Daunte Culpepper is a weird guy.
In the past he has fired his agent, become his own agent, declared himself 80 percent healthy, declared himself 100 percent healthy, tried to package himself with Randy Moss and most recently, decided he is ready to return to football.
His fickle personality aside, however, he is a serviceable quarterback, which leads me to ask a question: Why hasn’t he been signed to a roster during a season that has seen more high profile QB injuries than any in recent memory?
He would have been a good fit in New England throwing the ball deep to Randy Moss. He surely could have helped the Chiefs find a solution, maybe even a permanent one. Not to mention Detroit, Cincinnati and even Seattle.
Instead the Patriots shut the door immediately, and the Chiefs closed their investigation into him this week. I’d love to hear from their scouts as to why they think Matt Cassel or Tyler Thigpen is any better.
But before we get into this week’s stuff, here are my thoughts for the week:
1. I didn’t know it was possible for an arm to erode that quickly over such a short amount of time. Brad Johnson is the antithesis of Brett Favre. I never thought I’d say this, but bring on Brooks Bollinger.
2. See I told you. L.T. is fine. Not so sure about the rest of the Chargers, though, or the Colts for that matter.
And now the main event: this week’s top three waiver wire adds and the matchups to keep an eye on.
Waiver Wire Adds:
Ted Ginn Jr. (WR-Mia): He looked primed for a break-out season as the Dolphins No.1 – and for all intensive purposes, only – wide out. It took until week 8, but Ginn finally formed a rapport with Chad Pennington and put up some major fantasy points. His seven catches for 175 yard performance last week could just be the beginning.
Kevin Faulk (RB-NE): The Patriots’ backfield has followed its quarterback’s lead injury wise. Laurence Maroney is on IR and both Sammy Morris’ as well as LaMont Jordan’s injury situations are murky. Faulk has steadied the ship, as he has done many times over the years. If he’s taken, look in to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the rookie should see a good amount of playing time this weekend.
Kolby Smith (RB-KC): A high ankle sprain will leave Jamaal Charles on the bench for at least a week but probably more. Larry Johnson has been having all sorts of trouble and is about to have his ominous “Come to Jesus” meeting with the mighty commissioner Roger Goodell. So it appears Smith will have the backfield all to himself for a while. Stash him on your roster and see what he can do against the Bucs.
Week 9 Matchups:
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: Buffalo got roughed up by the Dolphins last weekend but the Jets didn’t exactly blowout the lowly Chiefs who were sans Johnson. If Pennington can throw on these guys, then logic dictates Favre should be able to shred them deep. As a result Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery should have big days. Marshawn Lynch will have his usual good but not great game, while the rest of Buffalo’s starters scramble to catch up to the Jets breakneck pace.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants: Marion the Barbarian will set the pace for the game again this week, but keep an eye out for Bollinger. Reports out of Dallas are he could see some playing time quick if Johnson can’t start appeasing Jerry Jones by targeting his new friend Roy E. Williams and his old friend T.O. It will also be interesting to see if Plaxico Burress can get out of his own way for five seconds and help Eli survive in what should be a defensive struggle Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams: Kurt Warner returns to St. Louis almost matching the MVP form he had a few years before he left the Rams. Watch the running back situation in this game. For the Cardinals, Tim Hightower continues to siphon more carries and goal line looks from Edgerrin James. Meanwhile the Rams’ Steven Jackson looks like he could be limited in this game, so the name you’ll need to know is Antonio Pittman – he rushed for 83 yards in Jackson’s stead last week. Of course, with the way these teams are built, it could become a high scoring affair quickly so continue starting Larry Fitzgerald and Donnie Avery.
