Drew Brees, who ranks in the top four in the NFL in passing yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage, recently visited the White House to shoot a Thanksgiving PSA with President Barack Obama.

Here’s what stood out to me after Sunday’s action.

Having fantasy football analysts star-struck shouldn’t be a surprise given our current obsession with celebrity in our TMZ-driven world. But it was kind of shocking to hear fellow NFL.com gurus Michael Fabiano and Bucky Brooks trumpet some falling stars during our Fantasy Friday taping this week.

There are so many things that can be debated at the midseason point. Even though there’s still a lot of football left to be played, I’m about to give props to some deserving guys who might not be getting the recognition they deserve.

Midway through the season, it’s time to see what we’ve learned. I took a look at Ted Thompson, Eric Mangini, Vince Young, Roy Williams (of the Cowboys), Tom Coughlin and, last but not least, Drew Brees, on Saturday’s NFL Total Access on NFL Network.

As a former NFL defensive back, even I have to admit that without a top-notch, steely-nerved quarterback, you cannot expect to win consistently in the league today. I can see the evolution in what it takes to win in today’s NFL.

Ever the fan of expression through his favorite social networking site, Bengals WR Chad Ochocino was at it again on Twitter, instigating an exchange of trash-talking tweets with Bears QB Jay Cutler and DE Alex Brown ahead of Sunday’s matchup in Chicago — and the game is still five days away.

Saints QB Drew Brees joined NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk for an interview Monday, breaking down the 48-27 blowout of the New York Giants in Week 6.

The Saints and Cardinals look super. LB Brian Cushing looked amazing. The Rams continue to lose. And oh yeah, Tom Brady wasn’t too bad, either. It’s all in Around the Web.

Patriots QB Tom Brady is making mincemeat of the Tennessee Titans.

Saints RB Mike Bell appears to be the team’s new goal-line back. That hurts the stock of RB Pierre Thomas.

Fantasy owners will be without Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. Could Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell could be viable this week?

The Cardinals are reeling, the Jets defense takes on the Saints this week, and more in Tuesday’s roundup.

I would argue that right now — in the 2009 NFL season — is the most challenging time to be a a fantasy owner.

Welcome back to the fantasy world, Pierre Thomas!