NFL Fantasy All Stars at halfway point

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Let's take a look at the best and worst from the fantasy season's first half:

All-Stud First Team

QB—Peyton Manning, Colts: It's a toss up for fantasy MVP between the Indy signal caller and Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper. Manning gets the nod because he has two more TD passes and three fewer turnovers. Randy Moss' recent absence has also hurt Culpepper. Still, if either of these guys is under center for you, chances are you're in pretty good shape.

RBs—Priest Holmes, Chiefs; Tiki Barber, Giants: Holmes has lived up to expectations with over 1,000 combined yards and 14 TDs. Barber, whose job was seemingly in jeopardy prior to the season, also has over 1,000 total yards, seven TDs and, most shockingly, zero fumbles.

WRs—Terrell Owens, Eagles; Javon Walker, Packers: T.O. has been everything the Philly expected and more (697 receiving yards, 9 TDs). Walker has been far better than erstwhile fantasy All-Pros Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss and Torry Holt, racking up an NFL-best 783 receiving yards and seven TDs.

TE—Antonio Gates, Chargers: The ex-power forward leads all tight ends in yards (546) and TDs (5).

K—David Akers, Eagles: 18 FGs and 18 PATs. His 12 field goals from 40+ yards are a nice bonus in many leagues.

Defense — Ravens: Baltimore has lived up to its billing, allowing the second-fewest points (100) while amassing 20 sacks, 15 turnovers and three defensive TDs.

All-Stud Second Team

QB —Daunte Culpepper, Vikings: Also leads NFL in passing yards but not running much these days.

RBs —Curtis Martin, Jets; Shaun Alexander, Seahawks: Like Holmes, Alexander has been rock-solid (819 yards, 10 TDs); like Barber, Martin has also shockingly put together a monster season in New York (917 yards, 8 TDs).

WRs —Andre Johnson, Texans; Jimmy Smith, Jaguars: Johnson looks like the best young WR in the game (665 receiving yards, 4 TDs). Smith has returned to form with 703 yards through the air but he's only hit pay dirt twice.

TE —Randy McMichael, Dolphins: The only Miami player worth having on your fantasy squad (535 yards, 3 TDs).

K —Jason Elam, Broncos: 14 FGs and 18 PATs. Always a deep threat in leagues that reward long kicks.

Defense — Redskins: Washington has proven to be the department of defense, allowing a mere 99 points while racking up 17 sacks and 12 turnovers.

All-Dud Team

QB —Michael Vick, Falcons: Playing in the West Coast offense for the first time has definitely hindered Vick's value. He's been wildly inconsistent and more often awful than spectacular. Byron Leftwich, David Carr and Joey Harrington have all been better than Vick.

RBs —Quentin Griffin, Broncos; Jamal Lewis, Ravens: Many fantasy owners thought Griffin was the next Clinton Portis, especially after a huge Week 1. He was never heard from again and is now on IR. Lewis left fantasy owners holding the bag with subpar stats (540 yards, 4 TDs) and a two-week suspension.

WRs —Jerry Porter, Raiders; Santana Moss, Jets: Porter predicted he'd amass 2,000 receiving yards prior to the season; another 1,568 yards and he'll meet his goal. Moss has been a shell of the player he was last season (290 yards, 0 TDs).

TE —Jeremy Shockey, Giants: With 319 yards and two TDs, he's been average but fantasy owners expected better than average. Gates has been twice as productive.

K —Mike Vanderjagt, Colts: It's not his fault Indy always finds the end zone (5 FGs, 24 PATs).

Defense — Cowboys: No one expected a Parcells defense to be torched for 171 points or to only manage five takeaways.

Waiver Wire Wonder Team

QB —Drew Brees, Chargers: What's more shocking: Brees' numbers or the Chargers' five wins? Fourteen TDs and three picks — who needs Philip Rivers ... or Michael Vick?

RBs —Reuben Droughns, Broncos; Mewelde Moore, Vikings: Droughns has performed (674 yards, 2 TDs) the way Griffin was supposed to perform. Moore began the year fourth on the Minnesota depth chart, but is now first on many fantasy depth charts (614 total yards in four starts).

