A few months ago, we compiled a Fantasy Football Almanac of results from 1970 to 2011. Now we're ready to update the almanac for the 2012 season, with awards for the best players and some new data as well. Take a look, then add your comments, analyses, quibbles, and rants in the discussion below. No fantasy scoring system is more valid than any other, but we used the following, from Pro Football Reference's fantasy stats page: 1 point per 25 yards passing, 1 point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per touchdown, and -2 points per interception. The raw stats are also based on PFR's numbers. PFR and Chase Stuart of Football Perspective provided us with some extra stats for this edition, for which we're very grateful. For records from 1970 to 2002, check out our original post. The Brady Award: Given to the quarterback with the highest point total. Named after Tom Brady for his record-breaking 2007 performance. The 2012 Brady Award goes to Drew Brees, whose 5,177 yards and 43 touchdowns both led the league. His 19 interceptions allowed Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers to come within just a few points of his 346 total. Those three quarterbacks have won every Brady Award for the last six years, with each winning twice. YearNamePoints2003Daunte Culpepper3332004Peyton Manning4602005Carson Palmer3322006Peyton Manning3712007Tom Brady4982008Drew Brees3732009Aaron Rodgers4052010Tom Brady3732011Aaron Rodgers4872012Drew Brees346 The Emmitt Smith Award: Given to the running back with the highest point totals. Named after Emmitt Smith, who won the award four years in a row. The 2012 Smith Award goes to Adrian Peterson, who out-rushed his nearest competitor by over 400 yards. His overall point total, 307, would certainly have been higher had the rest of the Vikings offense cooperated. This is Peterson's first Smith Award in his third nomination. YearNamePoints2003Priest Holmes3732004Shaun Alexander3072005Shaun Alexander3642006LaDanian Tomlinson4312007LaDanian Tomlinson3102008DeAngelo Williams2842009Chris Johnson3472010Arian Foster3302011Ray Rice3032012Adrian Peterson307 The Rice Award: Given to the wide receiver with the highest point total. Named after Jerry Rice, who won the award eight times in 10 years. The 2012 Rice Award goes to Calvin Johnson, who becomes the first player since Marvin Harrison to win the award twice in a row. Johnson broke the NFL record with 1,964 yards, but his low touchdown total (five) allowed Brandon Marshall to come within a few points of beating him. YearNamePoints2003Randy Moss2672004Muhsin Muhammad2382005Steve Smith2372006Marvin Harrison2092007Randy Moss2872008Larry Fitzgerald2152009Andre Johnson2122010Brandon Lloyd2092011Calvin Johnson2652012Calvin Johnson220 The Christensen Award: Given to the tight end with the most points. Named after Todd Christensen, who won the award four years in a row. The 2012 Christensen Award goes to Jimmy Graham, who put up 152 points despite struggling with a dislocated finger in the last half of the season. Graham fought off Rob Gronkowski, who came within nine points of a repeat after putting up a record 241 in 2011. YearNamePoints2003Tony Gonzalez1522004Antonio Gates1742005Antonio Gates1702006Antonio Gates1462007Jason Witten1572008Tony Gonzalez1662009Vernon Davis1752010Jason Witten1542011Rob Gronkowski2412012Jimmy Graham152 The Tomlinson Award: Given to the player who