The Replacements

This week's waiver wire brings a list of replacements that would make Paul Westerberg proud. The Vikings were forced to turn to Gus Frerotte when Tarvaris Jackson fell on his face, and the Browns will be facing the same decision this week with Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. The Bucs, having made the change two weeks ago, are looking to Jeff Garcia to save their season in relief of Brian Griese.

At running back, Cedric Benson has unseated the pedestrian Chris Perry while Pierre Thomas will look to fill in for Reggie Bush. Sammy Morris' knee injury may have the Pats turning to LaMont Jordan or even undrafted rookie Benjarvus Green-Ellis. A pair of talented rookie wide receivers, Donnie Avery and Josh Morgan, have dethroned veteran starters while Antonio Bryant has replaced Joey Galloway as the Bucs No. 1 receiver at split end.

On to the waiver wire, where we'll emphasize replacement solutions for the next couple of weeks. Here's how I rank the likely targets at each position. Full writeups of each player are below

QUARTERBACKS
1. Jeff Garcia
2. Gus Frerotte
3. Brady Quinn
4. Damon Huard
5. Dan Orlovsky

RUNNING BACKS
1. Cedric Benson
2. LaMont Jordan
3. Pierre Thomas
4. Ahman Green
5. Fred Jackson
6. Benjarvus Green-Ellis
7. Maurice Morris

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Antonio Bryant
2. Kevin Curtis
3. Josh Morgan
4. Donnie Avery
5. Greg Camarillo
6. Malcom Floyd
7. Antwaan Randle El
8. Marty Booker
9. Mike Furrey

TIGHT ENDS
1. Bo Scaife
2. Visanthe Shiancoe

DEFENSES
1. Jets

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QUARTERBACKS

Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers - Still owned in just a third of all fantasy leagues even after leading the Bucs to back-to-back victories, Garcia is easily the best quarterback option available this week. It's time for owners of Carson Palmer, Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger, and J.T. O'Sullivan to grab Garcia instead.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Gus Frerotte, Vikings - The Vikes have a bye this week, and Frerotte has been underwhelming as an NFL quarterback. So why is he an attractive waiver option? Well, he's shown consistency by throwing for over 200 yards in every game he's started, and he's knocking on the door to 300 yards in each of the past two games. You could do worse for a backup quarterback.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Brady Quinn, Browns - The Redskins have a fantastic pass defense, but even the stoutest of defenses shouldn't be holding a quarterback to a 14-of-37 performance. We all gave Derek Anderson credit for turning his season around with a sterling showing against the Giants last week, but his inaccuracy and inconsistency are truly disturbing.

I jumped the gun on Quinn a few weeks ago when word was coming out of the Browns front office that a change was being considered. It turned out that Romeo Crennel wasn't ready to make that change, but Anderson may be forcing his hand this time around. Consider Anderson Dead Man Walking once again.

Recommendation: Worth a stash in 12-team leagues

Damon Huard, Chiefs - The journeyman can put up an acceptable performance from time-to-time by utilizing Tony Gonzalez and Derrick Bowe, but he mixes in some stinkers along the way.

Huard was knocked out of Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a right thumb injury, so check his status before wasting a waiver selection on him. You certainly don't want Tyler Thigpen on your roster.

Recommendation: Monitor in deeper leagues

Dan Orlovsky, Lions - Desperate owners can once again hope for a couple of prayers from Orlovsky to Calvin Johnson, but a disastrous performance is just as likely. I have Orlovsky listed here only for those who have no other options; everyone else should pass on him.

Recommendation: Pass

RUNNING BACKS

Cedric Benson, Bengals - The Bengals offense has fallen far from their fantasy feast days, but Benson is a starting running back in the NFL. That gives him value in fantasy leagues, especially if he continues to run with the power and burst he showed against a dominant Steelers run defense. Just ask Troy Polamalu, who suffered a concussion while trying to tackle Benson.

Don't expect eye-popping numbers from the former first-round bust, but do expect an improvement on Chris Perry.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

