2007 Awards

Before we close the book on the 2007 fantasy season, it's time to look back at the season that was.

It was kind of a bad year for running backs, a good year for most of the Patriots, and a so-so year for my teams. In the interest of full disclosure, I have two leagues that I consider my main leagues, and I finished in third in one 12-team league (losing in the first round of the playoffs and winning the consolation game) and I missed the playoffs in my other league (two divisions of 10 teams) by a game. Not quite what I hoped for, but not a total disaster.

Anyway, time to hand out the hardware:
MVP AWARD
Someday you'll be telling your grandkids about what Tom Brady did this season. They'll probably ignore you though. Brats.

BUST OF THE YEAR AWARD
Shaun Alexander could finish with fewer fantasy points than Ronnie Brown (out since Week 8), Larry Johnson (out since Week 9) and Maurice Morris (Alexander's backup). That's disgraceful for a guy who's played in 12 games so far and was considered a top-10 running back in the preseason.

2007 ALL-FANTASY TEAM
QB: Tom Brady
RB1: LaDainian Tomlinson
RB2: Brian Westbrook
WR1: Randy Moss
WR2: Terrell Owens
TE: Jason Witten
Defense: San Diego Chargers
Kicker: Mason Crosby

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Adrian Peterson, who else?

SOPHOMORE SLUMP AWARD
Maurice Jones-Drew gets the dishonor only because his nine total TDs so far are well short of last season's 15. That wasn't a reasonable expectation, though.

FUTURE FANTASY STUD AWARD
RB Darren McFadden, New England Patriots?

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Moss caught 11 touchdowns in his two years in Oakland. He's got 21 so far with the New England Patriots. It's amazing what a change of scenery can do.

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER AWARD
QBs Derek Anderson and Tony Romo share the prize for making themselves legit fantasy threats.

BEST PREDICTIONS BY YOURS TRULY
I tabbed Brandon Marshall and Santonio Holmes as sleepers, and I knew Peterson would be good (but not this good).

WORST PREDICTIONS BY YOURS TRULY
I believed Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones could make meaningful contributions each week. Oops.

RISING STOCK
Braylon Edwards, Marshawn Lynch, Earnest Graham, Ryan Grant, David Garrard.

FALLING STOCK
Vince Young, Rudi Johnson, Eli Manning, Larry Johnson, Laurence Maroney.

ONE-WEEK WONDER AWARD
In Week 4, Oakland Raiders QB Daunte Culpepper had one of the freakiest fantasy stat lines I can recall in recent years: 5 for 12, 75 yards, two TDs passing, three TDs rushing to lead all scorers. Other than that, he was either average or injured the rest of the time.

SUPER EARLY TOP 10 FOR 2008
1. Tomlinson
2. Westbrook
3. Peterson
4. Joseph Addai
5. Brady
6. Steven Jackson
7. Peyton Manning
8. Frank Gore
9. Moss
10. Romo

Photos by The Associated Press

Hot pickups - Week 17

If your fantasy team is playing for a title this weekend, I commend you.

The select few who’ve made it this far (and whose leagues have a rare Week 17 championship) deserve praise from guys like me, who are watching from the sidelines and cursing ourselves for drafting Arnaz Battle over Wes Welker.

If you're looking to fill a roster spot because of season-ending injuries or guys resting for the playoffs, there's help available, especially at RB. Here's who to look at:

There's a decent chance Kenny Watson was scooped up a while ago in your league, but if not, grab him immediately and start him against the Dolphins. Rudi Johnson's iffy, the Dolphins are bad and Watson's pretty good. Should be an interesting tailback situation for the Bengals next year. FIVE STARS (Out of five)

T.J. Duckett almost equaled his season output in one game last week against the Chiefs with 102 yards and a TD. The big battering ram will get most of the touches with Kevin Jones out with a torn ACL, and he has a chance to be productive against a Packers defense that has nothing to play for. FOUR STARS

Musa Smith should get a bunch of work at RB for the Ravens with Willis McGahee done and Mike Anderson recovering from a strained quad. He does face the Steelers, however, which knocks him down a peg from the other RB options out there. THREE STARS

Hot pickups - Week 16

It's kind of slim pickings this week on the waiver wire in most leagues. But if you're scraping the bottom of the barrel for a spot starter, take a quick look at these guys:

• Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas’ storybook season came to an end with an MCL sprain last week, which means LaMont Jordan and/or Dominic Rhodes will take over by default. Maybe one of them will step up against the Jaguars, probably Rhodes, but only go there if you’re desperate. THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

