Year after year, whether by injury or misfortune, players surprise and players disappoint. This year happened to be one of the more unpredictable years in recent history. Names like, Brady, Alexander, Rhodes, and Booker found their ways into the regular starting line-ups of fantasy teams. Hambrick, Buckhalter, and Stacey Mack among others were actually viable options week in and week out. Comebacks by players such as Rice, Kordell Stewart, Hearst, and Antowain Smith, made fantasy owners glow if they had gambled on these long shots. It all goes to show that all of the magazines, websites and "expert" opinions you may study before the fantasy football draft, may, in the end only serve the purpose they intend - Entertainment. I love writing articles, reading them, looking for my player's names in any publication, however, there are too many variables out there to give anyone a sure thing.

Is there skill in fantasy football? Of course there is, but only to a point. I dare someone to find me a preseason article that had Priest Holmes leading the league for most of the season in rushing or had Shaun Alexander as the number two guy in total touchdowns. It is not out there. The entertainment value of fantasy sport publications is tremendous. There is nothing better than reading this stuff for hours. But if you think it is going to result in dollars and the pride of a champion, think again. There is a little lady you need on your side to secure any league and her name is Luck.

While some writers lay claims to first place in this league and second place in that league, it all means very little in terms of knowledge of fantasy sports and the professional leagues that are affiliated with them. I am not ashamed to say that I missed the playoffs for the second straight year in my fantasy football league. Do I not know the game? I beg to differ. I eat, sleep and dream fantasy sports, but in my 14-team head-to-head league, I fell victim to injury and lack of production from players who were supposed to help me. Not to mention that my schedule. Like last year, I faced teams that just produced more points than me on a given week. Keyshawn, as previously mentioned, couldn't find the endzone. Charlie Garner would get down to the endzone, only to let Zack Crockett, Tyrone Wheatley, or Rich Gannon run it in. Ricky Watters - you all probably know his problems. While it may sound like sour grapes, it isn't. I drafted, I managed and I lost, but as we all know, there is always next year.

So what about next year? Are Holmes and Antowain Smith first round picks? Does someone stay away from Eddie George, Edgerrin James, and Charlie Garner? Is Trung Candidate good for another six touchdowns? Who knows? And that is why fantasy football is so much fun. No one knows, and the fact that you may take a chance on someone and they surprise you, may be the best feeling you get out of playing in these leagues. So you can take your lists and articles and throw them out the window for now. Fantasy Football season has come to end and you can now actually enjoy watching a football game without the stress you face during the fantasy football season. The only consolation for many is that baseball is just around the corner. For everyone else, relax for a while and then let's get ready for another crazy season.

This will be my last article until after the NFL draft, where I will summarize some of the rookies that may help you next season, but I always welcome your e-mails. Come early March you can visit my website at www.tradecommittee.com, but my football articles will continue next summer.