Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2002 by Jason Langendorf

Death, taxes--that's kid stuff. Here's what you can count on: trouble when the open dates start. After all, it's hard enough digging up a free agent who can help your fantasy squad, or figuring out the best matchups from week to week. Throw in the chaos caused by each team having an open week, and you have a conundrum that could flummox an MIT professor.

Take a premium position like running back, where big-time production is expected but the quality drops significantly after the top dozen or so backs.

To compound the problem, many of us went for insurance in the draft. If you took the brittle Fred Taylor, it made sense to snag his backup, Stacey Mack, too. But Mack won't play if Taylor is healthy and because both sit when the Jags don't play, you're knee deep in hooey for Jacksonville's off week, right?

Not if you're thrifty. Here are three running backs who could be productive despite being the No. 2 men on their respective teams.

T.J. Duckett, Falcons. He might not shine for a while (Atlanta is off this week, then faces the Bucs and Giants), but Duckett has shown he can be productive with limited touches. A key short-yardage stuffing of Warrick Dunn in Week 2 could force coach Dan Reeves' hand to play Duckett more.

Najeh Davenport, Packers. Starter Ahman Green's ailing knee could be a problem all season. Enter Davenport, a rookie fullback who can run, catch and block. Even if Green has a full and quick recovery, Davenport, who had 115 total yards in Week 3, figures to play a lot because of his versatility.

Moe Williams, Vikings. After getting no more than 65 carries in any of his six previous seasons, Williams broke out with 102 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against Buffalo. Michael Bennett has been a bust, so he'll at least have to share the job with Williams.

E-mail: jlangendorf@sportingnews.com

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FEARLESS FORECAST

New England at San Diego. Both teams feature sound big-play defenses and efficient ball-control offenses. This also is an old Big Ten duel between Drew Brees (Purdue) and Tom Brady (Michigan), two confident young quarterbacks with similar passing skills. San Diego is aggressive and presses for turnovers, which means it will go after Brady with blitzes. New England wants to stuff LaDainian Tomlinson and confuse Brees with several wrinkles in coverage. Last season in week 5, this matchup went to overtime with the Pats winning 29-26. Their superior depth at wide receiver and defensive back will help them squeak by again. Prediction: Patriots 24, Chargers 20.

Tennessee at Oakland. The Titans won at Oakland 13-10 in Week 15 last season when Sebastian Janikowski drew the boo birds by badly missing three field-goal attempts. But the hosts won't need to rely so much on his leg in the rematch. The Titans don't have all-world end Jevon Kearse (broken foot), so Rich Gannon should have plenty of time to pick apart their secondary. Prediction: Raiders 27, Titans 19.

Dallas at St. Louis. This is the Cowboys' first game against the Rams during the Kurt Warner-Marshall Faulk era, and it will be a rough introduction. Dallas just doesn't have enough pop to keep up on the scoreboard. It also lacks the power at linebacker to contain Faulk and the speed in the secondary to slow down the Rams' wide receivers. Prediction: Rams 34, Cowboy 16.--Vinnie Iyer

For in-depth analysis of every game, every week, subscribe to TSN's Ultimate Matchups at http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/matchups.> SCOUTING REPORT

BEN LEBER, SLB, CHARGERS

6-3, 244 Age: 23

STRENGTHS: Is versatile enough to play inside linebacker. Has excellent recognition skills and rarely gets caught out of position. Plays with outstanding technique. Has good closing speed to the quarterback, good strength and adequate size. Plays with leverage at the point of attack. Has a mean streak and plays with high intensity. Shows great work ethic and is relentless in pursuit. Does a good job of using hands to stand up blockers and move them aside quickly. Able to locate the ball quickly and takes good angles to the ball carrier.' Makes plays at the line of scrimmage rather than a few yards downfield. Young, but should improve with experience. Does a good job of jamming the tight end at the line.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal athletic ability, and his potential is somewhat limited. Does not look comfortable in space. Lacks ideal cover skills and doesn't seem able to cover the back on pass plays. Appears stiff at times and does not show the ability to open his hips and run with the receiver. Lacks the ability to change directions quickly. Doesn't make plays from sideline to sideline.

BOTTOM LINE: A third-round pick who is a much better football player than athlete. Has produced some early sacks but is unlikely to become a top-level playmaker. However, [Text unreadable in original source.] player and will be productive. He is an excellent complementary linebacker to Donnie Edwards in the middle and Junior Seau on the week side because Leber is able to hold his ground at the point of attack while the two veterans are suited to making plays in space. At this point, Leber is much better against the run that he is against the pass but shows some potential as a blitzer.--The War Room