The starting roster scramble is about to begin in earnest for fantasy football owners.

With more teams observing bye weeks of the 2009 NFL regular season this weekend, fantasy owners will spend precious team management time plugging holes in rosters left by idle players.

Complicating matters for several owners are injuries to both starting fantasy players and those on the bench. Those in an extreme pinch will need to seek salvation from the waiver wire in order to make it through the weekend.

Let the hysteria begin.

There is hope, however. Many a fantasy owner has had to strategically manipulate the waiver wire to find the perfect plug-and-play starter over the years. We all have been there.

Usually it happens with the least carried positions on fantasy rosters: Tight ends, kickers and defenses. However, those with rosters decimated by injuries will need more than a one-week stop gap at the least valuable fantasy positions.

Scouring the waiver wire for the right plug-and-play is risky business, but there are several players who could fit the bill this weekend.

Week 9 Byes

Potential Week 9 Plug-and-Plays

The players listed below are unowned in a majority of fantasy football leagues and have favorable match-ups in week 9. Any one of these guys is worth a start this weekend for an in-need fantasy football owner.

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, 49ers (v. Titans)
In a battle of two quarterbacks who have received yet another chance, Smith actually is starting to look like a real NFL quarterback.

David Garrard, Jaguars (v. Chiefs)
Jags at home are safer play than Jags on the road. Garrard should dice up the Chiefs.

Running Backs

Julius Jones, Seahawks (v. Lions)
If a frustrated owner cut the dead weight, Jones could spring to life for one week.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (@ Jaguars)
A sexy play this weekend in his chance to steal the starting job from Larry Johnson for good. Nice match-up, too.

Wide Receivers

Malcom Floyd, Chargers (@ Giants)
Everyone and their mom is slicing up the Giants’ secondary these days. The new starter in San Diego should get in for six.

Steve Breaston, Cardinals (@ Bears)
Anquan Boldin is banged up, maybe too much to play this time. Breaston fills in nicely.

Tight Ends

Fred Davis, Redskins (@ Falcons)
Another sexy waiver wire add ready to start for fantasy owners. The Falcons do give it up to the tight end.

Martellus Bennett, Cowboys (@ Eagles)
Almost no one gives it up to the tight end, however, more than the Eagles. And since Jason Witten has disappeared, perhaps Bennett will get in for a score.

Kickers

Jason Elam, Falcons (v. Redskins)
As bad as Washington has been, the defense is respectable. Could keep the Falcons out of the endzone but not off the scoreboard.

Defense/Special Teams

Falcons (v. Redskins)
The offense, meanwhile, has been un-respectable. The Falcons brought pressure on Drew Brees and made some plays, imagine the possibilities against Jason Campbell.

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