Sleeper Watch

After finishing his 2003 sophomore campaign with a disappointing 39 receptions for just 550 yards and two touchdowns, Antonio Bryant quickly caught the attention of fantasy owners in this season’s opening week. Undrafted in numerous leagues, Bryant turned himself into a very popular waiver wire pickup after gaining 112 yards in Dallas’ 17-35 loss in Minnesota. Unfortunately, far from being a breakout game, that success turned out to be a flash in the pan, and Bryant lost no time in regaining his status as a major disappointment.

After hauling in eight passes in the season opener, he picked up just eight more in the Cowboys’ next five games, for a total of 154 and no scores. By that time, most fantasy owners had given up on him, changing their assessment of his big game from ‘breakout’ to ‘fluke.’ Dallas apparently shared that opinion, and sent Bryant packing, dealing him to the Browns for Quincy Morgan, himself a disappointment. Things didn’t get any better in Cleveland, however. In his first four games with his new team, Bryant never topped the 43-yard mark.

Then came week 12. Out of the blue, Bryant racked up 131 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 48-58 loss to Cincinnati. Many owners, burned once already by the inconsistent WR, considered the performance another fluke, and made no effort to add him to their rosters. Yet one week later, Bryant has come through with another gem, this one a 115-yard outburst with another pair of TDs as Cleveland fell to the Patriots.

Is Antonio Bryant’s resurgence for real? It’s too early to tell, but two straight games with 100+ yards and two scores certainly speak a strong language. If you have room on your roster, it might be time to pick him up again. If your title game is in week 17, you have all the more reason to do so: in the season finale, Cleveland heads to Houston to face the Texans, who have allowed 244 passing yards per game.

Of course, once he’s on your roster, whether or not to risk starting Bryant depends entirely on how strong your nerves are.