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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004 by Vinnie Iyer

PLAY ACTION by VINNIE IYER

So, after eight weeks, you're undefeated or have lost just one game because all your studs had the same off-week. You might even have developed a swagger that's annoying your friends. Before you rest on your laurels, however, remember what Alec Baldwin said in Glengarry Glen Ross: "Coffee is for closers."

Fantasy football front-runners can't sip from their victory espresso until Week 17. That's still nine weeks away, and your strong start means nothing without a strong finish.

To "always be closing" you need to take a few steps to stay ahead of your competition:

1. Back up your running backs. If you have two stud backs whom you plan to start every week after the off-weeks end following Week 10, simplify your bench by dumping dead weight and signing top reserves. If you have Ahman Green and Curtis Martin, the only other two backs you really need are Najeh Davenport and LaMont Jordan.

2. Line up your quarterbacks. This is for the majority of teams that don't have Daunte Culpepper, Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb. Go through the rest of the NFL schedule and see what matchups your quarterbacks have remaining. If your designated No. 1 has an off-week one of the next two weeks and your No. 2 has a brutal road test, you might consider getting insurance.

3. Don't wait for wounded wideouts. If you don't think Deion Branch or Joey Galloway suddenly will get back to full speed and spark your team, forget about keeping him. Instead, stick with your healthy pass catchers as starters and create roster room for useable depth.

4. Don't forget kickers and defenses. If you don't have a reliable outdoor kicker (Ryan Longwell) or an indoor boomer (Mike Vanderjagt), you might want to add a kicker who has several games in warm climates or domes. Don't get stuck with only one defense, either. Have options so you can take advantage of matchups.

M@IL BONDING

ROB HURTT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Will Michael Bennett be any help, or should I drop him and keep Onterrio Smith and Mewelde Moore?

Kelly Price, Dillon, S.C.

Kelly: Concerning his backfield, coach Mike Tice said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Moore has performed well since Smith's suspension, which ends after Week 8. Tice also said he learned from 2003, when the Vikings lost three games as they tried to work Bennett back into the lineup. Tice doesn't want to lose the rhythm the offense has discovered. Bennett is worth keeping because the situation can change, but I would prefer to have Moore and Smith, in that order.

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

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GRIDIRON GURUS

                   George Winkler           Rob Hurtt
                    Senior Editor       Associate Editor

Biggest first      Curtis Martin,         Tiki Barber,
half surprise           Jets                 Giants
Biggest first       Santana Moss,         Steve McNair,
  half flop             Jets                 Titans
Will fizzle in      Warrick Dunn,        Curtis Martin,
 second half           Falcons                Jets
 Will rebound      Carson Palmer,         Ahman Green,
in second half         Bengals               Packers
 Second half       Anquan Boldin,       Reuben Droughns,
   sleeper            Cardinals              Broncos
 Stretch run          Feed off         Start preparing for
     tip          defensive trends.     playoff matchups.

                    Roger Kuznia
                  Associate Editor

Biggest first     Reuben Droughns,
half surprise          Broncos
Biggest first     Laveranues Coles,
  half flop           Redskins
Will fizzle in      Emmitt Smith,
 second half          Cardinals
 Will rebound     Matt Hasselbeck,
in second half        Seahawks
 Second half         David Carr,
   sleeper             Texans
 Stretch run        Always look to
     tip          upgrade your roster.

Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004 by Vinnie Iyer

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