by Eddie Mayrose

After ten weeks, the good professor and his general manager, son Timothy, have outlasted ten family members and positioned themselves in the final four of the McGee Survivor League.  Riding the tails of the Johnson brothers, their two superstar wide receivers Andre and Calvin, Waggie and Tim have seen their Fantasy Football team, Home Alone 2, dodge every bullet thrown its way.  Now, with two brothers and a cousin standing as the only obstacles between him and the grand prize, Tim is feeling his oats.  ” I talked dad out of Carson Palmer last week and Joe Flacco came through.  This week, it’s Michael Crabtree in for Mike Williams. If we win again, dad’s paying for the Harry Potter movie.”  We’ll see, Tim.

Fantasy Football Studs

- Worried that Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers might not be able to maintain his first half pace?  Forget it, as San Diego’s MVP candidate gets his staring receiving corps back for a matchup with Denver.  In Carolina, they’re down to third string RB Mike Goodson, who turned in a terrific game last week.  Expect more of the same as the Panthers’ turn to rookie QB Tony Pike.  Can’t imagine there’ll be a lot of passes in that game plan.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

- As mentioned above, Chargers WR Legedu Naanee returns from a hamstring injury to face the very generous Broncos‘ secondary. With Tyler Thigpen stepping into the starting role in Miami, look for TE Anthony Fasano to be a primary target in the Dolphins’ limited offensive scheme.

Fantasy Football Slippers

-We’ll see how Texans WR Andre Johnson does on Revis Island this Sunday vs. the Jets, especially with an ailing Matt Schaub.  Detroit’s Calvin Johnson didn’t fare too well in the same scenario two weeks ago.  San Diego’s Antonio Gates, already dealing with an injury, may see his numbers drop with the return of WRs Naanee and Malcolm Floyd to the lineup.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

- Don’t bet on Vikings’ WR Sidney Rice being in uniform this Sunday as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.  Even if he does, he’ll struggle right along wit the rest of the Vikings.  Give up the ghost on Arizona’s RB Beanie Wells.  His “breakout” season has been a bust and should continue along the same path; especially if he can’t hang on to the ball.

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

Waggie and his partner, son Timothy, survived another week in the McGee Survivor League, actually turning in the highest total for the week, despite the gaping hole in their backfield that has been a problem all season.  Even their mainstay, Ahmad Bradshaw of the Giants, has been a problem. Even though he’s been piling up yardage, Brandon Jacobs gets all of the touches inside the 10 yard line.  Things are looking up, however, as the Professor and son woke up early on Tuesday and managed to beat the sleepy heads in their league to Chris Ivory of the Saints.  Fresh off a 150 yard game and likely to get most of the work with Pierre Thomas out, he’s a great acquisition for a team facing the joint bye weeks of Andre and Calvin Johnson.  It’ll be touch and go this weekend for Home Alone 2 but, if they survive, things are looking up the rest of the way.

Fantasy Football Studs

Love Philip Rivers this week in his matchup with the Patriots.  For that matter, Tom Brady deserves a stud ranking also as this game should be a shootout.  Rivers should feast on the Pats’ soft pass defense while Brady seems much more comfortable with Deion Branch than he did with Randy Moss.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

Bench Brett Favre as the Vikings head into Green Bay on Monday.  He’ll try to do too much against his old team and will likely throw a few picks. In Miami, Ronnie Brown has failed to fire for most of the season and will find it even tougher sledding against the Steel Curtain.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

Raiders Tight End, Zach Miller should enjoy a big day in Denver, especially with Oakland’s limited options elsewhere. Seahawks’ WR Mike Williams looks to string two solid weeks together as the Cards and Seahawks, battle for NFC West supremacy in Seattle.

Fantasy Football Slippers

Chad Henne is in for as difficult a day as Ronnie Brown against Pittsburgh as the Miami offense will struggle against Pittsburgh.  As long as the Bears’ O-Line continues on its mission to get QB Jay Cutler killed, each of the Bears’ receivers is a liability.

