out the 49ers, I don’t see that happening.  San Fran by 10.

Cincinnati Bengals by 2 at the Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks lost to the Browns last week and the Bengals won their last 3 before their bye week.  This should not be a problem for the Bengals.
Cincinnati by 7.

San Diego Chargers by 3 at the Kansas City Chiefs
It is gut check time for the Chargers.  The Chiefs have won 3 in a row since losing to the Chargers earlier this year.  Chargers lost to the up and down Jets last week and will rebound this week in a tough divisional game.  Chargers by 6.

Philadelphia Eagles by 3 at home over the Dallas Cowboys
For my upset pick of the week I will take the Cowboys on the road over the “Dream Team.”  The Eagles only wins have come in week one against the
terrible Rams and against Washington during the game that was Rex Grossman’s demise…for now at least, he does play for Shanahan.  Dallas is kind of
all over the place this season but Romo again has his full compliment of receivers and should have no problem taking it to the Eagles in this game.
Dallas by a touchdown.

Eliminator
For my eliminator pick I will take the Saints over Rams.  The Saints put up 62 points last week against the Colts.  Will we see more this week?

Top Targets for 2011 Week 8

Quarterbacks

Not So Obvious

Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings – I am upgrading Ponder this week from a Hail Mary for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he had a decent week in his debut, but he was playing a terrible pass defense and was behind a lot. But more importantly, after his bye week he faces terrible pass defenses down the stretch. If you really need help, Ponder could be your guy.

John Beck, Washington Redskins – Shanahan said before the season started that he had complete confidence in John Beck’s ability to lead to this team, he confirmed that this week by benching the ineffective Rex Grossman in favor of Beck. John responded with 279 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The best part of having a Redskin QB on your team is that, like Christian Ponder, Beck faces bad pass defenses from here on out. Worth a look if you are in dire straits.

Running Backs

Head Smacker

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys –I am going to say it again this week, DeMarco Murray should be owned! The guy set a franchise record this week, man i hope you are paying attention!

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins The Shanahan running back roulette game may be over for the season. With the season ending injury to Tim Hightower, Mikey only has one real option and it’s Ryan Torain. Roy Helu will get some touches but it should be in more of a change of pace capacity.

Not So Obvious

Delone Carter, Indianapolis Colts –Carter’s impressive performance on Sunday with 89 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown took away some of the sting of his ugly fumble. It also may have given him the leg up in the RBBC that the Colts have embraced this year. If Addai missed time (which he will) Carter is the only Back that holds value on this team. The problem is that the Colts without Peyton Manning are TERRIBLE, so the running game has been taking a back seat.

Hail Mary
Keiland Williams, Detroit Lions – My Ronnie Brown call went astray last week when Jerome Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor and negated the trade. We wish Jerome the best and a swift recovery. So, I am going to take another swing with a Lions running back. Williams looked decent last year in his stint with the Redskins and looked equally decent again in his debut with the Lions. He took the featured back role in the second half on Sunday and ran well, with more burst than Morris.

Wide Receivers:

No So Obvious:

Steve Breaston, Kansas City Chiefs – Breaston is very quietly becoming an extremely consistent fantasy performer. With Dwayne Bowe getting all the attention from DBs, Breaston has been left to run free most of the time. He has responded with 4 grabs and close to 70 yards per game. These are not WR1 numbers or even WR2 number in a 8 or 10 man league, but they will help you through a bye week.

Pretzels Picks Week 7

Carolina Panthers by 2.5 at home against the Washington Redskins

New QB same strong running game and QB.  Washing takes this one by 7

Cleveland Browns by 3 at home against the Seattle Seahawks

With Sidney Rice back the Seahawks have shown a bit of a spark…..the Browns have not. Seattle by 3.

Tennessee Titans by 3 at home over the Houston Texans

Houston is just not the same team without Andre Johnson.  Titans easily take this one by 10.

Miami Dolphins even at home over the Denver Broncos

Tebow will bring his winning magic to the Broncos this weekand get a W.  Broncos by 7.

Eliminator

I will take the Dallas Cowboys at home over the Bradfordless Rams