Also, as I compose this, the Eagles are actually giving the Patriots a pretty decent game. The contest has been a very nice surprise so far as I figured it would be a snoozer. Props to Philadelphia for coming to New England ready to play tonight.

So, what’s the Buzz this week? Let’s get to it.

It’s Known As The “Gates Tax”

Every Monday morning on the FFToday Board the debate rages on as to whether or not Antonio Gates’ early selection in August redrafts was worth it to the owner that picked him. If you did pick Gates in your draft, you likely had to pass up a quality player at another position to do it. Gates, through 11 weeks, has 60 catches for 834 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s scored at least one touchdown in 6 different games. He’s posted 100 yards or more in a game 4 times this year. Projected over 16 games, Gates is on pace to catch 87 balls for over 1,200 yards and a dozen touchdowns. It sounds to me that “tax” for Gates is well worth the expense.

If you’re an Antonio Gates owner, shoot me an e-mail this week and let me know what your record is. We’ll try a little informal research this week on this subject in the hopes that the “Gates Tax” can be more effectively measured. On a related note, owners of Kellen Winslow, Jr. are getting amazing returns on their investment as well. It was unknown if Winslow would ever be able to bounce back from his Evel Knievel years, but to his credit, I think he’s pretty well recovered. I got an e-mail before the season started about leaving Winslow out of the elite loop of tight ends in a preseason article. If the guy that pointed that out to me is reading this...kudos to you. You were right.

Turn Back The Clock!

To 2006 - Yep, that was Frank Gore from 2006 out there today. If you’ve been able to somehow withstand Gore’s difficulties and remain in playoff contention in spite of him, today’s performance had to get you a little excited. Gore’s match-ups down the stretch aren’t ideal, but if you’re still alive come Week 15, look for Gore to have a potentially huge game again when he faces the Bengals. Trent Dilfer seems to be an upgrade for the offense overall, and that is going to help Gore in all forthcoming match-ups.

To 2003 - One of the biggest surprises of the season in my eyes has been the steady play of Jamal Lewis. We all know the Lewis of 2003 is long gone, but this version of Lewis is a lot closer to that one than the Lewis of the past couple of seasons. Lewis is looking more and more like a safe, solid play at RB #2 for the remainder of this season. I guess the Browns’ ability to challenge teams downfield is equating to decent running lanes for Lewis.

To 2001 - Sure, that fumble at the end of the game cost his team dearly, but Kurt Warner has played a whole lot better overall this year than most thought he was capable of at 36 years of age. And, today’s numbers (484 yards & 2 TDs) look great to the fantasy owner. The Hail Mary pass to Fitzgerald to end the first half was definitely a stroke of pure good fortune, but everything else was the Warner of old.

To 1997 - What else needs to be said about Brett Favre at this point? Favre was brilliant on Thanksgiving Day. He may just lead your fantasy team to a title this year. Only nasty weather in Green Bay in December is going to be able to slow him down.....

It’s A Bad Time To Be Slumping

On the flip side of these feel good stories come tales of woe this Monday Morning from owners of these players in decline:

LenDale White - Just when owners were getting into a comfort zone in terms of starting White each and every week as a RB #2, he’s garnered less than ten carries a week on the average over the past three weeks. It seems like the absence of Haynesworth on defense has totally changed the Titans as a team including the ability to use a smash-mouth approach on offense. The Titans are a slumping team and White is a slumping player. Owners beware.

Reggie Bush - I know he’s got some minor injuries that he’s dealing with, but Bush isn’t exactly setting the world on fire with the backfield all to himself. In traditional scoring formats, Bush has only scored more than 15 points in a game once this year and today’s performance likely didn’t help many owners to a victory.

Lee Evans - What a tease. For a few weeks, Evans was looking like the player most who drafted him thought he was, fantasy-wise. Now, he’s looking like the Evans of early season. He’s likely ruined your fantasy season at this point unless you’ve got Tom Brady on your team—ugly stuff.

Then there’s the guy that broke out of his slump today...how about Chad Johnson? Johnson owners likely won today if they started Ocho Cinco, but Johnson continues to be fairly schizophrenic in terms of his production. His numbers at the end of this season are going to look great like they always do, but they tend to be compiled in clusters as opposed to being reflective of consistent production.

Ode To Defense

Most of us don’t sit around the fantasy water cooler on Monday mornings and discuss how many points our defense scored for us, but how about that Minnesota defense yesterday? Count ‘Em- Not one, not two, but three interceptions returned for touchdowns. A fourth interception and three sacks also took place. The Buccaneers defense also forced six turnovers and is becoming a unit you can count on.

And, if David Carr somehow manages to ever play again for the Panthers, please start whatever defense he is going against. In fact, just start whatever defense is going against the Panthers in general. Surely, there’s someone out there that can do better.

Random Buzz

• I know Mike Shanahan is a “genius” and all, but the way he allowed Devin Hester to almost single-handedly beat him today suggests he’s not a genius in all situations.

• Justin Fargas is sure looking like a dependable running back down the stretch. The Raiders have done a solid job of running the ball all season this year, but I haven’t gotten to see them play until today. And, Fargas was impressive. Keep him in your lineups.

• Steven Jackson owners....I hope you didn’t lose by 6 points or less. That final play in the Rams-Seahawks was going to be a run by Jackson and he was going to score. What a heartbreaking way to end a game!

• Did anybody think Fred Taylor would actually play in every game this year?

Well, as we wrap it up for this week’s edition of the Buzz, a big thumbs up goes out to the Philadelphia Eagles for giving New England the biggest scare of their season so far. Hope you started A.J. Feeley on your fantasy team Sunday....no? Well, how about Greg Lewis? No? Sidney Rice? It’s an unpredictable business to be sure. I just hope you’ve got the Steelers D going for you tonight...talk about a potential fantasy gold mine. That is, unless Ricky Williams has something to say about it.

Had to chuckle a little (ok, a lot) as I wrote that. Have a great week, everybody. See you back here next Monday for another edition of the Buzz. God Bless!