Mr. T's 2008 Fantasy Football Awards

We've hit week 16 and Mr. T's fantasy football season in the RGIOQB league has come to an end. After putting together a three game winning streak to make the playoffs, I was unable to survive Marble Ryan's karma. It must be my just desserts for ragging on his trading decisions. At least I can take some joy in the fact that I kept Lafayette Gold's mediocre bunch out of the playoffs by making them myself. There’s still light at the end of the tunnel. I have two other fantasy football finals this weekend, I sit in third place in my pickem league, and I'm still alive in a 564 person suicide pool. Things could be a lot worse. There's no point in going over player's potential or matchups in the column this week because you've already got the horses to win the race. Instead, I present to you Mr. T's fantasy football awards for the 2008 season.

Worst Pick of the Year: Ladainian Tomlinson
I already discussed LT on Thanksgiving, so I'll skip to my second worst pick of the year. Chad Johnson doesn't have the excuse of an injury like some other disappointments out there. His QB did get hurt, but that didn't stop Houshmandzadeh from being productive. You could his HOF jacket, rub it in bird poop, and sell it on Ebay for more value than Johnson's worth right now. Boldin demanded a trade and still performed. What's Johnson's excuse?
Runners up: Chad Johnson and Torry Holt

Best Pick of the Year: DeAngelo Williams
It’s a major slap in the face when the starter on his own team gets drafted behind the backup rookie stud. Williams was once that rookie stud, so he knows the role too well. Jonathan Stewart proved Williams was the one leading the wonderful life this year. The 87th average pick in ESPN drafts (34th at RB), Williams has found his way to the top three at the position this year.
Runners up: Kurt Warner, Matt Forte, and Chris Johnson

Best Value Pick of the Year: Steve Slaton
While he deserves consideration for the best pick, I thought Slaton deserved his own award. Left for dead before the season, Slaton was approval rating as a potential starting NFL rating was something to throw a shoe at. He was even cut in a few leagues. Now he's considered the best thing to come out of West Virginia since a Beliein backdoor play.
Runners up: Matt Ryan, Kevin Walter, and Eddie Royal

Best Free Agent Pickup of the Year: Tyler Thigpen
Thigpen has become the RGIOQB mascot this year, so he needs no more publicity. Let's shift to Antonio Bryant who's risen from the dead to become this year's hot WR acquisition. Bryant currently stands as the 8th best fantasy WR this year and has carried more than a few teams over the last two weeks. While his consistency was reminiscent of Jennifer Love Hewitt, his big game performances were all one could've asked for someone off the free agent list.
Runners up: Antonio Bryant, Lance Moore, and Tennessee D

Biggest Second Half Disappointment: Clinton Portis
There was NFL and Fantasy MVP talk for Portis through 8 weeks and then he blew a tire. Injuries crippled some of his ability, but the rest can be attributed to the ineptness of his head coach and the true colors of Jason Campbell. Did you know Portis hasn't scored a touchdown since week 7? Even Hyundai Williams has scored two touchdowns since then. That's a disaster to any Portis owner. I'll also point out that runner up Antonio Gates failed to catch a pass in Week 14. Bet you thought you'd never hear that?
Runners up: Marion Barber, Reggie Wayne, and Antonio Gates

Biggest Nosedive in 2009: Matt Cassel
The scenario is a Tom Brady return with Cassel following Josh McDaniel to a new team. New coaches mostly get jobs where the quality of the team was so poor that the coach couldn't win. Throw Cassel into a situation in Detroit, St. Louis, or Cleveland and you expect him to succeed? It'll make ducking shoes look like child's play.
Runners up: Thomas Jones and Antonio Bryant

Biggest Surge in 2009: Ronnie Brown
You have to cut the guy a break for coming back as quickly as he did from ACL surgery. Next year the Dolphins will have a stronger offensive line and a supporting cast under the leadership of Parcells. Brown should return to the form he showed when he ravaged the league last year before. Give him a piece of your Kit Kat bar.
Runners up: Matt Schaub, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Calvin Johnson