Week 12 pickups

What’s Thanksgiving without recognizing turkey fantasy picks? I’m sure you have one. We all do. I definitely have one. More than one. I took running back disappointment CJ Spiller in the fourth the round. Yep. Not enough gravy to make that one palatable. I also drafted Ryan Grant, but I can’t label him a turkey pick. Injury does not equal failure. I think Bret Favre, Randy Moss and Vince Young would all qualify, although my expectations of Young were never high enough to allow for disappointment. Some would even throw Chris Johnson into the mix for his sporadic production. Clearly, these people don’t have Spiller on their team.

Happy Thanksgiving fantasy footballers. Here are some side dishes to help compliment your team. Feel free to go back for seconds.

Nate Burleson – Rotowire reports that Burleson has either scored a touchdown or caught for over 100 yards in four of his last five games. Available in 72 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Derek Hagan – While only getting 10 yards last week, Hagan was targeted nine times and even found the end zone. With Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith out, Hagan becomes an important target for Eli Manning. Available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Joel Dreessen – As a replacement for the injured Owen Daniels, Dreessen caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown last week. Available in 92 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Mike Goodson and Keiland Williams – Still great picks. Still available. Last week, Goodson ran for 151 yards against Baltimore. Yes, Baltimore. And Williams, whose combined rushing and receiving totaled 95 yards last week, remains the starter for Washington. Goodson and Williams, respectively, are available in 59 and 46 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Brandon Jacobs – While not largely available (29 percent), Jacobs deserves a promotion considering the starting job he landed for Sunday’s game against the Jags. Ahmad Bradshaw’s slippery fingers provides an opportunity for Jacobs.

Cleveland defense – This will come as a surprise to you. Using Yahoo standard scoring, the Browns boast the sixth best defense in the league. Sixth best! You have to love Sunday’s matchup too vs. Brian St. Pierre and the Panthers. Available in 57 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 at 9:00, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.

Week 11 pickups

Busy, busy week for me. Not bragging, trust me. I am simply providing excuses. I’m exhausted and picking fantasy favorites requires focus. I don’t want to mix up Seattle Mike Williams with Tampa Mike Williams. Or is that Jacksonville ? No, Jacksonville has all the hyphenators. See, I lose focus. So this time, let’s cut the intro. Besides, I'm guessing you skip past it anyway.

Waiver Picks

Keiland Williams – With injuries to Clinton Portis and Ryan Torain, Williams got the nod last week. If not for Monday Night Vick, you would have noticed Williams, who ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns, plus one receiving TD. Available in 67 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Mike Goodson – Last week vs. Tampa Bay, Goodson hit the century mark. Still a strong play this week with Carolina running backs bleeding. Both Jonathan Stewart and Tyrell Sutton missed practice. And DeAngelo Williams always misses practice. Wait, what? He faces Baltimore. OK, not a perfect pickup, but better than the injury-plagued Portis who is warming your bench. Available in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Shaun Hill – This is a repeat recommendation for a reason. He is largely available. And he faces the generous Dallas pass defense. Available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Tim Hightower – With Beanie Wells’ perpetual injuries, Hightower is a good pickup. The Chiefs are just average against the run. If Hightower starts, I like him as a No. 2 back. Available in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues.

James Jones – Another contingency pick here. If Donald Driver is out, James is a solid No. 2 start. Available in 81 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Rob Gronkowski – Three touchdowns makes him a hot waiver pick. However, this is New England and I have strong evidence that suggests Bill Belichick likes jacking with fantasy owners. Plus, Indy guards well against tight ends.

Notes

Jamaal Charles – Is this too good to be true? Charles faces the weakest run defense in the league this week. The only thing (ever) holding him back is Todd Haley.

Shonn Greene – He busted quite a few teams who drafted him early, but he’ll make up for it with the playoffs. Rex Ryan has already announced he wants to balance the running game. Believe him. While only available in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues, he’s on a lot of benches of disappointed owners.

Randy McMichael – I like McMichael if Antonio Gates doesn’t play. However, you have to consider the timing. He plays Monday night. If we know Friday or Saturday that Gates won’t play, McMichael is a great replacement with Phillip Rivers firing bullets. But you can’t reserve a starting spot for someone who’s a maybe. Timing matters here.

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 at 9:00, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.

Week 10 pickups

So, I’m watching Monday Night Football. I’m rooting for Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace, but against Cedric Benson. But also for Cedric Benson. But against the Steelers defense. And any Big Ben score was good for me, as long as Hines Ward, Heath Miller and Rashard Mendenhall weren’t involved. And it took me a few seconds after the mystery QB throw to realize that Antwaan Randle El was neutral. I need a complicated diagram and scientific calculator to keep it all straight.

