SLaM 2003
League Preview
A breakdown of the league's three divisions, as well as predictions for the playoffs and SLaM Bowl VI. Without further ado, the SLaM 2003 season...
THE FAVORITE: The Legion Reborn enters the season as the early favorite, thanks to a squad headlined by a pair of stars. QB Daunte Culpepper continues to prove that a winning team is not necessary to post huge fantasy numbers, while RB Priest Holmes is ready to show his detractors that his injury woes are behind him. Eric Moulds and Amani Toomer are two of the best wide receivers in the league, and they will be counted on to produce early. The team’s big question mark is in the backfield opposite Holmes, where Onterrio Smith and Anthony Thomas could both shine or fade away. Regardless, look for Culpepper, Holmes, and the stifling Tampa Bay Defense to lead the Legion to the division crown.
THE CHALLENGER: Thanks to remarkable depth throughout the lineup, the Sky Rats should be right behind the Legion all year. WR Marvin Harrison and RB Fred Taylor will lead the way, with the former looking at another record-breaking season. Wide receivers David Boston, newly deposited in San Diego, and Rod Gardner, in his second year in Steve Spurrier’s Fun-N-Gun offense, look to provide ample support to Harrison. A lot of the uncertainty surrounding the team centers on QB Tommy Maddox, as critics wonder if he can sneak up on teams like he did last year. With untested Patrick Ramsey backing him up, Maddox has to produce for the Rats to be successful. If one of the team’s aging bench players - Jerome Bettis or Garrison Hearst - can muster up one more run, this team could be going places.
ALSO IN THE HUNT: Deuces Wild has some serious talent at the top of the lineup, specifically QB Peyton Manning and RB LaDanian Tomlinson. These two figure to power the team on most weeks, with wide receivers Hines Ward and Isaac Bruce providing timely assistance as needed. The team does have noticeable trouble spots, specifically at running back and in the receiving corps. With “Little Man” James Stewart and Michael Pittman as options alongside Tomlinson, the pickings do not seem so good. Gape Kool-Aid, in its first year in the league, has rounded up some peak performers at several key positions. QB Donovan McNabb, WR Randy Moss, and TE Jeremy Shockey are near the top of the list at their respective positions. Unfortunately, the team lacks capable support in the backfield. Should he hold onto his job, Antowain Smith will be a solid #2 running back, but that thrusts the bulk of the pressure on newly anointed starter Amos Zereoue. Ultimately, both teams may be lacking come playoff time.
THE FAVORITE: Ming’s Minions is the slight favorite in a Hoops Dream division that has dominated the fantasy football landscape for years. While the division does not look as strong on paper this year, the career rankings – and titles – held by the participants speak for themselves. The Minions have brought back a fair number of loyal subjects to guide the team, most notably RB Edgerrin James and QB Matt Hasselbeck. With those two, steady RB Jamal Lewis and up-and-coming TE Todd Heap, the Minions look poised to return to the playoffs once again. The team does have some questions marks surrounding the receiving corps, particularly regarding Darrell Jackson and rookie Charles Rogers. With veteran support backing them up, however, odds are good that the postseason is in the future.
THE CHALLENGER: The Avon Gunslingers seem to field a competitive team year-in and year-out, and 2003 figures to be no exception. After rolling to the franchise’s second SLaM title last year, the Gunslingers are hungry for more. Running backs Deuce McAllister and Charlie Garner lead the ground attack, providing a potent 1-2 punch for the defending champs. Torry Holt and Donald Driver lead a strong receiving corps, while perennial Gunslinger Shannon Sharpe slides in at tight end. The team’s lone weakness is at quarterback, which some pundits say is the weakest of all twelve teams. If Trent Green can do more than simply hand the ball to Priest Holmes, the Gunslingers could find themselves dueling with the Minions yet again.
