On the Wire: Week 17 Pickups and Players Still Playing

Is it true? Do I really have to mention David Carr this week? Somehow, he managed to find his way onto a team that is so set for the playoffs that they don’t mind starting him. Punch me in the kidney.

If you’re still playing this week in Week 17, there’s not much I can do for you. In theory, your team is all set, but as we have seen year after year, it’s always a surprise who plays and plays a full game in the final week of the season.

Of course, there are backups out there that could help you in your roster-filling search for this week. Here are a few to consider.

David Carr, QB New York Giants
The man, the myth, the legend will actually have a good chance for some playing time this week as the Giants face the Vikings. Eli Manning has no reason to play if the game is lost early, and David Carr has every reason to push for a win if he takes the field. His father is a Bears fan, after all. Maybe all Carr needed was the motivation that his play could affect the Bears (he would fit in there in Chicago).

Vince Young, QB Tennessee Titans
The one thing more dangerous than playing any of your Giants this week is playing any Titans or Colts. Neither team has any business doing anything in this game, so it’s likely to be a battle of backups after halftime or as soon as the game looks to be getting one-sided. As talented as Jim Sorgi is, I think I would bet on Vince Young being the more effective backup man on Sunday.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB New York Giants
When Eli sits, so shall Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. Bradshaw is the RB I would be on playing in the second half of this one…but I have to wonder how much that play time will even be worth when the Giants have no reason to win this game—besides the will of David Carr, that is.

Maurice Morris, RB Seattle Seahawks
It’s crazy to think no one owns him, but after his show against the Jets, he’s on the safer side of plays this week and facing the Cardinals. I don’t care if the Cardinals are playing this game like it’s a playoff game. The Seahawks will be playing one like it’s there coach’s last game, and that can light a fire under teams.

Cedric Benson, RB Cincinnati Bengals
I’d recommend a rock wearing a jersey if it was taking on the Chiefs run defense. You can quote that.

Billy Miller, TE New Orleans Saints
If Jeremy Shockey doesn’t play, fantasy owners can look once against to Billy Miller. I don’t love him against Carolina, but it’s hard enough to nail down tight ends who will have a big week on any given Sunday. Miller has as good a chance as any of the selections on the wire at this point.

Atlanta D/ST
Playing St. Louis at home is a ticket to good fantasy-ville.

Related Articles:

• Week 17 Hot Hands and Cold Shoulders: Championship Edition?
• On the Wire: Week 13 Pickups and Waiver Wire Reserves for the Playoffs
• On the Wire: Waiver Wire Grabs from Week 5
• On the Wire: Waiver Wire Free-for-all from Week 9
• On the Wire: Waiver Wire Gems from Week 3