WRs —David Givens, Patriots; Michael Clayton, Bucs: Givens (544 yards, 3 TDs) has benefited from injuries to other New England WRs. First-round draft pick Clayton has exceeded expectations (505 yards, 2 TDs) and made everyone in Tampa forget Keenan McCardell.

TE —Eric Johnson, 49ers: A fantasy revelation with 493 yards despite often-shoddy 49ers QB play.

K —Steve Christie, Giants: Who knew he'd be the Giants kicker? Who knew the Giants would score this much (13 FGs, 16 PATs).

Defense — Jets: Porous in 2003, the Mean Green D has surprised with 20 sacks, 17 turnovers and two TDs scored while only allowing 116 points.

All-Injury Team

QB —Steve McNair, Titans: Last season's NFL co-MVP has struggled even when he hasn't been hurt.

RBs —Stephen Davis, Panthers; Michael Bennett, Vikings: Davis was hurt in practice then rushed back too quickly from surgery and re-injured himself. His season appears to be a total bust. Bennett had numerous owners awaiting his return all season. Now he's back and can't get onto the field.

WRs —Steve Smith, Panthers; Charles Rogers, Lions: Many predicted the Pro Bowl for both players. Neither survived Week 1.

TE —Todd Heap, Ravens: Hasn't gotten up since Joey Porter decked him in Week 2.

K —Joe Nedney, Titans: Failed to reach Week 2 for the second straight year.

Defense — 49ers: Julian Peterson, Ahmed Plummer, Mike Rumph and Brandon Whiting just a few casualties on this overworked M*A*S*H* unit.

QUICK HITS

In addition to watching Byron Leftwich's injury situation, keep a close eye on Fred Taylor during the Jaguars' bye week. The running back is battling an assortment of ailments and would be replaced by LaBrandon Toefield in the backfield.

Giants running back Mike Cloud is worth stashing on your roster. He's backing up Tiki Barber now and could continue to steal some goal line scores.

With wide receiver Travis Taylor back in the lineup, Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller is actually showing some signs of life.

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin returned from his knee injury last week and caught four balls for 50 yards. Be patient.

Hope you traded for Marvin Harrison during his slow start. You can forget about getting the Pro Bowl WR cheap now after back-to-back two touchdown games.

Same goes for Plaxico Burress, who has found the comfort zone with Ben Roethlisberger to the tune of 247 yards receiving and four touchdowns in the last three games.

Texans wide receivers Corey Bradford and Jabar Gaffney remain valuable bye-week options thanks to the emergence of quarterback David Carr.

What's happened to Drew Bennett? The Titans wide out was shut out in Week 8 and only has one catch over the last two games since Billy Volek took over for the injured Steve McNair.

The Vikings' Nate Burleson and Kelly Campbell get a boost in value as a result of injuries to Randy Moss and Marcus Robinson.

WEEK 9 TIPS

Projected fantasy studs

Marc Bulger: Coming off a bye and an embarrassing loss. At home and on the turf. No Ty Law to contend with. Showtime in St. Louis.

Terrell Owens: Pittsburgh's secondary is its Achilles' heel. Expect more TDs for T.O.

Edgerrin James: Colt will run far and wide vs. the Vikings in another offensive track meet.

Giants defense: New York just held Minnesota to 13 points. The G-Men should have no problem with the toothless Bears.

Projected fantasy duds

Trent Green: Chiefs QB comes back to earth while visiting the Bucs.

Kevan Barlow: Exploded for 22 rushing yards in 49ers' first game against Seattle.

Browns offense: The Ravens will be looking for retribution after their Week 1 debacle in Cleveland.

Projected fantasy sleepers

Jake Delhomme: Everyone scores against the Raiders, why shouldn't the Panthers QB?

Marshall Faulk: The Pats will already be overextended coping with Bulger, Holt and Bruce. Faulk should see some huge holes to exploit.

Freddie Jones: Miami couldn't defend the middle of the field before losing Junior Seau for the season. The Arizona tight end should capitalize.

Chargers defense: Underrated Bolts D draws a Saints team that plays poorly on grass.

Waiver Wire Wonders

Joey Harris: The flavor of the week in the Panthers backfield.

David Garrard: Depending on whom you believe, could get 0-6 starts at QB for Jacksonville while Byron Leftwich's knee heals.

Jerome Pathon: Donte Stallworth failed to fulfill the hype once again and this time he did it while healthy. Pathon is the beneficiary in New Orleans.

