QUARTERBACKS

A couple of Bay Area quarterbacks are fast emerging on to the fantasy scene.  As a shotgun QB in college, Alex Smith is finally getting a chance to run a spread offense in San Francisco.  Last week, he went 27-for-45 for 310 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.  He’s taking every advantage of the situation statistically, but he’s 2-4 as a starter this year.  He is the 49ers field general for the rest of the season and a solid QB2.  In Oakland, journeyman QB Bruce Gradkowski had a career game against the Steelers going 20-for-33 for 308 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.  I still don’t trust the Raiders overall, but he needs to be considered if you are in a bind.   Matt Cassel was pulled after Coach Todd Haley felt the last week’s game was out of hand. Brodie Croyle came in and went 6-for-14 for 50 yards.  Needless to say, Cassel will start against Buffalo.  Matt Schaub dislocated his non-throwing shoulder but is good to go.  Mark Sanchez will sit, leaving Kellen Clemens to start against Tampa Bay.  It’s a favorable match up, but look elsewhere.  Matt Stafford is still battling a variety of injuries, so Detroit will go with Daunte Culpepper.  Again, look at other options.

RUNNING BACKS

Jonathan Stewart tore up Buffalo’s defense totaling 120 yards and 1 TD.  DeAngelo Williams is back, so Stewart becomes a decent flex play, but nothing more.  Sammy Morris returned from a 5 week absence posting 9 carries for 40 yards compared to Laurence Maroney’s 13 carries for 41 yards.  One game back and it already looks like a timeshare again.  Jerome Harrison had 10 attempts for a measly 35 yards, but made up for it through the air catching 7 passes for 62 yards and 2 TDs.  It’s hard to start him against Pittsburgh this week, but keep him handy for the Oakland and KC games in weeks 15 & 16. Chicago’s Kahlil Bell had 11 carries against Detroit, but Forte still managed 24 attempts.  Forte’s owners should consider benching him during the playoffs; he plays Green Bay, Baltimore and Minnesota over the next 3 weeks.  Our plan to stash Rock Cartwright until the Week 14 game against Oakland didn’t quite work out – completely.  Clinton Portis was recently placed on IR along with Ladell Betts, leaving Betts as the starter by default.  However, Washington promoted Quinton Ganther from the practice squad to the starting running back position.  He’s worth a claim on the waiver wire simply because of the opportunity and the weak opponent, but he’s a better flex rather than a RB2 since Cartwright may still see a few carries.  Frank Gore posted another stinker, rushing 9 times for 25 yards.  He was targeted 8 times catching 5 passes for 37 yards, but you hate to see his value regulated to PPR leagues.  Steve Slaton was placed on IR, both Ryan Moats and Chris Brown will receive a good majority of reps - regardless of who starts.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Robert Meachem had 8 catches for 142 yards and 1 TD.  Toss in a recovered fumble return for another score, and Meachem emerges as last week’s fantasy MVP.  He’s scored in 5 straight and clearly has Drew Brees’ confidence.  He has to be started as a WR2 against a weak Atlanta secondary this Sunday.  Pierre Garcon turned in another solid effort catching 6 passes for 136 yards.  Anthony Gonzalez had a setback after surgery, so it’s Garcon’s spot for the rest of the season.  Louis Murphy benefited the most from Bruce Gradkowski’s big game making 4 grabs for 128 yards and 2 TDs.  Oakland is improving, but you can’t rely on them in rainy conditions in the first week of fantasy playoffs.  Devin Thomas caught all 7 passes thrown his way for 100 yards and 2 TDs.  The Redskin offense was remarkably efficient against a tough New Orleans defense.  Oakland’s secondary is decent, but it can be beat, so consider Thomas a borderline WR3.  Mike Sims-Walker was listed as doubtful on the Jags’ injury report.  Devin Hester and Percy Harvin are expected to be inactive this week.

TIGHT ENDS

Green Bay’s Jermichael Finely hauled in 7 catches for 79 yards and 2 TDs.  He’s nice TE sleeper for the remainder of the season and into 2010.  Todd Heap was targeted 10 times and caught 5 passes for 52 yards.  Flacco is trying to spread the short pass out more since defenses are focusing on Ray Rice.  Visanthe Shiancoe was clearly hobbled by injury Sunday night, but he still managed to find the end zone.