Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Week 9

By Ryan Lester, LestersLegends.com

There were some unusual heroes on Sunday. There always are. Let’s take a look at them and see if they are worthy of your fantasy rosters.

Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Freeman threw three TDs in an upset win over the Packers. I don’t trust him in standard formats, especially since there is just one bye week left. Grab him in two-QB leagues, but otherwise just keep an eye on him.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Ladell Betts, RB, Washington Redskins
I’m still puzzled why Betts had just 11 carries enterting this game. He’s a solid back, and has been completely ignored by the soon to be unemployed Jim Zorn. Well, Portis left the game with a concussion and Betts filled in as well as he could when he took over as lead back on this sinking ship. He rolled to 70 yards on 15 carries and a score. He add a 23-yard reception. Assuming Portis will miss a game with the concussion, Betts is worth grabbing. Maybe Zorn will get the memo that you need two good backs in this league.
Ruling:  Get ‘em.

Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago Bears
Bennett had a big day as the Bears played from behind, but he has yet to become a consistent threat for the Bears. Devin Hester is clearly the go-to-guy, and Matt Forte and Greg Olsen were heavily involved in the passing game. He’s worth using if the match-up dictates it, but isn’t a guy I’d use my waiver wire priority on.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Laveranues Coles, Cincinnati Bengals
Coles has been coming around in recent weeks, and with Chris Henry’s forearm injury, he should return to fantasy lineups.
Ruling:  Get ‘em.

James Jones, WR, Green Bay Packers
His line looks nice, but a 74-yard TD made it that way. Those big plays don’t come every game, and there aren’t enough targets to make him a viable fantasy player.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Talk about making a good first impression. Chambers was kicked to the curb by the Chargers and scored two fourth quarter TDs to make things interesting in Jacksonville. Perhaps as telling as the long (54) TD was the short (5) one. The Chiefs figure to be playing from behind, and don’t have a rushing attack, so Chambers could be worth taking a shot on.
Ruling:  Get ‘em.

Lance Long, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Lang had a nice game as well for the Chiefs (8 catches, 74 yards), but he doesn’t have a track record like Chambers. Like playing a game of H.O.R.S.E., ask Long to “prove it” by making him do it again.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints
Meachem had a big game (5, 98, TD) against Carolina, but he’s been very inconsistent this year. He has three games of 11+ fantasy points, and five games of 4.7 or fewer. Personally, I don’t want the headache of guessing the next game he does well.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Jason Hill, WRSan Francisco 49ers
Hill scored a pair of TDs this week, but it’s the first game he caught a pass. With Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, and Michael Crabtree ahead of him on the pecking order, I’ll let someone else chase that box score.
Ruling:  Don’t Sweat ‘em.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit Lions
Pettigrew had a nice game (7, 70, TD) against Seattle and faces Minnesota, who has allowed TEs to produce this year, and Cleveland in his next two starts. If you lost Owen Daniels or Chris Cooley, he may be a nice play the next couple of weeks.
Ruling:  Get ‘em.