| If anything has changed about fantasy football, it is that
the game is lacking consistent point scorers. In the past you could count on at least a
few players to provide a lot of points on a week-to-week basis. Players such as Terrell
Davis made the game really easy to win. Play Davis, have him score a bunch of points,
win your game. It was a simple, basic formula that was rarely shown to have flaws.
With Davis hobbled by a season injury and other stalwarts like Jamal Anderson
gone as well, the persistent point scorers are few and far between.
At the ever-critical RB position, only one player has emerged as a truly consistent
force – Washington’s Stephen Davis. His breakout season was admittedly a
surprise, but his consistent production can no longer be written off as a fluke.
Beyond that, you’d be hard-pressed to come up with running backs who are going to
score on a week-to-week basis.
The unit as a whole was bolstered by the dynamic return of Jacksonville’s Fred
Taylor. Taylor exploded for a big effort in little over half of the game. If he
remains healthy, Taylor is another player who will be a consistent force the rest of the
way. Ignore the fact the Taylor put up Sunday’s gaudy numbers against the horrid run
defense of the Bengals. Taylor is for real.
But what is one to do when he is without the services of one of the few elite backs in
the NFL?
Concentrate on second-tier running backs, and there are quite a few of them on whom you
should concentrate your focus. You might not get points from them every week, but if you
have enough of them, they should be able to piece together solid running-game production
for you.
Edgerrin James of Indianapolis might not always put up huge yardage numbers, but
he seems to have a knack for getting to the endzone. Indianapolis is devoted to running
the football despite the huge numbers the combo of Marvin Harrison and Peyton
Manning is posting. James will be a solid scorer down the stretch.
Tennessee’s Eddie George is running as well as he ever has. Compounded by
the fact that the Titans have played numerous close football games, George will never get
abandoned in the Tennessee offensive attack.
New Orleans’ Ricky Williams is finally showing the potential that was
expected of him. If he can survive a brutal workload (40 carries on Sunday), he should put
up very solid numbers from here on out.
Take a long look at Denver’s Olandis Gary, Detroit’s Sedrick Irvin
and Philadelphia’s Duce Staley. They might not play for the best teams, but
they somehow have managed to develop into fairly solid lower-tier scoring threats.
The quest here is to line up as many options as you can. It used to be really easy to
put all of your RB eggs in one basket, but doing that now simply won’t net you the
same results as in the past.
Around the league
- The Oakland offense is just not very creative right now. This is good for Tim Brown
owners, and very bad if you own anyone else on the Raider roster. QB Rich Gannon
seemed to direct nearly every throw to Brown Sunday, as he had at least 15 passes thrown
his way. If you have Brown, play him. If you are considering trading for him, up the
stakes to get him. On the flip side, don’t expect as much from some other Oakland
performers.
- If you need a wideout, take a look at Chicago’s Marcus Robinson. He put
together a huge outing Sunday and seems to have quickly developed into rookie QB Cade
McNown’s favorite target. If McNown becomes the starter, Robinson could make a
start in your lineup worthwhile.
- Trying to find a running back? Stake a claim on Giants RB Tiki Barber. Current
starter LeShon Johnson is frail and apt to be hurt with a regular pounding, and
with Gary Brown and Joe Montgomery injured, Barber is one of the last
options the Giants have.
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