Fantasy Football Challenge - Football Fanatics Articles Archive

Enclosed in this archive is every bit of the action and updates that occurred in December 2003 within the world of fantasy football. You may want to read these articles for research on players in the coming year, or just check to see if we were way off base with our reporting. Whatever the reason, it's all here for your enjoyment.

Fantasy Football Challenge - December 2003 Fantasy Football Articles

Fantasy Football Challenge - December 2003 Article Archives

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Appears To Be Coming To End Of The Line...','According to PackersNews.com staffer Pete Dougherty, Wesley Walls flirted with the idea of retirement last year but will consider his football mortality far more seriously this offseason.

Walls is the Packers top backup at tight end and gets extended playing time most weeks because hes their most reliable receiver at that position. But at age 37, hes also betraying signs of being an old player.

There have been a couple plays this season when diminished flexibility and explosiveness have been obvious. Hes also had two reconstruction surgeries on his left knee the past three years and had his first-ever hamstring injury early this season.

On Friday, Walls said he wont decide until the spring whether hell return for a 16th NFL season and gave indications that hed like to keep playing. Thats in contrast to earlier in the season, when he spoke as though it was likely he was coming back, so its clear hell think hard about ending his distinguished career.

"As a player you want to feel like youre making a contribution, that the game hasnt passed you and you dont feel like youre just hanging on," Walls said. "You want to feel wanted by a team, needed, really. Thats what motivates me.

"Other things that motivate me are being involved in the plays, and Im on the field here, Ive been involved. And the hardest thing is the grind of the season. Can you go through it again, can you do it? Thats probably going to be the thing that runs me out of the game more than anything, the commitment you have to make."

The Packers signed Walls in August hoping hed be an occasional playmaker as a backup, but between his hamstring injury and the way the Packers have developed a run-oriented offense, none of their tight ends has had a prominent role in the offense. Walls, starter Bubba Franks and No. 3 David Martin all have played regularly and often are on the field together in two- and three-tight end sets, but theyve mostly been blockers this season. Franks

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