TGS EXTRA!!! "PDF" THE GOLD SHEET EXTRA!!! Published Weekly by: Nation-Wide Sports Publications ...featuring the 9255 Sunset Blvd., Suite 523 Los Angeles, California 90069-3301 Technical Report (800)798-GOLD (4653) e-mail: [email protected] In cyberspace: http://www.goldsheet.com WARNING:This publication is protected by U.S.Copyright law and it is illegal to reproduce, forward or amend in any way without the express written permission of Nation-Wide Publications. NATION-WIDE SPORTS PUBLICATIONS COPYRIGHT ©2003 VOLUME 22 OCTOBER 23-27, 2003 NO. 8 THE TGS EXTRA!!! NFL TICKER PLAYS OF THE WEEK FANTASY NOTES AROUND THE NFL by Bruce Marshall, TGS EXTRA!!! Editor PURDUE Baltimore Ravens...It was a tough day at the office last Sunday for the Purdue has been one of the nation’s hottest pointspread teams since the Ravens, who lost 34-26 at Cincinnati. Baltimore needed 2 late TDs (and a pair middle of last season and will seek to continue that trend at Ann Arbor when of 2-point conversions) to even get that close. But at least rookie QB Kyle Boller visiting Michigan Saturday afternoon. The Boilermakers, a featured play in the began to post some impressive consolation numbers, firing 3 TD passes in a 302- Power Underdog system this week, have covered their last 6 outings in ’03 and yard passing day (his best as a pro). TGS sources indicate that HC Brian Billick are now an eye-opening 11-2 vs. the line their last 13 games on the board. And has stripped the Raven playbook down to short, quick throws or deep passes please note the Wolverines’ troubles in recent years as a short-to-intermediate to limit the rookie’s decision-making process. The concern in Ravenland is that favorite (3-7 points) under HC Lloyd Carr, notching a poor 2-12 spread their last star RB Jamal Lewis (100 YR+ in last five games) could start wearing down soon unless a more effective aerial diversion is uncovered. 14 in that role. Chicago Bears...Lots of offensive injuries for the Bears, though, surpris- ingly, the side has played competitively in recent weeks. QB Kordell Stewart’s MINNESOTA leg injury forced veteran Chris Chandler into the starting lineup last week at Why buck a good thing? Or, in the case of Illinois, not buck a bad thing? Seattle. Chandler was serviceable but was reluctant to look downfield, instead Whatever, the Fighting Illini have been in complete retreat the past several dinking away, with wideout Dez White (6 catches, but only 35 yards) his favorite weeks, dropping their last five pointspread decisions in ’03. And things don’t target in the absence of injured WR Marty Booker. Many Chicago fans were look to get any better with potent Minnesota visiting Champaign-Urbana wondering if HC Dick Jauron might instead opt for Florida rookie Rex Grossman Saturday afternoon. The Golden Gophers have been reliable road favorites at QB, though Jauron chose otherwise. A foot injury also sidelined RB Anthony lately, covering all three chances in that role in ’03, continuing a positive trend Thomas, giving Adrian Peterson the start at Seahawks Stadium (he gained 55 YR). for HC Glen Mason (he’s 7-2 as road chalk since ’98). Note that Minnesota has Cleveland Browns...Just when it appeared as if QB Tim Couch had also won and covered 3 of the last 4 in this series, all wins by 21 or more. supplanted Kelly Holcomb as the starter, Couch regressed last week against the Chargers, throwing a pair of picks as the Browns fell far behind (23-6) in the 3rd quarter. Holcomb entered late in that stanza and proceeded to toss 2 BOISE STATE short TD passes in the 4th Q, but it wasn’t enough in a 26-20 defeat. The early Now, that’s more like it! Boise State, struggling to overcome big numbers deficit forced the Browns to go away from their recently humming ground game. earlier in the season, got back into a familiar groove last weekend with a RB William Green, averaging 130 YR the previous two weeks, gained only 65 dominating win at SMU. It’s likely to be more of the same on the home blue carpet YR last week. of Bronco Stadium when hosting San Jose State Saturday night. Recent Denver Broncos...With QB Jake Plummer out another 3-4 weeks with a meetings between these two have been bloody affairs-for the Spartans, that broken foot, HC Mike Shanahan has been forced to alter his gameplan. That’s is, outscored a whopping 101-14 the past two years vs. Boise. Going back a because vet reliever Steve Beuerlein lacks Jake’s mobility. So