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

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it). That''s his opinion, and I have nothing to say to it," Shockey said yesterday while sitting at his locker. "He''s a great player. My hat goes off to him."

What head coach Jim Fassel referred to as "a war of words" has a decidedly one-sided flavor to it.

McMichael told the Miami Herald he is a better player than Shockey.

"I am the best," McMichael said. "I''m pulling no punch when I say that. But I believe when I say it, that I''m the best. Hopefully I can go out and show it."

That Shockey had the better rookie season last year might be incidental to McMichael.

"I''m already in the same breath (as him)," McMichael said. "I''m in the upper echelon of tight ends in the league, just like he is. He''s a playmaker just like I am so it''s going to be fun to be on the same field competing against him."

Shockey has 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown this season. McMichael has eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.

"Randy McMichael is a cool dude, man. I''m friends with him," Shockey said. "(He is) a great guy, great player, great competitor."

Shockey''s teammates were slightly less conciliatory.

"Jeremy doesn''t have to respond to (McMichael)," Brian Mitchell said. "In that situation, stats speak for themselves. And I think Jeremy''s stats are far better. So he doesn''t have anything to worry about."

Said Michael Strahan: "If you step on the field, you''re supposed to think you''re the best. But, usually, people who are the best don''t have to talk about it. They just go out there and people know it."

While Shockey''s low-key reaction is consistent with his media-cautious attitude this season, there is more to it than that. For all his bravado and post-catch celebrations, Shockey is highly critical of himself and extremely serious about his game. And he''s not exactly happy with his numbers through three games.

"I can''t tell you how many catches I have this year," he said. "I can tell you that I''m not doing as well as I want to."

Tight ends coach Mike

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