Ed Barkowitz | KC's Holmes no sure thing

POSTED: November 9, 2007

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IF VETERAN GOLFERS strive to shoot their age, do elderly running backs try to rush for their age?

Of course not. If they did, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes is looking at 34 yards Sunday (which is probably the right number to expect anyhow).

Eagles 24, Bears 20

Chargers 31, Eagles 23

Cowboys 20, Eagles 16

With Larry Johnson becoming the latest stud running back to land on the injury report, eyes in Kansas City - and many in the fantasy world - have turned toward Holmes, the 34-year-old former superstar who is expected to get his first significant action since Oct. 30, 2005.

"I'm definitely ready. I'm prepared. Most of all, I'm having fun," Holmes said. "I think the 2 years off gave me a chance to grow personally. I've learned a lot, experienced a lot. I'm just excited. I think the element I bring to the team is one that's going to keep you guessing. If you have that element, it's definitely a good thing."

It will be a good thing if he surpasses 34 yards, even against the Broncos' 32nd-ranked run defense.

Holmes' career seemed to end that 2005 day when he suffered head and neck trauma after a hit by San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman. He sat out the last nine games of 2005 and all of 2006.

Holmes surprised the Chiefs when he showed up to training camp hoping for a job. And since he is KC's all-time leading rusher, coach Herm Edwards gave him an opportunity.

Holmes relieved Johnson Sunday and ran three times for 8 yards. He also scored on a two-point conversion, which might account for why his stock is so high.

I just can't get past the fact that the guy is 34 and he's playing for the Chiefs. This isn't the Steelers of the '70s, with a top quarterback and a bunch of road graters for offensive linemen.

Johnson, 27, had an awful start and was beginning to turn it around before he got hurt. But he's Larry Johnson, who doesn't have nearly the mileage on his tires as Priest Holmes.

The Chiefs said yesterday that the swelling in Johnson's foot has gone down and that the prognosis doesn't seem as dire as initially thought. If you're still desperate for a Chiefs running back, look at Kolby Smith, the rookie out of Louisville.

Result of the week

Clem Comly, of Wallingford, needs to take a bow.

We asked readers last week to project the number of passing yards Tom Brady and Peyton Manning would accumulate. There were lots of guesses, many way too high. Comly nailed their combined 480 yards right on the nose. For his effort, Comly earned a Daily News fantasy football T-shirt.

Attention all personnel . . .

. . . Military personnel, that is. Rotohog.com is commemorating Veterans Day by starting an 8-week league that will begin with Sunday's holiday.

The Military Fantasy Football League is free and open to current and former troops and their families. Rotohog also is running pay leagues, with the generated revenues going toward the Hire A Hero initiative, a non-profit organization that helps military folks return to civilian life.

See Rotohog.com for additional details.

Three up

* Maurice Morris, RB, Seahawks: Starting running back Shaun Alexander has all the reliability of a '75 Datsun. If you're looking for postseason running back depth, take a chance on Morris' workload increasing.

* Brett Favre, QB, Packers: Has thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven of his last eight games against the Vikings.

* Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: Word out of Houston is that he will play next week against the Saints. It would be Johnson's first action since Week 2.

Three down

* Lawrence Tynes, K, Giants: If you are targeting the postseason, carrying two kickers is recommended. Tynes should not be one of them.

* Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: Even if he does play, the matchup with an angry Ravens defense is so unappealing, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the only Bengals offensive player who deserves a fantasy start. That said, it's worth noting that Johnson had 95 yards and a touchdown Week 1 against Baltimore.

* Cedric Benson, RB, Bears: Fantasy players already are tired of this guy's inconsistency. Maybe Chicago soon will be, too. Those in 12+ leagues should keep Benson's backup, Adrian Peterson (not that Adrian Peterson), on the radar.

* (Bonus entry) The NFC and AFC West divisions: Notice their standings lately? None of the eight teams is over .500.