These guys aren't special. They aren't worth picking up off waivers. However, if you need a spot start because Ronnie Brown stinks or Nate Burleson is out, read the list below and grab a free agent. Don't expect a season saver, these are weak, week savers.
Michael Pittman, RB, Bucs
Pittman was a key pickup for many fantasy
owners last year. With the explosion of the Cadillac, it seems he has been left to rot on the free agent wire. The news is in: Caddy is hurt. Pittman will get the majority of the carries, unless the Bucs are on the goal line. He also caught three passes last week. Like Larry Johnson and Chris Perry, Pittman may carve himself a relief rusher/pass catcher role that makes him appealing to fantasy owners, especially those in point per catch leagues. The other issue is the Bucs are facing the defensively feckless Packers. Green Bay doesn't care how many points they give up, as long as Favre is playing well. Plus, the Pack don't have any players except KGB on the defensive side. Want proof? Look what the Lions did to
them in Week 1. Pittman will get you five to ten points on Sunday.
Greg Lewis, WR, Eagles
If you watched the Eagles first exhibition game, you may remember Lewis as the guy who ran the route incorrectly and made Donovan McNabb look like an idiot on the first play from scrimmage. Lewis, however, is the second receiver in a high powered Eagles offense. He caught a TD last week, and he is a possession guy. He may have value beyond this week. The Oakland defense has more leaks than a levee in New Orleans and will surrender huge numbers this week to Philly. We all know TO and Brian Westbrook will get numbers, but Lewis and fellow Blue Light
Special, Lamar Gordon, are both worth looks if you are hurting.
Reggie Williams, WR, Jaguars
Matt Jones was the snazzy, rookie pick off this team in the preseason. Reggie and the rest of the Leftwich crew will be going up against the Jets, one of the bottom five defenses in the league. Williams is getting the same number of looks as guys like Steve Smith from Carolina and Andre Johnson from Houston. Jimmy Smith looks reinvigorated by Leftwich's improvement, and Williams looks like a real fantasy option, despite his first week woes. We know that Leftwich also is the new Brett Favre. He will limp, crawl, or be carried down the field, but he will not go out. He doesn't scramble, and he gets the ball upfield. All of these bode well for Williams against a Jets D which is losing its luster after being talked about highly this offseason.
Travis Taylor, WR, Vikings
Hopefully, you got Melwelde Moore and are crossing your fingers. Taylor looks like the second guy, at least for this week, is worth having on the thus-far woeful Vikings offense. Daunte Culpepper won't stink forever, and the Saints D isn't resilient against the pass. With their best receiver out and the running game in complete disarray, it is time to look for a breakout. Why? The Vikings under Mike Tice looks like they're dead, then roar back. Troy Williamson is the other guy you may want to pick up; but, in terms of receivers, always go with the veteran. Taylor suffered under Boller last year, but it looks like he's getting his touches with Culpepper.
Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
If you haven't heard of the new thunder in New York by now, you should open your ears. Jacobs has been widely watched, but most people haven't picked him up because of the uncertainty surrounding his carries. The Giants will be facing a weak San Diego D. Jacobs will get five to seven carries. For Jacobs, that means twenty to thirty yards and a TD. Last year, owners let Jerome Bettis sit on the free agent pool because of the same questions. In a limited role, Jacobs will do more for your team than Kevan Barlow or Chris Brown.
