2008 FFT WAIVER WIRE WONDERS
One of our features that was a huge favorite among our newsletter subscribers last year was our waiver recommendations. Below is a listing of fantasy players we put our readers on, along with percent owned when we recommended them and percent owned by end of season:
STEVE SLATON:
FFT recommended at:
43% Owned.
End of season
100% owned
MATT CASSEL
FFT Recommended at:
2% Owned
End of season:
97% owned
ANTONIO BRYANT
FFT Recommended at:
10% Owned
End of season
96% owned
DUSTIN KELLER
FFT Recommended at:
26% Owned
End of season
78% Owned
JOHN CARLSON
FFT Recommended at:
26% Owned
End of Season
72% Owned
SHAUN HILL
FFT Recommended at:
1% Owned
End of Season
50% Owned
WE SAID IT -2008
Re: Atlanta:
“Apologies in advance for slapping you across the face with this one for effect. It would not surprise me in the least if, next March, we look back and call the Falcons the single most underrated fantasy offense of 2008.”
Re: Kurt Warner
"DO NOT pass on Kurt Warner as a Matt Lienart owner in the 14th round. Arizona's starting QB is top 15 because of those WR's. Yes - Lienart is the starter, but don't go mocking the fantasy gods by shunning Warner in lieu of a super-sleeper."
Re: Thomas Jones:
“When we look back on '08, Thomas Jones will be one the reasons his owner is in the playoffs of your fantasy league. He is perfectly suited as a 4th round selection for a team that goes RB-WR-WR in the first three rounds. At that point, you just need a #2 RB that holds his own against his peers. Pass on Jones based on '07 and you will regret it.”
Re: Larry Johnson
“I don't think it's back to business as usual for L.J. I'm concerned that Johnson's average draft position of 8th RB overall is the absolute best case scenario. If he stays healthy, the O-line shows a marked improvement from last year AND Gonzalez chews up LB's for an 11th year in a row - then he should be able to put up that 1,300 yd. 10-11 TD season. That's simply too many "ands" and "buts" for your #1 RB.”
Re: Steve Slaton
“That would leave the Houston running game pretty much in Slaton’s hands. And seeing as he’s ideally suited for the zone blocking scheme the Texans employ, his upside is that of a handful of productive season in the Tatum Bell-in-Denver vein. Worst-case, Slaton projects as Houston’s third down/change of pace back, which isn’t a bad gig; however, it’s the upside of a speedy back in a Gary Kubiak offense that has us willing to roll the dice on Slaton in a dynasty league."
Re: Brandon Jacobs
“Mark my words, Jacobs will hit the ten-touchdown plateau this season, and could even go higher. The 202 carries last season will help in keeping him fresh this year and getting plays off to give carries to Bradshaw will be a good thing for the 264-pound bruiser, who could use a breather every once in a while.”
Re: Roethlisberger and Holmes
“...color me very concerned about the current values of Roethlisberger and Holmes. With regards to Big Ben, when I look over his stats from last year, there's a couple of things that give me that not so fresh feeling. He finished '07 as the 5th-7th ranked QB (based on league scoring). He saw a huge boost in TD heavy formats. Ben is being drafted, on average, 7th overall. Aside from Brady, Roethlisberger had easily the lowest completion to TD ratio in the entire league. We need to slide all the way down the QB rankings to David Garrard (16th) to find a QB that attempted fewer passes than Big Ben. (405 attempts).”
Re: Phillip Rivers:
“But I have a hunch Phillip Rivers and the entire Chargers passing game will be leaned on more in '08 than any other year in the LaDainian Tomlinson era.”
Re: LenDale White
“Whenever you hear the pundits talk about this type of two-headed situation, it seems there's always an attempt to boil it all down to "winner" - "loser". Call me crazy, but I'm not so sure everybody doesn't end up taking home cash and prizes from this deal. I wouldn't be surprised if LenDale White has 60-70 less touches in 2008 and ends up almost as productive. As far as the rook? There's no denying he's lightning in a bottle and Tennessee will find a way to put the ball in his hands a dozen times a game. He should be a solid bye week roll of the dice immediately. Bottom Line: Don't shy away from LenDale as a #2 because of Johnson's presence. Embrace it.”
Re: Jay Cutler
“a terrific core of receivers should give Cutler all the weapons he needs to come through with a true breakout season. By the end of 2008, we’ll be talking about Jay Cutler as one of the best young quarterbacks in the game."
Re: Calvin Johnson
“Many fantasy owners will sleep on Johnson because Mike Martz left and the Lions are expected to run the ball more often, but this will actually work in Johnson’s favor. The limited passing game will hurt Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey more than Johnson and Roy Williams, as the Lions will go with more two-receiver sets. A more prevalent run game could open up the play-action pass and Johnson will be the beneficiary. Look for him to be a good Number Two receiver, if not better.”
Re: Zach Miller
“As a consummate player in the Owen Daniels/Heath Miller mold, Zach Miller should be a reliable target for Russell and should improve on his numbers from last year, potentially doubling that touchdown total. Draft Miller as a Number Two or a low end Number One tight end in fantasy this year – and he could certainly pay some dividends.”
Re: Matt Schaub
“Schaub threw for 2,216 yards and though he had an unspectacular 1-1 TD to INT ratio, his 66.4% completion percentage is great and it is a sign of things to come. As a guy who could easily slip below Roethlisberger, Derek Anderson, and others on that level, Schaub could be a great sleeper pick.”