Yes, I know it's the first week of April. Yes, I am aware that fantasy baseball just began. But with a revamped roster thanks to free agency, the San Francisco 49ers have stoked this writer's urge to prognosticate about 2007 fantasy football. For the first time in years, the 49ers actually possess Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
several players who are relevant to fantasy football, both on offense and defense. In fact, the Niners have too many to restrict to just one article. The first player to be profiled from a fantasy perspective is running back Frank Gore. Right now, I have Gore is listed as the fifth-best overall player in fantasy football for 2007, behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker and Steven Jackson. The reason for this is simple: probability. Gore has experienced one productive year while each of the other four has had at least two. That means until Gore has multiple solid seasons consecutively, he remains the wild card of the bunch with something to prove. Tomlinson and Johnson are studs who have produced consistently for more than one season. Tomlinson is an absolute freak of nature, and Johnson may find himself as the Chiefs' only offensive weapon in '07, meaning he should get the ball more than any other back in the league once again.Parker is ranked higher than Gore because he had 16 total TDs to Gore's nine in 2006. Also, as the 49ers' primary goal line option, Gore fumbled multiple times inside the 5-yard line; Parker didn't.Jackson is above Gore because he plays in an offense loaded with playmakers who ease the burden on him to produce, meaning that opposing defenses can't focus solely on him. On top of that, Jackson had 90 catches for 806 yards and three TDs in '06 which would be a solid year for many wide receivers. Gore's a very good receiver (61 catches, 485 yards and a score last year), but he's not on Jackson's level.Another thing that separates these four from Gore is injury history. Gore blew out both ACLs in college at the University of Miami and also required surgery on both shoulders following the 2005 season. Meanwhile, 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
Tomlinson hasn't missed a game in six years; Johnson has played in all 32 over the past two years, and any games he missed prior to that were because of his position on the depth chart, not injury. Parker has missed only one game in two seasons as a starter and Jackson has only missed three games in as many years. Gore's past injuries are now well-known to almost every football fan, meaning that selecting him comes with more risk than any of the four players listed in front of him. However, don't let that dissuade you from selecting him. With the addition of wide receiver Ashley Lelie and with tight end Vernon Davis healthy for an entire season, opposing defenses can no longer focus on stopping Gore alone. Quarterback Alex Smith also has the benefit of another season under his belt, and if he progresses in Year Three like he did last season, the Niners' offense could be among the league's most productive. Even with the possibility of injury in mind, Gore should be a lock for another 1,600+ rushing yards, with an additional Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
500+ yards receiving and 8-10 total touchdowns, meaning that selecting him at number five or even a few spots earlier isn't a stretch at all. Can he outperform Parker and Jackson and ascend to the elite status of L.T. and L.J.? With steady production in '07, Gore's name could be mentioned among the fantasy elite for seasons to come. Questions? Comments?
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