Fantasy Football Articles:

32 Sports Writers Answer 32 Questions
June 4, 2003

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You’re in the late stages of your fantasy draft and you’re looking for a #4 WR with some upside. You’re thinking about Denver’s Ashley Lelie, so you bust out your cell and give Adam Schefter, Bronco beat writer for the Denver Post, a call for the skinny on Lelie. Schefter, one of the best NFL newspapermen in the business, offers up his positive prognosis on Lelie, so you thank him for his time, hang up, and make the pick.

Talk about an advantage.

Now imagine having a direct pipeline to 32 beat writers representing each NFL team with the opportunity to ask these journalists one key question about the teams they cover, the teams they know like the back of their hands. They might as well give you the trophy at the draft you would have such an advantage.

It’s that type of an advantage we’re hoping to give you from reading this feature. The scenario portrayed above is truly a fantasy for most fantasy players, but lucky for you we’re in a position to reach out to some of the country’s premier NFL beat writers, and we did just that.

Before we get into our 32 questions and answers, we’d like to thank these great men for their time and we encourage you to visit their company’s sites and read their columns on a regular basis.

Skane: Bryan Gilmore and Jason McAddley are the most likely receivers to become starters. Bryan Gilmore might be the go-to guy. Gilmore is the team's fastest player, and OC Jerry Sullivan constantly raves about his upside. Bryan had already begun replacing David Boston on 4th quarter possessions last year, but a broken leg ended his season early. Rookie Anquan Boldin has impressed as the slot receiver in three- WR sets. However, with 12 WRs on the roster and no returning starters, all jobs are open.

Wilson: Director of player personnel Phil Savage predicted two weeks before the draft that the Ravens wouldn't pass on Georgia running back Musa Smith if he was available in the second round. The Ravens drafted him in the third round, and scout Terry McDonough said Baltimore rated Smith among its top-20 prospects. The plan is to basically redshirt Smith. Obviously, if Jamal Lewis' knee flared up or an off-field issue arose, Smith is far more well equipped to carry the load than undersized Chester Taylor, who's basically a 3^rd down back.

FantasyGuru.com Mag: Is second year WR Josh Reed ready to start and and excel and if not how serious will his unreadiness affect QB Drew Blesdoe and the passing game?

Roth: Josh Reed is ready, but it would be grossly unfair to expect him to replace Peerless Price's 94 catches. He has hands of glue and great RAC, making him a mid-range target, not the deep threat Price was. Bledsoe will not be able to chuck and duck like he did last year on fly patterns to Price, and is busy reprogramming himself. It definitely won't be as fun.

Yasinskas: There's no clear-cut answer and the staff won't make a final decision until near the end of the preseason. Peete is a favorite of coordinator Dan Henning, who prefers quarterbacks that don't make many mistakes. That could lead to Peete at least opening the season as the starter. But the team knows he's only a short-term answer and needs to find out if Delhomme can be the long-term answer. That's why the former New Orleans backup will be given every chance to win the job. Also, keep in mind that Peete never has been able to start all 16 games. No matter which way the team goes, neither Peete nor Delhomme will put up big fantasy numbers. This team's offense is centered on the running game and the passing numbers won't be very impressive.

Biggs: The Bears are saying the right things about Thomas now and they prefer to go with experience, so Thomas has the starting job. If the line is better, and if QB Kordell Stewart and TE Desmond Clark’s abilities are utilized the offense will change and defenses won’t be able to stack the box against Thomas as much and that will help. But those are a lot of ifs. As for Adrian Peterson, the backup, I think the Bears see him more as a role player and they have a fear of the unknown (Peterson), so I do not envision him getting more than 6-8 carries a game.

Curnutte: The plan, at this point, if Washington is healthy, is to line him up as the third receiver with Johnson and Warrick. The Bengals said that as Johnson emerged as a deep threat last season, defenses were rolling over and covering him more. Washington could bring some speed on the opposite side, and the middle would open up more for Warrick. Besides helping in the pass offense, the plan also would force defenses to play the safeties deeper and keep an eighth defender "out of the box" against the run. It would then open up more room for tailback Corey Dillon.

Jackson: I think that a winner in the QB Derby probably won't be decided until a week or maybe even two weeks into training camp. But when one is picked, I believe he'll be the one all season barring a disaster. Butch Davis doesn't believe in QB controversies and rotating QB's and letting it become a distraction. The guy who wins will know the job is his and won't have to worry about a short leash and looking over his shoulder and getting yanked for making one bad throw. I really think that Coach Davis believes that sometimes teams who have two quarterbacks don't really have one.

