A wide receiver who finally is having himself another “breakout-like” season and a running back getting a chance while the team’s perennial pro-bowler has been banished, lead the Furnace’s list of waiver wire pickups, our Fearsome Foursome, this week…
Eddie Royal-WR-Chargers- Is Royal having another breakout-like season or will he fade like he did last season as the weeks go on? This is the question you must ask yourself before grabbing the veteran wide receiver. Given Royal’s propensity towards running out of gas, he could perhaps be serviceable against some of San Diego’s opponents who are secondary-challenged such as the Raiders, Jets and Chiefs. Just in the last two weeks Royal had 9 receptions on 13 targets for 147 yards and 4 touchdowns. In deeper leagues of 12+ Royal could help fill a void but beware, he might just break your heart before the season is over.
Jerick McKinnon-RB-Vikings- With stud back Adrian Peterson being held out indefinitely with his off-field issues, opportunity is knocking on the door for this speedy running back. He’ll continue to share touches with Matt Asiata, who lacks the talent and speed of McKinnon. Although tweaking his ankle in week 4 in a win against the Falcons, reports are that it is nothing serious and the rookie will be ready for the matchup vs the Packers in Week 5 who are notorious for giving up yards (4th most in the league) and fantasy points to RBs. McKinnon will make for a decent Flex play.
Jarius Wright-WR-Vikings- Wright, who played in over half the snaps in Sunday’s win over the Falcons, certainly appeared to be on Teddy Football’s wave length as their chemistry was apparent by virtue of Wright’s 10 targets. He ended the day with 8 receptions for 132 yards. With TE Kyle Rudolph sidelined, expect Wright to see a possible repeat performance again this week against Green Bay. We wouldn’t label Wright more than a WR 3-4, but clearly he could be someone who can fill in for some of your under-performing wideouts this week.
Isaiah Crowell-RB-Browns- Given more reps with Ben Tate sidelined, Crowell has become a goal line vulture hitting paydirt three times in the Browns first three games this season. The 25% owned Crowell has averaged 11 fantasy points in those three games and even with Tate expected to make his return in Week 5, look for Crowell to get somewhere around 8-10 touches and some goal line snaps as well. Cleveland will face the Titans who have given up the 9th most fantasy points to running backs this season.
But don’t take our word for it, here is what Browns coach Mike Pettine had to say about Crowell, “When you have a back, who before the season you weren’t factoring in on being a big part of what you’re doing, and he’s being productive, you find ways to get him out there.”
FANTASY FURNACE 
Let’s hope the quality of the play is better in week five than it was in week four .
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Amen brother!!!
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Last night’s game monotonous was embarrassing for the NFL as by the third quarter the game was over .
The Thursday night results in 2014 have been crap , much as they were last season .
Your thoughts on the results in the baseball postseason ?
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I thought the Pirates would have won their one game playoff. Not surprised about the Dodgers, Giants are looking for their third championship in the last five years so experience is on their side. Baltimore, although they didn’t pull out their game till late, is also no surprise as the Tigers have had an inept bullpen all season as well as one of the leagues worst defenses. In the playoffs, although a small sample, it’s telling nonetheless as the club’s relievers have already given up 11 runs. Here’s an interesting stat, Joba Chamberlain’s postseason ERA so far is 108.00.
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Eddie Royal would be a great pickup! Just wish he was available in my league lol
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You must be on a deep league because although there is some upside to the veteran receiver, he has been know to disappoint as well.
Thanks for checking in…
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The play in the NFC South is a clear indicator of how bad things are within the NFL , especially among the quarterbacks there . Your thoughts on the merry-go-round concerning the firing of Dennis Allen with GM Reggie McKenzie and team owner Mark Davis seeking out Jon Gruden to gauge his interest in returning to coach the team ? The fans there (Oakland) have pinned their hopes on Derek Carr , who remains a work in progress . Carr is the younger brother of former Niners’ quarterback David Carr . Not exactly an encouraging endorsement at all .
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Never really thought much of Joba Chamberlain while he was with the Yankees and I think even less of him now with the Tigers . Way too much hype over a player who has failed to live up to expectations .
The Royals are proving to be this season’s Cinderella team in the postseason .
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Chamberlain’s career was over when all that “Joba Rules” B.S. began and the boisterous pitcher just couldn’t get over himself after that.
Gotta love these Royals. They’ve been waiting forever for this opportunity and they certainly are making the most of it. They could go far as this year’s upstart team.
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Three decades is a long time to wait but finally the Royals and their fans have something enjoy . I believe baseball however would have rather see the postseason end up with the Dodgers and Angels playing in the World Series . That premise seems unlikely given the play of both teams at present .
If interested dropped these most recent pieces .
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/keeping-your-eyes-on-the-prize/
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/looking-for-all-of-the-right-answers-in-all-of-the-wrong-places/
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/losers-winners-and-mere-simpletons/
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/a-higher-standard-of-what-more-bullshit-and-then-some/
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