Look, at this point in the season you are gearing up for your league’s Championship game, or riding out the balance of the schedule. If you are in the finals, you are dancing with the date you brought to the prom, the roster that got you to the promised-land. Don’t deviate from that. Unless it’s due to an injury or a player that will obviously site due to his team’s situation, just stay the course. There is no reason to go rogue now.  Now is not the time to get cute. Like the pros, it is a long off-season to dwell on disaster should you decide to get crafty.

If you are riding it out, keep swinging!!! You shall bow down to no one! Keep inserting your best possible lineup until the very end, maintaining competitive balance and your own fantasy dignity.

I’ll toss out a few ideas of guys to consider, but in addition, I want to focus on the players who went from waiver wire fodder to fantasy football gold. Scoring a great guy on draft day is nice, but grabbing that guy off the wire who changes your season for the better is something to behold, and something you should be commended for. Yes, even if the Fantasy Gods showered a bit of lucky dust over your head. It will be our little secret.

Are you really looking for guys in Week 16? If so, give these fellas some consideration, and may the fantasy force be with you.

QB Kyle Orton, Kansas City Chiefs

Ok, so if you are in your league finals, you likely are not in the market for a starting quarterback. However, if you defied the odds, or rode to the finals on the backs of solid RB’s and WR’s and want to upgrade for that final push to the holy grail, consider QB Kyle Orton. Granted he didn’t toss a touchdown pass this past week, but he did throw for almost 300 yards, not too mention lead his team to a victory against the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. With more chances to play spoiler in the division against the Oakland Raiders and his former squad the Denver Broncos, Orton is a very intriguing option the rest of the way.

RB Sammy Morris, Dallas Cowboys

I mentioned him last week as he was brought in to back up RB Felix Jones. Sure he’s an insurance policy, but he didn’t look too bad on Sunday, and when you take into consideration Jones’ previous injury history, Morris is a smart move this late in the season. Also, for those in Dynasty leagues, this could be a small audition for work elsewhere, so he’s definitely worth consideration.

RB Kahlil Bell, Chicago Bears

Sure, the Bears haven’t been scoring a lot of points, but in a game where he got an opportunity to shine, Bell did just that. He cashed in with over 100 yards of combined offense and chipped in Chicago’s only offensive score. In Week 16 they get Green Bay, and while I expect the Packers to come out reved up after enduring their first loss of the season, I still think Bell makes some noise in the contest.

WR Steve Breaston, Kansas City Chiefs

With a more than capable quarterback behind center, the Chiefs wide receivers may come to life a bit in the last two weeks. With WR Dwayne Bowe getting most of the attention, fellow WR Steve Breaston may be the benefactor. With Oakland coming to town in Week 16, Breaston has the opportunity to put up some quality numbers. Their last two games are divisional, and while the Chiefs may be out of contention, don’t underestimate the power of playing the spoiler.

WR Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals

He is not flashy, but like last season he made a late season rush and made a difference for some fantasy owners. Over the past three weeks, Roberts has tallied 179 receiving yards and scored 2 touchdowns. He definitely get the hot hand at the right time.

WR Chastin West, Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite RB Maurice Jones-Drew’s heroics, the Jaguars are just playing out the string. However, for those in Dynasty leagues, it’s always good to pay close attention to trends and performances that may blossom into something useful for 2012. The wide receiver position in Jacksonville is by no means set in stone, so when you see a player targeted 7 times and score a touchdown, you take notice. West is someone worth stashing away to see if he develops into something solid for next season.

WR Kyle Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Other than WR Michael Crabtree or TE Vernon Davis, the 49ers receiver situation is pretty much up for grabs. One bright spot is the play of second year receiver out of Arizona State Kyle Williams. He's purely a wait and see option as the San Francisco passing game is still coming together, but in dynasty formats, Williams is more than worth taking a flier on.

TE Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins

He’s been mentioned before, but take note – Fasano is quietly putting up a decent season in terms of the NFL as well as fantasy. Over 400 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns with New England and the New York Jets to go.. If you are in a pickle for a tight end, you could do worse.

