Waiver review: Bennett's a top pickup

Week 6 provided us with a number of new storylines.

Sure, we can talk about the Dallas-New England matchup some more, but the late Kyle Eckel touchdown is the only thing that stands out to me. What about the five touchdown passes, you ask? That's just Brady being Brady. OK, so that type of statement is usually reserved for another player in another sport, but since he also plays in Massachusetts, I'll lift it here.

In all seriousness, a number of new fantasy heroes stepped into the spotlight with so many of the usual suspects on a bye or sidelined because of a variety of ailments. Alongside the huge days for LaDainian Tomlinson and Tom Brady, you find a rookie in his breakout performance.

Adrian Peterson broke containment on the Chicago defensive front and ran "all day" for 224 yards and three scores. Fantasy owners had debated his role on their squads heading into Week 6. Even with Chester Taylor seeing a sizable workload, there's no question about that anymore.

Take a look at the rest of the top scorers of Week 6. You'll see the Cleveland combination of Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards (who has eclipsed his 2006 touchdown total). Maurice Jones-Drew didn't amass a huge number of touches, but his 184 total yards and two scores sent many owners to victory.

The top spot play of the week was unquestionably that of Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon. He produced a huge game for desperate owners, accounting for four touchdowns in the shootout loss to Cleveland.

As much as I like to talk about Lemon's success (which I do at length below), the story that brought the biggest smile for me this week was that of Vinny Testaverde. He threw for 206 yards and a touchdown in his winning effort, connecting with Steve Smith on 10 occasions for 136 yards and a memorable 65-yard touchdown. It was Smith's first significant fantasy work since Week 2.

With another exciting week in the books, I present this week's initial rundown of waiver wire claims. Fantasy owners will have their big guns in Indianapolis, Detroit and Pittsburgh back this week, so things may be a tad bit easier. However, it doesn't mean there isn't work to be done.

Keep it locked onto FOXSports.com for all the latest matchup insights and updated player news as the week progresses. Be ready to pounce, as the huge number of injuries afflicting fantasy rosters may create new plug-in heroes.

Additionally, do you have a lineup quandary for Week 7? Are you contemplating a trade or roster move and need a second opinion? Drop me a line at harmononfox@hotmail.com. If I answer your question on our "Coors Light Fantasy Front Office" video segment, you'll win a bobblehead of yours truly.

Let's hit the wire.

Fixing The Holes

Stop the presses! There may actually be a trade at the deadline to aid fantasy owners, with the Chiefs reportedly sending Michael Bennett to the injury-riddled Tampa Bay backfield. Bennett steps to the front of the waiver wire line this week, as he'll likely assume a workload split with Earnest Graham. Graham struggled against the tough Tennessee run defense, and the Buccaneers had only Lionel Gates and Zack Crockett on the roster (rookie Kenneth Darby was cut on Monday). The Buccaneers face the Lions in Week 7 (115 rushing yards and 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game).

Bennett was made expendable by the news that former fantasy superhero Priest Holmes has been cleared for a return to the practice field. With Larry Johnson operating at full efficiency, it's unlikely Holmes assumes any type of prominent role in the offense short-term. However, he's worth a flier in deeper leagues.

The next entrant on the list is a great spot start for the week, assuming he retains his job. Eric Mangini contends that all reports of a trade involving Chad Pennington are "ludicrous" and that he retains his starting role. If Mangini is telling the truth and not simply dismissing the media, then Pennington makes for a strong Week 7 play against Cincinnati. If he's moved, then Kellen Clemens becomes the top speculative play of the week.

Second-year tailback DeAngelo Williams of the Panthers received double-digit touches for only the third time this season and posted the second 100-yard game of his career (10 carries, 121 yards and his first touchdown of the year). With DeShaun Foster struggling to hang onto the ball (he had a fumble reversed in Week 6 by replay), Williams figures to see additional carries in the Carolina offense following the bye week when the Panthers face Indianapolis. He has home run potential, as evidenced by his 75-yard run on Sunday.

Atlanta tailback Jerious Norwood was dropped in a large number of leagues after failing to produce more than 33 rushing yards in any of the Falcons' first five games. Well, he's back on the radar after a breakout performance against the Giants on Monday night. He scored on a 67-yard touchdown sprint and finished with 87 rushing yards on just six carries. He also added a season-high four receptions for 51 yards. With a game against New Orleans next on the docket, he's worth of consideration for a flex start.

The Ravens have decided to sit Steve McNair for a second straight week to rest his ailing back. Therefore, Kyle Boller gets the nod against the Bills. Boller managed Sunday's win over St. Louis well, although he didn't offer any help to fantasy owners (185 passing yards and an interception). He faces a Buffalo defense that terrorized Tony Romo in Week 5.

The Seahawks will remain without injured wide receiver Deion Branch for the next two weeks, leaving Matt Hasselbeck to find other options. Week 6 sleeper Ben Obamanu produced four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown against the Saints. He and off-season super-sleeper D.J. Hackett are worthy of consideration for Week 7 against the Rams. Hackett's expected to return to practice on Wednesday after missing five weeks with an ankle injury.

Houston receiver Kevin Walter's been one of the game's top receivers in the past three weeks, posting 23 receptions for 304 yards. He's been a deep threat for Matt Schaub Andre Johnson against the Titans will open opportunities for Walter.

