Waiver Wire: Time to count on a Brown?
There's a reason why Eric Mangini will likely be fired as the Browns head coach now that Mike Holmgren has come in to run the team. He just makes bad decisions.
For example, let's look at Jerome Harrison this season. He started Week 3 at Baltimore and Week 4 at Cincinnati and played well when Jamal Lewis was out with a hamstring injury. Harrison had 88 total yards against the Ravens, which is more than respectable against that defense. Then he ran over one of the top run defenses this year in the Bengals with 29 carries for 121 yards and five catches for 31 yards with a fumble. We said to add him in all leagues on Playing the Waiver Wire.
But instead of giving Harrison a chance from that point on, Mangini went back to the plodding Lewis, who clearly had no future in Cleveland even before he announced his retirement. Harrison was relegated to a reserve role and was even ruled inactive in Week 11 at Detroit.
Lewis then went on injured reserve in Week 13, and Harrison again got the chance to start. What did he do? He had 97 total yards and two touchdowns against San Diego.
An illness ruined his chances of playing well in Week 14 against Pittsburgh, which opened the door for Chris Jennings and Josh Cribbs, and both were stars against the Steelers. It appeared to leave Harrison in limbo -- until Week 15 at Kansas City.
With Mangini saying all week we could see more of Cribbs, and since Jennings had 20 carries against the Steelers, it looked like Harrison would be the odd man out. Instead, Harrison had a record-breaking game against the Chiefs. He had 34 carries for 286 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 12 yards. Once again, you have to add him in Week 16 since the Browns have a great matchup against Oakland. Harrison is only owned in 49 percent of leagues on CBSSports.com, but he should be considered a starting Fantasy option.
We only hope that Mangini doesn't screw this up again and start giving the ball to Jennings and Cribbs. As we saw earlier this year, Harrison should have been playing well all season -- if only he had a coach who believed in him. On Monday, Mangini sounded as if he was committed to Harrison against the Raiders.
"I think that what he was able to do (Sunday) was special," Mangini said. "I'm looking forward to more of that."
Let's hope that this time Mangini gets it right and sticks with Harrison. He has the chance to be special again in Week 16.
In case you haven't noticed ... This is the week you want Alex Smith as your starter. He gets to face Detroit in Week 16 and could be a great option even in the championship round of your Fantasy league. Smith was horrible at Philadelphia as we expected last week with 177 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. But facing the Lions will cure those woes since Detroit can't stop anyone through the air. He's owned in 80 percent of leagues on CBSSports.com, so add him where available. And looking ahead, he also has a favorable matchup to close the season at St. Louis in Week 17.
Each Tuesday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBSSports.com leagues.
Add 'Em
Michael Bush, RB, Oakland
Owned: 25 percent of leagues
Week 15: Had 18 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for 11 yards at Denver.
Analysis: Bush got increased playing time with Justin Fargas (knee) getting hurt and Darren McFadden losing a fumble. If Fargas is out then it looks like Bush could have the chance for a big role in what would be a favorable matchup at Cleveland in Week 16. He's worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues, as is McFadden (52 percent), who had 12 carries for 74 yards against the Broncos. It's hard to figure out what the Raiders would do if Fargas misses the game, but based on Cleveland's run defense you could have the option of using Bush or McFadden as a flex option.
Maurice Morris, RB, Detroit
Owned: 13 percent of leagues
Week 15: Had 17 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown and had five catches for 35 yards against Arizona.
Analysis: You're not going to use Morris in Week 16 at San Francisco in most leagues, but it's hard to overlook a starting running back who will get the majority of touches. Morris started against the Cardinals with Kevin Smith (knee) out for the season and got the bulk of his production on a 64-yard run. But even without that carry he still managed 97 total yards. In deeper leagues, Morris is worth using as a flex option. And if you're stuck due to injuries or poor matchups you can use Morris in standard formats. Remember, he's done well the past two years as a backup running back in Seattle.
Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta
Owned: 72 percent of leagues
Week 15: Had 16 carries for 59 yards and caught three passes for 5 yards at the Jets.
Analysis: Here we go again with Snelling and the Falcons. But Michael Turner injured his ankle again in Week 15 and might not return this season, which should open the door for Snelling in a favorable matchup against Buffalo. The Bills are horrible in run defense, and Snelling got the majority of touches against the Jets in comparison to Jerious Norwood (nine carries for 22 yards). Turner hasn't been ruled out, but this ankle injury has ruined his season. If Snelling is named the starter against the Bills then he should be considered a solid Fantasy option in all formats.
David Thomas, TE, New Orleans
Owned: 3 percent of leagues
Week 15: Caught eight passes for 77 yards against Dallas.
Analysis: Jeremy Shockey was out with a toe injury against the Cowboys, and Thomas filled in admirably by leading the team in catches. He would be a No. 1 Fantasy option if Shockey is out against Tampa Bay in Week 16, so plan accordingly. In his first matchup with the Bucs, with Shockey also in the game, Thomas had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. We know Drew Brees likes to throw to his tight end, so Thomas has plenty of value if he's elevated to the No. 1 spot.
Avoid 'Em
Matt Moore, QB, Carolina
Owned: 1 percent of leagues
Week 15: Completed 21 of 33 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota.
Analysis: Moore played great against the Vikings and now has four touchdowns and no interceptions in his past two games with his outing at New England in Week 14. But even if he starts his fourth game in a row in place of the injured Jake Delhomme (finger) don't consider using Moore in Week 16 at the Giants. You're not going into a potential Fantasy championship or playoff game with Moore as your starting quarterback. Just consider his outing against the Vikings a good performance and leave it at that.
Chaz Schilens, WR, Oakland
Owned: 4 percent of leagues
Week 15: Caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown at Denver.
Analysis: Schilens has potential to be a decent receiver in the NFL, but he's not going to help your Fantasy team with the inconsistent quarterback play in Oakland. Even though Schilens has a favorable matchup in Week 16 at Cleveland, you can't trust him since it appears like JaMarcus Russell will be back under center with Bruce Gradkowski (knee) and Charlie Frye (head) dealing with injuries. Schilens has two touchdowns on the season, but he hasn't reached 50 yards receiving in any of the six games in which he has appeared.
Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee
Owned: 47 percent of leagues
Week 15: Caught one pass for 32 yards and a touchdown against Miami.
Analysis: Washington could have some increased value if Kenny Britt (finger) is out, but you still can't look at him as a reliable Fantasy option. This was his first touchdown in his past five games, and Vince Young just doesn't appear comfortable with Washington. He's also playing through an ankle injury, and he doesn't have a great matchup in Week 16 against San Diego. There are better receivers to gamble on this week like Mike Wallace (67 percent), Kevin Walter (62 percent), Lance Moore (19 percent), James Jones (11 percent) or Demetrius Williams (0 percent).
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