Welcome to the Gridiron Guru, where we'll answer all of your Fantasy Football questions and give you the advice you'll need to have a successful draft. We invite you to send your questions, comments and scouting reports on players to: gridguru@commissioner.com. Please include your full name, city and state. You'll have the chance to be heard by thousands of Fantasy players just like yourself!
Terrence Tap, College Station, Texas: I drafted Curtis Martin before Stephen Davis. Sure, this seems like the logical, safe pick, but I think Davis will not be ignored in Steve Spurrier's passing game. In fact, I believe he'll return to his elite status of 1999 when he no longer sees eight-man fronts because of a more spread out offense. Nevertheless, I need some expert advice if I'm to offer Martin for Davis. Can Davis return to being an elite Fantasy tailback?
G.G.: You made the right move by picking Martin over Davis, and there is no reason to make a trade. Spurrier's offense will spread opposing defenses, but you're assuming that his system will be successful enough to keep Davis from seeing eight-man fronts. If the passing game falters, defenses will blitz relentlessly and disrupt any chance for Davis to be return to elite status. Don't base your decision on a few good preseason outings from Washington's passing game -- none of the team's quarterbacks has ever been productive at the professional level. You've got a sure thing in Martin, and trading a player of his caliber will haunt you for the rest of the season.
Scott Anaya, Phoenix, Ariz.: Many of us have rookie drafts coming up for our keeper leagues. How do you see the backfields in Denver, Cleveland, Carolina and Atlanta playing out? How do you rank Clinton Portis, William Green, DeShaun Foster and T.J. Duckett for this year and for a keeper league?
G.G.: Terrell Davis' latest knee problems have elevated Portis on the Broncos' depth chart, but Olandis Gary will likely be the starter if Davis is unable to play. Jamel White is looking good in camp, but Green will be Cleveland's No. 1 back despite his poor performance in last weekend's preseason game. Foster has been so impressive that he has begun taking snaps with the first-team offense, and he should unseat Lamar Smith very soon. Duckett has been very good as well, but he will split carries with Warrick Dunn at best. We rank Foster as the top rookie tailback, followed by Green, Duckett and Portis.
Chuck Yates, Pleasanton, Calif.: How does Trent Dilfer's knee injury impact Shaun Alexander's draft value?
G.G.: Defenses will have an easier time keying on Alexander now that Dilfer is out, but it won't alter his Fantasy value. Remember, Matt Hasselbeck started 12 games for Seattle last season, and in no way did it keep Alexander from posting incredible numbers. He is still one of the elite tailbacks in Fantasy Football, and is easily worth an early first-round selection.
Larry W. Lang, Wilmington, Del.: I am in a league where you can start two running backs. I have Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James and Deuce McAllister. I want to know if I should trade McAllister to give me a stronger receiving cast, as opposed to just Keyshawn Johnson, Muhsin Muhammad and Ed McCaffrey.
G.G.: There is no reason to make a change. You have great depth at the tailback position, and your receivers have the potential to be very good. Johnson is in line to have a great year in Jon Gruden's offense, and Muhammad and McCaffrey have both had good training camps. If you are still unhappy with your receivers, look into picking up Dominic Rhodes as insurance for James before making any deals.
Mark Mahaney, Baltimore, Md.: I have Marty Booker and Jerry Rice in a keeper league. Who do I keep? Can Rice have another year like last year or will Booker prove he wasn't a one-year wonder?
G.G.: Rice certainly has the ability to have another great year, but he will turn 40 in October and isn't a good player to hold on to in a keeper league. Booker was no fluke last season, and will continue to be Chicago's go-to guy in the passing game. At 26 years old, Booker is easily the better keeper-league option.
Joel Jantzen, Plymouth, Neb.: I have Daunte Culpepper and Mark Brunell as my quarterbacks in a yearly league, but David Carr is available. Should I pick him up? If so, which quarterback should I drop?
G.G.: Many Fantasy owners fall into the trap of picking up a rookie player based on a few good preseason performances. First-year quarterbacks rarely make an immediate impact, so there's no reason to pick him up. Carr does have a ton of upside, but he has no Fantasy value unless you play in a keeper league. Your current quarterbacks are fine, and there's no reason to make a change.
John Henning, Tappan, N.Y.: What's the story with Jamal Anderson? I have him on my team and was wondering if he is still worth a roster spot.
G.G.: Anderson is currently doing television work, but he hasn't ruled out a comeback if the right team is interested. There were whispers that the Dallas Cowboys were interested in signing Anderson, but those rumors have since died down. Unless you play in a deep league and have the roster space available to stash him away for a few weeks, there is no reason to hold on to Anderson.
Tom Haven, Racine, Wis.: My running backs this year are Anthony Thomas, Fred Taylor, Clinton Portis and Ricky Watters. My starting wideouts are Randy Moss and Plaxico Burress. Do you think I should use Portis or Watters as trade bait to land a better receiver? I think I should hang on to one of them since there is a possibility that Taylor will be injured at some point this year.
G.G.: Watters is unsigned, so you won't get a lot for him at this point. Portis' stock has risen in Fantasy leagues, but he won't get you a starting-caliber wide receiver unless he wins the starting job in Denver. If Stacey Mack is available, however, you should strongly consider picking him up as insurance for Taylor. Otherwise, making any deal involving a running back will really hurt your team's depth at that position.
