After a slow start, the tight end position has caught fire over the past couple of weeks. Today, a number of TEs went off, including huge days from guys that probably weren’t even drafted in your league. Mike Vick continued his stellar play, while LJ and LT continue to battle for the right to call themselves the #1 RB in the league. But enough of the tease, let’s get right to today’s Headliners and Flatliners.
HEADLINERS
Michael Vick (291 pass yards, 3 TD, 55 rush yards)
Peyton Manning had nearly as good of a day, but Vick’s 55 rushing yards put him over the top in most fantasy leagues. Vick is hot as a pistol right now, throwing for seven TD in the last two games.
Honorable Mention: Peyton Manning (345 yards, 3 TD), Drew Brees (383 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT), Rex Grossman (252 yards, 3 TD), Steve McNair (159 pass yards, 2 pass TD, 23 rush yards, 1 rush TD), Marc Bulger (327 yards, 2 TD), Carson Palmer (266 yards, 2 TD), Seneca Wallace (198 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT), Damon Huard (312 yards, 1 TD), Brett Favre (180 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush TD)
Larry Johnson (41 touches, 181 yards, 4 TD), LaDainian Tomlinson (28 touches, 240 yards, 3 TD)
I can’t decide which of these players had the better day, so they both get Headliner status. Both players have lived up to whatever standards are placed on the #1 overall pick, so at this point in the season, you can’t say that either guy was a mistake when drafted 1.01 or 1.02.
Honorable Mention: Mike Bell (16 touches, 143 yards, 2 TD), Ahman Green (23 touches, 133 yards, 2 TD), Steven Jackson (21 touches, 139 yards, 1 TD), Thomas Jones (27 touches, 134 yards, 1 TD), Reuben Droughns (35 touches, 132 yards, 1 TD)
Reggie Wayne (10 rec, 138 yards, 3 TD)
I was all set to give this award to Marques Colston, but then Wayne went off in the late game. With Champ Bailey smothering Marvin Harrison all afternoon, Wayne was wide open on the other side of the field and took full advantage of his opportunities, helping the Colts win a big, big game in Denver.
Honorable Mention: Marques Colston (6 rec, 163 yards, 2 TD), Joe Horn (5 rec, 126 yards, 1 TD), Plaxico Burress (7 rec, 86 yards, 1 TD), Andre Johnson (9 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD), Chris Henry (5 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD), Chad Johnson (6 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD), Eddie Kennison (6 rec, 132 yards)
Owen Daniels (9 rec, 99 yards, 2 TD)
The rookie continues to impress. He had his biggest game of the season after Sage Rosenfels took over at QB for David Carr. He’s athletic, has good hands and is only going to get better. Tight end widely considered as one of the most difficult positions for a rookie to learn, so Daniels is off to a great start.
Honorable Mention: Desmond Clark (6 rec, 86 yards, 2 TD), Kellen Winslow (7 rec, 70 yards, 1 TD), Alge Crumpler (4 rec 72 yards, 1 TD), Tony Gonzalez (6 rec, 116 yards), David Martin (4 rec, 48 yards, 1 TD), Todd Heap (3 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD), Jerramy Stevens (3 rec, 20 yards, 1 TD)
FLATLINERS
David Carr (113 yards, 1 INT, 2 fumbles)
Carr was benched after an awful start where he turned the ball over three times. Sage Rogenfels came in and brought the Texans back into the game, throwing three TD in the process. It’s not clear what this means for Carr going forward, but he did have the second highest QB rating in the AFC coming into the game, so it’s tough to see the Texans benching him for good.
Dishonorable Mention: Donovan McNabb (161 pass yards, 37 rush yards), Chad Pennington (108 yards, 2 INT), Andrew Walter (51 yards, 1 INT), Bruce Gradkowski (139 yards, 1 fumble), Charlie Frye (141 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), Matt Leinart (157 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), Alex Smith (146 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 fumbles)
Tatum Bell (13 touches, 27 yards)
No RB had a worse day with a better matchup than Tatum Bell. The Colts are awful against the run, but it was Mike Bell that took advantage, rumbling for 143 yards and two scores. Tatum looked impatient and flustered and wasn’t hitting the hole with authority. Could we be seeing the makings of yet another RB controversy in Denver? Curse you and your wicked ways, Skeletor! (Speaking of Shanahan, can you think of a better Halloween costume? Just get a skeleton mask and a Broncos sweater and you’re all set!)
Dishonorable Mention: Deuce McAllister (7 touches, 19 yards), LaMont Jordan (7 touches, 21 yards), Travis Henry (15 touches, 29 yards), Reggie Bush (19 touches, 21 yards), Leon Washington (15 touches, 51 yards), Carnell Williams (13 touches, 54 yards)
Anquan Boldin (4 rec, 47 yards)
A number of big name WRs had less than mediocre days, but Boldin squandered the best matchup against a Packers defense that has been very suspect against the pass. Even though Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt and Laveranues Coles all had crappy days, Boldin’s pathetic line takes the cake.
Dishonorable Mention: Marvin Harrison (5 rec, 38 yards), Torry Holt (5 rec, 48 yards), Laveranues Coles (4 rec, 40 yards), Bryant Johnson (1 rec, 9 yards), Deion Branch (2 rec, 45 yards), Reggie Brown (1 rec, 13 yards), Reggie Williams (1 rec, 13 yards), Braylon Edwards (2 rec, 21 yards)
L.J. Smith (1 rec, 11 yards)
Smith and the rest of the Eagles’ offense battled the wind all day and were never able to get going against a Jaguars defense that has been inconsistent of late. Smith’s (and Shockey’s) play really hurt this week considering how most of the other TEs went off.
Dishonorable Mention: Jeremy Shockey (3 rec, 15 yards)
Be sure to check back Tuesday for the first half fantasy football awards, where I’ll run down the best players from the first eight weeks as well as highlight a few players that played great in the second quarter of the season.