• Jeremy Shockey’s season is over, too, because of a broken leg. The New York Giants will turn to rookies Kevin Boss (who caught a 19-yard TD in Week 15) and Michael Matthews at tight end, but neither guy can really be counted on. I’d be more excited about the opportunity this opens up for WR Sinorice Moss, who’s talented but still figuring out this whole NFL thing. Might be worth a look in very deep leagues or keeper leagues. Boss - TWO STARS; Moss - THREE STARS

• Chargers third-string RB Darren Sproles ran for over 100 yards when LaDainian Tomlinson was rested in the second half last week and backup Michael Turner was hurt. There's a decent chance Sproles (Or Turner, if healthy) could see lots of action if the Chargers rest Tomlinson this week against Denver or in Week 17 against the Raiders, if your season lasts that long. THREE STARS

• Shaun Hill wasn't terrible in his first NFL start for the 49ers (one passing TD, one rushing TD). He might be able to do something against the Bucs, who haven't won in San Francisco since 1980 and have already clinched the NFC South. TWO STARS

Star backs back?

Anybody who's still alive in the playoffs and in need of some help at RB could get an unexpected boost from two stars who've been on the shelf.

• Sounds like there’s a chance Larry Johnson (foot) is practicing and could return to the field against the Detroit Lions, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but a relatively healthy LJ would have more upside than fringe guys like Ladell Betts or Julius Jones. There’s a good chance some frustrated owner cut him, too, if your league allowed it, so see if you can pick him up.

• There’s a possibility Reggie Bush (knee) could be back in action too this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, the AP reports. ESPN said Bush was going to be out for the year a couple weeks ago, but by now you hopefully know to take anything they say with a grain of salt. Anyway, if Bush can go Sunday he wouldn’t be a bad flex play. If not, RB Aaron Stecker (195 rushing yards, two TDs in his past two games) and WR David Patten (193 receiving yards, two TDs in his past two games) should continue to benefit from Bush’s absence.

Are you effing kidding me?

This new segment is dedicated to anybody who lost a playoff matchup in Week 15. I feel your pain.

• Tony Romo had a 22.2 QB rating? Are you effing kidding me? No TDs, three INTs, 13-for-36? What was that? Think he might have had something else on his mind?


• People actually wear pink Cowboys jerseys? Are you effing kidding me?

• Terrell Owens has five catches for 58 yards and no TDs in his past two games? Are you effing kidding me?

• Zero TDs for Tom Brady? THE Tom Brady? Are you effing kidding me?

• Jamal Lewis ran for 163 yards in the snow? The same three-inches-and-a-cloud-of-dust Jamal Lewis from last year? Are you effing kidding me?

• Brian Westbrook ... are you effing kidding me?



• LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 116 yards and two TDs, all in the first half? Are you effing kidding me?

• Cleo Lemon was tied with Drew Brees for most passing yards in Week 15? Are you effing kidding me?

• The Dolphins won a game? Are you effing kidding me?

• David Garrard threw three TDs against the No. 1-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers defense? Are you effing kidding me?

• Todd Collins still plays in the NFL? The former heir apparent to Jim Kelly? And his team won? Are you effing kidding me?

Snow problem

Sounds like they're calling for some nasty weather up in Foxborough this weekend for the Patriots-Jets game. That's probably got some of you a little concerned if you've ridden Tom Brady and Co. to the fantasy playoffs. Before you go and do something drastic, however, let's think about this.

Our friend Tom does have some experience playing in the snow, as you may recall from the picture above. Obviously the white stuff, if it does hit, will slow down the passing game a bit, and that's what the Patriots are built around this season. But I really don't think there's any way you can bench Brady, Randy Moss or probably even Wes Welker this week. Doesn't matter if there's three feet of snow on the ground, the Pats are going to try to embarrass the Jets after the whole spygate thing. Now, you want to bench Ben Watson? Donte' Stallworth? Jerricho Cotchery or Laveranues Coles of the Jets? I'm fine with that. But you'll probably never forgive yourself if Brady hooks up with Moss a couple times and you have them on your bench. I'm just sayin.

Photo courtesy of the Boston Globe.

