Fantasy Football: Week 5 Waiver Wire

Here is my top 5 players available in most leagues that could help your team.  Keep in mind this list is intended for more deep leagues where players are hard to come by.

5. Ruben Randle
I'ts amazing that I am saying this but Eli Manning seems to be getting this offense on the right track.  Although Donnell and Cruz have had big weeks recently look for Randle to pick up his production.  He is too talented not to and I don't see Cruz playing big every game.

4. Mike Glennon
Tampa Bay looked much better with Glennon at the helm.  I thought he played well in his rookie campaign.  The Bucs obviously did not and signed Josh Mccown to be their starter.  He is out and Glennon can throw it.  If you need a start at quarterback because of a bye he may be worth a look.

3. Branden Oliver
It was surprising that Oliver made the 53 man roster after pre-season.  The Buffalo product showed the Chargers something to keep him around and now he is going to get a chance to prove it. The Chargers have been decimated by injuries at the running back position and so far this year have been ineffective running the ball. With Woodhead out look for Oliver to fill in as a change of pace back and receiver out of the back field.  Worth a look in deep leagues.

2. Malcom Floyd

He isn't getting targeted much but when he is catching the football it'sover 20 yards.  He is always a big play waiting to happen and Phillip Rivers trusts him.  Royal won't score 2 touchdowns a week for long.

1. Justin Forsett

It is shocking how available he is in fantasy leagues right now.  He is the most explosive back the Ravens have and he is getting enough touches to be productive.  I made the mistake of not starting him in one of my leagues last week.  He is a guy that should not be available in your league.



Honorable Mention: James Jones. Made the list a few weeks ago and is still producing at a high level.

Chargers vs Jaguars: My Pics

Oakland Raiders Fire Allen Promote Sporano to Interim Coach, Gruden in the Wings

The Raiders made the first head coach firing of the season by letting go of Dennis Allen.  Not surprising after a 0-4 start to this 2014 season and a 8-28 record overall.

I can't say I complete blame Allen for this, GM Reggie McKenzie hasn't been great at putting good talent on the field.  This year's roster looks like a late 2000's pro bowl team with the likes of Justin Tuck, Charles Woodson, Maurice Jones Drew, and Matt Shaub.

Really????  Did they really expect this team to do well this season?

The Raiders fans should be angry.  The Raiders are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history.  They should have no problem attracting top talent or have any problem spending money to get it.  The Raiders make millions of dollars before they even sell a ticket.

Don't forget they have one of the most supportive fan bases in the NFL.  The team has been HORRIBLE (in my Charles Barkley impression) for years now, yet they still have fans dressed in black, face paint all over, Darth Vader suites, and spikes everywhere.  They don't call their home field  the "black hole' for no reason.

So who is going to lead the ship for the Raiders now?  Tony Sporano.

A defensive minded coach who failed miserably as an offensive coordinator with the Jets and failed as a head coach for the Dolphins.  I think he is an upgrade over Allen but in an interim period this isn't going to change the Raiders fortunes for the rest of the season.

The Raiders have to go for a big name.  They have to change the culture.  They have to go for Jon Gruden. They need Chuckie back. They need their identity back.

Look at the coaches and their records since Gruden left.


Bill Callahan (2002-2003) 15-17
Norv Turner(2004-2005) 9-23
Art Shell (2006) 2-14
Lane Kiffin (2007-2008) 5-15
Tom Cable (2008-2010) 17-27
Hue Jackson (2011) 8-8
Dennis Allen (2012-2014) 8-28

Close friend of Jon Gruden: “One of these days, he’s going to accept these offers he gets every year. Maybe it’s this one.” #Raiders
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2014

Tony Sparano: “Things will change and our football team will get better.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2014

#Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, asked how much is his failure: “A lot of it rides on me. I brought Dennis in to win. That didn’t materialize”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2014

As I Charger fan I will be the first to admit that I am happy with seeing the Raiders continue to fail.  I love penciling them in to finish last in the AFC West, but if I am being objective the Raiders have to go all in on Gruden. Owner Mark Davis has to apologize to Gruden for the ending with his father Al Davis and throw the bank at him! We'll see what happens.

