Fantasy Football Weekly Words: Championship Round

Golf courses across the nation have gotten a bit busier as players from 30 NFL teams find themselves with plenty of free time now that the quest for the Lombardi Trophy is down to just the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In two weeks time, these two will square off in Tampa Bay to crown a champion for the 2008-09 season. The Cardinals will be looking to end a 61-year title drought, while the Steelers look to become the first team with six Super Bowl victories.

So, mark your calendars for Feb. 1 because it's going to be one hell of a battle. But, before we get to the Super Bowl, let's take a look at some of the stories to come out of the Championship Round in this week's weekly words.

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Leapin' Larry Fitzgerald

With 210 fantasy points, enough to lead all wide receivers, over the course of the regular season, Arizona Cardinals' wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, made a strong case as to why he should be the first wide receiver taken in 2009 fantasy drafts.

However, for those few fantasy owners that weren't quite convinced, Fitz's post-season performance should eliminate all doubts. Quarterback Kurt Warner may be the one the press is infatuated with, and his story warrants that, but without Fitz, Warner wouldn't be heading to Tampa in two weeks.

Over the Cardinals' three post-season games, Fitz has amassed 419 receiving yards and 5 TDs. The five trips to the endzone are more than TJ Houshmandzadeh, Braylon Edwards, Wes Welker, and Lee Evans each made during the regular season.

Fitz, though, is more than just talent. Watch highlights from Sunday's NFC Championship battle with the Eagles and look for the joy that overtakes Fitz each time the Cardinals make a big play.

Seeing that enthusiasm will open your eyes to the passion Fitz has for the game. With that passion and his skill set, whether Fitz is taken as the first wide receiver or not shouldn't even be a question. Whether you take him over a stud running back in the first round or not, should be.

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The Samson Effect 

Sometimes hair can represent more than just a fashion statement. In the biblical story of Samson, it is learned that Samson's hair, which has not been cut since his birth, is the source of his strength. Perhaps the same can be said for Steelers' safety, Troy Polamalu.

Supposedly at less than 100 percent, Polamalu and his ever flowing mane, once again, came up with a big play when the Steelers needed it most this past weekend.

With the Steelers up just two and the Ravens on the offensive side of the ball, Polamalu not only intercepted rookie, Joe Flacco, he, then, proceeded to take that interception 40 yards for a TD, giving the Steelers a 9-point lead with 4 minutes 39 seconds left in the game.

Polamalu's teammate, linebacker James Harrison, may have taken home the Defensive Player of the Year award, but Polamalu's ballhawk nature and ability to make the big play when Pittsburgh needs it most have allowed him to take over the likes of Ray Lewis as the NFL's most formidable defender.

Talk defense and the first name you better mention is that of the Steelers' safety, and when mentioning Polamalu, don't forget to discuss those locks.

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Forgiving Flacco

Professional sports are unforgiving. While many may deserve to hold that championship trophy at the end of the season, only one team gets to hoist it. Sadly, that leads to disappointing endings to great seasons. With his three interception performance on Sunday, that's the case for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

The first rookie quarterback to win two NFL games, Flacco came up short in his bid to win three as his Ravens fell by a score of 23-14 to the Steelers.

In the NFL world where many fans are of the "What have you done for me lately?" mindset, Flacco will receive flak for his poor AFC Championship performance.

But, for all those who bad mouth the rookie, don't forget all that he did for the Ravens in just one year in the league.

First and foremost, he guided them to the AFC Championship. Sure, he may have faltered in that game, but without his poise throughout the season that never would have been a possibility.

Then, there's the fact that he's brought stability to a position that desperately needed it following Steve McNair's abrupt retirement two years ago, or have you forgotten the Kyle Boller and Troy Smith experiments.

Finally, there are his numbers from the year, 2,971 passing yards, 16 total TDs, and just 14 total turnovers.

They may not be winning the quarterback any fantasy MVPs, but those numbers did help the Ravens win games, eight more (including playoffs) than they won all of last year.

Yes, the rookie deserves to be criticized somewhat for his play on Sunday, but don't let one game override everything he did for the 18 games prior.

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