If you were checking the St. Louis Rams game for fantasy football purposes during their entirely predictable 34-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys it was probably in your capacity as a nervous Brandon Lloyd owner. Which is understandable—Sam Bradford was injured, and Josh McDaniels's vaunted offense has almost relentlessly underperformed. But fantasy football waiver-wire followers and bargain hunters might take note of what happened in the Rams' bye week: The second tight end, supposedly one of the primary features of the Rams' new offense, came back into view, while Lance Kendricks disappeared completely. Michael Hoomanawanui, catching his first ball in almost a month, might return to the fringes of fantasy respectability as soon as next week.
"Illinois Mike," an unpronounceable 2010 draft pick, had an exciting rookie season derailed almost entirely by a series of high ankle sprains last year; in eight games, and just three starts, Hoomanawanui caught 13 balls for 146 yards and three touchdowns, including two in his last two games as an active player. After more injuries in 2011, Week 7 was what amounted to his coming-out party—despite Feeley's legendary mediocrity, Hoomanawanui caught three passes for 44 yards.
He and Kendricks were supposed to revolutionize the Rams' offense, which hasn't put much stock in its tight ends since Joe Klopfenstein was The Future, but so far they haven't been able to get on the field together—Billy Bajema was his partner in crime for Feeley. With Brandon Lloyd stretching the field and Sam Bradford on his way back, we might see a little two-tight-end play after all. If that's any consolation.