Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

16. Ben Watson (New England Patriots) vs. Miami

When Tom Brady wants to, he can make Ben Watson look like a stud fantasy football tight end. More weeks than not though, Watson serves more as a role player having averaged only 31.7 yards per game in the New England Patriots high-octane offense. The good thing this week for Watson owners is that the Miami Dolphins pass defense is only mediocre when defending against the tight end, having allowed 9.4 fantasy points on average in 2009. While you can’t take anything as a guarantee, you should at least expect a smaller amount of points this week from Watson; he won’t be shut out.
Point Projection: 4 points

17. Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh

While the Denver Broncos passing game has traveled along nicely despite the departure of Jay Cutler, Kyle Orton still has not managed to put together a repertoire with Tony Scheffler. The talented tight end has averaged only 36.1 yards per game while snagging 2 touchdowns. This week isn’t a cake walk as he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers who have been stingy with giving up only 6.3 fantasy points to the position in 2009. It is advisable to look elsewhere unless you have no better option. 
Point Projection: 4 points

18. Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit Lions) @ Seattle

Brandon Pettigrew is one of a handful of prized Detroit Lions rookies from the 2009 class that they have leaned on to try and garner some improvement on the field. While his numbers aren’t overly impressive, having averaged 24.1 receiving yards per game while being shut out in the touchdown category, he is still on pace to have a season that rivals many of the top tight ends’ rookie seasons. That isn’t saying much for Week 9 though as he faces a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed only 4.4 fantasy points to the position. Look for some yardage and if he for some reason grabs his first touchdown of his career, Pettigrew will have provided a special treat that is definitely not expected.
Point Projection: 3 points

19. Sean Ryan (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Jacksonville

There is nothing that Ryan has that you will mistake for Tony Gonzalez other than the fact that they have N’s in their first name and A’s in their last names. The Jacksonville Jaguars have given up only 4 fantasy points per week to the position; couple that with Ryan’s low output for the season and there is no doubting that this will be another week to avoid the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Ryan is no more than a lower-end TE2 in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 3 points

20. Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Kansas City

It isn’t that Marcedes Lewis is a stud for the Jacksonville Jaguars, because he’s not. But the fact that he plays the Kansas City Chiefs who have allowed 7 fantasy points per week to tight ends makes Lewis an interesting play. He has a shot at gaining more than the 31 yards that he has averaged in 2009; but don’t expect much more.
Point Projection: 3 points

21. Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers) @ Tampa Bay

As a backup to Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee has put up a respectable 24.1 yards per week. While he hasn’t reached pay dirt yet this year, Lee could be playing a larger role in the Green Bay Packers offense this week if Finley can’t go due to injuries. If that is the case, keep in mind that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have given up 7.3 fantasy points per week to the position. Keep an eye on Finley’s status as that will dictate where Lee will be sitting in the rankings before game time. Also, we know Spencer Havner has been vulturing touchdowns in Green Bay but we find it hard to believe Havner scores for a third straight week.
Point Projection: 3 points

22. Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) @ San Francisco

The best thing going for Bo Scaife is the fact that Vince Young remembers him as his go-to guy a few years back. *Crickets chirping.* Ok, that isn’t saying much and the San Francisco 49ers have been very hard on opposing tight ends, allowing only one touchdown for 2009 while allowing the position to accumulate just 5.9 fantasy points per contest. Do not play Scaife this week as he projects no better than a low-end TE2 in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 2 points

23. Jeff King (Carolina Panthers) @ New Orleans

What does Jeff King and B.B. King have in common this week? Both will find it hard to score down in New Orleans. In fact, the New Orleans Saints have allowed a mere 4 fantasy points per contest while not allowing one tight end to celebrate end-zone victory dances in 2009. Keep this Carolina Panther napping in his rightful den.
Point Projection: 2 points

24. John Paul Foschi (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Baltimore

Does John Paul Foschi have a cool name? Yes he does. What does that mean for him in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens? Unfortunately, not very much for his owners. In fact if you are an owner of Foschi the odds are your deeper league forces you to carry two tight ends. If you really think that Foschi has the skills to produce up to the average of 5.4 fantasy points per week that the Ravens are giving to tight ends, by all means play him. But we are saying that the only way he has over four fantasy points is if he scores a touchdown
Point Projection: 1 point

25. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) @ New England

Desperate times comes to desperate measures if Anthony Fasano, a tight end that is averaging 13.3 yards per week is your top choice at the position in Week 9. Especially considering that the New England Patriots have been very tough allowing only 4.4 fantasy points and a mere 2 touchdowns to tight ends all year. Pass on Fasano as the Patriots should be netting this Miami Dolphin easily.
Point Projection: 1 point

26. Chris Baker (New England Patriots) vs. Miami

Why is Chris Baker listed here? Because the New England Patriots can pass with the best of them and the Miami Dolphins give up a whopping 9.4 fantasy points per week to tight ends. Baker is nothing more than a very gut wrenching play this week for only the most of desperate fantasy football owners.
Point Projection: 1 point

27. Will Heller (Detroit Lions) @ Seattle

With Calvin Johnson having missed the last few of games and quite possibly the one coming up, the Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford has needed to utilize whatever he can on the field and that usually lies in the hands of quick passes. Will Heller might as well be Will Smith as neither will score you many points this week; but if you are in need of a desperation move, Heller is one of the few low-end options that have a slight possibility at finding the end-zone.
Point Projection:

WEEK 9 BYE-WEEK TIGHT ENDS

Buffalo Bills TEs – When talking about the Buffalo Bills tight ends, it is very possible that people out of the state of New York may not even know who Derek Schouman or Shawn Nelson are. Together they have 163 yards and one touchdown on the season; not flashy numbers and something that should tell you that both should remain on waivers all season long.

Cleveland Browns TEs – Last year they had Kellen Winslow. This year they have a mixture of three tight ends with Robert Royal, Michael Gaines and Steve Heiden. They bring a new meaning to the saying, “And together as one.” Why? Because as individuals they are not fantasy worthy, but as a whole, they are a solid group of NFL tight ends. If you have one of the on your bench then you must be a Browns fan AND a last place team in your fantasy football division.

Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) – Visanthe Shiancoe has enjoyed the presence of Brett Favre, enjoying a very nice 6 touchdowns despite a mere 25.4 yards per game average. Look for Shiancoe to be a nice TE2 in deeper leagues for the remainder of the season with the opportunity to peak his head in once in a while and swim with the TE1 boys.

Dustin Keller (New York Jets) – Entering the season much was expected from Dustin Keller, especially considering the fact that the New York Jets quarterback is rookie Mark Sanchez. Keller has disappointed many fantasy football owners as he has put up a very average 36.1 yards per game. Keller is a solid matchup play but nothing more.

Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders) – While the Oakland Raiders remain and most likely will always remain a laughing stock for the 2009 season, they do have something that is a bright light. And that my friends is Zach Miller who has seemed to finally come into his own as he is averaging 52.6 yards per game and even has a touchdown to boot. While there are plenty of tight ends that are better options for the remainder of the year, Miller will have his weeks where he should be strongly considered as a TE1 option.

Randy McMichael (St. Louis Rams) – You really can’t blame Randy McMichael as he is playing as an extended part of the offensive line more than he is as a receiver, but none-the-less it is hard to swallow the 25.1 yards per week and zero touchdowns that he has gone for in 2009. Good matchup or not, McMichael should remain on your waivers.

Week 9 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 9 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  | SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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