The NFL season is just now starting to heat up, yet here I am giving out awards. What up with that? Well to us fantasy football players, the playoffs are already on our doorstep, or already upon some leagues. So, in honor of the approaching push for the championship, I figured it was a good time to list the best fantasy performers of the year. Plus, if you are still interested in your team there's a good chance you were smart enough to take one of these guys. And who doesn't like hearing praise for something that they did something right? Well here they are, the top 10 fantasy players (based on their preseason hype) of 2010:
10. Ryan Fitzpatrick QB, Bills-
Whoever said people in the NFL are dumb is, well, probably spot on. But not when it comes to the Bills' new savior. The Harvard grad has proven the skeptics wrong and taken control of a terrible offense and made it respectable. From relative obscurity, the former Crimson has amassed 2218 yards and 19 touchdowns. All this after sitting behind Trent Edwards for the first two weeks.
9. Terrell Owens WR, Bengals-
Fitzpatrick and TO could have been teammates this year, but no one can stand Owens. Well, except for his fantasy owners this year. It has been a renaissance for TO, as he has finally looked like the explosive talent from San Francisco... and the Philadelphia... and then Dallas. After slipping down draft boards following a rough 2009, his 914 yards and 8 TDs have been a sight for sore eyes.
8. Kyle Orton QB, Broncos-
Watching Denver this year is like watching a Texas Tech college football game. You know they stand no chance at doing anything towards a championship, but boy do they hang some nasty passing numbers. Not much was expected out of Orton outside of a few handoffs in Denver's traditionally run-centric attack. However, the offensive changes have led to 3369 yards and 20 TDs, which have welcomed by fantasy owners everywhere.
Its officially the day after Thanksgiving, so holiday references are officially in play. But I'm still in a food coma from yesterday's feast, so I'm going to pretend its still Thursday and give thanks to those that have helped make this fantasy football season what it is. So a big ole thanks goes out to:
Arian Foster's parents for producing a fantasy stud.
Jerry Jones for finally sucking it up and making the Cowboys fantasy relevant again.
Tony Dungy for helping Michael Vick realize that there was such a thing as a film room outside of his home theater.
Maurice Jones-Drew for sandbagging the first half of the year and allowing owners everywhere to buy low.
Peyton Hillis aka The Great White Hope.
Seyi Ajirotutu for helping people to realize that Philip Rivers can score with anyone. Literally ANYone.
Ryan Fitzpatrick for proving that guys with SATs over 300 can succeed in the NFL.
The owners who didn't follow the trend and use a "Mike Vick in a box" or "Double Dwayne Bowe" team name. I swear I've seen one in every league.
And of course, the Detroit Lions' and Buffalo Bills' defenses. Without you guys it would have been a boring year.
Good luck on Sunday! May your team come back from playing against Wes Welker/ Deion Branch.
Ah Thanksgiving. A time of family, food comas and blowout football. I mean who's genius idea was it to make the Lions a Turkey Day fixture? If my memory serves me right, Plymouth Rock wasn't very close to Ford Field. Oh well, now that my Lions rant is out of the way, let's try out a few game previews (not a regular fixture here on FSC). So if you like the thoughts here, let me know and maybe, just maybe they'll become a regular post.
Patriots @ Lions
Unless a miracle happens and Detroit's lineup becomes filled with 50 Barry Sanderses (?) this one will be a cake walk for the Pats, so this is a week where you can gamble on one of their TEs and hope he's the one they target this week.
Studs: Tom Brady, Wes Welker, BGE, Danny Woodhead, Calvin Johnson
Iffy: Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Jahvid Best
Stay Away: All other Lions. Yes, that includes you Shaun Hill. Now sit down.
Saints @ Cowboys
If Jason Garrett somehow finagles his way into the playoff race, Wade Phillips might not be able to get a job at Pizza Hut. The O/U is set at 50 so this should be a pretty interesting game on the fantasy end.
Studs: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Jon Kitna, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten
Iffy: Whoever the Saints start at RB, Lance Moore, Jeremy Shockey, Felix Jones, Marion Barber
Stay Away: The rest of the Saints receivers (they're just too streaky), Roy Williams
Bengals at Jets
2-8 vs 8-2 and Terrell Owens decides to call out Darelle Revis? Is he serious? The Bengals are falling apart and even though the Jets have been the luckiest team ever these past few weeks, they should dominate Carson Palmer and Co.
Studs: LaDanian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, TO
Iffy: Chad Ochocinco, Cedric Benson, Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, Mark Sanchez
