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Under-the-radar love

Four players who will produce later in season

Posted: Friday October 6, 2006 5:07PM; Updated: Friday October 6, 2006 5:07PM
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J.P. Losman currently ranks ninth in the NFL in completion percentage at 64.0 and 12th in passer rating at 90.6.
J.P. Losman currently ranks ninth in the NFL in completion percentage at 64.0 and 12th in passer rating at 90.6.
David Bergman/SI
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By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com, FootballDiehards

We're now a full month into the 2006 season, meaning we've reached the point where it's getting harder to find and secure talent. Or should I say available talent capable of contributing to your fantasy success.

Let's face it there aren't many Maurice Jones-Drews, Jerious Norwoods, Greg Jennings, Marques Colstons or Jerricho Cotcherys floating around at this point.

So what are we hoping for here?

The goal right now is identifying players who have a shot at emerging in November and possibly helping your team down the stretch run to the playoffs. In other words: We'll be looking for guys still flying below under the radar.

J.P. Losman, QB Buffalo Bills

While it's hard to imagine a former first-round draft pick -- and starting NFL quarterback -- flying under the radar, Losman certainly isn't viewed as a high-end Fantasy prospect.

And I'm not saying he is. But, if you're in a bind -- if you drafted Kurt Warner or Daunte Culpepper a little higher than you should have and you're scrambling to fill in, you could do worse. Losman currently ranks ninth in the NFL in completion percentage at 64.0 and 12th in passer rating at 90.6.

Better still, Losman's rapport with receivers Lee Evans, Peerless Price, Josh Reed and the explosive Roscoe Parrish seems to improve on a weekly basis. Also working in his favor is the fact that Willis McGahee is running the ball effectively enough (he leads the NFL in rushing with 389 yards) to keep opposing defenses honest.

Again, Losman might not be a guy you'll start every week. But neither is Warner.

Ryan Moats, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Moats wound up leading the Eagles in rushing touchdowns and finished second in rushing yardage and attempts last season -- despite seeing action in just seven games.

Still, in his limited exposure -- most coming when Brian Westbrook was injured, Moats showed quickness and explosiveness, ripping off a 40-yard touchdown run against the Giants on Dec. 11 and following that up with a 59-yard scoring run at St. Louis the following week.

Of course, Moats' playing time still depends on Westbrook's health, which -- surprise, surprise -- isn't very good right now. And given the lingering nature of his current knee problem, I'm not expecting a sudden improvement any time soon.

Meaning the only thing standing between Moats and a solid stretch run, Correll Buckhalter, laid the ball on the ground -- twice -- in critical situations during the Week 4 win over Green Bay.

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