Air McNair hangs 'em up; Ocho Cinco goes
public with swap demands; The Broncos add Jackson & Parker; Leinart a
sleeping giant; Gates and McAllister injury updates; A look at how fast things
change in the NFL; and
more...
KEEPER
CORNER
Clark
Photos: Getty Images
ANYONE IN A keeper league knows there is
one constant in the NFL: changes. For a reminder of how
quickly things can turn upside down, here's a look at the
best fantasy players from 2007 and the best ones from just
two season earlier (2005)...
Quarterback
Best in 2005: Carson
Palmer, 32 TDs.
Best in 2007: Tom
Brady, 50 TDs.
Running back
Best in 2005: Shaun
Alexander, 27 TDs.
Best in 2007: LaDainian
Tomlinson, 15 TDs.
Wide receiver
Best in 2005: Steve Smith & Rodney
Harrison, 12 TDs
Best in 2007: Randy
Moss, 23 TDs.
Tight end
Best in 2005: Antonio
Gates, 10 TDs.
Best in 2007: Dallas
Clark, 11 TDs.
Defensive end
Best in 2005: Derrick
Burgess, 16 sacks.
Best in 2007: Jared
Allen, 15.5 sacks.
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STOCK Watch
AFTER A STORIED career, this week Steve
McNair (pictured, top) retired from the NFL. At 35, the classy QB told reporters
his body is just unable to keep performing at the level his mind wants
it to. The 2003 co-league MVP (along with Peyton
Manning), McNair led the Tennessee Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl
(where they lost to the St. Louis Rams). Ravens' new head coach John
Harbaugh told the Baltimore Sun the Ravens' QB job is now "wide
open." That means Kyle
Boller or Troy
Smith may be able to win the job. Meanwhile GM Ozzie Newsome
told the Sun that McNair's decision doesn't change their draft plans
"one iota." Even if the Ravens do go for a QB early on in the
draft, look for either Boller or Smith to be the guy in 2008. Both are
solid sleepers...
NOT TOO SURPRISINGLY, Bengals' wideout Chad
Johnson has finally come out and said it: he wants to be traded.
ESPN reports Johnson told them "I want to be traded before the
draft, and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as
possible." This development obviously increases the fantasy value
of holdover Bengal wideout T.J.
Houshmandzadeh. But it also boosts the value of newcomer Doug
Gabriel, presuming Johnson gets his wish. As for Johnson, it's
hard to see his value increasing anywhere else, since Carson
Palmer is an elite QB...
THE INKING THIS week of Darrell
Jackson by the Broncos can be seen in several ways. It can be
seen as a potential steal by them (since he's still only 29 years old
and has three 1,000-plus yard receiving years under his belt). And it
can also be seen as a big risk, since Jackson is injury-prone and was
awful in San Fran last season. Expect improved production from 2007, but
also remember that rising (but currently-injured) star Brandon
Marshall is also in the mix, as is Brandon
Stokley...
THE BRONCOS ALSO signed speed wideout Samie
Parker this week, so it's clear they are concerned about their
receiver group for the upcoming season. Marshall continues to heal up a
strange injury he incurred to his right arm this off-season when he fell
into a TV stand. With former top target Javon
Walker gone to Oakland and Marshall's arm needing some rehab
time, QB Jay
Cutler may have a committee to throw to early on in 2008.
SLEEPING Giant
Matt
Leinart, QB, Cardinals
Shoulder and collarbone injuries have kept the uber-talented Leinart
limited to just 17 total games over his first two seasons. But he was
the No.10 overall pick of the 2006 Draft for a reason: he's a very
talented signal-caller. While Kurt
Warner remains in Arizona to battle for the starting gig, if
Leinart can stay healthy he should start. And with stars such as Larry
Fitzgerald and Anquan
Boldin to throw to (as well as emerging sleeper tight end Leonard
Pope), Leinart has the potential to put up big number in 2008.
INJURY Update
THE SAN DIEGO
UNION-TRIBUNE REPORTS that star tight end Antonio
Gates may not be ready for the start of the NFL season due to
continuing rehab on his injured toe. Gates had foot surgery recently.
AFTER SURGERY ON BOTH HIS KNEES in late September (the left knee
for a torn ACL, the right for microfracture surgery after a 2005 torn
ACL), Saints RB Deuce
McAllister has reportedly re-negotiated his contract to stay
with the Saints. He is reportedly doing drills and running a bit, soi t
will be interesting to see if he returns as New Orleans' primary back
ahead of Reggie
Bush.
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TOP 5 Running
backs in 2007 by rushing TDs...
 1.
LaDainian
Tomlinson, Chargers (15)
T2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (12)
T2. Joseph
Addai, Colts (12)
4. Clinton
Portis, Broncos (11)
T5. Earnest
Graham, TB (10)
T5. Marion
Barber, Dal (10) -- left |
