The fantasy reality: And the Samkon Gado winner is ...

Transitioning this week from emergency room assistant in South Carolina to emergency running back in St. Louis, Samkon Gado returns to the NFL and jeopardizes our fantasy football sanity once again. You remember Gado, right? He climbed out from underneath a rock in 2005 and started ripping off 100-yard games in Green Bay, making him as popular as Brett Favre. (Remember him? He was that old guy who used to play QB there before the Rodgers Era began). By the time we figured out how to spell Gado's name, he was gone. This week he hopped on a plane and suddenly he's the healthiest RB on the Rams roster. We're not saying Gado is a free-agent gem, but just reading his name inspired us to look at players who might pull a Gado 2008:

RUNNING BACKS: Ray Rice is our favorite in this bunch, as the Baltimore rookie has taken advantage of the unending Willis McGahee injuries. Ryan Torain, another rookie, is the last man standing in Denver. The Broncos were high on him in training camp, but an elbow injury put him on the shelf until recently. A third rookie, Jamaal Charles, has been impressive, but his long-term value hinges on Larry Johnson's potential Week 11 return.

QUARTERBACKS: Skip Daunte Culpepper and Tyler Thigpen and give Sage Rosenfels a look. Houston can put up points, and this veteran usually takes advantage of opportunities. Shaun Hill is coming off a bye in San Francisco and has four weak defenses on his remaining schedule.

RECEIVERS: It appears Chad Pennington actually can throw the forward pass, and Greg Camarillo is his favorite target in Miami. The entire ESPN staff is high on Niners rookie Josh Morgan. Who are we to question ESPN? Can Sidney Rice get healthy and be a factor again? His touchdown last week was promising, but we'll need to see more than one catch. And one tight end thought: Keep an eye on a healthy Jeremy Shockey.

THE LINE: Whom to start  Week 9: 1-3 • Season: 12-12-5

On your waiver wire? ...

Leon Washington -2 over Mewelde Moore Two guys that won't start but could put up some numbers against soft defenses. Washington could catch and run one in, and he gets the nod.

Devery Henderson -4 over Derrick Mason Big-play ability and big-game potential give the inconsistent youngster  the nod over the productive veteran.

Joe Flacco -11 over Rex Grossman Do not be fooled by Rex's scoring burst last week. He's not the guy you want. Flacco's starting to put up some numbers. And can't he throw the ball 80 yards from his knees, or something like that? Good enough for us!