Week 3 pickups

Todd Haley, here we go again. Clearly, I did not learn my lesson last year when you tortured me with Larry Johnson 2-yard gains while the talented Jamaal Charles sat the bench.

I thought my problems were over when Johnson was dumped. So this year I drafted Charles with confidence. He did boast 5.9 yards per carry and was a second-half fantasy stud.

I will never learn. Never ever.

If you too suffer from Todd Haley Syndrome, keep Charles. But here are a few good pickups to help you cope.

Mike Tolbert – It didn’t take long for Tolbert to emerge into relevance. With Ryan Matthews sidelined during the week two contest, the undrafted RB compiled an impressive 95 yards and two touchdowns. Matthews’ flip-floppy ankle may hold up week three, but can it hold up all season? At a minimum, Tolbert is poised to get cheap touchdowns. Claim Tolbert and stash him. Available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jason Snelling – The other obvious running back who is just one Michael Turner achy groin away from assuming the starting role. On Sunday, he rushed for 186 yards and three scores. No one started him, of course, so it could have been 100 touchdowns. Keep your eye on Turner’s groin… or rather his status. Turner’s expected to play Sunday, but Snelling is a great benchwarmer just waiting for his turn. And who knows, maybe it’s this week. In the meantime, his workload will increase. Available in 33 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Demaryius Thomas – This is the guy the Broncos drafted over Dez Bryant. This is the same guy who caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown last week. Likely not a one-week wonder. Josh Daniels will want to prove he was the smart choice. Available in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Louis Murphy – Don’t let the black and silver deter you. Murphy is a strong offensive threat, especially with Bruce Gradkowski at the helm. With 119 yards and a TD last weekend, he’s work a look at your third wide receiver slot, possible the second. This week’s matchup vs. the Cardinals is enticing. Start him. Available in 76 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Donald Brown – This is a “just in case” pickup. He filled in nicely for Joseph Addai on Sunday with 69 yards and a touchdown. Addai was limited in practice on Thursday. Available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Aaron Hernandez – Good luck catching the hot tight end at just the right moment. New England ’s Hernandez has back-to-back games with big catches. He’s averaging 20.6 yards per catch. And even better than his abilities, is the Buffalo matchup this weekend. Available in 75 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Mark Clayton – Sam Bradford’s favorite wide receiver is poised for a big game against Washington. For all of DeAngelo Hall’s yapping, the Redskins yield the most fantasy points to wide receivers. Available in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Have a question for Erin Skelley? E-mail her at erskelley@yahoo.com. Also, tune in to Erin 's fantasy advice on Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.

Week 2 decisions

So, just how was opening week for you? Hopefully, not like the 49ers with your fake players pointing fingers at you. In my three leagues, two of my teams hoisted me on their shoulders as we celebrated victory. It was sweet. But as true gamers, we must move on and prepare for the next match.

My advice this week is simple. Bench all your Bills and 49ers. Well, except for Frank Gore. And maybe Vernon Davis. What a mess those teams are. Here are few other tidbits to chew on as you finalize your lineups:

Legedu Naanee – All the pre-season talk focused on Malcom Floyd, but it was Naanee who was the star receiver on Monday with five catches for 110 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown. (I watched every single one of those yards as I was clinging to short leads in two leagues.) Nothing wrong with Floyd – I blame the rainy conditions. Still, Nannee looked just as good (and not just lucky). A good flex or third receiver option, Naanee is available in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues.

LaDainian Tomlinson – His Monday line was decent – 11 carries for 62 yards. But did you see him run? He quickly suppressed rumors that he’s lost his edge. Instead, he likely gained the starting role away from Shonn Greene. LT is taken in most leagues (78 percent of Yahoo leagues). But he may have been on your bench last week. He’s a good flex or third RB in week 2.

Brandon Jackson – This one is obvious. He’s Ryan Grant’s replacement. Jackson is a good back, and just good enough to be great against the Bills. Start him. Available in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues.

David Garrard – Yes, really. David Garrard. The normally unspectacular QB passed for 170 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s matchup against the Broncos. While a repeat performance is unlikely, the Chargers are weak at cornerback, so he’ll be a reliable passer in deep leagues or those who start two.

Steve Breaston – With Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet gimpy, and the running game equally gimpy (and downright clumsy), Breaston is poised for a big game. Matches up well against the Atlanta defense.

