by Eddie Mayrose

As the second half of the season began for the McGee Survivor League, things looked bleak for our favorite Fantasy Football prof as he and son Tim headed into action without the services of New York Giants‘ RB Ahmad Bradshaw; sitting out his bye week. As feared, the less than impressive tandem of Chris Ivory and Javon Ringer returned less than 5 points.  However, in an affirmation of Wagstaff’s theory that wide receivers should be your first round targets in a Fantasy Football Draft, the brothers Johnson, Calvin and Andre, totaled 56 points to carry the day. Now, with just six teams left and all byes behind them, Waggie and Tim have set their sights on last year’s champ, Dr. Pete, in hopes that the league may be theirs.

Fantasy Football News

Unless you’re desperate for a WR, I’d pass on Randy Moss. A change of address isn’t enough to cure what ails him… While the solid play of the Detroit Lions’ defense has coincided with the offensive struggles of the New York Jets, this may be a big week for LaDainian Tomlinson as the Jets always play well on the road… Don’t fall in love with Pats’ RB Darrius Heyward-Bey.  He’s nursing a sore shoulder and his 105 yard outburst last week included a 69 yard run…RB Chris Ivory is still the Saints’ only option in the backfield and enjoyed a solid game in his first go-round with the Panthers…Raiders’ WR Louis Murphy is out for week 9 (chest)…An ankle injury won’t be enough to slow Texans’ WR Andre Johnson this week…Have to worry about all three Dallas WR, Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Dez Bryant with Jon Kitna under center.

Fantasy Football Studs

With Jon Kitna trying to acclimate himself to his new role, he’ll rely on the short stuff; making Jason Witten a must-play… Randy Moss won’t be a total loss for the Titans this week, as his presence should open things up for RB Chris Johnson.

Fantasy Football Slippers

Braylon Edwards hasn’t been the focus of the Jets’ offense in a few weeks and has probably worsened his situation by grumbling about it in the media… DeAngelo Williams returns to a struggling Panthers’ offense that couldn’t free up Jonathan Stewart for more than 30 yards last week.  Don’t expect much more from Williams.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

Ryan Matthews may be at full strength this week but he’s underperformed all year and doesn’t figure to produce like a lead back… Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck is recovering from a concussion and facing the Giants this week.  Not a productive combination.

by Eddie Mayrose

When last we left the McGee Survivor Fantasy Football League, in-laws Dr. Pete and Jenny Tyler-Moore had laid waste to three different families on their way to the title game, a contest won by the good doctor.  Both were true survivors, having each hung on through some difficult weeks to avoid elimination.  They’re back this year, with the rest of the clan, but, this time, with targets on their backs.

It’s a unique league, in that there are no head-to-head schedules.  Rather, all 14 eams compete weekly against each other with the lowest scoring squad eliminated from competition. Bye weeks become critical, something the good Professor Wagstaff learned the hard way last year when he was summarily bounced in Week 11.

Fantasy Football Stars

Look for Tampa TE Kellen Winslow to show up his old squad as the Bucs visit Cleveland.  The Patriots’ defense has been sub par for two years now, somethig Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer should easily exploit, especially with all of his new weapons.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

In Houston, RB Arian Foster may just be keeping the seat warm for Steve Slaton.  Even if he isn’t, the Texans will have to throw te ball o beat the Colts, making Foster a risk not worth taking.  Can’t see Jets WR Braylon Edwards christening his new stadium with a big game vs. the Ravens, especially with a struggling Mark Sanchez under center.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

Have to love the 49′ers DST against the undermanned Seahawks as Pete Carroll starts from scratch in Seattle. Dolphins QB Chad Henne should meet with little resistance as Miami opens the season with Buffalo.

Fantasy Football Slippers

While the Jets DST put up great numbers in leding the league, they were very ordinary at home last year.  Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and their new cast of receivers should be enough to spoil Big Rexy’s 2010 debut. Don’t expect much from Eagles’ RB LeSean McCoy, especially against a Green Bay squad lookig toward a Super Bowl.

