With baseball on the ropes with an impending strike, and everyone
getting football fever, this is the perfect time to write my first
article of the season. For many people, the draft is the most exciting
part. This is the one time of year that everyone is in first place
and everyone can boast because they are undefeated. However, these
feelings and standings will change as quickly as an NFL running
back's health.
For those who won last year, time to get over it. For those who
lost, time to get over it.
It's a new season and you have to prove or disprove last year's
results as skill or bad luck. While most often you will find tons
of information of the proven veteran's and touted sleepers, this
article will try and give you some players that receive whole lot
less fanfare from other writers. This is the time you should look
for these early-season bargains. If you haven't drafted, they may
be a great late-round pick. For those who have drafted, hopefully,
you can get these guys off of waivers if they are undrafted For
those in keeper leagues, these players are young and hungry and
while trying to prove to their team and the world that they deserve
to play in the NFL, they also may make you look like a genius as
Chris Chambers did for me in the 17th round of my 14-team league
last year. While I am no genius, I sure did get many pats on the
back and now I have good ole Chris on my team this year.
Quarterbacks
Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns
Tim played in all 16 games last year after his 2000 season was cut
short by injury. He eclipsed the 3000-yard mark for the first time,
but still threw 21 interceptions opposed to 17 TD's. In his 4th
year now, Couch seems poised to become the great Quarterback he
showed he was in Kentucky. Cleveland did a solid job in the off
season acquiring RT Ryan Tucker from the Rams and LG Barry Stokes
from the Packers to help beef up an offensive line that did not
protect Couch well last year leading to 54 sacks. With the maturation
and signing of Kevin Johnson, along with the hopes of a better running
game, Couch may be a surprise to many in this upcoming campaign.
Look for another 3000-plus yard season and a better TD-to-Int ratio.
Running Backs
Michael Bennett - Minnesota Vikings
Bennett was the apple in many owners eye prior to last year's season.
However, it didn't take long for many to turn sour on this back
from Wisconsin. With the departure of Robert Smith after the 2000
season, many thought that anyone stepping into the role that he
filled would shine. With one of the best QBs in the league, possibly
the best receiver tandem in the league, how can anyone fail? Well,
failing is a tough word to use when talking about a rookie back.
Bennett only produced 630 yards and two scores, but did show steady
improvement as the year went on. Now with departure of Chris Carter,
Bennett is going to be looked upon even more to produce. Derrick
Alexander has looked spotty in camp, but the tight end corps of
Byron Chamberlain, Jim Kleinsasser and Hunter Goodwin, will help
blocking along with an offensive line that was beaten down both
physically and emotionally after the loss of Corey Stringer last
year. Fortunately, for owners, Bennett could probably be had in
the mid rounds since some may be afraid of a repeat performance
from last year. Look for Bennett to approach the 1000-yd mark and
score 4 or 5 times.
Clinton Portis - Denver Broncos
With the shocking, but commendable retirement of Terrell Davis,
Clinton Portis has been given an opportunity to fill a role that
until last year, had three different players run for 1000 plus yards.
Portis is fighting with Olandis Gary (one of the three) for the
starting job. He has been impressive in pre-season with quick moves
and lightening speed. Unlike, previous Bronco backs; Portis' speed
is what makes him lethal, not his power. He put up monster numbers
at Miami and should become another star that this school has produced.
Remember the last back out of Miami? Mr. James was elite before
his injury last year; hopefully Portis can follow in his footsteps.
If you haven't drafted, chances are likely that your league, may
already be high on this one, so draft with caution, you don't want
to take him too high. If he is the starter, 1000 plus yards and
8-10 scores is not out of the question
Lamar Gordon - St. Louis Rams
Now this one may be a stretch, but may also be a homerun. If you
can afford a really late round pick and/or you are in a deep keeper
league, this guy may help you some day. The rookie out of small
school North Dakota State finds himself as the back up to the
#1 fantasy stud, Marshall Faulk. He is coming off a high ankle
sprain from last year, but looks good so far. He is currently
battling second year man, Trung Candidate who was stellar for
a few weeks in Faulk's absence last year, for the #2 spot. While
pre-season is usually not an indication of regular season performance,
it is the only proving ground he has, and he is showing some major
signs of ability. He is an exceptional athlete with a great mixture
of power and speed. He is an adequate receiver and may find himself
in some 3rd down situations. If something happens to Faulk, and
he wins the back-up job, great find, but those are big ifs. Assuming
he is the second or third back, expect anywhere from 200-400 total
yards and one to two scores.
Wide Receivers
Steve Smith - Carolina Panthers
Known more for his pro-bowl caliber returns, Smith enters these
late weeks of pre-season as the number two receivers in Carolina.
Yes I know it is Carolina, but the often-injured Muhsin Muhammad
has put up some nice numbers in years past. Chris Weinke starts
his second campaign with one of the most exciting game-breakers
as a wide out. He has excellent speed and great hands as most
kick-returners. With the lack of depth and the injury problems
in Panther-town, all fingers point to a break out season for Smith
as a receiver. He should definitely be available in your late
rounds and may be a great addition as a reserve on your squad.
If he holds down the #2 job, expect close to 800 yards and 4 or
5 scores.
Jerry Porter - Oakland Raiders
This guy may be the best 3rd receiver in the league. However,
he is playing behind two future Hall-of-Famers in Jerry Rice and
Tim Brown. New head coach Bill Callahan seems to want to add a
vertical element to the offense and Porter seems to be a part
of these plans. There have been hints of using him as a first
or second option on some sets that will give him more touches.
He has greater speed than Rice and Brown, and has definite big-play
ability. He is a major consideration in keeper leagues, as he
appears a year away from real good production. If either Rice
or Brown goes down, he is next in line. As the #3 wide out expect
300-400 yards and one or two scores
Antonio Bryant - Dallas Cowboys
One man's misery is another mans opportunity. This is definitely
the case for Antonio Bryant. While impressive in camp, Bryant
was only a lock at the #3 receiver spot in Dallas, until Raghib
Ismail was lost for the season with a neck sprain. He fits the
mold of the prototypical receiver with size and speed and the
rookie from Pitt will try to impress upon his brilliant college
career. He can definitely break some long and paired with Joey
Galloway, may be able to take advantage of some man coverage.
Look for him to approach 600 to 700 yards and score 3 or 4 times.
Reche Caldwell - San Diego Chargers
An early entrant from Gainseville, Caldwell was a playmaker along
with fellow rookie Jabar Gaffney. He has good speed and is known
as a jumper, but he is not considered as tough as you would want
your 5'11 wide out to be. However, with the lack of depth at the
receiver position and with a youth movement continuing in San
Diego, Caldwell has the opportunity to be one of the Charger's
top receivers. He will start the season at #3, but that can change
quickly in this town that just committed to Drew Brees as the
starting QB. He is probably a year away from decent numbers, but
may be worth a late round pick in deep drafts. Expect 400 yards
and 2 or 3 scores.
Tight End
Alge Crumpler - Atlanta Falcons
Battling for playing time kept the second year man from North
Carolina from putting up better numbers than he did last year.
He still finds himself fighting Reggie Kelly for the number one
spot on a new and improved, speedy offense. Crumpler caught only
25 passes last year, but averaged over 13 YPC and had 3 TD's.
Expect Crumpler to see the ball more this year while posing a
nice option if the Falcons get near the end zone. Not he best
blocker of the tight ends in Atlanta, he will be the primary passing
option of the group. Look for him to improve upon his 330 yards
and to score at least the 3 and maybe even up to 5 times.