has the highest value with respect to his position. The award is named after LaDanian Tomlinson for his 2006 season. Value is measured in VBD, which stands for "Value Based Drafting." VBD takes the player's point total and subtracts the point total of the baseline starter at that position. PFR's VBD calculation uses the 12th best QBs and TEs, the 24th best RB, and the 30th best WR as the baseline starters. It also adjusts the totals for years with shorter schedules. While the exact value of VBD can vary depending on the baseline level, the important thing is that it allows us to compare across positions. It's the best stat for a basic MVP award. The 2012 Tomlinson Award goes to Adrian Peterson, whose 191 VBD beat out rookie Doug Martin's by 45. The top six players by VBD were all running backs this year, and only one quarterback appears in the top 10. YearNameVBD2003Priest Holmes2312004Peyton Manning1992005Shaun Alexander2212006LaDanian Tomlinson2702007Tom Brady2412008DeAngelo Williams1352009Chris Johnson1972010Arian Foster1922011Aaron Rodgers2152012Adrian Peterson191 The Beuerlein Award: Given to the player who provided the most value with respect to where fantasy owners drafted him. I used My Fantasy League's average draft position (ADP) records, which date back to 1999, to estimate the draft spot, and VBD to estimate value. The award is named after Steve Beuerlein, the first winner. The 2012 Beuerlein Award goes to Alfred Morris, the Redskins' running back. Early in the year, it looked like Robert Griffin III, Morris's fellow rookie and teammate, would be a shoo-in after being drafted 78th on average. But Morris overtook him in the long haul—he finished with a VBD of 124 (fifth overall) despite an ADP of 132. That means the average 12-team league waited 11 full rounds to pick him. YearNameADPVBD2003Priest Holmes52312004Peyton Manning131992005Larry Johnson781922006LaDanian Tomlinson32702007Tom Brady232412008DeAngelo Willians881352009Chris Johnson121972010Arian Foster591922011Rob Gronkowski1041432012Alfred Morris132124 The Goodell Award: Given to the player who was the biggest bust by the same logic as that of the Beuerlein Award. Named after Roger Goodell, for obvious reasons. The 2012 Goodell Award goes to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was the second wideout drafted on average, which may have paid off in leagues that award points for running routes well. But neither Arizona nor his fantasy owners got any credit for him because of the vaudeville troupe—John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, Brian Hoyer, a cryogenically frozen Sammy Baugh—that ran the offense this year. He finished 42nd overall among wide receivers despite playing the full season. Fitz gets the Goodell over middling running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren McFadden because of a few spaced-out quality performances that kept him in fantasy lineups. Roger Goodell was another close runner-up, but no one expected anything out of him. YearNameADPTotal Points2003Corey Dillon20732004Marshall Faulk201322005Daunte Culpepper10952006LaMont Jordan13632007Laurence Maroney131312008Braylon Edwards211052009Michael Turner41512010Randy Moss15692011Jamaal Charles6152012Larry Fitzgerald20104 The Cannon Award: Given to the player with the best single-game performance of the season. Named after Billy Cannon. The list below includes the top point