*
Erin Skelley, aka "Erin the Fantasy Girl" on Texans Radio/Sports Radio 610 in Houston, dishes out waiver wire magic for Week 8.*
Zero. Zilch. Nada. Zip. After doing the math, that's how many fantasy points Zac Stacy earned on Sunday. And I don't know if this lessens or worsens the pain for Stacy owners: Stacy had zero carries. So he wasn't just ineffective, or clumsy. He wasn't used. Stacy played one snap, saw zero looks, zero carries, which equals zero points. Ouch.
With Jeff Fisher practicing sneaky Belichick-like antics, Stacy not only saw one running back surpass him, but two: Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham. All fantasy owners have been there, and will be there again. All you can do is sprint to the waiver wire and recharge your fantasy energy with a free agent.
The Texans faced the Steelers on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh.
Speaking of the waiver, wire, here are a few free agents for your considerations. And please be kind to the Stacy owners in your league. Allow them first dibs on running backs. I don't really mean that.
Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams – As mentioned, Mason was one of two running backs to outplay Stacy in the St. Louis Rams' gutsy and glorious performance over the Seattle Seahawks. Mason, who is in his rookie season, finished the day with 85 yards and a touchdown. Looks like this little lamb is the Rams new starter.
Benny Cunningham, RB, St. Louis Rams – Cunningham can help you also. While Mason was the lead back with 18 touches, compared to Cunningham's seven, Cunningham contributed with five catches for 46 yards a touchdown. Mason is clearly the favorite, but if you're hurting at RB, Cunningham is a good add with 10 points in consecutive weeks.
Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Looks like another running back established a starting role on Sunday. Robinson, who entered the Jags-Browns game with 160 career yards, dazzled with 127 yards on 22 carries, and his first career touchdown. Robinson is still widely available. Feeling good about this Jag.
Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks – With Percy Harvin traded earlier last week, Baldwin stepped up as Seattle's No. 1 target, and reeled in seven receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. I don't expect performances like this every week, but he's worthy of a WR3 slot.
Gavin Escobar, TE, Dallas Cowboys – There are some who already know this guy: Cowboys fans, and those who own Jason Witten… and I'm guessing this is probably a sensitive subject for Witten owners. Meet Gavin Escobar, the Dallas tight end with three touchdowns over the past two games. I don't think he has replaced Witten, but he's worth watching. For now, deep leagues only.
Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon, RB, Buffalo Bills – And just like that, the Fred Jackson-C.J. Spiller tandem is over, at least for now. Spiller is done for the season and Jackson will miss as many as four games with a groin injury. In their absence, Dixon stepped in on Sunday and rushed for 51 yards on 13 carries. Seems like the logical pickup, right? And that's my guess. But keep in mind that Bryce Brown, who had been the inactive fourth-stringer, has been activated and likely to help carry the load. Not really sure how this will shake out, but my guess is Dixon, at least for now.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants – Against an improved Cowboys defense, Beckham was impressive with two touchdowns on 34 receiving yards. He added 13 rushing yards. Consider Beckham a WR2-3 each week. Except this week, of course – he has a bye. Beckham is still available in half of all fantasy leagues. Don't make me beg you to take him.
Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She'll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.
