1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
Season Stats: 238 carries, 869 yards (3.7 avg.), 9 TDs Sunday @ ARZ: 21-75-0
Last Week: 1
Stock: STEADYTomlinson didn’t score and collected ho-hum numbers facing an
Arizona run defense that ranks 25th in the league. The Chargers’ offensive
line has come back to Earth, and unfortunately for L.T., it is bringing him with it.
2. Kendrell Bell, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 2
Season Stats: 57 tackles (50 solo), 7 sacks Sunday @ TEN: 6 tackles
Stock: RISING
Maintained his status as one of the best rookies in the league with solid performance
at Tennessee. The Steelers allowed the Titans 81 rushing yards, mirroring similar previous
outings and solidifying themselves as one of the NFL’s best defenses.
3. Shaun Rogers, DT, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two blocked FGs, FF Sunday vs GB: 6
tackles
Last week: 3
Stock: STEADY
Was a non-factor as Green Bay collected 23 first downs and RB Ahman Green piled up 102
yards rushing. However, Rogers did occupy double teams regularly, allowing LB Chris
Claiborne and DE Tracey Scroggins to each sack Brett Favre.
4. Anthony Thomas, RB, Chicago Bears
Season Stats: 150 carries, 638 yards (4.3 avg.), 4 touchdowns Sunday @ MIN: DNP
(hamstring)
Last week: 4
Stock: FALLING
The Bears improved to 8-2 without Thomas, as RB James Allen topped the century mark.
Thomas should be ready Sunday, when he gets to face off against Shaun Rogers and the
Lions.
5. Chris Chambers, WR, Miami Dolphins
Season Stats: 28 catches, 569 yards (20.3 avg.), 4 TDs Sunday vs. NYJ: 5-101-2
Last week: 6
Stock: RISING
Two more big plays (22- and 32-yard scores, including the game-winner) and another
100-yard game. With all the talk about his potential in Miami, Chambers might be the best
Dolphins wideout now.
6. Anthony Henry, CB, Cleveland Browns
Season Stats: 7 interceptions Sunday vs CIN: 0 interceptions
Last week: NR
Stock: RISING
Tied for the AFC lead with seven interceptions, though he didn’t have any of the
five Browns picks Sunday. His agent should personally thank Ty Detmer.
7. Travis Henry, RB, Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: 168 carries, 565 yards (3.4 avg.), 3 TDs Sunday vs. SEA: 19-97-1
Last week: 9
Stock: RISING
Henry nearly topped 100 yards against Miami, a team that had bottled up Seattle’s
Shawn Alexander and the Jets’ Curtis Martin. He’s benefiting from the passing
success of backup QB Alex Van Pelt, who kept the safeties out of the box by hitting WR
Eric Moulds for a couple of big gainers Sunday.
8. Rod Gardner, WR, Washington Redskins
Season Stats: 31 catches, 507 yards (16.4 avg.), 3 touchdowns Sunday @ PHI: 4-33-0
Last week: 7
Stock: FALLING
Has eliminated drops and is improving as a blocker. Gardner is a second option right
now, but we can’t forget that 200-yard game in Week Six.
9. Kevin Barlow, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Season Stats: 79 carries, 350 yards (4.4 avg.), 2 TDs Sunday @ IND: 8-42-0
Last week: 9
Stock: STEADY
Suffered a dislocated shoulder vs. the Colts and is doubtful for this week’s game
vs. the Bills. The way RB Garrison Hearst is running (touchdowns of 28 and 43 yards),
Barlow may be waiting to be the featured back for some time.
10. Mike McMahon, QB, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 11-of-25-105-1 TD Thursday vs GB: 9-20-89-1 TD
Last week: NR
Stock: RISING
With Chris Weinke and Michael Vick struggling with many facets of the game, McMahon
could end the season as the best rookie quarterback. While I don’t expect that to
last for a career, you can’t overlook the way the Rutgers product rallied the troops
Thursday. With QB Charlie Batch hurting, we could see more of the same Sunday in Chicago.
Best of the rest
Adam Archuleta, S, Rams — Sat out Monday night with an ankle sprain a week
after he suffered a concussion.
Jose Cortez, PK, Niners — Great import could have great importance in
January.
Tommy Polley, LB, Rams — Fast and feisty, Polley needs to add Xs and Os.
Steve Smith, WR-KR, Panthers — Can be a field-possession weapon for years
to come.
Todd Heap, TE, Ravens — Kept drives alive Sunday, which kept things going
for Baltimore.
David Terrell, WR, Bears — Chicago would like to get Terrell more involved
and started doing so last week in Minnesota. Terrell has All-Pro potential, size and
speed.
Alge Crumpler, TE, Falcons — Wants to be part of the game plan — he
may deserve more looks.
Chris Weinke, QB, Panthers — Weinke looked better Sunday vs. Atlanta, but
he still needs a ground game to be legit.
Michael Vick, QB, Falcons — As long as Atlanta wins, Vick sits …
unless (or until) Chris Chandler falls.
Andre Carter, DE, Niners — Missed last week with an injury.
Jamie Winborn, LBs, Niners — A part-time starter already, Winborn, Julian
Peterson, Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich will be the best LB corps in the league by the end
of next season.
Justin Smith, DE, Bengals — Speed to burn, needs to learn.
Santana Moss, WR, Jets
Koren Robinson, WR, Seahawks
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
Snoop Minnis, WR, Chiefs
Plenty of teams thought highly of the 2001 WR draft class. It will be two years before
we find out how good it really is. |
