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News and information for Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Fantasy Football
 BY JIM PIGNATIELLO

This Week's Column:

Fantasy Football: Brees wins fantasy's top honor
Friday, January 05
With the fantasy football season over, it's time to hand out the yearly awards. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Runners-up: Peyton Manning (Indianapolis-QB), LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego-RB), Steven Jackson (St. Louis-RB), Larry Johnson (Kansas City-RB), Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia-RB), Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis-WR).

Winner: Drew Brees (New Orleans-QB). Brees wasn't the top fantasy scorer, but he gave owners a tremendous value this season. While Manning, Tomlinson, Jackson and a few others had more points, they were all drafted very early in their fantasy drafts. If you selected one of them, you expected to get that type of performance this season. Brees, on the other hand, was a fantasy second- or third-stringer entering the season and ended up as the second-highest scorer at his position. Now that's value.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Runners-up: Manning, Brees, Jackson, Johnson, Westbrook, Harrison.

Winner: Tomlinson. While there could be some debate over MVP, there is none in this category. Tomlinson had a historic season and may have had the greatest fantasy season through 15 weeks ever. His struggles in Week 16, when most leagues were in their championship, was unfortunate, but you can't blame him for one bad week. In the end, he finished with an astonishing 2,323 combined rushing and receiving yards and a record 31 touchdowns.

BIGGEST SURPRISE - Runners-up: Brees, Jon Kitna (Detroit-QB), Philip Rivers (San Diego-QB), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville-RB), Ladell Betts (Washington-RB), Lee Evans (Buffalo-WR).

Winner: Frank Gore (San Francisco-RB). Gore was the breakout star of 2006 and will go from mid-round selection in 2006 to likely top-six selection in 2007. When the 49ers traded Kevan Barlow (NY Jets-RB) in the preseason, you got the sense that coach Mike Nolan was impressed with Gore's performance, but you never could have expected just how good he would be.

Gore finished as the fifth-highest scorer at his position and sixth overall despite playing for a mediocre team with a mediocre offense. He posted decent numbers in the first half of the season, but really exploded from Week 10 on and led many fantasy teams deep into the playoffs. For the season, he finished with 1,695 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Runners-up: Vince Young (Tennessee-QB), Matt Leinart (Arizona-QB), Reggie Bush (New Orleans-RB), Joseph Addai (Indianapolis-RB), Laurence Maroney (New England-RB), DeAngelo Williams (Carolina-RB), Marques Colston (New Orleans-WR).

Winner: Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville-RB). Young is, rightfully, the NFL's winner in this category, but in fantasy, it was clearly the former UCLA star. Jones-Drew started just one game, but finished with 941 rushing yards on 166 carries for a terrific 5.7 yards per rush. He also had 46 receptions for 436 yards and finished with 15 total touchdowns. He was especially effective in the second half of the season and was a nice boost down the stretch for fantasy owners.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - Runners-up: Daunte Culpepper (Miami-QB), Drew Bledsoe (Dallas-QB), Edgerrin James (Arizona-RB), LaMont Jordan (Oakland-RB), Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay-RB).

Winner: Eli Manning (NY Giants-QB). Peyton's little brother was supposed to make the leap to a top-five player at his position this year. There were clear signs of it in 2005. Instead, he regressed and now you have to wonder if he'll ever be a worthy fantasy starter.

MOST DEVASTATING INJURY - Runners-up: Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia-QB), Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle-QB), Clinton Portis (Washington-RB), Ronnie Brown (Miami-RB), Domanick Davis (Houston-RB),

Winner: Shaun Alexander (Seattle-RB). The Madden video game cover curse continued when Alexander, last year's NFL and fantasy MVP, went down in Week 3 and missed seven weeks of action. Fantasy owners who built their teams around the Seahawks star were crippled by the time Alexander got healthy and, unless they were very lucky, probably did not rebound.

ONLINE - On the blog today are listings of the season's top 10 fantasy scorers at each position and the 2005 and 2004 postseason award winners.

