Fred Davis, Redskins

Ok, OK. I'll fess up.

In last week’s Deep, Deep Sleepers, Deep Deep Leagues segment of this very column, I gazed into my fantasy crystal ball to testify that both RB Le’Ron McLain and RB Leonard Weaver would bestow champagne numbers on a beer drinkers budget. Well, it turns out I was off beam. They most certainly did not. McLain went for a pale 29 total yards and was subsequently leapfrogged by RB Willis McGahee (12 carries for 35 yards) in yet another awkward and offensively tame Baltimore contest. Yup, I promised Veuve Clicquot and delivered red grape Mad Dog 20/20.

The call on starting Weaver was even shoddier. His Philadelphia squad trailed from the game’s start and when Chargers RB Ladainian Tomlinson ran for a score just four minutes into the second quarter, the Eagles gave up their running game for good. When it was all over RB Bryan Westbrook had suffered his second consecutive concussion, LeSean McCoy rushed for five yards and Weaver just two. Talk about eating humble pie.

What compounded the disappointing effort even further was my decision to pass on recommending Seattle RB Justin Forsett, whose 149 total yards and a touchdown – combined with Jones’ injury – earned him the starting job this week. You see, for months as a Jones owner I saw this coming yet said nothing. Before exploding for 114 total yards and a score against lowly Detroit in Week 9, Jones had managed just 14 points in the previous four games combined. So yes, it didn’t require a PhD to decipher his future value was on life support. Each week Seahawks coach Paul Holmgren gave him a shot to claim the starting job and each week Jones failed miserably.

Before I continue, please don’t let all this negative talk steer you wrong. I'm not nearly as bad at predicting deep sleepers as I'm making myself out to be. Although I've whiffed on the likes of Hartline, Northcutt and Hixon, I've produced with the Sammy Aiken’s, James Jones’ and Keenan Burton’s of the world. So there.

This week, however, I’m more dedicated than ever to prove my worth. Suggesting you use McLain or Weaver will do that to you. So let’s get right to it, shall we?

Deep, Deep Leagues – Deep, Deep Sleepers

RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati – With RB Cedric Benson's availability in doubt after suffered a hip flexor last week in Pittsburgh, the Bengals will turn to rookie Scott and former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson to fill the void against an Oakland team that ranks 29th against the run and recently gave up 103 yards/TD to Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles. In limited action last week, the shifty Scott (1% owned in ESPN and 13% in Yahoo) was admirable (54 yards total offense) in keeping Cincinnati’s run game afloat after Benson's exit late in the first half. As a whole he did a heck of a lot more. His 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter and huge 20-yard reception were keys to the Bengals 18-12 victory. If Benson can't play or is held back some, Scott becomes an intriguing play should head coach Marvin Lewis decide to ease Johnson into the team's schemes and backup role. Grumble prediction: 10 rushes for 77 yards, TD

TE Fred Davis, Washington – Owned in just 3% of ESPN leagues and 14% in Yahoo,  this might be the last week to use Davis before starter Chris Cooley returns from an ankle injury. Fresh off a career high four catches for 50 yards against Denver, Davis this week faces a Cowboys defense that’s allowed touchdowns to tight ends in two straight weeks. Sure, reserve TE Todd Yoder might be getting the goal-line looks, but Davis more often than not has been the chain mover in an offense that’s become punch less with both RB Clinton Portis and Cooley out of the lineup. Grumble prediction: 4 catches for 67 yards

WR Julian Edelman, New England -- And the carousel that is the Patriots number three wide receiver spins on! First there was WR Joey Galloway, who was released after just three games for his inability to grasp the complex Patriots offense. In his place stepped the rookie Edelman (0% owned in ESPN and 1% Yahoo), who became a cult hero in New England during the preseason and filled in quite nicely before breaking his arm in Week 6. Then came sixth-year pro WR Sam Aiken, who raised eyebrows by hauling in his first career touchdown – a 54 yard TD bomb against Tampa Bay – two weeks before he’d hurt his hip against the Colts. Next was fellow rookie WR Brandon Tate – fresh off the PUP list – who recorded 11 total yards and a handful of targets before reinjuring his knee and landing on IR earlier this week. Talk about bad luck. But then, like an angel from the heavens, the clouds parted and Edelman reappeared – cast and all – ready to assume the role he quite possibly was destined to fill. A la Wes Welker, Edelman thrives in the slot and has the spunk and slither-like tendencies to find openings in opposing defenses. In his first game back from the injury last week against the Colts, he scored in that same spot – and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him do it again this week against New York. In Week 2 against the Jets Edelman sprang for eight receptions and 98 yards. That –you should know – was back when Brady and co. were struggling offensively. Since then the passing offense has improved dramatically so Edelman will no doubt find opportunities. Grumble prediction: 6 catches for 78 yards.