FantasyGuru.com Mag: It's clear that Troy Hambrick will have an excellent opportunity on the Cowboys this year. In just his first year as a starter, can he be a consistent producer and will he play well enough to appease Bill Parcells?

Hill: The biggest question is he going to get it done in the offseason. Parcells wanted him to come in in May at 240 pouunds but he blew up to 260 (he was down to 250 in late May). Parcells wants him in shape because he not only wants him to carry the load, but do so for four quarters. The biggest problem with the Cowboy offense last year was their line, but they have committed to improve their blocking. Hambrick didn’t run as well last year because he was used sparingly, but whenever he's played he’s been productive and his yards per carry high. The Cowboys will run the ball with Hambrick 20+ times a game or with Hambrick around 15 times a game and committee of backs gettting the rest of the carries. It’s up to Hambrick as to which way they go.

Schefter: The Broncos drafted two running backs, Quentin Griffin from Oklahoma and Ahmaad Galloway from Alabama, and everybody knows Denver's track record on picking backs. Of those two, Griffin would be the leading candidate to backup Portis and succeed him should there be an injury. Griffin is tiny but dynamic, and Denver will find a way to use his talents. But also remember that Mike Anderson, a former 1,500-yard rusher, easily could be shifted from fullback to running back. If Portis were to go down indefinitely, Anderson might become Denver's new starting running back.

Johnson: I would expect him to stick to the roots of his past and continue to use a committee at RB. While Stewart has been solid and productive, he’s getting older and Mariucci depends on the run more, so Stewart will need support. As for who will get the carries, Mariucci has a bunch of choices – a clear indication that he will use a committee – so it’s too early to tell. They like rookie Artose Pinner and of course Shawn Bryson is an option. But a dark horse will be second year back Luke Staley, who has looked very good in the minicamps and I would not rule him out.

Demovsky: The Packers are very high on Davenport. He has completely recovered from last season's eye socket injury and was healthy for minicamp. He reported lean and muscular and has settled into the backup tailback spot after splitting time last season between tailback and fullback. The signing of Nick Luchey at fullback means Davenport can concentrate solely on tailback. There was a significant dropoff last season when the Packers went to Tony Fisher. Although he had some productive games, he wasn't as consistent as they would have liked. However, for an undrafted free agent, Fisher was a pleasant surprise and should be the # 3 tailback this season. NOTE: This question was answered before the Packers signed free agent RB Lamar Smith.

McClain: Going into camp, the starting receivers will be Bradford and Gaffney. In passing situations, Johnson will play opposite Bradford, and Gaffney will move inside. Because so few rookie receivers make an impact, especially if they're underclassmen, the coaches will be patient with Johnson. Something they won't admit but is cause for concern involves receiver Charles Rogers, the second overall pick. Rogers' agents, the Poston brothers, are notorious for clients who hold out. If Rogers holds out, Johnson will hold out because it would be foolish for Johnson to sign before the receiver drafted in front of him. Obviously, the Texans would like Johnson to play well enough to start opposite Bradford, giving them two legitimate deep threats, but they won't rush him into the lineup.

Chappell: Since the arrival of quarterback Peyton Manning in 1998, the Colts have tried to find a # 2 receiving option to take some of the heat off Marvin Harrison. They've failed with, among others, Jerome Pathon, E.G. Green, Terrence Wilkins, and Qadry Ismail. If the team sticks with its two-tight end approach in 2003, Reggie Wayne likely will open the season as the # 2 wide receiver. Brandon Stokley seems more suited to working in the slot in three-receiver formations. This is the year Wayne should emerge. He played well last year, but his contributions were limited as the team went with Ismail as the # 2 option much of the season. Wayne should be better this year than Ismail was last year.

Stellino: It's uncertain who will start for Fred Taylor if he's injured now that Stacey Mack has departed. Elvis Joseph is the other returning running back, but he didn't get a single carry last year. New FB Marc Edwards might get some duty in goal-line situations. Rookie LaBrandon Toefield is there, but between him and Joseph, I’d guess Joseph because of Toefield's injuries and inexperience. But it’s just a guess and could change in camp. In effect, they don't have a proven backup.

Sports Writer: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star

Teicher: Larry Johnson will be the starting halfback if Priest Holmes isn't healthy and an insurance policy if he is. The Chiefs had no quality or reliable backup at halfback so, given Holmes' uncertain status, halfback was really their biggest need heading into the draft. They had addressed their most pressing defensive needs in free agency, so there wasn't going to be another rookie who could help them as much as Johnson will, even if Holmes is healthy.