Now let’s look at those undrafted, unknown guys who came onto the scene and made a fantasy splash:

All Pro Waiver Wire Pick Ups for 2011

Did you get one of these guys?

QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Overshadowed by rookie Cam Newton, Dalton had himself quite a year thus far. Through week 15, Dalton has thrown for 3012 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and one rushing score. Not bad considering his supporting cast. He'll have a solid future for sure.

QB Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

How could I not mention Tebow? Since taking over as the starter in Denver, Tebow threw 11 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. In addition, he ran for 616 yards and scored 5 touchdowns on the ground. You may not like the style, but from a fantasy perspective, he’s been exciting to watch. Not to mention maddening to play against.

RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

During a 8 week run, filling in for the injured Felix Jones, Murray was quite a factor, rushing for 831 yards two touchdowns and adding 154 yards receiving. Safe to say, he gave Dallas that much needed balance and ignited the passing game.

RB Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

Filling in for the seemingly ALWAYS injured Darren McFadden, Bush has filled the gap for the Raiders with 8 total touchdowns, 841 rushing yards and 381 receiving yards. If you were smart enough to draft him with McFadden, you validated the necessity and importance of the concept known as the “fantasy handcuff”.

RB Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

He was a member of the Mike Shanahan running back sheel game early on, but when injures forced things a bit, Helu came on in a big way during the end of the season and the playoffs, with 504 rushing yards, 239 receiving yards and two scores.

WR Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Every year there is that one guy.. That one guy who busts out and makes us love the waiver wire. Well, this year at the WR position we have a few… Firstly, Victor Cruz with 1194 receiving yards and seven TD’s – not too shabby for a waiver wire score.

WR Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

You already have the likes of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley. So no one thought that Nelson would make as much of an impact as he has thus far in 2011. Add him in with Victor Cruz as one of 2011’s most pleasant surprises. So far, Nelson has provided 986 yards and 10 touchdowns.  

WR Laurent Robinson, Dallas Cowboys

Miles Austin is out, Miles Austin is in, it just didn’t seem to matter as Robinson has been a fantasy gem from a scoring and consistency standpoint. So far in 2011, 792 yards and 9 touchdowns is pretty solid from a guy no one even sniffed on draft day.

WR Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Speaking of consistency… All in all, not too shabby, rookie. With veteran WR Lee Evans battling the never-ending ankle woes, Smith broke on the scene and defitely turned some heads.  Man, you get consistency under your belt and look out – we have a game-breaking top 10 talent at the position. So far in 2011, he’s chipped in 770 yards and 7 touchdowns.

WR Eric Decker, Denver Broncos

Despite a dramatic change in quarterback, Decker still proved to be a reliable option for both the Broncos and the fantasy owners fortunate enough to have him on their squad. Over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns in his situation is something to recognize.  

WR Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints

A waiver wire selection hitting his stride and getting hot at just the right time.  In what can be a crowded stable of solid wide receivers, Moore managed seven of his eight touchdowns after week 8. A hot hand can do significant damage in the fantasy playoffs, without question.

TE Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

When Santana Moss went down, even before, Davis was one of the brighter spots in the Redskins passing attack. Despite his season coming to an abrupt end due to a late season suspension, it will be hard to ignore his 793 yards and 3 touchdowns when next year rolls around.

TE Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles

When he is not blocking, he’s a real solid fantasy tight end. After the top guys, any guy that can get into the endzone three times and come close to 700 yards receiving is worth noting.  

TE Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

An early spark at the position who faded along with his team, Chandler made his presence felt in 2011 not as much with his yards, but for his nose for the endzone, hitting paydirt 6 times.

In closing..

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who stop by, make comments, and work with us as we grow the football side of the site. I am excited in regards to the future, with new exciting content and a myriad of helpful hints and commentary to assist you not only during the season, but during the off-season as well. Look for NFL draft reports, free agent tracking and analysis, as well as other interactive tools. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy putting it together.

Thanks again, and my best wishes to you and yours during the holiday season.

Dan, FGD