Take a ride with the Gravy Train Trade

JOE LEVIT Trading Places Surprisingly, Brandon Stokley, not Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne, leads the Colts in receiving yards. AP

Since the 1930s, anyone who's taken advantage of an occupation or separate source of income that calls for little exertion, but yields significant dividends, is said to be riding the Gravy Train. A few NFL teams sport offenses that are chugging along at a furious pace this year, and one way to get some very productive fantasy players for a price that may not be commensurate with their production is to search out guys who are the supporting offensive skill position players beneath the marquee names in high-scoring offenses. A terrific example is Brandon Stokley, the third receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.

As everyone knows, Peyton Manning is playing his offense like a master guitarist strumming the strings in a perfect way. Stokley is a big beneficiary. He has nearly 900 yards and nine touchdowns, the kind of production you would expect from a top fantasy wide receiver. Anyone who grabbed him off the waiver wire early as a third fantasy receiver has enjoyed big production from the position.

To consummate a gravy train trade, offer someone with a big name but not performing at his previous level. Take Hines Ward, for example. Now that Plaxico Burress is out, some owners might be thinking that Ward will finally bust out in 2004. You could make a Gravy Train Trade for Stokley in exchange for Ward. This is a good move this year, as Stokley has proven capable of getting open on play-action passes for scores, while Ward has been hampered all year by a great running game that gets a lot of the Pittsburgh scores.

The following offenses are able to score point in bunches. See if you can grab the Gravy players now and enjoy their inflated success the rest of the year. "All Aboard!"

Indianapolis Colts
Fantasy Engine: Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison

This team is unbelievably stacked on offense. Three Colts wideouts are set to go over 1,000 yards this year, and score touchdowns in the double digits. That is unheard-of production. When Dan Marino passed for a league-record 5,084 yards in 1984, both Mark Clayton and Mark "Super" Duper logged over 1,300 yards, but the next closest receiver was running back Tony Nathan, with 579 yards. And Clayton was a touchdown hog, registering 18.

The Gravy:
Reggie Wayne: Wayne has five more yards and only two fewer touchdowns than Marvin Harrison at this point in the year. He is a star receiver in his own right.

Brandon Stokley: Stokley leads all Colts receivers with 882 yards.

Marcus Pollard: Pollard has six scores already.

Dallas Clark: Clark has caught five touchdown passes and can explode for big games.

Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy Engine: Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is being pushed by a new gang of tight ends and Priest Holmes is hurt, but both have been huge for their respective fantasy teams again this season. Unlike last year, the Chiefs have been unable to win all of the shootouts their poor defense creates.

The Gravy:
Johnnie Morton: 750 yards is not a bad total.

Eddie Kennison: Kennison has more yards and four scores.

Larry Johnson: His 100-yard, two-touchdown day serves notice that ANY back who runs behind the Kansas City line will be worth acquiring, either via the waiver wire or trade.

San Diego Chargers
Fantasy Engine: LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates

The Chargers have been unstoppable for a while now. They had a close division game against Denver, but have been posting high points every other week. With a healthier Tomlinson forcing defenses to return their focus to him, look for some passing scores to Keenan McCardell.

The Gravy:
Drew Brees: Brees has been very efficient with the ball, throwing 21 touchdowns to only four interceptions, maximizing his output.

Keenan McCardell: Now is great time to make a move for McCardell, who has been quiet behind Gates and Tomlinson the past two weeks.

Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy Engine: Daunte Culpepper, a healthy Randy Moss

The Vikings were on a tear early in the year before Randy Moss and Mewelde Moore were hurt. Moss is clearly still bothered by a hamstring injury, but the Vikings have switched to Onterrio Smith as the primary ball carrier. Moore's receiving skills helped move the chains, and while the team is still a threat, they aren't perfectly potent right now.

The Gravy:
Marcus Robinson: After a huge first half, Robinson has slowed down, but he is still a threat to have a big game.

Nate Burleson: Burleson is the receiver who emerged while Moss was out.

Jermaine Wiggins: Wiggins is scoring well every game, with yards or scores.

Onterrio Smith: Smith runs hard but loses carries when the Vikings try to play catch up.

Green Bay Packers
Fantasy Engine: Brett Favre, Ahman Green

The Packers were parceling out whippings for six weeks until the Eagles stomped them last weekend. That won't stop the Pack against other teams, though. Favre has found the road a bit easier this year as his receivers have improved.

The Gravy:
Javon Walker: No matter the game, he seems to sneak in a score. Last week while getting pounded by the Eagles, he still caught a touchdown from backup Craig Nall in the fourth quarter.

Donald Driver: Driver is a great fantasy wideout this season, scoring six times and gaining 837 yards receiving.

Najeh Davenport: If Green is out, Davenport can be spectacular as long as he doesn't get nicked up.

Joe Levit, based in Boston, writes fantasy football columns for SI.com, thehuddle.com, and fantasysportsjunkies.com. He has published articles in Grogan's, Fantasy Index, Fantasy Sports and Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazines. He is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Fantasy Sports Writers of America, and a devoted Detroit Lions fan who can be reached at joelevit_writer@yahoo.com.