BY JEFF THITOFF

Is it time? Has it been time for some time?

My 2009 Man Crush, Ryan Grant, hasn’t been great this year. I get harassed electronically and in person about my preseason prediction of a top-5 year for Grant. Against Minnesota, Grant only produced 30 yards on 10 carries and didn’t score. He only has three touchdowns this year.

A bust?

Hardly.

Despite an awful and injured offensive line, Grant is still tied for 13^th among running backs in ESPN standard scoring leagues – and he can still move up rather easily. I doubt he will achieve top-5 status, but he will be top-10.

Over the next four weeks, he has some very attractive matchups: at Tampa, home against Dallas and San Francisco and at Detroit.

Those of you that think I should jump off the bus, think again. Find the Grant owner in your league and go get him.

Some other advice as you drive toward the playoffs in your leagues:

The “Steve Slaton Era” isn’t over in Houston, but his value takes a hit for the rest of the season. Ryan Moats showed he could handle the load and hang onto the ball. Slaton was obviously upset with being benched this past week, and I think Moats is a worthy pickup. Is Slaton the biggest bust this season? Starting to look that way…

In Detroit, Kevin Smith continues to get injured and Maurice Morris is next in line. Morris picked up 63 yards rushing on 14 carries, but should be counted on as nothing more than a handcuff for Smith. Don’t rush out and grab Morris unless you rely on Kevin Smith heavily every week.

I advise you to keep an eye on the Jets and, more importantly, Shonn Greene. If the Jets continue to fade, Greene will get an increased workload. Clearly, Greene is the future and Thomas Jones (although he’s been great this year) is not. I think if you can get Shonn Greene cheap now, do it.

The Owen Daniels injury is a huge blow in the fantasy world and for the Texans. Daniels was in the “Dallas Clark Zone,” but his torn ACL ends his season and lowers the value of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub. I like Tony Romo, with the emerging Miles Austin, better than Schaub the rest of the season.

How about Austin? He is absolutely the best weapon at wide receiver that Romo has ever had.

Malcolm Floyd is a hot name now because the Chargers released Chris Chambers, but I’m not buying it. It’s still Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and then a bunch of other guys. Hard to believe Chambers used to be good enough to have a pair of 11-touchdown seasons. He was worthless in San Diego.

I do like Michael Crabtree as long as Alex Smith is the quarterback in San Francisco. Hard to believe Crabtree has been this good after missing so much time, and he will only continue to improve. Crabtree also has a decent schedule down the stretch. Get him.

And, just to repeat – don’t give up on Grant. Buy low if you can, but don’t sell low.