Crimes against fantasy

Published 5:37 pm Thursday, August 23, 2007

The big news over the offseason in the NFL was the crackdown on bad behavior by new commissioner Roger Goodell. From Adam “Pacman” Jones and his entourage to Tank Johnson and his guns, Goodell toughened up the league’s conduct policy, laid down the law and handed out year-long suspensions.

But the crime spree wasn’t just relegated to off-the-field activities. No, in the world of fantasy football, many owners last season were victimized by poor play, loafing and just plain fraud. So who were the biggest offenders in terms of fantasy last season? Let’s take a look:

RANDY MOSS, PATRIOTS

Crime: Dogging it

Moss made no attempt to hide his contempt for Art Shell and the entire Raider nation last season. The one-time fantasy stud loafed for much of the 2006 season and put up the worst numbers of his career, including a stretch of five games in which he recorded a measly 10 catches for 106 yards.

Punishment: Plead the fifth

Despite the fact he’s got a new lease on life in New England, Moss still can’t be trusted. He shouldn’t be taken until at least the fifth round in most drafts. Take wideouts like Andre Johnson, Javon Walker or Donald Driver before gambling on Moss.

MIKE SHANAHAN, BRONCOS COACH

Crime: Conspiracy

For years, Shanahan’s name has been cursed in fantasy football circles. He’s teased us with great backs like Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis, only to pull the rug out from under us with guys like Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell, Mike Bell, Quentin Griffin and Mike Anderson. Last year it was the two Bells. Play Tatum and Mike goes off. Switch to Mike and Tatum would rush for 120 yards. You couldn’t win with this guy — and you most likely didn’t.

Punishment: House arrest

With free-agent signee Travis Henry in the fold this season, Shanahan may finally have another Portis. At the very least, Tatum Bell is gone. The potential for Henry to have a big season is too great. Take him in middle of the first round and break out your Shanahan voodoo doll.

REX GROSSMAN, BEARS

Crime: Fraud

Undrafted in most leagues last season, the Bears QB tossed 10 touchdowns in the first five games, prompting many owners to snatch him up. But a bad game in Week 6 against Arizona started a roller-coaster ride through the final 10 weeks of the season that left owners pulling their hair out.

Punishment: Lock him up

Let somebody else roll the dice with ol’ Rexy. As he showed Monday night against Indy (one INT, three fumbles), Grossman is still a disaster.

DAUNTE CULPEPPER, RAIDERS

Crime: Deception

Last season many owners saw Culpepper in a Dolphins jersey and turned to mush. With Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers how could the ‘Pepper fail. Well, he did. It turns out he rushed back too early from offseason knee surgery and posted bad numbers for owners who most likely picked him as their franchise QB.

Punishment: Probation

Culpepper has shown a few flashes of his old self in battling Andrew Walter and Josh McCown this preseason, but there’s too much uncertainty to take him as anything more than a backup or preferably a third-string QB. He’s a perfect late-round flyer, though, because of his upside.

SHAUN ALEXANDER, SEAHAWKS

Crime: Curse snatcher

We all know what happened here. In many drafts last season, Alexander was the No. 1 overall pick, but sadly the cover boy for Madden ‘07 was hindered by a foot injury and a weak offensive line, which dropped his rushing numbers to 27th in the league.

Punishment: Community service

So far in two preseason games, Alexander has rushed for seven yards on five carries. But no worry, Mike Holmgren will call upon Alexander early and often this season, giving him a chance to return to his old form. Expect big numbers — maybe not 2005 big — but big enough to take him in the middle of the first round.

ANDRE JOHNSON, TEXANS

Crime: Playoff disappearance

In his fourth year in the league, the Texans wide receiver led the NFL in catches with 103, including a stretch of six games in which he averaged a little more than nine catches for 99 yards a game. But starting in Week 13 (around the time some fantasy leagues start their playoffs), Johnson averaged less than four catches for 33 yards and caught no TDs in the final five games of the season, crushing many playoff hopes.

Punishment: Rehabilitation

Johnson has all the tools: size, speed and experience — and now no more David Carr. With Matt Schaub as his new QB, he’s remains the only real WR option on the Texans, so don’t let him drop too far. He’s right on the fringe of being a top-10 wideout.

CHESTER TAYLOR, VIKINGS

Crime: Playoff disappearance

In his first season as a full-time starter, Taylor started the year nicely for the Vikings, averaging more than 91 yards rushing and 22 yards receiving in the first 12 games. But a rib injury knocked him out of Minnesota’s Week 14 game and once he returned he wasn’t the same, rushing for just 118 yards total in the final three games of the season.

Punishment: ‘Cuff him — to Adrian Peterson

Maybe due to his sub-par finish, Taylor finds himself paired with Adrian Peterson in a running back by committee approach this season. Unless Peterson is injured, expect Taylor’s numbers to be chopped in half this season. Only take him as a handcuff pick or if you expect Peterson to get injured.

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON, CHARGERS

Crime: Petty theft

This is definitely a misdemeanor in terms of fantasy, but what Tomlinson did to his owners in most leagues’ Super Bowl weekend can’t be swept under the carpet. After averaging more than three TDs a game over the previous nine weeks, Tomlinson was shut out of the end zone against the Seahawks, rushing for just 123 yards and leaving many owners with a second-place finish.

Punishment: Full pardon

If you hold the first pick in your draft and don’t take Tomlinson, you’ll be the one that gets punished.