FF All-Pro's at the Midway Point

Seven weeks in the books, for most FF leagues that marks the midway point of the season. Most teams will find themselves in the 4-3 or 3-4 range hoping to make a run for the playoffs. Those with the following players are probably at or near the top of their league standings:

QUARTERBACK

TOM BRADY - Patroits
The former University of Michigan product, who split time with Drew Henson back in the day, was a sixth round pick who went on to win three rings (so far). Great NFL quarterback, solid but not great FF quarterback. Well until he got some real weapons around him. Bring in Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth - uh oh. Tom Brady has lite the FF world on fire and if you look at the top of your league's standing your likely to find a Brady lead team. With a league leading 2,125 passing yards, a whopping 27 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, Brady is on his way to shatter NFL records this season. League MVP, FF MVP, the guy is just playing on another level.

Honorable mention to Tony Romo of the Cowboys with 16 passing TDs and another two on the ground who is second in the league with 1,984 passing yards. The surprise is Derek Anderson with 14 TD passes and two scores on the ground.

RUNNING BACK

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON - Chargers
Everyone's number one overall FF pick had a disappointing start to the season but there he is again the top scorer among running backs. LT has 527 rushing yards but six scores on the ground. Add in another 210 receiving yards and touchdowns both passing and receiving and you understand how LT can score for your team doing everything but the kicking.

ADRIAN PETERSON - Vikings
The rookie is off to the races with an NFL leading 670 rushing yards to go along with five touchdowns. AD (as in all day) also has 187 yards receiving and another score through the air. This guy has it all, unfortunately the coaching staff decided to just run his 12 times against Dallas this past weekend while giving Chester Taylor ten carries. Nooooooooooo.

Honorable mention to Ronnie Brown who started terrible but has been on fire with 602 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Add in another 389 yards receiving plus another score and Mr. Brown has rewarded those who stuck with him except he is reportedly done for the season after suffering a knee injury this week - not good. The surprises at running back are those that are not doing nearly as well as projected including Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, Frank Gore, and Shaun Alexander to name just a few.

WIDE RECEIVER

RANDY MOSS - Patriots
How bout this production for the equivilant of a fourth round draft pick, 732 receiving yards (tops in the NFL) and ten touchdowns (also tops in the NFL) through seven games. Still think Moss is washed up? Now with his days in Oakland behind him, Moss has shown that he is still the most gifted receiver in football.

PLAXICO BURRESS - Giants
Who needs to practice. The former Spartan has been on a gimpy ankle virtually all season, but that hasn't stopped Eli Mannings favorite target. With 550 yards and eight touchdowns Plaxico is on his way to making his first Pro Bowl.

TJ HOUSHMANDZADEH - Bengals
Chad Johnson is still a stud receiver and is second in the league with 680 receving yards, but is he still the biggest stud wide out on his own team? TJ's 548 receiving yards and eight scores are impressive, and that is not counting what ever stats he puts up tonight. Whose your mama?

Honorable mention Steve Smith. How old is the guy throwing to Smith? Never seems to matter who his quarterback is or how bad the Panther offense is, Smith always seems to put up the numbers. With 496 yards and six scores, he is still the man. Braylon Edwards is having a great season with 552 receiving yards and seven scores.

TIGHT END

JASON WITTEN - Cowboys
Tony Romo's roommate doesn't get much press with TO stealing the show. But his 540 receiving yards and four touchdowns makes him the scoring leader for tight ends.

Honorable mention to Dallas Clark of the Colts who has more scores than Witten with five, but not quite the yards with 300.

KICKER

KRIS BROWN - Texans
Some kicker always surprises, if not more. Brown has 16 field goals including three from 50+ yards. He also has 15 extra points. A great scoring pace from someone who plays for Houston.

Honorable mention to Matt Stover of the Ravens who has 18 field goals, but none form 50+ and just ten point afters. Then there is rookie Nick Folk of the Cowboys putting up big numbers and has 26 extra points.

DEFENSE

VIKINGS

Minnesota has allowed only 108 points this season and has 16 turnovers (7 interceptions and 9 fumbles) to go along with three touchdowns. Who would have guessed that?

Honorable mention to the Giants who got off to a horrible start but have 13 take aways and three scores themselves.

An RB to add, one to avoid

After four weeks into the NFL season players are dropping like the Dolphins, Saints, and Rams. There loss can equal another players gain and an edge in the fantasy football season. At quarterback, there was Dante Culpepper getting five touchdowns for Oakland and rookie Trent Edwards playing solid in relief of JP Losman in Buffalo. I'm not buying into either one just yet with Culpepper throwing for just 75 yards and a number one overall pick sure to start picking up some playing time. Edwards could get more playing time if Losman sits out a bit longer, but he is a rookie and does play for the Bills. A more interesting position during mid season for players to look at is the all important running back position so lets take a peek at two who are likely available in your league after this past week.

One to add: Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay

The Bucs offense isn't going to scare anyone and many folks probably haven't even heard of the 4th year RB for the Buccaneers but Graham benefits from the broken Caddy. With Cadillac Williams gone for the season after being put on IR Graham will likely sbe splitting carries with Michael Pittman but will be more of a factor as he will likely get most of the goal line carries. The Bucs rushing attack was just looking like it was getting going. Through four games Graham already has 30 rushes for 136 yards (4.5 ypc) and three scores. He is not much of a threat in the passing game but if you are looking for a RB now he is your best option on the waiver wire.

One to avoid: Justin Fargas, Oakland

It seems like the five year vet just exploded onto the scene this past weekend for the Raiders. With 22 carries for a whopping 179 yards (8.1 ypc), Fargas had the highest rushing total this past weekend against the Dolphins. Fargas has always had excellent speed, but unlike Graham what he won't get to be is a featured back. First, LaMont Jordan's injured back doesn't look like it will keep him out very long. Secondly, Dominic Rhodes, whom the Raiders signed away from the Colts, just finished serving his four game suspension. That adds up to Fargas falling back to number three on the Raiders running back depth chart.