Brady, Moss a fantasy combo

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 5, 2007 | by Dave Del Grande

IT'S THE midpoint of the NFL season -- for most teams, anyway -- and now's the time to be honest.

You aren't the one who's winning or blowing your fantasy league. It's the players.

Here are those who have shined brightest and crashed hardest in the first half:

SIMPLY THE BEST

Tom Brady, Patriots. His amazing season rolls along: Even the mighty Colts couldn't stop him when it mattered most.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings. Fantasy owners have been screaming for more touches. After his record day, they're now shouting: "I told you so!"

Joseph Addai, Colts. Some wondered if he warranted the No. 4 overall selection. If the draft were held today, he'd go even higher.

Randy Moss, Patriots. In midseason Fantasy MVP balloting, he'd be second to Brady.

Braylon Edwards, Browns. He failed to get his 10th TD on Sunday, but nine in eight games is pretty darn good.

GOOD THINKING

Tony Romo, Cowboys. If your reason for passing on Peyton Manning and Brady was because you were able to get this guy a couple of rounds later, you should be a personnel director for a Bay Area pro team.

Marshawn Lynch, Bills. This rookie back is no Peterson ... except as a passer apparently.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. With the Bengals playing no defense, it won't be a surprise if he had another 10 TDs in the second half.

Plaxico Burress, Giants. The next time you consider not drafting a veteran because he sat out training camp, remember Burress' 2007 season.

Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots. It's hard to believe he leads the league in scoring, considering how few times opponents have held the Patriots to a field goal.

SHOCKINGLY STRONG

Derek Anderson, Browns. About 20 teams would love to have Brady Quinn right about now. The Browns aren't necessarily one of them.

LenDale White, Titans. The guy was great when healthy at USC. We can now say the same about his young NFL career.

Wes Welker, Patriots. He was everywhere Sunday -- including in the end zone -- just as he's been all season.

Rob Bironas, Titans. One-week wonder? Hardly. His 47- and 53- yard field goals Sunday (Nos. 19 and 20 of the season) helped you, too.

Kris Brown, Texans. If we've learned anything this fantasy season, it's that kickers can be difference-makers.

SHIP-SINKERS

Donovan McNabb, Eagles. You could have gotten Manning or Brady early, or waited for Romo, but instead you went in-between for this former star -- emphasis on former.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers. Expectations were so high, he couldn't help but disappoint. But not to this extent.

Travis Henry, Broncos. Imagine lucking into the No. 1 pick, snatching LT and then having Henry fall into your lap at the end of Round 2. Uh, there's always next year.

Cedric Benson, Bears. The one-back thing works in Indianapolis, but not in Chicago.

Laurence Maroney, Patriots. This has to be the shocker of the half: The Patriots have scored TDs about every five minutes and this guy has yet to get one.

THAT REALLY HURTS

Jake Delhomme, Panthers. Even a talent like Steve Smith has been unable to survive his quarterback's elbow injury.

Steven Jackson, Rams. In case you're wondering: Yes, I considered Marc Bulger and Jeff Wilkins on the previous list.

Rudi Johnson, Bengals. Here's the worst part about backs injured in the first half of the season: Far too often, his fantasy owner foolishly believes the second half will be better.

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins. He was about as good as anything going before seeing his season end way too early.

Alge Crumpler, Falcons. Is he really injured, or is he merely boycotting his new coach?

Read Dave Del Grande's fantasy insights twice weekly on Turn2, and check out his video tips at http://www.insidebayarea.com.