Week Nine Stock Up/Down

Trouble? Me? Huh?

The biggest question this week isn't why the 0-7 Buffalo Bills claimed Shawn Merriman off the waiver wire; although it does baffle me. Perhaps nothing makes more sense then a winless team going after a top DE to sure up their d-line.

It is, however, what went on in the mind of Brad Childress to release a future hall of fame WR just 4 weeks after the Vikings traded a 3rd round pick to NE for him? The joke of all jokes would have been the Patriots picking him back up so ESPN could run the line, "NE Patriots trade Randy Moss for a 3rd round pick and Randy Moss."

Regardless of insubordination, being a cancer in the locker room, possibly being the cause of Brett getting his chin lacerated, or Brad needing to show that he is the Man in Minnesota; Moss is gone and is now a Tennessee Titan.

Think about that from a reputation standpoint. The Titans were #24 in line for Moss meaning 23 other teams passed on Randy. That alone should be enough for him to pull his head out of his ego, and start shaping up. However, as long as he relies on the fact he is tall and fairly fast he'll expect that big contract during the offseason.

Moving on, what fantasy impact does Moss's departure from Minnesota and arrival in Tennessee mean for the Vikings and Titans receiving cores?

For Minnesota it means stock down on Percy Harvin and stock up on Visanthe Shiancoe. At the beginning of the season, with the injury of Sidney Rice, Harvin was viewed as the Vikings #1 receiving option and got the bulk of attention from opposing defenses. This was seen in the Vikings first game as Harvin was targeted 5 times, yet only caught one ball for 12 yards. Meanwhile Shiancoe was the leading receiver with 4 receptions, 7 targets, for 76 yards and 1 score. This pattern continued next week as Shiancoe had more receptions/ yards then Harvin. However, in week 5 when Moss arrived roles were reversed and Harvin lost the double coverages he normally saw because of the presence of Randy. In his next 3 out of 4 games Harvin would have no fewer then 5 receptions/ 60 yards including a 2 touchdown performance at New York, and over 100 yards this past Sunday at New England. Meanwhile during those same 4 games Shiancoe would average 2 receptions per game and a measly 24 ypg.

With Moss leaving Minnesota we can only assume that things in Minnesota will return to pre-Moss conditions and allow Shiancoe to be Favre's #1 target as Harvin gets double teamed again. So... what does this do to things in Tennessee?

Kenny Britt: undoubtedly the #1 target of both Collins and Young; Britt is the go to guy. His week 10 status and beyond is gloomy due to his hamstring issue. Even when he returns it may take a while for his hamstring to get acclimated to game speed. Right now he is not a factor to worry about.

Nate Washington: while Britt was in the doghouse at the beginning of the season he was the deep threat for the Titans and looked ready to reassume that role after the injury of Britt. If things hold true for the Tennessee offense one WR gets all the attention from the QB and everyone else gets the breadcrumbs. Chris Johnson is such a heavy part of the offense it only leaves so much left for wide receivers. As Moss learns the playbook look for him to get the bulk of targets while Washington fades back into the fantasy black hole.

Bo Scaife: already a non factor in the offense Scaife averages just under 3 rpg, 22 ypg, and only 2 scores on the season. The small amount of looks he received should diminish as he becomes more of a pass blocking tight end in order to give more time to Collins/ Young to find Moss.

Week Nine Pickups

Picking up LeGarrette Blount is way too easy of a call this week

The short and quick recommendation would be to pickup after LeGarrette Blount after breaking out a 120 yard, 2 touchdowns on 22 carries performance, but where's the tough fantasy analysis in that? After all, every one else in your league most likely put in a waiver claim after him. Thus, you need to go elsewhere.

Remember, we're in week nine, thus your waiver options are going to be limited unless something catastrophic happens. I.e.: a line of injuries promotes a guy from the practice squad to starting lineup.

RB, Keiland Williams, Washington Redskins: a line of injuries may be just what he needs to get the amount of carries/ catches to become fantasy relevant. With Clinton Portis out and still recovering, and Ryan Torain possibly out with a hamstring promotes Keiland Williams as the starting RB. Though you can't use him this weekend because he's on bye; you should keep an eye out for him as injury reports come out of D.C.

RB, BenJarvus Green-Ellis: what else must this guy do to be owned in more then 50% of leagues? 5 straight weeks with a touchdown capped off by 2 touchdown, 122 yards on 17 carries performance should be more then enough umphh to get him off the wire and into your starting lineup.

RB, Javarris James, Indianapolis Colts: when every other RB is hurt on your team it opens up the way for you to start. The week 10 status of Addai, Brown, and Hart for next weekend all look suspicious. RB plays a very essential part of the Colts offense, and James should be used in some manner Sunday against Philadelphia simply because they have no other options!

WR, Randy Moss, FA: this is just a hunch, but sometimes ffball owners have been known to over react to news and may have dropped Moss once they heard he was waived. Though his value may be low; he would be an amazingly great pickup if you could find.

WR, Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans: before the injury of Britt Sunday Washington was fantasy crap, however, he is now their #1 deep threat and showed that with a season high tying 4 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He's off this week, but worth watching if Britt isn't ready to go in week 10.

WR, Steve Breaston, AZ Cardinals: if he can stay healthy he helps increase the value of Larry Fitzgerald, and has a nice tendency to rack up yardage. In his 2 truly healthy games, limited by a knee issue, he has 15 receptions for 279 yards. If, and its a big if, Derek Anderson plays Sunday against Minnesota Breaston has nice value in yardage, and ppr leagues. Don't worry about touchdowns though; when you rack up 130+ yards when your knee cooperates with the rest of your body touchdowns should follow.

TE, Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts: stick a TE in this offense, and Manning will find a way to throw the ball his way. 6 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown figures to make him a nice fill in when other TE's are under performing or hurt.

K, Dan Carpenter, Miami Dolphins: Kickers are worth taking a look at; especially when they end up being the highest scorer on their team. In 4 of his last 5 games he has made at least 3 field goals and an extra point. In the last 2 weeks he has made 5 field goals in each game, and figures to be a key part of the offense against a rested Baltimore defense.

Week Seven Stock Up/ Down

Me and my QB's have a connection

All signs in Tennessee are pointing towards what everyone knew and believed from last season; Kenny Britt and Vince Young have a connection. However, it wasn't so apparent at the beginning of the season. Through the first two games the Titans main receiving threat was Nate Washington as he posted 2 scores, and 122 yards on 7 receptions. Meanwhile Kenny Britt posted 5 receptions for 41 yards and no touchdowns.

However, since game three things have turned around and pointed in the direction of Kenny Britt. Though his yardage has been low he has scored in 4 straight games while Washington has only 1 touchdown in those same 4 games (a score against Dallas in which the td pass was his only reception of the game).

This week, at home, the Titans face a Philadelphia team that plays far better against the pass then they do against the rush (14th/23rd) so expect Fisher to take advantage of this matchup with a heavy dose of Chris Johnson. However, if red zone opportunities do present themselves look for Vince Young/ Kerry Collins to look towards Kenny Britt and not Nate Washington for the 5th week in a row.