Hot Pickups - Week 15

• Aaron Stecker's back on the hot list after a 100-yard game and Reggie Bush's knee injury. The Saints backup might find some room to run against the Cardinals. He wouldn't be a bad No. 3/flex back. FOUR STARS (Out of five)

• Jabar Gaffney's hot streak (TD in three straight games) is getting to be too much to ignore. You figure the Patriots will try to decimate the Jets this week, too, which works in Gaffney's favor. FOUR STARS

• Anthony Gonzalez has two 100-yard games in his past three and scored twice last Sunday. He's clearly benefitted from Marvin Harrison's absence, and that should continue again this week, although the Raiders' pass D isn't as much of a pushover as you might think. THREE STARS

• Jerheme Urban had one of those classic "Huh?" games last week (six catches, 123 yards, TD) when everybody was expecting Bryant Johnson to step up with starter Anquan Boldin out. Any chance of an encore? Sure, if Boldin's still out ... he is going against the Saints, after all. THREE STARS

• Like a moth to a flame, I keep getting drawn back to LaMont Jordan. I've been burned before, so the only way I'm touching him this week is if starter Justin Fargas (ribs) really can't go against the Colts. It'll probably be painful though. Be careful. TWO STARS

• Samkon Gado is an old fantasy friend of mine, so normally I'd have no problem recommending him, especially coming off last week's showing (93 total yards, two TDs) for the Texans. Only problem is Sammy now faces the Ravens, who may be falling apart but still know how to stop the run. TWO STARS

Beware of the dud

I was going to do a Week 14 recap, but why live in the past? If you're reading this, odds are your fantasy team is in the playoffs this week, so I'll do everything I can to get you prepared.

The following guys are setting off my dud radar, and I’d give serious thought to benching them unless I’m really stuck:




• Donovan McNabb is usually hurt around this time of year, so you can understand if he’s a little rusty against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s been a rough year for his Philadelphia Eagles.

• Kurt Warner has produced since taking over as the Arizona Cardinals’ starter, but do you really trust him with your fantasy life? Sure, he threw three TDs last week, but he was also picked off five times.

• Kansas City Chiefs rookie Kolby Smith rushed 13 times for 12 yards against the Denver Broncos, who can’t stop anybody. What makes you think he’ll fare better against the Tennessee Titans?

• Shaun Alexander’s been good for about 60 rushing yards a game this season. Start him if that’s what you’re into, but don’t expect anything special.

• I’ve seen enough touchdown-free games by Vince Young this year – six to be exact. Don’t let that happen to you this week. Start Cleo Lemon if you have to.

• Laurence Maroney and Donte’ Stallworth look like afterthoughts in the New England Patriots’ juggernaut offense. They should be fantasy afterthoughts too, even though their team won’t hold any punches against the New York Jets.

• I enjoy Maurice Jones-Drew’s highlights as much as the next guy, but would a 30-yard, no-TD game shock you this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

• It’s been an awful season for Steve Smith and the Carolina Panthers. He hasn’t scored since Week 6. No reason to believe that'll change this week against Seattle.

• Sure, Jay Cutler's coming off a four-TD game. But he's also got three zero-TD games and six one-TD games this year.

• Kevin Jones has put some great games on this year's stat sheet, but there are also 1-yard and minus-4-yard games sprinkled in there. Be careful using him this week against the Chargers.

Photo by The Associated Press.

Let the schedule be your guide

NFL coaches are always yapping to their players about not looking past the next game on the schedule. That motivational tool may work for Scott Linehan and pals, but what about us fantasy players?

We’re at a crucial point in our season, with the fantasy playoffs just a week away in most cases. For us, there’s no excuse not to look ahead on the NFL schedule as you begin sizing up your team’s chances in the postseason.

Let’s examine some key players and their remaining opponents, beginning with the upcoming Week 14. Most of you will want to pay special attention to their matchups in Weeks 15 and 16, as those will be the playoffs for the majority of fantasy leagues.

• Willis McGahee (Indianapolis, at Miami, at Seattle, Pittsburgh): He’s coming off his best game of the season (138 yards, TD), which surprisingly came against the stout New England Patriots. McGahee has a chance to do some real damage against the Dolphins (league-high 149 rushing yards allowed a game) and Seahawks (third worst in rushing TDs allowed).



• Justin Fargas (at Green Bay, Indianapolis, at Jacksonville, San Diego): Fargas helped a lot of folks out by emerging as the Oakland Raiders’ clear-cut starter in recent weeks. Be careful not to set your expectations too high, however, as he’s about to run the gauntlet against some challenging run-stoppers.

