We're approaching the point in the season when fantasy owners begin making really dumb moves. For the winless teams, desperation is beginning to sink in. You can almost see the beads of sweat form on their brow as they witness yet another pathetic performance from a team once loaded with promise.

They've got some talent on their roster, but their stars just aren't meeting expectations. Marshall Faulk has been a huge disappointment to date, and now he's out for a month or more. Gulp. Curtis Martin and William Green have been major busts. Donovan McNabb is calling Quincy Carter for advice on how to read defensive schemes, while Kurt Warner is waving pom-poms on the sidelines. Marvin Harrison has just 134 yards and one touchdown all season, totals he regularly put up by halftime last year. Peerless Price may have been abducted by aliens.

Meanwhile, undefeated owners are getting cocky. They're riding high on the backs of Priest Holmes, Jamal Lewis and Daunte Culpepper, convinced that they are gifted with divine fantasy football inspiration.

It's time for you to take them to school. To the desperate souls, offer quantity for quality. Package two or even three decent receivers for their top wide-out. If they're in need of quarterback help, send your back-up and a reserve rusher or receiver for a starting running back. Study their roster to identify their greatest weakness, then make a sweeping proposal that offers them the prospect of competitiveness even if they give up their only bona fide star in the process. Think Cowboys and Herschel Walker.

As for the 3-0 owners, they too are vulnerable. Zero in on their underperformers - players like Drew Bledsoe, McNabb, Dillon, Price and Tony Gonzalez - and offer an overachiever or two in return. If you have San Diego's David Boston, this is an excellent week to trade him, before he crashes back down to mediocrity. Ditto for Mike Alstott.

Final note to self: Never, never, never pass up the chance to draft Priest again. He's so good, consider starting him during his bye week.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

CATCH 'EM WHILE YOU CAN

Kerry Collins, QB, NY Giants: Perhaps the most underrated fantasy passer in the league, Collins posted his second consecutive three-touchdown performance on Sunday. The Giants have a bye this week, so your fellow owner may be open to a trade. Grab him.

Gus Frerotte, QB, Minnesota: If you own Daunte Culpepper, you'd better pick him up quick. Gus could be slinging passes to Randy Moss for the next week or two while Culpepper's back heals.

Lamar Gordon, RB, St. Louis: Pat yourself on the back if you stashed Gordon away on draft day. With Marshall Faulk's injury, Gordon becomes the free agent prize of the week. If he's still available, what in the world are you waiting for?

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston: Okay, I'm sold. Johnson is getting enough looks from quarterback David Carr that he should produce consistently despite the Texans' losing ways. This is one rookie receiver that may be worth starting regularly.

Kelly Campbell, WR, Minnesota: Campbell looked sharp filling in for D'Wayne Bates in the powerful Vikings offense. He's no lock to be a consistent fantasy performer, but he's worth a gamble if you're looking for depth in your receiving corps.

Owen Pochman, K, San Francisco: The 49ers' new kicker got off to an impressive start with four field goals on Sunday. Now that Jeff Chandler is history, Pochman is an excellent prospect from a high-octane offense.

DON'T BE FOOLED

Byron Leftwich, QB, Jacksonville: The drumbeat is getting louder by the week for the Jaguars rookie to replace stumbling Mark Brunell. Don't get sucked in. Leftwich is a long way from fantasy stardom, and isn't worth a roster spot in anything but the deepest keeper leagues.

Joe Burns, RB, Buffalo: Joe who? You got me. Even with a healthy Travis Henry, the Bills weren't running well this season, though Henry was finding the end zone. If he's out for long, there's no guarantee Burns is the starter, so don't jump on him too quickly.

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis: Wayne had a career day Sunday with 10 catches for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns. It's also likely to be the season high for this frustratingly inconsistent receiver, who had a total of 5 receptions for 61 yards and no TDs in the first two games. His trade value will never be higher, so offer him up now.

Andre Davis, WR, Cleveland: Davis' two-touchdown performance made him the hero of the Browns' upset of San Francisco. He and Kevin Johnson both looked good with Dennis Northcutt inactive due to a chest injury. But prior to Sunday, Davis had a total of two catches for 31 yards and no scores. With Quincy Morgan also in the mix, too many receivers are fighting for too few accurate passes from quarterback Kelly Holcomb.