Fantasy Football Challenge - Football Fanatics Articles Archive

Enclosed in this archive is every bit of the action and updates that occurred in November 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 - November 2003 Fantasy Football Articles

Fantasy Football Challenge - November 2003 Article Archives

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improved.

"Im hoping this is a perfect fit, so Ive got to do everything within my power to make it happen," he said.

His release by Jacksonville to make room for former Cleveland receiver Kevin Johnson was a huge drop from 1995, when San Francisco took him with the 10th pick in the draft. He caught 38 passes in 12 games as a rookie. Rice, with 122 catches, was the only other 49ers wide receiver with more receptions that year.

But they drafted Terrell Owens in 1996 and Stokes was limited by a wrist injury to six games. He had 58 catches in 1997 and a career-high 63 in 1998, but had more than 35 catches only once in his next four seasons before the 49ers cut him in June.

"It was time for me to get out of there," Stokes said. "I spent eight years and my catches, everything, seemed to dwindle down."

He began this season as a Jaguars starter, but was inactive for three games while they went with young receivers to team with rookie quarterback Bryan Leftwich. In six games with them, Stokes caught 13 passes.

He challenges the idea he is an underachiever.

"That has been a lot of mumbo jumbo, whatever you want to call it," Stokes said. "The fact that I wasnt a receiver that complained every time I didnt touch the ball kind of factors in.

"If Im open and they dont get me the ball thats all I can do," he said, "get open and make my blocks."

Had he been more like the vocal Owens, who caught more passes in each of their seven seasons together with San Francisco, his production might have increased.

"Looking back at it, I think it would have got me more balls and kind of quieted what everybody was saying," said Stokes, who didnt mention Owens by name. "But, at the same time, Ive never been a guy whos been loud."

For what its worth, Brady doesnt expect Stokes to have a hard time adjusting.

"Hopefully, the curls they ran in San Francisco and Jacksonville are the same curls we run here," he said.

Stokes worked out for the Patriots on Friday and found out Monday that they wanted him. Other teams expressed

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