Early Season Report Card, Who Passed and Failed

 This NFL season has been a surprise so far to say the least. We have 4 undefeated teams and 3 teams that haven't won a game and none of them is the Detroit Lions. That being said I thought it only appropriate to hand out some early report cards on some players who have excelled and some who forgot to come to class.

Quarterbacks that earned an "A"

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: Before the season began experts had predicted that Manning would fail to produce like he did in the past. We apparently Peyton read the same articles and has made it a point to remind those so called experts why he may truly be the very best that has ever played the game. With 12 TD's in 5 games Manning continues to keep the Colts in contention regardless of who he has to throw to. My forecast for the season, 39 TD's, 9 INT's, and 4400 yards.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: The man everyone expected to come out and challenge Dan Marino's yardage record came out in week 1 and showed everyone that he just might do it. While he hasn't had the same outragous games each week since, he has still thrown 13 TD's in 5 games. With a Saints defense that is finally keeping points off the scoreboard, Brees may not only have personal records in his future, but a Super Bowl berth as well. My forecast for the season, 44 TD's, 8 INT's, and 4600 yards.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben has turned the Steelers into a legitimate passing team. With over 1800 yards so far this season, Ben appears to have changed the mindset of a franchise that was built to run the football. Forecast for the season, 32 TD's, 16 INT's, and 4200 yards.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings: The aging gunslinger has done exactly what the Vikings wanted and more. The gambling long ball throwing Favre has been replace by a more mindful calculating Farve who is completeing nearly 70% of his passes and has only 2 interceptions in his first 6 games. While Adrian Peterson is the face of this franchise, Favre will be the one who determines their Super Bowl fate. My forecast for the season, 33 TD's, 10 INT's, and 3700 yards.

Matt Schuab, Houston Texans: Schaub has done an amazing job for the Texans so far this season and appears to be showing the potential that earned him the QB job for the Texans just a few years ago. Schaub is leading the NFL in TD passes with 14 and second in passing yardage. If he can stay healthy for a full season the Texans may finally be a team to beat. My forecast for the season, 31 TD's, 15 INT's, and 4100 yards.

Eli Manning, New York Giants: Eli is still trying to emerge from his older brothers shadow and despite terrific numbers and a 5 and 1 team, he is still watching the Colts stay undefeated. None the less Eli has already thrown for 11 TD's and has another Super Bowl berth on his mind. My forecast for the season, 36 TD's, 13 INT's, and 4200 yards.

"B+" on the verge of an "A"

Tom Brady, New England Patriots: How can I give a guy who just threw 6 TD's in one game less than an "A"? Well, take away that game and Brady has just 6 TD's in the other 5 games. While that is far from disgraceful, we expect more from Brady and if last week was any indication we will see much more from the TD record holder. My forecast for the season, 44 TD's, 10 INT's, and 4400 yards.

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos: While Kyle has been nothing short of amazing for the undefeated Broncos, his stats have had more to do with luck and his recievers skill than his play. Make no mistake 9 TD's and only 1 INT are terrific numbers for any QB, but we need to see just a bit more out of Orton before I would consider him and "A". My forecast for the season, 29 TD's, 7 INT's, and 3900 yards.

Runningbacks who earned an "A" 

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: Was there a surprise to this pick, I think not. Peterson is leading the NFL in rushing yards and TD's. Toss in the fact that the Vikings are undefeated and a possible MVP awards is in Peterson's future. My forecast for the season, 1750 yards, 21 receptions, and 23 TD's.

Cedric Benson, Cincinatti Bengals: A player who was considered a bust just over a year ago has re-emerged into the player he was supposed to be when he came out of Texas. Benson was the first running back to gain 100 yards on the Ravens in over 30 straight games which is worth bragging about. My season forecast, 1450 yards, 25 receptions, and 12 TD's.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans: Johnson deserves an "A" if only for effort. Johnson is averaging over 6 yards per carry for his winless Titans, but unfortunatley has only 2 TD's so far. My season forecast, 1650 yards, 40 recepetions, and 9 TD's.

"B+" on the verge of an "A"

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: Jackson is in the similar situation that Johnson is in, only worse. Despite constant 8 and 9 man fronts Jackson has managed to gain over 500 yards but has yet to cross the goal line. My season forecast, 1425 yards, 50 receptions, and 6 TD's.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens: One can only imagine what Rice could do as a feature back. He has averaged over 6 yards per carry and caught 33 passes matching his total from last season. If the Ravens start to give him more carries Rice could be an All Pro for sure. My season forecast, 1350 yards, 75 receptions, and 13 TD's.

Wide Reciever's who earned an "A"

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers: The aging warrior is having a season for remember. Ward is leading the NFL in receiving yards and is on pace for a career year. My season forecast, 105 receptions, 1550 yards, and 13 TD's.

Randy Moss, New England Patriots: The man who almost has an "A" glued to him since he joined the Patriots has shown how much he missed Tom Brady last season. He hasn't caught as many long balls yet, but Brady looks to be heating up which only means good things for Moss. My season forecast, 100 receptions, 1500 yards, and 17 TD's.

Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: Quite possibly the games best reciever right now. The return of Troy Walter he should see a few more openings and that means more big plays. My season forecast, 120 receptions, 1600 yards, and 15 TD's.

Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: Colston is quickly showing why he is Brees' best target and you can bet he will see more passes as the season goes on. My season forecast, 93 receptions, 1450 yards, and 16 TD's.

"B+" on the verge of an "A"

Wes Welker, New England Patriots: Had Welker not missed 2+ games with an injury it's likely he would be sitting atop the league in receptions. My season forecast, 118 receptions, 1300 yards, and 13 TD's.

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts: While Wayne is Manning's go to guy, Peyton still spreads the ball like no one else. Wayne will still be an All Pro and will likely see more balls as the season progresses. My season forecast, 98 reception, 1400 yards, and 12 TD's.

Steve Smith, New York Giants: While it's not a surprise to see his name on this list, it was supposed to be the other Steve Smith from the Pathers. Smith has become Eli's most reliable target so far and looks to stay that way. My season forecast, 90 recpetions, 1200 yards, and 10 TD's.

Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings: Rice's play of late plus Favre's recent addiction of throwing to him can only mean a huge season is a possibility. My season forecast, 92 receptions, 1350 yards, and 11 TD's.

Players who earned and "F"

Steve Smith WR, Carolina Panthers: It's possible that Smith may be the biggest disapointment this season. While he has suffered with poor QB play, Smith hasn't delievered when he has gotten the ball.

Darren McFadden RB, Oakland Raiders: McFadden is quickly becoming a bust of Ryan Leaf proportions. With but a few glimpses of what he was supposed to be, McFadden can't stay healthy or take starting RB spot on a hopeless Raiders team.

Terrell Owens WR, Buffalo Bills: Owens has been a superstar everywhere in Buffalo except on the field. Unless he decides to actually catch the ball when it's thrown to him, it's likely Owens Hall of Fame image will take a huge hit.

Kerry Collins QB, Tennessee Titans: Collins outstanding play a year ago earned him a new contract and he was supposed to take the next step and take the Titans to the Super Bowl. Well that hasn't happened to saw the very least. Collins appears to have fallen so far this year, that it's likely that Vince Young will take over at QB for the rest of the season.