Hec & Vic's Power Rankings

Monday, August 16, 2004

Hec & Vic are always thinking Fantasy Football. So with everyone doing some kind of Power Rankings, Hec & Vic dabble as well. Rankings are based on past performance and future potential and, as always, are subjective. And if you don't like 'em, blame them!

POWER RANKINGS (As of Friday, Aug. 13)
1. Priest Holmes, RB, GB - We're controversial, but not that controversial. He's simply the best.
2. Clinton Portis, RB, Was - Gibbs is going to ride him like Tony Stewart rides the No. 20 car.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD - Not likely to rest easy despite fat, new contract.
4. Ahman Green, RB, GB - Remember Terrell Davis with John Elway? Yeah, same deal here.
5. Edgerrin James, RB, Ind - Another year removed from surgery and looking to make FA dollars.
6. Deuce McAllister, RB, NO - Does a little bit of everything. Actually, he does a lot of everything.
7. Marvin Harrison, WR, Ind - Running backs rule, but 20 touchdowns (could happen) are 20 touchdowns
8. Shaun Alexander, RB, Sea - Slipping into the Chris Warren-underrated mold in the Pacific NW.
9. Fred Taylor, RB, Jac - Forget injury-prone, he's played 32 games the last two seasons. Won't repeat TD frustration.
10. Jamal Lewis, RB, Bal - Anyone who needs analysis from Roger Cossack worries us.
11. Randy Moss, WR, Min - Scores like a running back and piles up yards like a receiver. Nice combo.
12. Peyton Manning, QB, ind - Get the feeling we think the Colts will have a good offense?
13. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Min - We'll forgive the turnovers because of the rushing TDs.
14. Corey Dillon, RB, NE - You think a defensive whiz of a coach hasn't wanted to run the ball more?
15. Torry Holt, WR, StL - Has made the holy trinity of fantasy wideouts a quartet.
16. Terrell Owens, WR, Phi - Fantasy doesn't take off points for ignorance, and he's going to post numbers.
17. Kevan Barlow, RB, SF - We worry about scoring chances. Quick, name their starters at quarterback and wide receiver.
18. Michael Vick, QB, Atl - New system, new responsibilities, same running backs have us thinking he could struggle.
19. Marshall Faulk, RB, StL - NFL running backs over 30 aren't great bets for fountain of youth treatment.
20. Rudi Johnson, RB, Cin - Dillon will be plenty good for the Patriots, but the Bengals won't miss him.
21. Donovan McNabb, QB, Phi - All he needs to do is stay healthy. All right, stay healthy and throw 30 TDs.
22. Domanick Davis, RB, Hou - The Texans are for real, and so is their running back.
23. Hines Ward, WR, Pit - Very underrated, it's up to Tommy Maddox to find him.
24. Michael Bennett, RB, Min - Sure, we're worried about how much he'll score, but you can't ignore the yardage threat.
25. Stephen Davis, RB, Car - Would be much higher if not for the pesky presence of Deshaun Foster.
26. Tony Gonzalez, TE, KC - Just dominates his position.
27. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Sea - Seahawks have a quietly potent offense.
28. Chad Johnson, WR, Cin - Now can Carson just get him the ball?
29. Joe Horn, WR, NO - Call him the new Jimmy Smith.
30. Willis McGahee, RB, Buf - All right, not really, but this guy could bust loose at some point this year.

DROPPED OUT
Joe Horn, WR, NO 269.2 Production hurt by knee injury
Brad Johnson, QB, TB 2715.1 Poor outing with just 149 yards and one TD, plus three turnovers
Brett Favre, QB, GB 2811.9 Has amassed just 201 yards and two TDs in last two contests
Kansas City Chiefs, D, KC 3011.6 Had zero turnovers in Cincy

JUST MISSED
Rudi Johnson, RB, Cin -13.3 Has run for 347 yards in last two starts, but Corey Dillon is nearing full health
Warrick Dunn, RB, Atl -10.6 Has run for 340 yards in last two games
Tiki Barber, RB, NYG -12.1 Rebounded with 131 total yards and one TD
Shannon Sharpe, WR, Den -8.7 Can't argue with 101 yards and three TDs
Peter Warrick, WR, Cin -10.1 Jumped to fantasy's No. 10 WR with two scores in Week 11
Reggie Wayne, WR, Ind -9.4 Had his second 100-yard receiving game on Sunday
Brian Westbrook, RB, Phi -9.9 Totaled 108 yards and three TDs on Sunday

Hector: Hey, it's the preseason, so these are going to look a lot like some of the other rankings ESPN is throwing at you. But we've got our own opinions on a few things. First off, Edgerrin James is a name that will haunt a lot of owners picking after the first or second pick. The guy is another year removed from knee surgery and looking to cash in big-time after the season (probably not in Indy). James aside, don't make the mistake of relying too heavily on history at running backs. I had to cede a spot to pacify Victor, but I'd take Rudi Johnson over Faulk without thinking twice. Running back is a brutal position in the NFL and shelf life of a fantasy star is minimal.

Victor: It's amazing how far the talent drops off in the late 20s. Nothing against guys like Joe Horn, Steve Smith or Tiki Barber, but give me a pick at the end of the first round and two more before the drop hits late in the third round. Hector's complaining about giving in to me about Faulk, but I had to surrender a couple of spots on Jamal Lewis. The trial won't even start until the second half of the season, and you know his lawyers will find a way to drag things out early. He's going to be focused on football and producing like a top-five pick.