SLaM 2001
League Preview
A breakdown of the league's three divisions, as well as predictions for the playoffs and SLaM Bowl IV. Without further ado, the SLaM 2001 season…
THE FAVORITE: Godking's Legion looks like the clear-cut favorite in an otherwise cloudy division. Anchored by all-world running back Edgerrin James, the Legion features a nice mix of veteran savvy and breakthrough potential. Steelers RB Jerome Bettis lines up alongside James, providing a potent 1-2 punch. QB Brian Griese runs the show from the pocket , while his injury risk is all that stands between him and a monster fantasy season. Perennial fantasy performers like K Jason Elam and the New Orleans Defense should continue to contribute solid numbers. Keep an eye on rookie WR Koren Robinson in the second half of the season.
THE CHALLENGER: The Closet Rats are looking to rebound from a subpar debut season, and they appear to have all the necessary pieces in place. First-round sleeper pick Marshall Faulk is coming off of his MVP season with the St. Louis Rams, looking to surpass last season's record-breaking performance. RB Michael Bennett, sliding in for the retired Robert Smith in Minnesota, is about as surefire a rookie as there is in this league. He will not be forced to carry the load on this team, however, as All-Pros Terrell Owens and Cris Carter will surely deliver high-scoring weeks from the wide receiver position. The team's bench is short on impact players but high on potential, particularly RB Deuce McAllister (backing up Ricky Williams in New Orleans) and WR David Terrell (catching passes from the quarterback carousel in Chicago).
ALSO IN THE HUNT: The Jimmy Floyds definitely have the talent on hand to be a major fantasy player, but the injury history for their key players is not favorable. RB Fred Taylor and Duce Staley have both missed extensive time in the past, and, while Taylor seems to be fully healthy now, some questions persist about Staley. The turf at Veteran's Stadium is not helping matters either. With QB Steve McNair calling signals, some have to wonder if his just-win-baby mentality will be sufficient to generate substantive fantasy points. Loschiavo's Boom Box has serious potential, but also serious question marks at running back. If RB Mike Anderson ends up getting the majority of the carries in Denver, he could be prepped for another monster season. Likewise, RB Garrison Hearst could be a steal if he remains the San Francisco starter throughout the year. In the end, the Boom Box may end up heaping too much pressure on the wide shoulders of star quarterback Donovan McNabb.
THE FAVORITE: In a division high on potential and low on proven results, the Avon Gunslingers look to be the favorite. Grabbing RB Curtis Martin and QB Kurt Warner with their first two picks provided the Gunslingers with an excellent fantasy foundation. "Little Man" James Stewart will also share some of the running load, as Detroit's ability to bounce back from a subpar season will be key to his performance. WR Antonio Freeman is trying to prove that his best days are not behind him, just as WR Wayne Chrebet is trying to show that he can be the top dog in New York. Reserve wideouts Willie Jackson and Azir Hakim can provide the occasional big game, helping to solidify a deep - if unspectacular - receiving corps.
THE CHALLENGER: Ming's Minions have traditionally loaded up on running backs, choosing to rough it with whatever quarterback slips through the crack. This year, the Minions had a change of heart, selecting QB Brett Favre with their top pick. Favre looks to lead an unconventional squad loaded with big-game possibilities. Running backs LaDanian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, and Kevan Barlow figure to take their lumps early, but all three could be racking up substantial points by season's end. The big performers, however, will be WR Jimmy Smith and TE Tony Gonzalez, two of the very best at their respective positions. Warning: RB James Brookins could eventually emerge as the go-to back in Baltimore.
ALSO IN THE HUNT: The Dolla Billz continued the division's philosophy of drafting for upside, selecting up-and-comer Aaron Brooks and star-to-be Darrell Jackson. Brooks looks to pilot the explosive New Orleans offense, while Jackson hopes to catch a lot of touchdowns from new Seattle thrower Matt Hasselbeck. RB Ricky Williams and Ahman Green provide much-needed stability on the ground, although both have capable backups breathing down their necks. It's Kobe's Team is built around quarterbacks, and the team certainly has three good ones: Jeff Gracia, Rich Gannon, and Drew Bledsoe. The receiving crew does not have a game-breaking threat among them, but the running backs could be beasts. RB Terrell Davislooks to prove that he can return to pre-1999 form, while Lamar Smith is out to show that the 2000 season was not an aberration for himself or the Dolphins. Watch out for Kobe if the team can pull off a midseason trade for a proven wide receiver.
THE FAVORITE: The Token Minorities have a slight edge in what will likely be the league's most competitive division. Led by a powerful running trio of Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon, and Emmitt Smith, the Minorities may have the best rushing attack of anyone in the league. QB Elvis Grbac, fresh off of his breakthrough season in Kansas City, is sure to post good numbers in a Baltimore offense that seems poised to take to the air. Questions persist about the Minorities' depth, as the bench is stocked with three backup quarterbacks. That being said, one of these three, Seattle starter Matt Hasselbeck, looks like a keeper, especially as he continues to grow in Mike Holmgren's West Coast offense.
THE CHALLENGER: Galt's Gulch Destroyers were built from the top down, but the top is loaded with talent. Colts QB Peyton Manning has produced monster numbers in his first three years in the league, and that trend should continue for the foreseeable future. RB Ricky Watters, while likely to depart as a free agent next year, will continue to be a very capable rushing-receiving threat in Seattle's young offense, while Tiki Barber will try to help prove that the Giants' Super Bowl run was no fluke. The Philadelphia Defense should continue to dominate in an offensively inept division. Look for the Falcons duo of QB Chris Chandler and WR Terrance Mathis to surprise a few people this year.
ALSO IN THE HUNT: The Benevolent Dictators have their share of stars - RB Eddie George and WR Tim Brown chief among them - but they are also banking a lot on some what-if scenarios. Will QB Trent Green be able to post Ram numbers in the revamped Kansas City offense? Can RB Jamal Anderson rediscover the form (and durability) that made him such a star in 1998? Will WR Peter Warrick rise about the mess that is Cincinnati and post strong fantasy numbers? For the Right Wing Conspiracy, the key appears to be a pair of running backs who have spent most of their careers sharing the load. RB Warrick Dunn is now the feature back in Tampa Bay's overhauled offense, but will his 180-pound body hold up over the course of the season? RB Tyrone Wheatley made a name for himself last year as a touchdown specialist, but his playing time may be cut by the arrival of RB Charlie Garner. Do not be surprised if RB Olandis Gary rises from the bench to post good stats this year.
Avon Gunslingers vs. Galt's Gulch Destroyers: In a rematch of the SLaM '99 semifinal match, the Destroyers take advantage of a favorable schedule to smash their longtime foe. With Kurt Warner battling the stingy New Orleans defense in the Superdome, Peyton Manning racks up yards against the porous Falcons defense at home. Winner:Galt's Gulch Destroyers
Godking's Legion vs. Token Minorities: With their first SLaM title in sight, the Legion, led by its potent rushing duo of Edgerrin James and Jerome Bettis, rolls over the weary Minorities. Winner:Godking's Legion
Galt's Gulch Destroyers vs. Godking's Legion: With star QB Brian Griese sidelined due to an unfortunate bye week, the Legion is unable to muster enough offense to thwart Peyton Manning and his Destroyers teammates. SLaM 2001 Champion: Galt's Gulch Destroyers.
Submitted 9/9/01