Chick Fantasies

Kicker Fantasies

Ordinarily the words “fantasy” and “kicker” do not leave our lips together. Like everyone else, we tend to snub the kickers as we drool over the glamour positions. However, every year when it is time to select our fantasy football team we grovel for forgiveness as we beg an NFL kicker to satisfy our scoring needs. And we must admit there are several big-footed babes who are sure to rise up to the challenge. In fact, our top three choices are all so hot that we have had a difficult time choosing between them. Vanderjagt, Wilkins and Elam are all ready and willing to give their owners many big bangs for their buck.

1) Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis Colts: In a last second change of heart, we bounced Mike ahead of Jeff Wilkins (sorry, Jeff – we girls are fickle!). The Colts offense has always given Vanderjagt plenty of opportunities to score and this season should be better than ever with Edgerrin James back in the lineup and Qadry Ismail on board. Moreover, Mike has one of the strongest legs in the league and is a great bet to score some 50+ yarders.

2) Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis Rams: When you hang around with offensive studs like Warner, Faulk and Holt, it is impossible not to score a lot of leftovers.

3) Jason Elam, Denver Broncos: he Broncos offense struggled last season as they sunk to 22nd in the league. However, Elam did not miss a beat as he still managed shoot to the top of the fantasy charts. Like Vanderjagt, Elam has the leg to boot the big ones. Now that McCaffrey and Davis are healthy and Shannon Sharpe is back in town, the Denver offense should be back in top form. This could mean eye-popping numbers for their accurate kicker.

4) David Akers, Philadelphia Eagles: McNabb may get the fame and glory, but Akers does his share of the scoring. The Eagles offense lacks firepower, but Akers is accurate and makes the most of his opportunities.

5) Ryan Longwell, Green Bay Packers: Longwell did not quite live up to his hype last season as he blew 11 field goal attempts. However, we are willing to cut him some slack. After all, Longwell has been one of the most productive kickers over the past five years and in 2000 he scored an amazing 131 points. As long as Favre is under the center, we expect the Packers offense to give their kicker plenty of opportunities…and this year Ryan will not let his mates down.

6) Martin Gramatica, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Now that Coach Gruden is in town, Gramatica will have a lot to jump up and down about. Martin had an off year in 2001, but the prior two seasons he made eight of eleven field goal attempts from 50-plus yards. Gruden’s offense combined with Gramatica’s leg equal big points for his lucky fantasy owners.

7) Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders: We have always been suckers for Oakland’s naughty kicker. Janikowski certainly does not fit the “soccer geek” stereotype (that alone is worth extra points!). The Raiders’ offensive studs are aging but should have at least one more productive season left in them. If Janikowski can ever take advantage of his giant physical attributes, the Raiders will be in for quite a treat.

8) Olindo Mare, Miami Dolphins: In 1999 Mare set a new league record by making 39 field goals in a single season. Since then, it has been all down hill as the Dolphins’ offense has faltered. If offensive coordinator Norv Turner and running back Ricky Williams can get their unit back on track, happy days will return for Mare.

9) Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots: Vinatieri certainly did not make a good case for himself on the David Letterman show following the Super Bowl as he missed kick after kick on the rooftop. However, Adam “Crunch Time” Vinatieri knows how to bang it in when it counts. The Patriots’ post-season warrior has been reliable and accurate for six seasons and has made over 50% of his 50-plus yard attempts during his career. The Pats’ uninspiring offense is what separates him from the top shelf fantasy kickers.

10) John Carney, New Orleans Saints: Carney has always had the accuracy and the distance; now he has the dome. He is also playing for a Saints’ offense that has added a lot of sizzle to their passing game during the off-season. Aaron Brooks could be in for a career year, which means Carney will reap the benefits.