By Eddie Mayrose

If you’re a Wagstaff follower, you’ve heard this refrain before.  “Grab the best Fantasy Receivers as early as possible.”  It’s a theory put into practice every year by the Professor as he constructs his Fantasy Football Roster; one that has annually provided a tremendous edge over Fantasy Owners locked into the standard system of front-loading running backs.  Here’s why.

It’s a widely accepted (yet flawed) idea that the elite ball carriers produce more than the best wideouts.  While I’ll agree that running backs are guaranteed significantly more touches, it doesn’t guarantee better production.  Texans’ star Andre Johnson was a Wagstaff first rounder in every draft.  Compare his 1,500 YDS and 9 TD to Stephen Jackson’s 1,300 YDS and 4 TD.  Now, it’d be crazy to pass on Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson or Maurice Jones-Drew with any of the first three picks but, after that, guys like Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss are way more likely to deliver their career averages than what’s left in the backfield.  Not to mention that running backs are infinitely more likely to get hurt.

So, take advantage of those in your Fantasy Football League that are mired in the conventional wisdom.  Stockpile two of the elite receivers before anyone realizes how that the position has thinned out and then scoop up mid-round running backs who’ll still help your team.

Fantasy Football Star

We’ve already mentioned Johnson, Fitzgerald and Moss.  The next guy on the Wagstaff list is Lions’ WR Calvin Johnson.  He actually may be the most talented guy on our list and with QB Matt Stafford gaining experience behind an improved offensive line, Calvin is ready to explode.

Fantasy Football Stiff

Don’t get trapped by the notion that Santonio Holmes is a bargain because he’ll go late in your draft.  He’ll miss four weeks, more than a third of your Fantasy Football season, and come back to an unfamiliar offensive scheme led by the erratic Mark Sanchez.  Holmes is likely to struggle into November.

Fantasy Football Sleeper

One of the best NCAA receivers in the last decade, Michael Crabtree never really got cooking last year after a long contract holdout.  In 2010, with a full training camp under his belt, Crabtree will make Frank Gore the Niners’ second-most important player.

Fantasy Football Slipper

While San Diego’s Vincent Jackson is one of the league’s rising stars, his contract holdout as well as the Chargers’ depleted offensive line will likely take his production down a few notches. Don’t get caught paying 2010 prices for his 2009 stats.

Professor Wagstaff’s Top 25 Wide Receivers

New York Jets Cut Corners in Acquiring Corner

So, now we find out that one game short of the Super Bowl is the moral evacuation point for the New York Jets when it comes to the formation of their roster.  Flush with the excitement of their improbable run to the AFC Championship game and desperate to fill a new stadium through a PSL extortion campaign, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has his eye on the prize; and, seemingly, nothing else.

His first big splash of the off season was to acquire Antonio Cromartie, former first round pick and Pro Bowl cornerback, from the Chargers.  The idea of pairing Cromartie, the San Diego record holder for interceptions in a season, with Darrelle Revis, the game’s best, gave Tannenbaum the impetus to ignore the personal baggage Cromartie brings east.  Gang Green’s new defensive back has been a busy young man; fathering seven children with six women in five states; all by the age of twenty five.  With at least one paternity suit pending, the Jets felt it necessary to advance Cromartie $500K of his 2010 salary in order for him to satisfy delinquent child support payments.  They can only hope he doesn’t start dating before training camp begins.

Then, perhaps attempting to balance the miscreants on each side of the ball, Tannenbaum swooped in and grabbed wide receiver Santonio Holmes from the Steelers for a song.  Despite the fact that Holmes was the hero and MVP of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl victory just two years ago, he became available after a March incident in which he allegedly threw a glass at a woman in a nightclub; cutting her above the eye. Then, after a Twitter comment critical of Holmes, he told the follower to “kill urself” and later Tweeted that it was time to “wake and bake”, a reference to smoking pot in the morning.

Holmes is no stranger to marijuana, having been arrested for possession in 2008.  He’s also been arrested, in 2006, on charges of domestic violence and will be suspended for the first four games of this season for an unspecified violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.  But, again, talent was the trump card and, after Pittsburgh had had enough, Tannenbaum surrendered just a paltry fifth round pick for the troubled Steeler; pairing him with Braylon Edwards, himself acquired amidst legal woes last year.

