Little Eli Manning, fresh off a Superbowl victory against the Patriots, has been promised a seat at the adult table this upcoming Thanksgiving in what promises to be the most heartwarming, gratifying, and uplifting story of 2008.
Last season was “The Year of the Upset” in college football. Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, and USC will be in the hunt to play in Dolphin Stadium on January 8th, 2009.
Why is Art Monk in the Hall now, and Cris Carter isn't? Well, you have to understand the selection process first, where media representatives make the case for their players.
While everyone focuses on the marquee players that will be drafted on day one this Saturday, the key to building a winning team is by acquiring 5-7 impact makers. It was Marques Colston last year, who will it be this year?
RealGM Search
By Andrew Perna
The homestretch of the 2007 season is upon us, so now is the time for fantasy football players to begin looking at who will be the top players at each position next year.
Quarterbacks
1. Tom Brady QB, NE – How could you not take him first?
2. Tony Romo QB, DAL – Tons of tools, but not Brady yet.
3. Peyton Manning QB, IND – No longer the consensus No. 1 QB.
4. Carson Palmer QB, CIN – Still behind Peyton, Tom and Tony.
5. Drew Brees QB, NO – Remember the good, not the bad.
6. Ben Roethlisberger QB, PIT – Benefited from more responsibility.
7. Matt Hasselbeck QB, SEA – A healthy running game could help in ’08.
8. Jon Kitna QB, DET – You know he’s going to sling it around.
9. Derek Anderson QB, CLE – Can he replicate 2007?
10. Jay Cutler QB, DEN – Broncos hope he continues to mature.
11. Brett Favre QB, GB – Can he continue to defy Father Time?
12. Marc Bulger QB, STL – He’d like to forget 2007, so would his owners.
13. Jake Delhomme QB, CAR – He’s still their No. 1, when healthy.
14. Jason Campbell QB, WSH – Showed flashes of greatness in 2007.
15. Philip Rivers QB, SD – Turner has another season to work with.
16. Vince Young QB, TEN – Rushing + Improved Passing = Gold.
17. Eli Manning QB, NYG – 2008 is make-or-break for him
18. Donovan McNabb QB, PHI – He’s great – when 100% healthy.
19. Jeff Garcia QB, TB – Nothing spectacular but makes few mistakes.
20. David Garrard QB, JAX – He makes even fewer mistakes than Garcia.
Running Backs
1. Joseph Addai RB, IND – Even better than Edge?
2. LaDainian Tomlinson RB, SD – Norv Turner be damned.
3. Adrian Peterson RB, MIN – Imagine him getting even better.
4. Brian Westbrook RB, PHI – The Eagles may become a runners.
5. Willie Parker RB, PIT – If only he could find the end zone.
6. Steven Jackson RB, STL – This season was a fluke, right?
7. Willis McGahee RB, BAL – Someone is scoring in Baltimore.
8. Ronnie Brown RB, MIA – Does it all, higher if healthy.
9. Clinton Portis RB, WSH – Ladell Betts wasn’t even a threat.
10. Marshawn Lynch RB, BUF – Rookie of the Year, not named Adrian.
11. Edgerrin James RB, ARI – Not quite the Edge of old, but good enough.
12. Maurice Jones-Drew RB, JAX – Fred Taylor was good, but he’s old.
13. Frank Gore RB, SF – Let’s hope 2008 is more like ’07 than ’06.
14. Marion Barber RB, DAL – Feature back in a great offense.
15. Larry Johnson RB, KC – Always an injury risk.
16. Thomas Jones RB, NYJ – A few TDs and he’s much higher.
17. Reggie Bush RB, NO – Deuce’s return will help him.
18. Jamal Lewis CLE, RB – Rejuvenated in Cleveland.
19. Travis Henry RB, DEN – If he’s not suspended, he’s a starter.
20. Shaun Alexander RB, SEA – Too good to go away this easily.
21. Rudi Johnson RB, CIN – Remember him?
22. Laurence Maroney RB, NE – Defenses will force the Pats to run.
23. Ryan Grant RB, GB – Emerged as the Packers’ best runner.
24. Kevin Jones RB, DET – Mike Martz needs a running game.
25. LenDale White RB, TEN – Better than anyone thought he’d be.
26. Cadillac Williams RB, TB – Things were great before he went down.
27. Cedric Benson RB, CHI – Unless Peterson shines in his absence.
28. DeShaun Foster RB, CAR – A passing game would help his cause.
29. Brandon Jacobs RB, NYG – He could help keep Eli afloat.
30. Justin Fargas RB, OAK – Might have earned himself a starting gig.
31. Fred Taylor RB, JAX – He’s still hanging around.
32. Julius Jones RB, DAL – He gets his yards.
33. Deuce McAllister RB, NO – Hopefully he’ll be ready for the season.
34. Jerious Norwood RB, ATL – Warrick Dunn is getting up there.
35. Chester Taylor RB, MIN – Showed what he can do in Adrian’s absence.
36. Adrian Peterson RB, CHI – Could move up with this season’s opportunity.
37. Earnest Graham RB, TB – Chances are Cadillac will stall.
38. Ahman Green RB, HOU – Texans' running game is always risky.
39. Kolby Smith RB, KC – Played well in his debut, might lead to more.
40. Maurice Morris RB, SEA – Played decent in relief of Alexander.
Wide Receivers
1. Randy Moss WR, NE – What a resurrection.
2. Terrell Owens WR, DAL – Romo’s No. 1 target, until he flips.
3. Reggie Wayne WR, IND – Finally Peyton’s No. 1 receiver.
4. Chad Johnson WR, CIN – He can talk, as long as he produces.
5. Larry Fitzgerald WR, ARI – Only getting better.
6. Braylon Edwards WR, CLE – Can the Browns keep this up?
7. Plaxico Burress WR, NYG – Was injured all season, still produced.
8. T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR, CIN – Some prefer him over Chad.
9. Marques Colston WR, NO – Quietly, still above average.
10. Torry Holt WR, STL – Injuries can never keep him down
11. Wes Welker WR, NE – Brady’s safety valve could be your No. 1.
12. Anquan Boldin WR, ARI – Dominant when healthy.