Jim Pignatiello can be reached at jpignatiello@gazettenet.com. For more information, including a fantasy football blog, go to www.gazettenet.com/fantasyfootball. « previous columns

The Fantasy Football Blog

Friday, January 05, 2007

Final Season Stats

Here are the top 10s for QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs for 2007:

Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning (IND)
2. Drew Brees (NO)
3. Marc Bulger (STL)
4. Michael Vick (ATL)
5. Carson Palmer (CIN)
6. Jon Kitna (DET)
7. Tom Brady (NE)
8. Brett Favre (GB)
9. Philip Rivers (SD)
10. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)

Running backs
1. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD)
2. Steven Jackson (STL)
3. Larry Johnson (KC)
4. Brian Westbrook (PHI)
5. Frank Gore (SF)
6. Tiki Barber (NYG)
7. Willie Parker (PIT)
8. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX)
9. Reggie Bush (NO)
10. Ladell Betts (WAS)

Wide Receiver
1. Marvin Harrison (IND)
2. Terrell Owens (DAL)
3. Reggie Wayne (IND)
4. Torry Holt (STL)
5. Donald Driver (GB)
6. Chad Johnson (CIN)
7. Steve Smith (CAR)
8. Lee Evans (BUF)
9. Roy Williams (DET)
10. TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN)

Tight Ends
1. Antonio Gates (SD)
2. Kellen Winslow (CLE)
3. Tony Gonzalez (KC)
4. Todd Heap (BAL)
5. Alge Crumpler (ATL)
6. Jeremy Shockey (NYG)
7. Chris Cooley (WAS)
8. Jason Witten (DAL)
9. Randy McMichael (MIA)
10. Desmond Clark (CHI)

Friday, December 22, 2006

Friday extras

Well, that was ugly. What do you expect from Green Bay-Minnesota? At least the NFL Network got to spread some Brett Favre (GB-QB) love around. Would hate for every single announcer not to get a chance to do that.

Oh, and yes, I'm thrilled that Oakland is getting a prime time game this weekend. Smell the ratings!

NFL Injury Report

NEW YORK (AP) — The updated National Football League injury report for this weekend’s games, as provided by the league:

Saturday
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS — Chiefs: OUT: T Kyle Turley (Shoulder); RB Michael Bennett (Ankle); DE Jimmy Wilkerson (Hamstring); LB Rich Scanlon (Neck). PROBABLE: T John Welbourn (Ankle). Raiders: OUT: RB LaMont Jordan (Knee). DOUBTFUL: WR Jerry Porter (Hip). QUESTIONABLE: G Corey Hulsey (Knee); WR Randy Moss (Ankle); RB Zack Crockett (Heel); CB Fabian Washington (Shoulder); T Robert Gallery (Elbow). PROBABLE: QB Aaron Brooks (Neck); G Kevin Boothe (Elbow).

Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS — Colts: OUT: TE Dallas Clark (Knee); TE Jerome Collins (Ankle). QUESTIONABLE: CB Marlin Jackson (Shoulder); TE Bryan Fletcher (Quadricep); LB Gilbert Gardner (Knee); DT Darrell Reid (Hand); LB Cato June (Knee); DE Dwight Freeney (Shoulder); S Bob Sanders (Knee); WR Ricky Proehl (Hamstring); RB Joseph Addai (Back); CB Antoine Bethea (Shoulder). Texans: OUT: DT Lional Dalton (Neck); WR Jerome Mathis (Hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: TE Owen Daniels (Shoulder). PROBABLE: DE Anthony Weaver (Knee); DE Mario Williams (Foot); S C.C. Brown (Toe).

WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS — Redskins: OUT: LB Marcus Washington (Knee). PROBABLE: T Jon Jansen (Calf); T Chris Samuels (Knee); LB Lemar Marshall (Knee); C Casey Rabach (Hand). Rams: OUT: RB Paul Smith (Neck). QUESTIONABLE: DE Victor Adeyanju (Forearm); G Adam Timmerman (Ribs); S Jerome Carter (Ankle). PROBABLE: G Richie Incognito (Toe); LB Will Witherspoon (Knee); WR Torry Holt (Knee).