Cole: Robert Edwards will be given another training camp to prove he's an every-down back and seems the most likely choice if he continues to progress in his comeback. Travis Minor is the next candidate. Minor runs hard, has good speed, and is decisive. However, he generally lacks the size and power of a tradition "bell cow" running back. That said, offensive coordinator Norv Turner has made his running game go with other runners who were limited (Terry Allen and Stephen Davis), so there's a good chance the Dolphins could survive without Ricky Williams. But surviving is a long way from thriving.

Jensen: Moe Williams is only a role player and Smith, unless he totally wows the team in the preseason, will be only a kick returner and a backup RB. The Vikings would actually like to see Doug Chapman occasionally spell Bennett, with Williams the 3^rd down and goal-line back. As for Bennett, they are 100% committed to his being the featured back and they are thrilled with his development and future potential. Look for the Vikings to throw him more screen passes this year in the hopes that he’ll take one 30+ yards for a score every few weeks. Bennett was not an accomplished receiver coming out of college, but he has good hands and they believe he will be a force in the passing game.

Cafardo: A great percentage of Troy Brown's lack of yardage after the catch was due to his leg injury that he incurred in the third game of the season, and he was never the same after that. Brown should be 100% and be back to his breakaway ways. When healthy, he still has more intangibles working for him than anyone else on the field. He finds holes in defenses where he can get open and then gain yardage after the catch. Last year, it was pretty much, catch the ball and go down. If I were a betting man, I'd venture to say he goes back to the productive threat he was two years ago.

Duncan: Fans shouldn't judge Keaton on his meager production last season. He was thrown into the fire after being acquired in a trade before the season opener and never really grew comfortable with the Saints' complex West Coast Offense. With a full off-season under his belt, Keaton has more time to familiarize himself with the scheme and assume a larger role in the attack. Opinions within the organization are mixed on Keaton. Some believe he has rare explosiveness and acceleration and could develop into a big-time potential. Others question his natural running skills and instincts and wonder if he'll ever be more than an adequate backup. This season will go a long way toward defining Keaton's career.

Cimini: The Jets are counting heavily on Moss to pick up some of the production they lost when Coles bolted to the Redskins. With veteran newcomer Curtis Conway still learning the offense and quarterback Chad Pennington, Moss will be the key to the post-Coles transition period. Team officials would like to get him on the field for about 70% of the snaps. Moss, who backed up Wayne Chrebet at flanker last season, also will learn the split-end position, enabling him to spell Conway. The team would be happy if Moss caught at least 50-55 balls, with Chrebet and Conway combining for 120 to 130. A year ago, Coles, Chrebet, and Moss combined for 170 catches and 18 touchdowns. Pennington's goal is 240, which seems a bit out of reach. They should be thrilled with another 170.

Vacchiano: There shouldn't be any reason. After the way they finished 2002 the Giants certainly expect to have the league's most dangerous offense in 2003. They averaged 27 points in the 10 games with Fassel at the helm last season, including a 31-point average in the last six. No NFL team was better. And the Giants did that without receiver Ike Hilliard, who'll return from a shoulder injury this season. Barring a collapse on the right side of their offensive line (RG Jason Whittle and RT Mike Rosenthal left as free agents) and barring any injuries to the irreplacable trio of QB Kerry Collins, RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey, it's safe to expect more of the same.

Bush: Obviously Porter's role increased dramatically last year, partially because Gruden wasn't around to dog him. There is no reason to believe he will not increase in prominence as the Raiders prepare for life without Tim and Jerry, which will happen sooner rather than later. Whose balls will Porter be catching? Hard to say. Brown was a bigger factor early in the year the last two seasons and Rice came on later. Brown is probably going to suffer the most because Rice is more of a deep threat at this stage than he is. But Rich Gannon knows that an unhappy Brown is not a pleasant Brown, and he ultimately is in charge of who gets the ball.

Eckel: Rookie wide receiver Billy McMullen, the third-round pick from Virginia, will be given a chance to win the #3 spot in training camp. McMullen, 6’3½ ", 210, has the size and strength the Eagles’ other receiver's lack and should provide a big target for Donovan McNabb over the middle. McMullen's inexperience is his only drawback. But if he can learn Andy Reid's version of the West Coast Offense (he played a similar stye in college), he could win the job. If not, Antonio Freeman's cell phone is still on Reid's speed dial.

