I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's over. Sure, the NFL playoffs kick off next weekend; but really, if we're being honest, the thrill is gone.

But before we allow the interminable fantasy offseason to begin, let's take a quick stroll back through 2008 to examine the players we rooted for and against and -- with as much objectivity as we can muster -- give credit where credit is due.

As always, our annual awards have but a few important criteria:

1. Consistency on a weekly basis is next to godliness.
2. Performances during the fantasy playoffs -- for our purposes, NFL Weeks 14 through 16 -- are given extra weight. Players who let their owners down at the worst possible time earn our eternal scorn.
3. Week 17 performances are disregarded since most fantasy leagues hold their Super Bowl in Week 16, per the wishes of the late, great Lamar Hunt. Except where otherwise noted, all statistics quoted are through Week 16.
4. As always, I'm open to your feedback on these awards, including those with which you disagree. Feel free to email me, and be sure to begin your message with "You are an idiot because..."

Without further ado, I am pleased to present the 2008 Biro's Heroes & Zeros Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Unlike previous years, this award is open to some debate. Brees takes the trophy due to his remarkable consistency, passing for more than 300 yards in nine games (more than 400 twice), on his way to 4,683 yards and 30 TDs through Week 16. Most important, he was held without a TD only once. Runner-up: Michael Turner, RB, Falcons.

The "Peerless Price Memorial" Bust of the Year: Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns. Lots of competition for this one, too, including Derek Anderson, Joseph Addai, Torry Holt, Roy Williams and Chad Johnson. But Edwards gets the nod as the second receiver off the board in many leagues, and for racking up such dismal stats despite playing in every game. Runner-up: Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals.

Surprise of the Year: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers. I wasn't alone in predicting a breakout season for the third-year tailback. But I never would have guessed he'd finish as the No. 1 running back in Fantasyland. After a sluggish start during which he was upstaged by rookie teammate Jonathan Stewart, Williams was simply unstoppable. Runner-up: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers.

Rookie of the Year: Matt Forte, RB, Bears. In a season that will be remembered for the many stellar contributions of its rookie class, his 1,640 combined yards and 12 TDs landed him in elite company (No. 4 fantasy RB). Forte was rarely spectacular, but his week-in-week-out reliability -- at least 100 yards and/or a touchdown in all but one game -- made him a fantasy gem. For the record, Matt Ryan was terrific, but he finished well outside the Top 10 QB ranks. Runner-up: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans.

Comeback Player of the Year: Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers. After flaming out in Dallas, Cleveland and San Francisco, and sitting out the entire 2007 season when no team wanted him, Bryant wrapped up 2008 as a Top 10 wideout. On the Bucs, of all teams. Amazing. Runner-up: Andre Johnson, WR, Texans.

Best Waiver Wire Acquisition: Matt Cassel, QB, Patriots. Once he got comfortable running the Patriots' offense, Cassel became a solid fantasy starter. By Week 11, he was playing at an elite level, and saved his best for the postseason. Runner-up: Antonio Bryant.

Most Devastating Injury Loss: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. There's no telling how he would have altered the fantasy landscape had he not gone down in the season opener. But those who latched onto Cassel found some measure of relief. Runner-up: Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals.

Steal of the Draft: Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals. He wasn't even declared the Cardinals' starter until most drafts had been completed. Those who took a late-round flier on the veteran gunslinger were rewarded with a fantasy MVP candidate. Runner-up: DeAngelo Williams.

Most Overrated Player: Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals. His act wore thin quickly, and even a ridiculous name change couldn't compensate for his disastrous season. It's fitting that the Bengals made him inactive for the final two games. His owners had made that decision weeks before. Runner-up: Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens.

Most Underrated Player: Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Quietly, consistently, nearly invisibly racked up almost 1,500 total yards and 15 touchdowns to finish as the third-best running back in Fantasyland. Yet even Leon Washington gets more respect. Runner-up: Roddy White, WR, Falcons.

Made Chicken Salad from Chicken Scratch: Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions. Rising above the muck and mire that is the Detroit Lions franchise, Megatron collected 1,229 yards and 10 TDs from the likes of Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton. Hear that, Braylon? Runner-up: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs.

Biggest Postseason Disappointment: Kurt Warner. After 13 outstanding weeks, he connected on just two TD passes during the fantasy playoffs, punctuated by a dismal 30-yard clunker last week in New England. Runner-up: Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles.

Most Spectacular Yet Worthless Performance: Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins. His sensational 113-yard, five-touchdown performance in Week 3 caught most fantasy owners -- and all of the Patriots -- off-guard. The debut of Miami's "Wildcat" formation sparked the Dolphins' renaissance, but frustrated those who had benched Brown after two lackluster games. Runner-up: Trent Edwards, QB, Bills (four TDs in Week 12).

Lived Up to the Hype: Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. Lured out of LaDainian Tomlinson's shadow to be the centerpiece of Atlanta's rebuilding effort, Turner carried the team while its franchise quarterback got comfortable under center. His 1,491 rushing yards and 16 TDs put him in the conversation for the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2009. Runner-up: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings.

Player You Most Want to Manage Your 401(k): Chad Pennington, QB, Dolphins. If he can lead the 1-15 Dolphins to 11-5 and a division championship, imagine what he can do for your depleted retirement account. Runner-up: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons.

Too Little Too Late: Kurt Warner. After three consecutive weeks of pedestrian (or worse) stats during the fantasy playoffs, he passed for 263 yards and four TDs Sunday against the Seahawks. Runner-up: Lance Moore, WR, Saints (Week 17).

Team Bust of the Year: Oakland Raiders. JaMarcus Russell rendered his wide receivers irrelevant. Their leading rusher (Justin Fargas) scored once all season. Their prized rookie (Darren McFadden) had one game over 100 rushing yards. Only tight end Zach Miller belonged anywhere near a fantasy roster. Just disappear, baby. Runner-up: Seattle Seahawks.

Bonehead of the Year: Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants. Need I elaborate? This award will carry his name in the future. Runner-up: Matt Jones, WR, Jaguars.

Most Likely to Succeed in '09: Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints. Deuce McAllister seems headed for retirement, and Reggie Bush can't be counted on to stay healthy. The versatile Thomas has soared when given the opportunity, and should excel in a shared backfield with Bush next season. Runner-up: Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys.

Next week: The Perfect Draft: Final Cut closes out the season.