Sports

Build your squad from ground up

One staple seems to ring true throughout fantasy football. It’s almost immune to format variances. Different scoring systems and lineup requirements barely make a dent. It’s impossible to dismiss: When building a fantasy squad, you’ve got to start with running backs.

One top RB is absolutely required. Two is certainly needed. Three, four, five .¤.¤. well now you have depth and trading power. The importance of RBs in the fantasy circuit cannot be overstated, so here are some tips on when and where to find your running men:

Top dogs

Whom to take with the top overall pick? Shaun Alexander had one of the most productive fantasy seasons ever in 2005, but can he repeat? The FT sees a slight slide in ’06. Plus, Alexander doesn’t amass near the receiving numbers of either LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson. We recommend you grab L.T. or L.J. and let Alexander slip to No. 3.

As for No. 1, judging by L.J.’s blockbuster second half last year, and the uncertainty surrounding new Chargers starting QB Philip Rivers, the Chiefs’ Johnson seems to be the safest pick. Regardless, these are the top three. It’s like picking the hottest of the “Desperate Housewives” – you really can’t go wrong. If you’re picking No. 4, trade down if you can.

Muddled waters

Most of us will not be lucky enough to land a top-three spot. We’ll be swimming in the pool of second-tier talent, but at least it’s a fairly deep pool.

Tiki Barber is the most consistent “surprise” back every year. But will Brandon Jacobs steal too many of his scores? Clinton Portis was a shoe-in as a top-five pick, but his shoulder injury could push him out of the first round.

Edgerrin James? Great back, bad location. The last time the Cardinals had a 1,200-yard rusher, Ronald Reagan was in office (Ottis Anderson’83) and they haven’t had a 10-TD season since the Nixon Administration (Donny Anderson, ’73). Can Edge end these droughts? The FT actually thinks so.

Rudi Johnson, Stephen Jackson, LaMont Jordan, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown – these guys could go in any order. As long as you come out of the second round with a pair of quality RBs, you’re in good shape.

If you’re still looking after the aforementioned clustered is selected, there’s a laundry list of what might be considered third-tier backs: Reggie Bush, Domanick Davis, Julius Jones, Chester Taylor, DeShaun Foster, Willie Parker, Brian Westbrook and Reuben Droughns.

Keep in mind

The short lifespan of most RBs make them a perilous keeper adventure. Sure, Bush deserves the No. 1 pick in your keeper league, but there’s no guarantee he’s not the next Blair Thomas. It’s unlikely, but not impossible. After Bush, don’t rush out for the rookies. Snag a veteran backfield staple to make a run this year if you can. Then turn your attention to Joseph Addai, DeAngelo Williams and Laurence Maroney. Addai is likely to make the most immediate impact. But the FT says Williams and Maroney are better long-term options.

Battle testing

Call it the Mike Shanahan Syndrome. Every fall, the Broncos’ backfield causes headaches for fantasy owners. This year, Mile High Mike is trying to make us believe undrafted rookie Mike Bell might start over veteran Tatum Bell. The FT doesn’t believe it any more than we believe third-stringer Ron Dayne is worth a fantasy pick in the single-digit rounds. Nevertheless, the ambiguity leads us to downgrade the better Bell to fantasy back-up status.

Jamal Lewis has been anointed the Ravens’ starter, but that doesn’t mean former Bronco Mike Anderson won’t get plenty of carries. Especially considering Lewis’ recent performance and injury history, this look like a tandem you should sidestep until the late middle rounds.

Chicago’s battle is interesting. Once Thomas Jones won the job last year (in part, presumably, because of then-rookie Cedric Benson’s holdout), Benson didn’t get a lot of attempts. The FT trusts coach Lovie Smith to stick with his starter, whomever that ends up being. So keep an eye on the Bears’ depth chart.

And we’re not going to waste our time discussing the situations with the Jets’ or 49ers’ running backs, and we expect that you won’t waste your time drafting them.

Cheat sheet

RANK. PLAYER (TM) ROUND*

1. Larry Johnson (KC) 1

2. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) 1

3. Shaun Alexander (Sea) 1

4. Tiki Barber (NYG) 1 **

5. Rudi Johnson (Cin) 1

6. Edgerrin James (Ari) 1

7. LaMont Jordan (Oak) 1

8. Stephen Jackson (StL) 1

9. Carnell Williams (TB) 1-2

10. Ronnie Brown (Mia) 1-2

11. Clinton Portis (Was) 2 @

12. Reggie Bush (NOr) 2-3

13. Domanick Davis (Hou) 2

14. Reuben Droughns (Cle) 4 **

15. Chester Taylor (Min) 4-5 **

16. Willis McGahee (Buf) 2-3 @

17. Brian Westbrook (Phi) 2 @

18. Kevin Jones (Det) 3

19. Julius Jones (Dal) 3

20. Willie Parker (Pit) 3-4 **

*-projected round drafted in 10-team redraft league

** – high-value pick

@ – low value pick