Anthony Thomas: Thomas' track record may make the Bears inclined to keep the hobbled Thomas Jones on the sidelines awhile longer.

BEYOND THE STARS

Taking a look at lesser players who may make a big difference in your game.

New York Jets at Buffalo, 1 p.m. ET: Jets WR Justin McCareins is finally catching on, having scored his first TD of the season last week and pulling in nine passes in the past two games.

Oakland at Carolina, 1 p.m. ET: Raiders QB Kerry Collins faces his original team for the first time, having thrown for 613 yards in his last two outings.

Dallas at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. ET: With the season-ending injury to Terry Glenn, Cowboys WR Quincy Morgan immediately becomes a solid No. 3 in any size league.

Washington at Detroit, 1 p.m. ET: Owners of Lions RB Kevin Jones are still waiting for the rookie to get a workhorse load. He has yet to carry the ball more than 15 times in any game.

Arizona at Miami, 1 p.m. ET: Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler has thrown for 11 TDs and just 4 INTs in past eight starts against NFC teams.

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ET: Steelers RB Duce Staley has become one of the most consistent players in the league, amassing four 100-yard games in his last five outings.

Kansas City at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET: Chiefs' Johnnie Morton is a very consistent third receiver, posting at least four receptions in the last six games.

Chicago at N.Y. Giants, 4:05 p.m. ET: While Kurt Warner has posted respectable yardage numbers and kept his interceptions down, he still hasn't thrown for more than one TD in any game this season.

New Orleans at San Diego, 4:05 p.m. ET: Chargers WR Eric Parker has not suffered with the addition of Keenan McCardell, reeling in 16 receptions for 214 yards in his previous three contests.

Seattle at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. ET: 49ers TE Eric Johnson has been missing-in-action lately, accumulating just 33 yards the last two weeks.

Houston at Denver, 4:15 p.m. ET: Don't get frustrated with Broncos kicker Jason Elam, who's scored just eight total points in his last two games.

New England at St. Louis, 4:15 p.m. ET: Patriots WR David Givens continues to come on strong, putting up back-to-back 100-yard games.

Cleveland at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. ET: Everyone knows about the Ravens defense, but the Browns 'D' could be a good start, too. They appeared to solve the riddle of Jamal Lewis in the season opener.

Minnesota at Indianapolis, 9 p.m. ET: If you have other options a running back, stay away from the Vikings muddled mix of Mewelde Moore, Onterrio Smith and Michael Bennett until the rotation becomes clear.

I WILL SURVIVE!

Touchdown: Not sleepless in Seattle

It can't get much easier for the Seahawks. A week after righting the ship against the injury-riddled Panthers, Seattle draws the woeful 49ers, who may be without QB Tim Rattay and top WR Brandon Lloyd. In Week 3, Shaun Alexander scored three TDs and Seattle held San Francisco to 175 total yards en route to a 34-0 thumping. Expect more of the same as Mike Holmgren and Jerry Rice celebrate their homecoming with a big win.

Field goal: Giant mismatch

It's finally time to admit the Giants aren't a fluke. Kurt Warner isn't washed up. Tiki Barber isn't showing signs of letting up. The defense isn't going into the tank. Plain and simple, New York will steamroll a depleted Bears defense that ranks 26th against the run, starts an overmatched Craig Krenzel at quarterback and will likely be without Thomas Jones.

Hail Mary: Rams ready to rev it up

St. Louis is perfectly positioned to hand the previously perfect Patriots a second consecutive loss. The Rams have had two weeks to simmer (and get healthy) after an embarrassing loss to Miami. Meanwhile, New England and its battered secondary must head back on the road and face one of the league's top passing offenses. Add in Corey Dillon's mysterious injury and you've got the recipe for an upset.

Punt: Jets may get buffaloed

All signs point to a defensive struggle when the high-flying Jets travel to Buffalo and, just like in their Week 5 matchup, a late field goal could be the difference. New York boasts the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack, but the Bills counter with the league's No. 2 overall defense. Rain is in the forecast and teams coming off a Monday night win are only 1-6 in their next game this season. Translation: Jettison the Jets.


USA Today
 

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I think Eric Johnson should be on that list. He has been as good as Gates.
 

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