ShareThisBy LISA KELLY EASON
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Now that the trade deadline has passed for many leagues and the playoffs are fast approaching, wasting a roster spot to retain an injured player could prove to be a downfall.
Injured players have more value earlier in the season, as they can be traded based on their potential to return and/or still make a fantasy impact. It's also easier to find respectable replacements on the waiver wire earlier in the year. However, this late in the season, owners should carefully weigh whether a player's potential return will come soon enough to help their team.
Aside from Seattle's Shaun Alexander, players who have missed extended playing time this season were hardly worth retaining. For example, Kansas City's Trent Green has finally been cleared to play after missing eight games but still may not start due to Damon Huard's admirable play in Green's absence. Even if Green does get the start, he'll be missing his best receiving weapon, Tony Gonzalez, and could easily be benched should he struggle against Oakland's surprisingly good pass defense.
A team with a 9-1 record can better afford waiting out an injury, as that team would likely still make the playoffs even if they lose a game or two in the next few weeks. For example, hanging onto Buffalo's Willis McGahee might work out, as he could return in time to help in the postseason.
However, a 6-4 team needs to win now to get to the playoffs. It's highly unlikely that McGahee will be back in time to help that team make it to the postseason, but picking up Buffalo's Anthony Thomas or Washington's Ladell Betts could help them.
Green Light:
Tampa Bay's Joey Galloway vs. Washington-In the past two games, Galloway has caught nine passes for 184 yard and two touchdowns. His recent good fortune should continue as the Bucs host the Redskins, who are tied for last in the league in passing touchdowns allowed (17) and rank next-to-last in passing yards allowed per game (240.3).
Also hit the gas on ...
Quarterbacks: Baltimore's Steve McNair vs. Atlanta, Arizona's Matt Leinart vs. Detroit and Carolina's Jake Delhomme vs. St. Louis.
Running backs: Chicago's Thomas Jones at N.Y. Jets, New Orleans' Deuce McAllister vs. Cincinnati and Arizona's Edgerrin James vs. Detroit.
Wide receivers: Carolina's Keyshawn Johnson vs. St. Louis, Philadelphia's Reggie Brown vs. Tennessee and Baltimore's Mark Clayton vs. Atlanta.
Tight ends: New England's Ben Watson at Green Bay, Philadephia's L.J. Smith vs. Tennessee and Miami's Randy McMichael vs. Minnesota.
Flashing Yellow:
Washington's Santana Moss vs. Tampa Bay-Moss posted one huge game this season, with 138 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville. Aside from that game, he's not caught a touchdown pass or posted as many as 70 yards in a game, and now he'll be getting his looks from Jason Campbell, a quarterback who's never played a single snap in the NFL.
Also hit the brakes on ...
Quarterbacks: San Diego's Philip Rivers at Denver, N.Y. Jets Chad Pennington vs. Chicago and Minnesota's Brad Johnson at Miami.
Running backs: Green Bay's Ahman Green vs. New England, Indianapolis' Joseph Addai at Dallas and Cleveland's Reuben Droughns vs. Pittsburgh.
Wide receivers: N.Y. Jets' Laveranues Coles vs. Chicago, Kansas City's Eddie Kennison vs. Oakland and Tennessee's Drew Bennett at Philadelphia.
Tight ends: Indianapolis' Dallas Clark at Dallas, Dallas' Jason Witten vs. Indianapolis and Pittsburgh's Heath Miller at Cleveland.
For more Fantasy news, check out Lisa Kelly Eason's blog at http://www.scrippsnews.com/fantasyfootball
