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If you've ever left a bag of popcorn in the microwave for even a couple seconds too long, you (as well as your entire office) are well aware timing is everything. The same applies to fantasy football trades. Unlike in fantasy baseball, you don't have the luxury of a 26-week season or a deep pool of talented players on your waiver wire to help you massage your roster. Unless you drafted an absolute dream team, you likely will need to swing a deal to stay in contention.

So how can you avoid getting burned and stinking up your league? Consider the three main reasons for making a trade:

Urgency. Unless you're in a keeper league, there is no tomorrow. So, if you are among the unlucky souls counting on Michael Bennett or Tatum Bell, don't wait another minute to make a move. Though you might be able to sneak by with mediocre receivers, you can't survive with a gaping hole at running back. Another recipe for doom: waiting for injured players to return to form.

Selling high/buying low. Always think at least one week ahead. Willie Parker has been a surprise so far, but will the Steelers really keep Duce Staley on the bench? And will Jerome Bettis cut into Parker's goal-line carries? Parker could net you a ton of value in a deal, but if you wait too long ... whoops. On the flip side, always be on the lookout for slackers whose production should improve.

Scheduling. If you're facing a tough stretch of open weeks that will leave you slim at a position or two, explore a trade for a guy who at least can fill in as a flex option. Likewise, if your No. 2 wideout is set to face tough defenses in three consecutive weeks, don't stand pat and take that kind of scoring hit.

As always, you have to give up value to get value, but good timing can swing the advantage your way in any deal

STOCK WATCH

BULL: Brandon Lloyd, WR, 49ers. San Francisco has no running game, and the tight ends have been nonexistent in the offense. All that benefits Lloyd. He has been the only consistent option on the team and should remain that way by default.

BEAR: Aaron Brooks, QB, Saints. Brooks always is earmarked for a breakout season, but it never comes. He plays well when he gets help but struggles when asked to carry the load.

PENNY STOCK: Bills defense. Terrence McGee is a terrific kick returner, but safety Lawyer Milloy is playing hurt and linebacker Takeo Spikes is out for the season. That's too much for this unit to overcome.--Roger Kuznia

Target practice

Fantasy production for wide receivers is contingent upon their getting opportunities. Although these go-to guys have not produced good numbers this season, they have been frequent targets--at least through four games each. Eventually, getting thrown to often will pay off.

Player             Team        Targeted    Receptions

Muhsin Muhammad    Bears          42           22
Chris Chambers     Dolphins       41           18
Jerry Porter       Raiders        32           16

Stat through Week. 5 Source: STATS Inc.

--Vinnie Iyer

WEEK 6
TSN experts

            Pos.            STUDS.                    SLEEPERS

  CHRIS      QB    MATT Hasselbeck, Seahawks     Kyle Orton, Bears
  BAHR       RB      Willis McGahee, Bills      Cedric Benson, Bears
             WR     Marvin Harrison, Colts     Santana Moss, Redskins

The Vikings' "D" is bad enough to make the Bears' "O" look good.

  LARRY      QB      Peyton Manning, Colts     Jake Plummer, Broncos
GOLDSTEIN    RB    Shaun Alexander, Seahawks   Domanick Davis, Texans
             WR        Torry Holt, Rams           Santana Johnson,
                                                     Redskins
Memo to David Carr: Get Andre Johnson the ball!

 BRENDAN     QB        Marc Bulger, Rams       Joey Harrington, Lions
 ROBERTS     RB       Jamal Lewis, Ravens         DeShaun Foster,
                                                      Panthers
             WR      Drew Bennett, Titans       Terry Glenn, Cowboys

Young Eli is about to hit a wall, otherwise known as a Bill Parcells
defense.

            Pos.           STUMBLERS

  CHRIS      QB      Aaron Brooks, Saints
  BAHR       RB     Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
             WR    Chris Chambers, Dolphins

The Vikings' "D" is bad enough to make the Bears' "O" look good.

  LARRY      QB    Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
GOLDSTEIN    RB     Stephen Davis, Panthers
             WR     Laveranues Coles, jets

Memo to David Carr: Get Andre Johnson the ball!

 BRENDAN     QB       Eli Manning, Giants
 ROBERTS     RB       Kevin Jones, Lions
             WR    Chris Chambers, Dolphins

Young Eli is about to hit a wall, otherwise known as a Bill Parcells

defense.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning