Fantasy football: All-Surprise Team

12/2/08
fantasy football
By Ryan Chatelain

Fantasy football: All-Surprise Team

Photo credit: Game Face

The Saints' Lance Moore is the eight-best fantasy receiver this season. (Photo by Getty Images)

You can read all the magazines and Web sites, crunch statistics and stress over questions like “L.T. or A.P.?” But every year, there’s a batch of fantasy studs who few had on their draft-day radar.

As the fantasy season winds down, here is my annual All-Surprise Team.

Quarterback

Following early-season growing pains, the Patriots’ Matt Cassel developed into a quality fantasy starter in the injured Tom Brady’s absence. Cassel’s stats — 2,784 passing yards, 13 TDs and 10 interceptions — won’t wow anyone. But thanks in part to his rushing numbers (200 yards, two TDs), Cassel has been the eighth-best fantasy quarterback in standard scoring leagues.Running Backs

During the preseason, rookie Steve Slaton was behind three other running backs on Houston’s depth chart. When injuries forced Slaton into action, he amassed 1,154 yards of offense and nine TDs, making him the eighth-best fantasy back.

Derrick Ward has quietly assembled the 22nd-best fantasy year among running backs. The Giants’ No. 2 back has rushed for 630 yards, with another 371 yards gained as a receiver.

Wide Receivers

New Orleans’ Lance Moore became Drew Brees’ favorite target when No. 1 receiver Marques Colston missed five games earlier this season. But Moore continued to put up big numbers even after Colston’s return, with 59 catches, 739 yards and eight touchdowns. Moore is the ninth-most productive fantasy receiver.

Most fantasy owners assumed that Houston’s Kevin Walter had 800 yards receiving in 2007 only because Andre Johnson missed seven games with a bum knee, so many steered clear of Walter on draft day. Johnson, however, has stayed healthy this year, and Walter ranks No. 16 among fantasy receivers with 705 yards and seven scores.

Tight End

Seahawks rookie John Carlson has been the seventh-best fantasy tight end, with 456 yards and three TDs. His 105-yard game against Dallas on Sunday proved that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who recently returned to the lineup, likes looking Carlson’s way — a sign that Carlson could be in for an even bigger 2009.

Kicker

No one ever doubted Jason Elam’s ability, but entering 2008, it was thought that Atlanta, which went 4-12 in 2007, wouldn’t score many points. On the contrary, the 8-4 Falcons have provided their three-time Pro Bowler with plenty of scoring opportunities, and he has connected on 24 of 26 field goal attempts. He ranks third among fantasy kickers.

Defense

The Jets don’t spring to mind when naming the NFL’s best defenses. But Gang Green is fourth in the league at stopping the run, has forced 21 turnovers and has scored four defensive TDs. Add it all up, and the Jets are the ninth-best fantasy “D.”
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Fantasy football: All-Surprise Team

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