ALSO IN THE HUNT: The Dolla Billz, fresh off yet another division title, are nursing their wounds following a disappointing showing in the playoffs. Robbed of all their usual players, the Billz are forced to make due this year with a revamped squad. QB Jeff Garcia leads the aerial assault, while flashy Shaun Alexander and grinder Stephen Davis show the way between the tackles. As is the case almost universally in the division, significant questions persist regarding the wide receivers. Koren Robinson has one half of a good season to his name, while Jimmy Smith is battling age and a drug suspension. Meanwhile, Chip-Chip is hoping that Ricky Williams can carry the team in much the same way that he carries his beloved Dolphins. Aaron Brooks, although still somewhat inconsistent, and Curtis Martin should provide good production as well, while Keyshawn Johnson leads a lackluster crew of receivers. While sure to be competitive, both teams look to be another year away from contending.
THE FAVORITE: Galt’s Gulch Destroyers, fresh off of a surprising division title, are back and looking to rise again. RB Marshall Faulk and the rest of the St. Louis Rams will likely benefit from Kurt Warner’s healed hand, while QB Rich Gannon looks to lead what might be the Raiders’ last stand. Gifted WR Terrell Owens should again post huge numbers, although whispers about an injury to Jeff Garcia have some critics in doubt. The team’s key figure is clearly RB Trung Canidate, imported into Steve Spurrier’s system to be the rushing and receiving threat Stephen Davis was not. Can Canidate handle the load, though, especially with talented young backs clamoring for carries behind him? If he cannot, will Duce Staley, fresh off a recent contract holdout, be able to step in?
THE CHALLENGER: The Benevolent Dictators fought for the division crown until the bitter end last year, and a duel with the Destroyers appears to be in the offing once again. The running back duo of Tiki Barber and Corey Dillon figures to drive this team, although QB Brett Favre is out to prove his gun still has a few bullets left in it. Joe Horn leads an intriguing receiving corps, as things get a little murky behind him. Can Jerry Rice continue to produce big numbers – and stay healthy – as he prances past forty? Will Marty Booker see his receptions drop with new quarterback Kordell Stewart in town? The team does have potential, as perennial also-ran Kevan Barlow may finally be ready to assume the majority of the carries in San Francisco. After all, the running game will likely determine how far this team goes.
ALSO IN THE HUNT: The Token Minorities waited and waited for a quarterback to fall into their laps, and they got a good one when Steve McNair was still on the board at pick #81. He solidifies a team that has some tricky positions, particularly at receiver. Laveraneus Coles may have been the star with the New York Jets, but can he make the transition over to the Redskins? Will Quincy Morgan, a favorite target of Kelly Holcombe, begin to blossom with the new quarterback being handed the reins? Travis Henry, Ahman Green, and William Green seem to have things handled in the backfield. The C-O-N-spiracy, looking much better than last year’s last-place squad, may suffer solely due to the increased competition in the division. Running backs Clinton Portis and Eddie George, who keeps plugging despite the low yards-per-carry, will be counted on to carry the offensive load. A hot combo from 2002, Bledsoe-to-Price, will be reunited, although Drew Bledsoe and Peerless Price have to prove they can function well in different conferences. If the magic remains, the C-O-N-spiracy could sneak up on teams.
Sky Rats vs. Galt's Gulch Destroyers: Looking to thwart the “Marshall Effect,” the Sky Rats call on Touchdown Tommy Maddox to lead the team to victory. With an able assist off the bench from forgotten man Jerome Bettis, the Rats once again deny the Destroyers a spot in the title game. Winner: Sky Rats
Legion Reborn vs. Ming's Minions: Rubbing salt in old wounds, past Minions stars Priest Holmes and Amani Toomer power the surging Legion over the hapless Minions. Winner: Legion Reborn
Sky Rats vs. Legion Reborn: In as heated a contest as the SLaM Bowl has seen, former roommates square off. Getting a taste of their own medicine, the Rats watch helplessly as Priest Holmes leads the Legion to victory. SLaM 2003 Champion: Legion Reborn
Submitted 8/28/03