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Hache Man · 11-09-06, 08:50 PM

Studs, duds for second half
You've already seen your share of midseason reviews and report cards, which are useful if you're wondering why your team is 3-6 and how many horrible players you have. But we're in the business of trying to help you by telling you what will happen.

So here are some players who will win second-half awards and help you reach the postseason:

MVP:

This is ludicrous to even put up for debate because of how well LaDainian Tomlinson is playing and how well he should continue to roll. Yes, San Diego has two games left against Denver, but even the Broncos are starting to give up points now. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning figure to stay in the mix, but they won't carry your team as often as Tomlinson.

QUARTERBACK:

I'm keeping the faith in Jake Delhomme, who has two good receivers in Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson and whose team's running game has struggled. The Panthers' second-half schedule does not look so difficult and their only potential bad-weather games are in Weeks 12 and 13 at Philadelphia and Washington. Except for your playoff weeks, look for the Lions' Jon Kitna to also be a star. But Week 15 at Green Bay and Week 16 at home vs. Chicago (unless the Bears have clinched home field) will be tough.

Bust: Donovan McNabb. OK, he will not single-handedly ruin your team as Mark Brunell has and you still can trade him high. When you put him on the block, mention that McNabb had at least three total TDs in four of the first seven games and at least two in each of those seven. Don't mention how he looked against the Bucs and Jaguars and do not bring up the Eagles' tough second-half schedule.

RUNNING BACK:

If the 49ers have figured out anything, they should have learned that they need to run Frank Gore into the ground both to keep the offense moving and to keep their defense off the field, especially on the road. The 49ers do not have a matchup that scares you until Week 17 at Denver — by which time your fantasy season will be over — and Gore could be a prime second-half player.

Others to key on are the Rams' Steven Jackson, who needs to be a vital part of their offense, and the Bengals' Rudi Johnson, who had 10 of his 12 TDs last year in November and December and will be getting his linemen back healthy soon. Detroit's Kevin Jones has a few more weeks to run at a high level before a December schedule that includes New England, Minnesota, at Green Bay, Chicago and Dallas.

Busts: DeShaun Foster has not been good enough for the Panthers and will see his playing time drop if rookie DeAngelo Williams can do anything coming off his ankle injury. Chester Taylor's workload does not come close to that of Larry Johnson or Edgerrin James, but Taylor has already surpassed his career high in carries. He is a major injury risk, along with Green Bay's Ahman Green. And don't get too excited about the Ravens' Jamal Lewis, who has had two good games but is averaging just 3.3 yards a carry in them.

WIDE RECEIVER:

The Colts' Marvin Harrison started what will be a big second half last week with his best game of the season: 145 yards and two TDs. Some owners had started to grumble about Harrison not having had a 100-yard game since Week 2, but it would be ludicrous to think Harrison would not turn things around. The Bengals are finding out what it's like when Chad Johnson is not happy and will make sure he does not repeat his two-TD first half of the season. Also, trade for the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald if you can.

Busts: Darrell Jackson has been the Seahawks' best big-play threat, but his second-half success depends on when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returns. Don't count on the Eagles' Reggie Brown to score another five TDs if Donte Stallworth comes back to do much of anything. The Bears' Bernard Berrian failed to build on a strong start and now has a rib injury that could ruin much of the rest of his season.

TIGHT END:

Antonio Gates is the obvious pick, but there is a whole pack of tight ends who look poised to play well. Dallas' Jason Witten is emerging as one of new quarterback Tony Romo's favorite targets, Tony Gonzalez finally is in the flow of the Chiefs' offense and, if the Ravens average 30.5 points as they have the last two weeks, Todd Heap will be a huge player.

Bust: Owen Daniels. His five TDs were great if you happened to play him, but do not expect him to double that. He is averaging fewer than three catches a week in an inconsistent offense and, if he isn't scoring, has almost no value.

DEFENSE:

One of the reasons the Bengals are 4-4 is that their defense, which led the league with 44 turnovers last year, is on pace for just 28. If a turnaround comes, it will mean many more turnovers. The Jaguars also are tightening down and have allowed only one junk-time TD the last two weeks.

Bust: The Giants are running out of players. If they get back players such as Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Sam Madison, they still could get back to being a good play. And the more the season gets away from the Steelers, the more their once-vaunted defense will get beat up and disinterested.

KICKERS:

OK, just kidding. If you don't have Robbie Gould, Nate Kaeding or Jeff Wilkins, just be sure to have somebody kicking in warm weather or indoors.

Busts: There are plenty of kickers who never will be near anybody's lineup, but among those that are, Ryan Longwell, Dave Rayner and Josh Brown likely will drive you nuts.

BREAKTHROUGH PLAYERS:

Jason Campbell. The assumption among many fantasy owners is that the Redskins' offense will go in the tank once Campbell gets playing time. Well, why should the Redskins be so much worse off than the Cowboys are under first-time starter Tony Romo? We might know less about Campbell's prospects than any player since Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard. But once he starts, take a chance on him.

Also be aware of Bills QB Craig Nall, Vikings RB Mewelde Moore (if Taylor gets hurt), Bears WR Justin Gage, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs and, as always, Bears RB Cedric Benson.