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS — Panthers: DOUBTFUL: CB Dion Byrum (Thigh); WR Drew Carter (Ankle); QB Jake Delhomme (Right Thumb). QUESTIONABLE: TE Kris Mangum (Hip); WR Taye Biddle (Knee). PROBABLE: RB Nick Goings (Shoulder); QB Chris Weinke (Chest). Falcons: QUESTIONABLE: CB Jason Webster (Groin). PROBABLE: DE John Abraham (Thumb); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Hamstring); QB Michael Vick (Groin); DT Roderick Coleman (Knee); T Todd Weiner (Knee); RB Warrick Dunn (Calf); DT Grady Jackson (Knee); DT Jonathan Babineaux (Knee); CB DeAngelo Hall (Knee); RB Jerious Norwood (Knee).

TENNESSEE TITANS AT BUFFALO BILLS — Titans: QUESTIONABLE: LB Colby Bockwoldt (Shoulder); TE Bo Scaife (Ankle); LB Ken Amato (Neck); WR Drew Bennett (Knee); CB Reynaldo Hill (Ankle); DE Travis LaBoy (Knee); P Craig Hentrich (Back); RB Travis Henry (Ankle); LB Peter Sirmon (Knee); TE Cooper Wallace (Thigh). Bills: QUESTIONABLE: RB Daimon Shelton (Head); LB Takeo Spikes (Ankle); WR Peerless Price (Thigh); LB John DiGiorgio (Ankle). PROBABLE: QB Craig Nall (Illness).

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS — Buccaneers: DOUBTFUL: RB Carnell Williams (Foot). QUESTIONABLE: CB Juran Bolden (Quadricep); LB Jamie Winborn (Knee); CB Alan Zemaitis (Shoulder). Browns: OUT: CB Leigh Bodden (Ankle). DOUBTFUL: LB Andra Davis (Concussion). QUESTIONABLE: QB Charlie Frye (Right Wrist); LB Mason Unck (Groin); TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); DT Ted Washington (Knee); DE Nick Eason (Foot); DE Alvin McKinley (Shoulder); G Cosey Coleman (Toe); WR Dennis Northcutt (Shoulder); WR Joe Jurevicius (Concussion); TE Darnell Dinkins (Neck); LB Willie McGinest (Pectoral); G Joe Andruzzi (Knee).

CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS — Bears: QUESTIONABLE: S Todd Johnson (Ankle); LB Leon Joe (Hamstring); CB Charles Tillman (Back); RB Thomas Jones (Ribs); T John Tait (Ankle); G Ruben Brown (Shoulder). PROBABLE: C Olin Kreutz (Knee); CB Nathan Vasher (Hamstring). Lions: OUT: G Ross Verba (Groin). DOUBTFUL: LB Teddy Lehman (Hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Eddie Drummond (Hip); TE Marcus Pollard (Hamstring). PROBABLE: CB Fernando Bryant (Concussion).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Patriots: QUESTIONABLE: RB Laurence Maroney (Back); S Rodney Harrison (Shoulder); RB Kevin Faulk (Knee); TE Benjamin Watson (Knee); LB Eric Alexander (Shoulder); S Rashad Baker (Thigh); DT Vince Wilfork (Ankle); DE Mike Wright (Shoulder); T Ryan O’Callaghan (Neck). PROBABLE: CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); DE Richard Seymour (Elbow); QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder). Jaguars: OUT: RB Fred Taylor (Hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: DT Tony McDaniel (Hip). PROBABLE: RB Montell Owens (Head); P Chris Hanson (Left Hamstring); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Knee); RB Derrick Wimbush (Ankle); G Vincent Manuwai (Calf); CB Ahmad Carroll (Groin); LB Jorge Cordova (Hamstring).

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS — Saints: DOUBTFUL: S Omar Stoutmire (Knee); WR Joe Horn (Groin). QUESTIONABLE: TE Mark Campbell (Knee). Giants: OUT: T Luke Petitgout (Fibula). DOUBTFUL: G Rich Seubert (Shin). QUESTIONABLE: CB Corey Webster (Toe); RB Brandon Jacobs (Ankle); DE Michael Strahan (Foot); C Shaun O’Hara (Ankle). PROBABLE: G Chris Snee (Illness).

