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Many fantasy owners are looking at their lineups this week, and thinking what could have been. The sure-fire picks that they thought were as guaranteed as a cop in a donut shop have floundered. Every year there is always a crop of high picks that fail to live up to the hype or expectations that they bring to the gridiron each year. And while these owners are losing hope with each passing week, there is another whole set of players that are playing out of their minds. 12th round picks that are playing so well, that the managers who drafted them look and feel like geniuses. Here is a list of the players that have made some managers go gray, and other who have managers kissing the ground that they walk on. Overachievers QB Tommy Maddox - Mr. XFL has to be the comeback story of the year. Drafted in 1992 by the Broncos, Maddox fell off the radar and into the hands of Vince McMahon's failed XFL. The XFL got his name back on the map, and he has been solid all year since taking over for Slash. Even with only having started 5 games this year, he is on pace for about 22 touchdowns, which is probably about 22 more that anyone expected out of him this season. QB Tom Brady - This hero that led the Patriots to the Super Bowl last year found a way to win games despite his average numbers. This being fantasy sports, where numbers count, most people had very average expectations for the young starter. But he came out in a flash the first few weeks of the season, and is on pace for a 4,000 yard, 35+ TD season. He already passed last year's total of 18 TD's, more than you could have wished for out of a mid round pick RB Travis Henry - Anyone that was hoping for 10 TD's out of Henry should be quite pleased. Anyone that would have told you that he'd hit that mark at the halfway point should have been publicly flogged. But right now, that's where Henry stands. He already has 20 more yards rushing on 50 less attempts with 5 more TD's. Not that the edition of Bledsoe and the Buffalo pass attack didn't help, but he is out performing many first round picks. RB Charlie Garner - This Ex-Eagle, Ex-49er always had the potential, but has never been very consistent with his ability. He is in the middle of the pack as a rusher, although given more touches, he would probably be towards the top. But this versatile back already has almost 1000 total yards. And since this guy was probably bouncing around the waiver wires in your league, his projected 2000 total yards and 14 TD's are looking pretty good right about now. WR Peerless Price - Another player who has just about matched last year's stats. If Price continues his current pace, he could gain more yards this season then in his last 2 seasons combined, and could have more TD's this season then in his entire career. Again, he also benefits from the Bledsoe factor, but we won't hold that against him. TE Todd Heap - Crappy Team. Crappy QB's. An offense that is just no fun to watch. Todd manages to overcome all these obstacles to put up solid numbers so far this season. He will easily triple or quadruple last year's numbers. And in an offense like this, you have to respect that. K Jose Cortez - Probably one miss away from losing his job early on in the season, had turned in a decent season to this point. Not including the season opener he has kicked 13 of 15 field goals and has gotten some of his confidence back. Not bad for a guy who was about to lose his job to a rookie. Underachievers QB Daunte Culpepper - Although his yard production this year has not been that bad, knowing how good the combination of Culpepper to Moss could and should have been make him one of the more frustrating QB's to own. With 5 multi-interception games to his credit this season, the only way he can make you happy is knowing that he is starting for someone else's team and not for your team. QB Peyton Manning - In only 2 games this season has Peyton not thrown an Interception. While he consistently throws for about 250 yards a game, he probably was not worth the high pick someone spent on him. But at least he is a caring, sharing kind of guy. His owners' will tell you that he love to share, mainly by throwing to the other teams' defense. RB Stephen Davis - In the beginning of the season, the Fun N' Gun was all the rage. But some experts still suggested that Davis would get the ball since he was 2001's NFC rushing leader. Those experts did not take into account that the Skins would be behind a lot, and would not get the ball to Davis enough for him to match last year's stats. Those experts also probably didn't predict some nagging injuries to surface with Davis either. RB Shaun Alexander - Mr. "Next Great Running Back". Well Mr. Next Great, tell us how your season has been so far? What's that? Seattle has no offense? And defenses are focusing all their attention on you? But you are so great, how come your numbers suck? Oh right, I forgot. That's because you are horrible. You are every fantasy owner's nightmare. You almost tricked me into keeping you as a keeper, but you didn't fool me. Take away Shaun's 5 TD game and you probably would have quit your league if you drafted him. WR Randy Moss - Public Enemy #2 right behind Shaun. You and Mike Tice and your damn 40% Randy Ratio. 2,500 yards? You will be lucky if you get 1,100 out of him this season. If you were lucky, you don't have him on your team. And if you are unlucky and have him, your team's record in your league probably reflects it. WR David Boston - Crappy Team. Crappy QB's. An offense that is just no fun to watch. Yet Boston somehow manages to fit right in. Unlike Todd Heap, Boston refuses to make the best of a bad situation. Coming off a 1,600-yard season last year, this season is already a waste. Sure Jake the Snake does not help the situation, and Boston would be better off in another town, but even if he would just put in a little effort his numbers would be respectable. WR Keyshawn Johnson - So many people, including myself, thought that Gruden coming to Tampa Bay would be the revival of KJ. He would magically turn into this TD machine. Well, we were wrong. Not only is he going to have considerably less catches then last year, he only has 2 - 100 yard games to his credit so far this season. Just remember this when he is sitting on the draft board next season. KJ does not have to be an underachiever ever again, as long as you draft him like the marginal player that he is. TE Freddie Jones - Oh where oh where has Freddie Jones gone? He had so many productive years in San Diego. And this season he already has 3 games to his credit with 10 yards or less. Are you kidding me, 10 yards or less. I could throw on a Cardinals jersey with gimpy ankle and all and get 10 yards. K Sebastian Janikowski - The wonder boy is only 10 of 15 this season. Well it must be because he has attempted all those long field goals that he can kick, right? Wrong. He has not even attempted a 50 yarder yet this season. His 5 misses have been from 49 or less. Not that great for the super first round draft pick kicker. He is probably just missing because he is picturing jail bars instead of goal posts when he is kicking, and it is making him nervous. |
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