Here we go again: 2005 first-quarter Fantasy Awards

	Donovan McNabb has shaken off injuries and issues with Terrell Owens to put up another set of huge stats. Al Tielemans/SI

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

With the first four weeks of NFL season fading in the rear-view mirror, it's time for the first installment of my quarterly Fantasy Awards, which head into their fifth season of honoring players who have -- for better or for worse -- distinguished themselves above all others over the four-game stretch in question. For those of you new to these awards, here are the categories:

Fantasy MVP: The player who performed above and beyond the expectations of fantasy owners, an impact player who regularly made the difference between winning and losing.

Fantasy Flop: The player we believe has come furthest from meeting preseason fantasy expectations. This award is based solely on performance. Players missing significant time due to injury are not considered.

Ambush Award: The player turning in the most surprising fantasy performance based on preseason expectations, or more precisely, the lack of same.

Comeback Player: The player who best overcame past non-productivity and/or ineffectiveness due to injury, a weak supporting cast or other adversities to surpass the lowered preseason expectations resulting from their previous problems.

The Candy Bone Award: The "crown jewel" of these awards! Given to the player who above all others failed to meet preseason expectations due to injury.

One last note here: Winners must play in all four games during the period in question to be eligible, meaning those on teams with bye weeks falling during the specified period (Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Washington, Chicago, Cleveland, Miami and Pittsburgh in this case) are ineligible.

So, with the preliminaries out of the way, it's time to break out my 2005 First Quarter Fantasy Award winners:

Fantasy MVP: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

Peter King said Monday, "McNabb is amazing, officially. He's thrown for 1,337 yards in four weeks. He's on pace for a 5,348-yard season.

In addition to that stellar yardage total, McNabb has tossed 11 TDs and three interceptions, putting him on pace to break NFL records for passing yards, attempts and completions.

Head coach Andy Reid has always favored the passing game, but he's relied on it more than ever this season. Just 69 of Philadelphia's 269 offensive plays have been rushes by the running backs. That's only 25.6 percent, down from 32.8 percent last season.

It all adds up to one thing: McNabb nailing down first-quarter MVP honors for a second-straight year. Except he's even hotter this year than last, when he filled this same space thanks to a 1,168-yard, 9-TD pass, 2-TD run effort through the first four weeks.

Others considered: Carson Palmer; LaDainian Tomlinson; Shaun Alexander

Fantasy Flop: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings

With Peyton Manning pulling out of a three-game mini-slump with a four-TD effort last Sunday, Culpepper's continuing mediocrity -- despite some brief excitement in Week 3 -- has to be one of the biggest disappointments this year.

Whether you blame the loss of Randy Moss, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan or the injury to center Matt Birk, the bottom line remains unchanged: Culpepper has gone from an MVP candidate in 2004 to a quarterback who has posted quarterback ratings of 49.2, 36.4 and 74.4 in the Vikings' three losses.

Take away the three first-half touchdowns scored against New Orleans and the offense has accounted for two other touchdowns all season. But had you told me in August that Culpepper would have a grand total of four TD passes (and one TD run) a month into the season, I would have laughed in your face.

In his defense, Culpepper has played despite a right knee injury that continues limit his mobility. Still, a sore knee doesn't account for 10 interceptions and three lost fumbles this season.

Others considered: Peyton Manning; Tony Gonzalez