On the surface, these moves might be justified by reasoning that the Jets are on the cusp of a championship.  In reality, however, they’re little more than a .500 team that got hot at the right time; edging two playoff opponents that missed a total of five field goals. Their postseason appearance, itself, was achieved on the heels of a virtual forfeit by the Indianapolis Colts. The vaunted defense, pride and joy of Head Coach Rex Ryan, failed to stop fourth quarter drives by playoff outsiders Jacksonville and Atlanta during a regular season stretch that produced six losses in seven games. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was the league’s lowest rated starter at season’s end and has yet to begin running after off-season knee surgery while RB Thomas Jones and OG Alan Faneca, each a Pro Bowler as well as a respected team leader, were released.

Owner Woody Johnson, along with Tannenbaum, has sworn his belief that Big Rexy is enough of a “people person” to pull all of these new and questionable personalities together and unite them toward a common goal.  Best of luck to Coach Ryan, then, on that front.  However, even if this is, finally, the group that earns a Lombardi Trophy, won’t it be more than a little tainted that it was won by players no one wants to root for?

After a one week reprieve, the Holmdel division of the McGee Survivor League suffered another casualty as affable, young Edward saw his LeGarrete Blounts go down in flames. If you’re scoring at home, that’s the fourth of six from Old Mill Lane to bite the dust. Things look dicey on Long Island, this week, however, as Dr. Pete’s Samurai Shortbus must replace a number of starters on their bye week. Wagstaff rode the coattails of Thomas Jones to his best week of the season and might actually make it past the year’s halfway point. We’ll see.

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson says his ankle is fine and he’ll start Sunday vs. Pittsburgh… LaDainian Tomlinson, plagued by injuries all year, missed time this week because of the flu… Anquan Boldin’s ankle kept him out of practice this week but he’s expected to be in Arizona’s starting lineup… Bills’ RB Marshawn Lynch, who missed the season’s first two games due to suspension, may have his first big game against Carolina, whose run defense is terrible… Colts’ WR Anthony Gonzalez, out since the opener with a knee injury, is close to returning to practice… While Greg Jennings’ hip injury kept him out of practice on Thursday, he will play on Sunday according to Packer coach Mike McCarthy… The Broncos refuse to mess with success and will continue to have Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno split carries; disappointing Fantasy owners of both players… Eagles’ WR Kevin Curtis will not play Monday vs. Washington… Jets’ WR Braylon Edwards has been bothered by a sore quad all week but is expected to play… Clinton Portis is dealing with multiple leg problems including knee, calf, ankle and plantar fascitis but will play Monday.

Fantasy Football Star

- Things line up extremely well for Laurence Maroney this week as the Patriots fly to London to face the Bucs. An injured Sammy Morris did not make the trip, leaving Maroney as the Pats’ go-to back, Tampa Bay’s run defense is one of the league’s weakest and he’s coming off a 123 yard effort last week.

Fantasy Football Stiff

- If you were waiting for Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker to return to your lineup, you won’t be happy to read this. Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced this week that Rashard Mandenhall, successful during Parker’s absence, will get the bulk of the work in the backfield.

Fantasy Football Sleeper

- Those Fantasy Football wners who drafted 49′ers WR Michael Crabtree may actually get some return on their investment this week. He’ll be used a s a slot receiver which may give him a few opportunities for yards after the catch. He’s an explosive player who should bump Josh Morgan from the starting lineup before long.

Fantasy Football Slipper

- Bad enough that the Jets have had their vaunted defense slapped around over the last few weeks but now they must continue without the services of NT Kris Jenkins, thought by many to be the unit’s best player. He’s lost for the season to a knee injury; severely jeopardizing the Jets’ ability to stop the run while sending waves of pressure at the QB.