Former Teammates Williams and Smith Ready for Sunday

I'm ready for sunday @89SteveSmith...are you?! lol #bloodandguts #panthernation pic.twitter.com/0S8GeUJTxo
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) September 25, 2014

The former teammates Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams are ready to square off on NFL Sunday.  Both players play on the offensive side of the ball so we won't see a personal battle but this tweet makes it clear how big Steve Smith was in the Panthers locker room.

Steve Smith spent 13 years with the Carolina Panthers until signing with the Baltimore Ravens this season.  He was thought to be at the tail end of his career but so far this season has been spectacular and stands 7th in receiving yards.

It will be interesting to see the emotions and performance that comes out for Steve Smith from playing his former team where he spent so much time and meant so much to the season.

Steelers Sign James Harrison

Today news broke that the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed linebacker James Harrison.  The Steelers lured Harrison out of retirement to help patch their linebacking corps that was dealt some injury blows against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday Night.

Coach Tomlin is obviously excited to have Harrison back.  Harrison is a veteran who knows the Steelers system and championship pedigree having won acquired two rings from Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.

Deebo is back. There goes the neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/Ftnch8SUYy
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) September 23, 2014

A lot of media is up in arms regarding the signing due to Harrison's past troubles with domestic violence 7 years ago.

Unfortunately for the media this was a no brainer move for the Steelers to make. And if the Rooney family is ok with signing then I am on board as well.

We will see how much gas Harrison has in the tank but it is clear that the Steelers are excited to have him back. What do you think, was this a good move by the Steelers? Does his past domestic violence issues make a difference?

#Steelers #NFL #JamesHarrison  

Thursday Night Football: Giants vs. Redskins

Tonight's edition of Thursday Night Football on NFL Network features two struggling NFC East teams.  The Giants have a struggling veteran quarterback in Eli Manning and the Redskins have everyone's favorite backup Kirk Cousins starting in place of the injured RGIII.

So who wins tonight?

I am going with the Washington Redskins in this game,  Kirk Cousins is playing for a future in the NFL and so far has looked fantastic.  Even though he came up short in last weeks shootout against the Eagles, I think he is making the case that he should be a starter in this league if not the starter for the Washington Redskins.

Look at his numbers so far this year in only two games:

5 TD's only 1 INT and a QBR of 84.4.  That is impressive.  I have seen nothing from the Giants defense that makes me feel that Cousins won't have another big game this week.

For the Giants this seems like inevitable fall to the bottom of the NFC East.  Although Eli showed so glimmer of hope in last weeks game there is just nothing scary about this team,  

I think coach Tom Coughlin has made the right choice in putting an emphasis on running the ball.  Rashad Jennings was a beast last week, 34 carries, 176 yards rushing, and 1 TD.  In order for them to be competitive they have to shorten the game, keep their defense off of the field, and play physical.  They have a tendency to rely on Eli to make plays to much and that only leads to one thing...INT's.

Game Prediction:

Kirk Cousins will come out on fire at home and give the Redskins a 14-0 lead.  The Giants will stay committed to the run for a while but will have no choice but to throw the ball a lot which is good news for Washington D owners.  Redskins take this game 31-17.  

ASU UCLA: Thursday Night Pac 12 Football

Again I am biased here.  I am an ASU Alumni and my team is facing their first test of the year in the UCLA Bruins.  I won't even bore you with picking the game,

I am excited to see how amped up the ASU crowd will be after seeing how aggressive ASU has been in their social media with the #blackoutthebruins.  Even I pulled out my old black ASU shirt to show my support.

Wearing my black #ASU shirt for the#blackoutthebruins game tonight #GoDevils #SunDevils #collegefootball pic.twitter.com/hsW8FUFbKc
— Erik Hoskins (@airickhoskins) September 25, 2014

#BlackOutBruins GAMEDAY VIDEO: http://t.co/NCkVt9gCBn
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) September 25, 2014

Hopefully tonight's game will show how talented the PAC 12 is and have a ton of highlights. Happy watching everyone!