Mr. McFadden:

We have tried to make this situation work, but you continue to perform below expectations. You are now injured, could miss up to six weeks – but you won’t suit up for me again this season.

I believed in you this year and I know this isn’t entirely your fault. The Raiders offensive line has been pretty bad and JaMarcus Russell, despite all his talent, has looked like one of the worst quarterbacks in recent NFL history. However, you have more career fumbles (seven) than you do touchdowns (five).

I wish you the best of luck in the future, but I can no longer have you on my team. Sincerely,

Jeff Thitoff

After reading that, you might be saying to yourself (or out loud), “Tito, you are an idiot. How can I trust you? McFadden is a guy you considered for your Man Crush article.”

That’s fair – but, if you read my Hangover two weeks ago and followed my advice you would feel differently. I told you to sell Frank Gore, Julius Jones, Thomas Jones and Davy Jones. I said to take the Giants’ Steve Smith over Mario Manningham and I told you Marques Colston would disappoint you more often than a #1 receiver should.

Now I feel better. I did have a bad week this week. Looks like Conn and I may go 0-3 in our shared leagues, although we did have a good week in Pay The Fan.

GUYS I LIKE MORE

All Pittsburgh running backs not named Willie Parker: In August, I told you Parker is old, hurt and slow. Nothing has changed. When Adam wanted to draft him, I looked at him and did my Lee Corso imitation (“Not so Fast Willie Parker”)…damn, I’m clever.

Derek Anderson (QB Cleveland): I’m not saying he’s great, or even good – but he did play better than I expected him to play.

Jerome Harrison (RB Cleveland): Two Browns mentioned in a positive note? Hasn’t happened since…well, the research department is looking. I’ll get back to you. But, with Jamal Lewis being more “-er” than Willie Parker (older, hurter and slower) and James Davis out for the year, Harrison gets a bump.

Knowshon Moreno (RB Denver): Buckhalter injured, Moreno seems comfortable, highlights at 11.

I wanted to list Mohamed Massaquoi (WR Cleveland) here, but we have a “two Browns limit.” If I had included him, I would have mentioned that he played at Georgia with Matthew Stafford and Moreno (how did that team not make it to the BCS Championship game?). He also played high-school football with Chris Leak and Hakeem Nicks.

Mike Sims-Walker (WR Jacksonville): In case you didn’t know it, he’s the #1 wide receiver for the Jaguars.

Jermichael Finley (TE Green Bay): Seven targets against Minnesota, six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. If the line plays poorly, Rodgers has to get rid of the ball quickly…and Finley is where he will look.

GUYS I LIKE LESS

Tony Romo (RB Dallas): I didn’t like him much before, but in his last four games he has one touchdown pass, one fumble and four interceptions.

Larry Johnson (RB Kansas City): In 2006, he rushed for 1,789 and scored 19 touchdowns. In the last 24 games (2007-present), he has 1,622 yards and nine touchdowns.

At this point, you are expecting me to list Ryan Grant – my 2009 Man Crush. Not going to do it. The offensive line is bad, as evidenced by the way the Vikings dominated the Packers O-line. I have faith, however – Grant and the Packers will turn it around.

Greg Jennings (WR Green Bay): As I stated two weeks ago, I wouldn’t want him as a #1 WR. Rodgers will continue to spread the ball around.

MY VIEW ON WIDE RECEIVERS

We all know that kickers have always been a bit of a mystery. You never know what you are going to get. It is starting to get that way with wide receivers. How many #1 WRs have performed like true #1 WRs?

Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson have lived up to expectations, but the list of disappointments is long: Calvin Johnson, Colston, Randy Moss, Jennings, Anquan Boldin, Roddy White…more misses than hits.

Keep working the waiver wire and try to hit the hot receiver at the right time, and we’ll keep trying to tell you who to grab.