THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007
SPORTS 3B
- >> FANTASY FOOTBALL
Refresh your team with these players
Breckunitch suggests Jones, Davis, Leinart as 'hidden gems' that could strengthen your fantasy lineup
BY KELLY BRECKUNITCH
kbreckunitch@kansan.com
kbreckunitch@kansan.com
RB THOMAS JONES,
NY JETS
Naps are meant to refresh the body. There is nothing better than taking a nap in the afternoon to regain some energy. These players will refresh your fantasy team and help you regain the fantasy championship in your league.
Why would a first-year starter in the NFL be ranked higher than
the player he backed up in the preliminary fantasy rankings? I don't know, but that's the case with Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones.
According to Scouts Inc., Chicago's Benson will be a better fantasy back this year. Yet, as of now he hasn't proven himself in the NFL, and Jones has rushed for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons and 948 yards in his first season in Chicago.
But the Bears decided to trade Jones to the New York Jets this offseason.
The move will be extremely beneficial to Jones, who can balance out a passing game led by inconsistent and often-injured quarterback Chad Pennington. The jets' offensive scheme should make more of Jones's elusiveness and catching ability than Chicago's simple running style.
Don't be surprised if Thomas Jones helps get the Jets back into the playoffs this year and makes some noise in the AFC East.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, right, hands the ball off to Edgerrin James as they play against the Houston Texans during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game on Glendale in Glendale, Ariz.
Player stats
RB Thomas Jones
Ross D. Franklin/ASSOCIATED PRESS
296 carries
1,210 rushing yards
36 catches
154 receiving yards
6 touchdowns
Projected 2007
329 carries
1,427 yards
47 catches
273 yards
14 touchdowns
TE Vernon Davis
Projected 2007
2006
20 catches
265 receiving yards
3 touchdowns
Projected 2007
69 catches
712 receiving yards
7 touchdowns
QB Matt Leinart 2006
TE VERNON DAVIS,
SAN FRANCISCO
2008
2,547 passing yards
11 touchdowns
12 interceptions
Projected 2007
3,317 passing yards
23 touchdowns
11 interceptions
2006 stats courtesy of ESPN.com
Vernon Davis was highly touted coming into his rookie season last year. But an injury and the presence of veteran tight end Eric Johnson diminished his role. Now, Johnson is in New Orleans and Davis is healthy.
The addition of Darrell Jackson and the emergence of Frank Gore should ease Davis into his first year as the featured tight end.
San Francisco drafted Davis for his athletic ability, and with the depth at tight end this year you can wait awhile to draft Davis. Davis should post big numbers in his first true season as a starter.
QB MATT LEINART ARIZONA
Matt Leinart fell to the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. The situation couldn't have
worked out better for the prospective top-five pick. He wound up in a pass-oriented Arizona offense. The team had just signed free agent Edgerrin James to boost the running game.
Leinart has the job, and he has two of the best targets in the NFL. Larry Fitzgerald and
Anquan Boldin, to throw to in games. The multiple tools he has on offense, plus the hiring of new coach Ken Whisenhunt, should help Leinart mature into a star in the NFL.
Leinart threw for 2,547 yards last year, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Expect for his numbers to increase drastically this season.
Everyone knows who the star players are in the NFL. Take some pride in trying to find hidden gems in your fantasy draft. These players are a good place to start.
Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
CLUB SPORTS
Kansas Crew welcomes all ages, skill levels
Adam MacDonald/KANSAN
Kansas Crew captain Frank Waugh, El Dorado senior, recruits for the upcoming on season Monday in front of Strong Hall. The varsity team began practice last week, but novice will begin next Monday. Waugh said many recruits are freshmen looking for something new to compete in.
BY BRYAN WHEELER bwheeler@kansan.com
The Kansas Crew team will be on campus this week to recruit men and women to join the coed rowing team.
The meetings this week will give interested students an introduction to the club team.
Jordan Murray, a Varsity club member, said the club offered a "great chance to participate in a sport that is not common in the Midwest and to get to know a lot of new people and make friends."
The crew club competes in races, known as regattas, in the fall and the spring against Big 12 schools such as K-State, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Oklahoma State and other teams outside the region such as Harvard, the Navy and the Army.
The club offers an opportunity
for men and women to stay in shape, join a traveling sports club, meet new people and also learn a new sport.
Varsity men's captain Frank Waugh, El Dorado senior, said the rowing club was open to both men and women looking to try a competitive sport. Most people who try out have no rowing experience, Waugh said.
The Kansas Crew club was organized in 1977 and is one of the largest clubs on campus.
The club will be holding meetings at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, and Thursday, Aug. 23, in the conference room on the second floor of the Student Recreation Fitness Center. The club will be recruiting members today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Strong Hall. New members will start practice on Monday, Aug. 27.
Edited by Dianne Smith
Kansas Crew club meeting
Who: Kansas Crew is recruiting men and women to join the club team
What information meeting for students interested in Kansas Crew
When. 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Aug. 22nd, or Thursday, Aug.
23rd
Where: In the conference room on the second floor of the Student Recreation Fitness Center
Contact Jeremy Struemph at jhstruem@ku.edu or 785-218-5738
SPORTS Apparel & Collectibles
2040 West 31st St
Lawrence
785-749-4343
Welcome Back Students
Located at 31st & Iowa across from Best Buy
Show your KU 1D and receive 10% off original prices everyday!
10% off
call Don's Auto Center For all your repair needs!
Car can't stand the summer HEAT?
With Test Preparation classes from University of Kansas Continuing Education
www.ContinuingEd.ku.edu (keyword: testprep) 785-864-5823