The NFL rarely alters its statistics after a game has ended, but a tiny, almost inconsequential change in last week's Packers-Colts game was enough to bring controversy to at least one local fantasy league.
Sammy Markola of Clearwater, whose league is nice and/or foolish enough to make the Times its official source for scoring discrepancies, wrote to ask for an official answer. Our scoring summary showed Packers receiver Javon Walker with 198 receiving yards, but a day later, online summaries showed him with 200. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre also got a 2-yard boost.
The reason? The NFL, reviewing a play in which the ball was stripped from Walker, credited him with an extra 2 yards. In Markola's league, the game involving Favre had been a tie, but because of the scoring change, the game was won without tiebreakers.
"I don't care what league you're in, owners want to win so badly they will go to any lengths to find another paper, Web site, or TV show that lists something different," wrote the league's commissioner.
Going with the updated stats is an easy call, much easier than a year ago, when commissioners had to decide how to score Keenan McCardell's fumble recovery touchdown and some leagues incorrectly gave points to the Bucs defense.
After watching Chargers quarterback Drew Brees catch a 38-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson last week and seeing Arizona's Emmitt Smith pass for a touchdown this week, it's a good reminder to account for every possibility when you set up your league's scoring rules.
NEW FACES: Three running backs not likely on many fantasy rosters had surprisingly strong games this weekend, and you've probably given a closer look to Oakland's Amos Zereoue, Miami's Leonard Henry and Houston's Jonathan Wells.
Of the three, Zereoue is the only one in position for similar success down the road. The former Steeler rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Houston, impressive because Oakland had averaged 102 yards as a team in its first three games. Even when starter Tyrone Wheatley returns from a shoulder injury, Zereoue will merit double-digit carries.
Henry, who became the Dolphins' default starter when Lamar Gordon was lost for the season, rushed 18 times for 85 yards in Miami's 17-9 loss to the Jets. He's a mediocre back playing for a bad offense that won't score much against anyone, and turning to him is pure fantasy desperation.
Wells, who had totaled 239 yards in three seasons before Sunday, started for the injured Domanick Davis and finished with 105 yards and a touchdown. As soon as Davis is back, Wells loses all fantasy value, which explains why he still is owned in only 3.5 percent of ESPN.com's fantasy leagues.
DROP/ADD: The 182-yard outburst Sunday from New York's Tiki Barber should put an end to anyone's hopeful Ron Dayne Experiment. He has 38 yards and no scores in the past three games, and one-third of the ESPN.com owners who had him on their roster have dropped him in the past week. ... Another platoon that won't be much of one any longer is in Cleveland, where Lee Suggs got 22 carries for 82 yards and a score and William Green got four carries for 17 yards. ... Condolences to anyone who started Oakland's Kerry Collins, who put up negative fantasy points in any leagues that penalize for turnovers. ... Chargers receiver Reche Caldwell has scored touchdowns in three games, making him the fifth-best fantasy receiver in the league and as good as anybody who was overlooked in most drafts. ... Call me crazy, but it's not a bad week to start the Bucs' Michael Pittman, who got 15 carries Sunday and faces a Saints defense that has given up nine rushing touchdowns, three more than any other team. Only Cincinnati is allowing more yards per game. One more name to drop as a smart sleeper: Jaguars rookie receiver Ernest Wilford, who continues to emerge as a Byron Leftwich favorite.
If you have a fantasy question, e-mail staff writer Greg Auman at auman@sptimes.com
