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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 9, 2002
It's official. The Rams gravy train has jumped the tracks.
The Greatest Show on Turf was a fantasy bonanza -- maybe the greatest fantasy producer ever -- for three wonderful seasons. Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt became must-have fantasy stars -- and in many leagues first-round picks in the same year.
This may be hard for some to accept, but here are the cold, hard facts: Holt has no touchdowns, Bruce has one in his past eight regular-season games, Warner is hurt, and Faulk doesn't have a 100-yard game.
It's time to let go.
Which brings us to Jamie Martin and a not-so-funny story about a guy who just couldn't. He was reluctant to let go of the gravy train, desperate for an upturn in his fantasy teams' fortunes, and convinced himself to snag Martin off waiver wires. This desperate guy even inserted Martin into his lineups, hoping the problem in St. Louis was Warner.
This guy had Bruce and thought the combination would click. After all, this was the Rams ... the Rams!
He even benched -- gasp! -- Brett Favre, hoping for a little Martin-to-Bruce magic. In another league, he benched Brian Griese against the vaunted San Diego defense, thinking if Kerry Collins could throw for 300 on the 49ers, then Martin certainly could.
He simply outsmarted himself, like a desperate fantasy player down on his luck, and should be kicked out of both leagues and sent to fantasy player purgatory (a hockey league, perhaps).
He should be begging his compatriots to pardon his foolishness, his desperate ways and accept he was just trying to catch lightning in a bottle, look past this silly maneuver and remember the good times.
So, what ya say, guys? Forgive me?
PATIENCE PAYOFF: While fantasy players debated Denver's Mike Anderson or Olandis Gary on draft day, those savvy enough to snag rookie Clinton Portis are starting to reap the rewards. Portis had a 102-yard game and caught a touchdown pass against San Diego. It was his second 100-yard game in three weeks, and with Anderson and Gary hobbled by injuries, Portis should be the starting back in Denver.
Those exercising similar patience with San Francisco's Kevan Barlow may not have to wait much longer. Barlow had 50 yards Sunday and 94 the game before, though Garrison Hearst and his 116 yards Sunday appear reluctant to ride into the sunset.
SPURRIER'S GUY: A testament to Steve Spurrier's reputation as an offensive genius was the fact Danny Wuerffel and Shane Matthews were actually drafted in fantasy leagues this year, probably for the first time.
Oops.
Though Washington apparently tried to trade him before the season to Chicago, Patrick Ramsey seems to be the man in Washington after throwing 268 yards and two touchdowns. Those desperate for quarterbacks could do worse (and might want to consider Pittsburgh's Tommy Maddox).
YOUNG AND OLD: If you're looking to grab a Raider (and who isn't?) your last shot may be wide receiver Jerry Porter. He only has owned in 2.2 percent of ESPN.com's leagues, but that should change after his 117-yard, one-TD performance against Buffalo. Porter has a touchdown in three straight games, and until San Francisco in Week 9, I don't expect any defenses slowing the Raiders.
RISING: Laveranues Coles got off to a slow start this year and was dumped by many; after 119 yards and a touchdown with new quarterback Chad Pennington, he's worth the gamble.
FALLING: Have opposing defenses, as shocked as fantasy players were by New England's pass-happy attack, figured out the Patriots and Tom Brady? Methinks so.