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10/19/2001 How do you see the remaining schedule? Who has the toughest row to hoe? Who gets to skate by like Eric Heiden against some Finnish milkmaid? Jim Ringelberg, Portland, Ore. We release revised strength of schedule information at the Web site (http://www.fantasyindex.com) every Tuesday, using current win-loss statistics. Currently, the Packers and Saints have played the easiest schedules, while the Dolphins, Rams, Seahawks and Ravens have had the hardest schedules - that's based on how their opponents have fared in games against other teams. As for the rest of the year, it looks like the Cardinals, Seahawks, Giants and Eagles will play the easiest schedules (notice that three of those teams are in the NFC East - thank you Jerry Jones and Daniel Snyder). The Browns, Bucs and Titans project to play the hardest remaining schedules. Will the re-emergence of Marcus Robinson, coupled with the improved play of Jim Miller, make Marty Booker a more valuable receiver? Our eight-team league still has some decent receivers available and I am looking to pick one up. Andrew Vaughan, Tustin, Calif. Back on draft day, everyone was wondering whether Robinson or first-rounder David Terrell would be the Bears' best receiver. Maybe neither. Booker had a tremendous camp, and he's in no danger of losing his starting job. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, he's built like a running back -- the Bears love to throw him short passes and let him run after the catch. After four games, he's on pace for 96 catches and eight TDs. The Bears are trying to sign him to a five-year contract extension. In our league, a defense can account for up to a third of your total points. What is your opinion on the use of defenses in a fantasy league? Scott Anderson, Lakewood, Colo. When trying to gauge the value of a defense, don't look at overall points, look at production above and beyond the other defenses that will be used. If you're in a 10-team league, for example, you probably could get a defense that checks in at about 10th on your draft board for almost nothing. How many points will that unit give you each week, on average - perhaps 15 to 20 percent of your team's overall points? The approximate value of that No. 1 defense is determined by how many more points it will generate than those fringe defenses. Also consider, when trying to value those defenses, that they can get a lot better - or a lot worse - in a hurry. Everyone projected the Titans to be a top-three defense back in August, but they're struggling. The Packers and Bears, meanwhile, weren't selected in a lot of fantasy leagues, and they've both had stellar seasons so far. With Terry Glenn's success this week, would you recommend picking him up? Or do you think it was just a fluke? Mike Kolton, Stevens Point, Wis. Back when he was an analyst with NBC, O.J. Simpson made the observation that holdouts often will put up big numbers in their first games. It's in the upcoming weeks when the lack of off-season conditioning sets in. I think it's an interesting point; one of these days, I'll spend a few hours and see if I can put some numbers behind it. Anyway, that may be the case here. Glenn isn't in top shape, and he rarely stays healthy for more than a month. He's also playing for one of the five worst offenses in the NFL. He doesn't particularly interest me. I won't totally write him off this week, however, because Glenn has traditionally played much better on artificial turf. Is there any truth to the rumor that in Miami, Oronde Gadsden is in danger of losing his starting job to Chris Chambers? Steve Kalina, Chicago A beat writer for one of the Miami papers reported that a week or two ago. I can't see it happening this year. Gadsden is a proven veteran. Chambers is a high-upside rookie who's rough around the edges. With his size and speed, I expect Chambers to emerge as Miami's best wide receiver - maybe as early as next year. For now, however, I'm far more interested in Gadsden. He hasn't scored recently, but he's the guy the team looks to in red zone situations. He's a big receiver who can pull the ball down in traffic. He'll lead that team in receiving touchdowns. I have a dilemma. I have to choose between Donovan McNabb and Trent Green this week. McNabb has been playing well this season, but he's going up against a stellar Giants defense. Brandon Quam, Albert Lea, Minn. The Giants shut down McNabb in all three meetings last year, limiting him to 47 percent passing and 171 yards per game. They also have done well against other young, mobile quarterbacks. They put the clamps on Daunte Culpepper last January, and they bottled up Aaron Brooks last month. The Giants are also on top of their game. Their defense did a terrific job against the Rams last week. When it's time to pencil in a lineup, however, I suggest you go with McNabb anyway. Green hasn't been lighting it up himself, and sometimes the great players elevate their play in the big games. Who would have thought that Brett Favre would have carved up the Ravens last week? IAN ALLAN is the senior writer for FANTASY FOOTBALL INDEX magazine. To see more of his opinions, visit http://www.fantasyindex.com Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.