For weeks, in some cases months, they have sat undisturbed on our shelves, collecting dust and cobwebs next to yearbooks, Men at Work records and Members Only jackets.
Week 9 of the NFL's regular season, however, could mark their return to active duty.
They are the just-in-case fantasy football reserves we have been carrying with the hope that they can carry us through the bye-week minefields that lie ahead.
While four bye weeks are behind us, three remain, which leaves us plenty of time to cough up leads or play our way out of playoff contention.
To see to it that neither doom's-day scenario plays out, here are some folks fantasy owners in need might consider dusting off and calling on for a one-week desperation stand.
Michael Bush, RB, Raiders: While the Darren McFadden MVP campaign was gaining serious steam, some of us (wink) quietly add Bush, knowing that if DMC were to go down his understudy would be more than capable of carrying the rushing load for Oakland.
With a sprained foot keeping McFadden out in Week 9 — and with quarterback Carson Palmer set to make his first start as a Raider — that load could be substantial today, when Tim Tebow and the Broncos invade the O.I state your name Coliseum.
If the Raiders jump out to an early lead, the second half could turn into a Bush bash, and 25 to 30 carries and 100 to 125 yards could be on the menu.
Mario Manningham, WR, Giants: With running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and No. 1 wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) both hurting, Manningham could take on a more fantasy-friendly role for New York today against New England.
Manningham played his way onto my bench in September and has since become my No. 4 receiving option behind Steve Smith, Marques Colston and A.J. Green. But with Smith off this week, Manningham could get a second chance.
Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: With Bradshaw assuming the lead role in New York's ground game over the past two seasons — and this season in particular — Jacobs, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher only three years removed from a 15-TD campaign, has disappeared into a fantasy black hole. But the broken bone in Bradshaw's right foot will likely push Jacobs back in the lead rushing role for the Giants against the Patriots.
In five games, Jacobs has amassed a disappointing 126 yards and 2 TDs — totals he could surpass today.
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals — He isn't putting up Aaron Rodgers-like numbers, but Dalton is enjoying a surprisingly good rookie campaign for the surprisingly good Bengals, and he could be worth 200 yards and a couple TDs today at Tennessee against a Titans defense that ranks 17th in the league against the pass.
My hope is that about 100 of those yards and at least one of those TDs belong to Green by game's end.
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB, Browns — Signed off Houston's practice squad little more than two weeks ago, Ogbonnaya will start for Cleveland today against his former team after Peyton Hillis re-injured his hamstring Friday at practice. Fellow back Montario Hardesty is also out with a strained calf, which means Ogbonnaya won't have to share the ball, or the spotlight, in the Browns' ground game.
If Hillis remains down for the count in Week 10, Ogbonnaya could be a serviceable two-week stopgap with the the Rams next up for the Browns.
Jackie Battle, RB, Chiefs — The No. 1 option in Kansas City's running attack by injury default, Battle has been solid, if unspectacular, over the past three weeks, averaging 88 yards in 18 attempts per contest. Battle could be in line for a career game today against the lowly Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium and has sleeper written all over him going forward.
My 8-0 Week 9 lineup — QB: Drew Brees (Bucs); RB: Fred Jackson (Jets) and Michael Bush (Broncos); WR: Marques Colston (Bucs) and A.J. Green (at Titans); TE: Jason Witten (Seahawks); D/ST: Redskins (49ers); K: David Akers (at Redskins). Bye: WR Steve Smith and Lions D/ST.
Bee fantasy sports columnist Stu Rosenberg can be reached at srosenberg@modbee.com and 578-2300.
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