• Derek Anderson (New York Jets, Buffalo, at Cincinnati, San Francisco): He’s been written off as a fluke more times than global warming, but Anderson has been every bit as good as Peyton Manning this year, and he’s not cooling off any time soon – not with the Cleveland Browns pushing for a playoff spot against some of the league’s worst passing defenses.

• David Garrard (Carolina, at Pittsburgh, Oakland, at Houston): Garrard’s become a competent fantasy starter since winning the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting job. He’s a risky play, however, against the Steelers and Raiders, who both rank in the league’s top five in fewest passing TDs allowed.

• Marshawn Lynch (Miami, at Cleveland, New York Giants, at Philadelphia): It’s hurt not having Lynch available the past three weeks because of an ankle injury. The Buffalo Bills are aiming to ease him back this week against the soft Dolphins, though, and perhaps he’ll be back to 100 percent against the almost-as-soft Browns. And if for some reason he can’t go, backup Fred Jackson isn’t a bad option.

• Thomas Jones (Cleveland, at New England, at Tennessee, Kansas City): It was really great seeing Jonesy score his first TD in 242 carries last week. He might even do it again this week. But the odds are against him when it really counts, against the tough Ravens and Patriots.

Week 13 recap - Pt. 2

BILLS 17, REDSKINS 16:



I don’t want this to sound too insensitive after the death of Sean Taylor and all, but what were the Redskins thinking, honestly? Ten men on defense for the first play (a 22-yard run by Buffalo’s Fred Jackson) ... then Joe Gibbs calling two timeouts in a row, giving the Bills extra yards on the game-winning field goal ... they really screwed this one up from beginning to end. But I guess you can’t really blame them. ... Jackson did some nice things (82 yards rushing, 69 receiving) in relief of Marshawn Lynch, and he’s not a bad speculative pickup if Lynch (ankle) can’t suit up again in Week 14. ... Clinton Portis limped off the field, and with the short work week, Ladell Betts might finally get some serious reps on Thursday against the Bears.

PATRIOTS 27, RAVENS 24: We pretty much know the Pats’ story by now. I want to focus on Baltimore for a moment. Willis McGahee ran with authority (138 yards, TD) in tribute to Taylor, his former teammate at The U. McGahee’s got some appealing matchups around fantasy playoff time too (more on that in my next blog post). And Kyle Boller is finally showing us some of what Baltimore originally saw in him years ago. Steve McNair is officially out for the year, so at least you don’t have to worry about him if you want to give Boller a shot.

PANTHERS 31, 49ERS 14: Argh, just when you think the Frank Gore situation’s headed in the right direction, he gets only 12 carries with the Niners digging themselves an early hole. He totaled 58 yards on the ground and nearly matched that in receiving yards (53). I don’t expect anything better against the Vikings this week, but he could get something done the following Saturday against Cincinnati. Maybe? Please?



CARDINALS 27, BROWNS 21: Kurt Warner managed two TD passes despite being without Larry Fitzgerald (groin) and losing Anquan Boldin (toe), possibly for the season. Warner improvised, throwing one to Bryant Johnson (a nice waiver wire guy this week against the Seahawks) and TE Leonard Pope (told you about him, didn’t I?). … Braylon Edwards’ amazing season rolls on. Plays like this one really make me glad I drafted him (as my third WR, no less!). Yeah, I rule.

RAIDERS 34, BRONCOS 20: Move over, Ty and Koy Detmer. Big wins Sunday for both Luke McCown (more in a moment) and brother Josh McCown. JaMarcus Russell may be the future in Oakland (and in keeper leagues), but Josh stole the day with three TD passes. Calm down though, it was only the Broncos. … Speaking of which, Denver’s Travis Henry (two TDs) is good to go for the rest of the year now that the suspension cloud has been lifted. We may not have much use for Selvin Young or Andre Hall from here on out, assuming Henry’s healthy

BUCS 27, SAINTS 23: The other McCown did some nice things (29 for 37, 313 yards, two TDs) in a spot start for Jeff Garcia. The Saints’ sorry pass D had a lot to do with that, of course, and so did Joey Galloway (seven catches, 159 yards), who always burns New Orleans. … Tampa Bay is optimistic Garcia will return this week against Houston, for those dying to get the old guy back in their lineup.

GIANTS 21, BEARS 16: Hope you enjoyed Derrick Ward’s 154 yards and a TD, because he’s now out for the year with a broken leg. There’s good news, though, if you were using him as a handcuff to starter Brandon Jacobs: Sounds like Jacobs (hamstring) will be back this week against Philly. … The Other Adrian Peterson passed his first test as the Bears’ starter (67 rushing yards, 82 receiving). I’ll be really sold if he duplicates it against the Redskins on Thursday.

