Midseason fantasy report card

With the NFL season at the midway point, it is time to analyze some of the good, bad and ugly from the first half of the season … from a fantasy football perspective, of course.

Most of the guys in the “F” class have been hampered by injury, so the grade may not be entirely fair. But I am a tough grader, so deal with it.

One guy not on this report card — Brandon Jacobs — has not been evaluated because he missed a few weeks with injury, but now healthy is doing well at runningback. However, with the overall emphasis on the production during the first half of the season, it is hard to give him a grade.

Where would you rank Brandon Jacobs on this list? Also, did I miss any rookies you think should be making the grade?

Let me know in the comments section.

A+ (The front of the class):

• Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: 2,400+ yards, 30 passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns … no more needs to be said about the kind of year Brady is having. Brady may have his sights set on Peyton Manning’s single-season touchdown record of 49.
• LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Tomlinson, again, is the top of the class at runningback. The guy gets it done, year-in and year-out. It may be impossible to find a more consistent fantasy player over the last five seasons.
• Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Moss is having a superb season, one that may surpass anything and everything he ever did in Minnesota.
• Antonio Gates, TE: Chargers: All Patriots and Chargers in the front of the class, and that includes Gates. He continues to be the best fantasy tight end in the NFL, although he is being challenged for the top spot this season.

Start & Sit: Week 6

Five weeks down, and bye weeks continue to bite fantasy teams. Here are some guys to start and sit this weekend:

Start ‘em

QBs

• Derek Anderson v. Miami: Anderson has been effective as a fantasy starter and gets another favorable matchup this weekend against the struggling ‘Phins.
• Kurt Warner v. Carolina: From now until the end of the season, as long as he is healthy, Warner is an every-week starter.

Grab Bag: Week 6

The injuries in the NFL are piling up. Vigilance is the key for fantasy owners, especially during this long stretch of season with all the bye weeks.

Here are some guys to take a look at on the waiver wire this week:

Quarterbacks

• Kurt Warner, Cardinals: This is a no-brainer. Warner has been the best passer on the Cards so far this season, and now that Matt Leinart is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks with a broken collarbone Warner should put up solid fantasy numbers. He becomes and instant fantasy starter for most teams and could save a season.
• Jason Campbell, Redskins: Campbell looks like a guy who is improving every week. He should be a good bye-week filler for just about any fantasy team right now.

Grab Bag: Week 5

Things have been mighty busy around these parts lately and we have neglected the waiver wire for too long.

But it is not too late for fantasy owners to turn things around via the waiver wire, and here are some guys that could help down the stretch.

Quarterbacks

• Daunte Culpepper, Oakland: OK, he was 5-of-12 passing. But he ran for three touchdowns and threw two scores. He is at least worth a look in fantasy leagues, especially if you are desperate for a quarterback.
• Joey Harrington, Atlanta: Harrington is ever-so-quietly putting up good numbers in Atlanta. Maybe it is the system. If Joey is buying into it, it might be time for you to do so as well.

Wednesday’s Top-10

It is time for the Wednesday Top-10 … this week The Hazean takes a look at the tight end position.

To catch up, check out last week’s WTT.

WTT for July 11, 2007: Tight ends

Haze owners Marc Budyach and Blaine Clancy contributed to this week’s WTT. And here it is:

1. Antonio Gates, Chargers — Budyach: Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind who the number one tight end in the league is? Even with LaDainian Tomlinson blowing up, Gates still manages 71 receptions for 924 yards and nine touchdowns last season.  L.T.’s reception production is due to fall and Gates should reap the rewards.
2. Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs — Clancy: Trent Green is out, Brodie Croyle is in, and Tony G is smiling all the way to the bank. Expect Gonzalez to rack up the receptions as Croyle looks for an easy dump pass throughout the season.  However, at 31-years-old, Gonzo is a relic in the NFL. Even so, he should have another consistent year which is exactly what you need at the tight end position.
3. Todd Heap, Ravens — McNeil: Heap is a quality tight end who is due to move up to the No. 2 spot in these rankings once Tony G’s time comes to an end. With Steve McNair at quarterback, Heap gets his fair share of opportunities to catch passes. He is oft-injured but reliable, choosing to play despite spending most of his time on injury reports last season.