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Fantasy football: Hasselbeck has his receivers back

By Ladd Biro, Special to the Rocky

Published October 3, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
Updated October 3, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.

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With receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram back in the starting lineup, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck would be a nice fantasy pickup for Week 5.

Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

With receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram back in the starting lineup, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck would be a nice fantasy pickup for Week 5.

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You don’t need me advising you to start Tony Romo and Brandon Marshall, or to steer clear of Joe Flacco and Ernest Wilford. So I’ll spare you the obvious recommendations, focusing instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy rosters. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 5.

Watch 'em roll

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks at Giants. It must seem like Christmas to Hasselbeck, practicing with real-life NFL receivers all week. With both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram back in the starting lineup, and after an extra week to rest his ailing back, the veteran gunslinger finally merits starting consideration.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears at Lions. The rookie leads the league with 92 rushing attempts this season, and gets to face the NFL’s worst rush defense Sunday. Yeah, you’re right. This one was too easy.

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans vs. Colts. Before their Week 4 bye, Indy gave up 236 yards to the Jags' rushing duo. While they’ve had an extra week to prepare for Houston, Slaton has emerged as a versatile, dual-threat tailback and an integral part of the Texans' offense. On his home turf, the rookie should excel.

Lee Evans, WR, Bills at Cardinals. Brett Favre torched Arizona for six scoring passes last week. Surely Evans will find a way to notch 100 yards and his second touchdown of the season against this shell-shocked secondary. Amani Toomer, WR, Giants vs. Seahawks. With Plaxico Burress serving a team-imposed suspension, Toomer becomes Eli Manning’s most reliable weapon. He's been targeted regularly in the red zone even with Burress in the lineup, so those opportunities should increase this week. Seattle's secondary is no great shakes.

Roll 'em back

Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals vs. Bills. It's tough to bench someone as prolific as Warner, but several factors conspire against him this week. Start with the expected absence of Anquan Boldin, add in a very stingy Buffalo defense, and don’t forget Warner’s propensity to be loose with the ball (six turnovers against the Jets in Week 4). This contest is also unlikely to be a shootout, so Warner won’t be asked to churn out 400-plus yards. Bench him if you have a decent alternative.

Mewelde Moore, RB, Steelers at Jaguars. With both Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall out of action, Moore will start at tailback Sunday night. As the last man standing in the Steelers’ backfield, he will have an opportunity to produce. But keep in mind that the perennial third-stringer hasn't crossed the goal line since 2006 as a Viking and hasn't eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark since 2005. Pittsburgh also lost starting RG Kendall Simmons for the season with an Achilles tendon injury, further limiting Moore's upside.

Willie McGahee, RB, Ravens vs. Titans. Consider him a similarly risky start against the stout Tennessee defense. About the only body part he hasn't injured lately is his hair, so LeRon McClain looks like a much safer option again this weekend.

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots at 49ers. He has been slowed by a groin injury and won't be 100 percent if he lines up Sunday. Meanwhile, Matt Cassel has yet to pass for more than 165 yards or one touchdown in a game despite facing inferior opposition.

Jaguars WRs vs. Steelers: In what must be considered the most shocking development in the league in 2008, Matt Jones has been the Jags' most productive receiver to date; but the mirage will surely disappear soon. The rest of this receiving corps have their own problems, mostly involving injuries and inexperience. Oh yeah, Pittsburgh's defense is pretty salty, too. David Garrard may be on his back quite a bit in this one. Avoid the whole lot of them this week, including Reggie Williams, Jerry Porter and Mike Walker (who may eventually be the best of the bunch).

Taking a flyer

Much was made of Terrell Owens' ill-advised comments following the Cowboys' first loss of the season. Getting less attention was the lack of effort put into the team's running game against the Redskins. Look for Marion Barber to rebound in a huge way on Sunday while Felix Jones should get plenty of chances to reward those owners willing to forgive his Week 4 goose egg. Against Cincinnati, the rookie seems a lock for a garbage-time touchdown or two.

Don't be the bonehead who . . .

. . . fails to start Chris Chambers on Sunday. Facing his old teammates in Miami, he'll be eager to remind them what a quality NFL receiver looks like, after they traded him away in the middle of last season. Given the state of the Dolphins' secondary, this could very well be Chambers' best game as a Charger.

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