Today is the NFL's trade deadline. Unlike in baseball, it's rarely a date worth remembering because the league's salary cap system limits the feasibility of trading players in the middle of a contract.
Six times in the past nine years, the deadline has come and gone without a single deal. But if recent scuttlebutt proves true, today could net more than the usual flotsam-for-conditional-draft-pick swaps. Big names have been bantered about, and fantasy owners would do well to keep a watchful eye for teams that could make deals with a fantasy impact, such as ...
Oakland. Could Jerry Rice get back on the fantasy radar? A deal to a more potent offense could elevate the receiver's fantasy value, which has disappeared with his scant numbers this season. He has been mentioned as a target for Seattle, which reportedly could be losing Koren Robinson to a four-game suspension. That's another frustration for Robinson owners, who saw him finally start catching passes in Sunday's 150-yard showing. If Rice goes to Seattle, he becomes a primary scoring threat on a team that has no receiver with more than one touchdown in 2004.
Tampa Bay. Will the Bucs get something for holdout receiver Keenan McCardell or work a deal for veteran quarterback Brad Johnson ? Neither has been much of a temptation for fantasy leagues, though McCardell would be worth adding if he goes to a receiver-depleted offense such as Denver.
Chicago. Former Bucs executive Jerry Angelo has the league's worst quarterback situation, suffering with journeyman Jonathan Quinn since Rex Grossman was lost for the season. Still, it's hard to see a 1-4 team giving up too much for a veteran passer, and coach Lovie Smith said he had "no interest" in acquiring Johnson. The strong play of Thomas Jones might allow the Bears to deal Anthony Thomas , a 1,000-yard rusher last season who has only 11 carries this year. Nobody could benefit more from a trade than Thomas, an unrestricted free agent after this season who has real incentive to make the most of a new opportunity if dealt. He could do exactly what Jones did in 2003.
Minnesota. The recent emergence of rookie Mewelde Moore , who has made a quick impression in his two starts, means the team can deal from a surplus at his position. Onterrio Smith is serving a four-game suspension, and Michael Bennett should return soon from a knee injury. But the team doesn't need all three and veteran Moe Williams . Are the Dolphins listening?
Denver. Could a second dominant game from Reuben Droughns spell Quentin Griffin 's exit? Griffin had only four carries Sunday despite being touted by the Broncos as a possible starter. With Droughns topping 175 yards for the second straight week, Griffin owners can only hope for a deal to a larger role elsewhere.
VIKING MANIA: You really can't have enough Vikings on your team right now. Daunte Culpepper has back-to-back five-touchdown games, and even Randy Moss ' hamstring injury won't slow Minnesota down much. Of the Vikings' next four opponents, three rank among the league's seven worst defenses in passing touchdowns allowed.
We touted Moore and Marcus Robinson last week, and they came through Sunday, with Moore getting 187 yards from scrimmage and Robinson getting two more touchdowns. If you're hurting for a tight end, Minnesota's Jermaine Wiggins is a smart pickup after his two touchdowns Sunday. And if Moss is limited, that boosts the value of other Vikings receivers, especially Nate Burleson , who had 134 yards against the Saints.
DROP/ADD: Don't expect much out of Ravens running back Chester Taylor , who will take over as starter for two weeks while Jamal Lewis serves his suspension. Taylor has averaged 5.9 yards a carry in spot duty, but his two starts are against Buffalo and Philadelphia. ... Unless you have a dominant defense, go with Miami's opponent. The Dolphins have four offensive touchdowns. This week, that makes the Rams a great pickup.
-- If you have a fantasy question, send an e-mail to staff writer Greg Auman at auman@sptimes.com
