Teams Discover Youth Movement

Back before the free-agent era, a prominent NFL general manager was shown a list of veterans who hadn’t made it through the final cut even though they had dozens of Pro Bowls in their pasts.

How many games would you win with these guys, the man was asked.

“None,” he replied.

That lesson has been hammered home in the first two weeks of the 2000 season.

Last Sunday in Detroit, the Lions threw almost exclusively at Deion Sanders, staying away from second-year-man Champ Bailey. When Sanders was in Atlanta, San Francisco and Dallas, people threw away from him, but he’s now 33, and he was burned repeatedly.

“The worst game I ever played,” Sanders said.

Things change when stars pass 30 and youngsters such as Bailey arrive, something that rookie owners like Dan Snyder don’t realize when they assemble fantasy league teams that stretch the salary cap.

With the season-ending injury to wide receiver Michael Westbrook, Snyder’s Redskins must rely on newly signed Andre Reed, 36, and Irving Fryar, who will turn 38 at the end of this month. At that age, even if they can still perform, they’re injuries waiting to happen.

The Redskins can look to themselves to see how well youth serves.

Their best player right now might be Bailey. “He’s the best cover corner in the league,” Indianapolis president Bill Polian said. And their offensive line is anchored by tackles Jon Jansen, in his second year, and rookie Chris Samuels, both of whom have Pro Bowl futures.

Two more examples.

* Tampa Bay allowed Hardy Nickerson, the rock of its linebacking corps, to go to Jacksonville and released defensive tackle Brad Culpepper. Not only did that save cap room, but it opened the way for younger and quicker Jamie Duncan at linebacker and Anthony McFarland at tackle.

So far, there’s been no falloff.

* There were a lot of questions when the Bills allowed Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Reed to ride off into the sunset. Smith’s started well in Washington, but the Bills have some outstanding defensive youngsters like Pat Williams, Marcellus Wiley and Sam Cowart. “We had them for a few years and knew what they could do,” general manager John Butler says. “Letting Bruce go opened things up for them.”

Going for youth over age shouldn’t be written in stone.

Tampa Bay went with youngsters on defense, but added veterans Jeff Christy and Randall McDaniel to their offensive line.

The Giants did the same.

They rebuilt their offensive line from young to old, adding four new starters, including Lomas Brown, 37, and Glenn Parker, 34. The holdover is 29-year-old Ron Stone, and the results are obvious--New York is 2-0, leads the league in rushing and has allowed just one sack for no yards.

Offensive lines need experience--age.

Defenses need speed--youth.

Washington just needs cohesion.

PEAS FROM A POD

In 1988, Buffalo got Thurman Thomas in the second round of the draft because his knees were questionable. Among the running backs taken before him were Brad Muster, John Stephens, Craig (Ironhead) Heyward, Gaston Green and Lorenzo White.

Thirteen seasons later, Thomas, the 40th overall pick, is in the top 10 in numerous career categories, including ninth in rushing and 10th in all-purpose yards. Most of those taken before him had short careers.

Two years ago, the Bills got Sam Cowart in the second round, like Thomas at 40th overall. Cowart dropped because of knee problems at Florida State. Now in his third year, he has 28 tackles in two games.

Of note: In the years they got Thomas and Cowart, the Bills had no No. 1 pick. Is it any wonder why they’ve stayed competitive?

BROTHER ACT

Chances are neither will stay there.

Corners don’t normally get multiple sacks, and Tiki Barber splits time with Ron Dayne and doubles as a punt returner and third-down back. He’s unlikely to get enough carries to win the rushing title.

But the twins are enjoying their success while it lasts.

“I thought I was doing good things,” Tiki said. “But he’s leading the league in sacks. I can’t get away from his success.”

DIRTY DOZEN

The top and bottom six teams in the league based on current level of play:

TOP SIX

1. Tampa Bay (2-0): Is there an offense now to go with the defense?

2. St. Louis (2-0): Mike Martz says he can correct the defensive problems.

3. Baltimore (2-0): It’s a good sign when the defense stumbles and the offense picks it up.

4. Oakland (2-0): Big road comebacks can lift any team.

5. Denver (1-1): A 5-point loss at St. Louis doesn’t mar the start.

6. (tie) Detroit (2-0) and New York Giants (2-0): Out of the blue.

BOTTOM SIX

26. Atlanta (1-1): The win was over the 49ers at home.

27. San Diego (0-2): May have a rough season learning whether Ryan Leaf is the future.

28. Dallas (0-2): Troy Aikman’s injury isn’t the problem. An overinvolved owner is.

29. San Francisco (0-2): Will have to fight its way back up the food chain.

30. Pittsburgh (0-1):Being idle doesn’t move them up.

31. Cincinnati (0-1): Opened a new stadium by losing to a second-year franchise.