Fantasy Football News and Notes
While he’ll, no doubt, be the most acquired player in most leagues this week, don’t expect too much too soon from 49′ers WR Michael Crabtree.  His talent is immense and he’ll be a big boost for you in the second half but I can’t see Mike Singletary making any adjustments to what’s obviously working already…In contrast, WR Braylon Edwards’ impact on the Jets should be immediate, if not direct.  Look for things to open up for RB Thomas Jones and Leon Washington now that QB Mark Sanchez has a deep threat… Very quietly, Jacksonville QB David Garrard is putting together a very solid season…Raiders RB Darren McFadden is out with a torn meniscus.  Michael Bush and/or Justin Fargas will share his workload…Dallas WR Roy Williams will be a game time decison vs. Kansas City due to torn cartilage in his rib cage… Steelers RB  Willie Parker will be limited in practice, leaving his status as well as Rasahard Mendenhall’s, in question…Cleveland WR Mike Furrey may net a few more receptions over the next week or two with Braylon Edwards gone but Chansi Stuckey, acquired from the Jets,  is an Eric Mangini favorite and a better option than Furrey…Eagles QB Donovan McNabb returns to the starting lineup this week after missing two games with a fractured rib.  RB Brian Westbrook, out last week with a sprained ankle, should also be back… Dallas RB Marion Barber sat out a lot of the second half last week when his thigh injury acted up.  Hang on to Tashard Choice… Look for the Vikes DST, fresh off an eight sack performance vs. Green Bay, to continue the onslaught against the hapless Rams.

Fantasy Football Stars
Houston’s QB/WR tandem, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson should have a big day vs. Arizona… The Ravens seem to have given QB Joe Flacco the freedom he earned with a strong rookie year.  All of a sudden, Baltimore is an offensive force.  Flacco will have a great day vs. Cincinnati… Gotta love all of the Steelers’ skill position guys vs. Detroit; especially QB Ben Roethlisberger.  With RB Willie Parker banged up, look for Big Ben to sling it all over the lot vs. Detroit.

Fantasy Football Stiffs
Can’t be too much longer before Tennessee gives up the ghost and dismisses QB Kerry Collins for Vince Young.  A loss this week should spell the end for Collins… Raiders QB JeMarcus Russell, while probably not owned in any but the deepest leagues, must be listed simply because he is that bad… Tampa Bay QB Josh Johnson is keeping the seat warm for first round pick Josh Freeman and will do nothing to distinguish himself during that time… Seahawks’ RB Julius Jones has been too inconsistent to keep in your lineup but will struggle this week vs. Jacksonville.

Fantasy Football Sleepers
Browns RB Jerome Harrison will continue to carry the load for Cleveland. He had 29 carries for 121 yards and caught five passes for 31 yards against Cincinnati last week… Jets’ RB Leon Washington always seems to save his biggest plays for the Dolphins, Gang Green’s opponent on Monday… Grab Jags’ WR Mike Sims-Walker if he’s still available in your league.  He’s become the emerging David Garrard’s favorite target.

Fantasy Football Slippers
While Rams’ RB Stephen Jackson has been putting up decent YDS, he’s having a lot of trouble getting into the end zone, something that should continue vs. Minnesota… Can’t see Dolpin QB Chad Henne continuing last week’s success against the blitzing schemes of the Jets… Can’t see a big game in Seattle WR Nate Burleson’s future as long as Seneca Wallace is calling signals.   For more Fantasy Sports insight and analysis, visit Wagstaff and Company at FantasySportsDirt.com

While many Fantasy Football owners focus on the running backs position as the starting point for their roster, it’s a Wagstaff tenet to, instead, stockpile Wide Receivers at the top of the Fantasy Football draft.  The idea is to take advantage of the fact that many owners severely undervalue the position and by grabbing two WR as soon as possible, you create a huge talent gap between your squad and the first of your opponents to realize that the pool just got very thin.  Now, I wouldn’t recommend that you burn one of the top five picks on a wideout but, if you do find yourself in that position, take an elite back and use the next two picks at WR.  You’ll not only end up with two elite players but you’ll likely start a position run that nets you a RB that slips through the cracks. 

