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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has clearly grown tired of watching his receivers being helped off the field and wondering whether theyll be full speed by Sunday. So last week he took matters into his own hands and signed veterans J.J. Stokes and Dedric Ward off the street. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

With five games left, the Pats would love to see their receivers step up and stay on the field.

Ill continue to monitor this situation and bring you further details as I come across them. ...

Also according to Felger, the Patriots have seven days upon completion of the 2003 season to pick up an option on Antowain Smiths contract for 2004. The option comes with a $500,000 bonus and a $2.4 million salary. Considering Smiths production this season -- two touchdowns, 3.3-yard average -- its not hard to figure out what the Pats decision will be.

But thats not the question. The question is what will become of Smith between now and the day of reckoning.

Felger believes Kevin Faulk has clearly earned the right to be a featured player out of the backfield. Hes a legitimate playmaker in the passing game (team-high 39 receptions) and a viable option on the ground (team-high 508 yards). Hes improved his pass blocking and has just two fumbles.

Perhaps the running back deployment in last Sundays win in Houston will serve as a guide.

Faulk was the starter and focal point with 31 touches. Mike Cloud offered a breather with two first-half carries. And Smith was used exclusively on a situational basis with his eight carries divided thusly: Three in the red zone, three in short yardage and two from inside the Houston 25 to set up an overtime field goal attempt.

Will that be the permanent arrangement? According to Felger, the answer may lie with Mother Nature.

The Pats originally signed Smith in 2001, in part, because they liked the way he played in the bad weather in Buffalo, and Smith has been the Pats winter option ever since. In 2002, the Pats had three December games at Gillette Stadium and

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