POWERHOUSE Pick-Ups - Week 8

Draft day is crucial to the success of any fantasy football team, but as we all know injuries and busts are part of the game. Unless you supplement your roster with quality free agents, playoffs will not be in your future. Each an every Tuesday I will be highlighting players likely to be free agents in your league that can help your teams going forward.

Quarterbacks

Brian Griese, Chicago- So the Bears can move the ball through the air. Where was this guy during the Super Bowl, Lovie? Griese has been just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Bears offense. He makes for a nice QB #2 and has a great match up vs. the hapless Lions secondary this week. You could do a lot worse.

Kurt Warner, Arizona- He’s back again, and again, and again. Many owners decided to cut bait with Warner upon hearing news of a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow. Warner surprised everyone by starting this past Sunday and throwing for 2 scores. With the weapons he has at his disposal he should make for a solid play just about every week.

Kellen Clemens, NYJ- Rumors out of New York are that Clemens took plenty of snaps with the 1st team offense in practice. Finally!! It seems that Mangini has grown tired of Chad Pennington’s majestic rainbow-like passes. There was no pot of gold at the end of those rainbows, just ravenous DBs licking their chops. Clemens showed flashes of brilliance in his week 2 start against Baltimore. He should put up decent #s when the match up is right.

Running Backs

Jesse Chatman, Miami- Just in case you hadn’t heard, Ronnie Brown’s season is officially over with a torn ACL. The lone bright spot of a dismal 0-7 start is gone, sorry Dol-phanz. Chatman will be the one to take his place. He had a nice preseason and is a Cam Cameron guy. While Chatman will not put up Ronnie Brown #s, he should be a solid play when the match up is favorable and makes for decent flex option most weeks.

Selvin Young, Denver- If by some miracle Selvin Young is available in your league now is the time to pounce on him. Travis Henry is nicked up yet again, this time with bruised or possibly broken ribs. Combine that with Henry’s impending appeals hearing on November 5th and Young’s time to shine could be sooner rather than later.

Wide Receivers

DJ Hackett, Seattle- DJ should return to the lineup in week 9 after the Seahawks bye. He should have nice value as a WR #3 or a match up guy. Some experts liked him as a #1 WR over Deion Branch to start the season. I personally don’t see it, but I do see a guy with good size and speed, and an excellent red zone target to boot. Seattle has been unable to get their ground game going so there should be enough balls to go around come week 9.

Ted Ginn Jr., Miami- 2 Dolphins as Powerhouse pick-up?? I know, it’s awful, but hear me out. With Chambers and Brown out of the picture someone has to catch the ball, and that someone is Ted Ginn. Dolphins brass wants to justify passing on Brady Quinn and they really don’t have anyone else to throw to. Is he going to win your league for you, no. But I see him having a few big games down the stretch. Remember he just missed a long TD pass from Cleo Lemon vs. the almighty Patriots this past week.

Tight Ends

Vernon Davis, San Francisco- How hyped was this guy coming into the year? VD is an absolute freak of a physical specimen with hands, speed, and an attitude. I even went so far as to rank him the #2 TE heading into the year. He got off to a slow start, and just when it looked like he had gotten it together he was injured. There is no good reason why this guy can’t put it up for the second half of the season, and there is a great chance he is available in your league. Get him before he blows up. Big-play TEs are hard to come by. He makes a great add for Crumpler and Watson owners.

Greg Olsen, Chicago- Olsen brings a Shockey-like skill set to the position, and is becoming more and more involved in the Bears passing attack each week. Look for Griese to be looking towards Olsen a lot down the stretch of this season.

Donald Lee, Green Bay- Who?? That’s right Donald Lee. You know he’s the guy you’ve seen near the top of your free agent TE list but have been too scared to pick up. Don’t be. With Bubba Franks out for at least a few weeks Lee should see plenty of looks from Brett Favre especially in the red zone.

That's all I have for this week. Be sure to check out POWERHOUSE Pick-ups, fantasy hoops edition, coming later this week.