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’Tis the season for Fanta Claus

PHILADELPHIA — Fanta Claus needs to check his list only once to know who’s been nice. There are plenty of presents for Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Larry Johnson, Steve Smith.

But there also have been naughty players, so many so that Fanta is draining the national supply on coal. There are Willis McGahee and Andre Johnson. Aaron Brooks and Brett Favre.

Even Tony Gonzalez, who’s been respectable with 68 catches, gets flagged because only two of those grabs have been touchdowns.

Fanta has special ire for some players who in training camp seemed poised to lead fantasy owners the way Rudolph leads the sleigh. Problem is, the bulb in their red noses burned out, and the thing crashed somewhere near the Himalayas.

Here are the five most devastating myths coming into the season:

-Randy Moss and Kerry Collins will light up the Oakland skies.

Since Week 5, Moss’ longest catch has been 29 yards, and with six touchdowns, he’s threatening his career low of seven. But the season he had seven, he also had 106 catches and 1,347 yards. This season, he has only 48 grabs for 817 yards.

-Don’t take those situps seriously; T.O. will be fine once the season starts.

Actually, he did get out of the gate quickly before tripping over his own tongue. Wonder whether he still thinks the Eagles would be undefeated if Brett Favre were their quarterback.

- Bill Parcells loves Julius Jones.

Faster than you can say “running back by committee,” along comes Marion Barber III to take Jones’ carries, especially around the goal line. Yes, Jones missed three games in October because of an ankle injury, but that does not excuse the fact he hasn’t been to the end zone since Sept. 25 — a span of eight games.

-Kevin Jones will have a monster 2005.

There was no shame on spending a high pick on Jones, who finished 2004 with four 100-yard games in his final seven. The sin, though, was that many owners overlooked that Jones plays for the Lions.

- Keary Colbert is a sleeper.

Bought into this one personally. After a decent rookie season, Colbert appeared ready to take the next step. Well, he took it all right. Stepped right on a land mine, with a paltry 23 catches, 271 yards and two touchdowns.

Three Up- Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson: His injured ribs did not prevent him from practicing this week, and, with the Chargers fighting for their playoff lives, it would take something disastrous to prevent LT from playing against the Chiefs.- Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams: Forget that 23-yard flop against the Patriots last Saturday, Williams has a much better matchup Saturday against Atlanta, and is 53 yards from 1,000.- Steelers running back Willie Parker: He’s 63 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season since high school. Pittsburgh’s last two are at Cleveland (27th vs. the run) and at home against Detroit (26th). He should be a fine No. 2 option these next two weeks.

Three Down- Raiders running back LaMont Jordan: As if a matchup at Denver were not enough to sit him, Jordan’s battling a nasty case of turf toe.- Rams running back Steven Jackson: Even if Jackson misses practice again Friday, Rams coach Joe Vitt says he still could play Saturday against the 49ers. Don’t know whether he’ll play, but do know backup Marshall Faulk had 16 carries for 87 yards Sunday against the Eagles.- Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison: If you’re Indy, how much would you play Harrison, who has an injured hand?

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