Ultimate fantasy source: football

Sporting News, The, August 4, 2003

PLAY ACTION

by JASON LANGENDORF

You'd think based on sheer girth, offensive linemen could at least earn themselves a Q rating up there with, say, beefy American Idol star Ruben Studdard.

Even if linemen don't show up in a box score, they affect the players who do. A quick preview of some of the league's offensive lines (from best to worst):

1. High on the Hogs

Rams. The trade for Kyle Turley gives St. Louis a pair of unmatched bookend blockers (along with Orlando Pace) to go with new center Dave Wohlabaugh and old guard Adam Timmerman, one of the league's best. The changes are huge for a team that must protect Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk.

Others: Cardinals, Chiefs, Saints.

2. Movers and (rump) shakers

Cowboys. Dallas linemen were overweight, injury-prone and ineffective last year, so a shakeup was needed. A healthy Larry Allen and the addition of free-agent pickup Ryan Young and draft pick Al Johnson could help this unit turn Chad Hutchinson and Troy Hambrick into viable fantasy options.

Others: Jets, Seahawks, Steelers.

3. Block or bust

Panthers. Tackle Todd Steussie and guard Kevin Donnalley would be considered brand-name linemen--if it were 1998. But it isn't, and center Jeff Mitchell is Carolina's only experienced starter still in his prime. Stephen Davis won't succeed if this line doesn't push piles.

Others: Browns, Buccaneers, Patriots.

4. Bellyflops

Texans. Tackles Tony Boselli and Young are gone. Chester Pitts and Zach Wiegert, a pair of decent guards, will make poor tackles. Inexperience abounds.

Others: Chargers, Jaguars, Titans.

M@IL BONDING

JASON LANGENDORF ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

After reading a recent article about age and running backs, I'd like you to rank four backs for a keeper league: Priest Holmes, Ahman Green, Fred Taylor and Jamal Lewis.--Jeff Waugh, Cincinnati

Jeff: The easy answer? Lewis, Holmes, Green, Taylor. Funny to think that Lewis, whose history of knee injuries is near legend among orthopedic surgeons, is tops on this list. But he's still young (he turns 24 on August 29) and bounced back last season, showing he was durable by carrying the ball 308 times for 1,327 yards. Holmes, 29, the most prolific of the four, says his hip is OK, but we'll have to see. Green, 26, is excellent when healthy, but the Packers are freaked out by his knee troubles and have added backs as an insurance policy. Taylor, 27, knows his way around a trainer's room. He's talented, but last year was his first full season, and the Jaguars' offense is swooning.

New Homes Players on the move

* Peerless Price left a good situation in Buffalo. The Falcons won't throw the ball 40 times a game like the Bills did, but Price no longer has to share his touches with Eric Moulds. Price's numbers will take a slight dip from his 2002 totals (94 catches, 1,252 yards, nine touchdowns), but he's still a No. 1 fantasy receiver.

* Getting out of Arizona will help Jake Plummer. After putting up with inexperienced receivers, he now has a talented group of wideouts in Denver headed by Rod Smith and rising talent Ashley Lelie. Unless he corrects his poor decision-making, though, Plummer won't be anything more than a fantasy backup.

* Trung Canidate's fumbling problems kept him from panning out in St. Louis, so the Rams didn't mind coughing up the speedster. Steve Spurrier thinks Canidate is a good fit for his offense in Washington. If Canidate proves to be the man for the starting job, he'll be a decent second starter for fantasy owners.--Rob Hurtt

SPECIAL TEAMS
RANKINGS

 1   Buccaneers
 2   Panthers
 3   Steelers
 4   Eagles
 5   Dolphins
 6   Falcons
 7   Raiders
 8   Packers
 9   Ravens
10   Titans
11   Jaguars
12   Cowboys
13   Bears
14   Redskins
15   Patriots
16   Giants
17   Bills
18   Jets
19   49ers
20   Saints
21   Rams
22   Colts
23   Broncos
24   Texans
25   Chargers
26   Browns
27   Chiefs
28   Seahawks
29   Vikings
30   Bengals
31   Lions
32   Cardinals