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Sporting News, The, Jan 20, 2006 by George Winkler

Keeper leagues provide fantasy owners the opportunity to manage a team year-round. In the most common keeper league setups, an owner is allowed to retain one to three players from the previous season's roster, usually sacrificing a draft pick that corresponds to the player's value. For example, keeping LaDainian Tomlinson would mean giving up a first-round pick in the 2006 draft.

Building a successful team in a keeper league requires owners to consider not only whether a player can help immediately but whether he can produce in seasons to come. If you haven't played in a keeper league, it's a fun challenge to undertake. If you're in one, a few simple strategies--and the verdicts in Judgment Call--will help you make tough decisions this offseason.

Lean on backs. Just as in the early rounds of a standard fantasy draft, running backs are at a premium in keeper leagues. The drop in scoring output from the top players to the next tier is more drastic among running backs than at any other position, which puts elite backs a cut above all other keeper options. Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson and Edgerrin James are among the backs who make it worth giving up anything else to keep them.

Serve youth. Because you're playing to win in the future as well as this year, it's important to give weight to younger players when ranking keeper candidates. Tiki Barber would be a slam-dunk pick over Cadillac Williams in a nonkeeper league. But with Barber turning 31 in April and Williams entering his second season, Williams is likely to get the nod in keeper leagues.

Stay off the fringe. Stick to keeping running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers. With the exception of Antonio Gates, there isn't a tight end whose numbers distinguish him from the pack. Meanwhile, the values of kickers and defenses fluctuate from year to year, so don't be the bonehead who decides to break new ground by keeping one of those.

JUDGMENT CALL

On the docket: Eli Manning vs. Michael Vick.

Arguments: Manning plays with Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey; Vick's athleticism is intriguing.

Verdict: Manning. Yes, Manning had only four touchdown passes in his final five regular-season games, but he'll improve with the talent around him. Vick is too inconsistent and injury-prone.

On the docket: Cadillac Williams vs. Ronnie Brown.

Arguments: Williams is Tampa Bay's top back, and Brown figures to be Miami's lone threat if it trades Ricky Williams.

Verdict: Williams. Brown still is unproven because of the Dolphins' time-share system. Williams already has proved himself.

On the docket: Steve Smith vs. Chad Johnson.

Arguments: Smith was the top fantasy receiver in 2005, and Johnson provided stellar stats for the third straight season.

Verdict: Smith. The Bengals have overpowering strength on offense, but Smith's breakout season was no fluke. He is slightly better than C.J.--Roger Kuznia

5 IN YOUR FACE

1. If you want to look deceptively skinny, get fat friends. If you want to look deceptively talented, replace Kyle Orton as the starting quarterback.

2. HBO and the Ravens hooked up a few years ago. Now, Cinemax has contacted the Texans because they lie down more eagerly than the stars of the cable network's After Dark programming.

3. Don't wave goodbye to Doug Flutie yet. Bill Parcells might sign the drop-kicker next season after he cuts Billy Cundiff for the seventh time.

4. Now that he has a cell phone, Maurice Clarett is set for his Joe Horn-like end zone celebration--in the prisoners-vs.-guards matchup, that is.

5. Willis McGahee, the self-proclaimed best back in football, won't get near the Pro Bowl without a ticket. Don't worry, though; Mike Tice probably has one for sale.--Chris Bahr