LaMont Jordan, Patriots - We don't know the severity of Sammy Morris' knee injury, nor do we know if Jordan will be able to return from his own calf injury this week. However, if Morris' injury is serious, Jordan is the better pick for the second half of the season than Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Not only is Jordan more likely to have a string of starts, he's also in line to carve out a role even if Morris' injury is just a tweak.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Ahman Green, Texans - Green's virtual rotation with rookie Steve Slaton is what the Texans were dreaming of coming into the season. The veteran is worth owning for the rest of the season, but keep in mind he has a one-week window against the Bengals before the brutal run defenses of the Vikings and Ravens in Week 9 and 10.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Pierre Thomas, Saints - With Reggie Bush out for a month, there's an opportunity for free fantasy points in the Saints backfield. Unfortunately, the uncertainty in production makes for a relatively unexciting waiver pickup. Deuce McAllister is the best bet for production. After that, it looks like a mixture of both Pierre Thomas and reliable vet Aaron Stecker. Grab Thomas, but don't be surprised if frustration ensues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Fred Jackson, Bills - Jackson is not a back to rely on, but as a good bet for 50 yards in any given week you could do worse for an emergency replacement. He's on pace for almost 1,000 combined yards this season and makes for fine RB4.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots - Keep your ear to the ground in New England this week. Injury updates are hard to come by with Bill Belichick, but we should at least get an opportunity to read the tea leaves from practice reports. If neither Sammy Morris nor LaMont Jordan can go in Week 8, Green-Ellis would take on a major role against the Rams.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Maurice Morris, Seahawks - Morris has earned a share of the committee work in Seattle, but he's not going to be a starting option as long as Julius Jones is receiving half of the carries.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

WIDE RECEIVERS

Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers - You've heard it before: change happens quickly in the NFL. I recommended the White Tiger, Joey Galloway, last week, but Antonio Bryant bounced back with a huge performance Sunday night.

Following the game, Jon Gruden informed Galloway that Bryant had taken over as the team's No. 1 receiver. Galloway will return as the flanker rather than the fantasy friendly split end. Go ahead and grab Bryant if he was dropped in your league.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Kevin Curtis, Eagles - Curtis participated in Monday's practice and is on target to play a significant role this week against the Falcons. Philly has a better passing offense this year than last, so Curtis will return to a productive environment for the second half of the season. It's a good idea to wait a week before starting him, but he's definitely worth a spot on your roster.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Josh Morgan, 49ers - We caught a glimpse of Morgan's playmaking ability in preseason action before a staff infection put him behind the 8-ball to begin the season. Now healthy and starting, Morgan is a possible game-changer in the 49ers' pass happy attack. He's a mandatory pickup for Dynasty leaguers, but redrafters will want to get in on his high ceiling as well.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Donnie Avery, Rams - The rookie speedster is becoming a problem for opposing defenses evidenced by his performance against the Cowboys in Week 7. Avery hauled in one long touchdown pass and almost scored on two other plays. He now has a touchdown or at least 70 receiving yards in each of the past three games.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Greg Camarillo, Dolphins - Camarillo has been a fine WR3 for most of the season and is a must-add for those in points per reception leagues. He's emerged as Chad Pennington's favorite target and should continue to see five or six receptions for 50+ yards on a weekly basis.

Recommendation: Should be owned in PPR leagues

Malcom Floyd, Chargers - Floyd is a worthwhile WR3 for as long as Chris Chambers remains out with a sprained ankle. Chambers didn't practice at all in Week 7, so he's going to be questionable at best for the Wembley Stadium matchup against the Saints this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Antwaan Randle El, Redskins - If you're in a bind and need a one-week option, you could do worse than Randle El against the Lions in Week 8. He's a better bet in PPR leagues as he's gone for at least four receptions in five out of seven games.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Marty Booker, Bears - With Kyle Orton playing out of his mind the past month, random Bears receivers are putting up legit fantasy numbers from week-to-week. This week it was Booker's turn, and it could stay that way with injuries to Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd.

Booker showed good wheels on his touchdown scamper Sunday, and he dropped two more sure touchdowns along the way. The Bears have a Week 8 bye, but Booker is a good bet for heavy targets and solid production against the Bears if Hester is sidelined by a quad injury.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Mike Furrey, Lions - Calvin Johnson draws an awful lot of defensive attention, and Furrey took advantage of it on underneath routes in Week 7. Keep in mind, however, that Shaun McDonald in involved as well. Both receivers will be hampered by the poor passing of Dan Orlovsky, so keep expectations low.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

TIGHT ENDS

Bo Scaife, Texans - Behold the power of the tight end screen pass. The Titans have made the play a staple of their offense, and Scaife is benefiting with a career season thus far. Expect an inconsistent TE2 going forward.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Visanthe Schiancoe, Vikings - Everybody knows that Gus Frerotte has bestowed relevance upon Bernard Berrian, but Shiancoe has Frerotte to thank as well. It's hard to believe, but Shiancoe has racked up 35+ yards and a touchdown in three of his last five games.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a bye week fill-in

DEFENSES
Jets - If the Chiefs are forced to start the human turnover machine known as Tyler Thigpen, the Jets will move to the top of the line among fantasy defenses for Week 8. Get on board.

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