PHILADELPHIA — Sleepers.

They are the keys to successful fantasy football. They are guys who get picked in the seventh round and blossom into Studville. They are elusive.

It's early, but Frank Gore seems to be one of those guys.

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson isn't a fantasy player, but he does have to game plan for the San Francisco running back this week. His eyes are wide open.

"Excellent, excellent running back," Johnson said. "Good quickness, good strength, good vision. He's a legit running back. He's very impressive."

Gore ripped up his knees twice during his time at the University of Miami. A lightning-fast running back whose injuries cleared the way for Willis McGahee, Gore slipped to the third round before the 49ers grabbed him last year. He split time with Kevan Barlow in 2005 and finished third among rookie running backs with 608 yards.

The confirmation that he was to become the team's No. 1 back came when the 49ers shipped Barlow to the Jets in late August.

"I'm just happy I got an opportunity," Gore said. "My coaches gave me an opportunity, and I'm going to try to do my best and just keep working."

In two games, Gore posted 87 yards at Arizona and 127 against St. Louis. In our 10-team league, he was the 26th running back selected.

"The last couple years, the 49ers' skill players really haven't done much," Eagles linebacker Shawn Barber said. "But Gore finishes his carries, he's never knocked backwards. His style reminds me of Stephen Davis."

To-Do List

Switching up the standard three up/three down element, here are some things fantasy owners need to do:

n Hit the panic button if Daunte Culpepper has another shaky outing this week. He gets the benefit of the doubt for tossing a total of one touchdown pass against the above-average defenses of Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Culpepper needs a big game for the Dolphins against lowly Tennessee.

n Worry about Kevin Jones. The Lions' running back has fumbled four times in two games, is averaging 3.0 yards per carry, has more receiving yards than rushing yards and his next touchdown will be his first.

n Trade Oakland receiver Randy Moss.

n Trade for Denver receiver Javon Walker. Rod Smith, 36, suffered another concussion, his third in less than a year, according to the Denver Post. This increases the value of Walker, who is getting more comfortable with the Denver offense despite Jake Plummer's struggles.

n Grab Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery. He's not so much a bye-week fill-in because New York has some toughies coming up (at Buffalo, at Jacksonville), but he is developing into a spot starter when the matchups are right. Detroit, Cleveland, Houston, Green Bay and Oakland are on the Jets' schedule.

n Strongly consider using Ravens quarterback Steve McNair this week. The Browns gave up 352 yards last week to Carson Palmer and will be without two of their top corners. Look for 250 and three scores for McNair.

n Remember this is the first of the bye weeks. Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego are idle.

n Pass on Billy Volek. If he couldn't start for the Titans, he won't suddenly start studding it up in San Diego. Besides, the only way he gets on the field is if something happens to Philip Rivers.

Attention Commisioners

How did your league rule last week's play in which Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell threw a 16-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal?

Did Longwell get credit for a touchdown pass? Not that anyone owned him, but did Richard Owens get credit for a touchdown catch? Finally, did Minnesota get credit for a defense/special teams touchdown?

Send an e-mail with how your league handled it and if the play caused any gripes to fantasyfootballphillynews.com. Be sure to include your name, league name and hometown. One participant will be randomly selected to win a Philadelphia Daily News fantasy football T-shirt.

Roster of the Week

Who: Suzy Kolber, ESPN broadcaster

Record: 2-0

League (Size): Monday Night Football Fantasy League (12 teams)

Host: ESPN.com

QUARTERBACKSEli Manning, N.Y. GiantsPhilip Rivers, San DiegoBen Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh

RUNNING BACKSMarion Barber, DallasRudi Johnson, CincinnatiMaurice Jones-Drew, JacksonvilleWillis McGahee, BuffaloDeAngelo Williams, Carolina

WIDE RECEIVERSAntonio Bryant, San FranciscoKevin Curtis, St. LouisDoug Gabriel, New EnglandJoey Galloway, Tampa BayAndre Johnson, Houston

TIGHT ENDSAntonio Gates, San DiegoRandy McMichael, Miami

KICKERJeff Wilkins, St. Louis

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMSDallas, Cleveland