Assessments to make at midseason

By Jim Rueda

The midway point of the NFL season is just about here. It’s time to stop holding on to potential and deal with the realities of which fantasy players are producing and which are not.

First, a quick recap of key injuries in Week 7:

New York Jet running back Leon Washington broke his right fibula Sunday is done for the season. Colts running back Donald Brown hurt his shoulder against the Rams but the extent of the injury is unknown.

Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson bruised his chest Sunday but should be OK for Week 8. The Vikings’ Bernard Berrian re-strained his hamstring against the Steelers and probably won’t be 100 percent again all season. Colts’ receiver Reggie Wayne tweaked his groin Sunday and his status is day-to-day.

Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley hurt his knee Sunday and probably won’t be able to play in Week 8.

Players to jettison: As much a we all thought Kevin Walter would be a valuable No. 2 receiver for the Houston Texans this season, it hasn’t happened. Over the last four games, Walter has just 11 catches for 136 yards and no touchdowns. Walter is a distant third behind Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels.

It appears Pierre Garcon’s days as a valuable fantasy commodity with the Indianapolis Colts are over even before they got started. Garcon has not only been leap-frogged by Austin Collie but now former starter Anthony Gonzalez is set to return to line-up. That makes too may different options for Garcon to have any consistent value.

If you haven’t heard, the 49ers benched quarterback Shaun Hill in favor of Alex Smith during Sunday’ game against Houston. Smith played well in relief so don’t expect Hill to get his job back anytime soon. If you’ve been holding on to Hill as a backup, it’s time to let him go.

Fantasy owners who have been holding on to Buffalo back Fred Jackson in hopes that he would be involved in a running-back-by-committee (RBBC) situation with the Bills need to give it up. Marshawn Lynch is the No. 1 guy in Buffalo and is getting all the goal-line touches. Jackson has just two receptions since Week No. 4.

New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller is no longer a viable starting or even a back-up option at tight end. Quarterback Mark Sanchez is struggling and two seem to have very little chemistry.

Waiver wire pick-ups: With Leon Washington done for the season, owners should seriously consider adding New York Jets running back Shonn Greene to their rosters. Greene came off the bench to rush 19 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns against Oakland oon Sunday. Thomas Jones will still be No. 1 for awhile, but that could change quickly.

San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis had a monster game after head coach Mike Singletary changed quarterbacks during Sunday’s game. The once-promising fantasy tight end caught seven passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns. If Alex Smith remains the starter at QB, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t, add Davis as soon as possible.

If somebody hasn’t already snatched Michael Crabtree off the wire, go get him. The rookie receiver for the 49ers made his debut after a long holdout on Sunday and caught five passes for 56 yards. His upside is unlimited so take the chance.

Chicago wideout Devin Hester finally showed signs of living up to his preseason hype Sunday, catching eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. He’ll probably be up and down the rest of the way but, if he’s available, you could do a lot worse than stashing him on your bench.

Dallas running back Felix Jones may be on your waiver wire and now is the time to add him. On Sunday against Atlanta he had just 37 yards rushing on eight carries and caught two passes for 6 yards but it appears his knee problems are behind him. Pick him up now before he goes off in a relief role to starter Marion Barber.

If, by any chance, the defenses in New Orleans and Denver are still available in your league, pick them up right away. They are among the highest scoring defenses in fantasy and, as we near the halfway point of the season, it’s time to admit they are not flukes. Another sleeper defense is the Buffalo Bills which has a weak schedule the rest of the way and has been playing well lately.



Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at jrueda@mankatofreepress.com.