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Fantasy Football Tip Sheet

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By LUKE EASTERLING, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

Updated: 12/26/2007 11:11 pm

We have come to Week 17, and while most leagues already have wrapped up postseason play, there are still a select few leagues out there that have their title games scheduled for this week. Congrats to those of you who took home the hardware in your respective leagues, and for the rest of you, there's always ...well, you know how it goes.

This week's tip sheet will focus on players who gave owners a pleasant surprise this season, while also reflecting on players who proved to be huge disappointments to those who spent high draft picks on them. And for those of you who are still playing this week, don't worry. We'll still cover the injuries around the league and some waiver-wire suggestions, as well as a look at teams that might bench starters for this week's game in order to rest them for the playoffs.

SEASON REVIEW

Here's a look at players who far outplayed their draft spot, as well as those who left many owners slamming their heads against a wall.

OVERACHIEVERS

Patriots WR Randy Moss: Moss was the biggest fantasy wild card heading into this season, and those who nabbed him in the fourth or fifth round got the surprise of the year. Moss has hauled in 93 passes for 1,393 yards (second in the NFL) and 21 scores (one shy of the NFL single-season record), turning in one of the best fantasy seasons by a receiver of all time.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo: Romo was nowhere to be found in preseason conversations regarding the top fantasy QBs. However, 4,125 yards passing (both second in the NFL) and 36 touchdown passes later, he's changed plenty of minds as we look toward next season. Had it not been for Tom Brady's insane fantasy onslaught this season, Romo would have been fantasy football's top field general.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson: Peterson wasn't even the projected starter heading into the season, but it didn't take long for him to prove that he's one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the league. Peterson's first season in the NFL has seen him amass 1,305 rushing yards (third in the NFL) and 12 rushing touchdowns. (tied for second in the NFL).

Browns QB Derek Anderson/WR Braylon Edwards: Anderson was the bigger surprise, but both players greatly outplayed their average draft position this year. Anderson topped 3,500 yards passing this season and needs just two TD passes for 30 on the year, while Edwards is headed to his first Pro Bowl after snagging 15 TD passes (tied for second in the NFL).

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall: A receiver who went undrafted in many leagues, Marshall stepped in for the injured Javon Walker and lit up opposing defenses to the tune of 92 catches for 1,211 yards and six TDs.

Cowboys TE Jason Witten: Witten constantly created costly mismatches for opposing defenses, finishing fourth in the NFL in receptions (94) and leading all tight ends with 1,121 receiving yards.

UNDERACHIEVERS

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson: Rudi has been one of the more consistent runners in fantasy over the past few years, but injuries and overall ineffectiveness made him a serious disappointment this season. Johnson averaged an anemic 2.9 yards-per-carry, rushed for less than 50 yards in eight of the 11 games he appeared in, and only found the end zone three times all season.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander: Alexander struggled through another injury-riddled season, posting just two 100-yard rushing performances and only finding the end zone three times. Alexander averaged just 3.4 yards-per-carry and failed to rush for more than 38 yards in five contests this year.

Colts WR Marvin Harrison: The poster child for consistent play at WR, Harrison has missed 10 games with a knee injury. In the five games Harrison has played in, he has posted just 20 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown, while failing to eclipse 100 yards receiving in any of those games.

Saints RB Reggie Bush: It seemed Bush might have more fantasy value after Deuce McAllister went down with a season-ending knee injury, but Bush's attempt at a super sophomore season never materialized. Bush rushed for more than 67 yards just once this season, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. While Bush did haul in 73 passes, he averaged just 5.7 on each catch, and only scored six TDs all season.

INJURIES/ROSTERS

Quite a few teams are likely to rest their starters for at least a good portion of this week's games, so if you've got fantasy starters on those teams, you might want to consider going in a different direction this week. Some names that are likely to be pulled from their games early include Matt Hasselbeck, Ben Roethlisberger, Marion Barber III, and most of the Colts' offensive starters.

Larry Johnson's season is officially over, as the team already has listed him as out for this week's game. Willis McGahee, who suffered broken ribs last week, has been ruled out for the Ravens' game this week. Brian Westbrook continues to deal with a knee injury, but it won't keep him out of the lineup this week. LaDainian Tomlinson reported feeling a twinge in his hamstring during last week's game, and may be held out of this week's game if it continues to give him trouble. Frank Gore was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, but he's still likely to start this week.

Marques Colston, who has been dealing with injuries to his chest and back, is expected to start this week. Terrell Owens missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury he sustained in last week's game, and his status for this week is questionable. Larry Fitzgerald's persistent groin injury made him a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but he's still expected to start this week.

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