Alexander admitted this past week that his left foot, which sidelined him for much of 2006, may still have a crack in it

Alexander the Break? Will Smith's big deal de-motivate him? McNair's DUI; Some top possession targets; And should you draft a kicker? 

 STOCK Watch 

THE QUESTIONS IS on every lip: Is Shaun Alexander's left foot still broken? According to several reports, the former league rushing champ admitted  this week that his left foot, which sidelined him for much of last season, may still have a crack in it. Alexander (picture, top) also said that right now, he doesn't want to know if the foot is still broken, preferring instead to finish current mini-camp activities and wait before getting another X-ray. Not a great sign for the superstar, or for his potential fantasy owners.

DO BIG CONTRACT de-motivate star players? Sometimes a big payday does indeed affect a player's effort on the field, so keep an eye on Steve Smith this summer. A perennial challenger for the NFL's receiving yardage title, Smith recently signed a big contract extension that will keep him with the Panthers through 2012. In his prime at 27, Smith is coming off his third 1,000-plus yard season in the past four years, and has averaged nine touchdowns over those three.

SOMETIMES, A PLAYER'S career can nosedive in the span of just one season, and that may have happened to Kevan Barlow. The former starter with the 49ers had mixed success as a goal-line type for the Jets last season, after Frank Gore ousted him from San Fran's starting job early on. Now Barlow has resurfaced with the Steelers on a one-year deal. Look for him to try to reprise the goal-line role that once belonged to Jerome Bettis, especially since Willie Parker is already the featured guy in Pittsburgh.

HE WASN'T DRAFTED, but Darius Walker might be someone to keep an eye on in 2007. As Notre Dame's featured back the past two years, Walker was very productive and many expected him to be selected in the Draft at the end of April. It didn't happen, but this week the Texans picked him up. He is a very well-rounded back and with Ahman Green no gurantee to stay healthy, Walker could be a factor in the mix for Houston along with Ron Dayne and Wali Lundy.


 SLEEPING Giant 

Hank Baskett, WR, Eagles 
Now that Donte' Stallworth is a Patriot, who becomes Eagles QB Donovan McNabb's top target? Well, featured back Brian Westbrook is a favorite of McNabb's, and the obvious choice might be Reggie Brown. But also keep an eye on Baskett. Despite never being drafted, he was dominant at times as a rookie in 2006. He finished ahead of the more-established Greg Lewis in receiving yards (with 464) and had two monster games (one of 112 yards and a score, and a 177-yard, one-TD day in the regular season finale). His size and leaping ability are special, and Baskett has the talent and work ethic to emerge as Philly's top target in 2007...


 FANTASY 101: Drafting a kicker? 

IT MIGHT SEEM crazy to avoid a whole position in a fantasy draft... but should you take a pass on kickers? In most fantasy leagues, owners often use two draft picks on place-kickers. But would it be wiser to just pass on the position until the last round, and instead use picks for sleepers and depth?

The answer is: definitely. There are only about 3-to-4 kickers worth rostering year round. It's worth noting that the most productive (Chiacgo's Robbie Gould) wasn't that much more productive than the guy right in the middle of the pack (Giant Jay Feeley). Feeley scored 107 on-field points to Gould's 143, and Feeley also led the league in points in 2005 (with 148). In other words, consider a kicker's team offense as much as the kicker himself (since productive teammates will lead kicks), and know that you can probably find a good starter off the wire most weeks of the fantasy season.

 

TOP 5    Possession or No. 2 receivers for 2007... 1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals 2. Terrell Owens, Cowboys 3. Hines Ward, Steelers (left) 4. Drew Bennett, Rams                                                      5. Marques Colston, Saints