Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001

Picking All-Pros for a combo league

Andy Hanacek gives his take on which fantasy players have been at the top of their class this year.

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Quarterback:

While Rams QB Kurt Warner leads the world in fantasy points through this scoring system, I can’t choose him because he’s had two really poor games, in which he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Packers QB Brett Favre has been consistent and has thrown as many TD passes as Warner and three fewer picks, but his yardage totals aren’t on par with Warner’s. Saints QB Aaron Brooks looks like a safe pick here, but I have him on one of my teams, and I know how down the first half of his season was and how he only recently has gotten hot. Colts QB Peyton Manning’s 21 interceptions keep him out of the running. That leaves the Bay Area quarterbacks, Rich Gannon and Jeff Garcia, to duke it out. While Gannon has thrown five fewer picks than Garcia, he’s not been as consistent with the TD passes. Garcia has thrown a TD pass in every game this year but one, and Garcia has two TD rushes more than Gannon.

Hanacek’s pick: Jeff Garcia

Running backs:

Well, one is a no-brainer. Even though he missed two games in the middle of the year (much to my chagrin, since he was on my PFW fantasy team), Marshall Faulk gets the nod as the first starter, without question. The second starting spot is a bit tougher. While Dick Vermeil’s latest version of Faulk, Chiefs RB Priest Holmes, has the slight edge in the PFW scoring system because of his yards, he’s the epitome of a boom-or-bust guy. Holmes has not rushed for between 85 and 120 yards in a game this year — he’s either rushed for more than 120 yards or less than 85. Packers RB Ahman Green has been more consistent in his production, but he has fewer touchdowns than Holmes. That leaves me to choose between Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander and Jets RB Curtis Martin. I’m inclined to go with Martin, even though he has five fewer overall scores than Alexander. Martin has a 200-yard-plus lead over Alexander in the yardage category and has been far more consistent. While his inconsistency is not really Alexander’s fault, as he’s been in and out of the lineup, his fantasy value to me is severely damaged because of it. Martin has not yet rushed for less than 58 yards in a game this year with two games to play.

Hanacek’s picks: Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin

Wide receivers:

This set of starters is the easiest of all. There’s no question that Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens deserve the starting nods here. I don’t even have to explain myself. They hold a 20-point lead over the third-best wideout.

Hanacek’s picks: Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens

Tight ends

May I just say that this isn’t Major League Baseball’s All-Star voting, where the traditional favorites always get in. Let me follow that up by saying that Marcus Pollard gets my vote here over the traditional, but deserving pick, Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez has scored four fewer touchdowns than Pollard, but has far more yards. But consider that Pollard has two 100-yard games compared to Gonzalez’s one and that Pollard is battling much better teammates for catches and touchdowns.

Hanacek’s pick: Marcus Pollard

Kicker:

Leading points man, Steelers PK Kris Brown, is out right off the bat for his 14 FG misses and two extra point misses. Broncos PK Jason Elam and Rams PK Jeff Wilkins are the traditional favorites here, and they’ve done a great job. But extra points drive up Wilkins’ point totals, as usual. As a fantasy owner, I don’t like to see that. Saints PK John Carney is intriguing for his fantastic first half of the year, but he’s somewhat tailed off down the stretch as the Saints’ offense has awakened and taken away FG opportunities. Elam has hit 12 field goals from 40 and beyond — massive bonus points — which makes him the All-Pro in my book.

Hanacek’s pick: Jason Elam

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