STEELERS 24, BENGALS 10: There were probably a lot of ticked off fantasy players Monday morning because of Carson Palmer’s performance. The Bengals QB, who hasn’t exactly been lighting it up the way he should be, was held touchdownless. Granted, it was raining and the Steelers are good, but still, NO TDs?? We would have been better off starting Sage Rosenfels! Anyway, if you want to look on the bright side, take a look at Palmer’s upcoming opponents: Rams, Niners, Browns, Dolphins. Take special note of that third opponent: that’s the team he threw six TDs against earlier this year, and the rematch comes in what will be the fantasy Super Bowl in most leagues. Awesome!

Photos by The Associated Press.

Week 13 recap Pt. 1

RAMS 28, FALCONS 16: It appears Gus Frerotte has mastered the center-QB exchange. He helped make up for last week's boner by throwing three TDs. Unfortunately ol' Gus banged up his shoulder. If Marc Bulger is still feeling woozy in Week 14, third-stringer Brock Berlin (remember him?) be worth a shot against the Bengals. ... Steven Jackson turned a mediocre day into a very good one by breaking off a 50-yard TD scamper late in the game. ... Roddy White somehow managed 146 yards and a TD with the dynamic duo of Joey Harrington and Chris Redman throwing him the ball - not bad.



CHARGERS 24, CHIEFS 10: This is what we should have seen from San Diego all season: A hellacious defense (eight sacks, four turnovers) and LaDainian Tomlinson running wild (177 yards, two TDs). Nice to see them figuring out their formula for success as we enter playoff time (they meet the Titans, Lions, Broncos, and Raiders in the coming weeks). ... The Chiefs had no answer behind Damon Huard (and later someone named Tyler Thigpen) at QB. Tony Gonzalez still had his fourth 100-yard game, so you don't have to worry about him at least. And Kolby Smith was good (21 carries, 83 yards), not great in start No. 2.

COLTS 28, JAGUARS 25: Four TDs from our pal Peyton Manning. Impressive, especially with Marvin Harrison still out. ... Only 67 yards for Joe Addai, but you knew it was a tough assignment against the Jags' D. Still, Joey hasn't passed the century mark since Week 9 against the Pats. Odds are he won't run for 100 next week against the Ravens, either, but here's betting he does it the following week against Oakland, just in time for most fantasy playoff openers. ... Fred Taylor, on the other hand, had 114 yards, while running mate Maurice Jones-Drew scored four the fourth straight game. That's the kind of streak we like to see.

TITANS 28, TEXANS 20: Vince Young decided to throw some touchdowns this week. Still been a disappointing year for VY any way you slice it. But he does have good matchups with the Chiefs and Jets in Weeks 14 and 15 if that helps. ... This Matt Schaub dude just can't stay on the field. Sage Rosenfels had to relieve him again. Stay away from this duo. ... Don't stay away from Andre Johnson (nine catches, 116 yards, TD).



JETS 40, DOLPHINS 13: Somewhere, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers were gathered together around a plasma set with the champagne on ice. They all thought this would be the day Miami would get in the win column, preserving the Bucs' place in history as the last winless NFL team. But no, the Jets had to go and ruin those old guys' party. Maybe next week, fellas. ... Anyway, not much going on here fantasy-wise. One item of note: Thomas Jones finally scored a TD. Yeah!!

VIKINGS 42, LIONS 10: Guess Adrian Peterson feels OK (116 yards, two TDs), even with a knee brace on. Start him with confidence from here on out. ... Sidney Rice scored for the second straight week. Not I guy I'd count on in most leagues, but he's a young player to watch. ... Roy Williams left the game with a knee injury. Early reports say he's probably for Week 14 against Dallas.

SEAHAWKS 28, EAGLES 24: Shaun Alexander was back and looked alright (20 carries, 65 yards, TD). Only problem is Maurice Morris looked just as good (64 yards, TD) on one-fourth the carries. Alexander is still probably the smarter play from here on out if he's healthy, assuming the disparity in carries stays this way. ... A.J. Feeley wasn't very good (one TD, four INTs), but it didn't hurt Brian Westbrook (93 yards rushing, 46 receiving, TD) or Kevin Curtis (111 yards, TD), so that's a good sign if you own those guys.