The waiver wire offers slim pickings, kind of like the Shakey’s Pizza buffet after the Thursday afternoon lunch rush. So you can imagine my surprise when in one of my leagues Antonio Gates was on the wire. And imagine me nearly spraining my thumb while maneuvering my mouse to try to add Gates to my squad. Sadly, my waiver claim went unfulfilled but this leads to a bigger lesson: Don’t drop Gates.

On Tuesday, we told you that five quarterbacks are still on pace to break Dan Marino‘s single-season passing yardage record. As it turns out, 2011 is shaping up to be a banner year for passing efficiency as well.

We know, you’re good and ready for the lockout to end and for free agency to begin. As the Commissioner said in Radio City Music Hall last month, we hear you. So if we can’t start free agency yet, let’s at least talk about it.

Texans TE Owen Daniels has a chance to be a great draft value in 2011. Find out why.

Fantasy owners could be without superstar wideout Andre Johnson in championship week.

If Michael Vick got you into the playoffs, he is about to usher you out of the playoffs if he does not turn things around quickly.

Joe Flacco got an early Christmas present Monday night from Matt Schaub in the way of a Josh Wilson pick six.

Pulling in a couple of fantasy thoughts from the Twitterverse:

Matt Schaub is expected to start for the Texans in Week 11, but he shouldn’t be starting on your fantasy team.

The value of Texans WR Andre Johnson has taken a hit this week because of matchup against Jets CB Darrelle Revis. Dre’s value will plummet like the elevator car on Disney’s Hollywood Tower of Terror if the Texans have to turn to QBs Dan Orlovsky or Matt Leinart who has been listed as the team’s emergency quarterback for most of the season.

Texans QB Matt Schaub, you have avoided the list. At least for now.

There were a fair number of fantasy disappointments in the — what we on the West Coast call — the 10 a.m. games. And a number of them are now on ‘the list.’

The Texans are running the ball against the Chargers at almost a two-to-one clip of rushes to passes. And then to add insult to no statistics, Texans QB Matt Schaub goes looking for RB Arian Foster in the red zone.

Even the greatest of fantasy matchups does not always mean a big payout. And yes, that headline is totally facetious.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in overtime, the team confirmed, meaning that many fantasy strategists might need to ensure that their roster is in order next week.