Fantasy Football Rankings for Wide Receiver:

Studs

Andre Johnson is the man here, as the Texans’ superstar carried Waggy’s Holy Shirts and Pants to a semifinal appearance all by himself last season.  220 catches over the last two seasons and an emerging QB in Matt Schaub make him the top guy on our list.   He’ll grab another 100 REC this year and set a career high in TD…  Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald may be the most talented WR in the league but he’s got one drawback for Fantasy Owners that doesn’t exist for the others on this list: A star on the other side.  Fitzgerald’s career year was aided immensely by the prolonged absence of Anquan Boldin, who traditionally scores more TD.  Fitz will still be worth your first pick but his AVG and TD will likely drop…  Imagine what  Calvin Johnson could do if he wasn’t the focus of every team facing the Lions.  In a winless season, he managed 100 YDS in 11 games and scored 12 TD… With Tom Brady returning, Randy Moss should once again be the league’s best home run hitter.  Even though Mat Cassel did an incredible job guiding the Pats to the brink of the playoffs last year, he led a scaled down offense designed to limit mistakes, which hurt Moss owners.  In ’09′ however, chicks dig the long ball.

Stars

The arrivals of Matt Ryan and Michael Turner made a new man of Roddy White as he became Atlanta’s go-to receiver in their unexpected playoff season.  The only thing holding him back was a meager TD total of 7.  As Ryan improves, look for White to top the 88 REC and 1,382 YDS he delivered in ’08… Despite missing 4 games, Anquan Boldin still managed 89 REC and 11 TD.  He’s, once again, looking for a new contract and could find himself taking a back seat to Fitzgerald as the Cards’ shift the focus of their offense to the guy who’s staying.  He’s worth a 2nd or 3rd rounder, just don’t reach… With Marvin Harrison finally out of the picture, Reggie Wayne will get Peyton Manning’s undivided attention.  Considering how well he’s done while sharing it, Wayne is looking at a career year…  Steve Smith was suspended by the Panthers for the first two games of last season then made geniuses of all the Fantasy owners willing to wait for him.  He had over 1,400 YDS on 78 REC.  The only concern here is that his TD total (6) declined for the 4th straight season.

Sleepers

Michael Crabtree was such a great college receiver that Matt Millen would have drafted him were he still the man in Detroit.  As it is, Crabtree brings his incredible skills to San Fran, where he’ll probably team with Josh Morgan to form a terrific young tandem… Good news, bad news for Jericho Cotchery of the Jets. The departure of Laveraneus Coles means that he becomes the big gun but the absence of an established QB could hinder the process.  Bet on Mark Sanchez and take a flier on Cotchery as your third receiver…  Houston’s Kevin Walter is entering his contract year, (we love that), is playing with a QB on the verge of stardom and has defenses focusing on teammate Andre Johnson.  A repeat of last year’s stellar 60 REC, 900 YDS and 8 TD at the cost of a late round pick will make any Fantasy player smile.

Slippers

Has Terrell Owens finally run out of teams willing to put up with his nonsense?  Buffalo is this year’s desperate suitor, acquiring TO in the offseason.  The Bills will likely struggle in the AFC  East, he won’t like sharing the ball with Lee Evans and QB Trent Edwards is nowhere near established enough to command Owens’ respect.  Look for a Thanksgiving meltdown…  Braylon Edwards didn’t make it to the third round of most drafts last year and cost his owners dearly.  A season long case of the drops led to off season trade rumors that never became reality.  Now, he’s back in Cleveland with the same uncertain QB situation and a new coach.  Be careful.

Stiffs

At the end of most drafts, an owner looking to fill his roster inevitably sees a recognizable name and figures there’s no harm in taking the guy.  That’s how Seattle’s Nate Burleson ends up on most fantasy teams.  Don’t let it be yours… Michael Crabtree spells the end of the line for Frisco’s  Isaac Bruce who will be a third down option at best…  Chris Chambers was supposed to find the fountain of youth in San Diego last year.  Instead, he found just 33 REC and 5 TD’s.  Cross Chris off your list.

Professor Wagstaff’s Top 25 Fantasy Football Picks for WR:

1. Andre Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Calvin Johnson
4. Randy Moss
5. Roddy White
6. Anquan Boldin
7. Reggie Wayne
8. Greg Jennings
9. Steve Smith
10. Marques Colston
11. Roy Williams
12. Wes Welker
13. Dwayne Bowe
14. Brandon Marshall
15. Vince Jackson
16. Braylon Edwards
17. Michael Crabtree
18. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
19. Antonio Bryant
20. Santonio Holmes
21. Jericho Cotchery
22. Terrell Owens
23. Laveraneus Coles
24. Hines Ward
25. Kevin Walter