LET'S reflect with more than half the fantasy season in the books. Let's start by figuring out some of the end-of-the-season awards through Week 9.

With quarterback Tom Brady out for the season, he will not have the chance to repeat as fantasy's most valuable player. But numerous players are in the running for 2008's top fantasy football player.

Quarterback Drew Brees is the clear-cut best quarterback and front runner for fantasy's most valuable player with more than 2,500 yards and 15 touchdown passes for the high-octane Saints.

Earlier in the season, it appeared to be a race between Brees and Tony Romo. Then Romo, after a broken pinkie, shattered that notion and numerous owners looking for a replacement in Brad Johnson felt the pain too.

Other quarterbacks making a run, believe it or not, former grocer Kurt Warner (2,089 yards, 14 TDs), former afterthought Philip Rivers (2,038 yards, 19 TDs) and former Brett Favre backup Aaron Rodgers (1,668 yards, 14 passing and three rushing TDs).

With the running backs, Clinton Portis (944 rushing yards and seven TDs) and Marion Barber (877 total yards and seven total TDs) are downright fantasy stars but neither has had a bye yet. That leaves the seemingly venerable Frank Gore (940 total yards and five total TDs) as the top back with a bye week in the past two months.

At wide receiver, Andre Johnson is the most valuable player by default. He has been targeted a league-high 83 times, but has only two touchdowns to go with his league-highs of 56 catches and 772 yards. Right behind Johnson, Roddy White, Santana Moss and Larry Fitzgerald linger with impressive totals.

Before a fractured rib on Sunday, Jason Whitten (46 catches, 549 yards and two TDs) was on his way to finish as fantasy's top tight end. But usual stars Antonio Gates (369 yards and three TDs) and Tony Gonzalez (451 yards and one TD), along with Chris Cooley (451 yards and one TD), could make their way to the top of the tight end heap.

The top offensive rookie has been running back Matt Forte. The Bears' second-round pick has been the model of consistency this season.

With solid receiving numbers to boot, he has gained 515 rushing yards and totaled six touchdowns.Forte's game this week is against the Lions and that should have fantasy owners clapping already. Early in October, he scored two touchdowns against the former Matt Millen-led bunch.

Scrapping for points?

After former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith entered the Ravens game on Sunday against Oakland, a unique play seemed inevitable. Well, quarterback Joe Flacco split out and caught himself a 43-yard pass from the former Heisman trophy winner. It wasn't the first time a quarterback caught a pass this year, Ryan Fitzpatrick has one catch for negative three yards.

Since 2000, Brees has been the top receiving quarterback. During his time with the Saints and Chargers, he has four catches for 49 yards and one touchdown.

With Brees, already the top fantasy quarterback, owners can always pray for the extremely random play.How random is it though? Since 2003, quarterbacks have 31 catches for 142 yards.

Catch them if you can ...

Donnie Avery, St. Louis wide receiver: Mr. Avery had 163 receiving yards and one touchdown last week against New England. He takes on Arizona this week and for the last two weeks appears to be Torry Holt's future replacement.

Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia wide receiver: Curtis is back. The No. 1 Eagles option had three catches for 45 yards in his 2008 debut. If he is still out there, snag him with games against Seattle and Cincinnati in the next three weeks.

The fallen ...

Matt Schaub, Houston quarterback: He's had three straight amazing performances against ... Miami, Detroit and Cincinnati. If he keeps it up against Minnesota, Baltimore and Indianapolis, pencil him for a trip to Hawaii. Otherwise, reality bites.

Steve Breaston, Cardinals wide receiver: Anquan Boldin came back, but the former Michigan star still accumulated more than 100 receiving yards. Chances are the No. 3 option in the Cardinals lineup will not do that again. Keep him on your roster, just don't start him.

Four and out

1. Carolina, New Orleans, San Diego and San Francisco have byes. 2. Lee Evans is due for one of those Lee Evans monster games. 3. Wait and see if Ted Ginn Jr. can perform like last week again. 4. Leon Washington deserves a spot on fantasy rosters.