Start Of The Week - Az-Zahir Hakim and Doug Gabriel Star In "The Replacements"

Ok, maybe making references to really bad movies is not the best way to illustrate that these guys are actually great starting options for week 7. However, thanks to Joe Horn's hamstring and Randy Moss's groin, both Az-Zahir Hakim and Doug Gabriel find themselves filling-in for players who normally would occupy a hefty percentage of the playbook.

WR, Az-Zahir Hakim - Saints
Before we go any further pimping this guy, there should be a big, fat disclaimer mentioned - he plays for the Saints! Translated, this means that whenever all signs, and analysis point to one likely outcome, usually the exact opposite happens. But hey, if you've got a healthy supply of Rolaids and chewable Prozac you should be fine to start Az. Jokes aside, Hakim has kind of flown under the radar because he started the season injured and has really only factored into the last 2 games. However, all he's done in those games is catch 11 balls for 193 yards. Pretty impressive. After being lost in Detroit's quagmire for a few years, Hakim is finally displaying the quickness and elusiveness that made him famous as a co-star in the Greatest Show On Turf circa 2000, and speaking of St. Louis - that's where Hakim will be playing this weekend. Much has changed to the Greatest Show On Turf since Hakim took the cash and ran to the motor city in 2002, but most importantly to Hakim, the Rams pass defense is nothing short of a rotten tomato. Bottom line here is, if the Saints can actually show up to play a half-decent road game (big if), Hakim figures to be a headliner in this one.

WR, Doug Gabriel - Raiders
At 6'2, and 215 pounds, Doug Gabriel is probably the ideal replacement for Randy Moss. Kerry Collins has not meshed well with Moss thus far, but he never seems to have difficulties finding Gabriel when he's on the field. These guys developed their chemistry together when Collins was backing up Gannon and both Gabriel and Collins were 2nd-teamers. With Moss out, Gabriel should flourish and see lots of balls come his way. The one caveat here is the matchup against Buffalo. The Bills are the toughest defense in the NFL against opposing WR's. At least the game is in Oakland, but you should temper your expectations a bit in lieu of the strength of the opponent. Nonetheless, Gabriel looks like a solid weekly play while Moss is sidelined.

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Start Of The Week - Az-Zahir Hakim and Doug Gabriel Star In "The Replacements"

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