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Ravens: DOUBTFUL: T Jonathan Ogden (Toe). QUESTIONABLE: TE Todd Heap (Thigh); TE Daniel Wilcox (Knee). PROBABLE: S Gerome Sapp (Thigh); WR Mark Clayton (Chest); C Mike Flynn (Thigh); CB Samari Rolle (Neck); WR Derrick Mason (Thigh). Steelers: OUT: S Andre Lott (Ankle); S Ryan Clark (Groin); T Max Starks (Knee). PROBABLE: S Mike Logan (Hamstring); C Jeff Hartings (Knee); LB Clint Kriewaldt (Neck); S Tyrone Carter (Concussion); S Troy Polamalu (Knee); CB Bryant McFadden (Shoulder).

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Cardinals: QUESTIONABLE: LB Gerald Hayes (Ribs). PROBABLE: LB Calvin Pace (Illness); RB Marcel Shipp (Ribs); CB Eric Green (Illness). 49ers: QUESTIONABLE: LB Derek Smith (Hamstring); TE Eric Johnson (Knee); T Adam Snyder (Ankle).

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Chargers: QUESTIONABLE: DE Luis Castillo (Ankle); WR Eric Parker (Neck); G Scott Mruczkowski (Knee); LB Randall Godfrey (Hamstring). PROBABLE: S Bhawoh Jue (Knee); LB Carlos Polk (Illness); CB Drayton Florence (Illness); LB Marques Harris (Hamstring); DE Derreck Robinson (Foot); LB Shawne Merriman (Shoulder); WR Kassim Osgood (Illness). Seahawks: OUT: C Robbie Tobeck (Hip). DOUBTFUL: WR Darrell Jackson (Toe). QUESTIONABLE: G Floyd Womack (Groin); DT Rocky Bernard (Foot); DE Robert Pollard (Knee).

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT DENVER BRONCOS — Bengals: OUT: C Rich Braham (Knee). QUESTIONABLE: T Levi Jones (Knee); LB Andre Frazier (Groin). PROBABLE: QB Carson Palmer (Shoulder); T Willie Anderson (Foot); DE Bryan Robinson (Toe); TE Reggie Kelly (Shoulder); WR Chad Johnson (Ankle). Broncos: PROBABLE: LB Al Wilson (Thumb); TE Stephen Alexander (Ribs); T Adam Meadows (Hamstring); S Quentin Harris (Finger); CB Darrent Williams (Toe); S Steve Cargile (Ankle); CB Karl Paymah (Ankle); WR Javon Walker (Shoulder); K Jason Elam (Left Hamstring).

Monday
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS — Eagles: DOUBTFUL: CB William James (Calf). QUESTIONABLE: LB Shawn Barber (Neck); S Michael Lewis (Knee). PROBABLE: C Jamaal Jackson (Ankle); S Quintin Mikell (Knee); RB Ryan Moats (Ankle); S Brian Dawkins (Back); LB Jeremiah Trotter (Knee); LB Omar Gaither (Shoulder). Cowboys: QUESTIONABLE: CB Jacques Reeves (Elbow).

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS — Jets: QUESTIONABLE: RB Cedric Houston (Calf); RB B.J. Askew (Foot); CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Laveranues Coles (Back); S Eric Smith (Foot). PROBABLE: LB Anthony Schlegel (Illness); WR Wallace Wright (Thigh); C Nick Mangold (Hip); S Jamie Thompson (Ankle); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); QB Chad Pennington (Calf); RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); WR Justin McCareins (Foot); DT Rashad Moore (Hand); G Brandon Moore (Back); DE Bryan Thomas (Shoulder). Dolphins: DOUBTFUL: WR Marty Booker (Ankle). QUESTIONABLE: CB Will Allen (Groin); RB Ronnie Brown (Hand). PROBABLE: DT Keith Traylor (Knee); QB Joey Harrington (Ankle).