Maybe managing three teams was a bad idea. Well, not bad, but Mondays are a constant reminder that I may have gone too far. And even though I watch MNF from my couch with my little lap dogs, I still wake up Tuesdays completely ruined. As if that wasn’t enough work, I feel responsible for your teams too. Feel sorry for me? Not even a little? Make me feel better and keep reading.

Waiver pickups

Shaun Hill – One of the best backups in the NFL, Hill was a top QB in his five-week stint for Detroit . With Matthew Stafford likely out for the season, Hill is a viable solution for the season, especially for those in two-QB leagues. With Rivers and Rodgers out in two of my leagues, I tried to claim him for the week. But failed. Available in 83 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Javarris James – James will likely split time with Donald Brown. But Cincy has a run-friendly defense. James is good for deep, deep leagues or needy owners. Available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Mike Goodson – I don’t like the Tampa matchup, but if you’re struggling at running back, Goodson was declared the starter for Sunday with injuries to DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Tyrell Sutton. Available in 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jacoby Ford – I’m not a big fan of Raiders receivers. At least not yet. But Ford looked special against Kansas City last week. The speedster filled in nicely for Louis Murphy and Darious Heyward-Bey with 148 yards on six catches, plus a touchdown on a 94-yard return. Ford has a bye this week, but stash him for next week. Available in 88 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Kevin Smith – Jahvid Best’s turf toe could limit his play and/or production on Sunday. Kevin Smith becomes a great fill-in this week, especially considering the matchup. However, he’s nursing a sore knee too. Owners of both need them healthy, as the Bills allow the most rushing yards to opposing teams. Stay tuned. Smith is available in 4 percent of Yahoo leagues.


Notes

Terrell Owens – He’s having a pretty good year as the most targeted wide receiver. OK, I admit it. I really wish I had him. That was hard to type.

Shonn Greene – There’s buzz in fantasy circles about LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Shonn Greene. LT is still the favorite, but showing signs of aging. And for those who drafted Greene in the second round (ahem), perhaps he’ll ramp up just in time for the playoffs.

Vikings vs. Bears – Low scoring game. Lower your expectations. Even Adrian Peterson.

Texans vs. Jacksonville – I like the over. Start everyone.

Have a fantasy 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 at 9:00, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30. Or join us live at Budweiser Plaza at Reliant Stadium for home games.

Week 9 pickups

What would we do without Randy Moss? Three teams in one season. So far. And Brett Favre with his repeated embarrassments. And let’s not forget Vincent Jackson who refuses to play and Ben Roethlisberger who plays too much. A lot of unnecessary off-field drama jeopardizing our teams in the fantasy world.

Imagine a game that gave points for bad off-field behavior, allegations and headlines. Is that two points for banned substances and four points for arrests? And what about inappropriate text and picture messages? They’re like defensive touchdowns – you have to give big points for those. Wait, never mind. I’m already tired of this game.

As we look ahead to week nine, here are a few good men to consider for your team.

Darren Sproles – Ryan Matthews is a disappointment, and even though Mike Tolbert is getting most of the goal-line carries, Sproles is getting his fair share of work – 77 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Sproles is especially valuable in PPR leagues. Plus, Tolbert is a little banged up. Available in 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Josh Freeman – Plays a weak Atlanta defense, and still widely available (43 percent).

Jacob Tamme – Scored on a two-yard catch in Monday’s contest vs. Houston . Filling in for Dallas Clark, Tamme had six catches for 64 yards. Available in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Javaris James – The cousin of Edgerrin James could land the starter tag for Indy as Joseph Addai (neck), Donald Brown (hamstring) and Mike Hart (ankle) are likely all out. Not saying he’ll be great, but I’m not too picky right now. Are you? Available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues.

LaGarrette Blount – On last week’s list too. If you didn’t listen then, listen now. While he matches up against a solid Atlanta run defense, he’ll still net you 60-70 yards and possibly a score. A good second or third running back option. Available in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Other notes

Randy Moss - If Kenny Britt can put up 72 yards per game, a mediocre quarterback won’t damage Moss’s production. Only Moss will. But let’s remember Moss is averaging only 45 yards per game. This stat is skewed, however, because it includes games which Moss completely loafed.

Michael Crabtree – Three touchdowns in four games.

Arian Foster – Currently ranked as the No. 3 fantasy player by Yahoo. No one knew his name in August.

Beanie Wells – Weird allergic reaction to medication. Check his status on Sunday. If he plays, he’ll have a ton of carries against Minnesota . The Vikings are soft against the run.

Brent Celek – Leads the league with seven drops.

Aaron Rodgers – He’ll bounce back. Dallas is yielding 8.0 YPA. Only Jacksonville is worse than that.

Percy Harvin – With decoy Moss gone, expect a decline in production.

Chiefs and Raiders – The two top rushing teams face off. Start them all.

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 at 9:00, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.