Oct 6 2005

Peeps are what rappers call their friends. Peeps also can describe those who look in on others. Finally, marshmallow peeps are those weird little yellow things in your Easter candy. What? You don't get Easter candy? To get to the point, box score peeps are quick looks at the box scores and what they should mean to your fantasy teams.

Bobby Engram is not a smart pickup right now. He was playing with injury. Sure, he had a nice week and caught a lot of passes. So did Shaun McDonald. You want him? Engram is a career reception receiver who happened to get a ton of looks. Joe TD Jurevicius may be a better long term bet. I picked up Brunell in one of my experts' leagues because he is producing. He's showing up better than Kurt Warner (who is hurt), Joey Harrington, and Daunte Culpepper. It won't continue, but now Brunell is worth having.

Joe Horn and Eric Moulds were both early round draft picks who look like sad sacks now. I don't want either. McGahee is too good not to get his strong yardage. If I had to have another guy, I'd pick up Holcomb. He has a decent chance to make a difference. That, by definition, would add value to one of the Bills' receivers. It is hard to tell who that would be now though. Donte looks legit and is making his owners glad they weathered last year.

Michael Pittman would be a good guy to pick up in any league with point per reception. Yeah, it is just one week with him as a factor; but, if Caddy goes down, look for Pittman to be the toast of most fantasy leagues. Mike Williams picks up value, if anyone does in the Detroit offense, but it looked pretty lousy. Harrington needs to find a go to guy and then feed him. Find a Lions fan who still believes because it doesn't look like Kevin Jones is going to be a top ten back this year.

I'd love for Jarrett Payton to become the man in Tennessee, but it won't happen. Chris Brown's trifling carries will get in the way. If you didn't trade Manning, Wayne, or Harrison, now you see why. On the Titans, you should pick up one of their three tight ends who garnered catches and drop Bennett because he isn't going to catch more than five passes until McNair gets hurt. And, it doesn't look like he will.

David Givens resurfaces for the Pats in time for you to pick him up. Unfortunately, he disappears just as quickly into the morass of mediocrity. This up and down is reality for almost all Pats receivers. San Diego's Keenan McCardell looked average, except for his touchdown. Eric Parker led the team in catches and could emerge as a strong number two as the season goes on. Drew Brees looks decent. Trade him. He has a little value. If you can trade him for any decent WR or RB, do it. There are better guys than him on the waiver wire.

That flushing sound? It was all of Ashlee Lelie's owners putting their waste down the drain. He stinks. He is soft. He isn't worth a spot on your team. If someone is getting tired of waiting for Tatum Bell, grab Bell. As the stretch run comes, Bell will be the man, as he was last year. Will Reggie Williams or Matt Jones please assert themselves? Broncos are New England East, in terms of WRs. I wouldn't want a single one of their wideouts. Too inconsistent.

Jabar Gaffney? Ugh. Moran Norris and Jeremi Johnson? Nagheup. This game? Should be forgotten. Dominick Davis and Rudi Johnson produced normally, and Carson Palmer had a down week. Bengals are looking more real; however, their fantasy bandwagon already left the station. Andre Johnson? Trade him as quickly as you can. He will not produce much this year.