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Running backs prove scarce in fantasy football draft The Gamecocks advice for assembling a top-notch squad for the 2005 season Brandon fleuiton FOR THE GAMECOCK The 2005 NFL season is drawing closer, and along with it comes the annual fantasy football draft. Sports fans’ obsession with fantasy football has seemed to grow during the last five years, and we are here to continue to feed the monster with a draft preview. This year’s draft contains an abundance of quality running backs, the selection of which should be the main objective in the first rounds. LaDainian Tomlinson seems to be a lock for the No. 1 pick. His running and scoring capability, along with his catching - ability out of the backfield, make him the best fantasy player available. Shaun Alexander is the No. 2 running back; 100-yard games and plenty of touchdowns justify that. Priest Holmes has put up ridiculous numbers in the past, and barring injury there’s no need to think he won’t do it again this year. Edgerrin James is the running back for the most dangerous offense in the league in Indianapolis. He is exceptional at catching the ball out of the backfield. Jamal Lewis rounds out at No. 5 on the running back list. His off-the-field problems are behind him and the Ravens added wide-receiver talent to open up the field for his running attack. Sleepers: Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson will not put up huge numbers, but they will consistently .. ... . ., .... give you decent points. Stay away from Chris Brown, Fred Taylor and Brian Westbrook. Peyton Manning is the No. 1 quarterback again in 2005. Fie definitely won’t put up the numbers of last year, but the Colts’ offense is second to none and he is sure to rack up the points. Daunte Culpepper is still the No. 2 quarterback even without wideout extraordinaire Randy Moss. His rushing ability opens up the field for him to pass to Nate Burleson and Kelly Campbell. Donovan McNabb is No. 3 on the signal callers list. The off-season trouble with T.O shouldn’t affect their on field production. Kerry Collins is a strong No. 4. 2005 could be a career year for Collins’ throwing to Moss and Jerry Porter. Tom Brady is a guy who will give you consistent stats all year. He is no Peyton Manning, but he will put up pretty good numbers. Sleepers: Brett Favre, Carson Palmer. If Favre can keep his picks down and continue to make big plays, he has a big upside. Palmer could have a breakout year if the Bengals can balance the running and passing game. Stay away from Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Steve McNair. The No. 1 wide receiver is Randy Moss. He catches passes, outruns defenders and scores touchdowns. Terrell Owens ranks No. 2 — if he can check his ego and play the game. McNabb to Owens could be a lethal combo again. Marvin Harrison qan put up big time points, but Brandon Stokely and Reggie Wayne could take some points from him. Chad Johnson will benefit from Carson Palmer having a breakout year in Cincinnati, making him No. 4. Javon Walker is the No. 5 guy; a solid wide receiver with a new contract on the frozen tundra of Green Bay. Look for another big year. Sleepers: Nate Burleson could have a big year now that he’s the No. 1 receiver in Minnesota. Look for Carolina’s Steve Smith as a secondary wide receiver. He could have a big second half after coming back from last year’s broken leg. Stay away from: Muhsin Muhammad, Santana Moss, and Eric Moulds. As for the not-so-glamorous positions: Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez are No.la and No.lb for tight end. It’s hard to argue that one is better than the <5ther, although the fact that Gonzalez catches throws from Trent Green while Gates catches from Drew Brees gives Gonzalez a slight advantage. Alge Crumpler is a solid No.3 as Mike Vick’s favorite target. Drafting one of the top four kickers will give you an advantage in the late rounds. Adam Vinatieri is a No. 1.' Jason Elam, David Akers and Mike Vanderjagt round out the top four. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu MAGAZINE If you are interested in photography, creative expression through writing, layout and design, public relations etc... ATTEND THE INTEREST MEETING: Tuesday, August 23 7:00 p.m. RHUU 322/326 ■ f'4/i STUDENT MEDIA ■ RHUU 330 ■ Uur8 803.777.3888 ■ Designer, Creative Services WWW.Sa.SC.edu/Studentmedla TOP 5 FANTASY FOOTBALL RUNNING BACKS 1. LADAINIAN TOMLINSON 2. SHAUN > ALEXANDER 3. PRIEST HOLMES 4. EDGERRIN JAMES 5. JAMAL LEWIS • 1,335 yards C/} 1 3.9 yards per carry Oka • 17 touchdowns 04 V* SAN DIEGO CHARGERS • 1,696 yards • 4.8 yards per carry • 16 touchdowns SEATTLE SEAHAWKS • 892 yards • 4.6 yards per carry • 14 touchdowns KANSAS CITY CHIEFS • 1,548 yards • 4.6 yards per carry • 9 touchdowns INDIANAPOLIS COLTS • 1,006 yards • 4.3 yards per carry • 7 touchdowns BALTIMORE RAVENS Tomlinson is the best overall player in the draft, being both a talented receiver and runner. Outside of Tomlinson, Alexander pretty much carries the torch for touchdowns and 100-yard games. Fourteen touchdowns in just eight games should tell you all you need to know. When healthy, Holmes is the real deal. James will again be a mainstay in the high-powered Colts offense, which is guaranteed to be extremely explosive. After a rough offseason, Lewis should be ready to return to form in the now more potent Ravens offense. BROom • coimnuED PRom 9 Heisman and then come back the Ricky Williams back, Randy Moss next year. There’s no topping that, playing for the Raiders, George you turn down millions of dollars It’s the equivalent of anything Steinbrenner about to go into full as the first pick of the NFL draft Trishelle has done since “Real blown panic mode and Steve just so you can keep going to World: Las Vegas.” Spurrier coaching the Gamecocks, college for a year, you’re really I’m really looking forward to I like the way things are shaping up rolling the dice. You just don’t win this year. Whether it can top last already, the national championship and the year remains to be seen, but with . . ' . "I ®wim FrateriDj^.. $20,000 In Scholarships Per Year Available To? Members Of TKE An Opportunity To Build Your Own Fraternity Chapter On Your Campus Instant Leadership Opportunities Available Wo Pledging and Wo HAZING. 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