Tomlinson runs away with top honors in wild season

	LaDainian Tomlinson led the league in rushing and set an NFL record for TDs. Robert Beck/SI
	Steven Jackson not only ran for 1,528 yards, but he led the NFC in receptions. Simon Bruty/SI

So a wild 2006 season is in the books. Which players helped your fantasy hopes the most and which ones doomed them? Check out these teams honoring the best and the occasional worst of 2006:

First Team Fantasy All-Stars

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts: While he wasn't anywhere close to 49 TDs, he still had 31 scoring strikes and just nine picks. Plus, he had four rushing TDs -- two more than Michael Vick (but 1,003 fewer ground yards).

RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers: The easy choice for fantasy MVP despite a somewhat lackluster final two weeks of the season. He led the league in rushing and scored 31 total TDs. Is there any more that needs to be said?

RB: Steven Jackson, Rams: A monster final two weeks gives him this spot ahead of Larry Johnson. He finished with 1,528 yards and 16 total TDs, but the 90 receptions for 806 yards made him an unsung fantasy star.

WR: Marvin Harrison, Colts: A rather lackluster season for wideouts, even in leagues that give points for receptions, but Harrison continued his strong play and turned it up down the stretch with six TDs in the final three weeks.

WR: Terrell Owens, Cowboys: For fantasy purposes, he had a solid season, leading the league with 13 TD catches, 85 total receptions and 1,180 yards. And yet, you wanted more from him.

WR: Reggie Wayne, Colts: With the lack of a third receiver in Indy most of the year, both Wayne and Harrison carried the load and turned in great seasons.

TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers: Not as dominating as in years past, but still the best tight end in the league.

K: Robbie Gould, Bears: Tailed off toward the end of the year, but he was one reason for Chicago's rise this season. Not bad for a guy probably not drafted in most leagues.

Def.: Chicago Bears: If you include special teams into the mix, Devin Hester helped some squads win games by himself.

Second Team Fantasy All-Stars

QB: Drew Brees, Saints: A late-season slump dropped him behind the steady Manning, but Brees' rise is impressive considering how much of a question mark he was to start the season.

RB: Larry Johnson, Chiefs: It took a lot to drop LJ here, especially considering he just about matched his 2005 numbers. But will the record 416 carries take its toll next year?

RB: Brian Westbrook, Eagles: He stayed healthy most of the year, which means we got to see the complete package of running and receiving. His 11 TDs are nice, but not enough to make him first team.

WR: Torry Holt, Rams: He scored seven TDs in the first six weeks, then just three after that -- and that was in a two-week stretch in Week 13 and 14. More consistency would be nice, but he still produced enough.

WR: Donald Driver, Packers: Even with the early rise of rookie Greg Jennings, Driver was still Favre's only consistent target. He had three 100-yard games and four more with at least 90.

WR: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals: Chad Johnson actually had more yards thanks to a midseason binge, but Houshmandzadeh was the more consistent player despite missing the first two weeks with an injury.

TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs: He's now fighting off Kellen Winslow for the No. 2 spot rather than battling Gates for No. 1. He had three 100-yard games and five TDs (but only three games with scores).

K: Jeff Wilkins, Rams: Tied with Gould for the most field goals made (32), plus he had three from over 50 yards to give him a slight nod over Nate Kaeding.

Def.: Baltimore Ravens: Probably a more consistent force than the Bears in terms of defensive points, thanks to a ton of playmakers across the board, but they probably didn't win you as many games as Chicago.

Third Team Fantasy All-Stars

QB: Marc Bulger, Rams: Eight games over 300 yards, plus he had just eight picks to go with his 24 TDs.

RB: Frank Gore, 49ers: A breakout season for Gore, who led the NFC in rushing and had nine 100-yard games with nine TDs.

RB: Willie Parker, Steelers: Tiki Barber outscored him thanks to that huge final game, but many leagues were out of commission by then. So the nod goes to Parker, who proved he could be a workhorse. He posted 16 total TDs and had two 200-yard games plus five more over 100.

WR: Chad Johnson, Bengals: He held on to lead the league in receiving yards thanks to a huge 473-yard, five-TD binge in Weeks 10-12. A solid player all year long but a huge disappointment to end the season.

WR: Lee Evans, Bills: The 265-yard, two-TD game is the focal point of his season, but he also caught TD passes in each of his last four games of 2006.

WR: Roy Williams, Lions: Nudged out Steve Smith for the final spot, but Williams proved to be a top fantasy commodity in the right system. Plus, he found a complement in Mike Furrey.

TE: Kellen Winslow, Browns: In his first full season, Winslow finally lived up to expectations. While he had just three TDs, he had 89 catches, best among tight ends, for 879 yards.

K: Nate Kaeding, Chargers: By far the league leader in extra points, but he got enough field goals to be a credible fantasy player every week.

Def.: San Diego Chargers: Lots of big plays from this unit, even with Shawne Merriman out four games with a suspension.