many of the bit further, please note the Broncos’ impressive 17-6 home chalk mark since rollouts and moving pockets that Shanahan installed this year for Plummer will 1997. not be utilized often in his absence. Beuerlein then suffered a dislocated right pinky finger against the Vikings last week and had to be replaced by Danny Kanell, who didn’t fare too badly with the Broncos in desperate catch-up mode, HAWAII completing 12 of 18 passes as Denver made a late run at the Metrodome. In After an uncharacteristic pointspread slump, Hawaii appears to be back Plummer’s absence, veteran TE Shannon Sharpe is emerging as a go-to to its old self, winning and covering its last two outings in explosive fashion while receiver, as his short and intermediate routes appear better suited to Shanahan’s recording an impressive +13.25 AFS (Away From Spread) mark in the process. non-Plummer gameplans. That’s all good news for the Warriors when they entertain UTEP Saturday night Houston Texans...A useful fantasy pickup might be RB Domanick Davis at Aloha Stadium. And Hawaii has literally feasted upon the Miners in their recent (rookie from LSU), who has supplanted ex-Jaguar Stacey Mack as the Texans’ visits, winning and covering in UTEP’s last 4 visits to the islands by a whopping featured RB. Davis rambled for 129 YR and caught 9 passes in his first start, 41 ppg margin! And please note the Miners’ extended pointspread woes on the against the Jets, last weekend. Miami Dolphins...QB Jay Fiedler has never been road (5-15 vs. line last 20 as visitor). a fantasy star, and things aren’t much different this season. Critics continue to point out that Fiedler (only 6 TDP in ’03) has trouble with the deep passing game, negating the potential fantasy effectiveness of WRs like Chris Chambers and TENN.-J’VILLE “OVER” James McKnight. Imagine, too, what a credible deep passing game might do for RB Ricky Williams, who is regularly seeing opponents stack the line of The Tennessee offense has been hot, hot, hot the past few weeks, scrimmage against him in recent weeks. He did gain 94 YR last week vs. the scoring 30 or more in 4 straight, with the Titans going “over” the total their last Patriots, but needed a whopping 27 carries to get there. three. And there’s little reason to expect anything different than another “over” New Orleans Saints...The Saints have been a streaky team under HC Jim when HC Jeff Fisher’s squad travels to Alltel Stadium for a battle against Haslett, but finally might be putting things together in ’03 after back-to-back wins, Jacksonville Sunday afternoon. As for the Jags, they have been an “over” team the latest a 45-17 mauling of depleted Atlanta at the Georgia Dome last week. for the past few years at home, going “over” 15-8-1 their last 24 as host. QB Aaron Brooks’ fantasy owners are perking up considerably after the ex- Virginia ace recorded by far his best effort of ’03 (23-30 for 352 YP, 3 TDs & 0 ints.) in the rout. WR Joe Horn, who had been having a so-so season, had TGS EXTRA!!! PAGE 2 what might turn out to be a real breakout performance vs. the Falcs (8 catches MIAMI-OHIO at KENT STATE...Flashes just 1-5 vs. spread at home since ’02 for 133 yards and a 32-yard TD catch from Brooks). (1-1 in ’03, however). But RedHawks 13-5 vs. line away since ’01 (5-2 as road Philadelphia Eagles...Philly wideouts continue to be MIA fantasy performers chalk that span) and have covered 5 of last 6 in ’03. Tech edge-Miami-O, based on team trends. and will likely stay that way as long as battered QB Donovan McNabb labors with an aching thumb. McNabb’s injury makes even the most-basic tosses difficult and PENN STATE at IOWA...Iowa has covered 4 of last 5 tries vs. Shades. has negated his ability to look deep downfield. After completing a mere 11 passes Hawkeyes have covered their last 7 overall at Nile Kinnick Stadium (3-0 v.s number at Dallas Oct. 12, McNabb completed just 9 last weekend at the Meadowlands vs. at Iowa City in ’03) and Ferentz is 29-12 vs. spread last 41 on board! Also 12-3 as the Giants (those two efforts mark McNabb’s lowest completion totals since home chalk since ’01! Tech edge-Iowa, based on team and series trends. 2000). Washington Redskins...Steve Spurrier’s troops are regressing fast after LOUISVILLE at EAST CAROLINA...Pirates 0-3 vs. line as host under J a quick break from the gate in September. The losing streak has reached 3 straight Thompson in ’03, now a poor 5-13 vs.