By Marc Hardin
NKyTribune contributor
Seven weeks of play does not a fantasy football season make. But seven weeks of action takes us up to or just past the halfway point of most fantasy regular seasons. No better time than now to hand out hardware honoring first-half workhorses.
Some of these fast starters, such as the manly Todd Gurley, were expected to be quick out the gate. Others, like enigmatic Eric Ebron, have unexpectedly hastened their ascension. Still, others may not be on the best-of list at the end of the season as injuries and offensive woes take their toll.
To be sure, things look great right now for our opening act all-stars, but a lot can happen before the final curtain falls. For now, let these bona fide bruisers take a bow.
THE 2018 ALL-HALFWAY TEAM
QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs): On pace for 5,000 passing yards, 50 TDs.
RB Todd Gurley (Rams): On pace for 2,200 total yards, 32 TDs.
RB Saquon Barkley (Giants): Scored in double digits every week.
WR Adam Thielen (Vikings): In PPR, eclipsed 20 points 6 straight weeks.
WR Davante Adams (Packers): Scored a TD in all but one game.
TE Eric Ebron (Colts): Six TDs already a career high.
K Jason Myers (Jets): Broke team record with seven FGs vs. Colts.
D/ST Houston (Texans): Averaging 13 points per game last 4 weeks.
Honorable mention — QB: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Drew Brees (Saints), Cam Newton (Panthers), Aaron Rodgers (Packers); RB: Alvin Kamara (Saints), Melvin Gordon (Chargers), James Conner (Steelers), Kareem Hunt (Chiefs), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys); WR: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Antonio Brown (Steelers), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans), Michael Thomas (Saints), WR Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos); TE: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Jared Cook (Raiders); K: Brett Maher (Cowboys), Harrison Butker (Chiefs), Mason Crosby (Packers); D/ST: Bears, Ravens, Rams
HALF-SEASON FANTASY MVP BALLOT
It’s worth reminding that if half was good enough, a full house would lose its luster. If half sufficed, we’d have no need for full steam ahead and nothing would be in full swing. If half passed muster, we’d have a dim appreciation for full moons. If half was all we had, we wouldn’t have full names, full Nelsons and Full Metal Jacket.
We’d never be able to go full circle in a place happy with half. The world would be chock full of half circles, bereft of full disclosures and nobody would be working full time. We’d have a bunch of part-time workers and half-service banks. That said, here’s your halfway heroes…
QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
QB Matt Ryan (Falcons)
RB Todd Gurley (Rams)
RB Saquon Barkley (Giants)
RB Alvin Kamara (Saints)
RB Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
RB James Conner (Steelers)
RB Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
RB Kareem Hunt (Chiefs)
WR Adam Thielen (Vikings)
WR Davante Adams (Packers)
WR Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)
BIGGEST SURPRISES
The world is full of surprises and so is the make-believe world of fantasy football. In the real world, How Green Was My Valley some how beat Citizen Kane for the 1942 Academy Award honoring best motion picture. In literature, William Faulkner actually wrote a 1,288-word sentence in Absalom, Absalom! In music, Garth Brooks has sold more records than Elvis Presley. Meatloaf sang on some Ted Nugent records. In the sports world, Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson, O.J. Simpson hopped in Al Cowling’s white Bronco and Caitlyn Jenner was once the planet’s greatest male athlete.
In the real world, you may be surprised that you can recycle crayons and corks. In Italy, if you order a cappuccino in the evening, the server might be a little surprised. In San Diego, the weather is crappy in June. You also might be surprised to know that the outcome of a game of chance is never due.
As the voice of Gomer Pyle can be heard saying on Pink Floyd’s The Wall album track “Nobody Home” around the 3-minute mark: “Surprise, surprise, surprise!”
Surprise, surprise, surprise
QB Pat Mahomes (Chiefs)
QB Mitchell Trubisky (Bears)
RB James Conner (Steelers)
RB Isaiah Crowell (Jets)
RB James White (Patriots)
RB T.J. Yeldon (Jaguars)
WR DeSean Jackson (Bucs)
WR Calvin Ridley (Falcons)
WR Tyler Boyd (Bengals)
WR John Brown (Ravens)
TE Eric Ebron (Colts)
TE Jared Cook (Raiders)
TE George Kittle (49ers)
TE Austin Hooper (Falcons)
K Jason Myers (Jets)
K Brett Maher (Cowboys)
D/ST New York Jets
D/ST Buffalo Bills
2018 ALL-NAME TEAM
What’s in a name, you might ask? Well, here ya go…
QB Drew Brees (Saints): Given name Andrew. Parents called him Drew after former Dallas WR Drew Pearson.
RB LeGarrette Blount (Lions): Putting it bluntly, he’s a three-time Super Bowl champion.
RB Kapri Bibbs (Redskins): One of three Division I college players with 30 rushing TDs in a season.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Packers): Set South Florida record with 879 receiving yards as a senior
WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Packers): His dad John Brown is a former Mr. Universe.
FLEX Geronimo Allison (Packers): Career-best 6 catches, 122 yards vs. Bengals in 2017.
FLEX Keke Coutee (Texans): In September, had the most receptions (11) in a debut since AFL-NFL merger.
TE Mo Alie-Cox (Colts): Played college basketball at Virginia Commonwealth.
K Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans): Full given name: John Christian Ka’iminoeauloameka’ikeokekumupa’a Fairbairn. Go ahead, give it a try.
