|
|
 |
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE | |
Fantasy File Rookies take time to develop
Updated: Friday November 02, 2001 6:52 PM
By James Quintong, CNNSI.com If you picked up LaDainian Tomlinson in your draft, you're definitely sitting pretty, despite his recent -- and not surprising -- downturn. If you went with Michael Bennett, you're still probably looking around for help. And so it goes with rookies, the most overrated crop of players in the fantasy football world. In a game that expects instant rewards, it can be aggravating to see your rookies riding pine while lesser lights take the field. It gets even worse when you need these players to start on your team because of injuries, bye weeks or bad luck. However, if you've ridden out the storm with these players, you've lucked out (or will soon). Sometimes it just takes time. Remember that Jamal Lewis did very little for the first month of the season before becoming a fantasy powerhouse for the Ravens last year. Anthony Thomas, RB, Bears: Part of the reason for the Bears' recent success has been the play of the A-Train, a very accomplished back in college, and the team's second-round draft pick. He definitely had a lot more upside than James Allen, one of the least impressive 1,000-yard gainers in NFL history. It took a few weeks for Thomas to shake off a preseason knee injury, but he's now the No. 1 guy and he could help lead the resurgent Bears back to the playoffs. David Terrell, WR, Bears: The Bears' first-round pick, and Thomas' teammate at Michigan, is also making waves, scoring a pair of touchdowns against the 49ers on Sunday. With Marcus Robinson done for the year with a knee injury, Terrell will be called upon more in the offense. He's risen to the occasion nicely so far. Rod Gardner, WR, Redskins: Many people took notice of this first-rounder after his 200-yard game against the Panthers in Week 6, and he followed it up with a score against the Giants last week. Washington has talent on the team; it's just a matter of utilizing it. Michael Westbrook still hasn't come across as a go-to guy, despite a nice game last week, so Gardner is more than ready to pick up the slack. Travis Henry, RB, Bills: One of the sleeper picks coming into this season, Henry has the potential to be a breakout back in this league if he had any blocking. He torched the Jets a couple of weeks ago, and still found the end zone last week against the Chargers despite struggling most of the game. He seems to due for another big game - the Colts game this week could be the one. One thing to remember is that receivers usually take a little time to develop because of the intricacies of the NFL passing game. Randy Moss-like efforts are rare, to be sure. Some of last year's top rookie wideouts are only now starting to make an impact, like Laveranues Coles and Plaxico Burress (based on that one Monday night game).
Monday's BestJerome Bettis, RB, Steelers (19 carries, 62 yards, 2 TDs): After rolling up tons of yards week after week without scoring, the Bus has one of his lesser days of the year and still comes out ahead with a pair of scores. He gets the nod over Plaxico Burress, who finally had a big game but misses this list because he didn't get a score. Pittsburgh's passing game looked pretty sharp Monday night, but don't expect that to last. However, the Titans' poor effort stopping the woeful Steelers' passing game must make the Jaguars drool for their matchup Sunday.
Monday's WorstEddie George, RB, Titans (10 carries, 13 yards; 2 catches, 14 yards): He still hasn't found his groove, plus he injured his knee during the game. His status for this week is up in the air, but if you've got other options this week, go a head and use them, or else compete with everyone for Skip Hicks or Mike Green.
Bye week watchIt may not have the same significance as it did at the start of the season, but for some reason, both the Rams and Vikings are off this week, not to mention the resurgent Bengals. Thus, there will be lots of top fantasy players taking the week off. Both Kurt Warner and Daunte Culpepper take a rest among the quarterback crew. Lots of receivers will be sitting out, including St. Louis' Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Az Hakim; the Vikings' so-far disappointing tandem of Cris Carter and Randy Moss; and unpredictable Cincinnati receivers Peter Warrick and Darnay Scott. In the running game, Marshall Faulk gets another week to heal his ailing knee; he should be ready to go after the bye, although Trung Canidate is still a decent play if you need a back down the stretch. Corey Dillon will sit after a huge game against the Lions. And with the Vikings, well, we already mentioned their most dangerous runner -- Daunte Culpepper.
Injury watchLuckily for fantasy owners this week, there is no Thursday game to deal with, and you'll have all week to cut through all the coachspeak as to whether players will actually suit up and take the field. Last week was one of the worst in the "will he or won't he play" roster quandaries with Terry Allen, Elvis Grbac, Warrick Dunn and James Stewart all put on the inactive list very late in the week. With regards to those players, Dunn looks to be ready to go this week after the Bucs held him out to give him extra time to heal nagging injuries. Grbac will start over Randall Cunningham if he's healthy while Allen and Stewart aren't good bets to start again this week. Cam Cleeland, TE, Saints: The talented but oft-injured tight end left Sunday's game against the Rams early after rolling his ankle. He was wearing a protective boot Monday, so his chances of playing against the Jets on Sunday aren't looking good. Edgerrin James, RB, Colts: The team isn't sure if he'll be able to go this week against the Bills after spraining his knee last week against the Chiefs. The extra days off probably helped his cause, but Dominic Rhodes saw most of the practice time on Monday. Keyshawn Johnson, WR, Buccaneers: His knee injury appears to be only a bone bruise and he should be good to go next week for the Bucs' critical matchup against Green Bay. Obviously his condition is worth watching during the week, but it's not as dire as it might have looked when he left the game early on Sunday. Jim Miller, QB, Bears: Shane Matthews did well in the second half of the Bears' phenomenal comeback against the 49ers, but Miller will be under center if he's fit to play. Either quarterback looks to be a good but not great fantasy pickup as Chicago will likely rely on Anthony Thomas to carry the offense, although youngsters like Marty Booker and David Terrell will have their share of catches down the stretch. Michael Pittman, RB, Cardinals: The concussion he suffered against the Cowboys on Sunday could keep him out against the Eagles this week. You probably will have to look at Thomas Jones or some other options for this week. Emmitt Smith, RB, Cowboys: He also appears ready to go for next week after a knee injury knocked him out of the final minutes of the Cowboys' win on Sunday. Smith is getting his share of abuse this year, primarily because there isn't much else in the Dallas offense. James Quintong is Fantasy Sports producer at CNNSI.com.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
