Jets TE Chris Baker can be effective-- if he gets the opportunities.

Top Performers for Week Fifteen

QB

Drew Brees, Saints: It’s easy to think that Brees has had a disappointing season, given his horrid start to the season (1 TD, 9 INT in first four games) but his turnaround has been stunning: with two games left to play, Brees has put up 3,819 yards with 25 TD and 15 INT. Much like I’ve been touting on our show the entire second half of the season, Brees is too good to abandon and he’ll continue to sling the ball in Sean Peyton’s offense.
Stat Line: 26-30-315, 2 TD passing; 4-(-2)-0 rushing.

Kurt Warner, Cards: He’s been killing you in the last four games if your league deducts for interceptions (nine picks), but Warner has been great otherwise, tossing at least two TDs in his last six games—and that’s been without the benefit of having all of his receiving talent (Fitzgerald, Boldin and TE Leonard Pope) healthy at the same time.
Stat Line: 19-30-233, 3 TD passing; 1-0-0 rushing.

David Garrard, Jaguars: Talk about being careful with the ball! Garrard’s TD-INT ratio of 8-1 is slightly better than Tom Brady’s (7.5-1)… that’s saying something. Garrard’d performance has been lost amidst the Jaguars’ strong running game and rugged defense, but he has vindicated Jack Del Rio’s faith in him. While not a top-level QB in most formats, Garrard offers an excellent matchup opportunity for owners.
Stat Line: 17-33-197, 3 TD passing; 4-8-0 rushing.

Shaun Hill, 49ers: Let’s not get carried away here, OK?
Stat Line: 21-28-197, 1 TD passing; 5-12-1 rushing.

Cleo Lemon, Dolphins: My colleague John Rakowski jokingly proclaimed last week “Watch out Ravens, Cleo Lemon is back in town!”… at least I thought he was joking. Lemon’s TD pass in overtime gave the Dolphins their first win of the season and nudged Lemon onto the Top Performers list. Unfortunately for Lemon and the Dolphins, their celebration will come to an end this week against the Patriots.
Stat Line: 23-39-315, 1 TD passing; 3-12-0 rushing.

RB

Aaron Stecker, Saints: He may not have been effective earlier in the season as the #2 RB behind Reggie Bush, but Stecker has posted two solid games since Bush went down for the season. As the main back for the Saints, Stecker offers a solid play since he’s the one who’ll be getting the carries when Brees ‘ arm needs a rest. He’s not explosive, but he’s got good hands and knows how to get the tough yards.
Stat Line: 22-95-2 rushing; 6-46-0 receiving.

Steve Jackson, Rams: Finally healthy, Jackson is trying to bail out some of his owners with a late-season surge.
Stat Line: 24-143-1 rushing; 4-27-0 receiving.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers: As good as his numbers were in the Chargers blowout win over the Lions, I’m sure many owners saw the 51 points the Chargers put up and were dreaming of a 200+ yard day for LT…
Stat Line: 25-122-2 rushing; 1-13-0 receiving.

Darren Sproles, Chargers: Sproles has proven to be very explosive when given the chance to make plays, be it as an RB or a KR. His lack of consistent playing time, however, disqualifies him from being in anyone’s lineup.
Stat Line: 15-116-2 rushing; 2-7-0 receiving.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles: How many fantasy owners do you suppose put their fists through their TVs when Westbrook took a knee at the Cowboys’ 1-yard line instead of scoring the easy TD? A heads-up play by Westbrook, who selflessly sacrificed his own stats for the good of the team.
Stat Line: 18-81-0 rushing; 9-63-0 receiving.

WR

Marques Colston, Saints: As Drew Brees’ main target, Colston has also had a strong second-half surge and will continue to put up strong numbers as the season closes out.
Stat Line: 8-114-1 receiving.

Roydell Williams, Titans: Williams is someone to keep an eye on for 2008—not someone I’d advise picking up in dynasty leagues, but if he can learn to be more consistent (something Vince Young needs to do as well) Williams has the talent to be a significant fantasy contributor.
Stat Line: 4-94-2 receiving.

Deion Branch, Seahawks: Too little, too late from Branch. Gee, do you think the Patriots knew what they were doing when they sent Branch packing to the Seahawks? Branch has failed to live up to his lofty WR1 status, even when he’s been 100% healthy.
Stat Line: 8-79-1 receiving.

Brandon Marshall, Broncos: This talented young WR has certainly taken advantage of Javon Walker’s absence to establish himself as a big-time receiver. If Walker comes back healthy in ’08, look for these two to form one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving tandems.
Stat Line: 11-107-0 receiving.

Anthony Gonzalez, Colts: Some fans may feel that Gonzalez’ was slow to develop in Marvin Harrison’s absence, but I don’t agree. Gonzalez has developed nicely as the season has worn on and it appears that Peyton Manning has full confidence in his ability to make plays.
Stat Line: 7-86-1 receiving.

TE

Tony Scheffler, Broncos: Perhaps it’s the presence of Marshall or the effectiveness of the running game, but the Broncos don’t seem to throw the ball enough to Scheffler (or any of their  tight ends). I admit I’m intrigued by the possibility of Scheffler becoming a top TE, since he has very good hands and appears to be on the same page as Jay Cutler in the red zone.
Stat Line: 7-100-1 receiving.

Jason Witten, Cowboys: The one constant in the Cowboys’ offense this season—and I’m including Tony Romo when I make that statement. He has an outside shot at setting the record for most receptions in a season by a TE, and with the Cowboys locked in a battle with the Packers for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, I doubt he’ll be taking any time off.
Stat Line: 8-113-0 receiving.

Vernon Davis, 49ers: Hey, weren’t you a GFRP (Genetic Freak who would Revolutionize the Position) at one time?
Stat Line: 5-46-1 receiving.

Chris Baker, Jets: Every time I watch Baker play, I wonder why the Jets don't get him the ball more often. He's not a world-beater, but he's got good hands and always seems to be open underneath... he could be one of those 5-52-0 type of guys on a weekly basis if given the chance.
Stat Line: 8-66-0 receiving.

Kevin Boss, Giants: Shockey’s injury will afford the Giants a look at their rookie backup—and under the (likely) pressure of a post-season run. Boss is a big (6’6”, 250) target for Manning who has soft hands, so he might be a viable target in the red zone.
Stat Line: 2-31-1 receiving.
 

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