Thursday, January 08, 2009

By STU ROSENBERG
srosenberg@modbee.com

last updated: November 14, 2008 05:10:50 AM

With NFL bye weeks done and fantasy league trading deadlines fast approaching, the real work begins for those forced to play catch-up.

But before you go all Jim Mora Sr. on us ("Playoffs?"), take comfort in knowing there are a number of different paths that can help dig us out of the holes circumstances (and drafting Jason Witten in the second round) placed us in.

The waiver and free-agent wires are thin, but not completely bereft of talent that can help jump-start teams stuck in neutral (hello!) or devastated by injuries (still here).

And there's always the trade route, where one owner's trash can become another's treasure (or because you simply have to have your boy Steve Smith and have grown tired of playing the Hokey Pokey with Willie Parker).

As we head down the home stretch, here are a few names to keep in mind.

One intriguing running back is Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who was activated Wednesday by the Bucs, almost a year after he underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Not only is Williams back, the two people in front of him -- Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham -- are battling injuries, which means Cadillac could be Tampa's No. 1 back as early as Sunday.

Feeling lucky? Take a chance on Shaun Alexander. Sure, millions blame Alexander for the state of the economy, the New Kids on the Block Reunion tour and the criminal shutdown of Mother's Cookies after last season's cliff dive into irrelevance. But the former MVP could soon be the running game for the Redskins with Clinton Portis dealing with a second-degree sprain of his MCL in his right knee that threatens his availability this week and beyond.

Need a receiver? The Saints' Lance Moore is likely available and well worth grabbing, especially for owners hitching their wagons to jack ... mules like Torry (boo!) Holt and Braylon "Manos de Piedras" Edwards.

Even with Marques Colston back, Moore (44 receptions for 507 yards and four TDs) will still see plenty of passes -- New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is putting the ball up 40 times per game, and they can't all go to Colston. And there's a good bet they won't be going to tight end Jeremy Shockey, who was last seen getting verbally skewered by Brees on the sideline as if they were first-graders and Shockey had just stolen the last Twinkie from Brees' "Six Million Dollar Man" lunch box.

Dallas receiver Roy Williams is another option worth considering. Likely collecting dust and mothballs on another's shelf, Williams (20 catches, 270 yards, two TDs) could enjoy a breakout second half playing with Tony Romo rather than Dan Orlovsky or Jon Kitna, and it shouldn't take much to pry him loose from another owner who likely gave up on him weeks ago.

You seek quarterbacks? Take you to them I will.

The Chiefs appear to have found one in Tyler Thigpen, whose last three games have produced 710 yards, six TDs passing and no turnovers, while Ravens rookie Joe Flacco has thrown for 805 yards and six TDs without an interception in his last four.

And Oakland's Andrew Walter has a shot to really ... kidding I am.

Tight end help is available as long as you ignore the complaints of your buddies who dumped the Ravens' Todd Heap and the 49ers' Vernon Davis before Week 10 ... or, as it is more commonly known, "The Absolute Worst Time Possible."

We got seven weeks left, folks, so make 'em count.

The 'It's Go-Time' Week 11 lineup -- QB: Tony Romo (at Redskins); RB: LenDale White (at Jaguars); WR: Steve Smith (vs. Lions), Roy Williams (at Redskins) and Antonio Bryant (at Vikings); TE: Jason Witten (at Redskins); K: Nick Folk (at Redskins); D/ST: Steelers (vs. Chargers).

Stu Rosenberg's fantasy column runs Fridays.

He can be reached at srosenberg@modbee.com or 578-2300.

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