totals at each position as well. The 2012 Cannon Award goes to Doug Martin for his 51-point performance against Oakland. Martin became the ninth player since the merger to put up 50 points in one game, and his total was the highest since Clinton Portis's record 55 against the Chiefs in 2003. Russell Wilson and Dez Bryant put up the best QB and WR totals in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively, which may have won a few fantasy owners the championship. YearPos.TeamOpp.WeekNamePoints2003QBSFOARI14Jeff Garcia412003RBDENKAN14Clinton Portis552003TEDENSDG11Shannon Sharpe282003WRNORNYG15Joe Horn372004QBTENOAK15Billy Volek422004RBKANATL7Priest Holmes422004TECLECIN12Steve Heiden262004WRTENKAN14Drew Bennett412005QBPHISFO2Donovan McNabb342005RBSDGNYG3LaDainian Tomlinson452005TESDGKAN8Antonio Gates332005WRCARMIA3Steve Smith352006QBPHIGNB4Donovan McNabb362006RBINDPHI12Joseph Addai452006TEATLPIT7Alge Crumpler302006WRDENPIT9Javon Walker392007QBCINCLE2Carson Palmer412007RBMINSDG9Adrian Peterson502007TENWECLE5Ben Watson242007WRDALWAS11Terrell Owens412008QBNWEMIA12Matt Cassel362008RBMIANWE3Ronnie Brown412008TEMINATL16Visanthe Shiancoe262008WRARIMIA2Anquan Boldin322008WRTAMCAR14Antonio Bryant322009QBNWETEN6Tom Brady392009RBCLEKAN15Jerome Harrison482009TESFOHOU7Vernon Davis272009WRDALKAN5Miles Austin372010QBPHIWAS10Michael Vick492010RBOAKDEN7Darren McFadden442010TESDGARI4Antonio Gates262010WRTENPHI7Kenny Britt412011QBGNBDEN4Aaron Rodgers482011RBHOUTEN7Arian Foster412011TENWEWAS14Rob Gronkowski282011WRNWEBUF3Wes Welker362012QBSEABUF15Russell Wilson392012RBTAMRAI9Doug Martin512012TENWERAM8Rob Gronkowski272012TENORATL10Jimmy Graham272012WRDALNOR16Dez Bryant34 The Vick Award: Given to the player with the best fantasy performance on Monday Night Football. Named after Michael Vick for his 49-point game in 2010. The 2012 Vick Award goes to Cam Newton for putting up 37 against Philly in Week 12. Newton compiled 358 total yards and four touchdowns. It was a meaningless game, but Newton's performance probably knocked a number of fantasy teams out of the playoffs. YearPlayerWeekPointsTeamOpponent2003Ahman Green1034GNBPHI2004Drew Bennett1441TENKAN2005Edgerrin James634INDSTL2006Donovan McNabb436PHIGNB2007Vince Young1130TENDEN2008Antonio Bryant1432TAMCAR2009Drew Brees1235NORNWE2010Michael Vick1049PHIWAS2011Drew Brees1237NORNYG2012Cam Newton1237CARPHI
Now for a closer look at the 2012 season. Here are three hypothetical fantasy teams from the 2012 season. Each has one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, and one kicker. The first, "Best Squad," consists of the best possible players from that particular week, giving you the maximum score in ESPN standard leagues. "Dream Team" consists of the highest-drafted active players at each position for that week. "Choke Artists" consists of the worst possible active players you could start for that particular week who were drafted top 10 at their position.
Week 1
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Matt Ryan31Aaron Rodgers22Eli Manning12CJ Spiller22Arian Foster19Maurice Jones-Drew8Alfred Morris21Ray Rice20Chris Johnson4Kevin Ogletree23Calvin Johnson11Greg Jennings3Julio Jones22Andre Johnson17Wes Welker1Jimmy Graham14Rob Gronkowski12Jason Witten1Jets D/ST1849ers D/ST5Steeler D/ST3Billy Cundiff18Stephen Gostkowski10Mason Crosby2 169 116 34
Week 2