The turnovers continue to mount in Chicago, but quarterback Brian Griese did throw multiple touchdown passes for the third straight week in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Griese's averaged 293.7 passing yards per game and will undoubtedly need to keep throwing in the next two weeks with the ground game sputtering and the defense still missing several key components. The Bears face the Eagles in Week 7, and Griese has an attractive matchup against the Lions on tap for Week 8.

Staying in Chicago, tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen are both worthy of starts in the current Bears offense. The duo combined for eight receptions and 111 yards in Week 6 against Minnesota. Olsen has the ability to stretch the field, so he would rate slightly higher than Clark.

Damon Huard shook off a shoulder injury to take advantage of a great matchup against the scuffling Cincinnati defense with 264 passing yards and two touchdowns. He's a tougher play this week against Oakland's pass defense, but the emergence of Dwayne Bowe has opened opportunities for Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson. He's a solid plug-in play this week.

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell's thrown touchdown passes in four consecutive games and added a rushing touchdown against the Packers in Week 5. He's averaged 216 passing yards during this stretch. The Redskins face a middle of the road Arizona pass defense (213 passing yards and 1.33 passing touchdowns allowed per game) next week. I suspect both Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El will atone for their disappearing acts in Week 6.

Fantasy owners received a magnificent spot start from Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon in Week 5 against Cleveland. Lemon threw for 256 yards with deuces running wild on the stat line. He finished the game with two passing touchdowns, two interceptions, two sacks and, most impressively, two rushing touchdowns. He won't score the monumental upset over New England (no, there won't be a letdown by the Patriots akin to the 1985 Bears in Miami this week), but the fact that the Patriots will post another huge point total makes Lemon a possible play this week. He'll need to throw with great regularity to keep this game close. Of course, the rich get richer, as Richard Seymour is expected to return to action for the Pats this week.

This week will prove interesting in the New England backfield. It's possible that Laurence Maroney will finally be green-lighted to return to the field after missing several weeks with a groin injury. But, the availability of Sammy Morris is in question after he left Sunday's win over Dallas with a chest injury. Kevin Faulk performed admirably in Morris' absence, racking up 74 total yards on 16 touches. He's a great receiver out of the backfield and would be a nice plug-in play for those in PPR leagues if he slides ahead of Morris this week. Of course, don't expect a resolution to this situation until kickoff.

Tennessee receiver Roydell Williams caught five passes for 43 yards in the Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay. He'll be the No. 1 receiver for Vince Young (watch for injury updates this week) or Kerry Collins against the Texans this weekend.

Reggie Brown posted his first significant statistics of the season in the Eagles' Week 6 win over the Jets. He caught six of the seven passes thrown to him for 89 yards. Whatever he and Donovan McNabb did during the bye week, it certainly worked. He'll be a fantasy factor going forward.

A large number of fantasy owners cut Kurt Warner immediately upon hearing the news he'd torn a ligament in his non-throwing elbow. However, current reports from The Arizona Republic suggest he may only miss one game with this injury (Arizona has a bye in Week 8). Obviously, results of his MRI may dictate otherwise, but dropping him appears short-sighted at the moment. Make a claim if you've got the roster slot.

Pittsburgh running back Najeh Davenport posted a huge game against the Seahawks ahead of the Steelers' Week 6 bye (96 total yards and two touchdowns). He may see an increased workload going forward as the team works to spring home run threat Willie Parker (as they did in Week 5). He may also see work at the goal-line. Pittsburgh has back-to-back tremendous matchups on tap against the porous Denver and Cincinnati defenses (32nd and 29th against the run, respectively).

Finally, check the waiver wire for Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Henry. He won't be eligible to return until Week 9, but he warrants a slot on your team's bench. The abysmal Cincinnati defense will keep Carson Palmer throwing with great regularity for the duration of the season, meaning Henry will provide a huge boost to your team down the stretch. Remember, he caught nine touchdown passes in 11 games played during the 2006 season.

Seek Alternatives

Gus Frerotte can be returned to the waiver wire with the return of Marc Bulger to the field for Week 7. Frerotte provided fantasy owners with a strong three-touchdown performance against Arizona in Week 5 and a catastrophic six-turnover debacle against Baltimore in Week 6.

Devery Henderson has been relegated to a reserve role in the New Orleans offense and finished Sunday's win over Seattle without a reception. He was targeted just once on a deep route. Owners should make a speculative play on fellow Saints receivers Lance Moore or David Patten. Moore scored on a seven-yard end-around in Sunday's game, while Patten caught eight balls for 113 yards.

Fantasy owners who hitched a ride on the Oakland running back situation can safely return Justin Fargas back to the available player pool. He touched the ball just three times in Sunday's loss to San Diego, rushing for 10 yards on two carries with one reception for 16 yards. While Dominic Rhodes didn't log a carry in Sunday's game (his lone touch was negated by a penalty), I suspect he passes Fargas on the depth chart behind LaMont Jordan. Owners will be better served with the running backs highlighted above.

The emergence of Kevin Walter (see above) and imminent return of Andre Johnson makes Andre' Davis a waiver wire candidate this week. Davis remains a threat for a big play, but the number of passes he sees from Matt Schaub will drop. He caught three balls for 30 yards with a lost fumble against Jacksonville, and this week's matchup against Tennessee is another difficult proposition.

Bubba Franks had resumed a sizable role in the Packers' passing game, but the veteran tight end will now be sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury sustained against the Redskins. He left the game without a catch. Fellow tight end Donald Lee (he of the 60-yard reception to set up the DeShawn Wynn touchdown) will figure more prominently in the offense following the bye week.