A People’s League Halftime Report

While the National Football League waits to see a puff of white smoke from Minnesota, this is as good a time as ever to look at what has happened in the People’s League so far this season.

(Yes, I realize this isn’t quite the halfway point for the fantasy season. Work with me here.)

Most valuable fantasy players: Right now, only one player in this league is averaging over 20 points per game: Peyton Manning of the People’s Pigskin (20.2). Excuse us while we congratulate ourselves. If you want to go by total points, Aaron Rodgers of Feely Her Up … is leading the way with 129.

Surprise of the year: Here’s what ESPN predicted for Arian Foster in its season preview: 456 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. So far he has 6 touchdowns and leads all running backs by averaging 19.3 fantasy points a game. The nuckin’ futs must be proud.

Disappointing player, non-injury category: The futs probably also thought Larry Fitzgerald was a steal in the third round, even with Kurt Warner working on his foxtrot. So far he’s found the end zone twice and is averaging 7.2 fantasy points a game, ranking him 40th among wide receivers.

Disappointing player, injury category: Plenty of potential picks here, but this has to go to Ryan Grant, whom the Hudson Valley Hawks picked in the second round (right before the futs picked Foster) and lost to injury in the very first game, after he scored 4 points.

Best late round pick: Yes, the futs are getting this award, too. They got Kyle Orton in the 14th round, after 6 kickers came off the board. So far, Orton has scored 11 touchdowns and is averaging 17.6 fantasy points a game, good enough for 3rd place among quarterbacks.

Most curious stat: Home must be paradise for the Fighting Amish. They’re 5-0 so far in “home” games and 0-2 in “away” games.

Quick reminders — The People’s Pigskin needs a lineup for its matchup against the aforementioned nuckin’ futs. We’ve already picked up Jason Hanson to be this week’s kicker. The rest of the starters will be determined by the polls, which will close Sunday morning.

Also, the People’s Pitstop needs to pick drivers for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Those polls will close tonight. Please vote now.

We’ll be back with the NASCAR poll results.