A Manning gift would come with chalkboard

ESPN likes to bill mid-to-late December as "The most wonderful time of the year." And really, who could blame them?

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But it's not just for all the college bowls and Christmas spirit that are flowing.

This is the week that championships are decided in most fantasy leagues. For those in title games, I'm sure you feel like you've gotten a few gifts from your fellow owners and vice versa.

Since everyone seems to be in the gift-giving mood – and judging by the traffic, everyone is – I thought I'd get in the spirit and give you some of the best and worst gifts of the fantasy season.

- The Peyton Manning action figure. Complete with chalkboard for erasing any future records he might break. No doubt this isn't on Dan Marino's Christmas list.

- Trivial Pursuit, the Ricky Williams Edition. With all the questions surrounding his departure, his whereabouts and his entire career, you could create an entire game about him. But the only thing is, Ricky can't play. So sayeth the league.

- Carolina Panthers LEGO set. Has any other team in the league been busted into so many pieces this year?

- The Baby New Year Doll, Terrell Owens Edition: He originally came into the spotlight crying (remember the 1999 playoff game against Green Bay?) and he left it this year the same way.

- Where In The World? The Game:Featuring such former fantasy stars as Santana Moss, Peerless Price, Kurt Warner, Hines Ward, Marc Bulger and others.

And what holiday gift-giving season wouldn't be complete without some Christmas cards.

l To Miami, from Pittsburgh: Thanks for virtually giving us home-field advantage and for making Tom Brady look normal.

l To Dennis Green, from Josh McCown: Thanks for putting me back in. I knew I could do it, even if you didn't.

- To Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith, from Muhsin Muhammad: Hope you get well Steve, and thanks for making my contract year a success, Jake.

And finally...

- To Manning from all of your receivers: Thanks for making us all-stars!

START'EM UP

RB Larry Johnson, Oakland: The way he's been running, it'd be a big mistake not to put him in.

QB Billy Volek, Tennessee: Can he make it three 400-yard games in a row? If you saw Denver's defense last week, then it's a possibility.

SIT DOWN

QB Brett Favre, Green Bay: His dome record is horrible, but with the division on the line, you never know.

RB Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh: Don't look for a 100-yard game against the Ravens.

wake-up call

WR Santana Moss, N.Y. Jets: He'll need to duplicate last week's performance for any shot of beating New England.

ROOKIE WATCH

WR Roy Williams, Detroit: He got back into the NFC Rookie of the Year running with a fantastic game last week.

Reach Raymond Beasock at (706) 823-3221 or raymond.beasock@augustachronicle.com.