DiPaola: Steelers coach Bill Cowher has proven that he will do anything to win. He benched quarterback Kordell Stewart after three games in 2002, and Stewart was coming off a 2001 season where he was the team's MVP and third in the league MVP voting. The Steelers have not rushed to sign Maddox to a more lucrative contract, and they need to be shown that he can continue to lead the offense as efficiently as he did a yer ago. He has the confidence of Cowher and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey -- probably moreso than Stewart ever did. But the expectations are so high that Cowher will not hesitate to turn to Charlie Batch, if he believes it will help. A lot depends on training camp. It was there last year that Maddox so impressed the coaches that it was only a matter of time until he took Stewart's job. If Maddox falters at any time during the regular season, Batch could do the same thing this summer.

Trotter: My bet is LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the team in catches last season. The second-leading wideout likely will be Tim Dwight, who figures to go back to the #3 receiver spot, where he is extremely effective.

Maiocco: Jeff Garcia will certainly not miss the run-oriented offense that former coach Steve Mariucci preferred. At times the past couple seasons, Garcia had to bite his lip when asked about the emphasis on the offense. Erickson is known as an offensive innovator who likes to attack. Garcia isn't necessarily proficient at getting the ball down the field, but Erickson will use a variety of play-action pass to get one-on-one coverage down the field. Despite earning his third straight trip to the Pro Bowl last season, Garcia did not have a great season. He averaged just 6.3 yards per pass attempt. It's a certainty that he will be more productive – if he remains healthy -- this season.

Farnsworth: Mili was the starter last season because, originally, he had seniority and then Stevens got a high ankle sprain in the first - and only - game he did start. Mili took advantage of the situation to a franchise record for receptions by a tight end, but even he knows that it will be impossible to hold back the inevitable. Even when Stevens is the starter, however, Mili will continue to play a role in the passing game. The Seahawks do not have a proven #4 wide receiver to go with Koren Robinson, Darrell Jackson, and Bobby Engram. But it doesn't stop them from using a four-wide look with one or both of the tight ends on the field. They have flanked and slotted Mili and Stevens in those sets, and will continue to do so. It creates matchup problems for the defense because the Seahawks show two-tight end personnel in the huddle, only to with a four-wide alignment - with receivers who have bigger bodies to use in man coverage but also are adept at finding creases in zone coverage.

FantasyGuru.com Mag: Considering he's missed time three years in a row due to injury, fantasy players will want to know this summer who to draft on the Rams in the event that Marshall Faulk is out again this year. Who'll be the starter if Faulk is out, Lamar Gordon or Leon Johnson?

Balzer: Gordon would be the starter if Faulk’s forced to the sideline. Whether Gordon keeps the job depends on the ball security issues that affected him last season as a rookie. Gordon has good running and receiving ability, and caught the ball last season better than the Rams thought he would. But his fumbling was a problem that would not be accepted if he was playing a significant role in the offense. Leon Johnson doesn't bring the play-making ability to the table that Gordon can, but Johnson is steady and would be called upon if Gordon struggled.

Stroud: I think it was a preview of things to come, most likey. Pittman played a good portion of the 2002 season on a bad ankle. Performing the way he did when it meant the most (in the Super Bowl, his only 100-yard game) will give him confidence heading into the season plus he’ll have less pressure on him compared to last year, when he took over for a popular back in Warrick Dunn. I also think Jon Gruden will have a better grasp of what kind of plays he exels in. Last but not least, Pittman will be running behind a better line in 2003.

Kuharsky: As he struggled with his per carry average for the second year in a row, Eddie George became a more situational player in 2002. That trend will continue in 2003. While the Titans will keep him as the starter and not concede he's slipping, Jeff Fisher's said George's role will be different. Third-round draft pick Chris Brown from Colorado is a George-type with his upright style but more speed. Look for him and either Robert Holcombe or John Simon to get the ball in situations in which the Titans are hoping to pop a big run, something George rarely did even in his prime. Look for George, who will play less on third downs, to get a lot of carries in games when the plan is to control the clock by running a lot and to take handoffs in short-yardage and goal-line situations

Demasio: Canidate is the leading candidate among four unproven tailbacks vying to replace Stephen Davis. Ladell Betts, Kenny Watson and ostensibly kick returner Chad Morton are the others. Nonetheless, Canidate -- who has been practicing with the starters -- apparently, has the edge because of his breakaway speed. Just as with the St. Louis Rams, Coach Steve Spurrier’s offense is tailored for a tailback with super speed. By stretching the field with wideouts such as Laveranues Coles, Spurrier envisions Canidate parlaying short passes, screens and draws into big gains. Perhaps Betts has the best shot at challenging Canidate, but it’s largely because the Redskins won’t keep four tailbacks. Watson, who has proven to be a capable NFL tailback when given the opportunity, is probably the odd man out. If Canidate stays injury prone or doesn’t show good receiving skills, the Redskins won’t hesitate to make Betts the starter.

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