Ed Barkowitz | Rowand's playoff hunt continues off field
PHILLIES centerfielder Aaron Rowand is having a career year, one that he will parlay into a lucrative contract . . . somewhere.
He is hitting in the middle of the most productive lineup in the National League and is a key member of a team in the thick of a playoff chase. Not only that, but his fantasy football team is 3-0. Things couldn't be better, right?
Wrong.
Rowand has two problems - besides trying to fight back the Mets, Padres and Rockies. Steven Jackson is his only quality running back, and Rex Grossman was his only backup quarterback.
"I have to look at [the waiver wire] soon and get somebody," Rowand said the other day.
Rowand has been a member of CBSSports.com's 14-team MLB Players FFL for the last 3 years. This year, he drafted second and, like many of us, picked Jackson, the Rams running back who injured his groin Sunday. When Jackson got hurt, Rowand looked down his bench and saw only Pittsburgh's Najeh Davenport and the Eagles' Tony Hunt.
To compound matters, Grossman was the only other quarterback on his roster besides Jay Cutler. Rowand quickly jumped on Brian Griese, the Bears' new starter in place of Grossman. Rowand still hadn't made a running back move as of deadline; Seattle pitcher Jarrod Washburn drafted rookie Brian Leonard, Jackson's backup and the Rams starter for at least this Sunday. (Rowand also needs a tight end, since Washington's Chris Cooley has a bye.)
Given that the Padres are one of the teams the Phillies are battling for a playoff spot, it's ironic that Rowand is putting his undefeated fantasy record on the line this week against San Diego pitcher Greg Maddux.
Rowand is a respectable 5-for-16 (.313) against Maddux in his baseball career, but recalls a particularly stinging defeat to the Padres righthander in fantasy football in 2005.
"I was in first place the whole season and looking real good. But the first game of the playoffs, I lost to Maddux," said Rowand, who helped the White Sox win the World Series that year. "My guys just didn't show up, and some guys sat, because their teams had clinched playoff berths. I got screwed, because a couple of my guys only played a couple quarters, and Greg ended up beating me and he ended up winning the whole thing."
Chatter is as much a part of their league as it is for the rest of us. Rowand says Milwaukee's Ben Sheets and the Yankees' Doug Mientkiewicz, the league's defending champ, are the biggest yappers. Sounds as if Rowand might be, too.
"I'm sure I'll be talking to [Maddux] either through the league Web site or on the phone," he said.
"That's half the fun of playing in this league. You get to see guys here and there. When I was in Chicago, I'd see [Michael] Cuddyer all the time, because we played Minnesota so much; we'd talk to each other during the game and before the game."
Aaron Rowand's roster
Aaron Rowand's roster in the 14-team CBSSports.com MLB Players FFL as of press time:
ACTIVE
QB: Brian Griese, Bears
RB: Tatum Bell, Lions
RB: Najeh Davenport, Steelers
WR: Marvin Harrison, Colts
