Empty the Bench

- According to him, and speaking in the first person, WR “Big” Mike Williams said before the season began that he “don’t drop passes,” but it looks like his drop on a big fourth-down play last week against the Titans contributed to him being cut by the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday. His storied stint with the Raiders ends at 7 catches for 90 yards and a fumble, and it now appears the former 10th-overall pick by Detroit Lions Knucklehead Matt Millen could be looking for work in the CFL or, maybe, the Miami Dolphins. Same thing.

- Cincinnati Bengals RB Kenny Watson, who has come on strong filling in for the injured Rudi Johnson, suffered a mild concussion last week that knocked him out of the game and has his status for the team’s matchup with the Bills in question. Johnson is practicing this week and looks like he’ll give it a go, so even if Watson is active he’ll be a risky start against the Bills, who do allow about 128/per on the ground. Know, however, that Buffalo’s defense usually performs much better at home.

- The Houston Texans offense just can’t stay healthy. They’ve already lost WR Andre Johnson, QB Matt Schaub, RB Ahman Green, WR Jacoby Jones, etc for spells this season, and now it seems reliable tight end Owen Daniels is battling a high-ankle sprain that threatens to nag him for the rest of the season. The team is calling the injury “day-to-day,” but we’re not keen to start guys with a malady like this one the week after sustaining it. Look elsewhere for the team’s Week 9 “clash” with the Raiders.

- You’ll rarely find fantasy owners relieved when their first-round pick is on a bye week, but we have a feeling just about everyone out there unfortunate enough to enlist former stud Shaun Alexander on their roster was happy not to be faced with the “should I start this broken-down horse or not?” question. Well, he’s back in Week Nine with what looks like a favorable matchup on paper against the Cleveland Browns, who sport the NFL’s fourth-worst rushing defense (139.4/per). What’s our take? It’s time to be honest with yourself–stop relying on Alexander as your RB1 or RB2 and consider him a flex play. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it is what it is. He should probably be in your lineup this week, but don’t expect much until he proves otherwise. One more big dud on a Sunday afternoon and HC Mike Holmgren might start turning elsewhere.

- It’s been a quite a week for Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna, whose teams sits at 5-2 and is halfway towards making his 10 wins prediction come to fruition. He drew the ire of at least one Detroit sportswriter for poking fun at Lions defensive line coach Joe Cullen by “dressing” as him for Halloween; his wife went as Wendy of fast-food chain Wendy’s. Cullen, of course, made headlines last year for apparently driving naked through the drive-thru. We think it’s hilarious, and this one pales in comparison to the much more barbed Wayne Fontes costume that former Lions QB Scott Mitchell wore once upon a time.

Earlier this week, Kitna also made it clear he’s not content on just winning games. He’s in Detroit to win a Super Bowl:

After addressing the reporter by name, Kitna said, in a firm and raised voice: “I don’t play this game for any other reason than to win a Super Bowl. I’m not trying to go to the playoffs, I’m not trying to win 10 games, I’m not trying to do moral victories. I’m trying to win a Super Bowl. If I don’t feel like I can win a Super Bowl, I’m out.”

- New England Patriots TE Ben Watson got off to a hot start this season, catching 17 passes for 194 yards and 5 TDs in his first five games before succumbing to a high-ankle sprain in Week 6. He’s missed the last few games, but has resumed limited activity at practice and could be getting close. We don’t expect him to play this week, but if an impatient owner out there dropped him, now would be a good time to scoop him up for free.

- You know the Denver Broncos are fielding one awful rush defense when somebody named Ryan Grant shreds you for 104 yards and a healthy 4.7 YPC. The rookie undrafted free agent from Notre Dame made the most of his opportunity Monday night and is now the starter for Green Bay after DeShawn Wynn, another rookie, was placed on IR this week with various neck and back pain. Grant should be picked up in all leagues, but is just a low-end flex play most weeks. The Lions’ Kevin Jones draws the Broncos in Week Nine–expect him to go off.

- Doesn’t look like Texans QB Matt Schaub will play this week against the Raiders after getting knocked out of last week’s blowout loss at the hands of the Chargers. Sage Rosenfels will likely get the start, but we’re not psyched about any offensive player on either team in this one. There’s a good chance it’ll be Kris Brown vs. Sebastian Janikowski.

- Sympathy for disposed NY Jets QB Chad Pennington.

- Apparently inspired by the return of Vinny Testaverde, (Armchair) QB Jeff George is pining for a job, too. He’s happy to be a third-stringer, too, so what are you waiting for, NFL GMs?

More Week Nine Football Glory:

ETB’s Week Nine Matchups

ETB’s Week Nine Position Rankings

ETB’s Week Nine Stock Report

ETB’s Week Nine Cheat Sheet

ETB’s Week Nine Fantasy Mailbag