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists RGIII30Aaron Rodgers10Aaron Rodgers10Reggie Bush31Arian Foster20Darren McFadden3CJ Spiller28Ray Rice14Chris Johnson2Hakeem Nicks25Calvin Johnson9Larry Fitzgerald0Victor Cruz23Andre Johnson2Julio Jones1Dante Rosario22Rob Gronkowski13Aaron Hernandez0Packers D/St2149ers D/ST6Jets D/ST3Stephen Gostkowski16Stephen Gostkowski16Billy Cundiff3 196 90 22
Week 3
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Ben Roethlisberger31Aaron Rodgers9Michael Vick5Jamaal Charles34Arian Foster16LeSean McCoy7Maurice Jones-Drew24Ray Rice20Chris Johnson2AJ Green25Calvin Johnson22Roddy White5Torrey Smith24Andre Johnson13Greg Jennings3Heath Miller18Rob Gronkowski2Jason Witten0Bears D/ST2349ers D/ST4Patriots D/ST-5Ryan Succop21Stephen Gostkowski13Nate Kaeding4 200 99 21
Week 4
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Tom Brady31Aaron Rodgers27Tony Romo6Michael Turner22Arian Foster14Matt Forte5Steven Ridley22Ray Rice8Darren McFadden3Brian Hartline31Calvin Johnson5Calvin Johnson5Roddy White28Andre Johnson23Julio Jones3Scott Chandler18Rob Gronkowski14Vernon Davis249ers D/St2749ers D/ST27Packers D/ST-3Greg Zuerlein18Stephen Gostkowski8Mason Crosby4 197 126 25
Week 5
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Drew Brees28Aaron Rodgers24RGIII3Ahmad Bradshaw26Arian Foster22Maurice Jones-Drew5Arian Foster22Ray Rice11Chris Johnson0Marques Colston31Andre Johnson1Mike Wallace1Reggie Wayne27Roddy White (Fitzgerald & Megatron on bye)6Andre Johnson1Tony Gonzalez18Rob Gronkowski3Jimmy Graham0Bears D/ST2849ers D/ST11Packers D/ST0Blair Walsh13Stephen Gostkowski7Mason Crosby1 193 85 11
Week 6
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Aaron Rodgers38Aaron Rodgers38Eli Manning11Shonn Greene34Arian Foster15DeMarco Murray9Ray Rice22Ray Rice22Marshawn Lynch5Jordy Nelson30Calvin Johnson13Julio Jones6AJ Green25Andre Johnson7Hakeem Nicks4Antonio Gates20Rob Gronkowski6Jermichael Finley1Broncos D/ST2849ers D/ST2Eagles D/ST-1Jason Hanson16Stephen Gostkowski11David Akers2 213 114 37
Week 7
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Drew Brees29Aaron Rodgers25Tony Romo14Chris Johnson31Arian Foster21DeMarco Murray9Adrian Peterson21Ray Rice5Marshawn Lynch5Vincent Jackson27Calvin Johnson3Calvin Johnson3Randall Cobb21Andre Johnson8Larry Fitzgerald2Rob Gronkowski19Rob Gronkowski19Vernon Davis0Texans D/ST2249ers D/ST10Ravens D/ST-4Nick Folk18Stephen Gostkowski11Blair Walsh3 188 102 32
Week 8
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Matthew Stafford31Aaron Rodgers13Eli Manning5Doug Martin31LeSean McCoy (Foster on bye)18Darren McFadden13Willis McGahee19Chris Johnson (Rice on bye)10Chris Johnson10Titus Young22Calvin Johnson4Hakeem Nicks4Michael Crabtree19Larry Fitzgerald (Andre on bye)5Roddy White3Rob Gronkowski26Rob Gronkowski26Antonio Gates1Dolphins D/ST2049ers D/ST12Seahawks D/ST0Lawrence Tynes19Stephen Gostkowski9Greg Zuerlein1 187 97 37
Week 9
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Carson Palmer28Aaron Rodgers25Eli Manning3Doug Martin51Arian Foster17LeSean McCoy12Adrian Peterson31Ray Rice15Darren McFadden1Brandon Marshall30Calvin Johnson12Andre Johnson11Eric Decker21Andre Johnson11Hakeem Nicks1Brandon Myers17Jimmy Graham (Gronk on bye)13Jermichael Finley0Bears D/ST26Ravens D/ST (49ers on bye)8Eagles D/ST4Phil Dawson16Mason Crosby (Gost, Akers on bye)6Garrett Hartley3 220 107 35
Week 10