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

It was once just a dream; merely a conversation over a family dinner. Until our Staten Island cousin and nephew Terrence, took the reins and created a Fantasy Football giant known as the McGee Survivor League. We don’t know where we’d be without him but we’re about to find out as his Bayside Tigers went down in flames last week. Still alive heading into Monday Night Football, Terry was done in by one long pass from Donovan McNabb and the hideous Bears’ defense, which registered a fatal -10 points. “Should have played another D”, said Terry. “Jenny told me that nothing good comes from Chicago.” Dr. Pete barely survived his own pitiful showing but returns four playrs from their bye weeks. Waggie is still around, courtesy of Thomas Jones and his offensive line. Made it to November, “woo-hoo!”

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Falcons allowing 250 passing YDS PPG so play any and all New Orleans skill position players on your roster…Panthers‘ QB Jake Delhomme, already with 13 INT, returns to Arizona; where he threw five picks in last year’s playoffs… Jets’ RB Thomas Jones should see his carries increase significantly with Leon Washington out. While rookie Shonn Greene will get some touches, he can’t do a lot of what Washington did so, Jones’ll be the guy… RB Ahmad Bradshaw has told the Giants he can play through the pain of a broken bone in his foot. We’ll see… Vince Young takes over for Kerry Collins at QB for the winless Titans… Rams’ RB Steve Jackson, posting 100 YD games on an almost weekly basis, might actually find the end zone this week vs. Detroit…If you saw any of the Jets-Raiders game last week, you’ll play the Chargers’ DST as they host Oakland this weekend… Not buying into the Alex Smith renaissance just yet but he does have significantly better receivers now than when he was strating before… Ravens are at home, coming off a bye and truying to stop a three game losing streak this week. I’d think twice before starting Denver RB Knowshon Moreno against them… Seattle Rb Julius Jones missed practice on Wednesday due to personal reasons but returned Thursday and will play Sunday… The Chiefs suspended RB Larry Johnson for two weeks because whenever he opens his mouth, stupid things come out. Should be a bonus to Jamaal Charles, who’ll get the start… Vikes’ WR Bernard Berrian is nursing a sore hamstring and is questionable for Sunday at Green Bay… Lions wideout Calvin Johnson practiced on Thursday after missing the Lions’ last game before the bye. He was limited and is questionable for the Rams… Minnesota Wr Percy Harvin has battled migraines all year and missed practice on Thursday… Jericho Cotchery should return to the Jets this week after missing a game with a bad hamstring… Colts’ RB Donald Brown is doubtful for Sunday vs. San Francisco with a strained groin…Eagles’ RB Brian Westbrook will be a game time decision after suffering a concussion last week… Colts’ WR Reggie Wayne has been hampered by a strained groin but should go Sunday.

Fantasy Football Stars

- Dolphins’ RB Ricky Williams is coming off his best game of the season, culminating a three game hot streak that began when he and teammate Ronnie Brown ran all over the jets from Miami’s Wildcat formation. Look for more of the samwe this weekend, as the Jets will now try to stop the Wildcat without NT Kris Jenkins… The Seahawks are coming off their bye; having had two weeks to prepare for the Cowboys’ porous pass defense. Look for Matt Hasselbeck to turn in a big game this week vs. Dallas.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

- WR Greg Jennings hasn’t found the endzone since Week One and won’t exactly be facing soft competition on Sunday when the Vikings visit the Packers. That Aaron Rodgers has still performed well is an indication he’s become comfortable with his other receivers; more bad news for Jennings… After Alex Smith’s stellar relief appearance last week, QB Shaun Hill’s out of a job in San Francisco.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

- New Orleans’ TE Jeremy Shockey posted his first 100 YD game of the season last week and is due for another solid game vs. Atlanta. The Falcons have allowed quite a few TE’s to perform well, mailnly because they stretch their secondary too thin to cover WR’s. They’ll be in that mode again on Sunday, facing the best offense in the league… Durning the 49′ers bye week, WR Michael Crabtree and QB Alex Smith developed good chemistry while working with each other on the scout team. That chemistry blossomed on Sunday when Smith got his chance. Look for another big game from Crabtree.

Fantasy Football Slippers

- Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has been terrible the last two weeks, throwing for just one TD and actually losing to the Raiders. His luck won’t improve this week, either, as he’ll face a Giants’ defense that’s held six QB’s under 200 YDS… RB Marshawn Lynch has struggled since his return from suspension in large part due to Buffalo’s terrible pasing game. That won’t change this week as Lynch goes up against a Houston defense that has stuffed Cedric Benson and Frank Gore over its last two games.

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