11-09-06, 08:50 PM	#3
Hache Man Moderator "Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak" Join Date: Aug 19, 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 61,712	Re: Fantasy Football News 11/9/06 Studs, duds for second half You've already seen your share of midseason reviews and report cards, which are useful if you're wondering why your team is 3-6 and how many horrible players you have. But we're in the business of trying to help you by telling you what will happen. So here are some players who will win second-half awards and help you reach the postseason: MVP: This is ludicrous to even put up for debate because of how well LaDainian Tomlinson is playing and how well he should continue to roll. Yes, San Diego has two games left against Denver, but even the Broncos are starting to give up points now. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning figure to stay in the mix, but they won't carry your team as often as Tomlinson. QUARTERBACK: I'm keeping the faith in Jake Delhomme, who has two good receivers in Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson and whose team's running game has struggled. The Panthers' second-half schedule does not look so difficult and their only potential bad-weather games are in Weeks 12 and 13 at Philadelphia and Washington. Except for your playoff weeks, look for the Lions' Jon Kitna to also be a star. But Week 15 at Green Bay and Week 16 at home vs. Chicago (unless the Bears have clinched home field) will be tough. Bust: Donovan McNabb. OK, he will not single-handedly ruin your team as Mark Brunell has and you still can trade him high. When you put him on the block, mention that McNabb had at least three total TDs in four of the first seven games and at least two in each of those seven. Don't mention how he looked against the Bucs and Jaguars and do not bring up the Eagles' tough second-half schedule. RUNNING BACK: If the 49ers have figured out anything, they should have learned that they need to run Frank Gore into the ground both to keep the offense moving and to keep their defense off the field, especially on the road. The 49ers do not have a matchup that scares you until Week 17 at Denver — by which time your fantasy season will be over — and Gore could be a prime second-half player. Others to key on are the Rams' Steven Jackson, who needs to be a vital part of their offense, and the Bengals' Rudi Johnson, who had 10 of his 12 TDs last year in November and December and will be getting his linemen back healthy soon. Detroit's Kevin Jones has a few more weeks to run at a high level before a December schedule that includes New England, Minnesota, at Green Bay, Chicago and Dallas. Busts: DeShaun Foster has not been good enough for the Panthers and will see his playing time drop if rookie DeAngelo Williams can do anything coming off his ankle injury. Chester Taylor's workload does not come close to that of Larry Johnson or Edgerrin James, but Taylor has already surpassed his career high in carries. He is a major injury risk, along with Green Bay's Ahman Green. And don't get too excited about the Ravens' Jamal Lewis, who has had two good games but is averaging just 3.3 yards a carry in them. WIDE RECEIVER: The Colts' Marvin Harrison started what will be a big second half last week with his best game of the season: 145 yards and two TDs. Some owners had started to grumble about Harrison not having had a 100-yard game since Week 2, but it would be ludicrous to think Harrison would not turn things around. The Bengals are finding out what it's like when Chad Johnson is not happy and will make sure he does not repeat his two-TD first half of the season. Also, trade for the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald if you can. Busts: Darrell Jackson has been the Seahawks' best big-play threat, but his second-half success depends on when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returns. Don't count on the Eagles' Reggie Brown to score another five TDs if Donte Stallworth comes back to do much of anything. The Bears' Bernard Berrian failed to build on a strong start and now has a rib injury that could ruin much of the rest of his season. TIGHT END: Antonio Gates is the obvious pick, but there is a whole pack of tight ends who look poised to play well. Dallas' Jason Witten is emerging as one of new quarterback Tony Romo's favorite targets, Tony Gonzalez finally is in the flow of the Chiefs' offense and, if the Ravens average 30.5 points as they have the last two weeks, Todd Heap will be a huge player. Bust: Owen Daniels. His five TDs were great if you happened to play him, but do not expect him to double that. He is averaging fewer than three catches a week in an inconsistent offense and, if he isn't scoring, has almost no value. DEFENSE: One of the reasons the Bengals are 4-4 is that their defense, which led the league with 44 turnovers last year, is on pace for just 28. If a turnaround comes, it will mean many more turnovers. The Jaguars also are tightening down and have allowed only one junk-time TD the last two weeks. Bust: The Giants are running out of players. If they get back players such as Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Sam Madison, they still could get back to being a good play. And the more the season gets away from the Steelers, the more their once-vaunted defense will get beat up and disinterested. KICKERS: OK, just kidding. If you don't have Robbie Gould, Nate Kaeding or Jeff Wilkins, just be sure to have somebody kicking in warm weather or indoors. Busts: There are plenty of kickers who never will be near anybody's lineup, but among those that are, Ryan Longwell, Dave Rayner and Josh Brown likely will drive you nuts. BREAKTHROUGH PLAYERS: Jason Campbell. The assumption among many fantasy owners is that the Redskins' offense will go in the tank once Campbell gets playing time. Well, why should the Redskins be so much worse off than the Cowboys are under first-time starter Tony Romo? We might know less about Campbell's prospects than any player since Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard. But once he starts, take a chance on him. Also be aware of Bills QB Craig Nall, Vikings RB Mewelde Moore (if Taylor gets hurt), Bears WR Justin Gage, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs and, as always, Bears RB Cedric Benson.