Thursday January 27th, 2005 Page updated at 1:20pm
FantasyFootball - SuperBowl - Under The Radar
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Other SuperBowl Week Articles - Jan24 | Jan25 | Eagles Road | Patriots Road | Super Bowl XXXIX Promotions | INDEPTH Preview | 04-05 Super Bowl XXXIX Picks & Preview | Pregame - Halftime Shows | Jacksonville Facts

SuperBowl Wagering Week - Forget all the hype of Brady and McNabb and is TO going to play or not, these are my two under-the-radar players for next weeks superbowl in Jacksonville. In my opionion these two guys could make the play that turns Super Bowl XXXIX.

Lito Sheppard, Eagles cornerback

He got a lot of attention for getting five interceptions and making the Pro Bowl in his first year as a starter. But the interceptions don't tell the whole story. He didn't always look comfortable in man coverage, and only five cornerbacks in the NFL gave up more passing yards than Sheppard, according to STATS Inc. During the regular season, opponents threw 97 passes Sheppard's way, completing 61.9 percent of them for 822 yards.

This is significant because Sheppard likely will be matched one-on-one against Patriots receivers when Eagles coordinator Jim Johnson calls for safety blitzes. Sheppard can be a Super Bowl hero if he uses his good hands to pick off a pass -- or he could be a Super Bowl goat.

Kevin Faulk, Patriots running back

The physical Eagles defense will be focused on banging heads to stop Corey Dillon. That's where Faulk comes in. The shifty change-of-pace back is the perfect complement to Dillon. The tempo of play is altered dramatically when he gets the ball. He's at his best on third down and in the open field.

Both Dillon and Faulk averaged 4.7 yards per carry during the regular season, but Faulk has come on down the stretch. Since the beginning of December, Faulk is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. With big middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, the Eagles' defense is built to stop a power runner such as Dillon, but it could have more difficulty against a quick-footed runner such as Faulk -- especially if the defense is worn down from colliding with Dillon.

The multifaceted Faulk also presents matchup problems in the passing game. He's a lesser version of the Eagles' Brian Westbrook. He also is a pretty good return man, and he's lethal on the direct snap.

Will one of these two guys make a differnce at all? I guess we'll have to wait and see. I'd definatly want both on my fantasyfootball team next year though let me tell you.

Eagles TE situation is hilarious

Jeff Thomason put down his hard hat, grabbed a helmet and joined the NFC champions.

The veteran tight end is going to the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles after being out of the NFL the last two seasons.
"It's incredible. I'm probably the luckiest guy in the world," Thomason said Tuesday after he signed with the Eagles to replace injured tight end Chad Lewis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Lewis, who hurt his foot on the second of his two touchdown catches in Philadelphia's 27-10 victory over Atlanta in the NFC title game, was put on injured reserve to make roster space.

Thomason was working as a project manager for a construction company in New Jersey when the Eagles called Monday. Lewis actually made the first call, telling Thomason he was recommending him as a replacement.

"That just shows how unselfish Chad is to be thinking about me at that time," said Thomason, who kept in shape by competing in triathlons.

Eight-time Pro Bowl tight end Shannon Sharpe, who retired last year after 14 seasons in the NFL, said on his radio show that he would've considered playing for the Eagles in the Super Bowl.

"What would happen if I went out there, played, and was the Super Bowl MVP? That wouldn't be fair, I didn't go through training camp," said Sharpe, who won Super Bowls with Denver and Baltimore.

This will be Thomason's third trip to the Super Bowl. He went twice with the Packers when Eagles coach Andy Reid was an assistant under Mike Holmgren.

TO

The orthopedic surgeon who examined Terrell Owens' surgically repaired right ankle yesterday told the Philadelphia Eagles' standout wide receiver that he should not play in Super Bowl XXXIX.

But, according to the doctor, Owens said he would play in the Feb. 6 game against the New England Patriots.

"I'm not releasing him medically," Mark Myerson said. "He's not medically fit to play. However, he has done extremely well in his recovery and his rehab, and he feels he'll be able to play. That is going to be a team decision that they'll have to decide themselves."

Team president Joe Banner said the Eagles had no comment about the doctor's recommendation.

Baltimore-based surgeon Myerson said he informed Owens, 31, of the risks involved in playing with two surgical screws in the ankle.

But that information did not discourage Owens.

"He feels he can play and he's going to accelerate his rehab," Myerson said. "He understands the risks. They've been discussed extensively. At this point in time, he wants to take those risks and play."

Asked what risks were involved, Myerson declined to comment. "The risks in playing are between myself and my patient," he said.

Owens might test his ankle on the field today.

Jamal Lewis

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison yesterday for using a cellphone to try to set up a cocaine deal about 4-1/2 years ago.

The penalty, worked out with prosecutors in October, should allow Lewis to return to the Ravens well before the start of the 2005 season. At most, he could miss the opening of training camp.

He also will spend two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service after his prison term.

Lewis pleaded guilty to trying to set up the drug deal a few months after the Ravens chose him No. 5 overall in the 2000 NFL draft. No drugs ever exchanged hands.

Prosecutors agreed to drop more serious drug-conspiracy and attempted-cocaine-possession charges.

"I'm truly sorry for what I did," Lewis said to U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans.

Explaining the short sentence, the judge said the government didn't have a strong case and noted the only witness against Lewis was an informant with a lengthy criminal record.

Final Notes

Atlanta Falcons return specialist Allen Rossum was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl squad as an injury replacement for Detroit's Eddie Drummond. Miami Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain was added to the AFC squad, replacing injured Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith and offensive tackle Marvel Smith also were added to the AFC team, replacing New York Jets defensive end John Abraham and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Willie Roaf.

Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was exaggerating when he said he broke two toes on his right foot during the AFC Championship Game, Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. Cowher seemed irritated Roethlisberger would go public with such a claim that, in effect, suggested the Steelers gambled with his health by playing him when he was hurt. "Ben does not have broken toes," Cowher said.

The Detroit Lions hired former USC coach Ted Tollner as offensive coordinator.

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