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Joe Flacco29Tom Brady (Rodgers on bye)17Eli Manning2Adrian Peterson25Arian Foster17LeSean McCoy10Fred Jackson21Ray Rice12Matt Forte3Calvin Johnson24Calvin Johnson24Mike Wallace7Danario Alexander19Andre Johnson3Andre Johnson3Jimmy Graham26Rob Gronkowski9Vernon Davis3Broncos D/ST2849ers D/ST-149ers D/ST-1Stephen Gostkowski15Stephen Gostkowski15David Akers6 187 96 33
Week 11
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Matt Schaub37Aaron Rodgers15Matt Ryan2Marcel Reece19Arian Foster8Arian Foster8LaRod Stephens-Howling18Ray Rice9Matt Forte6Andre Johnson33Calvin Johnson18Mike Wallace0Justin Blackmon29Andre Johnson33Larry Fitzgerald1Rob Gronkowski25Rob Gronkowski25Antonio Gates1Patriots D/ST2449ers D/ST18Texans D/ST-4Josh Scobee15Stephen Gostkowski10Greg Zuerlein1 200 136 15
Week 12
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Cam Newton37Aaron Rodgers10Aaron Rodgers10Bryce Brown26Arian Foster23Marshawn Lynch4Arian Foster23Ray Rice15Matt Forte2Dez Bryant24Calvin Johnson20Mike Wallace0Calvin Johnson20Andre Johnson18Larry Fitzgerald3Charles Clay14Jimmy Graham (Gronk out)3Vernon Davis049ers D/ST2349ers D/ST23Jets D/ST-6Rob Bironas13Stephen Gostkowski6Garrett Hartlet3 180 118 16
Week 13
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Cam Newton28Aaron Rodgers14Drew Brees3Adrian Peterson28Arian Foster10Arian Foster10Bryce Brown27Ray Rice13Chris Johnson5Calvin Johnson23Calvin Johnson23Roddy White2Donnie Avery21Andre Johnson5Larry Fitzgerald2Brandon Myers19Jimmy Graham (Gronk out)5Vernon Davis1Texans D/ST2049ers D/ST5Bears D/ST-1Jason Hanson18Stephen Gostkowski11Blair Walsh2 184 86 24
Week 14
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Cam Newton36Aaron Rodgers13Tony Romo12Marshawn Lynch30Arian Foster13Matt Forte11Adrian Peterson28Ray Rice19Chris Johnson5Mike Wallace23Calvin Johnson11Greg Jennings2Brandon Marshall22Andre Johnson9Larry Fitzgerald0Aaron Hernandez17Jimmy Graham (Gronk out)5Vernon Davis0Seahawks D/ST3949ers D/ST9Texans D/ST-3Steven Hauschka16Stephen Gostkowski6Greg Zuerlein1 211 85 28
Week 15
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Russell Wilson39Aaron Rodgers24Eli Manning2Adrian Peterson27Arian Foster16Darren McFadden12Beanie Wells24Ray Rice3Ray Rice3James Jones24Calvin Johnson12Roddy White1Michael Crabtree22Andre Johnson21Larry Fitzgerald2Dennis Pitta24Jimmy Graham (Gronk out)6Vernon Davis1Cardinals D/ST2549ers D/ST4Ravens D/ST0Blair Walsh25Stephen Gostkowski11Greg Zuerlein2 210 97 23
Week 16
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Tony Romo32Aaron Rodgers32Eli Manning10Reggie Bush28Arian Foster0Chris Johnson3Jamaal Charles26Ray Rice21Arian Foster0Dez Bryant34Calvin Johnson20Mike Wallace1Roddy White27Andre Johnson9Hakeem Nicks0Lance Kendricks17Jimmy Graham (Gronk out)8Vernon Davis1Bears D/ST2749ers D/ST049ers D/ST0Justin Tucker15Stephen Gostkowski11Greg Zuerlein2 206 101 17
Week 17
Best Squad "Dream Team" Choke Artists Drew Brees29Aaron Rodgers28Cam Newton10Alfred Morris39Arian Foster17Darren McFadden5DeAngelo Williams33Ray Rice0Ray Rice0Michael Crabtree29Calvin Johnson7Larry Fitzgerald1Greg Jennings24Andre Johnson14AJ Green2Jimmy Graham17Ron Gronkowski10Vernon Davis0Titans D/ST3649ers D/ST11Packers D/ST-5Blair Walsh15Stephen Gostkowski4Nate Kaeding0 222 91 13
Finally, here are some graphs that show how fantasy point totals have changed over time.
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