Fantasy Football: Week 9 Fantasy sleepers

Not to brag, but if you took my advice on who to start last week, your squad got a much needed boost from a bunch of no-names.

Here's a fresh crop of potential sleepers for this week that everyone has dozed off on.

Remember that I like to focus on players that might be on your league's free agent list, because it would be pretty useless for me to sit here and tell you to start Randy Moss and Peyton Manning when they are either in your starting lineup every week or, more likely, on another teams roster.

So if the bye weeks are hurting you, your quarterback is banged up, or your star running back got caught with three grams of the sticky icky, then listen up.

Quarterbacks

Marques Tuiasosopo, Raiders @ Lions

The Raider offense has looked stagnant all year, and most believe it was because the absence of Jerry Porter's deep speed allowed defenses to stack up against the short crossing routes that Oakland loves to run. Now that Porter is back, expect the Raiders' offense to get back on track with Tuiasosopo's ability to move around in the pocket and create big plays down the field. It doesn't hurt that they're going against the league's 30th ranked pass defense in the Lions.

Chris Chandler, Bears vs. Chargers

Call me a homer, call me what you will. But Chandler will have a big game against a Charger defense that has allowed the most touchdown passes of any team in the league and has a short week to prepare for the vaunted Bear offense after Monday Night's loss to Miami. The Bears may be without Marty Booker for the third game in a row, but the rest of their wideouts are talented and hungry. Let's just hope that John Shoop stops calling the ol' WR screen on 3rd and long and actually takes advantage of Chandler's ability to throw the deep ball.

Running Backs

Correll Buckhalter, Eagles @ Falcons

So you figured out my secret. I like to pick on teams that play atrocious defense. And no one has been as atrocious as the Falcons this year. Last week I recommended Brian Westbrook, who promptly twisted an ankle and gave way to Buckhalter making 2 visits to the end zone. Correll just might double that number this week and who knows, maybe he will make a Gazelle-like run into the record book and match Gale Sayers' record for touchdowns in a game. Atlanta is dead last in the league in yards allowed and touchdowns given up on the ground, so don't say I didn't warn you.

Michael Pittman, Bucs vs. Saints

Pittman is probably no longer a free agent in your league, but he is a must start if you can get your hands on him. He can hurt you with his bruising style of running and by catching balls out of the backfield. He carried the ball 30 times for 100+ yards against a solid Dallas defense and caught 10 balls in week 7 in San Fran. Now that Mike Alstott isn't around to scavenge goal line touchdowns away from Pittman, he is a nice play against a soft New Orleans defense.

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss, Jets vs. Giants

This should be a great game. The two New York teams are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Giants have to be feeling good after taking out the undefeated Vikings in the Humpdome last Sunday. But, the Jets have their franchise QB Mr. Pennington back and are desperate for a victory. Last week I saw Chad throw a beautiful pass that hit Curtis Conway in the back, who promptly gave a look as if to say "Who farted?" Pure comedy. Must have reminded Curtis of his days when he had the enviable task of catching balls from Cade McNown. I'm not sure what any of this has to do with fantasy football, but Santana Moss is currently the Jet's number 1 receiving option and at some point Sunday afternoon will be found streaking down a sideline near you. His big play ability is just too strong to ignore, and Chad will take advantage of it better than Vinny Testaverde, who at 78 years old can now retire for good.

Travis Taylor, Ravens vs. Jaguars

It's hard to recommend Taylor after teasing us with a HUGE game against the Bungles and then disappearing last week against the Broncos, but I'll do it anyway. The quarterback situation in Baltimore the past few years certainly hasn't helped him, but a matchup against the Jags should help. Their secondary has surrendered the most TD's through the air this year, so Taylor has a good chance to prove he was worthy of being a first round pick in 2000. It's hit or miss with the former Tennessee Volunteer, but he's worth the risk if you're hurting for a receiver this week.

Justin Gage, Bears vs. Chargers

You're probably wondering where I pulled this one out of, but you'll know why on Sunday. Must be something about guys that were also hoopers back in the day. Tony Gonzalez (Cal), Julius Peppers and Ronald Curry (UNC), and Randy Moss all were ballers way back when. This is more of a gut feeling than anything, but if you knew the size of said gut then you would take a chance on the former two-sport star out of Missouri, especially if you are in a deep league.

Tight Ends

Daniel Graham, Patriots @ Broncos

Decent tight ends are few and far between, so if you don't have one of the all-pros you might as well take a chance on a young yet unproven talent such as Graham. The ex-Colorado Buffalo was supposed to be having his breakout season in '03 but did not show up until last week. Graham hauled in 7 balls for 110 yards against the Browns; one more performance like that and he will be all the rage in tight end fantasyland.