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Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

Insights from the editors of Fantasy Source Football, your online fantasy authority. fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football

PLAY ACTION by CHRIS BAHR

Tiki Barber. Curtis Martin. Eric Moulds. Jerome Bettis. Warrick Dunn. These guys have been worth their weight in fantasy gold this season. Unfortunately, they also have caused plenty of owners to hurl obscenities at the TV.

Hooray for you if you stole Barber late in the third round, but it's tough to take if you used a high second-round pick on him in 2003 and swore him off in 2004.

So, what's the secret for the turnarounds, and what are the potential pitfalls?

Barber. Credit a better than advertised offensive line and a lack of fumble-itis. But with Mike Cloud and Ron Dayne available for goal-line carries and Jeremy Shockey healthy, Barber could lose some touchdowns. Still, he should approach double digits in TDs and 1,800 total yards.

Martin. The 1,308 rushing yards in 2003 were sweet; the two TDs weren't. It was reminiscent of Moonlight Graham crossing the chalk in Field of Dreams--maybe Martin didn't think he could go back. This year, Martin has seven TDs (one receiving) in five games. Eventually, the passing game will improve, and that could cut into Martin's production.

Moulds. A nagging groin injury limited Moulds to 13 games last season, and the Drew Bledsoe sack-fist didn't help matters. Moulds tripled last season's TD total (one) through Week 6. As long as Bledsoe stays remotely effective and healthy, Moulds will remain among the elite.

Bettis. He is averaging 1.7 yards per carry, yet he has scored seven times. Duce Staley is the man in Pittsburgh, but Bettis is tough to stop from a yard or two out. As Ben Roethlisberger develops, some of those touchdowns could go to receivers, but not many.

Dunn. Barring injury, Dunn will set a career high in touchdowns. (He needs just four more.) But caution lights are flashing. Staying healthy always has been a problem for Dunn, T.J. Duckett's role figures to increase, and Michael Vick could steal some scores once he sets himself straight.

M@IL BONDING

ROB HURTT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Is it worth retaining Onterrio Smith to see if he'll play much the rest of the season? Tim Sullivan, Fresno, Calif.

Tim: After Smith's performance in September, there should be no lingering doubts about his ability to start for Minnesota; he just needs the opportunity. The Vikings can't count on Michael Bennett because of his knee injury, and it's possible Smith will be the team's primary back when he returns from his suspension in Week 9. Even if Smith returns to the bench, a backup in a powerful offense can have as much value as a starter in a bad offense. Only owners in shallow leagues should consider dumping him.

To submit a question to our fantasy experts, click on Daily Mail at fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football.

TSN Games Tip of the week

Want an easy way to increase your roster value? Target players returning from an off-week. Fluctuations in player salaries in TSN's Ultimate Salary Cap Football are based on changes in demand. When a lot of owners add a player, his salary rises. Likewise, a player's price tag tumbles when he's among the top drops. Because owners want as many active players as possible, players get released during their off-weeks and take a corresponding hit in salary. Those guys' salaries usually rebound quickly, so owners can take advantage of the quirk. Receivers Andre Johnson and Hines Ward are top players to target after having Week 7 off.--R.H.

It's not too late to sign up for your team; go to: fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football.

STUDS, SLEEPERS & STUMBLERS

Week 7 calls from Fantasy Source experts Vinnie Iyer, Bill Marx
and Brendan Roberts:

          Expert    Stud                    Sleeper

QBs       Iyer      Steve McNair, Ten.      Jake Delhomme, Car.
          Marx      Peyton Manning, Ind.    Donovan McNabb, Phi.
          Roberts   Trent Green, K.C.       Jake Delhomme, Car.

RBs       Iyer      L. Tomlinson, S.D.      Eddie George, Dal.
          Marx      Tiki Barber, NYG        Ahman Green, G.B.
          Roberts   Shaun Alexander, Sea.   Amos Zereoue, Oak.

WRs       Iyer      Jimmy Smith, Jac.       Terry Glenn, Dal.
          Marx      Reggie Wayne, Ind.      Ashley Lelie, Den.
          Roberts   Marvin Harrison, Ind.   Johnnie Morton, K.C.

Defense   Iyer      Baltimore               Tampa Bay
          Marx      Baltimore               Oakland
          Roberts   Philadelphia            St. Louis

          Expert    Stumbler

QBs       Iyer      Drew Bledsoe, Buf.
          Marx      Joey Harrington, Det.
          Roberts   Jeff Garcia, Cle.

RBs       Iyer      Emmitt Smith, Ari.
          Marx      Artose Pinner, Det.
          Roberts   Travis Henry, Buf.

WRs       Iyer      Chad Johnson, Cin.
          Marx      Justin McCareins, NYJ
          Roberts   Chad Johnson, Cin.

Defense   Iyer      Cleveland
          Marx      Jacksonville
          Roberts   Jacksonville

Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

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