We’ll do a brief recap of last week and then get into a couple of running backs who may be available in your league and who could be in store for very nice days this Sunday.

Here is our brief recap of last week. and then we’ll outline a few of our Week 7 sleeper picks and waiver wire steals.

PFI said that Leon Washington, Donnie Avery, Jermichael Finley and Sammy Morris would have good fantasy sleeper weeks. Washington had 144 total yards. Avery had a touchdown, but left the game with an injury. Finley had 54 yards and Morris left the game with an injury. Based on Maroney’s performance, Morris would have had a field day had he not left the game. Sorry, PFI cannot predict injuries.

This week, ProFootballinsight looks for the following two running back sleepers to make a positive impact on your roster:

Week 7 RB Sleepers and Waiver Wire Steals

RB Sleeper Pick: Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On a team with four quality running backs, Williams has been stealing carries, yardage, and touchdowns. His match-up this week is difficult as they are playing the Patriots, but Williams numbers can’t be ignored.

Four out of six weeks, Williams has had double digit carries and has two rushing touchdowns on the season, which is two more than Larry Johnson or Steven Jackson. If you’re hurting at RB, Cadillac Williams is a sleeper/waiver wire option in deep leagues.

RB Sleeper Pick / Waiver Wire Steal: Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders

Fargas is coming off of a 23 carry, 87 yard performance. He is available in almost every fantasy league, and with Darren McFadden’s injury, Fargas looks to gobble up the Raiders carries.

To see which WRs are in line for surprisingly good days. and who could be available as a waiver wire pickup in your league, head on over to Pro Football Insight for our Week 7 sleepers and waiver wire steals.

Also, feel free to ask any start/sit questions in the comment section of this post or at Jerod’s Week 7 start em, sit em post from earlier this week.

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* – Cadillac Williams photo credit: BrianCobb_2008 at Photobucket

(And remember to check back this Thursday for the Week 10 Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus for that late playoff push.)

On with the show:

ON FIRE…. Any team Defense that is playing the Oakland Raiders. You can count on that Defense, unless of course it is the Cleveland Browns D, who plays to the level, or lack thereof, of their opponent. Oakland is pathetic at best, and most high school teams could play them and chalk up a “W”.

Tim Hightower, RB-Cardinals ON FIRE. He was my sleeper when I started my posts this year, and has done nothing but continue to gain confidence and carries each week. Remember, Tim Hightower is a rookie, was a 5th round draft pick, and just stole Edgerrin James’ starting job. No, better yet, he ran away with it, literally. Hightower posted a 1 Touchdown, 109-yard day on 22 carries yesterday. Remember, Edgerrin James only had 3 100+ yard games in all of 2007 and it doesn’t look like he will get any in 2008.

Kurt Warner, QB-Cardinals ON FIRE. Everyone had written this guy off years ago. The 37-year old landed in Arizona to serve in the back up role for Matt Leinart. It has not quite gone that way. Kurt Warner again beat out the former first round pick in the pre-season and has not looked back. Warner has a 104.2 QB rating with 2,431 yards and 16 touchdowns. Warner is having an MVP-like season. The Cardinals offense looks fantastic and Kurt Warner is the biggest reason why.

Chris Johnson, RB-Titans ON FIRE. As of late, I had advised everyone to start both Titans running backs, even if you have them both on your team. I still stand by that, as Tennessee stands by being committed to the run. This past week however, Chris Johnson took a step out in front of his partner in crime, LenDale White. Johnson had 24 carries to White’s 8. This 3:1 ratio of carries continued even though White broke off a 54 yard scamper. Both are quality starts, and I still recommend having both on my team, but I was asked before by one of my readers which one I would rather have, and my answer was then and still is Chris Johnson.

Bill Cowher, Former HC now Football Analyst. ON FIRE. Ok, this is a pipe dream for me, but I can hardly stomach another horribly coached Browns game where they give up an enormous lead to a pitiful offense. Romeo is a nice guy and all, but I want FIRE on the Cleveland Browns sideline. Who better to get the Browns over the landslide of losses to the Steelers then the Chin. Remember, the Chin has Cleveland ties, and I don’t remember EVER seeing Pittsburgh blow two touchdown leads. This Browns team is a playoff-caliber team, just like last year; and just like last year, the Browns will not make the playoffs again. I will make this prediction though: this team will win against the Titans if they are still undefeated when they play them. I say this just because the Browns play to the level of their opponents. Oh yeah, it would be an added bonus if Kellen Winslow didn’t play that game. Remember, Browns are 2-0 without Winslow with wins over the at-that-time undefeated Giants, and the Jaguars.

ON ICE… Any player on the following teams, including team defenses, due to their poor offensive play. The Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks, Rams, and if no Orton, the Bears as well. You can remove a few teams from this list when Steven Jackson and Tony Romo return. The rest appear to be screwed for the duration.

I am not ready to give the Bengals any classification yet, but you have to admit that Cedric Benson looked impressive against the Jags, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting to look more like the Fitzpatrick who produced in St. Louis. With Benson’s performance on Sunday, this shows you how horrible the Bears offense will become if Rex Grossman has to continue to take snaps.

Please check back in on Thursday for this week’s fantasy football focus.

By the way, props to ESPN and it’s fantasy “guru” Eric Karabell (right) for his advice on starting Justin Fargas over Matt Ryan at the offensive flex position. It was in a live chat, so I can’t link out to it to properly take him to task. But I am definitely glad I didn’t listen.

Kurt Fraschetti

profootballinsight@live.com

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