Fantasy Football Challenge - Football Fanatics Articles Archive

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

Fantasy Football Challenge - October 2003 Articles Archives

311 of 393

consistently, it often takes a toll on those who play on it.

But Steve Smith is among the minority who actually don''t mind the surface. Smith especially likes the turf at the Louisiana Superdome, where Carolina will look to rebound from its first loss of the season this Sunday.

"It''s fun playing there," said Smith, who caught three passes for 37 yards, returned four punt returns for 54 yards and added one kickoff return for 19 yards at New Orleans in the regular season finale last year. "It''s a fast carpet. There are a lot of guys who lose their shoes because they don''t tape under their socks. It''s like street ball or like basketball. I''ll be in tennis shoes, which is cool."

The last time the Panthers played on turf, at Indianapolis, Smith posted six catches for 103 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. He also has scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns in the domed stadiums at Minnesota and St. Louis.

Smith, who leads the NFC with a 14.7 yard punt return average, doesn''t have a punt return for a touchdown to his credit in a dome, but he does have one versus New Orleans at Ericsson Stadium in 2001. He says the Saints will be a different team than the one that allowed Rod Smart to return a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown on October 5.

"They''re coming off a big win last week and one the week before," said Smith. "They''re dangerous, and it''s a division game, so we have to raise our game up from last week and just come out and play hard."

Smith adds that the Saints mix their coverages up a lot, so matching his performance in the RCA Dome will be difficult. At least he is familiar with the defensive backs he will line up against.

"Sometimes it''s a little bit easier because it''s still fresh in your mind what your opponent plays like and what techniques he uses," said Smith. "But that benefits both teams. ..."

And one final note here. ...

In an article published Friday, ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli advised readers that some observers in Carolina are wondering

311 of 393 pages. Go to page:

Go to October 2003 Fantasy Football Articles Directory Page