Jahvid Best – Best’s value increases with Mathew Stafford out. Looked good in week one. Nice goal line action.

Darren McFadden – The Radiers back lit up Tennessee for 150 yards and a score. Isn’t Tennessee supposed to have a good defense? Isn’t Oakland supposed to be terrible? McFadden is a clear starter this week vs. the Rams.

Jets defense – Good grief! You guys would be a lot better without all those penalties.

Have a question for Erin Skelley? E-mail her at erskelley@yahoo.com. Also, tune in to Erin 's fantasy advice on Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.

Week 1: Setting your lineup

I feel like the Colts. Humbled by a Super Bowl loss. And ready to return to real games, and forget another playoff disappointment. This year, I’m competing in three leagues, and just completed my last draft on Tuesday. I love my teams – they look great, wonderful, perfect! I say that every year. And then the season starts, and I start realizing my mistakes.

I struggle a bit giving draft advice week 1. Sure, I yawned through several pre-season games. And I took notes. But as you already know, the pre-season is hardly a predictor. But it’s OK. You can still make smart decisions, even without the help of any regular-season games behind us.

Perhaps you already have a few injuries. Or you just noticed your best wideout is Sidney Rice. Don’t worry. Here are a few guys who can fill in this week, possibly longer.

Tim Hightower – Beanie Wells’ bruised knee kept him out of practice again on Thursday. The chances of Wells playing are slim. Hightower will start, and with a mediocre pass game, look for Hightower to play a big role in the offense against the Rams.

Devin Aromashodu – The Bears wideout will be heavily involved in the offense this season, thanks to Mike Martz’ pass-heavy offense. Showed promise in the final four games last season with four TDs. Jay Cutler loves him, and will throw to him often.

Jerome Harrison – Montario Hardesty is done. Insert Harrison . Like Aromashodu, Harrison ended the 2009 season on a tear. But three pre-season fumbles hurt his chances. Harrison got a big break here.

Laurent Robinson – I see he’s a Ram, but he’s their No. 1. He’s healthy and available in 82 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Visanthe Shiancoe – A little late, I realize. But if he’s available, pick him up for next week. He looks to be a favorite target for Favre this year.

Have a question for Erin Skelley? E-mail her at erskelley@yahoo.com. Also, tune in to Erin 's fantasy advice on Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.

Suddenly Interesting Players

Sure, it took a few injuries, waivers and disappointments but these guys are suddenly interesting. If you draft this weekend, or want to upgrade your lineup, check out these offerings.

Kareem Huggins – The explosive undrafted back from Hofstra has worked his way into a backup roll in Tampa . No doubt Cadillac Williams is the starter, but do you really think he’ll stay healthy? Huggins looks impressive in pre-season, averaging five yards per carry. He's lasting until rounds 9-11, but he won't be a secret for long.

Jabar Gaffney – He can thank Eddie Royal’s underwhelming pre-season for his promotion to the lead wideout in Denver . While he’s never been a No. 1, he looked the best among all Broncos wide receivers during pre-season. He’d make a good No. 3 (and possibly a 2) in a standard or PPR 12-team league.

Mike Williams – The Tampa rookie has upstaged higher-seed Arrelious Benn, and likely slated as the top wideout for the Bucs. His off-field issues plagued him at Syracuse and hurt his draft value, but he’s blossomed in pre-season. His talent shows he’s worth the risk in drafting him. Williams is a No. 2-3 receiver.

The other Mike Williams – The Seahawks recevier had already put together a solid pre-season and led all Seattle receivers with 149 yards. And now rumors are swirling that Seattle is trying to trade wideout T. J. Houshmandzadeh. Improves his value. Still, only a No. 3 WR. But still relatively uknown. Get him late.


Fantasy Football Convention

Thanks to those who attended Sports Radio 610’s Fantasy Football Convention at Coach’s. I’m sure you gathered tons and tons of valuable information. Just in case you forgot it all, join us on Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning during the football season. We’ll discuss key pickups of the week, as well as players you should avoid. You can also get last-minute fantasy advice on the Houston Texans pre-game radio show, also on 610.

Have a question for Erin Skelley? E-mail her at ERSkelley@yahoo.com. Also, tune in to Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning during the football season, or before every Texans game. If you want more, more, more, check out her blog on FantasyPros911.