2008 running back rankings

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers.
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings.

3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles.
4. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts.
5. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams.
6. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills.
7. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins.
8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers.
9. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys.
10. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers.
11. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs.

12. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers.
13. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars.
14. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens.
15. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns.
16. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants.
17. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots.
18. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints.

19. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins.
20. Thomas Jones, New York Jets.
21. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders.
22. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
23. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons.
24. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals.
25. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears.

26. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals.
27. Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars.
28. LenDale White, Tennessee Titans.
29. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks.
30. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions.
31. Selvin Young, Denver Broncos.
32. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers.
33. Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings.
34. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers.

35. Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders.
36. Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints.
37. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys.
38. Ahman Green, Houston Texans.
39. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants.
40. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons.
41. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers.
42. Kenny Watson, Cincinnati Bengals.
43. Leon Washington, New York Jets.
44. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans.
45. Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions.
46. Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins.
47. Chris Brown, Houston Texans.
48. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens.
49. LaMont Jordan, New England Patriots.
50. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins.


Photos by The Associated Press

Baseball Top 50: Why A-Rod is No. 1

TAMPA, Fla. - I've put together my preseason top 30, and here's a shock: Alex Rodriguez is No. 1.

A-Rod is a lightning rod for criticism and often equally despised in all five boroughs, but here's an often-overlooked fact: The guy is great. Not good, not really good, great.

We all know he won the the third MVP of his already-Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, but do you realize how great he was in 2007? He reached career highs in RBIs (156!) runs (143!) on-base percentage (.422!) and slugging percentage (.645!). He had his second-fewest strikeouts (120) since 1999, his second-most walks (95) since 2000 and his most steals (24) since 2004. And now he returns to the heart of a virtually unchanged lineup at age 32 for what should be another year of his prime. He doesn't really have any weaknesses, and while he believes teammate and best bud Derek Jeter will be this year's MVP, the smart money is on A-Rod to take home that trophy again with another monster season.

It's easy to jump to conclusions just from watching players sleepwalk through spring training, but seeing A-Rod toss the ball around at Legends Field on Tuesday (above), one got the sense he's more comfortable in his pinstripes than he used to be. Of course, if you put together the kind of 2007 campaign he just did, you'd be at ease, too. The pressure will never be lifted until he brings a World Series title to the Bronx, but Rodriguez realizes that from March to October, all he can do is focus on his own game. And with game like this, he's the safest fantasy pick you can make.

Here are the rest of my 2008 rankings:

1. 3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
2. 3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
3. 3B David Wright, Mets
4. SS Jose Reyes, Mets
5. SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
6. SP Johan Santana, Mets
7. 1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals
8. 2B Chase Utley, Phillies
9. OF Matt Holliday, Rockies
10. 1B Ryan Howard, Phillies
11. OF Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
12. SS Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
13. 1B Prince Fielder, Brewers
14. OF Carl Crawford, Rays
15. SP Jake Peavy, Padres
16. 3B Ryan Braun, Brewers
17. OF Grady Sizemore, Indians
18. OF Carlos Beltran, Mets
19. OF Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
20. DH David Ortiz, Red Sox
21. 2B/OF B.J. Upton, Rays
22. OF Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
23. 2B Brandon Phillips, Reds
24. 1B Justin Morneau, Twins
25. 1B Mark Teixeira, Braves
26. OF Carlos Lee, Astros
27. OF Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
28. 1B/OF Lance Berkman, Astros
29. OF Curtis Granderson, Tigers
30. C Victor Martinez, Indians
31. 3B Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
32. SP Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
33. SP Erik Bedard, Orioles
34. OF Adam Dunn, Reds
35. 1B Derrek Lee, Cubs
36. SP Josh Beckett, Red Sox
37. 2B Robinson Cano, Yankees
38. OF Alex Rios, Blue Jays
39. SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
40. OF Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
41. C Russell Martin, Dodgers
42. 3B/2B/OF Chone Figgins, Angels
43. RP Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
44. RP Francisco Rodriguez, Angels
45. SS Derek Jeter, Yankees
46. 2B Brian Roberts, Orioles
47. SP Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
48. DH Travis Hafner, Indians
49. OF Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks
50. 3B Garrett Atkins, Rockies

2008 baseball rankings

It's never too early to start looking ahead to 2008. Take the Pittsburgh Pirates: They've been doing that since, oh, Opening Day 2007.

Whether you were a fantasy baseball champ, a serious contender or a nonfactor like the real-life Pirates this year, you should already be thinking about next season. That's why I went ahead and did some extra-early fantasy rankings for '08 mixed leagues and keeper leagues.

Remember, a lot can change between now and then - injuries, free-agent signings, massive steroids scandals, the melting of the polar ice caps and so on. Don't start filling up my inbox with angry e-mails next April if Alex Rodriguez slips on a banana peel and tears his ACL or signs a $300 million contract with the Yomiuri Giants. This is just a helpful guide to get you started, and it's not etched in stone.

1. 3B A-Rod: Whether he stays in New York or uses that opt-out clause to go somewhere else for big money, he's still the most valuable fantasy commodity.

2. 3B Miguel Cabrera: He's already working on a Hall of Fame resume at age 24. A move to first base is coming if his waistline keeps
expanding - but I like him for who he is inside.

3. 1B Albert Pujols: I fully expect him to revert to his incredible old self in '08. He's too gifted not to, right?

4. SS Hanley Ramirez: Anybody who's capable of 30 homers AND 50 steals can play on my team anytime.

5. 3B David Wright: Just pencil him in for a .300 average, 40 doubles, 20 steals, 100 RBIs ... and about a million marriage proposals.

6. SP Johan Santana: There are few sure things among pitchers, but he's one. And there's a good chance he'll be pitching for a new team at some point in '08 - an enticing thought should he end up on a big-budget contender.

7. SS Jose Reyes: This year's drop-offs in average, homers and RBIs are cause for concern, but his wheels (78 steals through Tuesday) still look fine to me.

8. 2B Chase Utley: The Philadelphia Phillies were smart to lock him up early. He's capable of MVP numbers at a relatively thin position.

9. OF Matt Holliday: He's an offensive force, and as far as I know he'll still be playing his home games in Coors Field next season.

10. 1B Ryan Howard: His skyrocketing strikeout totals are the only thing keeping him from astronomical offensive numbers. He's still pretty good though.

11. OF Alfonso Soriano: A quad injury robbed him of a decent chunk of his '07 season - and he still managed 31 homers, 18 steals (and counting) for Lou Piniella's crew.

12. SS Jimmy Rollins: He's improved his power numbers without sacrificing any of his speed, and you can't pick up 30/30 men at Wal-Mart.

13. 1B Prince Fielder: Write this one down: Cecil's son will hit more career homers than his old man.

14. OF Carl Crawford: He's in his prime, there's talent around him for a change, and he contributes across the board statistically.

15. SP Jake Peavy: It's rare that I'll spend a top pick on a pitcher; it's also rare that a guy will contend for a pitching triple crown (wins, strikeouts, ERA).

The next 10: Ryan Braun, Grady Sizemore, Carlos Beltran, Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz, Justin Morneau, B.J. Upton, Ichiro Suzuki, Brandon Phillips, Mark Teixeira