As you mine the waiver wire looking for that breakout player who will carry you to the fantasy playoffs, be careful to avoid the pyrite. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to let go of a player you are high on in order to pick up the flavor of the week. Invariably, your castoff will come to life as soon as he is claimed by a rival owner while the player you rushed to grab will never make your starting lineup. Getting beat by players who used to be on your roster is the worst kind of fantasy hell. Week 10 saw some players shine for the first time this season, but I get the feeling they are nothing more than fool’s gold. These are players you should avoid this week on the waiver wire.

The Rams came out and put a 38-8 beat down on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. All the Luck in the world wasn’t enough to make this game close. The story of the game was rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin who took 2 of his 3 targets to the house and added a 98 yard punt return for a touchdown. He finished the day with 138 yards receiving and 310 all-purpose yards. It was a great day for the rookie, but I’d rather hang on to Denarius Moore or even Eddie Royal.

The Saints are great in the Superdome. On Sunday night, they beat up the NFC Least leading Dallas Cowboys 49-17 and the whole Saints team got into the action. Even Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram looked like a star. Ingram carried the ball 14 times for 145 yards and a touchdown. He ran with ferocity and determination in averaging more than 10 yards per carry. Of course it helps when the opponent is focused on trying to stop Drew Brees, who threw for 392 yards, but it’s not like that’s anything new. Brees and Graham have been lighting up the league all season. Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles each scored a rushing and a receiving touchdown in this game, and they should continue to see more time on the field than Ingram. I’d rather keep Chris Ivory or Lamar Miller going forward.

Whatever happened to the theory that West Coast teams were supposed to struggle in early games on the East Coast? Nobody told the Seahawks. They trounced the hapless Falcons 33-10 before it was even lunchtime back home in Seattle. Golden Tate was the Seahawks leading receiver with 6 catches for 106 yards and 1 touchdown on the day, but both Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse topped 75 yards receiving, as well. With Percy Harvin scheduled to return to the lineup in Week 11 and the team focused on pounding the ball with Marshawn Lynch, I’d rather stick with players like Aaron Dobson or Emmanuel Sanders on my fantasy team.

Minnesota was able to earn their second win of the season last Thursday night against the Washington Redskins despite having both Christian Ponder and Matt Cassell playing quarterback. Adrian Peterson is the offense for the Vikings, but with starting tight end Kyle Rudolph out of the game with an injury, veteran tight end John Carlson suddenly emerged as a receiving threat for Minnesota. Carleson was a decent tight end for the Seahawks early in his career but managed only 104 total yards through his first season and a half in Minnesota. On Thursday, he caught all 7 of his targets for a career high 98 yards and a touchdown. While I’m sure his family is very proud of him, he’s not going to do much for your fantasy team. Don’t add him to your roster.

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