On the Radar: Week 10

Brady Quinn, QB, Cleveland Browns

By now, most likely you have already grabbed Brady Quinn, or someone else in your league has. If you are the one who took him, please, just don’t freak out if the guy doesn’t do much in his first game. I know there is a feeling that you should play him, but he is taking over a team on a three-day week, and it is his first NFL start.

He has been learning the offense for over a year, but I think he will struggle on Thursday. To quote an emailer of mine, the Broncos' defense sucks the bag, so he has a chance, but to me, the good production will come farther down the schedule. That said, if you are in a keeper/dynasty league, grab him right away if he is somehow available.

Sage Rosenfels, QB, Houston Texans

Take away Sage’s decision to go airborne against the Colts a few weeks ago, and what you are remembering is that this guy played a pretty good game against Indy. In fact, last season, when called upon in nine games, the guy was able to throw 15 TDs. Now he has a next-to-impossible matchup against the Ravens this week, but Schaub is due to be out three to four weeks, and knowing this guy and his injury history, I would bank on the latter.

Rosenfels is a great add for those of you dealing with QB injuries, which, chances are at this point is most of you.

Byron Leftwich, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Walking Wounded Signal Callers continues as Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t finish his game on Monday night, and Leftwich came in and did a great job leading Pittsburgh to victory. He is not the first backup QB that I would grab, and there’s no guarantee he will play this week. But Big Ben’s shoulder is obviously not right, so even if he doesn’t start, there is a good chance he will see the field at some point. Leftwich has a chance to be a decent fill-in, but if you are facing a stretch where you need a QB for three or four weeks, I would try to look elsewhere.

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Detroit Lions

A giant wild card, Culpepper signed a two year deal with the Lions after their quarterback situation became a mess. Culpepper has been an NFL starter before, but outside of his time with Randy Moss, he has been far less than impressive.

Now he goes to a team with no run game, a weak offensive line, and one wide receiver. Of course, that wide receiver is Calvin Johnson, so perhaps Culpepper can relive his glory days throwing the ball up and hoping that Calvin can get under it much like Moss used to. I wouldn’t bet my house on it, but if you are reading this with interest, then your QB situation is probably calling for some unorthodox moves.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Ok, everyone knows this guy, but I bet there are 25 percent or so of leagues where he was dropped due to his leg injury. Well, I am now reading that he will be back in Week 11. I know this article is about Week 10, but if you are going to grab a guy with the talent of Hasselbeck, you better do it a week in advance or he won’t be there when you want him. Who knows how healthy he will be, but given the state of the Seahawks' team, I don’t think they would run him out there if he wasn’t healthy.

Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago Bears

This is a guy that I have little patience for, but if Kyle Orton is indeed going to miss some time, there is a CHANCE that Grossman can help you. I don’t know how many chances this guy will get, but he is a turnover waiting to happen. He has the ability to be a good NFL quarterback, but his decision making skills will often leave you scratching your head. Again, you must be desperate to start Grossman, but there is still hope that Orton will play.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Here’s a guy who has a chance to make a real impact coming down the stretch. There is a ton of uncertainty surrounding Larry Johnson for the rest of the year. The team suspended/benched him for three games and now this week he is facing the league’s suspension.

His contract with the Chiefs is up after this year, and I have a suspicion that they just might sit him for the rest of the year, especially if Charles does well again. Either way, L.J. is gone from KC after 2008.

Charles ran for over 100 yards in Week Nine, despite not even starting the game. The Chiefs had high hopes for their third-round pick, and this week he will get his chance.

Samkon Gado, RB, St. Louis Rams

Things are not all good in the Stephen Jackson camp, and there is a good chance that he will miss this week’s game after returning in Week 10 (although he might as well have sat. Am I right?) So, if Jackson can’t go, Antonio Pittman or Travis Minor would be expected to get the carries, but they are out, too.

So, it falls to the once explosive back from the Texans, Samkon Gado. I don’t recommend picking this guy up unless your situation is Gado or nobody. Then I would have to pull the trigger on that add. But don’t get your expectations too high, as the Jets’ rushing defense is ranked fourth in the league, anchored by Kris Jenkins.

Mark Bradley, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Bradley is a guy that I thought would breakout at some point when he was with the Bears, but he could never stay healthy. To prove how far off my radar he had fallen, I didn’t even know he was on the Chiefs. But all of a sudden, he is starting to become a little more involved in the Chiefs’ plans.

He caught five for 42 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago, and then went for four receptions and 65 yards in Week 10. Plus he topped that off by throwing a 38-yard TD pass to the quarterback to give him a TD in two straight.

Unless you are crushed with injuries, I wouldn’t add him yet, but if he has another good week or two, perhaps Bradley should be on your roster.

Michael Gaines, TE, Detroit Lions

I’m not even going to pretend that I know much of anything about Gaines, but I will regurgitate what I have read. He was a seventh-round pick in 2004, and his career high for receptions is 25. But he had six last week in a losing effort, which matched his production from the previous three weeks combined.

Just someone to watch the box score for again this week to see if there is possibly a trend starting there, or if it truly was just one good game.

Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

There was some guy for the Bengals that actually scored two touchdowns last week. I didn’t really recognize him, but it looked like he was wearing No. 85. I wonder how you say that in Spanish? Oh well, it was probably nobody. Just a one week wonder. Or was it?

As always, your comments and questions (adds/drops, trade advice, lineup questions, etc.) are welcome at [e-mail]. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.